Doug Lombardi, the VP of Marketing at Valve asked me to build them one for their offices in Seattle. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity. Also, I got a note from a magazine that's doing an article about the gun that Paul Graham, the artist on the team that designed the Portal ASHPD, said "I really love that gun! I was just talking about it last night with a buddy. Best portal gun fan art I've ever seen." That's really the best compliment I can hope to achieve with my work
Portal gun and costume
Hoping 2K Boston (developer of the original BioShock) or 2K Marin (developer of BioShock 2) will drop you a line?
Well, not just for the syringe, I think. That's been done before. I think once the Big Daddy costume makes its debut, it could garnish some attention. I think BioShock 2 was slated for release in late '09? If so, my deadline of August would fit perfectly with the release. We'll see. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm looking forward to it.
Have other game companies approached you about developing items for them?
Not as of yet, no. I did get emails from a lot of people in the gaming community -- letters from the guys at Bungie, Infinity Ward, Insomniac and, as I mentioned before, Valve. To be honest, I don't really have much in the way of a portfolio of this stuff yet, so someone looking up my name and my blog doesn't have much to go on regarding my skills as a prop maker. I think once I get a few more commissions under my belt and out there online, the likelihood of people contacting me for replicas will be better.
Is the end goal to become a prop maker for the film industry? Where do you see -- or want to see -- this hobby go?
I certainly wouldn't mind it; that's what everyone really hopes for -- working at a job they love. I went to school for Graphic Design, and I do love design, but I like this more. I only wish I'd tried my hand at it sooner. As I stand right now, this is a fun hobby that only really serves to perpetuate itself. The profits I make from my props go right back into buying newer and fancier tools and materials so I can make cooler and better props. If this turns into a full-time gig, I'm all for it, but I'm not really pushing that agenda right now. I'm just enjoying the fact that everyone seems to appreciate the work I've been doing.
Besides completing your BioShock project, do you have any other video game related items planned for the future?
Not for me personally, no. I do have on the books a "Fat Man" nuke launcher and PipBoy 3000 from Fallout 3, a Servbot helmet from Mega Man Legends and Dead Rising, a Tsubaki Mk-3 from No More Heroes ... Right now, I'm booked up until the end of October.
If you had unlimited time and resources to make any video game related item, what would it be and why?
Oooooh, now you've got me drooling! I think I'd have to defer back to my answer before. I'd build a Warthog. It really combines both aspects of my hobbies. I'm a big car nut, and I would love the chance to have an actual functioning replica of that vehicle. Plus, imagine rolling up next to someone at a stoplight!
Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (aka the Portal Gun)
Now, this is key ... Gauss or Chaingun?
You gotta go with the Chaingun. It is a classic. The Gauss is some cool tech, that's for sure, but can't beat seeing a belt of .50 cal ammo hanging out the side of the gun
Congrats, that was the correct answer. Thanks a lot for walking us through your world, Harrison. We can't wait to try on your Big Daddy suit! You're donating it to us, right ... Right?! Harrison...?
