Drumright Man's 20-Year-Old Idea Becomes Smartphone App

A Drumright man has released a Smartphone app that has been in development for more than 20 years. It's a game that was created by accident - an accident that changed the course of Rusty Russell's life.

The former police officer, salesman, and hot shot oil field trucker became a game developer. Russell's a-ha idea started 24 years ago with a faint flicker after a dominos game, and as a Yahtzee dice game started.

"I'd flick down the dice, whatever that number was I laid down a domino," Russell said.

The goal is to have the fewest points left on dominos still standing. That's how the Domino Roll Out game started. First, in a board game, later the floppy disc version was on the edge of something big. Each time, doors were slammed shut.

"I knew I had something, It's like holding a winning lottery ticket, and somebody else has got a hold of it and just won't let go of it," Russell said.

But for a third of his life, Russell hasn't stopped trying, or believing in the Domino Roll Out.

"I'm a persevering son of a gun. I knew I had something. It's that simple. What do you do, just quit?" He said.

Quit isn't in his vocabulary, but "app" has now been added to it.

"The game craze on the cell phone market is phenomenal," he said.

Russell now believes the timing for the game is finally right, with a new Domino Roll Out game app. Russell says the app is unique, fun and can even be addictive.

"I've got an excellent game. No, it may not get as big as angry birds," he said.

The mission behind the Domino Roll Out is to help veterans. Russell hopes, finally, the game will mean a payoff for his perseverance, which he intends to share with veterans.

"Yes I want to succeed. I want to make money. I think anybody would, but my primary objective with that money, no matter how big or small it might be, is to help other veterans," he said.

Visit the Domino Roll Out Facebook Page

The Domino Roll Out has come a long way since the board game. Russell predicts a big future for the game tied to so much of his past.

"99.9 percent. I always leave a margin there just in case. I mean I could die tomorrow, who knows," he said