Daniel Joseph Paladin (born September 14, 1979[1]), also known as Synj, is an American video game artist, designer, and co-founder of the video game company The Behemoth.

Dan Paladin
Paladin attending PAX Prime 2012
Born (1979-09-14) September 14, 1979 (age 45)
Ohio, United States
Other namesSynj
Occupation(s)Video game art designer, developer
Years active2001—present
EmployerThe Behemoth
Known for
WebsiteSynj.net

He began collaborating with Newgrounds creator Tom Fulp and in the early 2000's designed several Flash-based browser games: Sack Smash 2001, Chainsaw the Children, Dad n' Me, and, most notably, Alien Hominid.[2] In 2002, he, Fulp, John Baez, and Brandon LaCava founded the video game company The Behemoth. Paladin designed the critically acclaimed remake of Alien Hominid, as well as the hack-and-slash game Castle Crashers, with his 2D style becoming signature for these games.[3][4]

Aside from working for The Behemoth, Paladin has also worked for Gratuitous Games and Presto Studios. He also composed the polka-style closing credits tune for the Cyanide & Happiness animated shorts.[5]

Personal life

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Paladin lives in San Diego, California, where The Behemoth is located. He was an active member of Newgrounds.[6]

Games

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Year Title
2002 Alien Hominid
2008 Castle Crashers
2013 BattleBlock Theater
2018 Pit People
2023 Alien Hominid Invasion
2024 BEHEMOTH

Awards

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Castle Crashers, a game Paladin is credited as the art director of, won two awards in Independent Games Festival 2007: "Excellence In Visual Art" and "Audience Award".[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "The Behemoth - Facebook". Facebook.
  2. ^ "Dan Paladin". synj.net. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Taunting The Behemoth: Tom Fulp and Dan Paladin Cry Out". www.gamasutra.com. 12 December 2008.
  4. ^ "The Behemoth's Game 5 is Alien Hominid Invasion". 31 January 2020.
  5. ^ "I Like Your Hat".
  6. ^ "DanPaladin". Newgrounds. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ^ "2007 IGF Main Competition Finalists Announced". Independent Games Festival (IGF). 9 December 2006.
  8. ^ "IGF Winners Announced!". Independent Games Festival (IGF). 8 March 2007.
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