Jason Richardson (Gameplay Designer)

Jason Richardson Gameplay Designer—owner of player powers, skill progression, and multiplayer characters

HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN VIDEO GAMES?

Since childhood I have wanted to create high-concept worlds and give players the fantasy fulfillment of having unusual and awesome abilities.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE TEAM?

Four years.

GIVE THE READER AN IDEA ABOUT YOUR DAY-TO-DAY TASKS.

I design powers, skills, progression, and multiplayer characters. My tasks include concept design of characters and abilities, documentation, implementing visual scripting languages, working closely with art, audio, and animation, and balancing complex gameplay data.

WHAT WAS THE TRICKIEST TASK ASSIGNED TO YOU AND HOW DID YOU SOLVE IT?

Building complex powers with multiple inputs, states, and outcomes that need to work in a multiplayer environment.

HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE THE EXPERIENCE OF MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA ?

It really is Mass Effect: The Next Generation. The story is fresh, the gameplay is an evolution, and progression is deeper than ever.

CURRENT GAMING OBSESSION?

Still enjoying The Witcher 3 and Overwatch.

FAVORITE ALL-TIME GAME?

Ultima VII

FAVORITE BOOK?

In recent decades, Neil Gaiman’s works. Especially Neverwhere.

FAVORITE BAND?

Nightwish

BIGGEST HOBBY?

Writing my own novel.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS THE MOST IMPACT IN MAKING THE MASS EFFECT SERIES STAND APART FROM OTHER VIDEO GAMES?

Mass Effect takes its universe seriously and fleshes out more details than any other science fiction game. Mass Effect allows players to live in this universe by letting them define their character and how they interact with other people.

THE UNIVERSE OF MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA FEELS FAMILIAR. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS?

Nearly every aspect of the game harkens back to the trilogy, but takes it to the next level. However, your main character has changed into a brave explorer eager to prove themselves.

WHAT DID THE TEAM DO DIFFERENTLY TO CREATE AN OPEN WORLD?

We developed systems to generate the basis of our planets, then our designers implemented rich content. We also added more items and economic systems into Mass Effect to encourage player exploration.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN CREATING THE GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE?

We wanted players to have more freedom to define their character. We created a system that inherited the identity of player classes from the trilogy while offering a greater range of skill combinations than previous Mass Effect titles. It was a complex system to design and balance.

HOW HAS EXPLORING THE GALAXY CHANGED IN MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA ?

There is more freedom of movement in Mass Effect: Andromeda. In the trilogy, players might look outside of the explorable space at a splendid vista and want to get closer, but the scene was only a backdrop. In Mass Effect: Andromeda, you can really go there.

HOW DOES CRAFTING WORK IN MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA ?

Andromeda has the first real crafting system in a Mass Effect game. Players don’t just “purchase” preset upgrades with material. They need to discover blueprints and can use augmentations to invent unique combinations.