> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.killscreen.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Manveer Heir - URL: https://www.killscreen.com/pre-game-interview-manveer-heir/ - Published: 2011-04-08T08:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-07-26T10:36:55.000Z - Description: As part of continuing series into the early lives of videogame designers, we talk to Manveer Heir, now a senior designer at BioWare working on Mass Effect 3. Heir, who’s been outspoken on the subject of race, talks about his early childhood discrimination in a DC suburb, why he’s captivated by the s - Author: Jamin Warren - Tags: Interview, Pre-Game Interview, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-26 09:39 *As part of our ongoing series on the early lives of videogame designers, we talk to BioWare Montréal senior designer *Manveer Heir*. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Heir went on to work at [Raven Software](http://www.ravensoft.com/?ref=killscreen.com) on* Wolfenstein *before taking a job with the Canadian developer of the* Mass Effect *franchise. We talk to Heir about his English upbringing, the difficulties of being a minority, his favorite candy, playing drunken* Super Mario Bros. 3*, and being called Rodney King for a year.* ***Where were you born?*** Coventry, England in 1982\. In 1984, my parents immigrated to the U.S., moved to Annapolis, and then moved to the DC area. My parents were born in the state of [Punjab](http://bit.ly/bG0XbR?ref=killscreen.com) and my dad lived in India until he was 15\. My mom moved when she was four or five. Is it OK if we call it the “Motherland” now? ***What did your parents do?*** My mom was a nurse and worked at hospitals, and my dad worked as a software engineer, mostly doing defense contracting. My mom was already a nurse, but became head of nurses while raising kids. I remember my mom would be doing dinner and studying while I was doing homework. ***Who was your first childhood friend?*** The earliest one was a kid named Tony. We hung out because he was next door. He was a nerdy kid who was picked on, so we had that going for us. We threw rocks at things. I remember having nights where we’d play *Super Mario Bros 3.* Also, there was this game called *[Caveman Games](http://bit.ly/n3OH8Q?ref=killscreen.com)?* ***What were you afraid of?*** Really simply—it was fitting in. I lived in predominantly white areas that didn’t like that I was a minority *and* I was awkward and nerdy. ***Who did you admire?*** Even though it was after the time he was fighting, I got into Muhammad Ali. My dad loved boxing and we’d watch old matches together. This was the one overlap, so I was interested in Joe Frazier and I’d find their fights on VHS. ***What did you want to be?*** When I was really young, I wanted to be a baseball player. Then came the inevitable reality that I batted .100\. By late middle school, I wanted to make videogames. I had this moment when I was playing *Fallout* where I thought, “I can make stuff like this.” ***What did your parents want you to be?*** At the end of the day, they taught me to do something I love, but they tried to guide me in places. My mom would not have minded if I had become a doctor. My dad hated working in software, so he wanted a me to be a lawyer or on Wall Street. I actually got called Rodney King for a year. *For an entire year*. ***What was your favorite childhood game (electronic or otherwise)?*** I was a big fan of *Wolfenstein 3D,* which is ironic because I worked on the reboot. I remember hiding it away, because I didn’t want my parents to find out. I played the whole first campaign on shareware, and then I snuck out and bought the whole game without my parents finding out. I can beat *Super Mario Bros. 3* on every single world without Warp Whistles. In college, we’d take it out to the porch, drink, and pass the controller. We finished at 7 a.m. with a blood alcohol content of .4. ***What was your least favorite childhood game?*** I bought an Atari 7800\. I had poor hand-eye coordination and the doctor told them that videogames would help. No joke. The first game I got was [*E.T*.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2o3mlg5AxQ&ref=killscreen.com) I remember playing, but not getting why it was bad game. Why do I just fall through pits all the time? But I thought, it can’t be a bad game, because it’s *E.T.*! ***Did you have a big childhood secret?*** I was brown? ***What was the biggest trouble you ever got in?*** In fifth grade, there was one kid lower on the totem pole than I was—so the abusee becomes the abuser. I pantsed him during a fire drill and he had really dirty underwear on. I got detention, and it was out of character for me since I was a good kid. ***What was your favorite television show/character?*** I used to love watching *The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,* which I watch to this day, especially the one [where they do “Apache.”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCFRJEjM3fc&ref=killscreen.com) \[Wait until the 1:09 mark. —Ed.\] ***Favorite character in a book?*** [Beeblebrox](http://bit.ly/pE7z?ref=killscreen.com) from *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy*. ***Did you have a nickname?*** My parents called me Mani because in Indian culture, adding an “I” is a term of affection. I actually got called Rodney King for a year. *For an entire year*. ***Favorite candy?*** I loved and continue to love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. *As told to Jamin Warren.*