Interview With Haydn Dalton

Interview with Haydn Dalton

by John Lomax (Lynx / Rebels)

Lynx: Hello Haydn, can you please introduce yourself:

Haydn: Hi, my name is Haydn Dalton, ex-amiga artist/designer, I'm a 35 capricorn..looking for love...erm, sorry...carry on....

Lynx: When did you get your (First) Amiga?

Haydn: I got my first Amiga 500 around 89-90, I hung onto my C64 for some time.

Lynx: What prompted you to start Amiga games ?

Haydn: The Amiga was the natural progression for me, from the Commodore 64. I suppose it was a "commodore" loyalty thing tied in with the sorts of friends and people I knew. I didnt even consider the ST.

Lynx: Haydn, what Amiga games you were involved with?

Haydn: Lead Artist/Designer - Dojo Dan
Lead Artist/Designer - Assassin & Assassin Special Edition
Lead Artist/Designer - Overdrive
Artist - Solar Jetman
Artist - Blind Panic

Lynx: And of those which are you most proud?

Haydn: Assassin - it won loads of awards and I had a great time developing it. Hi Martyn!

Lynx: Which games inspired you the most?

Haydn: Stunt Car Racer, 3d Construction Kit (great block drawing feature) and Alien Breed.

Lynx: Have you still got any Amiga related merchandise?

Haydn: I still have my team 17games, dojo and some magazines, that's about it.

Lynx: Throughout your career which has been the game you are most pleased with working on?

Haydn: Assassin (amiga) & Star Trek: Invasion (psx)

Lynx: ...And which are your worst moments?

Haydn: Aaaarrghh (c64), Bobs Full House (c64) and Gladiator (c64)

Lynx: Do you still look back on the Amiga with fond memories?

Haydn: Of course. It took me a long time to leave the Amiga behind. When people in the game's industry were all using PC's, I was still using my trusty 1100 or 1200 with PC conversion software. I drew everthing through DPAINT on them things. I think the last thing I drew graphics on with the Amiga was Mortal Kombat III (gamegear) & Seperation Anxiety (snes).

Lynx: Ten quick Amiga questions (One answer only please):

Haydn:
1: Favorite Amiga game?
Speedball 2

2: Favorite Amiga Artist?
Dan Malone - he had a really nice, clear and detailed way of creating graphics. Chaos Engine & Speedball 2 were great!
Assassin 4

3: Favorite Amiga Musician?
Allistair Brimble (and Tim Follin)

4: Favorite Amiga games company?
Gotta say Team 17.

5: Worst Amiga game ?
Captain Blood, looked nice, but I had no idea how to play it.

6: Favorite Amiga App?
DPAINT
Assassin 5

7: First Amiga game you completed?
Can't remember....sorry.

8: Amiga game you wished you worked on?
Sensible Soccer, as it turned out to be one of the biggest selling Amiga games ever.

9: Kick Off 2 or Sensible Soccer?
None. I didnt really like playing footy on the computers. Always prefared going out and kickin' the crap out of someone for real. I am hooked on Pro Evolution 3 though.

10: Amiga or ST?
AMIGA, AMIGA, AMIGA! no contest.

Lynx: Ask Me a question?

Haydn: Why are you bald and have a webcam in the front of your underpants?

Lynx: Have you been tempted to boot up UAE with some of your old games?

Haydn: Yes, of course. It's both great and sorrowful at the same time. They never look as good when you look back at them. It's like calling out to a nice looking girl at a distance, only to realise she's ugly up close.

Lynx: And finally what are you upto now?

Haydn: I'm currently Lead Designer of a new XBOX/PS2 title for Genuine Games in sunny California.

Lynx: Thanks Haydn, any last words?

Haydn: None that I can think of, except the ones I'm typing right now...erm no.

Thanks
- John