In today's update we ask the Lead Animator on Project Eternity, Mark Bremerkamp a few questions about being a game developer. Mark hails from Detroit, Michigan, and he has been with Obsidian for eight years. He is a man of few words - everyone give a warm hello to Mark.
Q: Hello, Mr. Bremerkamp! What is your job on the Project Eternity team?
A: Lead Animator
Q: What are you working on this week?
A: Initial attacks for the light spear (1h thrust) and the pike (2h thrust)
Q: What is your typical work day like on Project Eternity?
A: First drink coffee then check my e-mail and look to see if there are any meetings that I need to prepare for. Then I usually look over the work from the day before. I like to always go back with a fresh set of eyes to see what worked and then I'll make some notes/changes. After all that I get to animating the fixes or I'll move onto a new animation.
Q: What are you most looking forward to on Project Eternity? What are you looking forward to animating?
A: That’s an easy one...Creatures. It's always fun to animate strange and creepy critters.
Q: What other games have you worked on?
A: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Alpha Protocol, Fallout New Vegas, and New Vegas DLCs.
Q: What do you like to eat for lunch?
A: Well I usually brown bag because I head over to the gym at lunch. When I do go to a restaurant my first choice is Yard House at the Irvine Spectrum.
Q: OK. So, what is your favorite beer?
A: On a special occasion I like to drink Gulden Drook.
Q: What do you like to do when you aren't animating?
A: When I'm not animating I love to spend time with my wife and two children.
Q: Do you have a favorite animator or artist?
A: Chuck Jones is an animator that I really looked up to when I was younger. Richard Williams and the "Nine Old Men" are also high on my list. Some contemporary animators that I really enjoy are Carlos Baena (Pixar) carlosbaena.com Victor Navone blog.navone.org and Keith Lango keithlango.blogspot.com
Q: And where do you draw your inspiration from?
A: Movies, music, games and other animators are all part of it. But really life in general. All the world's a stage...
Q: Are you excited that the NHL is coming back?
A: Yes. It about damn time. Go Red Wings!
Q: What's your favorite game?
A: OK well...that's a really big question because like many different games for different reasons. Old school games are really near and dear to my heart. When I say old school I'm talking about Intellivison Games like the Treasure of Tarmin.
As for the newer games.... God of War, Batman, and Uncharted Series. I'm also playing a lot of games with my kids. A recent game that my 4 year old son and I both enjoy is LEGO Star Wars Battle Orders.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
A: Nope.
Thanks Mark!
Next week Josh is planning to have another game mechanics update for you. Steve, Tim, and Josh have been working on attack mechanics over the last week and are currently planning abilities for classes. I don't know what Josh has planned to write about, but I'm sure it will be interesting! Until next time.
