Matthias: "Since when are you building Levels?"

Horus: "I bought TR 5 on the day it was released and started straight away. That was at the end of 2000. Unfortunately back then I had no internet access, had no clue about all this stuff, what to do, that there was a whole community on the web. So I continued with the standard wads. It was no use, but who cares?!"

Matthias: "No use in what way? There was no progress?"

Horus: "Yeah, it was always Egypt, Egypt, Egypt. And no-one else played it. That is rather boring. At first I just wanted to find out what you could do with it. I didn't really think that I would get the thing to run at all; come up with something halfway playable."

Matthias: "Why did you start building?"

Horus: "Ever since I played TR 2 I wanted to build my own Level . So when they finally released the LE it was the most natural thing to do. But because I got Internet access rather late in the proceedings, it was such a big revelation to me when I finally learned about TR West and stuff."

Matthias: "How long did it take you from your first go with the Level Editor to your first playable level?"

Horus: "Very long. Months and months and months, because to be perfectly honest with you, when I began I never bothered with the Manual and just started building head on."

Matthias: "What is the story behind your levels?"

Horus: "Well, as the story goes, all those artefacts have their origin at the center of the earth. I had this idea when we learned about continental drifting in Geography at school. It's the plot behind all my levels. Various artefacts, now scattered all over the world, that have their origin at the center of the Earth and now Lara has to find them."

Matthias: "What are your influences?"

Horus: "I don't copy anyone, or nick whole sets of textures. I like the builders that put in some beauty. Like Miss Kroft, Piega or that English chap who did Lizard King. Richard something. I play all kinds of stuff."

Matthias: "How long will you continue building."

Horus: "Until I run out of time I guess. Right now I'm a bit fed up with everything because I'm building on this series for ages and that isn't fun anymore because I haven't realeased anything for more than a year. So there is no feedback and that kills the fun to some degree."

Matthias: "But that's entirely your own fault because you decided to do such a meglomanic project."

Horus: "Well, at the start I didn't know that it would take me a year. In the begining I had planned only four levels, just like the last time. It just developed into more cause I had to split levels and all that kind of stuff. The editor has certain limits and if you cross the line you have to split the level."

Matthias: "What's so special about TR? and Since you are still going to school, does Level Building prevent you from doing your Homework properly?"

Horus: "A control that is managable. I tried all kinds of Games and just couldn't do it. Well, Mum always says: 'Stop building, stop building, do your homework!' But I usually build in the afternoons, during holidays, or at the weekend."

Matthias: "How much time do you spend with the Editor?"

Horus: "It depends if I'm in the mood or whether inspiration strikes. Sometimes I don't build for ages, sometimes I belt out a level in one week."

Matthias: "What do your friends think about this strange hobby and what was your best moment so far, Level Builder wise?"

Horus: "Well, with all my normal friends, the guys at school, they don't give a toss about TR. True, most of them know about my work; I tried to convert them, but to no avail. It's hopeless. I only have to mention the subject and they all go: Oh shut up!... "

Matthias: "What is the definite No-No in level building?"

Horus: "All kinds of stuff. Personally I hate those huge areas, where you have to look for a cleverly hidden crawlspace. I hate those levels, wouldn't build anything like that, couldn't really. I'm also not very fond of spiked boulders. I hate those buggers."

Matthias: "But there are quite a few of those in your own levels." (The Temple of Horus 2, and The forgotten Valley of Anubis)?"

Horus: "Well if it's my own level, I know when to expect them. And I also know how to avoid them. That's the difference."

Matthias: "Course you do, how silly of me. Where are you going with the Editor?"

Horus: "I have some other projects running. I want to see if I can manage proper cut scenes, new enemies, all kind of stuff. Rain and snow, to see if that is possible. Best would be of course, if Eidos would release an Update for the LE. Otherwise it might be impossible."

Matthias: "Is there a future for Level Building or is it already a bit outdated? - Your view on AoD?"

Horus: "I don't think it's outdated. People play and review a lot. Look at the forums, they are not gathering dust or anything. - View on AoD: A bit of a disappointment, bearing in mind that we have waited for so long, but on second thoughts, fairly playable, if you manage to get used to the control panel. I have played it a couple of times cause I extracted some of the textures. For that you have to play each level and copy some files. So I was forced to endure it a second time. I used those textures for my own levels cause they look damn pretty."

Matthias: "Is there something like a female touch to Level building?"

Horus: "I don't know. I don't want to offend anyone, but I couldn't help noticing that I prefer playing Levels by female authors. I don't know, maybe it's just a coincidence that most of my favourite builders are women and girls. Their levels generally just look better. Women put more effort into building. Men just patch it together without any care."

Rüdiger (in the back): "I don't want to offend anyone but I will continue building. ;-)"