Letter #2 - Professions:

If I wanted to create a card game, or work for a company like Interctive Imagination, what sort of profession would I study?

Thank you,
Todd Phillips
hyrenctp

Answer by Jim Wong:

There are many ways to get into a company or create a company like Interactive Imagination. In terms of management, I'm sure we're all familiar with people like Phil Tavel and Rich Silviera. However, a profession just for gaming hasn't existed yet, so that means there must have been other ways for these visionaries to create companies like II.

Phil Tavel graduated with Honors in Physics and Science, Technology and Society from Vassar College. He also has a JD Degree from Cardozo Law School where he specialized in Intellectual Property Law.

Looking at that, we can see that those degrees weren't focused mainly on creation of such a company, but only as support. Phil is a visionary type character, and he co-founded II to "focus on the development of highly recognizable entertainment brands", like Magi-Nation. I could go on to talk about Rich, Greg, and the many more management, but there are also the staffers of II.

These staffers come from a rich history of gaming and experience in the field they work in. The most important aspect of their success is of experience.

Ed Bolme (associate Brand Manager), has had major experience in other companies like Wizards of the Coast and with games like Legend of the Five Rings and X-Men.

Jimmer Sivertsen is a successful tournament coordinator due to his vast experience in planning and running events, and has run over 1000 tournaments in the past.

All in all, experience is the biggest aspect of being successful, but as a start, a pHD in what you want to specialize in would be most efficient. Just remember II was not created over a pHD in Physics and Science.

Half of this may be incorrect due to the fact that I'm still a freshman in High School, but I got the general idea down.