Raya
05-02-2005, 10:42 PM
ON A CLEAR DAY…Exclusive Interview with Michelle Butler
by Raya
484"Game design has opened a whole new visual world for me. I notice trees, how they are shaped, how the leaves move in the wind. Sometimes with life you can forget to 'stop and smell the roses.' Entering into the world of design opened up a new way to look at things."
The delight that Michelle Butler expresses about her life is vibrant and tangible. Her three big loves in life are her husband Jeff, their cats, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, probably in that order…although when Michelle waxes lyrical about the game, she is eloquent.
Michelle has entered a stage in her life that is the envy of many career women. Not only is she successfully managing a demanding career but maintaining a full and satisfying home life as well. It isn't easy and Michelle works at it.
Currently, Michelle works at Sigil as a game designer on Vanguard.
"I am primarily a game designer for Vanguard. I also have some experience in other areas like Customer Service and Business Relations so I am called upon to lend aid whenever needed. I am closest to the front door, so I answer it too," Michelle said. " As game designers, we [the game design team, headed up by Travis Williams] implement the vision as laid out by the planning documents and lore for the game. We design and implement sections of the game at various levels. We create the quests and 'feel' of the game. We refer to most of this as gameplay."
Very shortly, Michelle will be taking on a new role within Sigil…another exciting one that her background and experience have prepared her well to assume. I'll be talking more about that later in this article.
486I met Michelle Butler at the Summit and Fanguard events in San Diego last October. She is a petite blonde with a serious look and a smile that looks like sunshine, which she occasionally flashes. Her whole being is energetic and on the go all the time, and her focus is on being of service and doing the job. It's very apparent that Michelle is NOT just another pretty face.
In the past, Michelle has had to deal with remarks basically accusing her of having her position at Sigil because of her husband (Jeff Butler is the Vice-President of Sigil Games Online and co-executive-producer, along with Brad McQuaid, of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes). I wanted to get that out of the way right off the bat and asked Michelle about it. She didn't mind answering in the least.
"It can be very difficult at times," Michelle replied. "Once individuals have worked with me, they realize I have my job because I am very good at what I do. But yes, at first [it was] hard, and occasionally the media like to play on my relationship with Jeff."
She thought for a moment, then added, "I can assure anyone and everyone...because I am Jeff's wife, he expects more from me than from others. I have to be better than the best. And I accept nothing less from myself either."
My burning question was how and when did Michelle and Jeff meet.
Michelle grinned. "Contrary to popular teasing, we have known each other for 12 years now. Way before EQ."
487And apparently it was all the fault of Captain Kirk, or was it Captain Picard?
"Jeff walked into my store (a collectibles toy store) at a rough time in my life. I had been recently separated from my now-ex," she said. "Jeff wanted a Star Trek toy."
He must have liked the idea of this kind of store because a few months afterwards, he bought a comics store, and he and Michelle combined their two shops.
"A few weeks later," Michelle said, "we were forever a couple."
But where was the Brad connection?
"We had a cafe (four computers) inside the store," Michelle said. "That enabled Jeff to play as many hours as he needed. Brad contacted Jeff to interview him for a beta slot."
And Jeff was one of the first people accepted into beta.
"As a result of his passion for gaming (which rubbed off on me), we joined Verant," Michelle explained. "Jeff was offered the Customer Service [CS] Manager's position and Brad agreed to hire me on as a GM [Game Master]. We lived in Florida at the time."
482Michelle agreed that a huge life change comes with a move of that scope. It was the best thing that happened to her—-the double whammy of Jeff in her life and the move to Verant (and later Sigil).
"I had been in Florida my whole life," she explained. "Had you asked me 15 years ago, I would have sworn nothing would take me out of Florida. Moving here was good for me. It gave me independence. It has given me the insight into things around me."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "And it has reminded me how valuable family is."
Her parents were in Florida and she had had to leave them behind.
"I am close to my parents--they are divorced but both are in Florida. I am closer to my mother now, and talk to her more frequently then I ever did while I lived in Florida. I guess the distance has drawn us closer."
After a pause, Michelle continued, "We arrived in early 1999. Jeff was 'Lead CS,' then CS Manager. He was shortly afterwards moved into the Producer role."
Jeff landed in San Diego on Feb. 1, 1999. Michelle took care of wrapping up loose ends, packed up their belongings, and joined Jeff on March 1. EverQuest launched two weeks later on March 16, 1999. The relationship grew stronger, and Jeff and Michelle flew back to Florida for Christmas 2000 and officially tied the knot, with their families around them.
I asked Michelle about how her career had developed.
