Andzia9: "Can you tell us something about yourself?"
Max: "My name is Michael. I'm 22 years old and currently
studying Interior Design. I live in Poland, in the city of
Szczecin."
Andzia9: "How did your history start with Tomb
Raider?"
Max: "When the era of Commodore64 computers had finished,
the time for the first PC had come. Tomb Raider 1 was one of the
first games I got :) I didn't know many facts about the game, but
when I started to play – it got totally absorbed by it."
Andzia9: "Which of the official games is your
favourite?"
Max: "Definitely Tomb Raider 1 – because it was the first
game I played. Additionally, I like it in its entirety, for the
locations in game, story, person and feelings. However, from the
newer games I'd prefer TRU – because of visual feelings :)"
Andzia9: "Do you have other interests except for Tomb
Raider?"
Max: "I have an interest in my current study and
everything that is connected with it. Moreover, I'm interested in
computer graphics, drawing and painting. Additionally, I like to
listen to music and watch films and TV shows."
Andzia9: "How did your adventure with build customs
start?"
Max: "When I found out the Level Editor was included with
the 5th Tomb Raider Edition, I thought I could have a lot of fun. I
bought the game, installed the Level Editor and created a hopeless
level :) - composed of a single room. Fortunately, I didn't concede
to created more and more."
Andzia9: "Why did you decide to create Tomb Raider
customs? What gives you the biggest problems?"
Max: "Creating a level is as much fun as playing the game.
In my oponion it's even more fun, because I'm planning everything
from the story to the textures I use in the current level. I like
this way of planning very much. What is the most difficult part of
creating for me? I think the most difficult part is to build up the
large, open locations. It's plenty of work to create them."
Andzia9: "Did you ever think to make a level by using
DXTRe3D?"
Max: "As a matter of fact, I haven't thought about this. I
downloaded this software, just to know what it looks like. I am
accustomed to the standard LE and I felt a little lost with DXTRe3D
:)"
Andzia9: "Which moments from your games do you like
most?"
Max: "Probably I most enjoy the Temple of Osiris in Ancient
Artifact."
Andzia9: "Are you going to build new customs? Have you got
any ideas?"
Max: "Yes. When I was creating the Ancient Artifact, I
decided to make a little mysterious ending. I thought the sequel
will be a nice idea. The story isn't exceptionally original and the
schema is similar to TR1. I hadn't thought about the story before.
However, I will spend more time to create a more complex story for
the sequel. The first level originates at Venice. I love this place
for its beauty - more mysterious and different from any other city.
It's an ideal place for the origin of journey. I also included the
return to Ireland and dangerous far away islands. In the future
sequel, the gameplay will be improved and the quests will become
more complex. The fact, that I'm working with NGLE gives me much
more possibilities to create something even more special."
Andzia9: "Continuation of Ancient Artifact? That’s
wonderful. How does the work look for now? Have you already got a
planned number of levels?"
Max: "At the beginning I've written the story, but it
still can change. I want to make the story as perfect as possible
and create an interesting ending of the journey. At this time I'm
finishing the first level – Venice. Before I started creating
Ancient Artifact II, I had made textures and objects to be used in
some of the levels. Provisionally I've planned, which places Lara
will visit. However, I don't know the number of locations."
Andzia9: "Will there be new objects, new enemies?"
Max: "Yes, I create new objects for each level. I will try
to make some interesting enemies."
Andzia9: "Will Ancient Artifact II be after Pearl of
Kojada, or earlier?"
Max: "Definitely later :) I've started to work on a
project a while ago. I'm creating the first level at this time. I
don't know how long it will take, but I really want to create a very
good custom."
Andzia9: "Will there be cutscenes with dialogue in Pearl
of Kojada or not? If yes, do you have already people who give their
voices for the characters?"
Max: "We want to do cutscenes with dialogue. We have a few
people in mind. If they agree, it will be really great."
Andzia9: "Was there any moment in your games which you did
not like at all?"
Max: "A lot of these. Just think, you're imaging an
outstanding location or puzzle and finally it turns out that it's
not sufficiently good in the game. I had situations that something
was almost done, but I had to rechange this wth something
different."
Andzia9: "From what do you take your inspiration?"
Max: "From everything. From films, games, various
articles, interesting photos. When I find something interesting, I
start to imagine how can I use this in game and how it should works.
I draw plenty of objects, localizations and think about the gameplay
duration. Many ideas are appearing in the middle of creating Ancient
Artifact II. I imagine, how the level should appear, but some things
can change during creation. This way of planning gives much more
advantages."
Andzia9: "How do you find the time to create your
projects?"
Max: "I always find a a bit of time for the LE. However,
it got harder recently."
Andzia9: "Is there any chance that we will able to play as
Kurtis, Amanda or Doppelganger?"
Max: "I'm not sure you will be able to play as Kurtis,
Amanda or Doppelganger. Lara's role is the best as a
explorer."
Andzia9: "How is the work for Pearl of Kojada going? What
are you working on now?"
Max: "Peet's making the lasts corrections to the first
level and creating an objects pack for the second level. Matti's
making corrections to the penultimate level and working on the new
animations. I have to do some final corrections yet."
Andzia9: "Have your family and your friends ever play your
customs?"
Max: "Yes, sometimes we grouped up with friends together
and played TR, so creating in Level Editor was very involving. My
first levels weren't fascinating, but in the period of time they
have been better and better, becoming longer and more complicated.
Later, my brother became a main tester."
Andzia9: "Do you read all opinions about your works or do
you ignore them?"
Max: "I read all opinions. I think it's very important,
because it helps to avoid mistakes in next levels creation. In
Ancient Artifact I made a big mistake with the cameras - I didn't
place them in significant places. It causes a large chaos. I feel a
little ashamed, because I just wanted to make gameplay a little
longer. I will try to avoid this type of mistake in Ancient Artifact
II."
Andzia9: "Do you have any favourite custom from other
creators?"
Max: "Sure, a lot of them. I enjoyed Psiko's custom Tomb
Raider A for the incredible surrealistic atmosphere. The author
spent a lot of time to create this one. Additionally, Himalayan
Mysteries by Titak is a custom which you must play - with good
story, perfect levels and surprising gameplay. I'm waiting for the
next journey with big impatience. Moreover, I also like Underworld
UB4 by Richard Lawther and friends. I spent a lot of time playing
this custom. And much more, like Neon God by Horus, Jade
Empire by Christoph, Sanctuary of the Souls (demo) by Piega, and
many others."
Andzia9: "Is there any custom creator who you admire?"
Max: "Any person who creates a level with meta2tr or other
programs creating 3D environment. There's much more to do, but it is
worth to do it in this way, because levels look fantastic."
Andzia9: "Do you keep communication with another custom
creators? Did you meet with someone yet?"
Max: "I've never met anybody yet, but I communicate with a
few people."
Andzia9: "Did you ever think about taking part in contests
like Back to Basics or Christmas levels?"
Max: "I haven't thought about participation in this type
of competition actually, but the idea is really interesting. Surely,
playing such levels could give a lot of fun."
Andzia9: "Will there be another part after Symbol
of the World II or this is the end of the series?"
Max: "I would rather not go back to Symbol
of the World. Moreover, the story was not particularly
interesting. It was difficult to find an interesting solution. By
the way the end of the second part is poor :)"
Andzia9: "Is there any chance to create an Easter
custom?"
Max: "Maybe one day..."
Andzia9: "Thank you very much for that very interesting
interview." |