Edmund McMillen - 05/05/2004 Author: SketchMichaels | Interviewee: Bluebaby Edmund McMillen, creator of such popular and controversial flash as the Dead Babies Series, Clubby the Seal, and the soon to be released game Gish, was kind enough to belt out an interview for me on his break. First and foremost, a question I am sure has burned in quite a few minds, where do you get the inspiration for your ideas? Any particular influences? I'd say the majority of my ideas stem from things that I find interesting. I've always been fascinated by weird, gross, and morbid things, so a lot of my inspiration comes from the weird ass shit I see every day. I also used to be an animal control officer, so I had to deal with a lot of animals, dead and alive. I think a lot of that shows through in my newest works. Such things from my childhood, such as Ren and Stimpy, Garbage Pail Kids, Ninja Turtles, and Tim Burton movies have also played a big role. I'd have to say that Nintendo has probably influenced me most of anything, though; it has made me the man I am today. I was the last kid on my block to get an NES, when I was nine. I've always loved Nintendo's style and balls when it comes to doing things that are out of the norm and "weird." Two big time games for me are Castlevania and Super Mario Brothers 2. I wanted that damn system so badly but, by the time I had one, everyone else was getting into the SNES and whatnot. Do you prefer the scanner or the tablet? Depends on what I'm doing; I will always be able to draw better on paper than with a pad, so if something calls for precise work, I'd draw it out, scan it in, and trace it. But if it's animation or in-game flash stuff, I just go with the tablet. I always do my sketches on paper, though; I'm not 100% digital. After the success you had teaming with Rift on Clubby the Seal and Carious Weltling, do you foresee there being future collaborations between you two? Rift is a bad ass. I don't think I've ever been paired with someone who understands my work so well. He just gets me, and I think it shows in what we have done. It is important to be on the same wavelength as the people you work with. It's good to find someone who has as much drive for making games as I do. I see big things in the future for us. What has your experience been working on the game Gish? Do you think the Newgrounds audience you have gathered over the years has helped influence the direction, dare I say fame, in which it has traveled? Personally, I don't think much of the "Newgrounds audience," although I can say that, over the years I've been associated with Newgrounds, I've met quite a few respectable artists, coders, and people in general, and, if it weren't for Tom, I probably wouldn't be making Gish right now. His taking an interest in my work is what brought me to this level. Had he not done so, www.thisisacryforhelp.com would be an unknown entity, and I'd still be running after dogs. There are many others, too. If it wasn't for Stamper's gay love, I'm sure I'd have killed myself by now. Any future goals/projects/plans you'd like to share? Yeah, hmm. Well, when it comes to Gish, I'd really love to make a 2nd one. Gish was a crazy experience, and I'm really enjoying it. But, as far as flash goes, there is the obvious PEASHY game coming soon (when I say soon, I mean when it's done). Rift and I have an Alpha of the game on NGMag, though it's a rather old Beta; the game will be totally revamped from head to toe, once Gish is done. Spoiler: http://thisisacryforhelp.com/peashy%20colors.swf The final game will be more detailed, but I'm going for the Yoshi's Island look for this one: playful, yet bloody as hell. If it comes out as planned, Peashy could easily blow ALL other flash games out of the water. And, with Alien Hominid going console, who knows what the future could hold? Sort of no-holds barred for the NG Elite. Seriously, if Tom ever gathered the troops, it would be a force to be reckoned with. There are a lot of talented people out there. Well, I'll let you go on a final thought... any advice or parting words for other artists? Hmm... stop whining, get up off your asses and do something, stop "fighting" with other artists - we are all on the same side - try to be a little more creative, and, above all else, have fun with what you're making. Thanks for your time. I appreciate it. No problem, take it easy. Check out these Portal submissions by Bluebaby: --select-- Website: Cold storage Designs Age: 28 Gender: Male Habitat: Santa Cruz Ca. Job: Game guy. Favorite Films: Dead Alive Beyond the Mat Big lebowski Favorite Bands: Nirvana Tool Deftones