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Someone suggested I complain about Plasma, but I can't do that, its just too easy. (ok, I admit it, noone really suggested that. I just made that up. But it would have been funny if someone had suggested it...) Then, someone said "write about Volition dammit!" So, I said, "ok." For those who don't know, I paid a visit to the offices of Volition, Inc. a couple weeks ago. Now, Champaign, IL isn't exactly known for its mountainous terrain. Actually, its known for being flat... very flat. And covered in corn, and lots of it. Champaign isn't really that bad of a city as far as I could tell. But, if you take away the University of Illinois, you're pretty much left with nothing. If it wasn't for U of I there would be no reason for a Champaign, IL. Ok, so skip the actual city, that's not what I came for. I finally arrive at the V offices, hopped up majorly on Pepsi (probably the only thing keeping me standing... Todd had uh... lets just say.. a lack of sleep), and I walk in the door, which I assumed was the right door going by the "Volition" printed on it. I go in, and blah blah blah, long story short, Nathan Camarillo lets me in, at which point I started to run rampantly around the office screaming "Ph33r!!" Ok, so that last part didn't really happen... Now, Nate gives me a quick tour of the office, pretty much showing me everyone's office and introducing me to anyone who was there. It was a Saturday, so it wasn't exactly jam-packed with action in the joint. Unless you count the fact that everyone was playing Counter Strike. We go eat. What's on the plate? Pizza. Not just any pizza. Champaign pizza. The world's greatest pizza. Having worked at Chuck E. Cheese for a year or two, I pretty much have seen every type of pizza one could imagine. However, Papa Dell's manages to surprise with their new "Burnt but Cold" style pizza. Impressive. Anyway, we sit, eat, etc. I chatted with Jason Scott, Nate, and Scott Blinn most of the lunch. However, what lunch with a big ass group of game playing... game developers would be complete without the chatting about various games? The most memorable being interesting things to do while playing The Sims. Just remember, if a Repo Man comes, box him in with walls.. that'll teach him! Now, we're back to the offices where Nate takes me by Scott Blinn's office and he gives me a nice demo of the game he's working on - D4. I must say, I'm really impressed with the game. Scott was more than happy to show me the stuff and answer questions. Sweet. Thanks to Scott for his time out to show some lamer off the streets a game! :) Now, swing around to various offices to get someone to demo Summoner for me. I saw basically the same thing they showed at the Press Event a few days before and everyone on the Summoner team who was there was pretty much in hardcore chill mode. Summoner of course is hella cool also. Thanks to Adam and Dave for their very enthusiastic demo of Summoner. :) Ok, exit offices, enter restaurant/bar type place. Chill mode = on. Pretty much just hanging out, talking, etc. Just a bunch of crazy foos owning anyone who was brave enough to sit at the table next to ours. I could mention several other topics, such as Nate's summer job, but some things are better left unsaid. Now, time for some dinner. TGI Fridays it is! In hindsight, this may have been a bad choice. Not that the food was bad, or the "flair" was too much, but, apparently the kitchen staff was "missing something". We later discovered that this was "a clue". Obviously, eating at a restaurant where the kitchen staff is lacking... uh... a certain flair, isn't always exciting. But, we found ways of keeping ourselves occupied, such as making fun of girls who play with their hair too much... Dinner's over, time for more chillage and hanging out. And the night is basically over, so, Crash Mode = on. And the next day I drive on away. I definately had a good time in Champaign. And not just being fanboy at the Volition offices. Hanging out with a bunch of guys who pretty much have the exact same interests as you do is going to be fun no matter how you look at it. So, that's what it was, me, hanging out with a bunch of guys who have the same interests as me, and it was fun. Thanks again to Nate for his hospitality! Nate is cooler than well.. he's just really cool. Also, thanks to all the Volitionites I met for not throwing paper at me... I know when looking at the Todd its hard to resist just throwing stuff, but they did, and it was good. No really, everyone was super cool, thanks for letting me stop by!  The The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the writer only (that's me) and in no way correspond with FreeSpace Watch or its affiliates' views. That's really a lie though, because I tell them what their opinions and views are... |
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