About the Developer
Updated 8 hours agoAbout the Developer
Meet Zanakinz - the creator of ZUI and passionate modder behind several V Rising community projects.
๐ค Who I Am
I'm a father, a gamer, and a US Military Veteran who has been passionate about gaming and programming for over two decades. Gaming has been a constant throughout my life, but what really drives me is the challenge - both in playing games and in creating tools and modifications that enhance them.
My favorite genres are strategy, survival, and RPG games - anything that challenges the mind and rewards creative problem-solving. This love for complex systems naturally led me into the world of game modification and development.
๐ฎ Gaming Journey
My gaming journey started as a young child, but I began seriously dedicating time to games in 2004. What started as playing games quickly evolved into wanting to understand how they worked and how I could improve them.
Over the years, I've enjoyed most game genres (yes, even sports games!), but I've always gravitated toward games that challenge my brain and allow for creative expression. This passion for challenging gameplay naturally extends to challenging development problems.
๐ป Programming Journey
The Beginning: RuneScape & Java (Early 2000s)
My programming journey began with RuneScape private servers. I learned to write Java by diving into server-side code, figuring out how game mechanics worked, and creating custom content. This hands-on approach taught me not just syntax, but how to solve real problems and create experiences players would enjoy.
Minecraft Modding Era (Alpha - 2010s)
When Minecraft was still in its infancy - back in the Alpha days with hMod - I jumped in and started creating mods. When hMod transitioned to Bukkit, I continued developing private mods and plugins for Minecraft servers, building on my Java knowledge to create unique gameplay experiences.
One notable project I contributed to was Pixelmon, a popular Pokรฉmon mod for Minecraft. While my contribution was small and was eventually removed in later versions, the experience of working with the team was invaluable. I implemented a UI Rarity System that visually displayed in the Pokรฉdex how rare each Pokรฉmon was in their respective biome - helping players understand spawn rates at a glance. Getting to collaborate with such a talented development team taught me a lot about large-scale mod development and team collaboration.
This era taught me:
- Server architecture and multiplayer systems
- Plugin APIs and modding frameworks
- Community management and user feedback
- The importance of performance optimization
- Collaborating with established modding teams
Expanding Skillsets: Visual Basic & C#
Alongside Java, I began exploring Visual Basic and C# through small projects. I created basic data-driven and text-based games, which helped me understand different programming paradigms and languages. This foundation in C# would prove invaluable later.
SA-MP Development (Mid 2000s)
I moved into modding SA-MP (San Andreas Multiplayer), creating fully customized servers using Lite-C (which leveraged my C# knowledge). This involved:
- Complex game mode development
- Server-side scripting and logic
- Custom content creation
- Player progression systems
Professional Application Development
My programming skills weren't just for gaming. In my corporate career, I created a practical solution that made a real difference:
The Project: A program that automated data extraction from CDK (a software system used by automobile dealerships) and automatically formatted and output files.
The Impact: This tool reduced 8 hours of manual work to just 2 hours, while significantly reducing errors. This project demonstrated that programming skills translate to real-world value and efficiency gains.
BepInEx & Modern Modding (2021)
About 5 years ago (2021), I began working with BepInEx, diving into my first project for a game called Craftopia. This marked my entry into Unity game modding and taught me invaluable skills that would later enable projects like ZUI.
The Project: I created a command handler/framework that allowed players to send commands to the server. This was particularly critical because the Game Pass version had chat disabled (while the Steam version still had it enabled), making this a necessary add-on for Game Pass players to interact with server features.
What I Learned:
- API hooking and integration
- Framework architecture and design
- Unity game modding with BepInEx
- Cross-platform compatibility considerations
- Creating essential tools that fill critical gaps
This project really taught me the intricacies of API and framework hooking - skills that became foundational for all my future BepInEx work, including ZUI.
๐ค Modern Era: AI as a Tool
With the rise of AI technology, I've embraced it as what it truly is - a powerful tool when used properly and by someone with programming knowledge.
How I Use AI
- Debugging assistance - Quickly identifying issues and edge cases
- Image asset creation - Bringing visual ideas to life
- Code optimization - Exploring alternative approaches
- Documentation - Generating comprehensive guides
My Philosophy on AI
"You COULD change a car's timing belt with no tools and you'll be there a long time struggling. You COULD even get the tools to do so... will it work? Maybe, maybe not... But in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, a tool is just that - a tool to assist, never to replace!"
