Interview: Chris Campbell - QA Lead (04/28/98)

Vidguy: What exactly is a "QA Lead"?

Chris: QA Lead is a position that covers all the bases. I of course test the software, but I also do lots of other things. I also do some hardware support, do some design work, some level design for the game if need be. I also handle the all-important Beta test. That's what I get the most feedback from fans. They all want to know about any beta test that's coming up. Of course, we're not to that point yet, but we do keep a small list of *potential* testers.

Vidguy: Ok...so on that point... Everyone asks about the beta program. Could you possibly describe what will happen and maybe even a tentative timeline?

Chris: Uh oh. Walked into that one. Yes, there will be a Beta test. Microsoft has some big plans for a test on their end. I on the other hand plan to have a smaller, more 3LiT3 group if you will, of testers. They'll be more of what you would expect from a Beta test team. They'll get all the newest features, and the buggiest code to test out.

Vidguy: So YOUR beta test will be more of a closed beta test then and MS will be more open?

Chris: Yeah, more or less. For my test (which I want to get it ready sometime after E3) I want some really experienced testers and some people that maybe haven't played AoE at all. I want to get a good feedback from people, which is why I'm keeping my group small and tight knit. It's hard to get feedback from 1000's of people. That's why I'm going to take time and personally get to know each tester. I plan on giving them a phone call, talk to them and see what they really think of the game.

Vidguy: So are you talking 20? 30? 100 people?

Chris: Maybe around 50 or so. There's only one of me right now, so I've got to keep it small. Any larger than that, then I start to lose focus on the game and worry more about the logistics of the test.

Vidguy: Nice to get the hard-hitting question off early <grin> ... but let's get back to the "one of you". How long have you been with ES?

Chris: Well, I've been "around" ES for about nine months, although I officially started working here at ES a little over a month. I've worked in the same building as ES for almost 2 years. I worked on the second floor when I learned that there was a gaming company on the 10th floor. I wrote Tony Goodman, President, just saying that there was a group of us below who liked games. He invited us up and let us Beta test Age during the summer. I got to go the VIP release party and all that. Later on, Tony mentioned that he needed a QA Lead at ES, so I jumped at the chance.

Vidguy: Just goes to show what following your dreams can do, eh?

Chris: Definitely! It also helped that I had plenty of experience as a QA for different companies.

Vidguy: Your nickname is "Torgo" ... where did that originate from?

Chris: ha... Good ol' Torgo. Well, my favorite TV show has to be Mystery Science Theater 3000. It's much better than anything else out there and it's always funny whenever you watch it. Torgo was this character from the classic "Manos: Hands of Fate" episode. Torgo was this caretaker of this haunted shack in the desert. You'd have to see the movie to really understand him.

Vidguy: ES is located in Dallas, Texas which seems to be a hub of computer gaming activity (ION Storm and Ritual come to mind). Why do you think that is?

Chris: I think that it's partly because Dallas has so much technology behind it. Besides the gaming companies here, we have Texas Instruments, Nortel, GTE, Fujitsu, AMD, etc. With so many technology companies, the schools and colleges are putting out some quality graduates. I guess it just follows that gaming companies aren't far behind.

Vidguy: If you could pick one thing that makes ES standout as a place to work for...what would that be?

Chris: The "family" atmosphere. We here seem to really get along. We always do stuff and everyone's opinion counts. In fact, it's hard to get hired here because you need to be able to fit in with the rest of the group. There's no place for ego here. I think that one aspect helps us to stick together and retain our great team of artists and programmers.

Vidguy: E3 is coming up real fast. What sort of things do you plan on doing there aside from the obvious. Are you planning any special events?

Chris: Well, E3 is the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, it's the only thing on our minds right now. We've got everyone working hard to make the game look good since everyone will be looking at the game and seeing what ES is going to do this year.

Vidguy: We know that every bit of information about AOE2 is under a tight wrap prior to E3. Will we see a flood of information released then?

Chris: I can guarantee that you'll be seeing A LOT of Age 2 after E3. E3 is a big press event with everyone trying to cover all the games. If you don't hear something from us, you'll be hearing it from someone else.

Vidguy: ok...I'll wrap up with one little "exercise" if you will indulge us :)

Seeing as you are the "QA" person....how bout I do the Q and you do the A for the following:

Some of the ES "Celebrities" show up in our forums and in the newsgroup quite often. Could you give us a little "one-liner" about the likes of:

Vidguy: Duncan "Reverend" McKissick - Artist
Chris: Should do stand up comedy.

Vidguy: Sean "Lord Soth" Wolff - Artist
Chris: Can't turn your back on him for a second.

Vidguy: Dave Pottinger - Engine Lead
Chris: Dave - He always has the neatest hair.

Vidguy: Matt "Optimizer" Pritchard - Graphics Optimizer
Chris: The only guy that can talk longer than Tony G., but it's always fascinating.

Vidguy: Mark Terrano - Lead Designer
Chris: He's the best listener here at ES

Vidguy: Tony Goodman - ES President and all round GOD.
Chris: Tony Goodman - He may be quirky, but he's the best boss anyone could have. And I'm not saying that because he has a new NSX.

Vidguy: LOL...maybe cause he is the one who can renew your contract! ;)
Chris: $$$

Vidguy: All of Heaven thanks for your time, Chris!