Developer Interview

Where did you start in your game industry career, what was your first title, what do you like most about working in the game industry?

I started here at Relic and I came aboard just before Company of Heroes: Online launched. I’m tempted to say that the thing that I like most about the industry is that there’s no dress code, but truthfully it’s all about getting to work on some of the best games in the world. That’s what I love.

How does an average day at Relic look as a Community Manager for CoH2? What are your major responsibilities and what skills do you must commonly use?

I start by reading the forums and fan email. I check to see what kind of feedback we’re getting on Twitter and Facebook and then get to work talking with the fans. There’s a community whose members I check in with regularly, but for the most part it’s just being out there talking to people. Later on in the day I take time to start planning some of the community events that we’re working on holding for the fanbase.

I like to try to get at least one game of CoH 2 in just after lunch, and then it’s back to work.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job in general? What was most challenging in working on CoH2?

In general I find the most challenging part of the job is taking the very technical aspects of what’s going on with the development team and finding a way of explaining that to our fans, so that they know what’s up with us. On CoH2 particularly the most challenging part of the job has been returning to Relic so late in the process and trying to get up-to-speed with everything.

Who do you work with most often? Which parts of your job are more collaborative and which are more autonomous?

I work with everyone on the team, so it’s hard to pick one person in particular who I work with most. I think all aspects of my job are tremendously collaborative, though being the only Community Manager in the studio I do work alone a lot.

What’s the process of doing research for a game like CoH2? Did you go on the trip to Russia or any other trip? What’s your best and funniest Russia or travel story?

I’m not a designer, but early on in the development process, before I left Relic, we took a trip to a local military museum and I took a lot of the reference photographs that the team used. I was hoping to get a game credit for that! There was also a lot of documentary watching. For myself I have a history degree with a focus on the Twentieth Century and the Second World War was a large part of that study.

I didn’t go on the Russia trip, but I lived in France as an exchange student in high school. Growing up in Canada it’s hard to understand just how connected to that history that the people and the land of Europe still is. The school I went to still had bullet holes from fights between German and Allied soldiers, and had been used as a German Garrison.

When you’re telling people stories about “that time you worked on CoH2” in a few years, what experiences or events will always stick in your mind?

The most exciting part for a Community Manager is after the game is launched, so I’ll have to get back to you on that one!

How would you describe CoH2 to someone who is unfamiliar with it to convey how awesome it is?

CoH2 is the sequel to the highest rated real-time strategy game ever, and it’s even better than the first one!

If you played the original Company of Heroes, which faction was your favorite?

I loved playing as the Germans.

Which CoH2 faction do you prefer to play? What’s your favorite Commander? What’s your favorite unit?

I’ve played mostly with the Russians since they’re the new kids on the block. I wouldn’t want to tell you who my favorite commander or unit are, though, that’s all part of my strategy!

Describe your style of play in CoH2: Do you build your army around certain units? How aggressive or conservative are you? What would you name your style?

I suppose I’m more conservative. I guess my style would be called the Maginot Line. It’s about as effective!

What’s your favorite way to play CoH2? (e.g., 1 vs. 1 automatch, 4 vs. 4 annihilation custom matches with friends/family, 2 vs. 2 leagues in the office)?

I’ve mostly done comp stomps so far.

Do you have any weird CoH2 habits or beliefs about things that always seem to happen to you in games?

Well I don’t know if I can tell you about the Relic Leprechaun that’s programed into all of our games. If you catch him in the game you get a pot of gold!

How difficult is it to become good at CoH2? Do you need to be good to enjoy it?

It’s not hard to pick up CoH2, but it’s one of those games that you can always be learning, especially when you play against other people.

What would you tell a player who wants to know how to have the most fun with CoH2’s Theater of War and multiplayer modes?

Play with friends. There’s nothing better than having your friends playing with you when you pull off that masterful strategy and last-minute victory!