Name:

Tarrnie Williams

Title:

General Manager

Years as a gamer:

34

Years as a non-gamer:

3

Education:

Colby College, University of British Columbia, Life

Hometown:

Vancouver, B.C.

Bio:

I’ve always been passionate about games. I made my first board game at 6, first war game at 8, and wrote my first computer game design at 10. I joined Relic Entertainment (THQ Canada Inc.) in July 2005 as Executive Producer, and accepted the responsibility of the GM position in August 2006.

 

Over the past 17 years I’ve had the honor of collaborating with teams of various sizes, from as small as 3 to as large as 170, in diverse locations around the globe including Tokyo, Paris, Dundee, Austin, Kyoto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Schaumburg, and Shanghai. Together we have created over 40 successful products and franchises including Dawn of War, Company of Heroes, Need for Speed, NBA Live, and Medal of Honor.

 

I believe in the power of creative people, passion, communication, collaboration and fun at work and in life. For the first time, I know that work/life balance in the games industry is a reality, not just a dream, because I live it at Relic. In my free time I relax on the North Shore and Bowen Island with my wife Shannon, and our two children, Griffin and Keira.

What's your role at Relic?

With Relic having a lightweight management structure, my job as GM ranges widely. My primary responsibilities would be strategic planning (specifically - what projects to do), tactical execution (how to go about doing them), and being the primary interface between Relic and THQ headquarters in Agoura Hills. What this means on a day to day basis is that I spend a lot of time with my senior people working on how we should best tackle the next set of challenges that lie in front of us. As well, I take the lead in finding and bringing new methods and opportunities to Relic. Our whole company endlessly quests to make consistently innovative games in an ever more efficient and enjoyable way, and so there are always discussions about new ideas or how to improve what we’re doing. Needless to say, it’s a lot of fun.

What are your goals for Relic?

From its earliest days, Relic has always striven to do things differently, and I intend to continue this effort. Our plan is to remain a “boutique studio”, focused on making the highest quality products, all with a significant amount of innovation. Our small size is an advantage that allows us to have an excellent company culture and tight internal cohesion, something I consider critical for achieving the type and quality of results we aspire to, and the work/life balance that has been a founding principle of the company. Some goals have already been achieved, such as moving all our productions to Scrum, an agile project methodology, and some are just beginning, like our focus to move further into multiplayer and online. Irrespective of the specifics, our philosophical approach is to continuously evaluate the market, openly and freely discuss the opportunities, look boldy into the future, and push the envelope in all our productions as we strive to entertain you, our gamers.

WHat kinds of opportunities has Relic provided for you?

Relic has been an excellent opportunity for me. I started here as our Executive Producer, running all the projects, and THQ saw fit to bump me to GM last year. I think it is entirely possible that I have the best job in the world – make great games at a great company with people who truly love creating games and are happy to be here.

Where do you see Relic moving in the next 5 years?

Into the lead.

How has Relic contributed to the future of gaming?

Relic has always pushed the limits of innovation and excellence in all our games. When you work here, you can feel that drive and passion in all the people around you – it’s inspiring.

Games

Current: Lego Star Wars 2, Guitar Hero I and II, Company of Heroes Opposing Fronts :)

All Time: Tomb Raider, GTA3, Out Run, Gauntlet, Electronic Quarterback, Ultima IV, Dark Castle, Mario 64, Wipeout, Road Rash, NHL '93, Dark Forces, Wizadry, Dungeon of Doom, Tetris, Tempest, Double Dragon, Soul Caliber, Panzer Dragoon

Books

Starrigger, The Lord of the Rings, Snow Crash, Ringworld, Neuromancer, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Amber Series, Winning, The Art of War

Movies

Blade Runner, Aliens, Fritz the Cat

TV Show

Firefly, Deadwood, Sopranos, Studio 60

Director/Producer

Ridley Scott, David Cronenberg, James Cameron, Jerry Bruckheimer, John Lasseter, Hayao Miyazaki

Holiday

All of those I get to spend with my wife and kids.

Food

Thai

Restaurants

Vij's (Vancouver - Indian) and Bearfoot Bistro (Whistler - featuring Champagne Sabering!!)

Sports Team

Martini Racing (through history)

Joke

What's a bull when he's sleeping? A bulldozer. (First joke I ever learned off the back of a Corn Flakes package) The rest would need an ESRB "M" rating.

Quote

"Be excellent to each other!"

- Bill, from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" 1989

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

- General George Patton Jr.