If your like me, many of us have enjoyed Terminal Reality's games. . . and believe me, at such a wide variety of games they put out. . I am using the literal sense when I say MANY of us have played their games. If your simply into flight sims. . . no problem, Wanna CRUSH some cars in a head to head Monster Truck duel. . no problem, even hunting ghost's in one of the previous years most innovative games Nocturne. . . Terminal Reality's got ya covered.

I asked Jeff "Smitty" Smith for an interview here awhile back, and he was kind enough to bust out a few answers for me. . . and drop a little info-bomb on me too. . . . I hate ruining a suprise, so start reading!!

1.) How'd you get started in the Games Game and/or who was your inspiration.

 
I got started in games when PONG hit the market. Soon after, Space Invaders…Pac-Man,Donkey Kong, and so on. 
But when I really got hooked was when the Atari 2600 came out. Then the Atari 5200 with trackball for Centipede!!! 
That's what got me hooked, but how I got into the industry of Interactive Entertainment Software Development was 
related to Terminal Reality Inc. and Brett Combs, the VP and co-founder. I was working for Cyber-Worx (a Web site 
design company) in Oklahoma City, OK, when Brett and I started chatting on ICQ. TRI was developing for Microsoft and 
wanted to get more PR for the company. Microsoft took 99% credit for all the games and TRI was getting 
virtually no press. So, Brett and I decided that I would come to Texas and get the company more lime light. 
That's how I got started. Brett inspired me from a BIZ standpoint and good old John C. inspired my 
renewed love of gaming the minute I played Quake for the 1st time. 

 

2.) What's the most outrageous thing you ever did ON your job.

 
Well, for the Nocturne release party we threw in New Orleans, I rode to the cemetery tour dressed and 
painted as El Diablo in a coffin, in the back of a hearse, with a police escort, all while being followed by
a train of 17 Blue Cabs!! Oh yea, and I got drunk at E3, but that is a very common story. J 
 
 
3.) People you admire in the industry. ( please limit your answer to 2 people and EXCLUDE me, thats a given. . )
 

Mike Wilson - Gathering of Developers
Sid Meyer - 

 
4.) What's the most annoying thing to deal with as a programmer/game designer. 
 
Well, since I am neither… the most annoying thing I have to deal with IS the programmers and game designers.Trying 
to get PR and Marketing materials from them is like pulling teeth. Setting the "sales" needs in stone the 
minute production starts on a title is a must!! Otherwise, you have to ask the 'team' to stop work and take 
screen shots. They don't like that very much.

 
5.) Your working on a new project. . . . how much ass does it kick???
 
Mucho Macho Ass!!!! In fact, all the projects that I have seen from our Dallas Mafia group, kick the major ass! 
(would you expect anything less?)
 

6.) Tips you can give GameGuy-Jedi in training

*Auto-save 
*Get to know the developers. You can figure out a designer sometimes and get to know what ‘tricks’ he/she likes to put
into a game. (not always) *For driving games, haul ass all the time, for flight sims, enjoy the technical aspects and learn aviation, for 1st person shooters, shoot everything, for strategy games, learn to build and wait, build and wait, for adventure games, check every crook and cranny twice. *for Barbie Hair Fashion Studio (and games like it) if you aren’t 5 years old, and enjoy the game, you need to seek mental health counseling.   

7.) Drink of Choice 

  
During the day, Mt. Dew 
During the evening, Mt. Dew 
  

8.) Tunes of Choice
  

DJ Shadow, kOrN, Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, Bach, Asian Dub Foundation and anything from Napster that I can grab. 
  

9.) Babe of Choice 

  
My wife, Jessica. (awwwww) 

  
10.) Hobby 

  
Snow Skiing and traveling 
  
11.) I have heard there is a move in the near future for you. . . . anything cool??? 
  
I am moving to Gathering of Developers to work with Mike Wilson and be the Director of Public Relations. Very kewl!!! 
  
and the bonus question 
  
Since we are old friends and hang out all the time, tell us something that most people wouldn't know about you. . . . 
  
I was a promoter for Ice Cube on his Lethal Injection Tour and was a spokesperson for Pull-A-Part Auto Salvage in their 
TV commercials about 5 years ago. (oh, the happy history) Oh yea, and I love my mother (Joan) and Grandmother (Sue) beyond words. 

I know we will continue to see great things out of the TR group and I wish Smitty all the best over at his new home with G.O.D ( I always feel wierd saying that. . ;^)  Heh. . . quick, someone call Smitty's next o' kin and say " We just wanted to wish you all well, Smitty's in a better place. . .he's with GOD now." wow. . . better not.