Geek Woman: You have an impressive catalog of games under your belt. I loved Brutal Legend. I think I gave it Game of the Year that year. What does a lead animator do?

Tasha Harris: Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!  As lead animator on that game, I managed a team of about ten animators, as well as doing some character animation, modeling and rigging myself.  It’s the lead’s job to make sure all the animation has a consistent look to it, and make sure all the animation tasks are taken care of and nothing falls through the cracks.

You have been an artist all your life, and you mentioned that you got into animation in a high school summer program. Where was that? Do you know how they funded that project? Do you know if an opportunity like that is still going on?

Yes!  The program is called California State Summer School for the Arts (http://www.csssa.org/), partially funded by the state of California, and it’s still going on.  It’s a fantastic program, not just for animation, but for many different types of art.

Lots of girls and women would love to have your job. What education did you have that lead you to be where you are?

Well, it probably started with those three summers in CSSSA in high school.  Then I went on to study traditional 2d animation at California Institute of the Arts.

Have you ever had to hand draw animations? When you have to draw the same things over and over does it get boring?

Yes, I studied hand drawn animation in college.  I really didn’t learn the computer stuff until later, when I went to Pixar.  It does take a very particular type of personality to enjoy doing hand drawn animation- I think you need a lot of patience.

Did you always intend to be involved with video games for your career?

I always knew I wanted to do something art-related, but I didn’t know exactly what.  When I was a kid, I wanted to draw comics- comic strips or comic books.  But I always loved video games and computers.  So computer animation definitely seemed like a good fit since it was sort of a combination of a lot of different things I love.

What did you work on over at Pixar?

I did character animation on “A Bug’s Life”, “Toy Story 2”, “Monsters Inc.”, “Finding Nemo”, “Cars” and the short film “For the Birds”.

Were you at Pixar during Finding Nemo by any chance? Do you have any insight why there hasn’t been a Finding Nemo 2 yet?

Yep, that’s actually my favorite Pixar movie.  I don’t know why there hasn’t been a sequel yet,  maybe the director (Andrew Stanton) has another idea he’s been working on.

When you came to Double Fine, was it a standard open position that held interviews?

I knew Tim Schafer already through some mutual friends, so that helped in getting my foot in the door, but I still had to interview for a job just like everyone else.

How much of a role do you think luck has played in your success?

I think I came into the industry at a really good time. When I was first coming out of college, 3d animation was just starting to get big.  Toy Story 1 had just come out, and a lot of animators were pretty hesitant to switch to using computers, because they didn’t want to give up drawing.  But I had always been into computers, so I was up for learning. I do feel really lucky to have gotten into 3d animation when I did because I think there’s a lot more competition for jobs now.

Costume Quest was amazing, so original. As project lead, were you doing the character designs and artwork?

Thanks so much!  I helped out with a bunch of different things on Costume Quest, including design, writing, animation, character art and UI art. I also spent a lot of time doing management and organizational-type stuff.  I like doing a variety of different things day-to-day.

I see similarity between the art style between Costume Quest and Brutal Legend, was that all you?

Definitely not all me!  All the Costume Quest team members also worked on Brutal Legend, including concept artists, so it makes sense that there would be some similarities.

How hard is it to get a team of artist, all who have a innate ‘hand’ to create worlds that look homogenous?

At the beginning of Costume Quest, it was a little difficult because we had an idea of what we wanted it to look like, and some awesome reference material and concept art, but for me coming from an art background, it was really hard to express to the environment artists how to transfer the look of the concept art into the game. We ended up breaking off a small piece of the environment to create a separate “Look Dev” area, where the artists could experiment with different looks without worrying about the entire game.

Costume Quest is an E rated game with no blood. Is that a niche where you are going to stay?

It really depends on the game, but that definitely was a goal with Costume Quest- we wanted to make a game that was very accessible to all types of players.  I’m interested in games and movies that have that kind of crossover appeal.  I think Nintendo tends to do that really well with their games.

And Costume Quest 2? Is there going to be one? If so is there a release date?

I’d like to do another one- we have a lot more ideas of cool stuff we could do with that world and those characters.  Hopefully a publisher will give us money to make it! J

We are all looking forward to whatever you are doing, what is next?

Right now I’m just helping out with animation on some of the other projects we’re working on at Double Fine. Unfortunately I can’t tell you what they are yet, but they’re all really cool, and all different!  Other than that I’m still doing my online comic for Double Fine’s website, and I’ll be going with the other DF comics folks to some conventions this spring. Those are always really fun.

What’s the topic? Game design. Honestly, there’s probably not a better candidate than the President and CEO of Double Fine, who have made some of the best games in the past ten years. (Really, if Psychonauts isn’t on your Best Games of the 2000s list, there’s a problem.)

The conference will take place July 13-15 in Brighton.

Remember those awesome Brutal Legend t-shirts? We love the designs and now you can try and win one!

EA is asking for you to send a photo of your worst wrapped gift that you’ve received this holiday season along with your name and the subject, “Brutal Legend Gift Exchanged Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”)” to eacontest@ea.com. You have from 12/20/09 to 1/15/10 to enter and win $10 off coupon for Brutal Legend at the EA store or one of two Brutal Legend Metal T-shirts. You could possibly win an awesome Eddie Riggs collectible statue as well.

Check out the rules here and think of it as a fun way to turn those bad x-mas gifts into something good for you!

The second downloadable content pack for Brutal Legend has been announced by Double Fine Productions. The Hammer of Infinite Fate pack will include new skins, weapon upgrades, multiplayer maps and unlockable achievements.

“I’m excited about the beard, or course, and the new achievements and trophies,” said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. “But the thing I really can’t wait to get my hands on is that Oculus of the Lost. Using it to find the last Bound Serpent isn’t cheating, because it looks so cool on my car.”

Eddie Riggs will gain three new outfits in this pack: Mountain Man, Black Metal and Zaulia Threads. The hotrod will also get a face lift with four new paint jobs and four more upgrade, including the Oculus of the Lost which is an all-seeing GPS for the world.

There will be 9 more achievements and players can unlock six more heads for Mount Rockmore.

The DLC pack is due out on Xbox Live and on Sony Playstation Network on December 17 for 480 MS points and $4.99 on PSN.

Brutal Legend is not only a game but a visit back to Heavy Metal for most people. Double Fine Productions is extending that fandom by teaming up with Mishka NYC to create two Brutal t-shirts.

The Headbanger graphic above shows the spirit of Ironheade’s loyal foot soldiers. It looks like a combination of metal and punk in a pit.

The second shirt is my favorite. It features a Razorgirl charging forward on a Fire Beast. Just an average day in her world.

Over the next few months fans can watch the Facebook, twitter and website to see how they can get a tshirt. But right now, Mishka’s Bloglin has 2 copies of Brutal Legend for Xbox 360 and another 2 for Playstation 3 to give away. All you have to to is to email brutal@mishkanyc.com with either Xbox or PS3 in the subject line to be entered to win. Winners will be notified by Friday, November 20th.

Rock on angels!

ESRB:

BUY

I suppose that when you look so forward to something for so long, you’re bound to be disappointed with the final product. And while that’s no way to start a review for a game that I genuinely like, it is disappointing. Hear me out…

Pain and Fear!

To give some perspective, I hold Tim Schafer’s Psychonauts in the highest regard. It is gently resting on a pillow, covered in a glass case, atop a pedestal, guarded by 20 El Odios in my mind. To say that I consider it the greatest game possible would be an understatement, and would of course doom any sophomore effort from Tim’s Double Fine. How do you beat the unbeatable? Having looked forward to this game with a child-like enthusiasm since it was announced, I was excited nonetheless. Joss Whedon has struck gold more than once and I expected the same greatness from his gaming counterpart. Though failing to meet your own stellar standards that you’ve set could hardly be called disappointing. Overall, I’m torn.

Getting it out of the way early, let’s start with the things that are “wrong” with Brutal Legend. Obviously this is a game about music, but more specifically it’s about metal music. Maybe the greatest thing about Psychonauts was that I had no opinion on psychic summer camps before I played it. When it came to bringing in the gamer, it was a neutral subject. Conversely, I have a very strong opinion about heavy metal, in that I absolutely cannot stand it. It’s one thing to grin and bear it through a 15-minute episode of Metalocalypse, but it’s entirely another to immerse yourself in a world that you need to understand before you can successfully navigate it. This probably would’ve still been a problem with any music genre chosen (could you imagine an entire game about folk music?), and I understand that metal and the culture that comes with it is rich and full of an interesting mythology. But I don’t have to like it.

Beyond its initial bother of being based on a subject I personally have no interest in, there are several things about the game that could’ve been thought through better. The opening video of Jack Black entering the record store to find the Epic Metal record was interesting and refreshing. Hey, I think Jack Black is funny and I enjoy watching his movies. Only you’re stuck watching the movie every time you turn the game on. There was no need for that, guys. Watching it once is cool, but not being able to skip it (I haven’t found a way yet) is some new kind of torture.

This is what commanding dudes looks like.

It’s been said in most other reviews, but I’m going to keep beating this dead horse when I say that I hate the RTS aspects of the game. Very cool in theory (I’m sure more so for people who like RTS games, which again I do not), but the execution is like pulling teeth. Having to command your guys to kill the other guys should be way easier than it started. For one, the differences between Eddie’s troops and Lord Lion White’s troops are the colors of the headbands. I’m not even kidding; good guys are ranged between dark red and black, and the bad guys are kind of a fuchsia and pink color. Exact same character model for the good guys and the bad guys, where the deciding factor between “send to fight” or “kill” is a subtle color change. This part of the game was frustrating once, and luckily you get to keep doing it. Non-sarcastically lucky, is that it does improve the more you play. The enemies become more diverse as the game goes on, and it’s a lot easier than fighting your own dudes.

Now, beyond there being a limited number of them, do not think that I am ragging on the characters or the models. Scott Campbell, artist extraordinaire at Double Fine, is an amazing human being. I heard that he has as much knowledge and affection for the metal genre as I do, yet he still managed to create brilliant character designs. They fit in perfectly with their larger-than-life surroundings, which are also phenomenal. Even though I complained about the RTS turns the game takes, I really enjoyed playing solos to melt faces or summon my car because it was too far away and I’m too lazy to walk up the hill to get it. While that may sound unimportant, it seemed to me like the developers understood things about what gamers like and dislike, and tried to fix them.

Some of the voice talent used (and I’m not going to pretend I know who half of the musician cameos are) were manufactured to put a smile on your face. Did you ever think you’d play a videogame where comedian Brian Posehn tasks you with killing Ground Urchins (metal for porcupine)? Speaking of porcupines, animals play an essential and totally rad part in this story (they join your army!), and they’re a lot of fun.

Picture unrelated.

Looking back, it seems like there was more to complain about than to love, and I apologize if I gave you that impression. Maybe we’re more critical of games that are important, and that matter. Assigning a number score for this kind of gaming experience is difficult, because I believe that my loyalties are weighted more in one direction than they should be. It’s probably a sign of the times where people don’t just look up to athletes or movies stars, but to people who work hard and develop a product the player is drawn to, over and over. If a game doesn’t live up to its desired potential, those who are emotionally invested in its success take a hit. I may be taking things too seriously. Tim, if you’re out there… we love you.

Please understand that the game is wonderful — I can’t stress this enough. And while it’s initially kind of a pain and hard to love, like a sibling, if you invest the time you come out ahead. If you feel the way I do, where you absolutely hate metal music and real time strategy games, understand that it works. Eventually. Although this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, I’m still on the Double Fine team and I’m looking forward to whatever they have next.

Yes, it is truly awesome. Since Tim Schafer just can’t tear himself away from playing Brutal Legend, fans are in luck. If Tim says he needs more maps, then the game gets more maps!

“I play Brütal Legend online every night,” said Tim Schafer, President of Double Fine Productions. “And I need more maps! Circle of Tears is named after the crying of my vanquished foes on the battlefield, and Death’s Fjord is obviously a tribute to my Nordic ancestors, and their love of fan geysers and… Well, actually I just thought the name was cool. See you online!”

Everyone who downloads the new maps will also receive a free axe, the Blade of Ormagöden.

On November 3rd, 360 players can pick up the two new maps for 400 Points. November 5th sees them land on the PSN where users can nab them for FREE until November 19th, at which point they go on sale for $4.99.

How to save money this week on Games

Wow this week is a battle of heavyweights! The sheer number of titles that many of us have been looking forward to is amazing. This week there is something for every type of gamer and almost too much too decide from! Good thing this article will show you where you can save the most with all the money you’ll be spending this week. Games I can’t wait to try are: Squeeballs Party, A Boy and his Blog, Where the Wild Things are, Brutal Legend, Cake Mania 3, Magna Carta 2, and of course, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

Here are the games out this week:
A Witches Tale (DS)
Shimano Xtreme Fishing (Wii)
Cars Race o Rama (DS,PS3, PS2,Wii,PSP,360)
Squeeballs Party (DS,Wii)
Way of the Samurai 3 (360,PS3)
Afrika (PS3)
Agatha Christie: ABC Murders (DS)
Petz Pony Beauty Pageant (DS)
Ju-On: The Grudge Haunted House Simulator (Wii)
A Boy and his Blob (Wii)
Half Minute Hero (PSP)
Where the Wild Things Are (PS3, 360,DS,Wii)
Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games (DS,Wii)
Brutal Legend (PS3,360)
Magna Carta 2 (360)
Cake Mania 3 (DS)
Hero’s Saga: Laevatein Tactics (DS)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

Here’s where you can save money:

GameStop:
Buy 2 and save $5 on DS games (Mini Ninjas, Scooby-Doo, Diss and Make Up The Clique, Scribblenauts, and Where the Wild Things are.
Price drop on the Godfather 2
Free Squeeballs Stylus with purchase DS game

Toys R US
Buy 2 games get a 3rd free – all video games all week long
Buy 2 get the 3rd free of all video game accessories (time to stock up on controllers)
On Saturday, 17 hosting a Bakugan training camp from 12-4pm.

Best Buy
When purchase Brutal Legend get a 3 song Rock Band track pack for free
$10 off of WET
Movie cash included with Where the Wild Things are game

Target
no deals

That’s it for this week! Good luck and let us know what you pick up!

Tim Schafer and Jack Black rocked the Key Club last week to talk about Brutal Legend. The room full of journalists were probably not prepared for what was going to transpire. Both guys came to the event in a good mood and it was quickly apparent that this wouldn’t be the place for serious questions. Further proven by the journalist who asked about “cock push-ups”. I at least got one semi-serious question in.

The video uses explicit language so watch only if you are not easily offended!!

It’s now Rocktober and Brutal Legend will be out on October 13.

Here is a video of Tim and Jack talking about the “competition”:

Image via Wikipedia

Developer: Atari
ESRB: T (for Teen)
Systems: Windows, PS3, Xbox 360
Genre: Action Game
Release Date: June 16th, 2009

BUY

Yeah, you should give these guys a call.

Getting this game into my hands has been an emotional ordeal. When it was announced that the third installment of the Ghostbusters series would be in videogame form, I’m sure gamers everywhere were over the moon. Not only that, but nearly everyone from the movies would be on board as well (though as long as all four Ghostbusters were original, the ancillary characters didn’t matter). Anyone who ever had an Egon action figure, or drank only Slimer’s Ecoplasm Hi-C as a kid knew that excitement. Fortunately, Activision was publishing the game, and they had the brilliant idea to NOT publish it (as well as Brutal Legend), so they could focus more time and money on guaranteed money-makers, like Spyro. Geniuses. Getting the call that Ghostbusters had been cancelled was like a stake in my heart. Ironically, I received this call at PAX 08, where the standard lanyard was touting the upcoming Ghostbusters game from Activision.

Fast forward a few hard months, and Ghostbusters was back on track. After the initial excitement of the announcement of the game, to the displeasure of hearing it was cancelled, back up to the elation of hearing that it would indeed be released, copies were finally on the shelves.

The first thing you’ll notice about this Ghostbusters installment, was how well they captured each character (speaking for the realistic 360 version, not the cartoonish Wii version). Since all of the actors are distinguished gentlemen now (read: older), the developers had to go back to the movies and painstakingly map out the characters from stills. I wish my job involved watching Ghostbusters all day. Although you can initially tell that some characters, –specifically Egon– sound much, much older than they did in the 80’s movies, you really get used to it about 10 minutes in.

Without giving away the interesting story, the game really did its best to speak to the fans. Along with Slimer trapped in a glass case in the headquarters lobby, and the giant painting of Viggo (they even got the same actor to do his voice! Rad!), all of the Achievements are titled after quotes from the movies. Not to get sentimental here, but it’s always really nice to see people taking the subject matter seriously. They somehow managed to make a game that was amazing for gamers who grew up on these movies, while it also seemed accessible enough for someone who didn’t know anything about busting ghosts (fools!).

Something else surprising about the game, was that it was, in part, genuinely creepy. While I’m sure not all of you share my man-eating-spider-in-a-dark-twisty-hallway phobia, there is enough wandering around in the dark in ghost territory to ensure maximum creepiness. It was really neat how they utilized the PKE Meter as a sort of night-vision mode, but it also amps up the atmosphere, which is a bonus.

Of course not everything about the game was peaches, and it had some very real flaws. For example, there were often times that I absolutely had no idea what they wanted from me. I HATE that. I also feel like the game was a bit unbalanced when it came to combat, which led to a lot of unnecessary death. When you die, as it’s loading before the respawn, you get a cool little video of a 3D view of your Proton Pack, the different upgrades, a video on the side of ghost busting, and the theme song rocking in the background. That’s super sweet, but it’s the same video every time. It’s really surprising that they couldn’t find other things to emphasize for us. I would have loved to see the Ecto-1, details of the ghosts, or literally anything else. Repetition dulls excitement. And I want to know why Janine looked so weird. Developers, why did Janine look nothing like Janine? I will admit that Venkmann was a bit of a perv in the movies, but it was subtle Bill Murray charm. In this, it’s really kind of creepy how much of a horn dog they made him.

Despite all of the frustrations that come with games that are made in lieu of a third live-action installment of a movie that came out 25 years ago (are there any other games in this genre?), I would definitely recommend at least renting it. If you’re familiar with those loveable rascals the Ghostbusters, check it out. Recognizing the references makes you feel good inside. Plus, you get to kill a giant marshmallow man. Don’t tell me that hasn’t been your dream since the first movie.