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2009 Holiday Gift Guide
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Important Importables
Jenni Lada brings us information about all of the groovy new gaming imports from around the world.
A. My name is Jesse Heagy, I am 25 years old and live in Phoenix, AZ. I am originally from Wheeling, WV, where I was born and raised until left for the Air Force in 2001. In the Air Force I was a communication navigation specialist on the KC-10 aircraft. After the my service was up, I went back to college and got a degree in graphic design. While going to college, I had a teacher that was a pro at digital coloring and he taught me the basics. His name is Ralph Bolvin and is a teacher at High Tech Institute. From there I practiced and furthered my skill with coloring. I went back into the aircraft industry because the jobs weren’t paying enough for beginner graphic designers. I am currently a Flight Simulator Technician for CAE at the ASU Polytechnical Campus in Mesa, AZ. On my off-time, I spend time with my and do commissions and color for different people, and sometimes just for myself. We are now expecting our first child at any time now.
Q. What previous experience did you have before joining Burning Man Studios (BMS)?
A. I got my first coloring gig with QEW Publishing, Cody Coyote, still unpublished. I’ve worked also on a few submission packages. I’ve worked on Sugary Serials, Super Pet Mojo, a kids book for their website. I’ve managed to do a few commissions here and there, currently with Xmoor Studios. Recently I joined Burning Man Studios where I am coloring all of their concept art for Conquest of Heroes (COH). I am really looking forward to playing the demo.
Q. How do you think that past experience has helped to prepare you for working with a game company?
A. 3 words, practice, practice, practice. Obviously a degree and training helps a lot for coloring as well. Over time you’ll learn how to deal with different people, and be flexible with their work. Dedication to projects is also very important, especially when you work from your house. It has been a real pleasure to work for Burning Man Studios.
Q. What do you hope to bring to Burning Man Studios and its primary game title?
A. I hope to make the artwork “pop” and catch people’s attention. Hopefully the way I color the concept art will have a positive impact on how the 3D models are colored and rendered. Growing interest early in CoH is key in the overall marketing and success of the game.
Q. What has been most challenging for you?
A. Finding the time to work on the so many pieces of art is the hardest task for me. I work a full-time job at odd hours, and have a wife so time is essence.
Q. What has been most surprising for you so far?
A. Simply how well designed Velvet is, the main character in Conquest of Heroes. She’s sexy, smart, hardcore, and in leather. Velvet is well thought out and is perfect for the story. Also I would have to say is, the organization of the production of the game is very good.
Q. What tools/software do you use?
A. I use Photoshop for all my coloring. I may dabble into some Painter further down the road.
Q. What do you hope to get out of Burning Man Studios?
A. I hope to get a lot of experience within BMS and continue to build up my portfolio. In the end, I would like to be a part of a ground breaking game and get a feel for the “inside” of the game industry.
Q. Did you have a previous interest in video games prior to your work with Burning Man Studios?
A. I love video games, maybe too much sometimes. I recall many nights where it is around 3 a.m. and I see my wife peek her head around the living room corner and give me the eye that tells me without words, “Yep, in trouble.”
Q. How did you come to join the team at Burning Man Studios? What drew you to the project in the first place?
A. I was looking for a coloring job online and came across a game studio looking for a colorist. I hadn’t seen a game studio coloring job offered anywhere before, so I jumped on it, sending my portfolio to them, and the rest is history.
Q. How far do you think the company can go? What place would you like in it down the road?
A. I really do think the company can go all the way. I think every studio needs one flagship game to lead the way into the digital age, preserving a path for other games to follow.
Q. Have you found working with people that live hundreds, if not thousands of miles apart from one another and in different countries difficult?
A. It can be, but honestly it’s no different than working with someone from another state. When you work from home on a project, another state might as well be a another universe. However, as long as everyone is dedicated to the cause, all should go well.
Q. What do you think the state of gaming is now? And what do you think BMS can bring to gamers and the industry?
A. I think gaming is huge, certainly bigger now than ever. Even older people are now playing video games. I think CoH will bring another style of MMO to the consumers, a kind of X-MEN vs World of Warcraft. Should be really fun.
Q. Be honest. Do you think BMS is just another fan-hobbyist group looking to get rich with a wild idea, or is there some really behind the company?
A. From what I have heard and seen so far, it hasn’t been just a lot of talk or anything like that. Everyone is focused solely on accomplishing our goals, section by section, and coming together to put out a great product. If and when money comes, it will be a bonus. Working with BMS is great experience either way.
Q. What are your thoughts on MMO’s as that is BMS’s ultimate goal?
A. I think MMO’s are great. Playing will large numbers of people online is lots of fun and it never seems to gets old. Everyone has seen the effect that World of Warcraft has had on the gaming industry. CoH though is based in a different kind of world, more X-MEN-like. Sounds like a good way to go to me.
Q. What, if any mark, would you like to leave behind, both in the BMS and its game, and the game industry in general?
A. I am not interesting in leaving any big footprints behind, not really, I just hope people really enjoy the art and it catches their eye. I think the comic readers that play will appreciate the art style and game its self. If other companies followed suit, that would be pretty flattering.
Read all 10 weeks of “Burning Ambition: How to make your mark on the videogame industry:”
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