Hello,

I will miss Estelle Getty and the many funny moments that she gave us on THE GOLDEN GIRLS.    I have all 7 seasons of the show on DVD,  and I love watching the show whenever I get a chance.  I believe the show is on somewhere all over the world at least a couple times a day.  I am grateful to her for all the much-needed laughs that she brought (and still does) to my day.  As sad as I am to hear of her passing,  I am glad that her work will continue to live on for generations to enjoy.  I will remember her as being someone who made my day a little easier by providing much-needed laughter in a world that is too serious at times.

People have been emailing me asking me to do interviews with people in the gaming Industry. For the first interview I decided to interview someone in the Public Relations field. Public Relations people within the gaming industry do not always get the credit that is rightfully deserved. I had the chance to Interview the one and only Scott Fry publicist for One PR who handles the bulk of SEGA’s public relation needs. Some of the titles Scott Fry has worked on include Condemned 2, The Club, and The Golden Compass to name a few and is currently working on Space Chimps with Bash Entertainment.

Game Flak: How long have you worked in the Gaming industry as a Public Relations person?

Scott Fry: I'm relatively new to Public Relations actually. I have been working in the video game industry for about 14 years, with 2 of them being in Public Relations.

GF: Let’s take a stroll down memory lane. What made you decided to work in the gaming industry? What other Jobs if any have you had in the gaming industry? Have you always worked for SEGA?

SF: I have held quite a few positions in the industry. I got my start at a game/entertainment company called Sanctuary Woods that had a few titles older gamers will remember. The Journeyman Project and The Journeyman Project: Buried in Time. I took a customer service, entry level position there because I wanted to work at a game company. I had always played games and had an interest in the industry, so I took that job. While working at Sanctuary Woods, I developed an interest in manufacturing and operations. A lot of people don't realize what happens after a game is finished and "goes gold". There are materials that need to be purchased (manuals, boxes for PC games, cover sheets for Playstation and Xbox games, discs need to be manufactured etc) and then those games need to be turned into a finished product. This process is very involved and you need to be very organized and follow strict schedules and deadlines to make sure that you are meeting your goals on a daily basis. After doing this job at Sanctuary Woods, I took a materials and worldwide manufacturing position at LucasArts where I worked for 7 years. This really gave me a whole new level of work in my career since I was building games for Europe with different languages and well as games for Asia. And not only many different versions, but I was dealing with larger numbers.

While working at Lucas, I developed a very strong interest in Public Relations because I was always intrigued how the PR dept was touting the next big Star Wars title. I was interested in their campaigns from beginning to end, and always had my ear tuned to what they were doing. I became friends with a lot of the PR people, and in doing so, began to work large press events such as E3 and Gamer's Days when the PR dept needed extra help. I got to a point where I began to know the press very well and looked forward to seeing them every year. The Director of PR at Lucas kept mentioning to me that I was a natural and that I should consider working in PR on a full time basis. At the time I didn't picture that for myself but thought about it more and more. When she left Lucas to start her own PR company, ONE PR Studio, she offered me a job. I decided to give it a shot because I loved the work, but also because I was fearful of the future of my job in Operations and Manufacturing. With digital downloads of games becoming more and more part of everyday life, there will be a day when we don't buy a physical product sitting on a shelf. I didn't want to find myself out of work down the road. After all, most companies have PR departments so there is a lot of work out there. I have been at ONE PR Studio for 2 years now, and I can safely say that I'm glad I made the switch!

GF: What is it like in the normal day of a Public Relation person for SEGA?

SF: Since ONE PR Studio works with SEGA on a regular basis, it can be very hectic at times. SEGA is usually working on anywhere between 5 or more titles at a time, which is why they use the help of an outside PR agency like ONE PR. We take the time to collaborate with their internal publicists to develop intriguing PR campaigns, which need to be very detailed and time driven. Because SEGA is also in Japan and Europe the PR campaigns need to be aligned very closely. This way, you can make sure that news is going out at the same time on a worldwide basis. This helps to ensure that news is disseminated in a more organized fashion. Sometimes it doesn't always happen this way, but it's important to do your best to make sure it does. The one thing that is crucial for any PR campaign is having access to assets. It can be very difficult to have assets that you need on a daily basis, and for many reasons. You have to keep in mind that screen shots need to be taken, they need to go through an internal approval process and if you are working on a licensed product, the screens also need to be approved by the other company you are working with. This is very time intensive, which is why you need to have your needs mapped out ahead of time, to allow for these kinds of possible delays.

GF: Where do you see the gaming industry in the future?