349"I started as an EverQuest GM on Fennin Ro; then I was promoted to Lead GM of a group of servers," she said. "I later became the Customer Service Manager and Guide Liaison for EQ. I was the CS Manager for about three years and assisted with much of the design of the CS Department for EQ (manuals, policies, hiring GMs)."
"Was this still in the Verant days?" I asked.
"We were at Sony when I left that position," Michelle replied, "during 2001--same time Jeff left to form Sigil, I stepped down as Manager.
Michelle subsequently moved to Game Design for EverQuest Online Adventures, the PlayStation MMO, and EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers. She left Sony in August, 2004, to come to Sigil and has been learning more of the game design and structure ever since.
"I never understood before what sculptors would see in a blank rock…and how they could make such a beautiful object out of it," Michelle said. "I see those things now…both in Vanguard and in the 'real world' around me."
Without revealing secret sauce, I wanted to know Michelle's reaction as an experienced gamer to the Vanguard game itself.
"Ahh, the world is truly amazing. Just when I think I have seen everything there is in a particular area, I discover something new," she said. "Every building is like walking into a masterpiece for me."
Is it the excitement of exploration and discovery? "For me, yes--seeing a new place, a new face--the unknown is very exciting."
485And very soon, Michelle will be taking on a new role at Sigil, and bringing to it all the experience that she had gained while working at EverQuest.
"I will be moving over to Customer Support to begin that department," Michelle said.
This was exciting news and I asked her to share what she could of the visions and policies that might be implemented with respect to, for instance, GMs.
"I have worked closely with Jeff and Brad, and we all seem to feel strongly about most subjects with regards to Customer Support," she said. "We will have Game Masters with different responsibilities. [For instance,] we will have Game Masters for quests, for general support, and for immediate issues, as well as Game Masters who are dedicated to a particular player group."
Michelle talked about being in sync with Brad and Jeff and the Vision™.
"While many of the policies are still in draft, we believe we all see how the department should operate and how we will interact with the players. We have similar reactions regarding how to handle issues that arise."
I asked Michelle if she could talk about the guide program. She replied, "Only to say that we have not ruled out anything. We are keeping all of our options open."
We both laughed.
The one single accomplishment that Michelle is very proud of, apart from achieving where she is now in her life, is the fact that she is successful at combining a career with a solid family life.
483I asked her how she did that. Her reply was simple—work at it.
"As an example, every major holiday (except my favorite, Christmas, because of family) we have a huge party," she said. "The number of people attending usually is between 60 and 110 friends, co-workers etc. I enjoy entertaining, but I am a major stickler about the house being spotless for parties."
She enjoys these parties and makes sure they are fun and comfortable for the guests. She doesn't shirk her housewifely duties either.
"I cook most nights after work, spend the weekend doing laundry, just like every other wife," she said with a laugh. "I consider myself a good cook, not extraordinary, but good food."
She thought for a moment, then said, "The job can put a real damper on time to be husband and wife also."
However, Michelle focuses on the benefits of working together and downplays the damper bits. The benefits are not to be sneezed at.
"Jeff and I rarely have issues working together. In fact, we prefer it," she said. "But others may not always see that. We do keep our private life very private as a result."
She listed some of the benefits. "The ride to work--it gives us the opportunity to talk. There is no wondering about how the day is going for him. I truly enjoy working with him."
488Michelle works hard to ensure that there are no misses in her family life…and loves it all. I asked her if she had any children. Other than two kitties named Terra and Kyoko, there are no children.
"I quickly become Den Mom when around GMs, though," she said, then added with a twinkle, "I can, however, talk about my love for the EQ Guide Program and my time as the Liaison for them."
I invited her to go ahead.
"Some of my best friends came from that program," Michelle said. "Seeing the camaraderie within that group led me to be a better person. I do not think I had ever seen such a dedicated group. Many of the GMs we hired (some work at Sigil now) came from the program. And still to this day I turn in game and see a dear friend…not knowing that's who they are…they go, 'Hey, I am xyz.' I will be like, 'OMG hello. What's up? Great to see you.'"
464She enjoyed remembering it. "Being a member of that group was incredible, like a big huge family."
I asked Michelle what advice she would give aspiring young game designers or CS personnel interested in being hired by MMOs.
"First build a reputation, in games, on boards, be always polite, calm, friendly. Make a name for yourself in what you say and do," Michelle advised. "The one bad day you had harassing that player will bite you in the tush.
"Do not give up. Continue to apply both for game positions and for betas, and volunteer if you can. Be the shining star, as much as you can. Stand out and stand up. That will get you noticed…maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you will get noticed."
