Richard Garriott’s been doing a lot of talking lately and, overall, it’s getting pretty weird. He’s either being misquoted rather extensively, or that trip into space shook something loose.
Consider this: in a long and rather odd interview with GameDaily, Richard Garriott talks about his disappointment when Tabula Rasa was shut down, and how things would have turned out differently if had been in charge. “If I were in charge, I would continue to grow it, because MMOs are long-term plays, and that’s what you should do with them.”
Uh, what? He wasn’t in charge? Wasn’t it called Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa?
Further, he discusses the fact that, for both NASA and the European Space Agency, Richard’s a very busy man. This means that, until his scientific experiments are completed, he can’t devote himself to other projects. “I am literally still in the middle of NASA and ESA medical experiments. I am literally still in the middle of my earth observation analysis, as well as the particle crystal growth stuff we’re wrapping up. And that’s going to take me some weeks and months to wrap up.”
I’m sorry, what? Wasn’t he a space tourist? And now he’s got follow-up scientific research to do?
Of course, that’s not all. In a recent series of video interviews with Vice Magazine, things don’t get any better.
- “Literally throughout my entire professional career, I’ve been investing in the privatization of space.”
- In reference to his role on the Russian Soyuz: “One of my jobs is to push the button that starts up the operation of the vehicle.” Yeah, his job is to be the the guy that pushes the button that starts the rocket.
- He also reveals that he did some art in space. It looks mostly like some triangles pasted to white paper.
- His home consists of artifacts from his recent space travels, some secret passageways, and some decorations consisting of preserved octopus tentacles. Yes, really.
Richard Garriott, we love you. We really do. You invented the modern MMO, a genre we adore. But seriously, dude, WTF?
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Did you know that the Space Tourist company that Richard is so heavily invested in, is being sued by a Japanese entrepeneur who got his own space trip cancelled, but didn’t get a refund? Over twenty million dollars!! An Iranian Billionaire girl got to ride in his place, and paid for her ride, too. Space Adventures got paid twice.
Here’s a link…. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhQeVGtw2SszVT-bWDLdXOX-8MNwD96OQ17G0
You can also search up a Wired article from a few months ago for more details. The name of the Japanese guy is Daisuke Enomoto.
Sure would love to hear what Richard has to say about it. His dad, the former astronaut, is on the board of directors of Space Adventures, and Richard is part owner. What’s the deal with the Japanese guy?
I’m no fan of Garriot’s (never liked any of the Ultima games nor TR), but what exactly is odd about these interviews? He has been invested in space his whole life. It’s well documented. Being the guy who pushes the start button on a freakin rocket that is going to blast me into outer space sounds awesome. Apparently he likes abstract art…maybe he is a Dali fan too? Wow bonkers. His house is a lot weirder than you describe. I guess anything not a suburban American McMansion is odd to you?