Words with Mark Russell
It takes a lot of cooks in the kitchen to run a restaurant kitchen. The more I learn about game development and the people who make games the more I realize how complicated it all is. It’s not just one kitchen… it’s 5 kitchens in 5 different time zones and 5 countries. Among the many things the average person, including myself, do not know about game development is the complications created by people in different places creating a beautiful but complicated thing.
One of these people in one of these places is Acting Lead Designer at Ubisoft Reflections Mark Russell (@Mark__Russell). I am more than honored to have him answering some gaming questions… and some not gaming questions… during this edition of #WordsWithBaun. Enjoy.
What sports are you into? Do you have a favorite team/club?
I like a lot of different sports, the standard ones like Football and Rugby I’ll actively follow but I’ll pretty much watch any sport that’s on tv (my dad was a P.E. teacher so I played all the sports growing up!) My favourite would have to be motorsport however. I’m a big F1 and WEC (World Endurance) fan so I’ll always make time to watch those live.
Out of all the teams I’d have to say my favourite would be the McLaren Formula One team. They have a great back story and as an operation I admire how they are run. They exist for one purpose and that is to win races, everything else is simply there to enable that to happen. That sort of single minded focus is pretty cool.
What influenced you to get into the gaming industry in general?
To be honest, I’m here by accident! My degree is in Geography and I was working as a surveyor in the Scottish Forestry Commission. I took a break and a friend of mine, who was an animator, suggested I do some QC at the company he was at to keep myself busy. They were making an F1 game at the time and he knew I was interested in the sport so I went for an interview, was offered the job and 14 years later I’m still here (waiting to be found out!)
Who do you look up to?
I respect a lot of people and admire many people for their achievements and what they have accomplished. However, for me the person that had a big effect on me and the person I’d look up to was my Grandad. He was an honest and hardworking guy who put his heart and soul into everything he did. He never cheated himself and made time for everyone no matter who they were or what they needed. If I’m ever having a crumby day at work or need to give myself a good talking too I’ll often think about him and his work ethic, which normally acts as a slap in the face for me. I’ve got it comparatively easy and it’s good to remember that sometimes :)
What was your first gaming setup (console or PC)? Favorite game on it?
The first computer I ever had was a ZX Spectrum which I shared with my sisters, but I wasn’t really old enough to understand it — so I’m not counting that! Then when I was about 7 my parents got me a Sega Master System (but I’d often just be playing outside rather than using it), so again I’m not going to count that! Then when I was about 15 a friend got an N64. He’d bring it to band practice and in-between sessions we’d play 4 player goldeneye. That was the first time I really got into games, but at that time I never thought I’d be working in them. I saved up for a while and bought my own so I’m going to claim that as my first gaming setup!
The N64 had so many classics on it it’s hard to narrow it down to one! I loved Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Mario Kart and all the other usual classics. However, my favourite one would probably be Star Wars Rogue Squadron (and I’m not even a Star Wars fan!) There was something just inanely cool about that game and flying a ship through space dogfighting Tie fighters, going on bombing runs on Bespin and other iconic locations. It also had some cool cheats like unlocking the Millennium Falcon. I also loved Star Wars Pod Racer, that game was lightning fast and when playing it you could just enter a trance like state of not consciously reacting to the game or track. That was such an awesome feeling and one that has always stuck with me :)
What is the must-have meal/food where you are from?
I’m Scottish, so it has to be Haggis, neeps and tatties, washed down with Irn-Bru (or Tenants Lager if you’re old enough ;). If you google Haggis the chances are you’d be appalled that anyone could eat it — but give it a chance — it tastes so good! If you manage to catch a wild haggis they taste even better ;)
Who is your favourite band? Have you seen them live?
Wow, tough question! I mean, like most people tastes can change over time and it’s always cool discovering new music. However, I love how music can trigger memories and feelings so I’m going to go with a band that sort of takes me back to being 18 and hanging out with friends, camping, going to festivals and generally just being a little more care free. So, I’m going with Placebo. Luckily I have seen them a fair few times live — but not for a while.
When I worked in LA I discovered a guy called John Mayer, I guess he’s sort of like a modern day Bob Dylan. He’s a great song writer and super accomplished guitarist. I’ve not seen him live but I’d love to head over to the states in the near future and catch one of his concerts. I’ll maybe do that for my birthday next year!
