Check out our interview with game creator, President and Creative Director for Game Mechanic Studios (GMS) Jason Alejandre. He and GMS have worked on such top grossing game franchises as “Call of Duty,” “Medal of Honor,” and “Mortal Kombat.”
With over 20 years in the industry, Jason has established himself as one of the go-to talents. He’s worked with such directors as Quentin Tarantino and Gore Verbinski, and his projects have shared the stage with Mark Zuckerberg and been featured by Apple at one of Steve Jobs’ final keynotes. Jason completed his first title in 1992 for the Sega Genesis.
At age of 15 he was already working with Park Place Productions, the original developers of the John Madden football franchise. He’s since worked with such development houses as Screaming Pink, NovaLogic, Universal, and Electronic Arts on titles like “Delta Force: Black Hawk Down,” “Scarface,” and “Medal of Honor.” More recently Jason’s studio worked on “The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners,” as well as the remastered “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2,” set for a 2020 release.
Follow Jason @alejathegreat / jasonalejandre.com
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Non-stop, driven, decision maker.
Who is your role model?
Me, that’s who.
How did you get started into the business?
Picked up an Atari controller. Played Pac Man. Created my own game designs. Called the local game development company until they finally hired me!
How has this changed your life?
Honestly, I felt destined to do this. I’ve never wanted to do anything else. Everything is close to what I envisioned. I have a couple things left to accomplish, and in the next 2-3 years those final pieces of the puzzle should be done.
Tell us about your work as President and Creative Director for Game Mechanic Studios (GMS)?
If I told you about all the things I did this interview would stop right at this question. My primary focus is on business development and managing the studio operations while driving the creative vision.
What kind of projects and games does GMS do?
We help out a bunch on bigger projects, but the games we have coming up are going to be unique and I hope really make an imprint on the future of gaming and give players the same feeling I felt when I played some of my favorite games of all time. Those moments are priceless!
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Can I change this to a movie? Thanks! I’d suggest watching “The Founder” (or read the book). It has so many aspects of the inner workings of business, and it’s a staple of American history, so I’d suggest that.
Any advice to entrepreneurs out there?
Always go after your vision without compromise, but be willing to adapt it — and set yearly goals.
How’s your business been affected with this COVID-19?
I was traveling a lot before Covid, so it slowed that down a lot; but it gave me time to focus, and that was really great.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?
I feel like there are always tough decisions being made, but I can’t think of one that stands out as the toughest.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
There is nothing like the feeling of doing something groundbreaking, because it’s so rare in any industry.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Sweet potato! Thanks Grandma!
And your favorite cheat food?
Burgers.
How would your best friend describe you?
Unstoppable.
What’s next for Jason Alejandre in the last months of 2020?
Planning for 2021 and the debut (privately) of my new project 20+ yrs in the making.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Achieving my goals. Creating a game that is the first of its kind and eventually building a technology outside of games that does what is seemingly the impossible.
How is a normal day in your life?
I haven’t had one of those since I’ve started my company.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Playing Basketball!
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Bob Marley, because he is a game-changer. He was able to deliver his message of love and unity through music, and it helped change the world and make it a better place.
Best advice ever given?
Listen to your company’s needs and do whatever that is to the fullest.
Do you support any charity?
This is something I’m looking forward to doing but I really need the time to research it. But when I do, my focus will be helping kids in the inner cities I came from.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Technology, inspiration, oxygen.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
My studio will be one of the best game developers in world.
Favorite song? Why?
“Let Me Ride” remix on the Death Row Greatest Hits Album Disc 2, track 1. It’s the greatest song of all time because it’s Dre and Snoop at their best, and it’s 7 mins long.
What music do you like?
I like all [kinds of] music, but if I had to choose, it would be West-coast LA rap, because this is where I was born and raised.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think it’s like having a button that could cause an individual to self destruct or deliver a pot of gold.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram @alejathegreat
Quote: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy or yourself, you will succumb in every battle. -Sun Tzu
Favorite Singer/Artist: Freddie Mercury (once-in-a-lifetime talent).
Movie: Scarface.
Travel Destination: Paris.
Sports Team: Lakers.
TV show: The Black Donnellys, because it was the show that renewed my interest in TV.
Book: Mamba Mentality.
