Game Names: The American Civil War and War! Age of Imperialism

Genius: Inspired by Passion, Nurtured by Need

Bio: Graduated from Marquette University in 1987 with a B.A. in History & Political Science. Spent ten years as a Sales Director for MicroProse (Civilization), Maxis (Sim City 2000), and Activision (MechWarrior 2)

Current Job:President of Eagle Games; A start-up boardgame company based in Plainfield, IL

Inspiration/ Evolution of Gameplay Philosophy: A few years ago, I decided to create a game that my son ( who was only theoretical at that point) and I could play together. I was a fan of the American Heritage, Milton Bradley, and Avalon Hill games of the 70’s, as well as a toy soldier collector. The original game designs were an excuse to play with toy soldiers. They evolved into games that allowed the players to recreate (or rewrite) history. They have the flavor of the era, and reward the players for using their forces correctly, without smothering the player in rules and exceptions to rules. During the design and testing of the game, I pursued one goal above all else: Elegance. Simple is not a bad thing, as long as it is married to elegance. It’s only when simple and stupid are matched together that trouble ensues.

Q: What do you believe was the greatest success of the design? The most noticeable flaw?

The greatest success of the designs has to be the three-tiered rule sets. This allows players of any ability, experience, and interest to enjoy the games. These games were meant to be played. If no one buys them, then no one plays them. This may seem obvious, but I wonder if it is when I look at some of the products that have decorated store shelves over the last few decades.

Q: What were some other influences as you developed the game?

Our first two games have been in development for almost two years. The basic designs are done in a week or two of intense research and design. They are then tweaked and re-written as play testers find the holes and give solid feedback. It’s really a great process.

Q: When in design mode, what's your favorite snack food?

During design mode, Doritos, Salt & Vinegar Chips, and Milkshakes from Oberweiss are the snackfoods of choice.

Q: Do you play computer games?

I can’t stop playing computer games. They are a gift from the strategy game gods. I only wish that more games had solid AI. I love to play solo, but the computer AI usually cheats or becomes predictable.

Q: What type of system do you have?

I have a top-end Dell gaming rig, or at least it was top-end a year ago. I usually end up getting a new machine about every two years so that I can continue to feed my habit.

Q: What piece of hardware--real or imaginary--would you add to it?

If I could, I would add a Dictaphone. Typing is so deadly slow and inaccurate.

Do Boardgames make the leap to computer screens effectively?

They can. It all depends on the design and the execution of the conversion. Some games should be ported directly to allow the player to play the boardgame on the computer, but some games should be completely redesigned to take advantage of the medium. I think that Sid Meier’s Civilization is a boardgame at heart, but computers allow the basic design to be massively expanded with hidden movement, and a multiplicity of unit types and technologies. Another example is SSG’s Ardennes Offensive. This is probably the greatest wargame ever designed. It takes some of the best board-wargame conventions and melds them with the strengths of the PC.

Q: In general, do you think board wargames make the leap to computer screens effectively? Why or why not?

From the beginning, I planned to have our games converted to the PC. The games were designed with this in mind. Direct conversions would work well, and allow fast internet play because of the fast turn-based nature of the games.

Q: If you were going to be represented on a computer screen by an icon, what would it be?

If I were represented by an icon, it would probably be a blue monkey. I have a simian-like protruding brow-ridge, and I like the color blue.

Q: Computer games are becoming an extension of Hollywood--games based on movies or movie characters. Do you believe the Hollywoodized games to be better, worse, or about equal to ones created from original material? Why?

Hollywood is actually one of the diseases that has infected the entertainment software industry. The other is corporate greed. These two, while not bad in small doses (everyone likes sex and money) (-well, almost everyone, sorry Padre…), have created an out of control beast that churns out 2,000 plus titles per year. The corporate publishers gamble millions of dollars in development hoping to have the next “hit”. The result is that no one has the guts to try anything original, so we see multitudes of me-too RTS’s, Action titles, and “Fill-in the inane idea” Tycoons. The corporate greed insures that many titles are shipped before they are truly finished, so even the titles that have promise are often half-baked. I don’t advocate a return to the “hobby” days, but a good balance would have been preferred to either extreme.

Q: What was the last movie (theater) you watched? Last videotape rental?

The last film that I saw was Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. The last rental was Memo.

Q: Is there a movie you'd like to do a game of?

If I could, I would like to make a sweeping, epic strategy game with hundreds of plastic miniatures based on the Book/ Film The Lord of the Rings. It’s begging to be done.

Q: They say everyone needs a hobby. How do you decompress outside of game designing/playing?

I decompress by taking my dog on a run, or my son for a walk. He’s 20 months old and it’s a blast to see him discovering the world.

Q: Where was the last place you visited on vacation?

My last vacation was to Dublin. A couple of friends were going for a weekend, and I had a bazillion frequent flyer points, so I flew first-class. Wow, the flight was like a vacation. I arrived in London almost sick from all the rich food, champaign, and wine.

Q: What's your next vacation spot?

I would like to get back to Europe, Japan, or British Columbia. With a 20 month old and an eight week old, I won’t be seeing another vacation for a while, though.

Q: If not bound by time or space, where would you go...and why?

If not bound by time or space, I would return to the age of Napoleon. The spectacle of a Napoleonic battle must have been amazing. No wonder he couldn’t quit while he was ahead, he was addicted.

Q: Excluding your own creations, what three games (of any type) would you take with you to the proverbial desert island? What three books?

I would bring the following games with me to a desert island: Sid Meier’s Civilization, Master of Orion, and Poker. The first two would keep me busy for decades. Books: The Civil War: A Narrative in three volumes by Shelby Foote (It would take a lifetime to read this classic), The Lord of the Rings (The finest epic ever written), and The Oxford Compilation of the works of William Shakespeare (I’ve always wanted to be able to quote the bard).

Q: What epitath would you want encoded on your digital tombstone?

Epitath: “Glenn Drover; Loved his Family; Loved Life; Lived with Passion”
Or maybe:
"What the Hell are you Looking at?”

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