SF: That's a good question and it's one of the biggest reasons why I love working in this industry. It is ever evolving and changing, and you don't quite know what's around the next corner. I love the challenge that presents and that it keeps us industry people on our toes. I think it’s great that people now think of video games as a serious form of entertainment, and it’s not just for “kids” anymore. I can remember a day when I first started working with video games and when people asked what I did, they thought I was just some flaky guy that had no motivation or direction. But now, when people learn about what I do, they are genuinely excited and ask “how do I get a job in the industry?” That was something that I didn’t expect to happen for a long time. I would like to see a day when our industry and gamers in general are respected even more. With places like the ECA forming (the Entertainment Consumers Association) to protect video gamers rights, I know our industry is on the right track! And when I can ride the train to work, or take a plane somewhere, and see other adults playing with PSP and DS’, it makes me feel good!

GF: I can relate to that, when I first started out in this industry I would tell people what I did and there response was “you are wasting your time!” including the girl I was seeing at the time, needless to say it didn’t work out between us. Not everyone knows how to break into this industry. For all those people out there looking to get into the Gaming industry as a PR person what advice would you give them?

SF: If someone is looking to get into the industry, there are a few things that I recommend. First and foremost, you have to not just have an interest in games, but you need passion as well. We can work long hours during crunch time on a title as it gets close to release, and when you are working 12 hour days you need to find that passion and love you have for what you do. That can be a challenge! You should also have knowledge about games in general. A broad knowledge of titles and genres (worldwide), different game companies, developers, all of this helps people to know that you are serious and that you know what you’re talking about. If you are already a gamer, it’s probably safe to say you have a lot of that knowledge already. A good simple way to “break into” the industry is to enter a company as a game tester. You need the desire to play the same game or level day after day, looking for bugs that you can report to production. You’ll work extremely long hours, but it can be a rewarding way to get into a company. After you’ve been there for a while, that’s when you can think about other areas in the company that you may be interested in, such as marketing, PR, sales, production etc;

GF: From gamers to journalist, we all have had our memorable games that we’ve played or reviewed. What are some of the memorable titles you have worked on? And why were they memorable to you?

SF: I’ve enjoyed working on every title that I’ve had something to do with, but one in particular always stands out for me when I think back. Star Wars Battlefront II was anticipated as the biggest title in LucasArts’ history at the time, so the challenge was immense. We had prepared for more than a year getting that title ready, buying the materials, approving artwork for countries worldwide, and working with manufacturers around the world so that we would be prepared when the game went gold. But, as you get closer to launch time, things happen that are completely out of your control. When a title doesn’t pass first party (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) approval, it throws a wrench into the whole process. In manufacturing, you then have to start working backwards with new dates and you find you have less and less time to build and get products into shipping and distribution. This becomes difficult because those companies have time lines set in stone that you need to adhere to. That’s when you need to start calling the big shots and asking for favors. I can say that I had many late nights at Lucas, working 12-16 hour days to get that game out, but in the end, it was all worth it.

GF: Many people think being a Game Tester is the dream job, being able to play video games all day long and getting paid for it. Do you get any time during your work day to play any of the games you are handling?

SF: Yes, I do get some time to play the games that I’m working on. I actually love this part of my job in PR. I have the opportunity to see and play games before anyone else. You can see a game in it’s most raw form, before all of the artwork and sound is put in, but at least you can get an idea for what the producer and the dev teams are going for. I love to see the game start to look better and better as the builds come further along, and once you have the finished product, you can remember how it looked when you first saw it. It’s amazing to see a game actually come to life and I appreciate having that opportunity.

GF: Some games can be very controversial, take the “Hot Coffee” incident in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, if you were the PR person for a game that ended up being controversial in nature like that of the “Hot Coffee” Incident how would you handle something like that?

SF: I actually just worked on a title with SEGA called Condemned 2: Bloodshot and we were very concerned about many things in that game which were going to be considered controversial. It’s important to keep in mind that first and foremost, it’s a game. We have a rating system that people need to follow so that they can understand there are and will be games out there that are not appropriate for kids or younger audiences. Just like with movies! The ratings systems were created for a specific reason and honestly, I think it’s on the right track. I have actually been in game stores and have seen parents buy M rated games for their kids because they don’t understand how the system works. Parents need to be educated and realize that games supply different content and they aren’t just for “kids”. However, when thinking about a PR campaign for an M rated game, it creates a whole set of challenges that need to be addressed for the production team, marketing people and PR people. In the case of Condemned 2, we were very concerned about the role alcohol played in the game. We had meetings on a weekly basis to discuss how we were going to handle that issue with press, and to make sure that we weren’t going to stumble into any issues that would bring negativity to the game. Those things have to be carefully thought out and everyone has to be in agreement.

