AU Diary: Awkward Questions

What would you really like to ask a game developer?

I’ve been thinking about this after reading an interview with Epic Games boss Mark Rein over at Eurogamer this morning. In it, writer Ellie Gibson asks Rein:

Do you ever look at [Cliffy B]and think, ‘I, Mark Rein, would like to be a bit cooler? Perhaps I should get a gold chain and start calling myself Marky R?’

And that’s not the only hilarious question she puts to him. In fact, the entire interview is utterly absurd and yet somehow refreshing. It’s remarkable to see a major outlet tackle a heavyweight industry figure in such fashion. And even more remarkable to see Rein take it with such good humour.

Most opportunities the games press have to speak with developers occur under strictly stage-managed environments. The developer is there to speak about their upcoming game and there’s usually a PR person present to ensure the interview stays on track. Sometimes you get lucky and they’ll venture into topics that weren’t planned, but a lot of the time your off-topic enquiries will be shot down with a “We’re not here to talk about that today” comment.

But what if we were free to ask anything? Just off the top of my head, here’s a few cheeky, awkward questions I’d like the chance to ask.

David McLean, head of Xbox in Australia:
How many times has your Xbox 360 red-ringed?

Nintendo legend and renowned gardener Shigeru Miyamoto:
What is your favourite kind of weed?

Dead Or Alive developer, Tomonobu Itagaki:
Do you have any first-hand experience with jiggle physics?

Sony Computer Entertainment America boss, Jack Tretton:
Can you remind me which year is the Year of the PlayStation 3 again?

Todd Howard, head creative guy at Bethesda:
How well armoured is your horse?

Exceptionally tall ex-Shiny boss, Dave Perry:
How does it feel to look down on the rest of the games industry?

Final Fantasy artist and designer, Tetsuya Nomura:
Have you ever been mistaken for a girl?

Can you suggest a few more?

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