About Hawke Robinson "The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming" - "

Hawke's mission: "Raising up the overall human condition through ethical innovation that amplifies human potential." Hawke Robinson (also published in journals and books as author W.A. Hawkes-Robinson) bridges technology, recreational therapy, role-playing games, and education as a technology executive, Washington State Registered Recreational Therapist, RPG professional, and "The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming" - pioneering the convergence of AI, NeuroTech, EdTech, HealthTech, and evidence-based gaming interventions.

OVERVIEW

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His mission: "Raising up the overall human condition through ethical innovation that amplifies human potential."

As Co-Founder & CITO of ClimbHigh.AI (AI & EdTech), Hawke Robinson architects patent-pending platforms amplifying human expertise through AI-powered learning. As Fractional CITO of PracticingMusician.com, he oversees technology serving K-12 music education across 56 countries.

With expertise spanning technology (46 years, coding since age 9), role-playing games (48 years since 1977), recreational therapy (practicing since 2004, WA State registered), healthcare (Nurse's Aide and LPN trainee 1990, Habilitation Therapist), neuroscience, research psychology, and education, Hawke brings 20+ years of CTO/CIO/Enterprise Architect leadership across organizations from startups to multi-billion dollar companies in 150+ countries.

  • His unique combination produces measurable results:
  • AI/NLP systems running 150% faster than Google's
  • platforms scaling from 100 to 60,000+ concurrent users per second
  • and evidence-based therapeutic RPG applications recognized and accredited by ATRA, WSTRA, NCTRC, and The Joint Commission

Founder of:

  • RPGResearch.com (nonprofit research, 6 continents)
  • RPG.LLC (therapeutic services, est. 2014)
  • NeuroRPG.com (brain-computer interfaces)LibreVitals.com (open-source HealthTech)
  • and multiple other ventures.

Creator of:

  • Brain-Computer Interface Role-Playing Game (BCI RPG)
  • The RPG Mobile Fleet with the RPG Bus and RPG Trailers
  • Wind & solar powered self-sufficient wifi broadband in extreme rural conditions
  • and many other innovations

Featured in:

  • HBO Vice
  • Hasbro's "Dragon Talk,"
  • documentary "Let's Play: Dungeons & Dragons Behind Bars."

Host of:

  • Host of Tech Talk With Hawke,
  • The Therapeutic Recreation Talk Show
  • Middle-earth Talk Radio
  • Tolkien Moot
  • Dr Z. & The Synthetic Zen Show
  • and The RPG Talk Show.

Technology Executive, Recreational Therapist, RPG Professional, and Multidisciplinary Innovator

Hawke Robinson occupies a unique space where technology, therapy, role-playing games, healthcare, and education converge. As a technology executive with 46 years of experience, a Washington State Registered Recreational Therapist (practicing since 2004), an RPG professional with 48 years in the field (since 1977), a healthcare professional (Nurse's Aide, Licensed Practical Nurse trainee, Habilitation Therapist since 1990), and a neuroscience researcher, he architects solutions that others literally cannot conceive - because they don't bridge these disciplines.

Known globally by peers and competitors as "The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming," Hawke didn't earn this title through self-promotion. It emerged from nearly five decades of pioneering work demonstrating how properly facilitated role-playing games, combined with technology, cognitive neuropsychology of learning educational techniques, neuroscience, therapeutic recreation principles, and healthcare expertise, can measurably improve human outcomes across biological, cognitive, emotional, and social domains.

This isn't random diversity - it's strategic convergence. Understanding how technology works, how humans learn and heal, how games engage and transform, how to provide clinical care, and how to measure outcomes enables innovations that are technically sophisticated, therapeutically sound, clinically informed, educationally effective, and genuinely serve human needs.

Current Leadership

Co-Founder & Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO) at ClimbHigh.AI

Leading the architecture and development of a patent-pending AI-powered learning platform that has had support from Microsoft Founders Hub, Nvidia Inception, and AWS. ClimbHigh.AI embodies Hawke's philosophy: technology should amplify human expertise, not replace it. By converging collective wisdom with cutting-edge AI and community-driven content integration, the platform enables one expert to achieve 1000× impact while maintaining authentic human connection. Currently scaling globally across enterprise learning markets with neuroscience-informed pedagogy and game-informed engagement mechanics.