GF: So why do you think that sex in video games causes huge controversy but games like Gears of War which are very bloody and violent get an easier pass.

SF: That’s a great question and honestly I’ve never been able to understand that myself. My overall feeling is that sex is viewed sometimes as being taboo and no one wants to talk about it which is crazy. I can remember when I played God of War for the first time and saw that mini game where you needed to have sex to gain health. I was ecstatic about that and it made me laugh out loud! I’m an adult….if I want to play a game that has sexual content or bloody gore, then I’ll play it. I think a lot of people still have the idea that games are for kids and having sexual content is not allowed. I can’t imagine what an adult game title would be like, but I have to say I think it would be fun to see what it would be like. You can do everything else in a game, why not that?

GF: We all know the Xbox Live headset has the magical powers to give everyone with one Xbox live balls, allowing them to say stuff to people over live that they would never say to that persons face. Have you ever been playing online after a release of a game you were the lead PR person for and have heard people trashing your game or your “gaming skills” over live? Did you say anything back to the person? If so what?

SF: Funny that you should ask this question because I have been asked this before. I have never heard anyone trash me or my gaming skills. But, one time after getting some early copies of a game out, the people that were playing were actually thanking me over XBL for sending them games! I thought that was pretty cool, especially since they didn't know I was playing. That made me feel good because I knew they were happy getting the game early for review and, they took the time to thank me! That was an unexpected surprise

GF: Well you definitely have had a more enjoyable time over XBL then I have! My time online usually ends with a 10 year old kid screaming into the headset obnoxiously and or telling me how much I stink in may colorfully ways.

GF: Well Scott I want to thank you for taking the time to talk with me about the Public Relations field in the gaming industry! Hopefully this interview will answer any question anyone has about this field.

SF: Thanks for the opportunity to do this!

If you would like to see other interviews please email me at interviews@gameflak.com with who you would like to see interviewed next.

i have 3 things i would like to blog about

first is it right for a parent that has power of atternoy (to sign checks to make car paymens while i was in the service) to find out about a fatle condition (als) and not tell that person

second i found a gret pizza place in north brookfield ma it is called jims pizza and dian and jimmy are great people and will make the food just to make you happy

third i am a ferm beleiver that all town should have some form of public transit

If you accept the invitation to stay with a friend or family member, you are pretty much at the host(s) mercy, as I see it.  This is particularly true if it is a family member. 

The way I make the best out of this type of situation is to stay at a hotel.  Bunking in (except for maybe 1 night) is a lose lose proposition - - unless the accommodation includes your own en suite with all the amenities.

Anne

After 33 years first as Siskel & Ebert and now as Ebert & Roeper, the show that introduced us to the phase Two Thumbs Up, will no longer grace the aire.   I can't believe it's been on so long.  Richard Roeper has been doing the show with a guest host since Roger Ebert's 2006 surgery that made it impossible to appear on air.  He stayed active behind the scenes.  Gene Siskel died in  at the age of 53 after succumbing to a brain tumor.  Disney could not come to terms with Roeper over a new contract and Ebert did not like the direction they wanted to take the show.   I will miss the show that I would base the movies I see or not see. 

The original image:

EDIT: It's now on the little scrolling image headline thingy!

Mama Mia!  Did they destroy a movie.  I'll be the first to admit,  I alike Abba.   Sorry.... The show Mama Mia on Broadway was a cute little mindless live action musical with Abba's songs.

Now they come along and the movie Mama Mia with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.   Up till now I couldn't see Meryl Streep do no wrong.  Lucky for her this isn't her first movie, cause it might be a career ender.  A year ago when I heard they were working in Greece on this movie I had my doubts.  I don't understand, with all the great musical talent out there why they chose the cast they did.  Pierce Brosnan singing, sounds like he is having a prostrate exam.  I saw Meryl Streep on David Letterman not to long ago.  She was promoting this piece of trash.  She didn't sound very convincing about her love for this movie.   If you have seen a live version of Mama Mia, don't go thinking that is what you will be seeing.  If you have not seen the live version, don't let this keep you from seeing it.

Been lazy and haven't been sharing my stuff here on myfoxboston.com... But fear not good citizens I am still going strong in my Project 365.  I have been posting a new photo each day, taken that day, at http://annoyinglyboring.com

Here are some recent highlights.....

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Project 365 // Day 152

We went to the Roger Williams Park Zoo today in Rhode Island. Lots of cool stuff, but I was mesmerized by the shells (or carapaces) of the Radiated Tortoises.

I also submitted this to JPG magazine in the "Geometry" category If you have a JPG account I'd love a YEAH vote. If you don't, is it really too much to ask you to sign up and vote?

