Name:
Mark Cooke

Current Job Title:
Lead Gameplay Programmer

Current Employer:
Nihilistic Software

Credits:
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (XB, PS2, GC), Vampire the Masquerade (PC), Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 (PC), Grim Fandango (PC)

Current Project:
Unannounced XBox 360 & PS3 action title

Why did you get into the industry:
Other than growing up with my hands stuck to a NES controller, I started programming simple stick figure animations and games in Quick Basic when I was 11 years old. I had so much fun with it - the reward of creating something and seeing it move - that I ended up hooked for life. Progressing into the further technical depths of game creation came naturally.

Favorite game of all time:
It's a toss up between Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior, Doom 2, and Ico. All for different reasons of course but since I still play Street Fighter 2 to this day, I'll have to take that as my top pick.

Why do you attend GDC:
To be inspired. There are so many amazing discussions about what the latest trends in the industry are that I really get fired up and motivated to try to innovate in my own work.

How many GDC's (& what years) have you attended:
It's hard to remember... I've been going to GDC since 1995 when I was 14 years old and my mother was forced to go with me to be my chaperone! The organizers at the time were worried that I would get into the free flowing booze and they would get into legal trouble. Back then I only cared about the lectures; these days lectures and booze share an equal love in my heart. Anyways, I believe I've been to: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006. That would put it up around 10.

What are you most looking forward to at GDC 2007:
To see the latest and greatest trends across all facets of the industry, taking away nuggets of wisdom that I can apply into my own work. I'm going into the conference knowing that I'm guaranteed to learn something new.

Top nugget of wisdom to share with other attendees of GDC:
Try to attend some lectures outside of your discipline of work if you can. I've learned a great deal sitting in on business and legal discussions as well as talks about art and animation. Learning about all aspects of the business helps you to be more well rounded in your knowledge and decision making.

What's the most interesting thing that ever happened to you at GDC:
Having the opportunity to meet my heroes of game creation. At the GDC earlier this year I got to meet Fumito Ueda, the designer of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, and then got to make a fool out of myself trying to communicate with the few phrases of broken Japanese that I know. Awesome.

At my first GDC in 1995, around the time I was addicted to Doom 2, I got a chance to meet the notorious John Romero which was exciting for me. Thanks for taking the time to chat with a kid all those years back, John!

Favorite GDC Session, Topic or Speaker:
Anything related to the ability to evoke emotion in a player through gaming. I've always been fascinated by games that manage to get an emotional response out of people, be it joy, sadness, pity, or even that intense competitive rush found in great multiplayer games.