If you could go one place in the world where would it be?
I was lucky as a kid that my parents were teachers which meant we would always head down to the south of France for a long vacation (as they’d get 6 weeks off). I love the pace of life in France and their general attitude, so I’d have to say somewhere in France. I always feel relaxed there, they have great food and wine and it’s so beautiful to boot. I go to the Le Mans 24hr race with my dad each year and it’s a really beautiful mix of motorsport and beautiful countryside. Seeing cars race deep into the warm summer night with such a party atmosphere is a really special feeling — so for that reason, let’s say Le Mans :)
Do you have any favorite non-gaming activities or hobbies?
As mentioned, I like motorsport so I do a lot of Trackdays. If I get any free time I’ll normally make sure I’ve got a track to go to and drive some laps. It’s quite a cathartic experience as you have to focus 100% on driving the car so it’s a good escape. Other than that I like watching terrible movies and playing guitar so normally one of those.
Can you give us non-game industry people a general idea of what a lead designer does? What is a challenge of being a lead designer that many wouldn’t expect?
So, the odd thing about being a Lead Designer (for me at least) is that I don’t actually do much design any more. It’s more about ensuring the team have all the tools to succeed. It’s about growing them as individual designers and being sure that they are gaining new skills and knowledge whilst being challenged and exploring all options and avenues — but in an atmosphere that means it’s okay to get things wrong. So day to day, it’s more of a management role, allowing the designers to actually get on with the design :)
I’ll update other leads and producers on progress, road blocks, and risks etc. and plan how we’re going to deliver the features. There are a lot of reviews and troubleshooting but generally it’s a support and growth role — at least it is for me here at this present time.
The biggest challenge is trying to have a grasp of all the features in the game, how the features you are working on feed into that and how that fits with the entire ethos of the game.
What is something from your perspective you don’t think the average gamer understands about game development?
Time. Everything thing takes time, in some cases a lot of time. Even if it seems minuscule it takes a huge amount of man power to action changes. Believe me I get it. I’m guilty of it myself, I’ll see something and think “why don’t they just do this?!” Well, chances are they have already thought of that and a hundred other solutions but everything comes down to budget, time and bang for buck. The guys who came to ETF Charlie had Terry give them a great breakdown of this by using Liz Englands door analogy. I think if gamers have a read of that it would help with the understanding of why some things that seem simple have a long turnaround to fix.
What is your favorite/funniest The Division related story you’re allowed to tell?
Okay, I’ll tell you about the time Tom Chambers scared George (taylor) at ETF. So, Tom is a big dude, he could look quite menacing if you didn’t know him, but he’s really a teddy bear. Anyway, Tom was in charge of the Commendations design and prior to ETF we’d gone on state of the game to talk about them. As always we monitor the internet for feedback and to gauge the reception. Well George had been on a podcast (I forget which sadly) and was essentially saying he thought they were a bit lame, didn’t see much point in them — or words to that affect.
Well, anyway, Tom went up to him in the pub when they got here and said “So, you’re the guy who thinks commendations are rubbish?!” The look on little Georges face was priceless as he stuttered and stammered in a back tracking effort.
Tom just cracked out a smile and let him know he was joking. They went on to drink a fair amount of beer and have a great night :) That’s one of the things I love about the devs and the community on The Division, we can interact in such a positive manner that it benefits everyone.
What is the most click-baity thing you can tell us about an upcoming game that won’t get you in trouble? Even if it’s one word.
Hmmm…this could be tricky. Erm…. it has guns in it.
And last, if you could put Rxydsjkafhksl or Taylor into The Division would he be a NPC, LZ boss, UG boss, or something else? Also, could you make him bald? A friend wanted to know.
I’d make him a loot goblin. You know, like an annoying little animal troll thing that comes and steals your loot from you. Just a royal PITA generally! Ha, no, I’m just kidding. He’d surely have to be a vendor, selling goods — like the guy from Res Evil 4 “whatta ya buyin?” That guy. And yeah, he should be bald. In fact I’m sure we can get him to shave his head for charity or something :D
I want to thank Mark for the insightful, and funny, answers to my questions. Once again I want to thank everyone for the support and help over the last year almost. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without each of you.
See you at E3 soon. :]
