David “Knuckles Dawson” Dreger, Microsoft MVP Xbox
Author of this post: Nic Berry | About Blog Authors »
Notes on Game Dev writer Nic Berry sits down with David “Knuckles Dawson” Dreger, a Microsoft MVP for Xbox and game journalist at Rooster Teeth, home of Red vs. Blue. And just what does it take to make a career out of blog writing about video games? Apparently perfect MCAT scores.
Q: Let’s get some basics out of the way. You’re young–23 to be exact. Many at this stage in their lives are pondering what life really means and if the major they’ve picked is right for them. What settled you on games, and when did you know you’d make them a career?
A: Well, I’ve always had a passion for gaming, and have been playing them in some form or another since I was 2. I mean every kid goes through “I wanna do this or that when I grow up.” Little do they knew that we rarely actually grow up, but just get older. Anyway, back in 1999 I had the idea of going into game design, and set the loose goal getting in the industry within the next 10 years after I graduated in 2003. I managed to do it 3.5 years later when I got hired to write for Joystiq’s Xbox specific news blog, www.xbox360fanboy.com back at the beginning of 2007. A year later I transitioned over to Rooster Teeth, and am very excited about where my position there is headed.
Q: Your blog chronicles the Achievements you’ve gained from the perspective of your Xbox 360. Needless to say the number has become exasperating… So I wonder, did the idea to track your progress come first or did you always have a burning lust for completion?
A: If you’re talking about 360voice.com, that’s actually run by a fellow Xbox MVP and his partner-in-crime. What that site does is track your gamertag and logs your progress in blog form. I like that site because it helps me keep track of what I’m doing on the 360 because I used to have to track that manually on my own site. The reason why that’s important to me is because when the Xbox 360 launched, within the first week I thought it would be a nifty idea to see how many days in a row I could continue to unlock Achievements. What started as a simple idea turned into a goal of will power and determination. I set a record by going for 681 days straight from November 22nd, 2005 to October 4th, 2007.
Q: That is determination. Speaking of blogs, you are unquestionably strong at writing. Was this an area you knew would crossover to your passion for gaming?
A: See, that’s the really funny thing about writing and myself. I never “liked it” per se. It’s just something I can “do.” I never really thought myself as a “writer” growing up, though I’ve always been told by people, teachers, or what have you that I was a good one. I’d usually just shrug at them in response. The best analogous reference that comes to mind is a scene from the beginning Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle where he blew off an interview for med school:
Kumar: The only reason I’m applying is so my dad will keep paying for my apartment. I really don’t have a desire to go to med school.
Dr. Willoughby: But you have perfect MCAT scores!
Kumar: Yeeeah, just cause you’re hung like a mule doesn’t mean you gotta do porn.
Phallic endowment notwithstanding, I never saw my alleged writing capability being a career path, just a tool I had. I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself, but writing is merely a medium to do so. You’d find speaking to me face to face or listening to me do podcasts that there is little deviation from my thought processes to how I speak or, in turn, write.
Q: When did you know you were getting anywhere?
A: I knew I was getting places back at PAX’06 when Microsoft showed a piqued interest in what I was doing with Achievements and what not, while there I met up with the GamerscoreBlog guys, who run the marketing/community team, as well as getting interviewed by Major Nelson on his podcast, who made a blurb about my endeavors a couple months prior. That whole thing was snowball that started the avalanche of the following two years. So much amazing stuff has happened that when I stop and look back, I’m completely and utterly blown away by it all.
Q: What exactly about gaming inspires you to find enough words to write about it?
A: Again, when it comes to writing, it’s merely a form of expression. I’m very passionate about my games, while also being moderately proficient at them. So, I know my games very well as I do the industry, and I can competently complete them, so I’m able to give a well rounded experience to those interested in reading, listening, or watching me share that with them.
Q: Any challenges and limitations you’ve come across?
A: Well, I’ve had some close calls when I was working on the initial Achievement streak, and went to great lengths in some cases to maintain it. This especially happened whilst traveling across the continent for events. In terms of my getting the foot in the door in the industry, I always to try challenge myself to do something new, different, or better to keep it fresh and worth looking into by my audience.
Q: Thank you for your time Knuckles, oh and one last question. With a busier schedule, will your achievement reign go unprotected or can we still expect to see some fight?
A: One thing I see time and time again with people who work in the industry is that they generally have the least time to play games because they’re too busy working on/for them. That’s the first step in potentially losing touch with your audience or even the games themselves. I still game daily and will keep putting my best efforts forward for others to stack up against.
Spoken like a true gamer—good to see his roots are intact and growing. For more on Knuckles Dawson, check out is current column over at Rooster Teeth or check out his Achievement reign at 360voice. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for more news, interviews, and all that is gaming here at Notes on Game Dev.
