DGD: Has DEMISE met, exceeded, or fallen short of your expectations?
Allen: It's definitely met -- after the next patch, the bugs should be taken care of, and DEMISE will become a classic RPG like Wizardry.

DGD: You are privately funded -- what freedom does that give you? What hindrances?
Allen: We can set our own milestones, and focus on creating the game as it should be, and not worry about having to meet a 'marketing' deadline that could force an incomplete product to be released. No hindrances.

DGD: In your opinion, what is the future of Online Gaming?
Allen: 3-5 years down the line, MMOGs will rule the market, and allow (more than likely) 100,000 people to play in the 'same virtual world'. Consoles will all be Internet compatible, and the client base will be 10-20x what it is now.

DGD: What are the worst problems existing today with distribution in the Video Game industry?
Allen: The entire system of distribution and control. Ultima 9 is a perfect example of where things are going. Big name publishers are coming in and forcing products to be released before they should because they want the revenue - what they don't understand is that today's games are leading edge in many areas, and cannot always be projected to a specific milestone; more flexibility needs to be in the industry as far as the developer/publisher relationship goes. Don't get me wrong, there are good publishers out there, and some have made mistakes with some products and done well with others, but the system in general is flawed. Both developers and publishers need to start paying more attention to the player community and learning from them; biggest mistake of ANY publisher/developer - "We know what the players want" (without asking them). This mentality seems to be rampant.

DGD: Where does HORIZONS stand now?
Allen: We are in Phase I of development. ALPHA should start in around 6 months.

DGD: Where does Artifact Entertainment Stand now?
Allen: Growing, and finally getting off the ground on our own terms.

DGD: What advice would you give to a start-up gaming company?
Allen: "Don't let the bastards get you down". Establish relationships with people LIKE you, and no matter what people say, do what you know is right, and what is best for your company. Don't give in to old-school limited ideas with no reason behind them; ALWAYS stick with what you believe, and learn from those who are where you want to be - and DO NOT TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF. Teamwork is essential - successful people are made so by those who they choose to work with. And most importantly, just because somebody has never done it before doesn't mean that you can't do it. Most importantly, NEVER lower yourself to the level of the many slimy people you will come across during your endeavor. Use these people as an example of what you refuse to be. Honor, Honesty, and Integrity should be practiced at all times - and finally, take responsibility for what you do.

More information is available at the Artifact Enterntainment website at http://www.artifact-entertainment.com/.

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