3DTotal: What do you think sets Guild Wars apart from other games of a similar ilk?
Daniel: We do want to differentiate  our game visually from everything else out there.  To what degree we’ve succeeded is debatable, but we definitely plan on pushing it farther away from conventional core fantasy.  This departure needs to be gradual though, as we wouldn’t want to alienate our audience.		  
   


3DTotal: Your portfolio has a vast array of work across a number of different subjects, but where would you say your forte lies, if anywhere?
Daniel: I follow my oscillating interests.  Wherever my intuition tells me there might be something hidden under the surface, that’s where I dig.  I often miss architecture and industrial design, so any occasion to dabble into these areas feels like coming back to a familiar playground.

3DTotal: How do you view the role of combining photographic elements into digital painting, as it appears throughout much of your work, and do you ever incorporate 3D geometry?
Daniel: I do not incorporate 3D geometry into my work.  It’s not that I’m philosophically opposed to it, I just haven’t found a simple, intuitive package yet.  Techniques are means to an end.  Whatever gets the point across most eloquently is acceptable.  I don’t consider myself an illustrator, but a designer.  I’m not shooting for pretty pictures.  I try to convey ideas or trigger emotions.

3DTotal: Your style has a very “textural “ feel to it.  Do you spend much time customising brushes?
Daniel: Quite rarely do I create custom brushes.  The few I use sporadically I get from my more diligent co-workers (thanks, Jaime Jones).  It’s good to be the boss!

3DTotal: What would you say are your favourite subjects within a painting context?
Daniel: I do not have favourite subjects, but inevitably my work and my interests gravitate towards a vibe or sensibility that I’d have a hard time defining in words (which is why I choose imagery as my form of expression).  I just try to satisfy my own yearning for something I haven’t been able to identify yet; an attraction for something quite vaporous that’s out there but should remain elusive.
    
 

3DTotal: And finally, which artists do you favour and why?
Daniel: The Internet has made the art world a smaller, open, vibrant place.  Everybody has equal opportunities to influences as well as exposure. I don’t have to look too far though: I’m fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented and driven artists in the industry who push me on a daily basis to become a better artist. I thank them for that.
    
 
 
 
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