Today we’d like to introduce you to Vic Hardison.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a Project Manager with a degree in Engineering, and now the co-founder of One Degree Gaming, where my cousins and I created Locked-In, a family-friendly board game that’s starting to pick up real national traction. Locked-In is something we built coming from a family reunion every year, grandma’s house every Sunday type of family. We’ve had the doors open to us from senior centers, to college events, to neighborhoods across Atlanta to showcase our game, and people are supporting HEAVY! We constantly hear ‘Have you all thought about going on Shark Tank!?” We took the idea on December 25, 2024 and got a fully manufactured product in 90 days. For my contribution to the project, it pulled every skill out of me from engineering, product development, design, operations… all of it. And now we’re shipping thousands of units during this Q4 season.
Before all of this, I grew up in College Park and later went to Lovejoy High School in Clayton County. I started college at Savannah State playing quarterback on a football scholarship and after a few touchdowns thrown I transferred to Kennesaw State to finish my engineering degree. I’ve always been obsessed with technology not just gadgets, but innovation. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had what I call the “Gary Vee effect”: I tend to see where tech is heading before it becomes mainstream. In 2013 I wrote a paper about Google Glass before it ever went into production, 10+ years later, Google and Samsung just released the GalaxyXR, I’ve worked with Meta and their Quest 3/3s, and Im using the Apple Vision Pro on a daily basis. On December 4, 2022 within the first few weeks of release, I predicted that ChatGPT would eventually surpass Google as the primary way people search, a very bold statement, and it actually happened.
That pattern led me into a lane I didn’t even know existed at first, translating technology to the masses. I’ve always had the ability to understand how things work behind the scenes, see around corners, and explain it in a way that feels human and usable. Today, that’s what I’m most passionate about, helping shape the next wave of consumer-facing technology by improving user experience and giving people clarity in a world that’s moving fast.
That same skill set is what opened the door to working with brands like Meta, Polestar, Vibe Board, and one of the biggest milestones for me this year: becoming an Adobe Express Ambassador. Adobe is shipping some incredible updates right now, and the timing couldn’t have been better. To go from making my first multi-cut YouTube upload on an HP dv6 in 2007 with zero tutorials… to working directly with Adobe today… that’s a full-circle moment I’m still grateful for every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road, but one I’ve been able to grow through at every turn. One of the first real challenges was transitioning out of athletics. After living a certain lifestyle for 18 years, you’re forced into a real moment of self-evaluation, not “what can I do next,” but “what will truly fulfill me and last long-term?”
I’ve always paid close attention to where technology is heading, so I’ve been intentional about not committing to a path that could disappear in five years. That meant a lot of observing, learning, studying trends, and staying ready to strike when the right opportunity came.
That’s why I’m so grateful for the idea of Locked-In. It brought together everything I naturally love; technology, design, systems, creativity, culture, and bringing people together. And best of all, it’s timeless, it doesn’t rely on algorithms, trends, or platforms.
So, no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every detour has brought me closer to God, closer to my family, and closer to the milestones I’m working toward next.
As you know, we’re big fans of One Degree Gaming. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Locked-In is the centerpiece of what I’m building right now. I’m the co-founder and co-owner of One Degree Gaming, the company behind Locked-In, a group game that instantly gets everyone excited and involved. We are quickly picking up traction across the United States.
This game was created by myself and my first cousins. As kids, we were all living in Camelot off Old National HWY, so to come together years later to build something this meaningful has been incredibly special.
What separates our game is how inclusive it is. Even when someone starts by saying “I don’t really play games,” it only takes a few prompt cards before they’re reaching for a marker and answer board so they can join in. The topics are wide-ranging, from pop culture, movies, music, sports, and relationships, to everyday life situations. Kids can play, and so can the elderly. We recently visited Heritage in McDonough and watched over thirty senior citizens play together. It was beautiful. Locked-In works for date night or a large gathering, and it plays perfectly with two to twenty people.
– – Quick How to Play
Each round, someone reads a prompt and everyone writes their answer. The goal is simple: try to match exactly one other player to score big, not the entire room.
Example prompt: Name a musician who is also an actor.
If 2 players match, they earn 3 points.
If 3 players match, they each earn 2 points.
If 4 players match, they each earn 1 point.
If you match nobody or match the whole room, you get 0.
Wild Cards shake things up, and the first player to reach 30 points wins.
– – In the Box
400 prompts across two hundred double-sided cards
14 Wild Cards, seven types, two of each
10 Voting Cards
10 Dry-Erase Answer Boards
10 Dry-Erase Markers
1 Dry-Erase Scoreboard
What sets us apart is the blend of culture, strategy, and genuine replayability. Locked-In isn’t shock-value humor and it doesn’t rely on one type of crowd. Every group creates a completely different experience, and that’s why people keep returning to it. A grandmother, her children, and her grandkids can all sit at one table and enjoy the game equally. That kind of universality is rare. We’re proud that Locked-In is already being played in homes, senior centers, colleges, corporate offices, and social events across the city.
I’m most proud that we built this as a family. What started as an idea between first cousins has grown into a product that is bringing thousands of people closer together.
For readers, the biggest thing to know is that this is only the beginning. We are developing expansion packs, community tournaments, and partnerships with organizations that want meaningful, joy-filled experiences for their people.
Locked-In is not just a card game. It is a moment, a movement, and a long-term brand built on togetherness, culture, and fun that never expires.
If you enjoy strategy, laughter, and games that bring people together, Locked-In was created for you.
Official Site + How to Play Video:
LockedInGame.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBX8BWP?maas=maas_adg_3DBBED6263D039DC4856542D471A1FD7_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8kFRKgK/
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising is that behind the creativity and the energy most people see, I’m actually extremely technical and resourceful. My background in engineering and project management has shaped the way I think about everything, systems, workflows, and solving problems efficiently. Whether it was designing electrical layouts, leading teams, or now building Locked-In, I’ve always been a person who can take a complex process and make it simple, faster, and more organized for everyone involved.
Most people don’t realize how much I lean on analytics, structure, and optimization in the background. I love storytelling and culture, but I also love analytics, workflows, and having the right tools ready for any situation. If there’s a way to shrink time, reduce steps, or improve a system, that’s where I add a ton of value.
Pricing:
- Locked-In : $34.99
- Locked-In Bundles : 2 for $50 , 3 for $70 , 4 for $95 & 5 for $115
- Locked-In (Amazon Prime) : $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LockedInGame.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRBIu9cDJhn/?igsh=dnRocmhoc21jamwx
Image Credits
I own all phtos
