A Passion for the Force: Senior Designer Leif Westerholm
2015-07-01
Electronic Arts
Think you’re a Star Wars superfan? This DICE dev may have you beat…
The DICE team working on Star Wars Battlefront is a pretty passionate bunch. Like all of us, they love the universe George Lucas brought to the screen back in 1977. Senior Designer Leif Westerholm takes that passion to another level.
What makes you such a big fan of Star Wars?
From an early age, a large part of my life has been influenced by Star Wars. Growing up on a farm in the Swedish countryside meant using your imagination a lot and it was always fueled by Star Wars. I remember running around our farm, swinging a wooden stick back and forth trying my best to hum the characteristic sounds of lightsabers swinging and clashing together. My mother has since told me I used to scare the life out of our chickens with my imaginary lightsaber battles.
My interest in Star Wars really reached a new peak sometime during my early school years when pen-and-paper role playing games were the new thing to hit Sweden. Amongst my friends I was often was tasked with being the game master, propelling the player characters into the galaxy I loved so much.
What things have you done that show your passion for the franchise?
In August of 2010, I got married, dressed as a Jedi Knight. I remember the presiding official at the ceremony specifically telling me that it was the first time he wed a Jedi Knight. And yes, I am posing somewhat in this picture while the Mrs. is giving me the “you’re such a nerd” smile.
Nowadays working on Star Wars Battlefront, I have been known to go around swinging my custom-made, Vader hilt-inspired blue lightsaber. The lightsaber is a so-called stunt-saber which means that it works fine to spar with and do some lighter choreographed fighting. It cost me around $400 and I had to wait for four months, but it was worth it.
What makes you excited about working on the game?
Working on Star Wars: Battlefront is a dream come true. Sometimes I stop and think about it and the emotions are almost overwhelming. In some ways, I find myself still being that kid running around the farm or game-mastering Star Wars sessions with my friends, but this time it’s on a much larger scale.
The most exciting part of any game development – and especially true regarding Star Wars Battlefront – is to see the players’ reactions when they play the game.
We have had some people come in and play it and every time I get super nervous. Will the game meet the player’s expectations? The game boots up and short moments pass as the players begin to understand what’s happening and what their goal is. Somewhere around then you start to see that spark in their eyes; the passion, excitement, and joy that I share.
That’s the part I personally find most exciting; to craft experiences that allow players and fans all over the world to experience Star Wars in a new and exciting way.
Watch Star Wars Battlefront in action here.
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