Interview conducted March 8, 2006

     The kobold entered a moment after, and noticing the look on the game publisher's face, waved a hand explaining that they were out of  hemp for the oil lamps, and therefore the kobold had had to cut up a few pairs of socks to use as wicks. He noted sadly that some of those socks had been with him longer than his guest had had teeth, so that may account for the '"slight odor."

"Z-Man", Zev Shlasinger (left) with this website's DM, Christopher, at Origins '06.

 K:

 If you don't mind, let's dive right into the questions. We ain't getting paid by the hour, ya know what I'm sayin'?

When you watch a movie, what kind of snacks do you munch on?

ZEV:

I don’t snack when watching a film in the theater... detracts from my enjoyment. Plus I don’t want to have to go to the bathroom in the middle of a film.

K:

Do you have a favorite board game?  Have you ever taken a regular game, like Monopoly, and invented your own rules for it? If so, did those rules involve nuclear strikes?

Z:

No favorite board game, though I like plenty of them. In Monopoly, we would pay the poorer (as in no money) players to roll your dice and move your pawn. If I wanted nuclear strikes I’d play Supremacy.

K:

I've never been into watching professional sports. Just can't get into watching a bunch of men dressed in colorful matching outfits playing a children's game. Are you a sports fan?

Z:

I’d rather be playing sports and wearing those colorful outfits rather than watching sports. So, no, I’m not an actual sports fan.

K:

What's your favorite TV show?

Z:

Now or past?  I watch Lost, though it’s gotten really crazy with all the plot threads they throw at you and don’t follow through with. In the past it was Taxi, Twilight Zone, etc.

K:

Doesn't it take a special brand of cojones to name a game company after yourself? Give us your thoughts.

Z:

Well, it makes it easy to remember the company name J

K:

Do you have a favorite Star Wars character?

Z:

Hmmm, I guess it would be Han.

K:

Please tell us the last few books you've read. Or the best menu you've browsed lately.

Z:

The Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. Modern wizard living in Chicago. Some funny stuff. I wish I had more time to read but since I drive to work rather than take the train my reading time has cut down significantly.

K:

When do you get your best ideas for games and stuff? Do they sneak up on you, or do you sit and think and think until you force the good ones to the top?

Z:

I don’t design games, I polish. So it’s up to other people to send me their best ideas and me recognizing them as good. And also my ability to import a good game. For that I also rely on other’s opinions.

K:

Our friend Michelle always tracks you down at Gen Con and spends lots of money buying Shadowfist cards from you. Is she your biggest fan? Does anyone else hunt you down at conventions?

Z:

I wouldn’t call it hunting: after all I’m always at the booth so it’s easy to find me. I’m damn easy prey! But Michelle is one of the biggest fans out there. Her enthusiasm is awesome and makes me happy to be in the position I’m in.

K:

Speaking of conventions, are you going to Origins in June (2006)?

Z:

Wouldn’t miss it. It’s my favorite con of the year. Not only is it a fun show for games and sales, there is a deli in the North Market with amazing NY style sandwiches. Yum.

K:

What'd you do for a living before Z-Man Games? No offense, but we'd never heard of you until you started reprinting Shadowfist, our favorite ccg. Were you an author or publisher or orthodontist or SEAL commander?

Z:

Well, I was a volunteer for several game companies before starting Z-Man, but what I did for a living was being a health aide for someone in a wheelchair. He was a voice over actor and I took him to auditions. It was a great experience.

K:

Are you married? Does your significant other think it's silly that you make a living selling games?

Z:

Yes I am married. And when I start making a living from selling games she will stop thinking I’m silly.

K:

Let's play a game! I'll give you a random but actual English word, and you tell us what you think it means, ok? No fair looking it up beforehand. Ready?

 Word

  Actual Definition

BATTEN

To fasten

DEROGATE

To give to someone else, as in derogate responsibility. Crap, I sound like a stereotypical Japanese person saying delegate. Um, I really think it means to put down (as in insulting).

To cause someone to seem inferior

SNICKERSNEE

A large knife

MANADA

A herd of horses (or other animals)

SCRIM

A fabric of open-weave material.

 K:

 Hey! Looks like you got two right! That's... a forty percent score.

K:

Z:

K:

How do you and your crew kill time while traveling to conventions to promote your company's fine wares?

Z:

Play games. Eat well (we work very hard and deserve a good, filling meal). At Gen Con I sponsor the Hong Kong Action Theater, and you’ll find me there in the evenings watching (I schedule the movies I want to see in the evenings).

K:

Have you ever accidentally caught yourself on fire?

Z:

Probably, and therefore have blocked it from my mind. But it would have been a small, insignificant fire since I have no scars.

K:

If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you like to go?

Z:

Australia. No reason other than I’ve never been there. Though are we counting travel times? If so, then somewhere closer since I eat up two days traveling just to go to Australia.

K:

Pick the coolest of each pair:

Beret, or sombrero?

Z:

Sombrero.

K:

 Boomerang, or harpoon gun?

Z:

 Harpoon gun, especially if I can hold it like the guy holding the minigun in Predator.

K:

 Ninja or Jedi?

Z:

 Ninja... the pay is better.

K:

 Monkey or wombat?

Z:

 Monkey.

K:

 Accordion or banjo?

Z:

 Banjo.

K:

 Flippers or bunny slippers?

Z:

 Flippers. I like to swim.

K:

 Are you a healthy guy? Do you work out, watch what you eat, that kind of thing?

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K:

When I say the words "razzle dazzle", what's the very first thing you think of?

Z: