Thread by @pshenk

THE START - 1997 I was hired at Blizzard North. This was my dream job. Me landing it was a series of LUCKY THINGS IMO
Previously I was at Maxis South in Austin TX where I was working on a Diablo-like game called Crucible. Here's how that played out:
#d2memories

1) There I taught myself 3DS Max v1. It was JUST out & I actually 1st learned on a janky beta version because the current artist only knew old DOS 3D Studio. During this time I also beta tested Character Studio so I was 1 of the 1st in the world to learn it.
LUCKY THING #1

2) Crucible was "Diablo like" but started b4 D1. Inspired by old Gauntlet coin-op. When Diablo came out we PLAYED THE SH*T OUT OF IT. I had sinking feeling our little game would fail :(
BUT it showed at E3 & BlizzNo saw it. They asked q's & it went on their radar.
LUCKY THING #2

(Here's a shot of Crucible from the interwebs)
(@montykerr @kgliner who were there with me)

3) And that could have been it. Crucible very would've failed. BUT NOW EA bought Maxis & shut down Maxis South. I had a card from @MattHouseholder & called him. At 1st he didn't make the connection but then I got a call mins later and they flew me for an interview
LUCKY THING #3

4) I got the job. The office was not what I expected (more later) but still- BLIZZARD. Shortly I learned that none of the artists knew Max or Char Studio. They were using FK for feet, no IK and other sad things. I just fell into lead role since I knew stuff
LUCKY THING #4

So much in a career can be being in the right place at the right time with the right skills. I landed there because of... reasons that are hard to unwind. I was "lucky" if you call it that, and am forever grateful for the experience!

Next up- My first monster I made at Blizzard. A dude we all called:

BIG HEAD