When I asked if she had anything else to add, Michelle's reply was a simple "Thank you."
by Raya
484"Game design has opened a whole new visual world for me. I notice trees, how they are shaped, how the leaves move in the wind. Sometimes with life you can forget to 'stop and smell the roses.' Entering into the world of design opened up a new way to look at things."
The delight that Michelle Butler expresses about her life is vibrant and tangible. Her three big loves in life are her husband Jeff, their cats, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, probably in that order…although when Michelle waxes lyrical about the game, she is eloquent.
Michelle has entered a stage in her life that is the envy of many career women. Not only is she successfully managing a demanding career but maintaining a full and satisfying home life as well. It isn't easy and Michelle works at it.
Currently, Michelle works at Sigil as a game designer on Vanguard.
"I am primarily a game designer for Vanguard. I also have some experience in other areas like Customer Service and Business Relations so I am called upon to lend aid whenever needed. I am closest to the front door, so I answer it too," Michelle said. " As game designers, we [the game design team, headed up by Travis Williams] implement the vision as laid out by the planning documents and lore for the game. We design and implement sections of the game at various levels. We create the quests and 'feel' of the game. We refer to most of this as gameplay."
Very shortly, Michelle will be taking on a new role within Sigil…another exciting one that her background and experience have prepared her well to assume. I'll be talking more about that later in this article.
486I met Michelle Butler at the Summit and Fanguard events in San Diego last October. She is a petite blonde with a serious look and a smile that looks like sunshine, which she occasionally flashes. Her whole being is energetic and on the go all the time, and her focus is on being of service and doing the job. It's very apparent that Michelle is NOT just another pretty face.
In the past, Michelle has had to deal with remarks basically accusing her of having her position at Sigil because of her husband (Jeff Butler is the Vice-President of Sigil Games Online and co-executive-producer, along with Brad McQuaid, of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes). I wanted to get that out of the way right off the bat and asked Michelle about it. She didn't mind answering in the least.
"It can be very difficult at times," Michelle replied. "Once individuals have worked with me, they realize I have my job because I am very good at what I do. But yes, at first [it was] hard, and occasionally the media like to play on my relationship with Jeff."
She thought for a moment, then added, "I can assure anyone and everyone...because I am Jeff's wife, he expects more from me than from others. I have to be better than the best. And I accept nothing less from myself either."
My burning question was how and when did Michelle and Jeff meet.
Michelle grinned. "Contrary to popular teasing, we have known each other for 12 years now. Way before EQ."
487And apparently it was all the fault of Captain Kirk, or was it Captain Picard?
"Jeff walked into my store (a collectibles toy store) at a rough time in my life. I had been recently separated from my now-ex," she said. "Jeff wanted a Star Trek toy."
He must have liked the idea of this kind of store because a few months afterwards, he bought a comics store, and he and Michelle combined their two shops.
"A few weeks later," Michelle said, "we were forever a couple."
But where was the Brad connection?
"We had a cafe (four computers) inside the store," Michelle said. "That enabled Jeff to play as many hours as he needed. Brad contacted Jeff to interview him for a beta slot."
And Jeff was one of the first people accepted into beta.
"As a result of his passion for gaming (which rubbed off on me), we joined Verant," Michelle explained. "Jeff was offered the Customer Service [CS] Manager's position and Brad agreed to hire me on as a GM [Game Master]. We lived in Florida at the time."
482Michelle agreed that a huge life change comes with a move of that scope. It was the best thing that happened to her—-the double whammy of Jeff in her life and the move to Verant (and later Sigil).
"I had been in Florida my whole life," she explained. "Had you asked me 15 years ago, I would have sworn nothing would take me out of Florida. Moving here was good for me. It gave me independence. It has given me the insight into things around me."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "And it has reminded me how valuable family is."
Her parents were in Florida and she had had to leave them behind.
"I am close to my parents--they are divorced but both are in Florida. I am closer to my mother now, and talk to her more frequently then I ever did while I lived in Florida. I guess the distance has drawn us closer."
After a pause, Michelle continued, "We arrived in early 1999. Jeff was 'Lead CS,' then CS Manager. He was shortly afterwards moved into the Producer role."
Jeff landed in San Diego on Feb. 1, 1999. Michelle took care of wrapping up loose ends, packed up their belongings, and joined Jeff on March 1. EverQuest launched two weeks later on March 16, 1999. The relationship grew stronger, and Jeff and Michelle flew back to Florida for Christmas 2000 and officially tied the knot, with their families around them.
I asked Michelle about how her career had developed.
