I once sat down with 2D Artist and Cartoonist, Dale Santoiemma, and asked him a few questions. I asked him to share with me his favorite TV show, biggest fear, and his favorite Reel Deal game. He answered, “The Office, ventriloquist dummies, and Card Games 2011.” At the time I did not realize how much light these answers shed on Dale’s artistic style but when I approached him again recently, asking him to be the subject of my next blog post, it all made so much sense.

The focus of this post is to bring you into Dale’s perspective on art and the choices he makes regarding Phantom EFX games. I asked Dale to share with me his favorite thing (art, character, icon, etc.) that he contributed to our most recent releases (Reel Deal Slots: Mysteries of Cleopatra, Reel Deal Casino: Valley of the Kings). The following piece is what he shared with me. His answers regarding the piece follow.




Emma: How long did it take you to make these characters?
Dale: Depending on the characters, they all go through an evolution process...they start out as really rough sketches then I build off of that and draw more of a finalized character. The next step is to take them to the computer and add color and detail to bring them to life.

Emma: What programs did you use to make them?
Dale: Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects.

Emma: Where did you draw inspiration from for the characters featured in this piece?
Dale: It depends on what the theme is for a particular game. For example, I might want to do my version of a nursery rhyme so that is where the Three Little Pigs came from. It’s just the same with a lot of my games. I might be in the mood to create or draw a specific character so the game is created around that one character.

Emma: What is your favorite kind of project to work on?
Dale: I love to create new and fun characters and to give them personalities through my art and animations.

Emma: What are some of the most famous Phantom characters that you have brought to life?
Dale: I have come up with quite a few actually! Some of my favorites are The Professor and Witherbee, Lil’ Spookie, Cat Crusader, Flameman, and Blackbeard.

Emma: What are you most looking forward to bringing to life next?
Dale: I don’t know if I can give that information out! ...I am having fun with animating chickens right now...

Emma: & is there anything else that you would like to share?
Dale: Just that I really appreciate all the “fans” I may have for my games. That means SO very much to me because I really value and enjoy the great things I hear about my stuff. I have a lot of fun doing it, I’m glad other people enjoy it too.


Dale Santoiemma has brought some of my favorite characters to life and this Office-loving, ventriloquist dummy-fearing artist has proven with each piece he makes that he is an incredible talent.

For everyone going to the PhanFare this year, be sure to say “hello” to Dale and who knows...maybe he’ll draw something for you!