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[InnerSphereNews]

Jordan Weisman Interview – Part 1

We recently sat down with Jordan Weisman, creator of the original BattleTech and MechWarrior games, to discuss MechWarrior and video games. Check out the first half of the interview here. Be sure to check out the second half on the MechWarrior Tactics Official Site.

What gives you the most satisfaction when creating something completely new?

I love the problem solving of figuring out how to bring together the creative elements I am looking for in way which feels “right” to the audience. My favorite time of any project is the first several months when all of those essential building blocks have to be created and fit together into a structure that hopefully will stand the test of time.

How did your collaboration with Russ Bullock and Piranha Games come about?

I have had a great time working with Russ and Bryan on MechWarrior Online. They are true believers, in that they have loved Battletech since they were kids (yes I am old) and really wanted to bring it to life in a fidelity level never seen before. Their talents and enthusiasm has only been exceeded by the talent of their team to execute upon the concepts that we came up with together. It has truly been a pleasure.

What is the future of gaming?

Well that is a wide open question - so my answers will be as broad as the question. In general I see games becoming more and more pervasive, meaning that they will be accessible to play at all times on devices that are with you at all times, and that your games and game state will available on many different devices at all times. Over the years I have seen a reduction in the play period of games from hours to minutes and I don’t think we are going back up because the flip side of being always available is that players are not forced to dedicated uninterrupted days to them.

Can you tell us a little more about Shadowrun?

No Only that we are working really hard on it and having a blast. We are releasing new information couple of times a month so stay tuned to www.harebrained-schemes.com!

Be sure to check out the second half on the MechWarrior Tactics Official Site!

Cheers,
The MechWarrior Online Team

[Card]

TL;DR

Jordan, how great are we?
You guys are really great.

Jordan, how great are you?
I'm really, really great too.

Thanks, Jordan! Great talking to you!

[Garth Erlam]

(Unintentional) shout out to HAVOK.

Also, an interview with Jordan Weisman! (Links should be fixed now, sorry HAVOK.)

[Woopass]

Still having trouble will part 2 link

[Jad3d]

Working link to part 2: http://mwtactics.com...–-part-2/

(edit) looks like the one in the article is working now

Edited by Jad3d, 19 September 2012 - 08:51 AM.

[Belorion]

Well that explains the backstory on the unseen a little.

[xZaOx]

Not in any offense to PGI or Weisman (which are great) , but that was the shortest interview with next to no content i've read. I got really excited when I read the title, and a little let down when i read both parts.

[BlueDog]

Yeah, to be honest, that was probably the shortest "interview" I've ever read, anywhere. What was that? A quick ad for Shadowrun?

Edited by BlueDog, 19 September 2012 - 11:06 AM.

[Adbiku]

I really hate to criticize. I know the team has a lot on their plate and all. I have to agree with the others who have posted pointing out that there is nearly 0 meat to this interview. I hope that is due to this being "Part 1", but if each section is going to consist of this little material I don't know that I look forward to the rest.

[Ensaine]

This isn't a real interview.. it's more like a fast conversation at the urinal.....that includes both halves .....

Edited by Ensaine, 19 September 2012 - 11:07 AM.

[uebersoldat]

My popcorn wasn't even done popping when I finished both 'parts'.

Was looking forward to a rich, long, in-depth interview with THE MAN HIMSELF about Battletech and MWO/Tactics!

Edited by uebersoldat, 19 September 2012 - 11:23 AM.

[CeeKay Boques]

This does not deserve front page news a pic and a link.


Inteview: So you made BattleTech yeah? What got you into it?
JW: Looking at robots.
Interview: So, Working on ShadowRun?
JW: Yep, nothing to say, check out our website!


Very little from the masters of fluff!

[Bigchunk1]

Wow, you all are heavy complainers.

[Man T Core]

"We recently sat down with Jordan Weisman..."
They had to sit to have this conversation? This "interview" is more like talk around the water cooler at work.
I was exited too when I saw the title, only to be disapointed at how little was actually talk about in this so-called interview.

[Kyrie]

Yeah, kinda gotta agree with previous posters. Not much content to that interview. :-)

[BlackMoore]

Quote :

What was your inspiration to create BattleTech?

".....I wanted to adapt these wonderful machines to setting that was born from Western tradition, in this case a retelling the Roman Successor States....

Western tradition? Then why is all the fluff Eastern in influence? What is based on western? The only thing I see is not eastern influenced is all the talk about space Vikings and that has been debated.

[Kaemon]

interview with J.W (and the inference underneath from a not in the know player)

What gives you the most satisfaction when creating something completely new?

I love not getting sued over and over again...

How did your collaboration with Russ Bullock and Piranha Games come about?

They purchased the rights to publish a game using the IP that I created, they were good enough to drive a dump truck of money to my house, I was good enough to give them 36 sec of my apparently incredibly valuable time.

What is the future of gaming?

Why would I know this? I haven't done anything new in 20 years....oh wait, I have a new game, but I don't want to talk about it (W.T.F??!?!)

Can you tell us a little more about Shadowrun?

No, because it appears I'm a bit angry about MW:O being made, so no free press for you, or the new game blows and I'm already looking to distance myself.

Honestly probably shouldn't have even make the Annoucement section if he wasn't down to do a decent interview, it made him look like a bit of a dbag.