Daniel "Dan" Paladin (also known as Synj) is an American video game designer. He collaborated with Newgrounds creator Tom Fulp and designed Flash-based games: Sack Smash 2001, Chainsaw the Children, Dad n' Me, and, most notably, Alien Hominid. In 2002 he, Fulp, John Baez and Brandon LaCava created the video game company The Behemoth. Paladin designed the critically acclaimed remake of Alien Hominid and beat'em up Castle Crashers, with his 2D style becoming signature for these games. Dan also worked for Gratuitous Games and Presto Studios.