I started out with tools like Deluxe Paint and Animation and QBASIC. I learned 3D modeling long before I touched a level editor, using tools like POVRAY and so

I started out with tools like Deluxe Paint and Animation and QBASIC. I learned 3D modeling long before I touched a level editor, using tools like POVRAY and some crappy Windows 3.1 3D rendering/modeling package. I think the first level editor I used was Ken Silverman's for Duke Nukem 3D. But if I had to point out a game that really changed my life, it was Ultima 7 - it inspired me to learn art, programming, design, etc. It was so far ahead of its time and even was more interactive than many games are today. It was the closest thing to a "sandbox" game at that point in time, I think.