Billy Buskell Associate Producer on Multiplayer
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN VIDEO GAMES?
I’ve loved video games since my first time playing Super Mario Bros. on a Nintendo my brother and I got as kids for Christmas. Games like Zelda: A Link to the Past and NHL ’94 convinced me I had to get into the industry. In school, I didn’t quite understand how I could get into game development. I wasn’t particularly interested in math or programming, but I loved to draw…possibly too much during math class. Over the years, I worked retail jobs in gaming with folks that also wanted to get into game development. One night, after working back-to-back shifts at two different jobs, a friend in Quality Assurance at a studio mentioned I would be a good fit. I applied the next day. A month later, I had the job and was packing my Honda Civic to drive across Canada.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE TEAM?
I joined the Mass Effect: Andromeda team in September 2015.
GIVE THE READER AN IDEA ABOUT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY TASKS.
It varies each day. It’s one of the things I’ve always enjoyed about being a producer. On this project, mornings generally started with meetings and continued with follow-up meetings. I reviewed content with the Lead Multiplayer Designer, and updated documentation for planned content. The one constant was that the team got together every day after lunch to play the game, provide feedback, and discuss which issues needed to be fixed first.
WHAT WAS YOUR TRICKIEST TASK AND HOW DID YOU SOLVE IT?
Communication. A multiplayer game is built by team members from various disciplines, locations, and time zones. We had members working from three studios in three cities—core specialists and experts in various locations that needed to be consulted before taking action to ensure we had the best information. Keeping everyone on the same page was challenging. The team was great about discussing changes and fixes, but we always had to make sure any decisions were relayed to the rest of the group. We had a few “summit” meetings across different cities to discuss the big issues the team needed to resolve.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF CONCERNING THE GAME?
Just how fun it is. On any given day, I tried to play a second time before going home. Each day we played, took notes, fixed issues, and repeated all that the next day. I worked on the game every day, and still wanted to play more on my own time. That’s pretty special.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN MAKING THE MASS EFFECT SERIES STAND APART FROM OTHER VIDEO GAMES?
Mass Effect’s strength has always been its characters. The stories, the romances, and the experiences always come back to the characters we encounter on our journey. Going to the Andromeda Galaxy is the biggest journey yet, and we have some great characters to meet, romance, and go on adventures with.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
The Matrix. I’ve always loved the questions it posed, both to Neo as a character and to me as a viewer.
CURRENT GAMING OBSESSION?
Destiny. I love playing games with friends, working together, and finding sweet loot to take into gameplay.
FAVORITE ALL-TIME GAME?
I often point to Metal Gear Solid on the original PlayStation, but over the last few years I find myself going back to Zelda: A Link to the Past. The dungeon design, abilities, and puzzles are all a master class. I feel it’s a must-play for anyone looking to get into game development.
BIGGEST HOBBY?
Gaming. Even when our schedules get crowded and crazy, I love playing games. I use games as my escape from my day-to-day. I’ve finally gotten back into drawing more now that my three-year-old daughter enjoys coloring. Coloring with wax crayons is one of the most soothing things I’ve rediscovered as an adult.
