It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
It was New Year’s day yesterday, and through the throbbing I watched a classic film from the 80s that (in younger days) had me wearing my pants on the outside. The film tales the story of an alien (Duracell) rescued from the exploding planet of Krypton and sent to earth to fight for “Truth, Justice and the American Way”. When he arrives he writes for the Daily Planet by day and saves innocents by night.
Similarly to Superman, I too have led a double life, but the time has finally come, a decision has been made and now I’m a little bit scared. Depending on your perspective you either know me as the self appointed commander-in-chief at Introversion, or as the grey suited, mild mannered Civil Servant. Since leaving University, I have cheated. To give credit where due, Tom and Chris have always been full time at IV, dedicated to making great games and achieving commercial success, whilst I have hedged my bets: shuffling paper between the hours of 9-5 and running IV in whatever was left over. That has now changed, and as of the 1st Feb, I will be full time with the greatest software developer on the planet. This, like all great endeavours is at once both Frightening and Exciting.
I am always slightly embarrassed when asked to describe my role at IV. I say I am the boss, but that doesn’t really capture it. In no way are Chris or Tom subservient to me and (quite rightly) in no way do they do what I tell them if they are not in agreement. I do, however mediate between them. Chris has exceptional talent and passion when it comes to the art of video games. Tom spent his boyhood dreaming of running companies, building and selling them until he had amassed a multiplicity of fortunes. These two views have always required reconciliation, and right from the start I was negotiating the middle path to ensure that a. We were successful and b. That each of us were happy enough to stay just one more day. To this end I enjoyed a mutual trust from both of them and was often required to make the final decision when time was short and our discussions had failed to provide resolution.
This tension has actually been a source of great strength for Introversion, with such strong forces pulling in opposite directions, we have maintained a steady course that has led us to success beyond the most extreme of the drunken fantasies that we shared back in our student days. We have not become bogged down with creative in-decisiveness (despite Chris’ best efforts with Darwinia) nor have we been blinded by the dollar (although Tom did want to release DEFCON as a $1 mini-game) and we have constantly moved forward (although without the resistance of the other two, I would still have everyone working on Uplink 2).
Over the years the job has changed. I no longer just mediate between Tom and Chris, Johnny is now on the board and the whole top dynamic has changed. We have staff who need to be encouraged, developed and occasionally whipped. We are signing big deals with big companies and we must deliver. So now I’m scared. I’m coming on board full time and there is much work to be done. Will we be successful? What does success mean? Will I actually add value or will I be a source of constant meddling and needless interference? These are the questions that plague my dreams and while I know that the answer to the first question is “Yes”, the “How” remains to be seen….
Similarly to Superman, I too have led a double life, but the time has finally come, a decision has been made and now I’m a little bit scared. Depending on your perspective you either know me as the self appointed commander-in-chief at Introversion, or as the grey suited, mild mannered Civil Servant. Since leaving University, I have cheated. To give credit where due, Tom and Chris have always been full time at IV, dedicated to making great games and achieving commercial success, whilst I have hedged my bets: shuffling paper between the hours of 9-5 and running IV in whatever was left over. That has now changed, and as of the 1st Feb, I will be full time with the greatest software developer on the planet. This, like all great endeavours is at once both Frightening and Exciting.
I am always slightly embarrassed when asked to describe my role at IV. I say I am the boss, but that doesn’t really capture it. In no way are Chris or Tom subservient to me and (quite rightly) in no way do they do what I tell them if they are not in agreement. I do, however mediate between them. Chris has exceptional talent and passion when it comes to the art of video games. Tom spent his boyhood dreaming of running companies, building and selling them until he had amassed a multiplicity of fortunes. These two views have always required reconciliation, and right from the start I was negotiating the middle path to ensure that a. We were successful and b. That each of us were happy enough to stay just one more day. To this end I enjoyed a mutual trust from both of them and was often required to make the final decision when time was short and our discussions had failed to provide resolution.
This tension has actually been a source of great strength for Introversion, with such strong forces pulling in opposite directions, we have maintained a steady course that has led us to success beyond the most extreme of the drunken fantasies that we shared back in our student days. We have not become bogged down with creative in-decisiveness (despite Chris’ best efforts with Darwinia) nor have we been blinded by the dollar (although Tom did want to release DEFCON as a $1 mini-game) and we have constantly moved forward (although without the resistance of the other two, I would still have everyone working on Uplink 2).
Over the years the job has changed. I no longer just mediate between Tom and Chris, Johnny is now on the board and the whole top dynamic has changed. We have staff who need to be encouraged, developed and occasionally whipped. We are signing big deals with big companies and we must deliver. So now I’m scared. I’m coming on board full time and there is much work to be done. Will we be successful? What does success mean? Will I actually add value or will I be a source of constant meddling and needless interference? These are the questions that plague my dreams and while I know that the answer to the first question is “Yes”, the “How” remains to be seen….
- shinygerbil
- level5
- Posts: 4667
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Out, finding my own food. Also, doing the shinyBonsai Manoeuvre(tm)
- Contact:
- NeoThermic
- Introversion Staff
- Posts: 6256
- Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2002 10:55 am
- Location: ::1
- Contact:
Darksun wrote:On your last day pushing paperclips, you have to stand up in the office, rip of your shirt revealing the Darwinia tshirt underneath and run out. And get someone to video it.
If you do it I will love you forever
This is it. Hell, if you lack a DG shirt or someone to film it, I'll turn up to anywhere in the UK with one to make this happen
NeoThermic
Congratulations Mark on making what is obviously the correct, and only, choice.
With all of the original three working together there is nothing you cannot achieve, especially with the help of the now slightly larger team that is Introversion Software.
What can I say, I'm proud to have met you all during my life.
With all of the original three working together there is nothing you cannot achieve, especially with the help of the now slightly larger team that is Introversion Software.
What can I say, I'm proud to have met you all during my life.
Uplink help: Read the FAQ
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests