I finally cornered Scott Dalton, from Legend Entertainment and wrestled an interview out of him. If your a fan of Legend, you know they have had some awesome games ship recently, including one of my favorite unreal engine games, Wheel of Time. 

Scott is a perfect example of hard work paying off, and the ability to break into the gaming industry through quality work. Not a lot of people know, but Scott is just some guy from Kansas who had a cool clanname like Impulse 9 way back in the day... now he's the Lead Level dude at legend, making kick-ass games for a living.

1.) How'd you get started in the Game making Game and/or who was your inspiration.

I've been into making my own games since I was about seven or so writing simple BASIC text adventures on my Apple ][+. Aside from playing it like mad with my clan Impulse 9, I really got into making mods and levels for Quake 1. I worked on the Zerstörer PC and Quakanoid for Q1 with nihilism unlimited. While I was living in Japan, I did some levels for Quake 2 soon after its release and from there got a job at Legend Entertainment.

2.) What's the most outrageous thing you ever did ON the job.

Made levels... Blown up sparkler bombs… The usual.

3.) People you admire in the industry. ( please limit your answer to 2 people and EXCLUDE me, that's  a given. . )

This is a tough one. There are tons of people in the industry who have my admiration, for so many different reasons. In even just the past couple of years: Jubei Yagyu, Gordon Freeman, Heishiro Mitsurugi, JC Denton, Solid Snake, Shodan… -- there really are just too many to list, or narrow to just two answers…

4.) What's the most annoying thing to deal with as a Game Stud.

Maintaining focus and trying to reach the same high quality of work as my fellow level designers is a constant challenge. I wouldn't exactly say its annoying, but it is perhaps the most difficult and rewarding part of the job. I guess as far as annoying you've got the hordes of rampaging groupies, the damn insurance on my exotic sports car fleet, the papercuts from rolling in the piles of cash, you know, that sorta stuff… wait…no…

5.) Does your WIFE or Girlfriend still nag you to "Get off that damn computer before I break it" now that your a famous Game Guy.

My girlfriend has always been really cool and supportive of my work and play. She's not so into PC games, but she loves fighting games and arcade shooting games. We've played a lot of Samurai Shodown, Soul Calibur, House of the Dead, and that sort of stuff… 

6.) Tips you can give GameMaking-Jedi in training

Try locking yourself in a room for weeks on end, studying the work of those you admire, as you work on your own. Try to identify the good and bad aspects of their work, and apply that to your own work while developing your own styles. Watch out for Yoda - that little bastard will try to convince you that levitating things and controlling your anger are the right path towards good level design. Don't listen to him - focus your anger, embrace it, and channel it into your work and you'll see the true power of the dark side.

7.) Drink of Choice

Mountain Dew, water, more Mountain Dew, coffee, water, and Mountain Dew.

8.) Tunes of Choice

I listen to music more or less constantly while I work… Currently some of the stuff I'm listening to is the Fight Club soundtrack, Tool, NIN, Mr. Bungle, and a Perfect Circle.

9.) Babe of Choice 

Hmmm - Intelligence, down to earth humor, beauty, geekiness, and a love of gaming are all turn ons in my book - so I'm going to have to go with Asia Carrera this round, Chuck. I just hope she doesn't get into level design, or I might have to fear for my job. Actually, now that I think about it - we're looking for more LDs, and quite frankly the gaming software industry could use more gender equality - Asia - apply today! :P

(interviewers note. . I sent review link to Asia!!)

10.) Game you are most looking forward to. . . .

Metal Gear Solid 2, hands down. 

11.) your working on a game right now, how much ass is it going to kick??

I hope Unreal 2 kicks a lot of ass. We're certainly trying tread some new ground in the FPS field while still maintaining the things that people loved about Unreal. So far things are looking good - and they're getting better all the time. We're still a bit far off at this point, however, so I don't want to spill the beans on anything quite yet.

12.) If you had the POWER tomorrow. . . is there anything would you change?

First off, I'd correct your dyslexia. Then, I'd be set on bringing about the technocultural singularity. Humanity needs a wake up call.

and the bonus question

Being old friends like we are, tell everyone reading this a little something about yourself that no one knows.

I am not a beautiful and unique snowflake. I'm the same decaying organic matter as everything else. Except for my pancreas - it is special.

I am also giving away free game bundles of Unreal Mission Pack and Wheel of Time to go along with this interview. . so hit this LINK HERE to win..

Go see what Legend is up to. . . . .