Fractional CITO at PracticingMusician.com

Overseeing technology infrastructure for a comprehensive K-12 music education platform serving 56 countries with 3,500+ video tutorials. Applying educational psychology principles, game design thinking, therapeutic recreation methodologies, and accessibility best practices to democratize quality music education worldwide.

Multidisciplinary Credentials

Technology Leadership: 46 years in technology (coding since age 9, first paid programming role at 12), with 20+ years as CTO/CIO/Enterprise Architect across organizations from startups to multi-billion dollar companies operating in 150+ countries. Career highlights include Franklin Covey (Director of Operations & Corporate Systems Architect, 150+ countries), USA Networks/Internet Shopping Network (Architect), MightyWords Inc. (CTO), and Zombie Orpheus Entertainment (CTO).

Role-Playing Game Expertise: 48 years with role-playing games since 1977, spanning all formats: tabletop (TRPG), live-action (LRPG/larp), electronic (ERPG), and hybrid (HRPG), plus AI, AR, VR, MR, xR, and brain-computer interface innovations. Professional game facilitator, designer, publisher, and educator. Pioneering therapeutic applications since the late 1970s.

Healthcare & Therapeutic Credentials:

  • Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist
  • Recreational Therapy practice since 2004
  • Nurse's Aide and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) trainee at Doxie Hatch Medical Center (1990)
  • Habilitation Therapist at Hillcrest Care Center, Utah (1990)
  • Additional expertise in Neuroscience, Research Psychology, and Cognitive Neuropsychology
  • Founded RPG Therapeutics LLC (2014) providing professional therapeutic services
  • Pioneered evidence-based therapeutic applications of role-playing games across clinical, educational, and community settings

Educational Contributions: Multidisciplinary studies spanning Recreational Therapy, Neuroscience, Research Psychology, Music, Nursing, and extensive technology coursework. Created accredited Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for RPG-related therapy and education programs, recognized by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association (WSTRA), National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), and The Joint Commission.

Research Impact: Published researcher (Google Scholar) with work spanning therapeutic gaming interventions, information security, accessibility technology, educational innovation, and RPG applications across multiple domains including healthcare, mental health, developmental disabilities, and educational settings.

The Track Record: Where Technology, Healthcare, Therapy, Games, and Education Converge

Technology Innovation:

  • AI/NLP systems running 150% faster than Google's with 30% higher accuracy
  • Reduced infrastructure costs 90% while improving performance 10×
  • Scaled platform user concurrency from 100 to 60,000+ users
  • Achieved 99.999% uptime across mission-critical systems
  • Saved WorldCon/GenCon during COVID through rapid architectural scaling
  • $20M+ budget authority, 200+ person teams, 6 continents, 150+ countries
  • SANS paper referenced by Google Chrome team

Healthcare, Therapeutic & RPG Impact:

  • 48 years developing and facilitating therapeutic role-playing game interventions
  • 20+ years providing recreational therapy services (2004-present)
  • Founded RPGResearch.com, 501(c)3 nonprofit operating across 6 continents (foundations 1977, website 2004, incorporated 2017)
  • Founded RPG Therapeutics LLC (2014) for professional therapeutic services
  • Created accredited professional training programs for RPG therapists and educators used globally
  • Pioneered accessible gaming solutions through RPG Mobile Fleet (wheelchair accessible facilities)
  • Published research demonstrating measurable outcomes from RPG interventions across clinical populations
  • Established CEU programs recognized by major professional therapy and recreation organizations
  • Provided direct patient care in nursing and habilitation settings (1990)

Educational Innovation:

  • Developed neuroscience-informed learning platforms improving knowledge retention
  • Created accessible K-12 music education infrastructure serving 56 countries
  • Applied game mechanics and therapeutic recreation principles to educational content delivery with measurable engagement improvements
  • Built platforms supporting 14+ languages with real-time adaptive learning

CEOs consistently report that Hawke "accomplishes more in 3 months than predecessors did in 2 years."

The Convergence Advantage

Hawke's cross-domain mastery enables unique solutions:

HealthTech: Founded LibreVitals.com - HIPAA-compliant, privacy-first open-source health data management solutions putting users in control of their health information, informed by direct healthcare experience.

EdTech + AI + Game Design: Architected real-time adaptive learning platforms combining neuroscience-informed pedagogy with game engagement mechanics, therapeutic recreation methodologies, and AI personalization across 14+ languages.

Therapeutic Gaming: Founded RPGResearch.com (research nonprofit) and RPG Therapeutics LLC (2014, professional services), developing evidence-based therapeutic applications across all RPG formats (tabletop, live-action, electronic, hybrid), demonstrating measurable improvements in social skills, cognitive function, emotional regulation, and educational outcomes across diverse populations.