349"I started as an EverQuest GM on Fennin Ro; then I was promoted to Lead GM of a group of servers," she said. "I later became the Customer Service Manager and Guide Liaison for EQ. I was the CS Manager for about three years and assisted with much of the design of the CS Department for EQ (manuals, policies, hiring GMs)."
"Was this still in the Verant days?" I asked.
"We were at Sony when I left that position," Michelle replied, "during 2001--same time Jeff left to form Sigil, I stepped down as Manager.
Michelle subsequently moved to Game Design for EverQuest Online Adventures, the PlayStation MMO, and EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers. She left Sony in August, 2004, to come to Sigil and has been learning more of the game design and structure ever since.
"I never understood before what sculptors would see in a blank rock…and how they could make such a beautiful object out of it," Michelle said. "I see those things now…both in Vanguard and in the 'real world' around me."
Without revealing secret sauce, I wanted to know Michelle's reaction as an experienced gamer to the Vanguard game itself.
"Ahh, the world is truly amazing. Just when I think I have seen everything there is in a particular area, I discover something new," she said. "Every building is like walking into a masterpiece for me."
Is it the excitement of exploration and discovery? "For me, yes--seeing a new place, a new face--the unknown is very exciting."
485And very soon, Michelle will be taking on a new role at Sigil, and bringing to it all the experience that she had gained while working at EverQuest.
"I will be moving over to Customer Support to begin that department," Michelle said.
This was exciting news and I asked her to share what she could of the visions and policies that might be implemented with respect to, for instance, GMs.
"I have worked closely with Jeff and Brad, and we all seem to feel strongly about most subjects with regards to Customer Support," she said. "We will have Game Masters with different responsibilities. [For instance,] we will have Game Masters for quests, for general support, and for immediate issues, as well as Game Masters who are dedicated to a particular player group."
Michelle talked about being in sync with Brad and Jeff and the Vision™.
"While many of the policies are still in draft, we believe we all see how the department should operate and how we will interact with the players. We have similar reactions regarding how to handle issues that arise."
I asked Michelle if she could talk about the guide program. She replied, "Only to say that we have not ruled out anything. We are keeping all of our options open."
We both laughed.
The one single accomplishment that Michelle is very proud of, apart from achieving where she is now in her life, is the fact that she is successful at combining a career with a solid family life.
483I asked her how she did that. Her reply was simple—work at it.
"As an example, every major holiday (except my favorite, Christmas, because of family) we have a huge party," she said. "The number of people attending usually is between 60 and 110 friends, co-workers etc. I enjoy entertaining, but I am a major stickler about the house being spotless for parties."
She enjoys these parties and makes sure they are fun and comfortable for the guests. She doesn't shirk her housewifely duties either.
"I cook most nights after work, spend the weekend doing laundry, just like every other wife," she said with a laugh. "I consider myself a good cook, not extraordinary, but good food."
She thought for a moment, then said, "The job can put a real damper on time to be husband and wife also."
However, Michelle focuses on the benefits of working together and downplays the damper bits. The benefits are not to be sneezed at.
"Jeff and I rarely have issues working together. In fact, we prefer it," she said. "But others may not always see that. We do keep our private life very private as a result."
She listed some of the benefits. "The ride to work--it gives us the opportunity to talk. There is no wondering about how the day is going for him. I truly enjoy working with him."
488Michelle works hard to ensure that there are no misses in her family life…and loves it all. I asked her if she had any children. Other than two kitties named Terra and Kyoko, there are no children.
"I quickly become Den Mom when around GMs, though," she said, then added with a twinkle, "I can, however, talk about my love for the EQ Guide Program and my time as the Liaison for them."
I invited her to go ahead.
"Some of my best friends came from that program," Michelle said. "Seeing the camaraderie within that group led me to be a better person. I do not think I had ever seen such a dedicated group. Many of the GMs we hired (some work at Sigil now) came from the program. And still to this day I turn in game and see a dear friend…not knowing that's who they are…they go, 'Hey, I am xyz.' I will be like, 'OMG hello. What's up? Great to see you.'"
464She enjoyed remembering it. "Being a member of that group was incredible, like a big huge family."
I asked Michelle what advice she would give aspiring young game designers or CS personnel interested in being hired by MMOs.
"First build a reputation, in games, on boards, be always polite, calm, friendly. Make a name for yourself in what you say and do," Michelle advised. "The one bad day you had harassing that player will bite you in the tush.
"Do not give up. Continue to apply both for game positions and for betas, and volunteer if you can. Be the shining star, as much as you can. Stand out and stand up. That will get you noticed…maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you will get noticed."
When I asked if she had anything else to add, Michelle's reply was a simple "Thank you."