James Portnow is a game designer and educator known for his work in the video game industry. He is the co-founder of the game development studio Rainmaker Games and has contributed to various projects, including the popular game Extra Credits, which focuses on game design and industry insights. In addition to his design work, Portnow is recognized for his efforts in promoting game development education. He has created numerous educational videos and resources aimed at helping aspiring game developers understand the complexities of game design and the industry as a whole.