About Me

Hello there! My name is Ryan Spegal, and I'm excited to share a bit about myself. I've been immersed in web development for nearly 25 years, watching the internet evolve from its early, clunky days to the incredible, fast-paced digital world we live in now. Along the way, I've stayed sharp, continuously learning and adapting to new technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

My journey into programming actually started because of my love for RuneScape. I was completely captivated by the game—its immersive world, mechanics, and the community around it. I wanted to become a game developer myself, but at 13, creating a full game felt way out of reach. So, I decided to start smaller. In my mind, the next best thing was learning to create websites. I figured I'd build a RuneScape guide website, which would help me learn how to code while sharing my passion for the game.

I began by teaching myself HTML and CSS to design the site and quickly moved on to JavaScript to add interactivity. That's when I got the itch to try something bigger—an RPG inspired by RuneScape that I (very creatively) called RuneScape Battle. It was ambitious for its time, but I wanted to push it further. I wanted players to be able to save their progress and, most importantly, prevent cheating (since people could just edit cookies to change their stats, not that anybody who played it knew that (or how to do it)).

To solve those challenges, I dove into learning PHP and MySQL. With those tools, I could move the code to a secure backend and store player data in a database. This also opened up exciting new possibilities, like enabling chat between players and even trading functionality, which eventually became part of the game. That's how RuneScape Battle was born.

The game gained a small but loyal following, and seeing other people enjoy something I had built was surreal. Over time, it grew far beyond what I ever expected, with over 110,000 users creating accounts and trying the game—a pretty big feat for teenage me back then! A couple of years later, Jagex sent me a cease-and-desist for using the name RuneScape (thanks for that, Andrew! 😜), so I rebranded it as RsBattle. But by that point, the project had already cemented itself as a pivotal moment in my life. It gave me a deep love for programming, taught me how to tackle problems creatively, and showed me what was possible when passion meets code.

But my life isn't just about coding and technology. I'm also a proud family man, navigating the beautiful chaos of life with my amazing wife and our five kids—one daughter and four sons. We live in Michigan, where our backyard has become our sanctuary. Whether we're playing games, grilling up something delicious, or unwinding around a bonfire, it's our place to make memories. Life with little ones is a full-on adventure, especially since two of them are still in diapers. Being a stay-at-home dad to my four youngest during the day while my wife works evening shifts can be a lot to handle; juggling housework, meals, playtime, work, and the rare moments of relaxation or gaming—but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Still, I won't lie; it's stressful, and finances have definitely taken a hit with less time to focus on work. I'm looking forward to having more time when the kids are in school, but I'm also soaking up these precious baby years because they'll only be little once.

When I'm not knee-deep in work or parenting, you'll probably find me out on my RadRover eBike. It's my way of blowing off steam—zipping around town at high speeds or hitting dirt trails in the woods. My wife and I both have eBikes, and now that our daughter is getting older, she's starting to join in too. My four sons tag along in pull-behind attachments (we've got three different ones to switch out, depending on who's joining the ride), making it a fun and inclusive family activity that everyone can enjoy together.

My RadRover out on the forest trails.

Another hobby I've dived back into recently is 3D printing. A few years ago, I had a Creality Ender 3 Pro, but it was such a headache—constantly needing tweaks and failing prints. It ended up collecting dust. Then a few months ago, I got a Bambu Labs A1 with the AMS Lite combo, and wow, what a game-changer. This thing just works. No fiddling, no frustration. Just find a design, hit print, and it's done. Since then, I've been printing everything from holiday decorations to toys for the kids, replica props, functional tools for the house, and gifts for family and friends. I've already gone a little wild, stocking up on filament during Bambu Labs' Black Friday sale so I can print in every color imaginable. It's been such a rewarding and creative outlet.

Gaming has always been a huge part of my life, though I don't get as much time for it now as I used to. Over the years, I've had some pretty cool achievements, like being the first to hit 99 Prayer at 15 combat in RuneScape and reaching top ranks in World of Warcraft boss fights. While my gaming sessions these days are fewer and farther between, whenever I do find the time, I make sure to dive in and savor every moment.

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A video someone captured of me playing on my character, Teh Unseen, back in 2007.

My passion for gaming has also opened doors to some incredible opportunities. I've created official fansites for many of the games I love, which led to unforgettable experiences—like being flown out to press conferences and massive gaming conventions, completely all-expenses-paid. These events allowed me to meet developers, go behind the scenes, and connect with others who share the same enthusiasm for gaming.

An old official Diablo III fansite that I created, D3Sanc.

At one point, I even took things further and became a full-time Twitch streamer. I earned Partner status and was fortunate enough to become one of the top streamers for multiple games during my career. Streaming was a thrilling chapter in my life, letting me share my love for gaming, build a close-knit community, and engage with people all over the world in real-time.

Lately, I've been completely hooked on Brighter Shores; a new MMO by Andrew Gower, the person who created RuneScape over 20 years ago. This new game is his passion project, and it's quickly become mine too. I even run a couple of websites dedicated to it: BrighterShores.Pro, where I post news, guides, and tools; and BSTrades.com, a platform to facilitate in-game trading between players. I've also got a YouTube channel for BrighterShores.Pro, where I share guides, update summaries, and more. Plus, I'm active on the community's various Discords, subreddit, and even help out with the Wiki. This game has a bright future, and I'd love the opportunity to work with the team at Fen Research one day.

At the end of the day, everything I do—from web development to parenting to my hobbies—I approach with passion, dedication, and a desire to create something meaningful. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better. If you share any of these interests, I'd love to connect!