Green Bein' produces games, virtual worlds

Green Bein' Productions is a production studio that makes video games, virtual worlds and mobile apps. The company also specializes in marketing solutions for companies that want to engage youths.

Deena Ward, vice president of the company, said she would use the word excellence to describe Green Bein' Productions.

"I think we employee most excellent people, our products are excellent," she said. "I think our future looks excellent."

The company started in 2009 and has already launched Kid Command, a virtual world site where children can play games, and SYNCH, where consumers can play and build their own games.

Ward said she felt what the company does is important for several reasons.

"I know technology is a big push for the governor of Nebraska," she said. "I think we're a nice addition to Nebraska and Lincoln (in terms of economic development)."

Ward said she felt the company also provided a nice, cool atmosphere for students at colleges and universities like the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"We're just looking to bring talent on board as we can," she said. "We want to keep our eye on the new talent."

While the company has not presented to students at UNL about possible job or internship possibilities, Ward said that is something to consider.

Devin McDermott, a junior advertising major at UNL, is one of the interns at Green Bein' Productions.

In her internship, she said she does a lot of gaming world work and building virtual houses while using programs like Photoshop and ToolSuite.

She said she applied for the job because she had a friend working at the company and the company wanted people known by those in the company to create a cohesive work environment.

"I‘ve learned so much about the gaming world," she said. "It surprised me how much work it takes to create a mobile app, a virtual house."

McDermott said she thought it would be interesting to apply because it sounded fun and she would be learning something new.

She said she learned all sorts of gaming phrases and how to use the Flash program.

"It's completely different from what I do in my ad classes," she said, adding that she was trying to market to a different audience than those she had before.

It is not just the interns who learn something new by working in the company.

"One thing we have learned is that technology just moves so quickly," Ward said.

She said she had to learn a lot to become an entrepreneur in the industry and that it was an everyday thing.

"We really have to keep up with (the technology changes)," Ward said. "We have to be up on the trends, up on our skills."

Green Bein' Productions holds First Fridays, mostly in relation to the launch of store products, Ward said. First Fridays started this summer, tying into the launch of SYNCH.

"It's a way for us to involve our customers," she said. "We like to gather feedback from players."

Ward said it was a networking opportunity and a place to gather with like-minded people.

Customers can visit the production company's website at greenbeins.com, Kid Command at kidcommand.com and SYNCH at synch-it.com .