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

Randy Pitchford: In a nutshell, it went like this:

I got hooked playing arcade, hand held and primitive console games when I was a kid.

My dad was a technology guy who always had a bunch of computers laying around the house and taught me how to use them. I played Colossal Cave Adventure and wanted to make something like that myself.

I learned how to design and program my own games using the tools my father provided me with.

Computers and games were always a hobby, while I thought real life was about things like studying law and business. Half way through college I woke up and switched from law and business to computer science. I didn’t learn anything new about computers in school, though…heh.

Doom came along and messed me up pretty bad. I played tons and made a bunch of stuff for the game, which I released on the Internet.

I started talking to some folks about actually working in the industry and managed to get a couple of offers pretty quick. I took an offer from 3dRealms which became my first *real* game industry job.

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

Randy Pitchford: My son was born on January 8, 2000. I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but this just feels epic. The only thing I can’t stop thinking is, “Is he going to be a programmer, an artist or a designer?” Ironically, he’ll probably become a football player and beat up dudes like me.

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

Randy Pitchford: I admire a bunch of folks - mostly people I’ve actually had the chance to work with. I can’t narrow it down to just two… But I’ll list a bunch of guys who I have a ton of respect for after having worked with them on some level. Some of these guys you’ve heard of but some of them are behind the scenes. All of them are very talented individuals who it’s been a pleasure to know.

EVERYONE at Gearbox, Allen Blum III, Charlie Brown, Jim Dose, Graeme Devine, Marin Gazzari, Richard Gray, Tom Hall, Richard Hilleman, Chuck Jones, Dirk Jones, Doug Lombardi, American McGee, Gary McTaggart, Gabe Newell, Jeff Pobst, Eric Reuter, Keith Schuler, Jay Wilbur, Kerry Wilkinson, Doug Wood, and Billy Zelsnack. I bet I left some people out that I shouldn’t have… Crap.

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

Randy Pitchford: The most annoying thing to deal with is the human stuff… Like having to stop to eat or sleep. Everything else is a challenge that can be overcome with enough thought and attention.

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

Randy Pitchford: Actually, my wife plays games almost as much as I do… And, she’s got all kinds of training and background in literature and writing that I tap into when I’m working on narrative based games. It works out pretty well.

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

Randy Pitchford: Make stuff… Don’t wait for someone to show you how to do things, just get in there and do it yourself. There are plenty of books, tools and other resources available to teach you everything you need to know to make something. So, go out there, learn a few things, make something cool, then show it to me. If it’s good, people like me will want to work with you.

7.) Drink of Choice

Randy Pitchford: Mountain Dew

8.) Tunes of Choice

Randy Pitchford: I’ve been listening to Rage Against the Machine recently. I guess it’s irony bugging me again…

9.) Babe of Choice

Randy Pitchford: That would roughly be my wife.

10.) The real answer to no. #9 for the married guys who had to say their wives.

Randy Pitchford: I’m going to have to go with something along the lines of a Fembot.

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

Randy Pitchford: We’ve got some good stuff we’re cooking up… It should be pretty cool :)

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.

Randy Pitchford: I used to be a professional magician when I was in college. I worked at a night club on Universal City Walk in Hollywood called “Wizardz” and occasionally performed at the famous Magic Castle. Being a magician taught me some things that are incredibly valuable as a game developer. In performing magic, I had to challenge my audience but at the same time entertain them. Games are the same way. We trick and fool our players. We lead players along then set them up for a surprise. We misdirect. We challenge minds. But, we always must entertain. As a close-up magician, the feedback was instantaneous so working with hundreds of spectators a day forced me to consider what different types of people were thinking when I was trying to lead them along a line of logic that I was about to break for them. As a game designer, I draw upon the rules of magic all the time.