Richard Garriott Talks Space Tourism

RichardInSpace (12:32:41 PM): Hmmm... As a player, perhaps Command and Conquer. As a creator, split between Ultima IV and Ultima VII.
Myst was the first game I did not write, I played to completion, another favorite.

Dave on Earth (12:33 PM): My grandma and I liked that one a lot, too.
While we're talking video games, I've heard NASA is up to something strange
They want to make a mass multiplayer online game that pushes their science, technology, engineering and math efforts. What do you think about that?

RichardInSpace (12:35 PM): Indeed! I think I could be a great help to their plans, and hope they do a good job. Had timing been better I might have bid on their proposal directly.
But I already have two jobs this year: Tabula Rasa the video game and my own space flight.
So I won't be able to offer help until next year, which may be too late. Also a "reality" or "educational" space game will be tricky!

Dave on Earth (12:36 PM): Well NASA is pretty good at delaying stuff, so maybe there's still a chance
But you've thought about doing it... what would your NASA game be like?

RichardInSpace (12:36 PM): Well, a REALITY space sim, and it would need to be simplified dramatically, yet keep the excitement and essence of why space is so cool.

RichardInSpace (12:36 PM): But.. The stuff I am learning is far too much detail, and mostly confusing slow actions that are required to punctuate brief moments of intense excitement (and danger).
So, it would have to short cut the slow parts and extenuate the exciting parts of our "now" generation.

Dave on Earth (12:39 PM): So I log on to this game. What am I doing, then? Building a rocket to deliver a piece of the space station?
Fixing broken space station toilets?

RichardInSpace (12:40 PM): Toilets! You may be surprised to hear how often the bathrooms are discussed even among professional astronauts!
Almost every meal I eat in Star City with astronauts and cosmonauts, the subject comes up!
But back to the Space Game: first understanding compelling goals would be the important design task... I might pick something beyond assembly or maintenance, and go found a colony or other big discovery...
Then find ways to let people play with the variable of space travel that made them accessible and clear...
Such as, most people do not realize how low to the earth the ISS is!

Dave on Earth (12:42 PM): How close?

RichardInSpace (12:43 PM): Only about 250 miles up, about the distance between Houston and Austin, and barely over the atmosphere. If your orbit is not very round, you would reenter!
If you use a school globe of about 1 foot in diameter, the distance ALL low earth orbit vehicles is about 1/4 inch.

Dave on Earth (12:44 PM): yikes.

RichardInSpace (12:44 PM): Only the Apollo lunar travelers saw the earth from very far away!
The precision that is required is amazing.

Dave on Earth (12:45 PM): Well I hope your upcoming flight is very, um, extremely precise
Before you leave the planet, I do have one more question.

RichardInSpace (12:47 PM): Sure.

Dave on Earth (12:47 PM): Why?

RichardInSpace (12:48 PM): Well, I think everyone dreams of space at one point in their life... for me, it just sank in deeper than for most, I never lost the dream nor the desire.
That desire has taken me to all parts of the earth and sea floor. That desire drives me to make virtual worlds to explore. So it is and will remain, a big part of who I am!
Thanks!

Dave on Earth (12:49 PM): thank you, and have a safe flight!
and hopefully that new toilet holds out...

RichardInSpace (12:50 PM): Yes, thank you very much for having me! Keep your eyes on the sky in late October!

Dave on Earth (12:50 PM): will do!

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