Ad Personam: Richard Garriott, NC Soft Austin
Sia 'Garrett' Manzari, 2003-07-31

Ad Personam is dedicated to the people behind the games: programmers, artists, musicians, directors, producers and many other professions involved in creating the stuff that fills our harddisks, lets us sleep less and eat more junk food. In each Ad Personam, we want to introduce one of these fine folks to you - and this time it is Richard Garriott aka Lord British, the man behind the Ultima series and designer of Tabula Rasa.

Lord British: I am Richard "Lord British" Garriott. I wrote the Ultima Series of games, one of the earliest and longest lived RPGs. I co-founded Origin with my brother Robert. I and my team mates created Ultima Online and began the MMP craze. I am now at NCsoft, and we are devoted to creating online games.

RPGDot: Your favourite game, both electronical and board?

Lord British:Myst was the 1st non-Ultima game I played to completion and it still holds a special place in my heart. Though I don't play many board games these days, I was an early avid D&D player, and it launched me on my career!

RPGDot: Your favourite movie and favourite actor & actress?

Lord British: Movie: Now it's Lord of the Rings! Star Wars, Aliens, Terminator have been my favs. Sean Connery is likely my favorite actor.

RPGDot: Your favourite singer/band and record?

Lord British: Hard to pick just one, but Sting, Pink Floyd and even the Dixie Chicks are up there on my short list.

RPGDot: If you could do any game, regardless of money and developing time, what would it be?

Lord British: "New Britannia!" Lord British's new world. Multi player, far more fantastical than Ultimas were, reality simulations including physics, heavy use of mounts and vehicles, support of VR equipment, voice chat with voice fonts.

RPGDot: If you'd be able to choose anyone from within the game industry to work on your dream project, who'd you put in your team?

Lord British: Doug Church (Thief, Underworld). Been trying to find a way to get together with him, but alas, he's off doing stuff with my good friend Warren Spector.

RPGDot: What character from a game or role-playing setting best describes you?

Lord British: Lord British of course!

(note from the editor: now that's a big surprise :)

RPGDot: Your non-gaming hobbies?

Lord British: Adventure sports and travel: sky diving, scuba diving, hang gliding. I've been to Antarctica twice, Africa twice, the Amazon, deep water submarines (3-5 times), cosmonaut training (3 times).

RPGDot: Your favourite author and favourite book?

Lord British: JRR Tolkien: LotR without a doubt!

RPGDot: What historical person would you like to meet and why?

Lord British: Earnest Shakleton: Great Antarctic Explorer, he managed great feats of risk and daring and never lost a team member, in spite of incredible hardships.

RPGDot: Thanks for your time!