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

Jay: The story is kinda weird. Sixth grade, during the final few days of school students who were finished with all their projects were able to watch a movie (THE HOBBIT) I chose not to finish a history project and watch the movie. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. (I passed 6th grade by the way). At this time daydreaming and make believe where justified in my mind.

When I was 12 I'd gotten in trouble for fighting with my younger sister (Rita). To defuse the problem my mother told me to go for a walk and into town I went. I came upon the local comic/game store (Fat Cat Books). I ended up spending my weekly allowance on a White Dwarf magazine. I was totally taken by the miniatures. I quickly began spending all my time and money on minis and paint. During this time I made the conscious decision do something in this industry for the rest of my life (did I know what that meant- NO) The miniature painting was "art" to me. I didn't really know what gaming was. I began painting daily (something I do to this day). In college I began entering painting contests winning most all that I entered. College was where i met others who gamed and began playing RPGs.

Jeff: Did you ever read any of the other Tolkien books7

Jay: I read at least once a year the HOBBIT and LOTR. I have read other works of Tolkien (FARMER GUILES, short stories, SILMARILLION, etc...)

Jeff: Was D&D the first game you played?

Jay: D&D was the first game I played (in college I might add)

Jeff: What other games do you likei'

Jay: Space Hulk, DBA, WASHiNGTONS WARS, HOTT, TFT, home brewed games also are a fav.

Jeff: After you started playing and were painting; what happened then?

Jay: In 19871 started a company called the little SHOP. I sold painted miniatures and diroamas.ln 1990 the little SHOP turned into THE GAME ROOM. A painting service mostly doing historical stuff for gamers. 1989 or 90 by chance I met Jeff Velent of Soldiers & Swords (a very new Co). I started with them as their first sculptor/painter. As the company got bigger I was the art diretor. Other responsibilities included sales, manufacturing, shipping, etc When I started SSG was no bigger than what Renaissance Ink is at this time.

Jeff: Did you find it a profitable business; or did you hold a "day job" too?

Jay: I held a day job for some time. As the GAME ROOM painting was my bread and butter for a few years (SSG wasn't paying the employees)

Jeff: What prompted you to go out on your own again?

Jay: Leaving SSG I still had a love for the industry. Its hard to explain the feeling I have about the work I do. Painting spacificaly, and the other things I have learned while in the business is my "natural" talent. You know, one of those Zen things where time is of no importance when you are what your task is. I also had all kinds of ideas busting out of my head that couldn't be ignored.

Jeff: I own several miniatures but never bothered painting any.

Jay: You should start painting (or hire a pro ;-> ). Rl publishes a monthly newsletter that has a painting article covering all aspects of painting. Also I do a pocket painting guide with more to come in the future. End of 961 plan on having a painting book published.

Jeff: I saw your ad on Usenet; have you gotten any response from it?

Jay: There has been a tremendous interest in the painting service from my on line ads. Enough work to keep me busy. The games are another story, a bit of interest yes, but people like to see it before they spend the $.

Jeff: Why did you join Dragonslayer's Unlimited? Looking to expand markets or just liked being in touch with more gamers7

Jay: I joined DU back in 1991 believe. It was when the D&D group split up (marriage, job, relocation, etc....) and I still wanted some contact with gamers. I recently resubscribed after a few years. I got a nice 'please come back' letter from Bill B. I always liked DU (chainmail). I like the small press thing when it come to games and zines (ie: Rl games & newsletter ;->)

Jeff: Has the club helped you any, or do you consider it more of a disappointment?

Jay: The club hasn't helped any that I can say. But thats not what I get from it. Its more as entertainment - another way I enjoy the hobby without it being business related. Not a disappointment at all.

Jeff: Any ideas on how we can improve?

Jay: I would like to see a better layout and design. I sent a letter to Bill(?) pitching the idea of doing a club designed RPG. I would be willing to compile all info, and do layout, etc... I think this might generate some interest from members. I would like to do the layout for CHAINMAIL. The only thing keeping me from actually requesting this is l need more RAM to use my pagemaker, so at this time I am unable to do it.

Jeff: Your game "Armistice" (advertised in #38) is a wargame that uses miniatures I gather. did you write it yourself? Care to tell us a little about it?

Jay: ARMISTICE is written by myself. The $.02 description is a cheap simple sci-fantasy wargame similar but different to GW EPIC stuff. The better disc The game takes place in Earths near future. After WWIII, natural disasters, and some global warming, mankind is still at war. Technology had advanced in a few hundred years and is now a step back. I tried to get a flavor of WWII Blitzgreig. Players command tank units and fight it out. The rule book is short 28 pages, written with simplicity and ease of play in mind. Cheap too! Retail is 10.00. The rule book contains rules, campaign rules, painting guide describing the look of the armies, description of world powers, and 4 scenarios - 2 basic, 1 intermediate, 1 advanced to get people started.

Jeff: So you're not one to buy hundreds of dollars of additions for a game system.

Jay: On the contrary, I have a large selection of games both historical and fantasy - cheap and not so cheap. I'm a big fan of GW, old SJG (Metagaming). But as a consumer (gamer who spends $) at times I have been turned off by expensive games that sit on my shelf unplayed. Either due to other l game with don't want to spend the $ or that the game is to hard to figure out and not fun. I want Rl games to be cheap, easy, and fun. I think the industry is ready for these type of games. At this time my problem is I don't have a game group.

Jeff: Which direction do you feel the gaming industry is heading?

Jay: There is a running debate on if games need bells and whistles. In the fantasy industry ask any distributor they will say a new game must have a color cover and done as a nice book. It really doesn't matter if the material inside is quality, mediocre is OK. I can think of many popular cheezy' games DBA (historical), HOTT (hordes of the things - fantasy dba). These games sell and its not do to bells and whistles. Rl games are similar in look but with better typesetting and artwork to these types of games. I think the industry is in a state of flux - flex? CCG have made an impact, I believe for the good by introducing gaming to some who may never have started. Recently there have been a few companys out of business - this is sad to see. At the same time however I think it is a good time for small companies like Rl to make a start. Becoming big like GW or let's say White Wolf is possible. The thing to remember is to plan ahead for the rough times (like we see recently mainly do to CCG), struggle through, and be a survivor, not a has been. I learned a lot from working with SSG, seeing them start from nothing (we where in Jeff's dinning room) and in a few years be doing some pretty terrific stuff. I also saw some of the problems that can come about from the growth and a fickle market.

Jeff: Thanks for the interview Jay, good luck with your endeavors and we'll hopefully be seeing another "Painting Tips" column from you again.

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