³Interview with 'Psygnosis Limited' ¹ Hello Mr Crawford, you are the director of sales for the wellknown company 'Psygnosis'. Please tell our readers some facts about your software house (how long does it exist, how many peoples are working for 'PSY' and some more facts which are worth to publish) ³Crawford:² 'Psygnosis' was set up in Liverpool by 'Jonathan Ellis' and 'Ian Hetherington' in 1987. They wanted to establish a company making only high quality games that would stretch the limits of the technology available at the time. That is still our philosophy. They were the first to release programmes for the Amiga. Their games were excellent and their glossy packaging was new and different. The first few games caused a sensation and it wasn't long before they were able to attract the best programmers and fantasy artist. The company has since grown to over 40 staff plus several software teams working exclusively for Psygnosis or sponsored by Psygnosis. Turnover in 91 was over eight million pounds sterling and the company is now active in game development on various formats such as leisure computers and consoles. Our sights have long been set in CD technology. We believe we have skills on this fields which are not bettered anywhere in the world. ¹It must be a long way to be a person in such a high area of a softwarehouse. How do you managed to reach this point, simply tell us from your beginning till today (of course in random order). ³Crawford:² You need to be charming, witty, good looking and very successful with woman. That is the only reason I got the job at Psygnosis because I did not know anything about computer games! I come from St. Andrews in Scotland. Like many people I moved with my family to England because of the better job prospects. I worked in the steel trade for 15 years and was sales manager of a company based in Liverpool when Psygnosis contacted me. I knew Jonathon Ellis and I accepted the job immediately. I am responsible for the sales and marke- ting of Psygnosis products everywhere except the USA. We have an office there. I am certain that the games industry is a good trade to make a career in and I think there are few companies with as much promise as Psygnosis. ¹How long are you working now for 'Psygnosis' and who founded your software house ? ³Crawford:² for answeres look above.... ¹Have you personally got friends in the so called computerscene, or other are you working with some together ? ³Crawford:² When I joined Psygnosis I knew noone in the computer industry (other than Jonathon) and I had never even played a computer game. I have found the industry to be full of people determined to enjoy themselves. We meet up with each other a lot at exhibitions and so on (a great excuse for parties.....). I like the friendliness between the various software houses. There is a genuine wish to help each along. The staff at Psygnosis all get on well together. We have our own squash league and most of the crew are go-kart freaks. ¹'Psygnosis' is famous for always great gameplay. How long must peoples work on a game till its perfect like 'Lemmings' ? ³Crawford:² 'DMA design' had been playing around with the idea of little men be- ing blown by a huge gun. They wanted to create a game with small sprites. Once the idea of actually saving the little creatures was born, the game was finished in about 6 months. That is a very short time. Most of our games was finished in about 18 months or so. 'Carthage' was 4 man-years in development. ¹Hm, tell our readers what is YOUR favourite game. ³Crawford:² 'Obitus'. I love the atmosphere of the game and the idea of having to use what you can find to get you out of trouble. It also isn't ridiculously difficult which is my problem with most games. ¹How long do you spend time for playing, or aren't you a freak as many do ex- pecting ? ³Crawford:² I try to spend some time playing every game we produce. Other people in the trade think it's not necessary for sales and marketing people to ac- tually be able to play the game but I disagree. I still find that many games expect you to know an awful a lot and they create puzzles which good games players take in their stride. I've an Amiga at home and most weekends I get my hands on a game. I have a 5 year old son who plays 'Nitro' all the time. He knows the short-cuts and usually beats me! ¹Ok, now you got the chance to do some commercial......who's best softwarehouse in the big wide world ? ³Crawford:² You know the answer to this one! I also admire 'Electronic Arts' who produce some fabulous games. There are too many publishers producing poor quality games. They fill up the retailers shelves and they don't do anything for the advancement of the industry. ¹Well, I've included to this sending 'TOP SECRET'. I hope you like it and so is my question.....tell us your opinion about 'TS' or even some critics (if it is not too much....) ²I like it! I wish there were more magazines of this type written by genuine enthusiast. ¹Ok, one last question...what are Psygnosis future plans ? ³Crawford:² We have some superb games coming out this year. We have a mad game about tomatoes which I think holds all the ingredients of a classic. It is funny, stupid and totally addictive. We also have a game called 'Puggsy' which has been under developement for about 3 years! It will released in time for christmas. We are developing 'Wiz and Liz' on Sega. That should be smash hit and will released under various formats in the autumn (that's an exclusive for you !). 'Lemmings 2' in September has some new features in it which are just incredible. After that, it's concentrate on certain markets this year. Top of the list is Germany so here comes another 'Acropole' exclusive.....watch for a Psygnosis sales and marketing office opening before the autumn. ¹Ok, this was my last question and I want to thank you for answering all those timebusting questions. THANX ! See you at Ami-Expo '92 again ? ²Thank you for letter and copy of your magazine. I am looking forward to seeing you again this year in cologne. Thank you, and regards! Signed: ³Acropole / Agnostic Front & Panic coop.