People Behind the Scene – Jean-René

!WARNING!

What you’re about to read doesn’t represent the ethic and the seriousness of our work or anything. And it may contain multiple jokes. Or does it?…

Well folks, here is the proof that you needed – if you needed one – that it is not always healthy to live your dream on an everyday basis: it can also make you lose touch with reality. Sure, The Guild 3 is a wonderful game that you should experience to its fullest. Our boss totally understands that. He understands it a bit too much, if you ask us. He actually broke the law multiple times by riding his horse in the streets of Sherbrooke, thinking he could get away with it. He did not, unfortunately, and he’s sitting in a jail cell at the moment. But don’t worry. We will get him out soon and make him work extra hard on the game!

Now, if you want to read the full interview of Jean-René, keep reading!

Alexandre– Let me start by saying that we have known each other for quite some time…

Jean-René– That’s true.

Alexandre– We’ve seen each other evolve from the olden days and I’m actually glad that you asked me to interview you, this morning. Because like I was saying, I’ve seen you change. I’ve seen you evolve. And I’ve seen how games have changed you. And I’d really like to take this opportunity to discuss a concern that I have of you. Folks, obviously, you can’t see us right now but Jean-René is dressed up in some sort of medieval get-up.

Jean-René– It’s quite comfortable, I must say…

Alexandre– I’m sure it is. And it’s fine. It’s totally fine and it looks fantastic. But my concern is this, JR: don’t you think it’s a bit much?

Jean-René– When I work the field, you know, it’s much better to be dressed accordingly.

Alexandre– Yeah, right. And I totally understand that you want to live the moment; that you want to experience what people in those days were dealing with on a daily basis. But come on… It’s 2016! You don’t have to grow carrots like it’s 1462, or something!

Jean-René– Of course, I don’t. But what’s the point of playing a game if I cannot live it? And just think about it: 1462’s carrots mean organic carrots. As a matter of fact, I think that from now on, I’m going to cook all my food like people used to do in 1462.

Alexandre– Ok. Whatever. But I gotta ask, though: how is it that you feel that you should be riding a horse to go to work?

Jean-René– Well, let me tell you something. When I started working on this game, I was a much different man, back then.

Alexandre– Yes. Yes, you were.

Jean-René– I was, you know, very much into technology, computers, A.I. and all those kind of things. But working on a medieval game for the last two years really brought home the fact that we live in much too complicated times.

Alexandre– Yes, we do.

Jean-René– And now, I feel like I’ve gone back to my roots. To the place where I’m truly from. And then, I subtracted 600 years more.

Alexandre– That’s why you got the farm. Well… it sure smells that way.

Jean-René– It has to. My inner being really lives off the land like that. I talked about it before but we need to keep it real. And I find it easier while working on The Guild 3, it helped me understand that this should be the case for everyone.

Alexandre– You mean that everyone should wear medieval clothes, smell like manure and ride a horse to go to work?

Jean-René– Absolutely.

Alexandre­– Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ll stick with my car. Being stuck in traffic, on a horse, really doesn’t seem that much fun to me.

Jean-René– At some point, you may not have a choice. Starting next week, I’m done with computers. I will only communicate with others through notes written on parchment paper. I think it’s much better this way; it looks more real to me. So much better looking. I know that you’re an artist and you like Photoshop and things like that but I hope you agree that there’s nothing more beautiful than a good tapestry. A real good tapestry with real things.

Alexandre– I agree with you. It’s beautiful, it’s intricate and it’s real. The thing is… The smell that you bring everyday with you, from the farm to the office, is very real as well. Way too real for my taste.

Jean-René– It’s worth the sacrifice, don’t you think? We’ve talked about it before. And now that I am a level 3 farmer…

Alexandre- Congratulations, by the way.

Jean-René– …According to what I have built, I can realistically hope to see my lifelong dream come true.

Alexandre– Which is…?

Jean-René– Being knighted by the Queen. GolemLabs Studios is in Sherbrooke, Canada. Canada is now a distinct country but we are still part of the British Commonwealth. So technically, we are subjects of the Queen. Now, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a knight. And I believe that this game will help me achieve this goal. This is why I’m living the game; this is why I’m being it!

Alexandre– Right! I can feel it.

Jean-René– And when the game is released, it’s going to be such a success that the Queen won’t have any choice but to knight me. I will be Sir JR of Sherbrooke. Not a simple farmer like I am right now. I will be a real, honest to God, noble man. Not the farmer that you know at the moment.

Alexandre– I think it’s a fantastic story. It goes from rags to riches.

Jean-René– There you go! Isn’t it the entire point of the game?

Alexandre– For you! But here is my concern, JR. Aren’t you afraid you’re gonna smell like manure, right in the middle of Buckingham Palace?

Jean-René– Actually, I will have to, if I want to stay true to the game.

Alexandre– I gotta be honest with you JR, it feels like we are losing you. With all this manure going through your hands. And with you taking care of chickens and goats…

Jean-René– With Martin.

Alexandre– Yeah, yeah… With Martin.

Jean-René– Well… To be honest, you WILL lose me. Because once I’m a noble man and you’re still a mere peasant… It’s not that I won’t be allowed to talk to you anymore. It’s just that I won’t want to. It would be beneath me. We won’t see the world through the same eyes. We won’t share the same responsibilities, you know? Do you expect to be, one day, knighted by the Queen, Alex?

Alexandre– No. I can honestly say that I don’t.

Jean-René– Well, there you go. Enjoy this moment because very soon, you won’t even be allowed to stand in the same room as me. I’ll just have to move on, and give my farm to Martin.

Alexandre– Wait a minute… Why will Martin get the farm? (Pause) Ok. Fair enough. He has more experience with chickens.

Jean-René– They’re very delicious.

Alexandre– In that case, I’ll make sure to cherish the moments of what’s remaining of your sanity. Before I have to call you “Sir”, even though I have to already, since you’re my boss.

Jean-René– It won’t be the same kind of “Sir”, though.

Alexandre– Before we go, I just wanted to thank you for all the excitement that you’re showing for this game! And for all your efforts in making this game as real as possible too.

Jean-René– You’re welcome, Alex.

Alexandre– It was nice seeing you.

Jean-René– I know… Make the most of it.