TenTonHammer.com - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Questions by Cody "Micajah" Bye, Managing Editor
Answers by Chris Sherland, Producer of NetDevil's Warmonger

One of the more fascinating aspects of working in the video game industry is learning about the people and personalities behind our favorite games. Game journalists have the opportunity to chat with developers about their lives outside of the gaming realm, but rarely are the fans given such an intimate view into the lives of these world creators. Continuing on our mission to provide you with the best coverage possible of every massively multiplayer online game on the market, the Ten Ton Hammer staff has given you another glimpse into the life of a game developer. On this round, we interviewed the always energetic Chris Sherland, Producer of NetDevil's Warmonger. We had a great back-and-forth conversation, and we hope you enjoy the article!

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Ten Ton Hammer For starters, how long have you been with NetDevil? What’s your role on the development team as a producer?

Chris Sherland discusses Warmonger at the NetDevil 10th anniversary.

Chris Sherland: I’m just coming up on my first anniversary with NetDevil. I’m still sort of the new guy, but I’ve been in game development for about nine years. As a producer, my responsibilities range from budget and schedule maintenance to game design and pizza delivery. Quite a mixed bag.

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you get to play many games outside of the work space? What genre is your favorite?

Chris: My free time is pretty limited but I play NetDevil games more than anything due to that being my job and all. When I do get some “me time” I play action games, driving and flight sims. I’m not a huge MMO fan in the classic sense, I personally prefer skill based stuff (lots of fine motor skill etc.). So I gravitate to MMOs that allow players a decent level of control during gameplay.

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you have an all-time favorite game(s)? Anything you’re just aching to play?

Chris: This is tough. The original Half-Life was huge for me, but before that I really enjoyed some of the Lucas Arts sims like X-Wing. I think I get the biggest bang for the buck when I can combine skill with story and immersion. Right now I’m dying to play Jumpgate Evolution, but Hermann Peterscheck (JGE’s producer) won’t let me. I hate him.

Ten Ton Hammer: What type of game are you playing now? Why are you exploring that genre?

Chris: I’m playing a lot of driving games right now for secret reasons. Top secret, like Ninja level secret.

Ten Ton Hammer: What are your hobbies? What do you find relaxing/entertaining about it?

Chris: I build model airplanes, not RC, just plastic models. I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and it gives me an outlet for massive focus.

Ten Ton Hammer: How did you get your start in the computer game industry? What initial titles did you work on?

Warmonger features destructible environments.

Chris: I started as a community manager for a combat flight sim MMO called “WarBirds” in 1997, then I got on board with that developer (then iMaginOnline) and took on producer tasks. I helped spin off a new studio from that called Playnet and was the producer for a couple of combat sim MMOs, specifically World War Two Online and Battleground Europe.

Ten Ton Hammer: What kind of schooling have you received? What was your educational focus and how has it helped you with the development of MMOGs?

Chris: This is the weird part, my schooling focused on music theory and instruction. While there’s not much direct link to my school experience having years of teaching experience has been huge for me. It’s helped shaped my communication skills.

Ten Ton Hammer: Has your gaming history influenced your work on? How has it helped your work?

Chris: Having a working knowledge of how games play and what makes a game work is invaluable for a developer, no matter where they are in the chain. Being able to identify that stuff and act on it is key to having your experience help your job.

Ten Ton Hammer: As a player, what's your favorite aspect of Warmonger, LEGO Universe or Jumpgate Evolution?

Chris: LEGO has such huge potential that just being in that world is fun, even if you’re just chatting…it’s the feeling that what’s on the horizon is so powerful that being near it is fun enough. And playing Warmonger is great fun just because it delivers a new gameplay dimension to the shooter. They will all be like this someday. And well, everytime I get my hands on Jumpgate Evolution it’s a blast. Super accessible but not super easy…it’s a great blend for a combat sim.

Ten Ton Hammer: Conversely, as a developer what's your favorite aspect of the game?

Chris: Getting them done is my favorite part, but its bitter sweet too because it usually means that the big creative push moves aside to a less intensely paced development schedule. I think the best part of developing any title is watching it happen, and reacting to it as it comes to life.

Ten Ton Hammer: Why should an MMOG gamer play Warmonger? How would you recommend the title?

Warmonger is "good old shooter entertainment with a cool twist."

Chris: Warmonger is just good old shooter entertainment with a very cool twist. Being able to destroy stuff is, well, fun!

Ten Ton Hammer: Finally, what’s the best part about being in the MMOG industry and what advice would you give to anyone else wanting to break into the field?

Chris: For me the best part is seeing these titles become reality. Each one has a collective mind of its own, and as that matures the cycles change and it comes to life. It’s a very cool process to be a part of.

As far as someone breaking into the field I would suggest internship at a studio to see if the environment is for you. I’ve seen folks work really hard at getting a degree and insane tool skills only to find that game development isn’t what they thought it might be. Get into a studio and work for free for awhile, see what it feels like and then decide if it’s for you. 

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