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Project 365 // Day 160

Well, technically the sun had already set. Another photo from my office looking northwest towards Boston. The two tallest buildings are the Prudential buliding and the John Hancock tower. They are repaving the expressway, normally there's not that much traffic heading into the city at 8:30pm. Took this photo as part of the Daddyshack Scavenger Hunt (don't know if I will use it though) looking for "Sunset or Sunrise"

Project 365 // Day 166

Howsabout cookie in the sky?

We are into week four of the Daddyshack Scavenger Hunt. There's no competition, it's just for kicks.

This week we upped from six items to ten.

Puppet, Green, Old, Pair, Rocky, Miniature, Bird, Edible, Circle, Handmade

With this shot I pegged three right off the list. That's right it's an edible, handmade circle, known in some parts as a cookie.

Oh, and believe me.... It's edible!!

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Project 365 // Day 167

Another for the Daddyshack Scavenger Hunt. "Old" & "Green"

I played basketball at the South Shore Sports Center in Hingham, MA for years and years with the same group of guys. We were "The Bassmasters". Season after season we played, each season costing about $50.00 a guy to play. Usually 10 game seasons, refs, scorekeeper the whole deal.

We won a grand total of ONE title. The shirt was the Holy Grail.

Haven't played down there for over 10 years. The championship was closer to 15 years ago I'd guess. I will wear the shirt until it disintergrates. It cost me hundreds of dollars.

Brad's kid has a sexy name or one of a gas station attendant.

What do you think?

i was on vacation for two weeks. i went to Ptown with my son and grandma. it didn't take all that much gas to get down there. considering i'm from middle MA, i was impressed. we did the normal things in the cape, trip to chatham, orleans, flea market, and the always entertaining, provincetown fourth of juky parade.

also one of my favorite drag queens was down in ptown for the summer. i know that it might be taboo to mention such a thing, but she was hilarious, and i give props where props are due.

So i remember about ten years ago, before the fire in the "wharf" building with the huge shell shop in back. how great that store was, well more building than store. right next to the marine specialties shop. the new building is great too, not th marine shop, the new "wharf" you can walk out the back of it onto a beach, where the old dock crumbled about 12-15 years ago, and at low tide you can fine hundreds of scallop shells. amazing find for me and larry (just  under three years old) we took a special trip into town just for some shells.

the bay side's low tide has to be my favorite thing though, walking on sand bars and seeing hermit crabs. always interesting. i am a self proclaimed dork, and i was showing my  son all the other things that live in the bay side of the cape. we found moon snails, and horseshoe crabs, little sand crabs, that attacked larry.

when we went to orleans for the army navy surplus store, we went to dunkin donuts, which is where i learned larry knows who papalbon is! he sat at a table waiting for his hash brown to cool and was going "papalbon!" over and over again. slightly annoying but never the less, i might get him saying it and put it on youtube...

well i am sad to be in a landlocked town and i already miss the ocean view, but it's always nice to be in a town that gets random rain showers and opressive heat. i was in the cape for 2 weeks, and it rained one day, for 15 minutes, and one morning at like 5 for 10. i'm pretty sure it was amazing down there and i only have 50 weeks until i go back down.

oh side note, i would recommend only going on a saturday or sunday to the welfleet flea market for a while, i'm used to one hundred vendors, give or take , and there was only 64! ugh.

We are having a little lively debate on "the avocado" here at FOX25.  I say it's a delicious fruit guaranteed to turn a sandwich into a tasty delight.   A turkey sandwich with "avo" or perhaps a Caesar salad with wedges of avocado sprinkled on the top.  You just can't beat it.

Maria disagrees.  She says it's a lame piece of fruit that should never garnish any sandwich or luncheon plate.   Green and squishy with absolutely no flavor what so ever.  I think she needs to eat a few more avocados!

What do you folks think on this Sunday night.  Thumbs up or thumbs down on the avocado??   It's time to defend this forgotten fruit!!

Hello,

I am a big fan of Fox's "Family Guy" comedy.  There is plenty of dysfunction to go around,  but most TV shows have one form of dysfunction or another. We all need a laugh at the end of the day.  The world is too serious as it is.  I get a kick out of Stewie.  He really is a outspoken child.  I think Seth MacFarlane and his crew are great.  They really know how to create shows that make people like myself laugh out loud.  One of my favorite episodes was the "Patriots" episode where Peter was hired by Tom Brady, and Lois & Meg were fighting over Tom Brady.  Another episode that stands out is when Stewie learned he had a half-brother named "Bertram", and there was competition between both of them.  All of the characters are great, but Stewie, Peter & Lois are my favorites.