Richard Garriott is a robot.
Garriott is aSilicon Valleykind of larger-than-life tech godfather.
Hes designed a card forMagic: The Gathering.
Hes widely known by hisUltima Onlinecharacter name, Lord British.
Sometimes I am just there in the flesh, or more often in my robot body.
I am one of the earliest developers of computer games that is still producing games.
Today my team and I continue the race to create ever deeper experiences for players.
Take us through a recent workday.
When I awake in NYC, I am an hour ahead of my Austin staff.
This allows me to help get the kids off to school without a rush.
I then log into myBeamand teleport to Austin from my home office desk in NYC.
I attend the morning standup reports (either as a human or robot) daily.
Hanging out all day IS THE KEY for me, not just logging into a fixed-position video conference call.
I am present all day, every day, just as any employee.
Sometimes I am just there in the flesh, or more often in my robot body on my Beam.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
After the customary iPhone, desktops and laptops, unquestionably my most needed tool is my Beam!
I am in Austin, Texas as I sit here in NYC writing this for you now!
I must be one of the top global users of telepresence robotics on earth.
But if more of you try this, you too will learn to love it!
Whats your workspace setup like?
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
I NEVER check a bag.
I am the king of traveling light.
Of course, nothing beats traveling virtually.
80% of the quality of a game becomes visible in the last 20% of the development process.
Of this we are duly proud!
One of the major lessons of the journey has been how to manage expectations for people who join mid-stream.
Players who come in at the end, see a finished game and like it.
Its the middle group that is the hardest to keep happy.
What do you wish more people knew about the process of creating and running a game?
80% of the quality of a game becomes visible in the last 20% of the development process.
Whats your advice for people trying to break into working in the game industry?
hit it one more time and again.
Nothing worthwhile is easy.
So apply every month.
Keep growing your skills and demos to make a stronger impression each cycle.
EVERYONE on my team is a rock star!
Starting with Starr Long, the project Executive Producer and Director.
But many of us on this team have worked together for decades.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
I am a slave to my Outlook calendar.
If its not in my calendar, I will NOT be there.
If it is, I will be.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Whats your favorite side project?
I still love to make real-world interactive events akin to the virtual games we make.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
I read for research.
It could be historical, philosophical, fantasy or real science.
