Tom Hall

If you don't know who Tom Hall is, chances are you don't play much games. . . . . and if that's the case, you're reading the wrong interview. Everything about Tom oozes computer games. One of the most memorable quote's from Tom I ever read was "Anachronox is so big, I have to separate it into several parts to get my Mind around it." . . . wow. That kind of quote speaks for itself. Most people are content using the 10% of our brain that they say we utilize, Tom works a project until he can get his MIND around it. Toms history spans several of the greatest game companies to ever be, id Software, 3D Realms and now Ion Storm. It's hard to imagine a gaming community without Tom Hall included. Exactly the reason he was chosen for this interview series.

Before and After

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

The first inkling of gamedom was the Big Red Present. It just COULDN’T be an Atari 2600-I mean, those cost a hundred and fifty dollars! I tore the paper, and IT WAS! My brother and I played it constantly. Then, on June 9th, 1980, I got an Apple II+, and it was all over. My first stuff was making text adventures like Scott Adams did, making little scenes from Star Wars, and a Donkey Kong Jr. ripoff.

2.) What's the most memorable thing to happen to you in recent history ( opposed to ancient history)

Either getting engaged, or bumping my head into a nail last night. Oof.

3.) People you admire in the industry. ( please limit your answer to 2 people and EXCLUDE me, that's a given. . )

Shigeru Miyamoto is a game god. I met him at last year’s GDC and I was a total goon. But his brilliance and innovation outshine all others.

I also love Ron Gilbert’s Secret on Monkey Island games, and Tim Schafer’s adventures. (Well, they both did those games at LucasArts, so does that still count?)

4.) What's the most annoying thing to deal with as a programmer/designer/developer.

Sudden interviews out of nowhere :^) Actually, it’s probably the unknown hell of various 3D cards not exactly supporting the OpenGL spec. That is spooky.

5.) Does your WIFE/GIRLFRIEND still nag you to "Get off that damn computer before I break it" now that you're a famous Game DOOD.

No, she plays games too and is really cool about that kinda stuff.

6.) Tips you can give young-gameguy-jedi in training

Make ten totally sucky games that you don’t show anyone. Then on your eleventh, you might do something interesting, or at least learned enough to provide some fun. I did about fifty little games before I got a job at Softdisk.

7.) Drink of Choice

Iced tea, no lemon, no spoon.

8.) Tunes of Choice

A wide variety of stuff. Favorites: Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Beatles. In my CD player right now: Sopranos soundtrack, Michael Penn’s MP4, Aimee Mann’s Magnolia soundtrack (they both ROCK). Car CD Player: Santana, Nine Inch Nails, Elvis Costello’s The Juliet Letters, and two other CDs that don’t come to mind.

9.) Babe of Choice

My girlfriend Melissa, but if you mean famous babes…um, Elle Macpherson, Helena Christensen, Gail Porter, Anne Parillaud (sp?)…well, there are a lot of awesome babes out there, huh?

10.) The real answer to question #9 for the married guys who had to say their wives.

Whoops! Caught me. Does that mean I’m married?!?

11.) You’re working on a new project. . . . . HOW MUCH ASS IS IT GOING TO KICK!?!?!

An ass approximately 10.5 light years across. It’s really quite good. :^)

and the bonus question....

Since we are old friends, and hang out together all the time, share a little something with us that many people might be surprised to know about you.

I won the State Disc Golf Championship of Wisconsin once, and a number of smaller tournaments. All the trophies are in my garage in a box.

I appreciate the time and effort Tom gave this article, a lot of people don't realize the amount of these requests for interviews someone like Tom gets. So I want to convey a sincere Thank You to him for taking the time out of his schedule to answer our questions ( and not somebody else's ).

Thanks, Tom.