Michael Hartman is the inventor of the Free-to-Play business model and a expert on gamification, game theory, and ecommerce. Over four decades in the video game industry he founded two studios and published 10 titles.
Mr. Hartman is the founder, President, and CEO of Frogdice: an independent developer of F2P online games and downloadable titles for PC and mobile. Founded in 1996, Frogdice is one of the oldest game studios in the industry.
Mr. Hartman is also the founder and President of Virtual Keystone: a consulting company that specializes in gamification, ecommerce, digital transformation, social engineering cybersecurity, and helping its clients utilize and capitalize upon high tech and internet market opportunities.
In 1991, Mr. Hartman invented the "free-to-play" (F2P) business model in online RPGs he developed for Bulletin-Board Systems (BBSes - precursors to the internet). In 1993 he began developing games for the internet using this business model, launching Threshold RPG in 1996. In F2P games, players can play for free with the option to purchase additional content, virtual goods, customization, cosmetics, boosts, currency, etc.
Mr. Hartman is an active speaker, mentor, and judge in the entrepreneurship community. He also volunteers at schools of all levels to educate students about careers in technology and gaming. He has recently taken that to the next level as a college professor at Eastern Kentucky University. He teaches in the Computer Science Gaming Institute where he developed their Game Design Certificate program for undergrad and master's degree students. He also teaches about video games at the University of Kentucky in the School of Journalism and Media.
Outside of work, Mr. Hartman is married, a father of two daughters, an avid reader and gamer, and a dedicated fan of college football. He is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and the University of Georgia School of Law. Mr. Hartman's wife is a co-founder of both Frogdice and Virtual Keystone.
Frogdice
CEO