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| WOO: |
How long have you been at Origin and how did you work your way through the ranks to become a Producer? |
| SL: |
I have been at Origin since October of 1992. I started out in Quality Assurance and worked my way up to project leader on several projects. In 1995 Richard Garriott asked me to be the Associate Producer for Ultima IX. Origin was my first job in the gaming business. |
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| WOO: |
We understand that you are an ordained minister. Would you care to tell us anything about that (how long, what church, etc.)? |
| SL: |
It was a birthday gift from a friend of mine when I turned 19. There is a church in California called the Universal Life Church and via mail order (from the back of Rolling Stone no less) you can become an ordained minister. Many people would have treated this like a joke but I take it very seriously. I am not religious but I have great respect for humanity and humanity's inherent spirituality. With that in mind I have performed 3 weddings and one naming ceremony (non-Christian christening) for my friends. |
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| WOO: |
Ultima Online will evolve in large part from gamer feedback and involvement(based on the type of game it is). Other companies (such as Blizzard with WarCraft II) have used the internet to increase fan input in the development of games. With the growth of internet use and the increased access to the fan base, do you forsee a greater synergy between entertainment software developers and computer gamers in the development of new games? |
| SL: |
Yes, especially in persistent world games. Essentially you the players are the final arbiters of what the game environment will be like. Even without our feedback your actions will determine the nature of the experience. |
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| WOO: |
Most of the early computer games I remember from the late 70's and early 80's were role-playing games of one sort or another. Today there seems to be a preference for publishing action/arcade and 'interactive movie' games. Is there much chance of a comeback of the true role-playing genre? |
| SL: |
I sure hope so. The popularity of Diablo, which many argue is not true role-playing, is an indication of the potential that might exist out
there. We at Origin, and specifically Lord British Productions are investing a lot in that hope. |
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| WOO: |
Presuming that the next step in gaming is virtual reality, where do you see computer gaming going after that? |
| SL: |
Well, interestingly enough we have been considering that very thing. We have plans but we don't want the competition catching wind of them just yet. (grin) |
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| WOO: |
Richard Garriott will be playing Lord British in UO. The character of Lord British was based on him, though, whereas Blackthorn was not based on a real person's personae. How do you feel about playing the character of Blackthorn, a person of questionable virtues, in UO? |
| SL: |
Virtues are much overrated, I can't wait to play Blackthorn. Everyone should realize that I (Blackthorn) am not evil, merely misunderstood. |
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| WOO: |
Once UO gets sent to the presses, how long a vacation will you be taking? |
| SL: |
A very short one, since I have to start work on the next project immediately. |
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| WOO: |
Lately a number of computer and gaming publications have commented on the rise of antisocial behavior on the internet, especially among the younger segment of the internet. As producer for Ultima Online, the social climate of the internet must be of interest to you. How do you see it changing in the short term? And how will this effect further development of online gaming? |
| SL: |
It is very disappointing for me to see this kind of behavior. We are going to do everything we can to discourage the worst elements (racism, sexual assault, etc.) of this in Ultima Online. In fact we will cancel accounts of problem players. Until this hard line begins to be drawn I don't see any hope of the current behavior improving. Maybe once people realize that there are consequences to their actions they might be more careful. |
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| WOO: |
What advice do you have for those would-be designers, artists, etc., who are trying to break into the gaming business? |
| SL: |
Play games of all kinds, learn as many skills as you can, and most of all learn to communicate well, not just over the net but more importantly in person. |
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| WOO: |
What types of games do you like to play yourself? |
| SL: |
Unfortunately I haven't had time to play many lately but when I do I love mainly multiplayer action and strategy games like Command & Conquer, Warcraft II, Quake, etc. |
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| WOO: |
What other hobbies and interests do you have? |
| SL: |
Socializing, playing with my dog, seeing live music, skateboarding, boating, swimming, collecting music CDs, motorcycling, playing darts & pool, watching movies, and reading (mainly sci-fi). |
