Roman created a Flash-based, online game called “Machine Defender,” which pits the player against a horde of bat-wielding bad guys trying to damage a prized Mountain Dew machine. The player chucks cans of Mountain Dew as defense.

As winner of an initial campus contest, which considered art, game/tech and gear entries, Roman received $250 for the best idea from MSU and was entered into the national contest. For the national nod, he received $5,000.

Roman, a telecommunication, information studies and media junior concentrating on video game design, initially brought the contest to the attention of Spartasoft, an MSU student group devoted to video game design.

As president of the group, Roman said he wanted to get everyone involved, but when it came time to submit entries, he was the only one who had anything.

“There were no entries from MSU, so I figured I could at least win the college level (money) if I put it in,” he said.

The idea for the game came easily, Roman said.

“Defending-style games are very popular online,” he said. “The game had to incorporate the Mountain Dew theme, I thought this was the best way the theme would map itself to a game.”

Mat Mason, a friend and Spartasoft member, said Roman’s win was good not only for him, but also for the college as well.

“I’m happy to see my friend win, but I think it’s great to see MSU represented at that level,” Mason said.

With Roman as president, Spartasoft has been extremely productive, Mason said. The group has participated in multiple 48-hour game design competitions, and took three of the top five honors in one of them.

But while Roman is devoted to video games, he keeps a level head, Mason said.

“He’s a personable guy, he’s done a lot, and he’s very serious about game design,” he said. “At the same time, he keeps in mind the fun nature of games.”

Roman’s victory also thrilled Brian Winn, his professor of game design.

“I’m always excited when students go out on their own and create projects and submit them,” Winn said.

Roman works with Winn in the MSU Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab, where he works with Flash to create games similar to “Machine Defender.”

Winn said Roman’s experience with the game was valuable.

“This Mountain Dew Game is one of his first Flash game projects, so I think this was good learning experience,” he said.

A fan of video games since he first played his dad’s Atari 2600, Roman said he’d like to make big-ticket video games in the future.

As for the money he won for the contest, Roman said he’s already planned what he’s going to do with it.

“I might buy a computer, but my father is encouraging me to buy another, bigger HDTV,” he said.

“He just bought one, and I have to beat him.”