Andrey "KranK" Kuzmin

Infobox Person
name = Andrey "KranK" Kuzmin

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image_size = 180px
caption = Andrey "KranK" Kuzmin at the KRI conference
birth_date = Birth date and age|1971|4|24|mf=y
birth_place = Kaliningrad, Russia
death_date =
death_place =
occupation = CEO, Game designer, Game producer at KranX Productions
spouse =

Andrey "KranK" Kuzmin (born April 24 1971, Kaliningrad, Russia) is a Russian Game designer, producer and the co-founder of the game production company, KranX Productions.

He has developed first self-made game at school (graduated with honors) and graduated Kaliningrad State University as "theoretical physicist". Being a student Andrey developed successful business software for big regional enterprises. At the upper courses he put together a team of enthusiasts "K-Division" to develop computer games and real-time technologies. In 1995 together with adherents he has created one of first independent Russian companies "K-D Lab" which has borrowed especially in development of games.

Activities

1991-1994 – creation of team of developers-enthusiasts "K-Division". Team management, postgraduate study, active researches in the field of technologies and game processes.

1995-2004 – establishment of the game development company "K-D Lab", CEO and co-owner. Development of original game concepts, unique technologies, works on scripts and own original game Universes, supervise over projects development, in-game music composing. Games, developed by Andrey:

* "Biprolex+" (1997), the original combination of Tetris and Arkanoid. Game designer, lead programmer, project manager. During several months in 1996-97 "Biprolex+" was in Internet Top Download 40.
* "Surmap" (1996-1997), the unique technology of detailed changeable landscape, which was used to develop the most of following company’s projects. Ideologist and lead developer.
* "" (1998), action/adventure/racing game with some RPG elements. Project manager, game designer, creator of "Univang" Universe, composer. The game was published worldwide by Interactive Magic.
* "Spanking Runners" (2001), arcade racing game. Game designer, author of the "turn-based racing" concept. The game was among the nine finalists of GDC IGF 2000. Till now it is a unique case of participation in this event of a team from Russia.
* "Perimeter" (2004), sci-fi Real-time strategy based on terraforming concept. Producer, author of idea, Universe creator, game designer. The game published worldwide by Codemasters.

2004-till now – establishment and management of the independent Russian game production company, KranX Productions, as CEO, designer and producer.

Awards

* 1996 – Prize for games "Trapoine" and "Tunnerve" at festival of computer graphics and animations "Anigraph"
* 1998 – Gran-prix $200 000 at the ENIX Game Software Contest II for the game MOBL with "Indirect management" concept
* 2003 – "Perimeter" won "Best Technology" at the first Russian game geveloper's conference KRI in Moscow
* 2004 – "Perimeter" won "Best PC Game", "Best Game Design" at the Russian game developer's conference KRI, and also nominee for "Develop Industry Excellence Award" in London

Participation

* Permanent judge and speaker at Russian game developer's conference KRI since 2003
* IGDA member
* Regular participant of Game Developers Conference, E3 and other large industrial events
* Game Developers Conference Russia [http://www.gdcrussia.com/conference/board/ advisory board] member