We recently asked our Lead Designer, Matt Rhoades how he got into the business of making video games and what keeps him motivated in this incredibly competitive field.
What attracted you to the game development industry?
I have loved games in general, and video games in particular, since I first started playing them. Once I understood that games were made by humans and not simply bestowed upon humanity by forces unseen, it was obvious what I had to do.
What are some previous game titles or studio names you’ve worked with?
Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 with Treyarch, DC Universe Online with Sony Online. Epic Mickey 2 with Junction Point/Disney Interactive.
What is the earliest or most intense memory you have of a video game experience?
I remember going over to friends houses and just wanting to play games, which some of my friends at the time got pretty irritated by because somehow they didn’t love games as much as I did…
Other than any Stoic games, what is your favorite video game of all time and why?
I could go any number of ways on this, but my stock answer is Shadowrun for the Sega Genesis. It’s amazingly open-ended and player-directed, an excellent adaptation of its source material, and really fun!
What’s something you’re proud of in the Banner Saga series?
Every game builds (I think) really successfully on the mechanics of the previous game to create a game experience by the end of the trilogy that I think is significantly evolved and improved over the experience at the beginning.
If you did not work in the video game field, what kind of job do you think you’d be doing?
I like to think I would be writing comic books, but I would probably be the world’s oldest street urchin.
When you’re not working on Banner Saga, what are you doing in your free time?
Playing games, watching movies, playing with my family, cooking, eating, and sleeping. Not usually all at the same time.
