Hello, everyone! We’re coming to the end of our Who’s Who with our current staff. We’ve got just two left and we’ve saved the big guys for last. Christopher Badell needs no introduction, but he’s getting one anyway. Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief all in one, none of us would be here today without Christopher’s drive, determination, and flair. Greater Than Games initially started in 2011 to publish his first game Sentinels of the Multiverse, and it’s been going strong since then! He’s had at least some involvement with every game to ensure that Greater Than Games continues to stay true to our name. Christopher (but sadly not his cat Syl) talked with me one-on-one, so let’s dive right in and get to know him.
What’s one of your favorite things about working here?
CB: I have so many favorite things. One of them is that I get to make and break a lot of rules, so I’ll tell you two more favorite things. The first is that I get to be creatively fulfilled all the time. I never feel like, “Man… if only I could spend more time being creative.” This job, at its core, is the best creative outlet in my entire life. My other favorite thing is the people. The people in this building are some of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. They’re smart, fun, creative, hard working, and do so much more than I could do myself. So much more everything.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
CB: Hanging out with my cat and a good book. Or clinging from a rock ledge 40+ feet above the ground by my fingertips. Both equally relaxing activities.
What’s one thing you wish people knew or understood about what you do?
CB:I wish people knew how much was eaten up by meetings. Very little is design. Even this job has this natural down sides. At the end of the day, it is still a job and all jobs are jobs. The thing people should know most of all is how strong the collaborative spirit at Greater Than Games is. I wish people knew how much what I do is actually what we do. The work that comes out of this office is collaborative work. It’s teamwork. It succeeds by the strength of the group.
What talents do you possess that not a lot of people know?
CB: Hmm, I’m a fairly decent pianist. That one doesn’t come up often.
What’s the most ridiculous thing that you’ve ever done?
CB: One time I drove a truck through the car and suffered no consequences for it, but that’s a longer story. Really, the most ridiculous thing I ever did was start a game company. I don’t recommend it. It’s good and a lot of great things came out of it, but it’s not a great idea. It’s so risky. Here’s your warning, folks. But seriously, I love it, and I’m thrilled that it worked out. I’ve just seen a lot of good companies full of bright people with excellent ideas come and go over the years. It’s a tough industry to survive.
Do you have any superstitions? What about habits you just can’t seem to break?
CB: Absolutely not superstitions. Anti-superstitions. Snuggling black cats and walking under ladders sort of anti-superstitious. You cannot influence your luck, even if you can get lucky. Habits? Absolutely. Giving rambly answers to questions. Not sleeping enough. I used to think of procrastination as a bad habit. There is a bad angle to it, but I procrastinate as a part of my creative process. I need a lot of percolation time for something to gestate.
What do you like being complimented on? Is it something you get compliments about a lot?
CB: I like when people enjoy my games. People will compliment me on my style of dress. Which, that’s nice, but I do that for me. When people compliment me about my games or stories I tell? That’s a thing I did for other people and what I love to get compliments about. I also get a lot of my compliments for my cat. [Note: Here, Bailey pointed out Syl deserves more compliments. Christopher agrees, whole heartedly.]
What is your most treasured possession?
CB: I’m bad at treasuring possessions. Possibly the piano that I have at my house. When I moved to my current house, my mom reached out to me. She said, “Hey, we still have in storage the piano you learned how to play on as a kid. Do you want it?” Of course I said yes! Now I get to play on the same piano I grew up with.
What’s one thing you’d like to do to improve the world, big or small?
CB: With a snap of my fingers I would give everyone in the world — myself included — a better understanding of themselves. That better understanding of who you are and your own emotions leads to so much more. More empathy, more forgiveness, more understanding, less of a concept of “strangers” or “the other”. Most of our greatest ills as people come from not really understanding ourselves in the first place.
Thank you so much Christopher for letting us get to know you a little better. As said before, we’re getting closer to the end of Who’s Who (for now). Be on the lookout for our final Who’s Who for everyone at our GTG Headquarters next month — Co-Founder and President Paul Bender! Don’t forget to check out last month’s Who’s Who with Chris Burton. Also, we have a fantastic article from Em Matson for Native American Heritage month! See you all soon!