Profiles

Oddworld's Inhabitants are as diverse as the world they've worked together to create. Here's where you'll find interviews and other informative articles spotlighting the many creative folk that work at Oddworld Inhabitants. Be they headline players or behind-the-scenes heroes, the Inhabitants profiled here all share Oddworld's ceaseless dedication to bringing you the best worlds and games that you've ever experienced.

Josh Heeren,   Associate Producer
Project credits: Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee - Assoc. Producer for CG and Production Art.
Current project: Oddworld's 4th game - Assoc. Producer for CG, Production Art and RT movies.

Q:  What's your background?

JH:  I grew up in San Luis Obispo working for my Dad's landscape business, after high school I wanted to get out of the landscape industry so I got a job as a mechanic. After realizing that while I enjoyed working on cars, I didn't enjoy working on other peoples cars all day every day. I then went to Cal Poly and majored in Agricultural Engineering. During all of this I was interested in video editing and video production as well as computer graphics. Just when I was almost done at Cal Poly I changed my major to Photography and digital imagery. Right about then Oddworld entered the picture and here I am...

Q:   Who are your biggest influences? Why?

JH:  My Dad is the biggest influence as far as teaching me how to do whatever it takes to get a job done and done well.

Q:  Why did you decide to go into the video game industry? Why Oddworld?

JH:  The "why Oddworld" explains the "why the game industry" I was always really blown away by Oddworld's look and just how cool the movies looked. I wanted to work at Oddworld to work on the movies more than to be in the Game industry.

Q:   What do you like to do when you're not at work?

JH:I like to do almost everything. I love to hike and camp, snowboard, wakeboard, build things, and brew beer.

Q: What CD are you currently listening too? What book are you reading?

JH:  CD I am currently listening too? Well... Beastie boys Paul's Boutique in the car, System of a down Toxicity at home, and Suicidal Tendencies Lights Camera Revolution in the garage while I am building things.

Q:  What kind of a place is Oddworld?

JH: It's a wacky place, at least my corner of it.

Q:  What does a producer do in a game company?

JH: What I do...scheduling, planning, making documents and lists, and organizing reviews. My duties also include video editing work and making tapes to send out to various places. Often I am a bridge between the director and the artists. I guess you could say I am a problem solver, sometimes problem maker, and a go between, depending on who you ask.

Q:  What is a typical day like for you?

JH: There are no typical days, just days that end to quickly and sometimes days that never end.

Q:  What do you like best about coming to work?

JH:  Just coming to work is what I like best, the worst part is going home at the end of the day.

Q:  If you could change jobs with one of the other Inhabitants who would it be and why?

JH:   Anyone in the CG department, because they are just so cool.

Q:  What at Oddworld are you most proud of?

JH:  I am most proud of the movies from Munch's Oddysee, I think everyone involved did a great job.

Q:  Many fans are upset with Oddworld's decision to develop for the Xbox exclusively. Any comments?

JH:  Get over it...

Q: What advice would you give someone trying to break into games? What type of education does someone need to do your job?

JH: Learn as much as possible about everything and you will be unstoppable...

Q:  Who is your favorite Oddworld character? Why?

JH:   I like the Sligs and I don't know why!

Q:  Can you tell us anything about the new game or what you are working on right now?

JH:   Well right now I am working on this interview, but I am almost done. The End

For past inhabitants interviews, go to the   Archives