AI has enabled me to realize my true visions for projects like ZUI. However, the key is understanding that:
- โ AI is a tool - It augments existing knowledge
- โ Experience matters - You need to know what to ask and how to evaluate results
- โ Quality comes from expertise - The developer's vision and knowledge guide the tool
- โ AI isn't a replacement - It can't replace understanding and experience
Just like how a master mechanic uses tools to work more efficiently, I use AI to enhance my development process while maintaining full control and understanding of the code.
๐ ๏ธ Why I Create Mods
Modding, for me, is about:
- Enhancing experiences - Making games more enjoyable for communities
- Solving problems - Creating tools that address real needs
- Creative expression - Bringing ideas to life through code
- Community building - Contributing to game communities I love
- Continuous learning - Every project teaches something new
ZUI was born from seeing a need in the V Rising modding community - developers needed an easy way to create professional UI without reinventing the wheel each time. By creating a framework that others can build upon, I hope to enable the community to create even more amazing mods.
๐ฏ Current Focus
Right now, I'm focused on:
- ZUI Development - Expanding features and improving stability
- V Rising Mods - Creating and supporting various V Rising modifications
- Community Support - Helping other modders learn and succeed
- Documentation - Making modding accessible to more developers
๐ Current Projects
Family First
Raising my toddler as she starts her terrible 2s! Being a father is my most important role, and balancing family life with development work is always the top priority.
Project Omerta (2D Game Development)
I'm currently developing a 2D-based game (code-named Project Omerta - the actual name is under wraps until I can secure trademarks) that combines:
- RPG elements - Character progression, story, and gameplay depth
- Simulation mechanics - Business management and residential property systems
- Crafting systems - Create items and equipment
- Planting & agriculture - Grow and harvest resources
- Refining processes - Transform raw materials into valuable goods
- Equipment systems - Gear progression and customization
- Strategic gameplay - Managing resources and making meaningful decisions
This project represents a culmination of decades of gaming and development experience, bringing together everything I've learned about game design, programming, and what makes games engaging. It's exciting to move from modding existing games to creating something entirely new from the ground up.
๐ Development Philosophy
Code Quality
- Write maintainable, documented code
- Think about the next developer (even if it's future you)
- Test thoroughly, fail gracefully
User Experience
- UIs should be intuitive and responsive
- Features should solve real problems
- Performance matters - respect users' systems
Community First
- Listen to feedback and feature requests
- Provide comprehensive documentation
- Support other developers in the community
- Share knowledge freely
Continuous Improvement
- Every project is a learning opportunity
- Stay current with technologies and best practices
- Embrace new tools (like AI) while maintaining core expertise
- Never stop challenging yourself
๐ฌ Connect & Contribute
I believe in open collaboration and community-driven development. Whether you're:
- ๐ Reporting a bug - Help make ZUI better
- ๐ก Suggesting a feature - Share your ideas
- ๐ Improving documentation - Contributions welcome
- ๐ค Building with ZUI - I'd love to see what you create
Your feedback and contributions make projects like ZUI possible.
๐๏ธ Service & Values
As a US Military Veteran, I bring values of:
- Discipline - Following through on commitments
- Teamwork - Supporting the community
- Problem-solving - Finding solutions under constraints
- Service - Contributing to something larger than myself
These values guide my approach to development and community interaction.
๐ฎ Fun Facts
- Started gaming seriously in 2004 - over 20 years of gaming
- First programming language: Java (via RuneScape servers)
- Played Minecraft since Alpha with hMod
- Created professional software that saved companies time and money
- Favorite game genres: Strategy, Survival, RPG
- Believes AI is a tool, not a replacement for skill
- Father who balances family, gaming, and development
๐ Looking Forward
The modding community continues to evolve, and I'm excited to be part of it. With tools like ZUI, I hope to empower more developers to create amazing experiences in V Rising and beyond.
Whether you're a veteran modder or just starting out, I hope my projects and documentation help you bring your visions to life. Remember: every expert was once a beginner who refused to give up.
Happy modding!
- Zanakinz
๐ Related Pages
- Home - ZUI Wiki main page
- Getting Started - Start using ZUI
- Examples & Tutorials - Learn through examples
- Contributing - How to contribute to ZUI
"In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, a tool is just that - a tool to assist, never to replace!"
