By Claire Regenstreif
Staff Writer
Application creator, technology programmer and Costa senior Luqmaan Abdul-Cader is now the chief production officer of SourByte, LLC.
SourByte is a student-run start-up company founded by Costa student Arani Bhattacharyay in 2013. The company develops gaming applications and has already released an app called “Artifact.”
“I wanted to get involved with this company to work with like-minded, intelligent people in order to create something I can call my own,” Abdul-Cader said.
“Artifact” is a game featuring mythical creatures. There are eight characters and eight maps with a multiplayer mode. According to SourByte Chief Executive Officer and Costa senior Nate Schickler, the goal of creating the application was to expand the group’s programming skills.
“We wanted to test our skills and see if we had what it takes to make an app,” Schickler said. “It ended up being harder than we thought, but we ultimately accomplished our goal.”
In preparation for the app, members of SourByte created an outline and split into task groups of four. The groups worked together, using physics programming and user interfaces to create the application.
“By working in groups, we were able to develop different ideas we believed would make the application more popular,” SourByte member senior Carson Boden said.
Abdul-Cader taught himself simple programming from a website called Code Academy, then became more familiar with the subject through Costa’s Advanced Placement computer science course.
“I was influenced to get involved with computers and coding because of all of the job and learning opportunities technology Officers,” Abdul-Cader said.
Abdul-Cader’s specialty within the company is application development and social media promotion. SourByte uses Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to attract South Bay residents to download Artifact, which now has a five-star rating on Google Play.
“Recently, we’ve been talking to underclassmen interested in programming so they can have the opportunity to expand their skills and work with more experienced members,” Schickler said.
According to Abdul-Cader, future goals of the company include improving Artifact and developing more applications. SourByte also hopes to develop applications for Windows or Mac.
“As we continue to work on developing new software platforms like display and content, our applications can only improve,” Abdul-Cader said.
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