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Eric A. Soto
Experienced Technologist and Angel Investor Based in the Greater Seattle Area
Eric A. Soto is a seasoned professional in the themed entertainment industry, currently serving as a Partner and Senior Vice-President for Themed Entertainment at Gigantic Playground.1 Based in Davenport, Florida, United States, Soto has an extensive background in software engineering and technology leadership.1
Professional Experience
Throughout his career, Eric A. Soto has held several notable positions:
Lead Systems Engineer at Valtech: From January 2017 to June 2019, Soto worked on various systems for high-profile clients, including Universal Studios Theme Parks, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the Grammy Awards.1 His responsibilities included:
- Analyzing business needs
- Documenting requirements
- Executing development projects
- Ensuring timely and budget-friendly delivery
CIO and Software Architect at iHealthSpot, Inc.: From January 2007 to December 2011, Soto worked for iHealthSpot, a leader in healthcare practice website development and interactive patient education.1
CIO at Action Online, LLC: From January 2003 to December 2011, Soto served as CIO for this full-service technology company specializing in leveraging internet and interactive technologies.1
Skills and Expertise
Eric A. Soto possesses a diverse skill set, including:
- Proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks (iOS, Android, Java, JavaScript)
- Mobile application development using Xcode, Objective-C, Swift, and various other tools
- Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies
- Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
Eric A. Soto's LinkedIn profile (username: easoto) showcases his extensive experience and expertise in software engineering and themed entertainment, making him a valuable asset in his current role at Gigantic Playground.1
Highlights
After a few years of not working much with XCode, I've been focusing on backend software in NodeJS and Python using tools like VScode, JetBrains WebStorm, and PyCharm. All of these tools are supported by GiHub Co-Pilot and I've become used to having AI prompts and suggestions as part of my workflow, not to mention JetBrains' powerful code inspection tools, linters, and automation. My usual workflow is that I write a comment about a function, and CoPilot quickly suggests the structure of said function in great detail. I generally accept the suggestion and refactor it some to my specific need. It's all become second nature to me - and it's a VERY FAST workflow to churn out lots of sophisticated code very quickly.
And then, a few days ago, I needed to whip up a quick app in Xcode targeting iOS. I fired up Xcode and began coding, quickly being reminded how amazing GitHub Co-Pilot and modern IDEs have become. All because Xcode had NONE of this! Xcode felt, well, ancient. Like I was using Notepad to write code! Sure, I can use ChatGPT to copy-paste, and that's likely faster than handwriting and reading StackOverflow, but Xcode needs to be modernized, ASAP.
Luckily, there are some rumors that I really hope are true. For example, Apple Insider reports that "Xcode coding assistance rumored to be early Apple generative AI effort" (https://lnkd.in/enE539ws). Also, some fine amazing folks have tried to produce solutions. Notably, https://lnkd.in/eZGDFSVk seems interesting (though I could not get it to fully work for me, though I'm certain it was my own fault!)
I for one can't wait for Xcode to come up to speed in this area.
I'm thrilled to share some monumental news with my network: I've taken a giant leap forward in my career by joining Gigantic Playground as a Partner and Senior Vice-President for Themed Entertainment. This isn't just a job change; it's the pinnacle of my professional journey, where my passion for creating immersive experiences finds its most ambitious canvas yet.
At Gigantic Playground, we're not just pushing the envelope but redesigning it. We stand at the intersection of imagination and innovation, crafting next-generation interactive spaces and smart products that redefine how we connect with the world around us. My role here is to spearhead a team of the industry's most brilliant engineers and creatives, as we set out to transcend the conventional boundaries of entertainment. Together, we're poised to create magical narratives and interactive experiences that not only leave a lasting impression but also sculpt dreams into reality and ignite wonder across generations.
This venture is a testament to my belief that we can engineer moments that endure in the hearts of all. It's a bold step into a future where technology and creativity merge to craft unforgettable experiences. I'm proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, leading the charge at Gigantic Playground. Watch this space; we're about to make history!
