Nick is director of Bath-based Pumpkin Studios, whose most recent game is Warzone 2100. Here’s his self-penned biography. Then we’ll find out what games he really likes…

“I started working in the games industry 14 years ago. In this country at least, computer games were very much in their infancy then, with the Sinclair Spectrum and Commodore 64 ruling the roost. For most of my career I have been designing computer graphics. You may remember my earliest work, Aliens and Enduro Racer on the 8bit machines. Around 1993 I joined Microprose and was quickly promoted to art manager. In this role I was involved in many of Microprose’s recent hits, including the XCOM series and Grand Prix I & II. Nearly three years ago myself and Jim Bambra (formerly head of design at Microprose) set up Pumpkin Studios. With high goals we set out to create a product which set a new benchmark for the RTS market. Warzone 2100 was that product.”

What games are tickling your fancy at the moment?
I’m particularly impressed with Half-Life. The use of narrative in computer games is at last starting to come of age. Products like this and the Final Fantasy series, prove just how much a good story can enhance the gameplay experience.

What was the first computer game you ever played?
Okay, we’re going right back into history here. I think it was probably either Manic Miner, or Jetpack on the Sinclair Spectrum. These were landmark titles in their day! At the time people were saying that these computer games delivered an arcade quality experience in your own home!

Any particular favourites from yesteryear?
Civilization will always be a favourite. A title like this really illustrates that gameplay really does come first. Another favourite romp was Dungeon Keeper. This product broke the mould of fantasy-type games and was thoroughly addictive. Dare I say it, but the X-COM series was also great fun!

What has been the biggest videogaming let-down for you in the last year?
Now, naming names wouldn’t be diplomatic of me, now would it?!

Any titles you’re really looking forward to in the near future?
Homeworld looks fantastic. The sense of scale and the implementation of a three-dimensional universe looks excellent. Again it looks like this could be another landmark product (along with Warzone 2100 of course)!

When all’s said and done, what’s your favourite game ever?
Well I would have said Final Fantasy Vll. That is until I got channelled into the end game, spent five hours playing without remembering to save, and then lost my characters in a final battle. I haven’t touched it since! Without another obvious plug for Warzone 2100, I would probably say Quake. This is one of the defining products for a multiplayer experience. What is very impressive is that people can become genuinely skilled players at this game. Practice really does make perfect.