Mythos Guru

Some of our old-timers know him as Krazy Kaution, inruin, or “that smarmy guy on IRC”. Newer folks will know him as Candlejack. However you refer to him, Taylor Balbi, once a member of Hellgate Guru’s technical crew, has served as Community Manager of Mythos in Flagship Studios’ downtown San Francisco offices for a little over a month now. G-15, administrator of Hellgate Guru’s foreign outreach program (and Hellgate Guru FR), conducted a eight-question Balbiview which Taylor answered via email.

1) First of all, introduce yourself to our readers!

Hey guys, my name is Taylor and I’m an… oh wrong group. Let me start over. Hey guys, my name is Taylor Balbi aka Candlejack on the forums.

2) How did you discover Hellgate: London, and what was your role in Hellgate Guru?

Well, I discovered Hellgate: London a bit before E3 2005 while talking to a friend about the devs of the Diablo series. We were wondering what they were doing so I looked it up and found out about Flagship. Then sort of stuck to their name for a while until at E3 they did this big thing on Hellgate, showing that amazing trailer. Ever since then, I was hooked! May 15, 2005 is I believe the date I joined up with HellgateGuru.com, but not as staff. I was more of a fan of the game and just happy to be in the community so early. I had no idea that I would eventually work for HellgateGuru.com and in result land a job at Flagship Studios of all places.

3) How did you get into contact with Flagship Studios, and how were you hired?

It’s a funny story. While I was in contact with Flagship due to my position at HellgateGuru.com, there was never any real thought about them being a potential employer, ever. Then, May 15, 2007 (2 years later, kind of weird) we were at Community Day and I was approached and was told that I should put my resume into Flagship Studios. I didn’t think it was anything that would stick, but what do I have to lose? I went home, typed up my resume and sent it in. Waited a while, stuck in contact with them with nothing prevailing.

Eventually I had figured I just wasn’t up to par to work for someone of such a high reputation; until I moved in with Pyke. I know it sounds like a really weird story, Pyke the former Technical Director of HellgateGuru.com, and Krazy Kaution moving in together. It sounds like a train wreck that spawns an earthquake lol. So Pyke and I moved in together in San Francisco since he got a job at Ping0. I was looking for work and thought, what the heck I’ll drop Flagship a line. I sent out the e-mail about how I was living in the city and got a response the next day. Had lunch with them the day after that, and POOF! Landed the perfect job!

4) They already met and knew you, did that influence their choice?

I think it did because of how they knew me. I was already a member in both Hellgate and Mythos communities. I played mythos way more than I should have (when I should have been looking for a job), and basically loved the game so why not hire someone who is obsessed with the game and already a semi-familiar face! I definitely think that had a part in me landing this position, but I don’t know for sure what the real deciding factors are.

5) What is your job at Flagship Studios?

I am currently the Community Manager for Mythos. I think it’s the best job I have ever had, and some of my jobs have been pretty damn good!

6) What do you enjoy the most about working there?

You know, it sounds a bit cliché for me to say it, but it’s the people. Everyone here is awesome at what they do and all have great attitudes. Even when some people are under a lot of pressure to get things done, the smiles never end. It’s probably the first place that I have worked where I didn’t hear people bitching about going to work. I think it’s safe to say this is the happiest place in San Francisco hahaha.

7) What can you tell us about Mythos, and about its future?

Well, for those not familiar with Mythos, it is… how did Brock put it? It is an “Online Multiplayer Action Role Playing Game Dungeon Crawl (OMARPGDC for short).� To be honest, I’m not entirely sure most people even understand that… I’m not entirely sure I understand what that is haha. So I’ll explain in the best way I can. Currently the game puts you into the world of Uld surrounded by confusion and forgotten histories. You are viewing everything from an Isometric view and you go from dungeon to dungeon eradicating terrors and bad guys from the lands. The worlds are completely random. There will be major cities that you can fly to and from using the Sky Ships and lots of skills for you to invest your hearty level ups into. It is your Action RPG game with lots of added flare and fun that will keep you playing for a long time. So long as you guys are there, we’ll be here making it a great experience for you!

Here is your opportunity to speak directly to the French-speaking communities of Mythos and Hellgate: London. What do you want to say to them?

Bonjour, we are definitely happy that we have such a worldly following. A lot of the time when games are in development, it’s only their native country that gets involved, but you guys are different. It gives me a big grin when I think about how many diverse cultures are enjoying Mythos as much as we are. We love seeing people from all lengths of the world come together to enjoy something that we have made. Stay tuned because we have a lot planned and are very excited to hear your feedback when Zone 2 releases!

Enjoy