Damiano, the world champion Backend Developer

Damiano De Prosperis, a backend developer in Mashfrog’s Customer Digital Solutions BU, is not only an expert in software development, but also a standout in the world of card games. On November 10, he won the world championship title in the Alliance category at the 2024 KeyForge Celebration, held in Minneapolis from November 7 to 10. In this interview, he shares how he managed to defeat opponents from around the globe and the journey that led him to become a reference point in this game.

How long have you been at Mashfrog, and what is your role?

I joined Mashfrog in February 2022. I work as a backend developer specializing in Java and PHP. Despite my technical role, I don’t have a computer science background: I have a degree in mathematics, which gives me an analytical and logical approach, fundamental in my work and also in card games. Developing software and analyzing problems involve planning strategies and seeking creative solutions, a way of thinking that is also useful when playing KeyForge. It’s no coincidence that the best players are mathematicians, engineers, or programmers.

Let’s get into that 😊. But first, tell me, what is KeyForge?

KeyForge is a card game created by Richard Garfield, the same mind behind Magic: The Gathering. While Magic set the standard for collectible card games in 1994, KeyForge represents its evolution: launched in 2018, it features a completely unique mechanic. It’s a Unique Deck Game, meaning its decks are pre-built and unique, and cannot be modified, making each game a fresh experience. The history of KeyForge, however, has not been linear. It was hugely popular at launch, attracting many players, but the pandemic posed a significant challenge. During that time, in-person competitions, the heart of this game, came to a halt, and the parent company, Fantasy Flight Games, abandoned the project. However, a startup formed by members of the original team acquired the rights and, through crowdfunding campaigns, brought the game back to life with new expansions and tournaments. The KeyForge Celebration I participated in is the third global event organized since the game’s revival.

How did you get into this game?

I had never played card games competitively, but I’ve always been passionate about board games, particularly eurogames, which require a strong strategic component. I discovered KeyForge by chance and was immediately hooked. Later, I found out that there were also colleagues at Mashfrog who played KeyForge, so we started playing together. I began with local tournaments, then nationals, and finally Europeans. It’s been a gradual but exciting journey that led me to the world championship. At Mashfrog, at least four of us are active players on the competitive circuit, but in informal game nights, we gather up to ten people, creating a great social moment.

You became so passionate that you won the World Championship! Tell us about the tournament and how the experience was.

The championship lasted three days and was an intense event that brought together nearly 200 enthusiasts from around the world. On the first day, the Last Chance Qualifier took place, a local tournament for those attempting last-minute qualification. The real competition began on the second day with the so-called “Swiss stage,” where 24 players faced off against each other with matched scores (winners against winners, losers against losers). Unfortunately, I lost my first match against an American player, which meant that every subsequent match was crucial: the pressure was enormous because losing twice meant elimination.

The second and third days featured direct eliminations among the top eight players from the Swiss stage. The final was particularly thrilling: it was there that I had my rematch against the American player who had beaten me at the start. I won using a deck I designed myself, which emphasizes a strategy to slow down the opponent’s game, forcing them to make more choices and increasing the likelihood of mistakes. My deck, already well-known in Europe, proved its strength even against the dominant strategies adopted by Americans.

Congratulations! What do you take away from this victory?

In addition to personal satisfaction and the world championship title, I received a commemorative trophy and direct access to next year’s championship, allowing me to defend the title without going through qualifiers. Additionally, I had the privilege of dining with the game’s creators and discussing future developments of KeyForge with them. However, the most exciting prize is the opportunity to design a new card for the next set. It will be a unique card that reflects my signature in both effect and design. It’s a dream come true for anyone who loves this game. Lastly, I’m proud to showcase Italian talent through this victory: Italian players are among the best in the world in card games, and I’m proud to represent them.

View the video of Damiano’s final match: