LIVIA MACKIN
When did you start at LucasArts and what
was the first project worked on?
I started in the Product Support Department at LucasArts in October 1991. My first project was a year later as an assistant programmer on Sam and Max Hit the Road.
Tell us a little bit about what you're working on now.
I'm working on The Curse of Monkey Island! I loved the first two Monkey Island games and I'm thrilled to be working on the third one! It's going to be a lot of fun. We have a new technology for our hi-res graphics so the art is going to be spectacular. The story is clever and funny and we have an awesome team. That's all I'm going to say about it for now. You'll just have to see the demo on the LucasArts web site if you want to know any more!
Tell us about your best LucasArts war story.
Hmmmmm....There's a couple that come to mind (several, actually). The last month of The Dig in general was pretty crazy. It's really a blur. I know we were there almost constantly, which is probably why I remember it as one long 720 hour day!
If you could transport yourself into any LucasArts game what would it be and why?
That's a tough question if you think about it. It's sort of a tie between Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion because I love adventure and archaeology. I've been interested since I was a kid looking for Indian artifacts with my friends on Mt. Tamalpais. In Mortimer, you get adventure trying to find the pieces of the medallion. Plus you can fly and save animals, which I think is really great!
What is your favorite LucasArts game and why?
That's another tie. Partly Sam and Max because they're so fun. How could you not have fun with them? They have such a strange sense of humor but are so cuddly! And partly Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis because of its ground breaking cinematic vision and scope. Plus the sophistication of the game's three stories.
Why did you choose a career in gaming?
I think I just lucked out and it chose me!
If you hadn't chosen a career in gaming what would you be doing?
That's hard to imagine. I know it would have to be something artistic or creative. I'm sure that after a few years of Cobol and JCL I would probably start a ceramic studio and live on Ramen if need be.
What do you do when you're not at work?
I like to draw and listen to music. I also enjoy hiking and riding my motorcycle. Oh yeah, I never miss Babylon 5 or The X-Files.
What's your favorite vacation spot?
All over Northern California. My boyfriend and I take roadtrips on our bikes and stay at little inns or just camp. It's very relaxing. This summer I want to see Europe.
Who are your heroes and why?
I think of a hero as someone who is perfect and bigger than life. I don't know anyone like that. But I have been influenced and inspired greatly by many of the people I work with. Probably the first person to really make an impact on me was my college music theory and jazz teacher, Doug Delaney. He really cared about his students and had a 100% commitment to teaching, plus he had his own music career. He taught me how to really work and concentrate. I also learned by his example. He practiced what he preached and that made a big impession on me.