Our next Trading Card Spotlight features David Klingler, who is displayed on card number 416, from the Superstars of 2013. David created an independent software company called Solanimus which has created games such as Signal to Noise and Crashland. You can view his website at www.solanimus.com. His favorite game of all time is Earthworm Jim Special Edition. David also is an avid game player and has multiple world records on Mario Kart DS.
Who is your favorite video game character and what makes that character special?
My favorite video game character is Cool-B. He is the player character from the first game I ever made, Cool-B in Search of Floyd. Cool-B and Floyd were cats I had in real life when I was younger, so that’s very special to me.
Did you ever think when you were younger you would be on a Video game Trading card?
I had no idea when I was younger that video game trading cards would even exist, so no I probably didn’t think I would be on one.
When did you first meet Walter day and where was it at?
I first met Walter Day (in person) in 2011 in Ottumwa, Iowa at the Twin Galaxies Video Game Festival there, in honor of 30 years of Twin Galaxies.
If you could describe Walter Day in one word, what would that word be and why?
A single-word description of Walter Day is difficult to determine, but I would say my word for it would be “Memorable” because he is definitely memorable in many ways. Walter is so kind and humble, and very enthusiastic. If you connect with him, it’s someone you’ll never forget for the rest of your life.
What does it take to be a Video Game Journalist?
To be a video game journalist, you of course have to love video games, but in my opinion you have to also be honorable. It really irks me to see journalists that are toxic for the progression of the industry, but even though there are quite a few of those, there are also many wonderful journalists working in this field.
Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?
There are actually several games that could be considered the “first video game” I played, although one stands out among them: Earthworm Jim Special Edition for Windows 95. I remember being unsure of wanting to play it at first (my brother got it for his birthday), but he convinced me to play and it quickly began a lifelong passion for games.
What are your opinions about today’s generation of video games? How do you compare them to older, classic games?
Today’s games are in general very focused on polish above all else. I still play classic games more than today’s games, mainly because they match what I look for in games in terms of mechanics. Despite this, I still love many indie games of today.
Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play?
I’m definitely still involved with gaming now; it’s my profession! I’m an independent game developer having founded Solanimus Inc., and also still a collector and competitor. Haven’t set many records recently, but just wait!
What is your favorite portable gaming device and why?
My favorite portable gaming device is currently my 3DS. I have always loved Nintendo’s handhelds from back when my brother got his first Gameboy, and they haven’t disappointed since.
Do you prefer PC or Console gaming and why?
I would say I prefer PC gaming, but that’s really close. Console gaming is still awesome, but as for working with all genres, I have always thought that the control of mouse & keyboard works much better for FPS.
What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?
I jump around to different games all the time (this past week I’ve played Super Smash Bros Melee, Donkey Kong, BurgerTime, Signal to Noise, Zelda The Minish Cap, and the new Doom), and generally say I have no favorite genres.
If you could own one arcade game or pinball game, what would it be and why?
If I could only own one, it would have to be Donkey Kong, but I already own that. If I could own one that I don’t already have, it would definitely be BurgerTime.
Growing up were you team Sega or Nintendo and why?
Between Sega and Nintendo, Nintendo won out for me, Ha-ha! That doesn’t mean I dislike Sega though; I certainly like a lot of what Sega has done, even since the Dreamcast.
Do you find boss battles to be the best part of a video game?
Boss battles have seldom been what I look forward to playing a game, but it can happen.
How does video game music influence games past and present?
Video game music influenced games in the past stylistically, while now music can also influence things mechanically. In fact, the latest game I’ve worked on, Signal to Noise, is a music-driven rail shooter.
Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?
I definitely think that video games are not only aimed at one age group. It depends on the game; the market at the time, and the company’s business model, so one game might best be aimed at children while another would be best for adults. Even still, some games can be great for all ages, with the demographic being decided by other qualities besides age.
Do you believe some Video Games are too violent and lead to violence in America today?
While I do think that there are plenty of games that use violence in a poor way, I think there are many tasteful ways of creating games that can be considered violent. I’ve done an enormous amount of research on my own on the effects of video game violence, and I can definitely say that it does not lead to real-world violence. There is absolutely no causal relationship between video game violence and the real-world equivalent.
Do you prefer playing video games alone, against friends or online against the world and why?
I actually prefer playing games alone in general; however playing games competitively with other people is great as well. Unfortunately I don’t really enjoy online play too much these days.
Which company makes the best games and why?
I could never say one company makes the best games. I love the work we do at Solanimus, I love the work Nintendo does, and I love the work numerous other companies do.
Do you learn anything from playing video games?
I’ve learned many real life lessons playing video games that have had a huge impact on me. This medium has an enormous potential to change lives for the better, and I’ve seen it first-hand.
Are video games good for relieving stress?
Some games are extremely good for relieving stress, while some are extremely good at creating it.
What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘video games’?
When I hear the term ‘video games’ I immediately think of my office, since I’m a game developer. That’s kind of weird actually now that I think about it!
Of these five elements video games, which is the most important to you and why? Gameplay, Atmosphere, Music, Story, Art style
The most important element to me in video games is gameplay. I say this because some of the best games I’ve ever played in my opinion have not-so-good atmosphere, some have not-so-good music, some lack story, and some have less-than-stellar art styles.
What is your favorite singe player game and favorite multiplayer game?
My favorite single player game is Earthworm Jim Special Edition. My favorite multiplayer is a tie between Mario Kart DS and Quake 3 Arena.
Where do you see Video gaming in the next 20 years?
Oh boy, I definitely see video games growing in to so much more. That’s such a passion for me; pushing games to be even more than they are now. The medium has so much potential.
This is one of an ongoing series of articles based on the Walter Day Collection of e-sports/video gaming trading cards – check out more information at thewalterdaycollection.com.
Todd Friedman is heavily involved in the retro gaming community and has co-promoted the Video Game Summit in Chicago, IL for the past 16 years. He also has published 2 books and written for various different gaming magazines including Old School Gamer.
