Just Cause 2 dev Q&A

What one animal, vegetable or mineral would you like to see more of in games? Name one question you wished you’d made. Have you ever had a handlebar moustache? We put these questions and more to Just Cause 2′s lead designer Peter Johansson.

How you know this person:

Peter is the lead game designer on Just Cause 2. He’s also worked on Headhunter and Headhunter: Redemption, plus one or two unannounced titles.

Describe your latest game in three words:

“Action”, “stunts” and “freedom”

When you were growing up you wanted to be a…

Game designer, programmer, artist and everything in between.

What was the first videogame you ever played?

Some obscure arcade game I think. At home, it was Parsec on the Texas Instruments TI 99/4A, a lovely computer with voice synthesis and all.

Name one game you wished you’d made:

Rock, paper, scissors and grappling hook. The grappling hook is wild and beats all other alternatives.

What one animal, vegetable or mineral would you like to see more of in games?

I’ve always liked cherries as pick-ups in games. Big chunky cherries look so tasty and juicy.

Do you have, or have you ever had, any of the following: a monocle, a leather jerkin, a handlebar moustache?

Not since last Saturday.

Currently listening to…

The latest album from Swedish rock group “Kent”… and my boss telling me to finish up my build notes for the latest Just Cause 2 build.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

I don’t feel guilt. I have no shame.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Never try to swim 26 metres in a 25-metre swimming pool. Or… that’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way.

When you’re not gaming you’re…

… wasting my time on other, non-GamerScore advancing, interests. Someone should invent a system for GamerScore in real life. I just earned the “Get a Life” achievement for tagging my whole MP3 collection.

So, dear readers, what do you think of Peter’s answers? Have you ever worn a monocle? Feel free to put your thoughts in the Comments box below.