What is the weirdest job youʼve ever held?

I drove an armored truck with SoBe® lizard decals for two weeks, driving to summer festivals and handing out samples. Driving that thing was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.

What is your favorite all-time game?

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. This was the game that got me into role-playing games. The rendered art style was so colorful and unique. At the same time it explored a new tone with its story. It was this mix of engaging combat, platforming and quirky humor that to this day influences the way I see Mario.

What games are you playing right now?

Currently Iʼm playing Divinity: Original Sin, Neverwinter, Warframe, and Heroes of the Storm. Iʼm always rotating through several games, as I like a variety, but right now Iʼm really enjoying free-to-play games.

What motivated you to begin working in the game industry?

Watching my friends play a short game I made with RPG Maker back in high school made me realize that I wanted to create worlds where people could lose themselves and leave their everyday worries behind. If what Iʼm making is providing stress relief for others, then Iʼm doing something for a living that makes the world a better place.

What inspires you?

Nature. The world around us and the universe in its entirety is so incredible and mysterious and improbable. There is an endless resource for inspiration anytime you open your eyes. Iʼm most inspired by wilderness itself, from the mountains and oceans to the animals and plants that live in them.

What is your proudest achievement?

My son, Quinn, is my proudest achievement. He is a constant source of joy, and I look forward to experiencing the world again through his eyes. Professionally my proudest achievement is getting to work on Warhammer Online. Iʼm really proud of what we accomplished with that game and I get to see the influence it had on the MMO genre.

What piques your curiosity?

Anything dark, gritty sci-fi/fantasy. Iʼm a big Warhammer/40k fan and am always searching for interesting new IPs to delve into.

What is your hidden talent?

My sense of direction; many times Iʼve taken people off-trail in the back country to see something interesting and show them the way back after they were certain we were lost and going the wrong way.

What is the best thing about working at Schell Games?

There are so many things that make working at Schell Games great. I think the best is that I get to do what I love in a stress-free environment. Schell Games really cares about us and they make sure that Iʼm free to go home and spend time with my family. We get a lot of vacation and donʼt work long hours like many other game studios.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

My grandfatherʼs name was Kolbjorn, my middle name is Bjorn and my sonʼs middle name is Torbjorn. A family tradition.

How long have you worked at Schell Games?

Iʼve been at Schell Games for just over 2 years now.

Want to check out some of Chris' work? Visit his website.