Interview with Jeff Toney, Principal Artist for Kingsisle Entertainment!

    Hey everyone! Special surprise today! I got to interview the man incharge of creating all of the awesome doodles you see above and everywhere in Wizard101 (and the famous abracadoodle comic)! Yes the man, the myth, the legend, Jeff Toney! I got to pick his brain and ask him some questions that I was curious about and wanted to share it with you my viewers and the W101/P101 community! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks Jeff for letting me interview you and everyone at Kingsisle! Now without further ado...

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1. When did you first know you wanted to start a career in Art and Design?

When I drew my first picture and it got a great reaction from my classmates. I remember in 4th Grade drawing these very detailed combat scenes of stick figures fighting each other and everyone seemed to love it. Ever since then, I have found that when I make a good piece of art that really speaks to people, it's the greatest feeling in the world.

2. When did you first start working at KingsIsle Entertainment?

Right from the start! I was employee number 8. I remember talking to Josef and Todd about their idea to do a card-based combat MMO set in a wizard world and immediately got interested in all the possibilities it could create. I am happy that it has become so successful!

3. Your job title is a "Principal Artist" What exactly is that, and what do you do?
I wanted to continue to do artwork instead of managing artists, so I was recognized as a Principal Artist as a way to facilitate this. I go from project to project and help with the vision where I am needed for our multiple titles. It is a very fun job to have and I am lucky to have it!

4. All of the fans LOVE your Abracadoodle art. Wizard101 would be so different if it never was created. The little doodles we see all over the site and in game on the maps are great! What exactly inspired you to do these? Did you plan to or did it just come out of nowhere?
Kids like to draw little doodles when they get bored in class, even in a Wizard school like Wizard101. I figured, if this is your spell book, you would draw doodles around the edges of the interface. They got a great reaction and they also became a way for kids to learn to draw our characters from very simple shapes. The main doodle guy is a circle and a triangle for a hat, with a square body and sticks for hands and feet. We have had MANY kids draw this and I always find the results humorous! We hang the best ones up in our offices for people to see.

5. You are responsible for designing the Wizard City hub? Any other places in the game that you helped create?
Well the list is large, since I have been here from the beginning but most of Wizard City, some Krokatopia interiors (like the initial teleport pyramid), some Marleybone interiors (like the Clock Tower and Wolfminster Abby), some Mooshu interiors (like the initial Teleport Chamber and the Cliffside Temple), a lot of Dragonspyre (like the hub and the final volcano area), some Grizzleheim areas (like the Wolf Cave and the Bear Invasion Camp), some Celestia areas (like the Temple of the Storm Lord and Research Station), the Pigswick Academy hub model (but someone else textured it), and the Zafaria Baobab hub and tree top area. I am working on our new world now. There is always something to do
6. What was your first thought when you were told about Pirate101?
I thought "What a great idea!" This is a way to see the Spiral from a different perspective. I can't wait for people to coast though the Spiral in their custom made pirate ship, sailing from world to world. It really looks great!

Also, what is cooler than pirates? I guess ninjas but pirates are cool, too.



7. Any chances we may see a "Piratecadoodle comic?" or "Yarrrcadoodle"? xD
;)

8.  Looking at both games, which one are you more interested in? Why?
Well, as a fan of both the Magic: the Gathering card game and Final Fantasy Tactics, I'm going to say.....both.

Really, it comes down to what type of game I want to play at the time. Right now, I am having loads of fun getting new companions and tactically moving them around the game board to win battles, but there is something to be said about customizing my spell deck in that right way to defeat my enemies. Both are great gaming experiences.

9. Have you created any art for Pirate101? Or do you think you will be sticking with Wizard101?
I helped with some of the puppet shows for Pirate101 and they have been a blast to create! Where Wizard101 had doodles, Pirate101 has puppet shows and they are a riot to see. I can't wait for people to watch them!
10. Usually when there is a big update for Wizard101 the maps in the game have a new set of doodles on them, do you create all of these? Does anyone help you with creating them?
Nope, all mine. I still get a kick out of making them and will do so for as long as we make new worlds. I am glad people like them so much. I read the plot and try to make the doodles relevant to the area being seen, but in a funny way.

11. A few weeks ago I interviewed Dave Greco Lead concept artist, do you guys work together or are you in a different area?
He is in a different area but I do love his artwork! There is nothing like a good concept artist to get the vision of the world right from the get go. We are very lucky to have him and his concept team working on all our projects!
12. Finally I've seen some of the awesome doodles you do for fans of Wizard101. I challenge you to doodalize my Storm Wizard. Are you up to the challenge? If so I attached a photo.

Done! Hope you like it!

    Thank you so much for letting me interview you Jeff. Thank you to you and everyone at KI who makes Wizard101 and Pirate101 the most enjoyable experience it can be!
You all are doing a great job, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for KingsIsle. :)

~Johnny