Interview with Mechanico - Levels4you

NOTE: This interview, entitled "Interview : Mechanico (RF Mapper)", was originally posted on Oct 2, 2003 by Foe on Levels4you, which is no longer available.

Today I am interviewing Mechanico, Red Faction mapper. When I first met Mech I was running his Cliffside Nights map on !!HOOAAH!!. He came in to play, we started joking right away, and made each other laugh. Mech is very meticulous in all details of his maps. That is why I liked having his maps on my servers.


 * Mech’s Maps
 * There are 17 maps here that are available to the public. Hope I did not miss any. (In no particular order.)
 * Mech’s Reload
 * Mech’s Rail Rage
 * Mech’s Pash Pit
 * Mech’s Truck Stop
 * Mech’s Mystic Tactic
 * Mech’s Crossfire’
 * Alleyway
 * Cliffside
 * Cliffside Nights
 * Run4YourLife
 * Run4YourLife 2
 * Railzone
 * MiniGun Madness
 * Mech’s Castle
 * Mech’s Cage Match
 * Mech’s Duel Deluxe
 * Mech’s Dungeon

1. What one thing made you want to make a map? How long had you been playing Red Faction when you made your first map?
General interest, I am the kid who had to open the clock to see how it ticks. I have always had an interest in making my own map but it was RF and my new friend NoClanFrank that gave me a chance to get it going. I have been playing this game since the demo and I was so impressed how something so simple in graphics could be so enjoyable.

2. What other thing have you done that set you in motion for mapping, was it graphic programs, art, mechanical drawings?
Mostly mechanical drawings, I always sketch or draw any project I work on from toys for my kids to furniture in my home. I believe a good project must be planned, although I have had success just shooting from the hip.

3. You are such a stickler for attention to detail. How many maps have you scrapped, because they did not meet your standards?
Funny you should ask. I just pulled a couple out of a holding file and decided to finish them, but to answer your question, way too many. If I don’t like what I see whether in the beginning or close to the end I will toss.

4. When you look at and review other maps, do you hold them to the same high standard as your own work? Why or why not?
No…I feel every mapper has there own technique. What one person feels is good enough another might not agree. I think I am my own worst critic. I am sometimes too hard on myself, so with that thought I try to review a map based on what I think the mapper had in mind. It often bothers me when I see a review from someone who has never mapped saying that the map was rushed, I know that even the simple maps take time and there is so much work involved.

5. Which of your maps is your favorite and why?
Easy DM_AlleyWay. I definitely think it was my breakthrough in Red Editor. I worked so hard on that map. I built it strictly for a good fast deathmatch. I think the map is my example of what a hard fast game should be like. Firebird and I have always and still play 1 on 1 on a regular basis and this was the perfect map for us to continue or battles. I also thank my old friend Cat-Man-Do for his patience and times spent helping me test my maps, I think he is my biggest fan, or maybe he’s just stalking me.LOL

6. What one mapper is your favorite and why? What one mapper do you admire their work and why?
Wow tough question, I think Espear is one I consider my favorite. His maps are right out of my head; we have the same interest in maps. Although I don’t agree with little secret rooms.LOL Now as far as admiring, whew I must say NCFrank. He has proven that you can take a simple brush & texture and make a terrific map. His maps are strictly based on game play and his interest of the players. Plus he has been so patient with me. LMAO

7. If you could tell all mappers one thing, good, bad, or otherwise what would it be? Would you tell them how to map, not to map, a tip for easier mapping or something else?
Easy, sit back collect your thoughts, draw them out, research your brushes and textures and go for it. I only suggest that if there interest is in mapping that to take it serious. I often see a map that is obviously not completed or simply no layout in what they were doing, “even from well known mappers”.

===8. Two of your maps have been entered in the L4Y RF Mapping Competition, and won. That must feel pretty good to know your hard work was appreciated. Why did you enter the competition? Will you enter again? What about judging?=== I entered the competition to win, what else. I had no idea who my competition was going to be, so I sat back worked my hardest, tried my best and gave it al I had. I will most likely continue to enter maps, but like always I will be choosy about which one I enter. I would like to be a judge, I think it would my pleasure to personally look over any mapper's work and give it an honest rating.

9. You are married with little children. How do you find time for gaming, much less mapping?
“Are you on the computer again” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that. I do most of my mapping and playing late hours. I don’t sleep much and my mind is always working. It’s a productive hobby and I am physically active with the family in other ways to keep them always in my best interest.

10. Are there any games on the horizon that you are interested in mapping for?
Oh yeah, I really wish to try UT2003 editor but I have still not made the effort to learn. I have a interest in war type games, Ghost Recon etc. But I would need some help understanding there editors as well.

11. What other hobbies do you have?
I love woodworking; I have built so many pieces of furniture for my house. My wife and I love the country look and we work great together. Other hobbies include my 68 Camaro, Boating, Knee boarding and PC build and repair

12. Tell us how you and NoClanFrank came to be friends.
Frank and I met on RF. We just kept bumping into each other and started chatting. We have a lot of the same interest and he was so helpful and generous enough to walk me through my first map “of course he yelled at me and called me certain things during the process” but not once did he criticize my work as being garbage or a waste of my time or his “and if you look t my first map it was a texture nightmare.lol”. We both had recently lost our fathers and it was nice to speak to someone who new how I was feeling. I admire the man and his devotion to a game that has had no end. We have had our differences and have resolved them in time; I think our friendship is based on what we offer each other, a friend when you need him. Thanks Frank…

Thank you to Mech for your great answers, and for agreeing to the interview. Enjoy!