This week, we are continuing with the introduction of members of the Vanguard Saga of Heroes® Development Team through special Developer Spotlight features. Next up is Roach! Roach Name: James Rochelle Job Title: Senior Artist How long have you worked at Sony Online Entertainment? I have been at SOE for about 5 years as an onsite employee. I actually started my employment at Sigil Online and was moved over to SOE when Vanguard was acquired. How did you get into the game industry? After a few years in the comic book industry working as a digital colorist for Wildstorm, I had enough skills in Photoshop to make the move to a company called Angel Studios (Rockstar San Diego). I ended up working for Presto Studios for a while longer than that, and went back to comics for a couple of years at a place called CrossGen Comics (Cross Generation Entertainment). Sigil was after that, then SOE! I spent the last few years on EQ and now I’m back on Vanguard F2P. Do you play Vanguard? If so, tell us a bit about your character. I played Vanguard for a while after launch. For a while, I didn’t have time to play but now I’m looking forward to playing with co-workers. I think it’s important to see what’s happening in game. What do you like best about Vanguard? As far as playing, I definitely like the open world along with the variety of classes. Art wise, it’s the freedom to create just about anything. What exciting plans do you have in store for Vanguard? New Weapons and Armor! I also would love to revisit things here and there, time permitting. I’d love to push the boundaries of what is in game from an art perspective. Do you have any funny stories to tell everyone about working on Vanguard? Way too many - from flaming hacky sack, to completely stacking soda cans around desks, getting destroyed by Swedish volleyball couples, all the laughs we had in the section we called the armory back in original development. There were some good times. Have players ever surprised you with using a strange tactic to defeat an encounter that you created? Ha! No. If I were a designer, the players could not defeat my encounter. I think I would be a bad designer. Do you play solo or play with others and why? I always preferred to play solo. I think I enjoy quests and experiencing the game the way it was crafted for individual play. I’m not against group encounters, raids, or dungeon runs, I just don’t prefer them. What other games do you currently play? Ah, the going joke between me and my friends and co-workers in the giant stack of unopened games that I have in my living room next to my 360 and PS3. I have recently played Skyrim, Arkham Asylum, Mass Effect 2, DCUO, and WoW. I’m looking into starting up EQ2. Time is always the issue though. Thank you for joining us for the Developer Spotlight. Stay tuned for more highlights in the near future! Previously Released Developer Spotlights: Previously Released Developer Spotlights: Meet Silius Meet Wigin Meet Elionia Meet Ceythos Meet TLoch14 Welcome Back Aradune Meet Gpx1000
That is some very nice art on display! And it's great that we have some of the original art talent still on board!
Welcome back Roach. Just make sure you stay out of the way when the dev's are doing their bug squashes!
Welcome back to your home Roach, looking forward to some of your creations in game!!! You know, my ranger would love a custom one of a kind bow!!!!
Exmortis wrote: LOL He's an artist not a fashion designer. No custom orders! *smiles with an evil grin*
Hello! And Welcome Back! Roach! Those are some sweet art works.. Where are the caster stuff??? Who ever made the graphics for the PSI epics those look sweet... Hope to see more of your great work in the future...
Very good to meet you Roach! Yes, that is some awesome artwork--Dragon Bone Weapons! SWEET! Can't wait to see what else you have in store for us! Was always disappointed a bit that DK epic had no particle effect though, and never really cared much for the broken, revolving parts of the weapon. Perhaps we could even get you to make alternate epic graphics so we do not look like we are using a sword when we are actually using a hammer, etc.? Just a thought! Keep up the good work! Salute! Schiller
Wow! Great designs, none of those weapons/armor were less than awesome! Sweet inspiration! Hope we get to see them in game soon =)