NeuroTech + Gaming + Accessibility: Founded BCIRPG.com and NeuroRPG.com, advancing non-invasive brain-computer interfaces enabling individuals with severe disabilities to participate fully in gaming and computing experiences, drawing on both clinical healthcare experience and decades of accessibility advocacy.

Enterprise + Innovation: Founded Dev2Dev.net, providing professional technology and information security services informed by decades of hands-on experience across multiple industries.

Philosophy: Ethical Innovation for Human Elevation

In an industry obsessed with disruption, Hawke focuses on elevation. His philosophy centers on ethical innovation - leveraging technology, therapeutic principles, clinical healthcare knowledge, and game design to amplify human potential rather than replace it. A strong advocate for open-source solutions, accessibility, privacy, and security measures that serve users rather than exploit them.

Whether building AI systems, providing therapeutic recreation services, facilitating therapeutic RPG sessions, delivering patient care, architecting enterprise platforms, or developing NeuroTech solutions, the goal remains constant: raise up the overall human condition.

"I strive, in the hope that during my limited time existing, I will have helped contribute to raising up the overall human condition through ethical innovation that amplifies human potential and improves the human experience."

Beyond Professional Work

As musician "Synthetic Zen," Hawke composes and performs on 20+ instruments. An adventurer, accessibility advocate, community builder (founder of Spokane2600.org), and parent, he believes in sharing knowledge openly and building technologies that genuinely improve lives.

Connect

Current Focus: Leading ClimbHigh.AI's growth phase while advancing brain-computer interface research, therapeutic gaming applications, accessible gaming technologies, and health technology innovations that prioritize user agency and ethical deployment.

Open to conversations about: Enterprise transformation, AI innovation, EdTech investment opportunities, therapeutic gaming applications, recreational therapy innovations, NeuroTech development, healthcare technology, accessibility solutions, and strategic partnerships aligned with human-centered innovation.

📧 Schedule: calendly.com/hawkerobinson
🔬 Research: rpgresearch.com
🧠 NeuroTech: neurorpg.com
💡 AI Learning: climbhigh.ai
🎵 Music Education: practicingmusician.com
💚 HealthTech: librevitals.com
🎲 Therapeutic RPG Services: rpg.llc

Better with the accurate timelines? Ready for hawkenterprising.com next?

I'm Hawke Robinson, drawing on Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, and Research Psychology principles, technologies, role-playing gaming, nursing, and education, I have  become known as "The Grandfather of Therapeutic [Role-Playing] Gaming".

The RPG intervention modality Formats I utilize include: tabletop (TRPG), live-action (LRPG / larp), electronic (ERPG), and hybrid (HRPG), as well as AI, AR, VR, MR, xR, and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) innovations.

I am a multidisciplinary Technologist, Recreational Therapist, musician, educator, and published researcher in multiple industries and disciplines.

My work has been recognized by numerous professional organizations, including the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association (WSTRA), and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and The Joint Commission (previously JCAHO). My contributions have led to the creation of CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in RPG-related therapy and educational programs that have been accredited by major professional bodies.

CIO, CTO, CITO, Architect

  • CIO 1996-1998 - PC Easy
  • Director of Operations and Corporate Systems & Components Architect, 150+ Countries, 1999-2000 - Franklin Covey
  • Architect 2000 - USA Networks, The Internet Shopping Network (ISN).
  • CTO 2000-2002 - MightyWords Inc.
  • CTO 2016-2021 - Zombie Orpheus Entertainment & "The Fantasy Network" (TFN)
  • CTO 2022 - 2024 - Manufacturing Power and iNSUPPLi
  • CIO & CTO (CITO) 2024 - Current - Practicing Musician S.P.C.

CO-FOUNDER

  • CITO & Co-Founder: ClimbHigh.AI - An Educational Technology (EdTech) platform that captures value by empowering human expertise. A platform that puts educators, learners, and content providers first.

