Randy V

Producer

Bio

Not to be confused with other Randys at Gearbox, Randy V. approached the gaming industry through a clever flanking maneuver involving a start with a degree in religion. After a few encounters with design and documentation of graphics software, Randy got his feet officially wet at Ensemble Studios where he performed QA on Age of Mythology.

Loving the industry, but feeling a bit underused, Randy took a QA management position in the insurance industry for three years, where he worked in a lovely, custom-assembled grey cube.

Before his will to create was totally sapped, Randy moved back into gaming at MumboJumbo, starting as QA Manager, but transitioning to a role as Director of Production within his first several months. While at MumboJumbo, Randy and his co-workers worked on well over 50 casual game projects, both published and developed.

Randy is a husband of one, a father of two, a life-long omnivorous gamer, and wonderfully excited to have found a home at Gearbox.

Length of time I have been employed in the industry

Thirteen years in software development; 8 years at Macromedia; 3 years in gaming

Game companies I have worked for

Ensemble Studios, MumboJumbo

Titles I have worked on

Age of Mythology: The Titans, Age of Empires III, Little Farm, Discovery!, Luxor 3 Wii, Luxor: Quest for the Afterlife, Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena

Advice

Resources I would recommend for those interested in getting into game development (books, tutorials, sites, etc)

LOVE GAMES. Cultivate an interest for all sorts of genres and mediums. Shooter, sports, strategy, RPG, adventure, puzzle. Video games, console games, board games, card games. Be interested in them all. Try new ones every chance you get.

MAKE GAMES. Don't let lack of knowledge or tools be an excuse. You can make games with a blank sheet of white paper and a pencil. Start there and learn what makes games fun, for you and for others. When you're ready, make games on the computer. Download free tools and start learning. A lot of basic skills translate even to the "pro tools".

Favorites

First game I remember playing

A pong clone on a Sears-brand propriety system that had a version of Pong and some basic shooter game with a light pistol.

All-time favorite game

I'll leave Civilization and World of Warcraft to duel to the death.

Non-video gaming hobbies

Music (vocal, piano, guitar, cello, tinwhistle, hand percussion), fiction writing, reading (primarily fantasy, sci-fi), TV and movies.

Favorite bands/music

Coldplay, Loreena McKennit, Smashmouth, Nickel Creek, Michael Oldfield

Favorite books/authors

George R. R. Martin (Fire and Ice series), Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time Series), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Neal Stephenson (Snowcrash)

Favorite TV shows

Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Fringe, Chuck, Sarah Conner Chronicles, American Idol, Simpsons, Family Guy, House, Band of Brothers, Rome

Favorite movies

Lord of the Rings trilogy, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Fifth Element, The Matrix

"I <3 Gearbox Software!"

Randy's forum activity