Profile
  • Name: Chad Haley
  • Handle: Lotus
  • Age: 31
  • Hometown: San Diego
  • College: Grossmont Community College
  • Family: Married, two children: daughter (5), son (2)
  • Pets: None

Did you always want to work in an artistic medium?
I've always wanted to work on video games. Ever since junior high I knew it was something I wanted to do. It all started with a game called 'Phantasy Star' for the Sega Master System.

How did you get into the industry?
In college I took classes in code and art, as well as regular classes and figured that art was my best way in. I had a teacher in a multimedia class that knew someone who worked in the industry and was given her email address. I asked her how to get in and she responded that 'testing' was the easiest path in. I'd never heard of video game testing as a career, but six months later there was a testing position from Midway on the college job board. I applied for, and got that job. After two years I was a lead in QA and everything rolled from there.

What inspires you?
I like to be immersed in worlds, so anything that does that. I am mainly inspired by books and games. I liked the Robert Jordan series up until book #8. There is a lot in Qeynos that is inspired by his books, especially the mage tower. I also get a lot of influences from music, and listening to books at work such as the Harry Potter series. I also get inspiration from the world around me, and how things are laid out. When I was working on the Lions Mane Inn I needed a detail for it and found inspiration in a Claim Jumper. I was there for dinner and it inspired everything I did with the Inn. Particularly the antler chandelier.

What pleases your eye in video games?
Vistas. A sense of horizon. The feeling you get in EverQuest when you first come across the mage tower was insane. It felt like you were the first to find it. Surprises, I like surprises in games.

What is the most fun you have had on the job?
Every day can be a fun day. With my job I'm always doing different things.

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