Author: Roger LaMarca / Published: 2002-05-27 / http://www.quakeunity.com/article=26

This is an interview with id Software animator Fred Nilsson.

QuakeUnity: What is your job at id Software?

Fred: I was hired about a year and a half ago as an artist/animator. I setup and animate the monsters/characters/weapons using Maya. I will be responsible for most if not all of the character animation within the game including cycles/cinematics/complex machinery/special environment animations, etc.

QuakeUnity: What project are you currently assigned?

Fred: Currently I’m working on our new Doom game.

QuakeUnity: What did you do before you worked at id?

Fred: Well..back in 1993, I started as an intern in NYC at a company called RGA (R/Greenberg Associates), and was soon hired full time to work on commercials/title work and even some minor film work. Then in 1995 I moved out to Northern California to work at a company called PDI/Dreamworks (Pacific Data Images) (http://www.pdi.com), I was hired as a character animator and worked on various projects from Homer 3D (Treehouse of Horror episode where Homer becomes 3D, Marvin the Martian in the 3rd Dimension, Pillsbury Doughboy,Halls Penguinds and several other commercials.. Some film work would include The Arrival, Antz and Shrek. All of which I focused on just Animation…PDI’s a great company with great talent. I learned a ton, and would not trade that experience for anything..

QuakeUnity: How did you come up with the idea to revamp the orginal Quake3 tourney maps? (also how long did it take and did you know how to map before)

Fred: Hmm. Good question.. Well. I wanted to get a feel for the level editor, so I just started messing around with one of the levels.. One thing led to another, and soon enough I was doing a mini map pak… I had done very little editing before this.. So it was a good chance for me to learn about how level design works here at id..

QuakeUnity: What is the coolest thing about working at id Software?

Fred: Besides it being my dream job? I’d have to say the people. Everyone here is really nice, and mega talented.. We all get along well, it’s just overall a real fun place to work.. The things that get produced here are just mind boggling at times.

QuakeUnity: What do you like to do when your not working?

Fred: Play games.. Watch movies.. Study movement.. So.. basically.. work more.. =)

QuakeUnity: Describe a typical day at work. (what time you arrive and leave; going out to lunch etc) Fred: I try to arrive by 10:30 or 11:00.. Usually go out to eat around 12:00-12:30 or so. Or we order food to be delivered at times as well.. As for leaving.. it really depends. Usually 11:30 or midnight, sometimes later. Lately I’ve been leaving a bit early to prepare for the B.O.B tournament that I’ve been playing in with my team Empire. We are currently in the semi-finals.. So we need practice for our next round. TSN Central does shoutcasts of the matches live.. It’s very cool if you haven’t heard it yet. Tune in sometime, the final four matches are happening this week. They are like sportscasters for online games.

QuakeUnity: How did you going about getting a job at id Software?

Fred: At the time I was working on Shrek, and I’ve always played „id’s“ games since Wolfenstein 3D, and I always tried to follow the news sites/pro-gaming and all that fun stuff. I saw the .plan file where John C. said they were in need of a new animator type person. Well, I just couldn’t resist, and I contacted Kevin Cloud here, and sent my demo reel. Eventually they flew me out for an interview, and a month or so later I was hired.

QuakeUnity: What is your favorite mod for Quake3 Arena and why?

Fred: For Quake3. it would have to be Alliance and OSP being a close second. I love Alliance because of it’s speed and general craziness it brings to the game. You can grapple all around with an offhand grapple, and pogo off walls and the floor all while firing your favorite weapons. There is nothing as fast/furious as that mod. So, if that sounds like something you’d dig, give it a whirl. That mod needs more players..

OSP is just a high class mod overall, with all the functionality you could possibly need/want for competition etc.

QuakeUnity: Lastly, what game is currently occuping most of your extra time? (and why you like that game so much)

Fred: Currently I’m focusing on RTCW (Return to Castle Wolfenstein). I love playing it, especially when you have a solid team you’re on, and you work out teamplay/strategies/positions.. It’s hella fun.. I love the teamwork aspect it forces on you as a player.. You really need to work as a team to win.