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Ad Personam: Julien Roby, Arkane Studios
Sia 'Garrett' Manzari, 2003-09-04
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 Julien Roby, Game Designer at Arkane Studios.
RPGDot: Please tell us who you are, what you do and about your career history.
Julien Roby: I'm Game Designer at Arkane Studios. I've been tester on DARK EARTH (PC) (Kalisto) (1997), NIGHTMARE CREATURES (PC/PS1) (Kalisto) (1998) and ULTIMATE RACE (PC) (Kalisto) (1998). I've joined Arkane Studios in 2001 as a Level Designer / Scripting on Arx Fatalis (PC).
RPGDot: Your favourite game, both electronical and board?
Julien Roby: Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle.
Days go by and this game is still the one that rocks for me. Smart plot, lovely sound track, huge world, incredible interactivity...
RPGDot: Your favourite movie and favourite actor & actress?
Julien Roby: The Dark Crystal.. A real master piece. You may find the story very simple at first sight. But the relation between good & evil in this movie is really interesting. Probably the best "dark fantasy" movie ever.
RPGDot: Your favourite singer/band and record?
Julien Roby: So many to talked about... Mmm.. Let's say Hybrid .. and Perry Blake. Hybrid for their fat electronic sound that crosses over all the musical styles. And Perry Blake for his tortured voice that make you shiver every time you ear him.
RPGDot: If you could do any game, regardless of money and developing time, what would it be?
Julien Roby: Mmmm. A big big crossover between 1st Person Action RPG as Arx Fatalis and Real Time Strategy as Battlezone. In fact, a game in the vein of "Lords of Midnight 3" but with advanced city management... well. mm.. it's not yet clear in my mind;)
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?
Julien Roby: Doug Church, Warren Spector, Richard Garriott. They were all involved in "all time" classic games. We have a lot to learn from them.
RPGDot: What character from a game or role-playing setting best describes you?
Julien Roby: This is a hard question. Hmm The King??? No? Hey! I was kidding! Come back!;) In fact I really don't know...
RPGDot: Your non-gaming hobbies?
Julien Roby: I spend a lot of time mixing at home.. from progressive house to breakbeat.
RPGDot: Your favourite author and favourite book?
Julien Roby: "Mythago Wood" which i've found fantastic when I was younger. Not the best written book but i got hooked on the story.
RPGDot: Thanks for your time!
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