Interview with Ryan Geiler

Q: Whats your history and what is your relation with EE?

A: My name is Ryan Geiler. I'm originally from Missouri and have been working for SSS for roughly six months. I playtest with Crexis, YoungGunZ, and REDLlNE, and also travel and do demos with Jon Alenson or Rick when needed. Most recently Jon and I traveled to Europe for a week press tour there.

Zone handle is AgeOfEgos of course.

Q: How did you hear about EE?

A: I heard about EE from REDLlNE(Nate) on the zone while playing AoK. After some consideration I put my app in, got a call from Dara Lynn and set up some phone interviews. Three phone interviews later with Rick, Jon, and Methos (Richard). I got offered the job and here I sit.

Q: How many "resident experts" are there at SSS?

A: Six including myself. We consist of Methos_ST, Crexis, REDLlNE, YoungGunZ, Stratus, and myself AgeOfEgos.

Q: What would be your favorite feature in the game?

A: This will be shocking coming from a multiplayer, but I guess it's just a true testament of how good it is; The scenario editor. I started playing with that gem a little at a time, and I'm fully hooked now. The power is incredible. So much to do, I have to pull myself away from it to do real work! =)

Q: How many soda drinks do you drink daily?

A: Haha tons I'm a sugar addict, 8+ daily.

Q: Who do you think is the most interesting person at the Studios?

A: Well it depends, I'd say Sunny and Mike make our room "interesting" with their "colorful" commentary. But I'd have to say they make the day go by quickly! =)

Q: How do carriers work? Do the carrier already have planes when they're made?

A: Carriers are made at the Naval Yard, and you must purchase their planes at the actual carrier. It's a great addition to a naval force with the ability to have a moveable airport to help secure Islands, help an invasion, or help in a major sea battle.

Q: Do you think the earilier ages involve less strategy since they have a smaller tech tree than later epochs?

A: I think the later Epochs that involve Sea/Air/Land combinations offer MORE strategic possiblities, but as far as LESS Strategy I'd say no. The concept is always the same, raid villagers, secure gold/iron, expand, etc. You just have a wider array of toys to destroy people with in the later Epochs. =)

Q: Whats your all time favorite game?

A: Super Tecmo Bowl for Nintendo! I remember my friends and I sitting around playing that game for hours, and was the first video game I got hooked on =).
My favorite game will of course be EE once we get everything polished =)

Q: A lot of people have been worrying about nuclear bombs. Where are they made? How have they been balanced in EE?

A: Nuclear bombs are made via the Airport and creation of a B-29 or Tactical Atomic Bomber. Our goal with the nuclear bomb is to make it a high risk/high reward unit. So basically as long as one thinks ahead, and prepares it could be a fatafatal mistake by the attacker by sinking his resources in it or vice versa. It's these kinds of units that really add alot of spark to the game. People enjoy taking risks, and being rewarded/punished accordingly
And I believe we are on the right path with the Atomic bomber.

Q: Whats a normal working day/schedule at the Studios like?

A: Haha define normal =). We put in alot of hours, but hey to be honest, we get paid to help develop the greatest RTS I've ever had the pleasure of playing. We all love what we do, and personally I feel lucky to be here. Dara-Lynn and Rick are the greatest employers I've had the pleasure to work for, and this is certainly the most exciting project I've ever done! But "normally" for myself, personally, I come in around 9 and leave around 11 that night.

Q: Are there any benefits in team games besides the normal stuff that hasn't been used/seen much in other rts games?

A: Well I have two main reasons for my belief team games will be huge in EE. First off, shared vision from the start. This helps obviously helps in team coordination. Another reason is the solid RPS we have. Normal team games in some past RTS's have been basically two 1v1's of players pumping out as many of one particular unit as they can, with the teamwork being limited to combining all of one unit.
In Empire Earth, with our RPS, combination of arms with a teammate will be HUGE. Not to mention the endless possibilities the Civ Builder brings into this aspect. Personally I can't WAIT to see the team strategies that come out of the WWI, WWII, etc Epochs that involve that Air/Land/ Sea combination. We're going to see some great team games =)

Q: What're you going to do after EE is out?

A: After EE, I'm going to log on the Net as various Smurf names, beat up on Jon Alenson and taunt him continually about how I just bought the game, first time playing, and etc. Seriously I have no idea. I'm getting married in Oct. to the most wonderful woman I've ever had the pleasure of meeting (Megan's her name ;).