What do you do on Star Trek Online?

I'm the programming lead for the game, which means I work with the designers and programmers to make sure we get the right features into the game, done the right way, and at the right time.

How long have you worked in gaming, and what did you do before Star Trek Online?

I've been doing game programming for about 2 years, including work on Champions Online. Before that I mostly wrote software for high performance, high reliability data systems in various forms. My best known work in non-computer gaming was a keeper of the Magic: The Gathering rule set for about 10 years.

Who is your favorite Star Trek character and why?

My favorite character is Jean Luc Picard. He exemplifies what humanity in Star Trek is all about through his intelligence, wisdom, daring, and compassion.

What is an interesting fact about you that players would be surprised to know?

I'm just 5 Pokemon away from completing my National Pokedex in Pokemon Diamond. Almost caught ‘em all!

If you could choose to be an alien on Star Trek, which species would you want to be?

Already being a half Vulcan, I feel it would be illogical to be anything else.

If you were faced with the Kobayashi Maru, what would be your solution?

I favor strategy over brute force. I would not be able to leave a vessel stranded without help, but I would avoid head-on confrontation and the risk of losing my crew and ship to a hopeless battle. If I could not safely rescue the civilians, I would use every trick I know (including some I never told my instructors about) to get out.

Which is cooler: monkeys, robots, pirates, or ninjas?

The Borg will assimilate them all. Resistance is futile. (But sometimes entertaining!)

What advice do you have for someone who wants to break into the gaming industry?

My best advice is to study and practice to be good at what you do, be it art, sound, programming, writing, or whatever. Game making is demanding, and coming to the industry with something of value will go a long way.

What was your first favorite video game?

The first games that I remember obsessing over were Ultima III and Ultima IV. I sank a lot of time into arcades and Atari 2600 games, but these ones soaked up time and energy away from the machine as well. They showed me how great games have more to them than button mashing.

Is there anything you would like to add?

The original Star Trek is better suited for young boys than The Next Generation. My son loves Tribbles and furry giants throwing huge fake spears, but he was absolutely terrified of the Crystalline Entity and the betrayal of Lore.