Who Am I

John “Retr0lag” Bautista is a lifelong gamer, creator, and learner who believes in the power of games as storytelling, art, and personal expression. Once a dreamer who struggled with self-doubt, John found his voice through creativity—starting with rap and music, and eventually expanding into graphic design, video editing, podcasting, marketing, writing, producing, narrating, and other forms of new media.

That creative journey transformed him from a dreamer into an achiever. After 20 years of service in the U.S. military, followed by work with TSA, Border Patrol, local law enforcement, and corrections, John shifted his focus toward a more reflective and purpose-driven path. Today, he is pursuing his goal of becoming an insightful, forward-thinking producer and journalist within the gaming space.

John’s work centers on independent games—especially Metroidvanias, point-and-click adventures, and narrative-driven experiences that often go overlooked. He is driven by curiosity, continuous learning, and a desire to highlight creative voices and meaningful stories within games.

At his core, John is a gamer who values thoughtful storytelling and a lifelong learner committed to growth, experimentation, and contributing to the communities he cares about.