Mark Seibert

By Eivind R. Hagerup

Is there anything new you could tell us about Mask of Eternity?

Not much more than it's all new. KQ: Mask is unlike any other game to date. It has a very unique blend of adventure, action, and RPG. Previous King's Quest players will find the adventure puzzles familiar. However, the action and RPG elements should keep even the non-adventure player interested in finding out what's around that next corner.

About the MoE demo, I know that you can't tell when it's going to be released, but what part of the game is it going to feature?

The KQ: Mask demo will be out sometime this summer. It will probably be a very small subset of the Dimension of Death (the second level in the game).

What has recently been done with MoE, and what is left to do until its release in August?

We continue to make changes and improvements to the engine, as well as build content. A number of details concerning gravity and collision are still being worked on. This has delayed the shipment of the demo, but so far has not caused any major problems in regards to programming game content.

I love your music! Have you written some music for MoE, or any other game since Torin's Passage?

I continue to be involved with the music of the games on which I work. However, since I've been so busy with designing and directing, I've not spent much time composing. Most of my involvement has been more as a music producer/cowriter. On Larry 7, I played on several of the pieces, as well as several of the pieces currently in KQ: Mask.

Have you heard anything new about Phantasmagoria 3 or King's Quest 9?

Only that they will both probably be made at some point in time.

What is your favorite Sierra game, and what is your favorite game in general?

Seems like my favorite Sierra game is always the one on which I'm currently working. (grin) In general I play a lot of games at home. I tend to play strategy or RPG games. I've enjoyed CIV, MOO, Diablo, Anvil of Dawn, and a number of others. The last couple weeks I've been playing Starcraft.

What do you think will sell the most, Gabriel Knight III or Mask of Eternity?

I hope that both of them sell lots of copies. (grin)

What is Roberta Williams currently doing with MoE?

She has been the designer from day one. She's still very much involved in the process.

Any plans on what you are going to do after MoE?

There's been a number of different things talked about, but nothing yet determined.

What can you tell us about MoE's music and MoE composer Ben Houge?

When we started on the music for KQ: Mask, I wanted us to take a really new and different approach. I played around with using some eastern vocal samples and percussion instruments. I found a guy in LA (Kevin Manthei) who was able to take these ideas and run with them. He's been composing one major theme for each level. Ben Houge has come in and then expanded these ideas and written specific music for locations within each level. Both Kevin and Ben have been doing a great job. The music for KQ: Mask is really wonderful!

Will MoE support Voodoo 2, and anything new about MMX support?

Voodoo 2 is already up and running. As far as MMX goes, we'll see.

What was the project you had the most fun on?

Probably Larry 7. Each day we came to work with the goal of making people laugh.

Are 2D animated adventure games completely dead? Do you think that Sierra ever will make a 2D adventure game again, after Leisure Suit Larry 8?

I think there's a place for 2D games. However, 3D is very hot right now. In the short term, I think you'll see a lot of 3D games ... which doesn't mean they'll be good necessarily, just 3D. In short, I think people just want to have a fun gaming experience regardless of it being 2D, 3D, or 2 1/2 D.

As producer of MoE, I guess you are a pretty busy man. Can you tell me how a typical working day at Sierra is?

I usually get here around 7:30 am. I get the latest build or build one myself. I'll look at the game, make notes, keep the design updated, make sure the project is on schedule and make adjustments as necessary, deal with the budget issues, look at marketing and packaging materials, work with Roberta on design issues, review music and sound, go over programming problems with the programming team, keep in contact with the hardware manufacturers for 3D cards, review art and puzzles, etc. ... and usually get out of here around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.

Have you heard what Roberta Williams is going to do after MoE?

No. I think most of us have tunnel vision right now and can't see beyond getting KQ: Mask finished.

Do you think that Sierra will be able to keep the current release date on MoE, August 1998?

It will be tight.

I know that MoE won't feature CD audio. Wouldn't the music take less space and the quality be better if you used CD audio?

No, in fact it would take up four times the space we're currently using.

Do you know if there will be another Space Quest or another adventure Police Quest?

I don't really know anything about either of those at this time.

Recently Sierra Studios was formed. Can you tell us a little about what this will mean for Sierra fans all over the world?

Sierra Studios is a business unit. The business unit that we (Sierra Northwest) are a part of. It includes Impressions, Pyrotechnics, and we publish for Relic and Valve. The Sierra Studios business unit is the division of Cendant that will specialize in brand new experiences through innovative technology and game design producing triple A titles.

What's you favorite feature in MoE right now?

The freedom of movement and play. It's so different to be in an adventure/action/RPG in which you can move anywhere you want to, move the camera anywhere, and see anything you want to. It's very cool!