Independent videogame designer, writer and creative director Harvey Smith

When we got the report that Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax had passed away, we first shared our own reminiscences on The Pen-and-Paper Game That Started It All . Then we reached out to some of the top computer and videogame developers--those who either work in the role-playing game genre or whose titles are clearly inspired by RPGs--to find out how D&D influenced them both personally and professionally. Our next respondent is independent videogame designer, writer and creative director Harvey Smith, who parted ways with Midway after completing Blacksite Area 51, but is better known for his work on such titles as Deus Ex and Deus Ex II: Invisible War. Here's what he told us.

What do you remember about your first experience with Dungeons & Dragons?

I was camping on the night of my 11th birthday. I'd been hearing about the game for months and could not stop thinking about it. Late at night, I joined a group of guys who played together regularly. We were sitting at a picnic table under an awning out in the woods. I was utterly captivated: imagining the visuals, savoring the story, thrilled by the game mechanics, feeling completely immersed in the virtual environment. One of the guys had to work, so he showed up at the campsite around midnight with a to-go container full of steaks, smothered in mushroom gravy. We sat there playing all night, eating steak with our hands, as I turned 11 and experienced a life-changing moment.

How did your parents feel about you playing D&D?

The morning after each game, my redneck dad used to ask me, "Did you win?"

Were you primarily a dungeon master or a player?

 John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment

When we got the report that Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax had passed away, we first shared our own reminiscences on The Pen-and-Paper Game That Started It All . Then we reached out to some of the top computer and videogame developers--those who either work in the role-playing game genre or whose titles are clearly inspired by RPGs--to find out how D&D influenced them both personally and professionally. First up: Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley, whose company publishes such games as EverQuest, Untold Legends and Pirates of the Burning Sea. Here's what he had to say.

What do you remember about your first experience with Dungeons & Dragons?

There are few experiences in my childhood that impacted me as much as my first time playing D&D. One of my good friends growing up had a copy of the old basic set and taught me how to play. It was like being transported to another world. I remember staying up all night that same night and reading that book cover to cover.

How did your parents feel about you playing D&D?

They were fine with it--in fact they bought me some of the AD&D [Advanced Dungeons & Dragons] rule books for my birthday. They never freaked out about any of the stupid stuff people spread about D&D. However, I think it's fair to say they were less than pleased about Iron Maiden blaring in the background while we played.

Were you primarily a dungeon master or a player?

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