Ad Personam: Tim Cain, Troika Games
Sia 'Garrett' Manzari, 2004-02-03

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 Tim Cain, project leader at Troika Games.

Tim Cain: My name is Tim Cain, and I worked on my first game, Grand Slam Bridge, in 1982. However, I really got my career start in 1992 at Interplay, where I worked on the games Bard's Tale Construction Set, Rags to Riches, Stonekeep, Star Trek, and Fallout. After Fallout, I started my own company, Troika Games, in 1998 with Leonard Boyarsky and Jason Anderson, and we made Arcanum in 2001. Now Troika is working on Greyhawk, due out in a few months, and Vampire, due out next year.

RPGDot: Your favourite game, both electronical and board?

Tim Cain: Computer game: Star Control 2
Board game: Lord of the Rings

RPGDot: Your favourite movie and favourite actor & actress?

Tim Cain: I think I should pass on this. I simply don't watch enough movies.

RPGDot: Your favourite singer/band and record?

Tim Cain: Favorite musician: Brian Eno
Favorite album: Karma (by Delirium)

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

Tim Cain: This is a tough question, because twice in my career I have been allowed to develop an original game from scratch, with little or no restrictions. Fallout and Arcanum were the results of that development. I'd like to take what I have learned from making those games and make another original RPG - new system, new setting, new engine, the works.

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?

Tim Cain: I'd like to work with Wil Wright. I have played his games and seen him speak at conferences. We could design a rule set that was both simple and elegant, yet allow a rich diversity of characters and abilities from their interactions with each other and the environment.

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

Tim Cain: Have you ever read the comic Sam & Max or played the games from Lucasarts? I'm Max. :)

RPGDot: Your non-gaming hobbies?

Tim Cain: I like reading, hiking and playing with my dog.

RPGDot: Your favourite author and favourite book?

Tim Cain: Favorite author: Roger Zelazny
Favorite book: Lord of Light

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

Tim Cain: I'd like to meet Gautama. I'd especially like ask him if he likes how Buddhism turned out, and if he'd change anything.

RPGDot: Thanks for your time!