In the latest round of Fallen Earth's developer interviews, we are introduced to Lead Tester Jeremiah "Chuck One" McCoy who probably got the best job in the industry -playing the game!

Alias/Forum Name: Chuck One

Title / Position at Fallen Earth: Lead Tester

What games have you played and worked on?

I have been playing games since I was 9 years old. I am now in to 27 plus years of gaming. This is my first time working on one.

How long have you been working on Fallen Earth?

More than year

How did you get involved with your job position?

The lead developer and I have known each other for over a decade. He mentioned they were hiring in QA and I took my shot. I did have a background in reviewing Role Playing games so that certainly helped.

What type of college courses or schooling did you have to prepare you for your position at Fallen Earth?

I majored in art in college. It took me a couple of years to figure out I had no talent.

What in particular inspired you to work in the gaming industry?

Been a gamer for a long long time. I love games. When my friends and I get together we talk about games and how they work. I think when they are really good games can even be art. How could I not want to work in games?

What games stand out in your memory for positive reasons?

The Wing Commander series stands out for it's ability to make you feel like part of the world. X-wing and Tie Fighter also stand out for similar reasons. I really enjoyed the Balders Gate game even if it was a horrible time sink. Starcraft ate my soul for a while. I can remember realizing I had stayed up all night playing. For pure nostalgia Bard's Tale has to take the cake. It was the first game to truly blow me away with what you could do on a home computer. I played it on my C64 back in the day.

What advice would you give to budding games / software developers?

Be a good listener and learner. You will likely learn a lot on the job. Also the modern game is usually a team effort. Learn how to deal with people and life will be easier.

On an average day, what do you do at Fallen Earth?

On average day I do a lot of different things. First, most of my time is spent in the game checking some system out or a town. When I find something wrong I write a bug on it. Also I will spend some time making test plans for when we will test something as a department. Once we have done a department wide test I will write a report on our results and send to the heads of the various departments. Of late also there is a brief meeting every morning with various people talking about the project at hand.

Some days I get to go over bugs and see where we stand. I check with the other testers and see what they are working on. I do read the alpha tester forums to see what the current impressions are as well. Then on about 2 nights every two weeks I stick around after work for some table top role playing games in a conference room after hours.

What is your favorite:

Game -Spirit of the Century or Dungeons & Dragons(gotta to love some table top)
Book -Hmm tough one...there are to many to say for sure, but anything by Terry Pratchett is good. Him and Verner Vinge.
Song -When the man comes around by Johnny Cash
Season -Winter
Past time -Larping (look it up)
Drink -Scotch
Color -Black(it hides the blood better)
Food -Barbeque Ribs
PnP -Do you mean Plug and Play or the drug reference?
Faction -Lightbearer(they have ninjas!)

Do you:

roleplay? Often
have any pets? No
like beer or wine? Wine
like coffee or tea? Tea mainly, but either is good.
like cake or pie? Chocolate cheese cake is the best of both worlds as it is halfway between being pie and being cake.
Coke or Pepsi? I am from the south. All soft drinks are coke down here. Not that I drink either any more.
Pizza or Hamburgers? Pizza
Chocolate or Ice Cream? Chocolate ice cream for the win!!
Boxers or Briefs? Boxer Briefs

Have you ever styled/had a mullet?

No.

If you could have one wish what would it be?

More wishes? Okay how about making everyone in the world really smart. Might cut down on some problems.

Name one thing you would take to an abandoned island and why?

A multi tool not unlike a letherman. I suspect I would need it.

Does the Landshark really exist? Other kids at school tell me it's a lie.

Yes virginia there is a...uh... oh wait..... there is a knock at the door. AAAAAA!!!! Get it off!!! Thats not a candygram!!!!!!

Are you willing to be bribed for an alpha spot and what would it take?

Yes I was willing to be bribed, however only the once and your too late. MUHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Got more questions for Chuck One? Then head over to the official forums and post away!

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