FOUNDER/CREATOR

Founder of:

  • LibreVitals.com, health and fitness technologies, private and secure health data management software and devices.
  • NeuroRPG, artificial intelligence, non-invasive brain-computer interface, role-playing game technologies and professional services.
  • BCI RPG, opensource non-invasive multi-player, online, turn-based, cooperative, social, brain-computer interface, role-playing game.
  • Dev 2 Dev Portal LLC, professional technology and information security services
  • Hawke Studios, professional photography and media services since 1991.
  • MaladNet, Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) with self-sufficient solar & wind-power towers providing broadband to rural locations in extreme weather environments. 2002-2024
  • RPG Research, a global 501(c)3 non-profit research & human services organization. Foundations in 1977, website since 2004, incorporated non-profit since 2017, supporting 6 continents.
  • RPG Therapeutics LLC, for-profit professional therapeutic services.
  • RPG.LLC, various role-playing game related professional services.
  • RPG Parties, role-playing game parties
  • RPG Education Platform, role-playing game professionals educational and certification services.
  • RPG Publishers, role-playing game professionals publications.
  • RPG Mobile Fleet, wheelchair accessible mobile facilities, accessible gaming for everyone.

OTHER ENDEAVORS

Hawke Robinson Speaking at Gen Con in Indianapolis on GenCon TV's Table Takes

CONTACT

NEED TO CONTACT ME? IF IT IS A TIME-SENSITIVE MATTER, THEN IT IS BEST IF YOU SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT THROUGH MY CALENDLY LINK.

If you really need to speak with me, your best option is to use the Calendly link to schedule a meeting, though I am often booked solid several weeks/months out.

SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH HAWKE: If you would like to schedule a phone call or online meeting with Hawke Robinson, please use the link below:

I am usually quite busy working on exciting projects that are helping improve the overall human condition. With such a full schedule, I rarely make time to check social media. I generally ignore unscheduled phone calls from numbers I don't recognize (leave a voicemail). Next best option is to email me, however my email is inundated by many people and organizations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hasbro's DragonTalk by Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble with special guests Hawke Robinson & John Welker

Media

  • Hasbro / Wizards of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons "Dragon Talk"
  • Related book: Welcome to Dragon Talk
  • HBO Vice Media
  • NorthWest News Network / KREM2
  • GenCon TV
  • Inlander Magazine
  • Documentary " Let's Play: Dungeons & Dragons Behind Bars"

Hawke Robinson on Northwest News Network / KREM2

Publications & Listings

BACKGROUND

 Hawke Robinson is a multidisciplinary Technologist, Chief Technology Officer, Information Security advocate, Technology Architect, Educator, Accessibility Advocate, Brain-Computer Interface and Neurotechnology Innovator, & Researcher.

With decades of real-world work experience, I am a trailblazer with a distinctive combination as a Technologist & Recreational Therapist, and a background in Research Psychology, Nursing, Education, Cognitive Neuropsychology, & Neurotechnology. I have been online & involved with software development & other tech since 1979, programming at 9, with my first paid programming gig at 12 years old.

I have managed, worked with, & for, projects & companies ranging from 1 to 18,000+ employees across 150+ countries.

I have also been involved with role-playing games since 1977. I am now known globally as “The Grandfather of Therapeutic [Role-Playing] Gaming”, innovating in healthcare, research, technology, education, professional development, & role-playing game (RPG) industries.

I am a solutions-oriented skilled full & fractional Chief Technology Officer with more than 20 years of technology leadership experience, adept at transforming business concepts into successful technological realities.

I’m published in multiple industries & disciplines, a talk show host & frequent guest speaker, a public speaker at many professional conferences & fandom events.

I have a talent for bridging the gap between business leaders and technologists, helping people & organizations bring their dreams to life.

Known for my results-oriented approach, characterized by exceptionally high integrity, compassion, creativity, empathy, grit, & energy.

I excel in both executive leadership & hands-on execution, rapidly & effectively building or overhauling organizations & technology solutions, of all sizes, from the ground up.

My philosophy focuses on sharing knowledge openly for the betterment of the human condition.

Beyond my professional life, as “Synthetic Zen”, I am a 20+ instrument musician & composer. I am also an adventurer, advocate, community builder, & parent.

I value privacy & security but shares personal insights to provide a fuller picture of the person behind his projects & communities, & to help others.

An active advocate for accessibility, open source, privacy, & effective security measures, & founder of spokane2600.org.

A Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist, my profile showcases a commitment to learning, innovation, & improving lives through technology, recreation, role-playing gaming, & neuroscience.

I have created, or been the founder, founding contributing member, advisory board, or full board member of many organizations & endeavors over the decades, covering a broad range of industries and roles.

RPG Therapeutics LLC is a Psychology Today Verified Professional Services Provider

PROJECTS

Some of my key project include:

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