Jeff: Hi Lou:, how did you get started in the gaming industry?

Lou: As for your question, I got started in the gaming industry by playtesting. I started playtesting for Mayfair Games' DC Heroes game, and eventually got a job with them. Through this job I made several contacts within the industry, and when I left Mayfair, I got into playtesting for West End Games, specifically for the TORG game. This led me to being a part-time freelance writer/designer, working on small TORG projects, but also a few projects for TSR and FASA.

I then got involved in playtesting Earthdawn for FASA Corporation in 1992, which eventually led to me getting the job I now have at FASA.

Jeff: What are you feelings on GDW going out of business? How do you think this will affect the gaming industry?

Lou: I think it's too bad that GDW is going out of business. They've been around a long time, and this industry is so small, it's a shame when we lose anyone.

Jeff: Is anyone else in danger of failing too that you know of?

Lou:As far as I know, no other companies are currently in danger of going under.

Jeff: How did you like TORG? Was West End Games easy to work for? Was Mayfair?

Lou: I really liked TORG, as a playtester, writer, and player/gamemaster. West End Games was a very nice company to work with, and I enjoyed working with them. The same goes for Mayfair too.

Jeff: Think we'll see more of TORG anytime soon?

Lou: Not from West End Games. Another company, Omni Gaming Products has obtained a license from West End Games to continue to produce TORG products.

Jeff: What advice could you give to someone trying to submit rDf matet a:xmina company?

Lou: Two things: 1) Get a copy of the company's submission guidelines/policy and FOLLOW THEM! 2) Be Professional!

Jeff: Earthdawn is called a 'Fantasy Shadowrun' a lot of times. How would you compare it to Shadowrun, and did Earthdawn have a lot of influence on the 2nd Edition of Shadowrun.

Lou: I actually never heard Earthdawn referred to as that! As for how it compares to Shadowrun, it's such a different name that comparisons are difficult. In one sense, the mechanics are more streamlined and perhaps more intuitive, but at the same time, the feel of each game is so different that they require very different mechanics.

Also, Earthdawn had no influence at all on the 2nd Edition of Shadowrun! SRII was finished and being printed almost 1 year the Earthdawn and setting were finalized.

Jeff: What is your job with FASA now?

Lou: At this time I am the Earthdawn Line Developer for FASA. That means I coordinate and plan which products we produce for Earthdawn. I also answer Earthdawn questions on America Online, and act as a consultant of sorts for the Earthdawn fanzine, the Earthdawn Journal.

Jeff: If people have articles or ideas for Earthdawn they can send them in to you for consideration?

Lou: If people have ideas for products they'd like to write, they can send Proposals to me (but be sure to get our Submission Guidelines first!). If they wish to submit articles to the Earthdawn Journal, they should send those to Sword of the Knight Publications SwrdKnght@aol.com).

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