Interiew with an Orc: Ian Conway talks about being a Vanguard GM

Just about anybody who’s tried it will say that being a GM is a fun – albeit sometimes maddening – experience. Just imagine, you’re playing god to a group of adventurers, playing with them like you would with an ant. Everything that happens you control, every twist and every turn in their adventure yours to engineer. You control incarnate, and nothing can stand in your way! BOW DOWN BEFORE YOUR GOD, INSOLENT WRETCHES!

Uh, sorry about that. There won’t be a next time. Promise. Scout’s honor and all.

Going back to our topic (which is GM-ing, in case you missed the memo), Vanguard Spheres recently got the chance to chat with Ian Conway, one of the newer GMs for Sigil Games‘ Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Otherwise known as GM Aughos, Conway has been a GM for years and first started working as a live event GM for online MUDs. He broke into the MMORPG world when he worked on Horizons: Empires of Istaria for Artifact Entertainment. Vanguard is the second MMORPG that Conway is GM-ing for.

Along with questions regarding his background in gaming CS, his love of Orcs and his favorite aspect of being a GM, Conway was also asked for some advice for anyone else trying to break into his line of work. Here’s Conway’s answer:

“DonÂ’t just look to be in the industry, look for a project that excites you and drives you to want to be a part of it. When your enthusiasm for a project is evident, you become a much more enticing choice to bring in to a company. Also, donÂ’t discount anything you have done as good experience. Remember that even though it is definitely a fun job to have, it is a lot of work. This makes it even sweeter when a game you are working on becomes a success.“

Words of wisdom from someone in the know. We bet you’ve already heard or read some permutation of this statement at one time or another, but hearing it again and again doesn’t make it any less true. One other truth is that GMs have the power. It may not be the Power of Greyskull or anything but it’s power nonetheless, which as we all know is a highly corrupting substance. If you want an example get down on your knees and bow to your GM first. BOW, INSOLENT WRETCHES!

Sorry. That’s the last time we’ll ever say that. Promise, and this time our fingers aren’t crossed.

Click on the ‘read’ link below for the full interview. It’s a good read so check it out!

Just about anybody who’s tried it will say that being a GM is a fun – albeit sometimes maddening – experience. Just imagine, you’re playing god to a group of adventurers, playing with them like you would with an ant. Everything that happens you control, every twist and every turn in their adventure yours to engineer. You control incarnate, and nothing can stand in your way! BOW DOWN BEFORE YOUR GOD, INSOLENT WRETCHES!

Uh, sorry about that. There won’t be a next time. Promise. Scout’s honor and all.

Going back to our topic (which is GM-ing, in case you missed the memo), Vanguard Spheres recently got the chance to chat with Ian Conway, one of the newer GMs for Sigil Games‘ Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Otherwise known as GM Aughos, Conway has been a GM for years and first started working as a live event GM for online MUDs. He broke into the MMORPG world when he worked on Horizons: Empires of Istaria for Artifact Entertainment. Vanguard is the second MMORPG that Conway is GM-ing for.

Along with questions regarding his background in gaming CS, his love of Orcs and his favorite aspect of being a GM, Conway was also asked for some advice for anyone else trying to break into his line of work. Here’s Conway’s answer:

“DonÂ’t just look to be in the industry, look for a project that excites you and drives you to want to be a part of it. When your enthusiasm for a project is evident, you become a much more enticing choice to bring in to a company. Also, donÂ’t discount anything you have done as good experience. Remember that even though it is definitely a fun job to have, it is a lot of work. This makes it even sweeter when a game you are working on becomes a success.“

Words of wisdom from someone in the know. We bet you’ve already heard or read some permutation of this statement at one time or another, but hearing it again and again doesn’t make it any less true. One other truth is that GMs have the power. It may not be the Power of Greyskull or anything but it’s power nonetheless, which as we all know is a highly corrupting substance. If you want an example get down on your knees and bow to your GM first. BOW, INSOLENT WRETCHES!

Sorry. That’s the last time we’ll ever say that. Promise, and this time our fingers aren’t crossed.

Click on the ‘read’ link below for the full interview. It’s a good read so check it out!