A Red that loves the Tales series =). If I didn't have my summoner's name based on Cless Alvein from Phantasia, it would've been Tales of Fanatic. Played ALL versions of Phantasia (SFC, PS1, GBA (both JP and Eng versions), both PSP version (Full Voice Edition and Phantasia X)), Destiny (didn't get a chance to mod my PS2 to play the Destiny remake), Eternia, Symphonia, Abyss, Hearts, Graces, Graces f, Vesperia (PS3 version only baby), Narikiri Dungeon 3, Narikiri Dungeon X, Radiant Mythology 2, VS, Dawn of the New World, and Xillia.

A rabid Tales fan doesn't let language barrier stop them from playing what they love (though import costs do hurt. $85 for importing Vesperia PS3..glad I got it before it went to $100). Since you work on particle effects and Tales series has a lot of short and sweet effects...I leave you this Xillia video (knowledge of Japanese language not needed, but if you do know some there's a bunch of plot spoilers): http://youtu.be/5grEGfzB1io

Good work on those particle effects and I'm excited on what you'll do next.

Great! I'll do my best to give context on the VFX we have in our game.

More than disgruntled but less than enraged.

Water, followed closely by Earth. There's a lot of creative freedom, so to speak, with those two elements.

I've never played, but I've heard some of the music!

I just do particle effects -- the actual animation is handled by a seperate team. We work closely together to make sure effects line up with animations or we have the proper hookups for idle particles and the like, but the animation is all them. I do not care if I work on a human or monster as long as it has explosions, lasers, sparklies, and the like.

So Bitsplosion...

Ponies?

Do you ever plan to pop in at EUW, or will you be leaving us in the cold too like90% of Riot HQ?

I'm terrified of accidentally using a word or term that means something wildly different (and likely offensive), but once I get settled in on NA, I'll head over and say hello, promise!

Whoa you did the particles on those skins? I'm highly impressed. Riot did a good investment on your skills. Welcome~

@Bitsplosion, if there's anybody out there who can make my dream of an Okami champion come true, it's you. Pretty please? =DD

Great work, hope to see plenty more!

Be welcome and thanks for the answers.

I love all of the skins you made, and I too buy games for cool looking skills... Thats why I buy mages too Nice to see a new member to riot and welcome!

Excellent! Then I guess I will start my BOMBardement of questions, >=D

1)What software do you, yourself, personally use when making particles and hooking up meshes? I know of particleIllusion and UDK Cascade, but which is better for what and what is your personal preference?

2)How did you get your start with particle work? You mentioned that you earned a "digital media" degree and then did particle work on your own but where did that inspiration to work in something you had no experience working with come from? I ask because I'm working on my art studio degree and have started working with particles myself and to be quite honest, there is nothing like it. It is very exciting to be working on something that you have taught yourself how to do but at the same time the drive required to keep at it is far more draining than something assigned during a class.

3)Are there any guides you would recommend for someone who is somewhat new to particles and do you have any tips yourself from when you were just beginning?

4)How much work experience did you have before joining Riot? Do you have an online portfolio of your work?

5)Finally, something more related to the actual game itself, do you feel that Brand's particles could use some tweaking to make them feel more powerful? I was just thinking about it and when I use brand's fire pillar, it makes that large red circle warning of the impending blast, but couldn't that be done with a circle of fire particle effect? Maybe with the fire spreading around the entire circle quickly, so that it feels like you're about to be engulfed by the flame. His ult and other spells could be tweaked to feel more fiery too, maybe leave a quickly fading path of fire? Not sure myself, but probably something for future thought and maybe something I would like to explore.
Expansion on fire particles could probably be applied to other sources of fire as well.

Well that's all I have for now. I'll be back with more questions soon!