Blog

Checksthesky

Our job in R&D is to be objective. Design 101 is to not make or encourage cards ‘for yourself’. Our goal has to be to make cards we think a wide variety of players will like. But we all still love this game at a more personal level. So I asked the guys to take off their R&D hats and give me a card that they liked from a player perspective.

Ben Stoll

Bio: This Kentucky-born designer is the newest member of the team. War of the Elements was the first set he worked on at Cryptozoic. Giving up a promising acting career to try his hand at game design, Ben is known for voice projection and hyper-long e-mails.

Likes: Lembas bread, my singing, and beard combs.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Unleash Elements - “Just imagine if I draw two of them!!”

Mike Donais

Bio: A Canadian technically, but we don’t hold it against him. Mike is the Director of R&D and the champion of multiple things there is no way you knew could have a champion. He recently got a haircut.

Likes: Natural 20s, saying ‘aboot,’ and Walt Disney.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Tyragosa – “She makes my abilities as free as your citizens.” (Not an actual quote.)

Matt Place

Bio: This newly married Missourian knows Mike Donais from way back, but is not Canadian. Matt is the lead designer of an upcoming set, the development lead for Assault on Icecrown Citadel and still has time to remain a world-class clogger. He is not Canadian.

Likes: SCVs, cussing, and European board games.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Tidus the Relentless – “Hitting once is often all he needs.”

Patrick Sullivan

Bio: The fakest curmudgeon you will ever meet, Patrick hails from New Jersey (he even has it as wallpaper on his computer (I know)). Patrick is the Head of Development for the WoW TCG and is also one of the top 3-5 shooters on our basketball team.

Likes: Port-a-lets, Josh Smith, and passing the rock.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Shadow Dance – “I like making Rogue decks.” (Actual quote. And see what I mean about a fake curmudgeon? Jeez!)

Drew Walker

Bio: A native of the streets of Cambridge , MA, where he cut his gangsta teeth, Drew was the lead designer for Twilight of the Dragons and Assault on Icecrown Citadel. Drew is also the Creative Lead for WoW TCG. He drinks weird stuff.

Likes: All my jokes (here’s one now), saying ‘we’ when discussing sports teams and dragons.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Barnacle-Coated Greataxe – “I love big smashing weapons and it works great with Shield Wall.”

Andrew Wolf

Bio: Wow, does this dude like cats. Andrew is from Hotlanta, but is only a lukewarm fan of the Hawks and Braves. He was the lead developer for War of the Elements, so I knew I would get a great card from him.

Likes: Cats, bowls of blood, and felines.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Patricia Potter – “Cause she’s named after our cat!  I’ve even included a picture!” (Actual quote and event. He also sent Rufus Clayborne. But this one is funnier.)

Matt Hyra

Bio: Matt was born in Seattle and often rains on my parade. He was the lead designer of War of the Elements and has made a ton of games.

Likes: Things you have never heard of, complaining about your cards as he smashes you, and the 1583 Siege of Malta.

Favorite War of the Elements Card: Gargoyle – “Gargoyle is coming straight for your Protector to clear a path from the rest of the gang.”

All jokes aside, these guys are all very talented and I can say with confidence that the game is in great hands. I’m very happy with how War of the Elements turned out and I would love to hear what your WotE favorites are as well!