One of the good things about covering the "Hardware World" as well as the "Gaming World" is the ability to run across individuals like Markus Maki. I had initially contacted him for a few comments on the whole Max Payne side of things, but was delighted when I found out that Markus has been bustin' ass at MadOnion for sometime now... If you've been in a cave and you don't know who the hell MadOnion is, your either 

a.) In need of help...and you don't get out much.

b.) Your not into serious hardware/gaming performance and you probably think Solitaire is a "real" computer game.

Although Hypothermia does use the MadOnions great benchmark tools, it's more apparent through my work for Kyle on [H]ardOCP. . . we use the hell outta MO's stuff. So this is a double duty interview for me, kinda cool that it covers two bases with one interview. 

1.) What's up with you lately?? We have the shift from Remedy to MadOnion awhile back, how has Max Payne been progressing, I saw it at E3, and it looked fantastic, so what of the recent rumors of it being cancelled??

Thanks for asking, we're doing great. MadOnion.com is working on new versions of 3DMark and Video2000, plus something extra cool on the web front. Remedy's of course concentrating on getting Max Payne done. So both MadOnion and Remedy are going ahead full steam. As what comes to the Max Payne rumors, Mike Wilson from the Gathering already commented on this at Stomped: "Max is alive an well, and will be kickin' your ass next year!" 

2.) It seems as though everyone wants to be a big game maker these days. . . or spend most of their time "dreaming" about getting into the industry. Many people don't know the extent of what it takes to make a game from existing technology ( using an existing engine ) let alone design a game engine. What is the single most important aspect of game design that new people getting in the industry should focus on??

If I'd need to single out one aspect, it would be playability. You can design a good adventure game, a good RPG, a good strategy game, or a good online action game. Some genres require good tech, some good content. All games and genres require good playability. 

Technology is just the icing on the cake. It's important, but if a game's not fun it's not going to do you much good.

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

I'm not the outrageous type, so I can't boast with many outrageous deeds. Maybe telling some big hardware manufacturer (sorry, can't mention names :) that I'm not really interested at all about their cool new feature and it's not going to be in 3DMark because nobody else supports it or it's useless in games. Sometimes those discussions get pretty aggressive…

4.) People you admire in the industry. . . . . 

Sid Meier of course. I spent my childhood playing his games. The 3DRealms people (Scott & George), for having the guts to do things differently than most game developers out there. John Carmack for the (good) influence he has to the hardware manufacturers.

5.) What's the most annoying thing you dealt with on a daily basis, other than stupid interview requests.

Ohh, don't get me started :) Frankly, I don't get interview requests that often. Mostly answering to e-mails from people who think they know everything. If they do, why do they ask? Or if they ask about OpenGL vs Direct3D. Anyway, fortunately my life is pretty varied and there are very few things that annoy me, especially on a daily basis.

6.) Your working on new projects for MadOnion. . . With the 3d Mark 2000 and XL-r8r being the latest. What does the near future hold for you.

I hinted at these a bit in the first question, but our most important new project is 3DMark2001, of course. I don't want to tell you too much about it, except that it's going to be a DirectX8 benchmark, have completely new graphics, and it will have a couple of nice new surprises too.

7.) Tips you can give game-making-hopefuls in training

Focus on things that make you tick". Game development should to be fun too and if you do a game you are excited about, it's more likely it turns out to be good. 

Second, do something original. Copying somebody "but doing it a bit better" usually will not get you far.

8.) Drink of Choice

Soft drinks - Mountain Dew (shame you can't get that in Finland)
Otherwise - Smooth, old single malt scotch.

9.) Tunes of Choice

I'm pretty varied as far as music goes. Any "pop" group, dance/techno. If I want to annoy my neighbors at the office, some good rock will do.

10.)Food while computing??

Coffee. Candy. Pastries. I can actually make real food too, but not while computing. Indian food is one of my favorites.

11.) Super cars, it seems everyone in the industry has the "Soopa Car". . . what do you drive??

I drive a 2001 model silver Saab 9-3 Aero.

12.) I am a car guy too, though not at the same level as you, I just wanna know what it's like to buy a Ferrari and immediately have the engine pulled to have nitrous installed, etc. . . speaking of… what is the current "CAR" project?? You doing anything outrageous to yours??

Ehh, my car is fairly new, just 2400 km (1500 miles) in the odometer. I think I'm going to be happy with the 2.0 Turbo engine giving it a 0-60mph of a bit above 7 sec. I could probably chip it to get more horses but the 205 hp are sufficient. Besides lower power equals better fuel economy and gas is horribly expensive over here (costs twice as much as in California).

13.) When Markus Maki "unplugs" what do you do?? 

Watch sci-fi. Read a book. Cook with friends. Wakeboard. Wakeboarding rules. I can do wake-to-wake 180's and hope to learn 360's next summer. I have to try snowboarding this winter…

14.) Babe of Choice??

This is the hardest question of all. There are so many cuties to choose from. I could say something like Lucy Liu, or maybe Sarah Michelle Gellar :).

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 used live in Austin, Texas… So I'm almost genuine Texan. Bad, eh? :-)

There you have it. . . . Markus and the gang at MadOnion have actually pioneered the term "COOL" benchmarks, everyone that has used their products loves them, and the added benefit?? They are fun to watch as you benchmark your machine... very cool indeed.

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out MO's stuff. . . get over there and check it out. If you have...stay tuned baby, they got some ass kickin stuff coming your way....