Brenda Ross interview by Wetflame

This is a interview conducted by WetflameG, with Brenda Ross, the Level Artist for the Desert Zone. It has been reformatted for better readability.

The Interview

WetflameG: Hello, Ms. Ross? Brenda Ross: Hello?

WetflameG: Ah, hello. Could I talk to you for a minute, if you're not too busy? I have a couple of things I want to ask. Brenda Ross: Sure. How can I help you?

WetflameG: Okay, thanks. Brenda Ross: And who am I speaking to?

WetflameG: I like your hair by the way. Oh, my name is Leigh Walsh. I'm interested in an interview you did a few years back, well an email you answered. About some art you did for Sega many years ago. Well, that's the first thing anyway. Brenda Ross: Okay.

WetflameG: See, a bit of an argument broke out on a message board over the name of the Desert Level. People always gave it one name. Brenda Ross: Okay, ask your question.

WetflameG: Yes, people are arguing over the name of the Desert Level. Brenda Ross: You want to know if there was another name for the Desert Level?

WetflameG: Yep, people say Dust Hill is not correct name and that you said that name, because in a previous e-mail someone had mentioned it and I thought it was a little insulting to presume that happened, so thought I'd double check with you. Brenda Ross: You know when you're working on a movie, and you haven't yet decided on a name so you use a working name...

WetflameG: Yep? Brenda Ross: ...Desert level

WetflameG: Was the name Dust Hill ever actually used? Brenda Ross: The art was never put in the game as you know...

WetflameG: Yep Brenda Ross: ...Yasuhara the designer really liked it. I also had a Winter level...

WetflameG: Why did it get the can? Brenda Ross: ...with christmas trees and stuff.

WetflameG: Were the trees reused in Hill Top zone? Also, there is a level in Sonic CD, Quartz Quadrant, which is quite similiar. Craig's level, Hidden Palace, which was scrapped, had a background reused in Sonic Spinball. Brenda Ross: No because we ran out of time and I was the last artist assigned to the project, so mine was the stuff that was cut - we had no choice.

WetflameG: That sucks! The Desert level is the Sonic community's favourite lost level. Brenda Ross: Craig must have recycled the art since it wasn't used.

WetflameG: It's really nice art. Brenda Ross: Yes, Yasuhara and I were not too happy we all worked so hard.

WetflameG: Shame. Oh, by the way If it makes you as Yasuhara happier, the level has been recreated using your edited art from a screenshot in a ROM edit. Brenda Ross: Oh, cool.

WetflameG: I'll take a pic. Brenda Ross: Thanks i have to go. I'm in the middle of a bunch of work.

WetflameG: Oh, okay will you be on later? Brenda Ross: Do me a favor, Leigh?

WetflameG: Yes? Brenda Ross: Please dont give this IM to anyone.

WetflameG: I won't Brenda Ross: Or you'll force me to change it. I only use this for work and I'm busy enough all day long you know it's funny...

WetflameG: I'm sure you are. Sorry if I took up too much time. Brenda Ross: ...people always ask me and Craig questions about Sonic 2 but they never ask for Tim Skelly.

WetflameG: Yes, because you're the only ones we can contact. Tim Skelly? Brenda Ross: He did the bonus rounds.

WetflameG: Oh! Brenda Ross: I can give you his e-mail he's agreed to talk to you guys.

WetflameG: That would be GREAT. Thanks. Brenda Ross: He was the art director on the project, I think.

WetflameG: But can you remember is the level may have been intended to call Dust Hill? Brenda Ross: I think it was, yes. I always called it the Desert Zone or Desert Level.

WetflameG: And it's not just because people flooded you with e-mails asking about "Dust Hill"? Brenda Ross: Sure.

External links

• Original Interview at Sonic research Zone.