Back To Meet The Devs

1. What is your name and/or nickname?

Elliot Gilman (aka Oswald)

2. How did you come to work at Turbine?

I was asked by a friend to send in my application when Turbine needed an integrator. That was over two years ago! I have to say, working on AC has been a great challenge and very rewarding.

3. What other jobs have you had?

Prior to joining Turbine, I managed a small industrial video production company in New Hampshire and worked on multimedia projects for local non-profit organizations.

4. Do you work on anything else besides AC (and can you tell us about it)?

I think I basically eat, sleep, and breathe AC. :) In my free time I've been known to read, write poetry, and bake goodies.

5. If you could add or change one thing in AC, what would that be?

I really wish time of day mattered in AC. For example, I always wanted to see different types of monster camps at night. I remember Hero's Quest did something like this, where larger, menacing creatures could be encountered at night. That added an extra level of gameplay because some unique items could only be found on these creatures. Sometimes you can get a large effect from a simple system, and this is one system I would love to see in AC.

6. What's the most amusing or embarrassing death you've had or witnessed in AC?

*laugh* My character on Thistledown took on the 40 or so desert rats in the dungeon Thasali. Naturally, I wasn't afraid on dying because desert rats mean nothing to mighty me. Playing Whomp-a-Rat in Thasali was a good for a few laughs... Well, that is until I lost my connection! When I managed to re-connect, he was naked (well, he still had on some gloves!) and standing by a lifestone. That was embarrassing for a level 34 warrior.

7. Are you in an allegiance and do your allegiance members know you're at Turbine?

Yes, I'm in an allegiance and I think most of the members know I work for Turbine.

8. Have you played any other MMORPGs and are you looking forward to any upcoming ones?

Not really. I've watched a good friend play EverQuest for a while and finally turned her into an full time AC player. :)

9. What's the current in-office LAN game?

Well, I'd have to say Counterstrike...although we can get some real mean games of Total Annihilation going!

10. Favourites:

I really enjoy all types of music. Generally, I listen to Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Paul Oakenfold, Pink Floyd, and anything else that manages to find its way into my cd player.

My favorite food...Mmmm, brownies!

11. What was the first computer game you played?

The first computer game I played was Polaris for the TRS-80. It was like Missile Command only with subs at sea. Then I got hooked on Paradroids for the C64 but...
The first computer game that absolutely owned my soul was Starflight (and Starflight2).

12. What would you like appreciative fans to send as gifts?

Mmmm...brownies! :)

13. Did you get your pre-patch Greater Shadow Armour in time?

Nope! I was sooooo close, too!

14. Fasten and then zip or zip and then fasten?

I wear Gold Scalemail Leggings! They are green. I like the color green.

15. Because of the lead- and asbestos-lined walls at Turbine's offices, you all survive the apocalypse - who'd get voted Supreme Leader?

Avon, from Blake's 7.