We recently sat down with Richard Reagan, Links Producer, and talked about golf, the Links franchise, movies, and also to take a little peek into the future.

Links Country Club: How long have you been part of the Links team?

Richard Reagan: I have happily been a member of the Links team since last summer.

LCC: When were you given “the keys” to franchise?

RR: The first time I got locked out – HA HA!  Get it?…Ahem…well, actually, when I started working on the current version of the game last summer.  I was brought aboard to see what I could offer in terms of working with the team to revitalize the franchise - not just deliver the agony and ecstasy of golf, but help make Links much more than just a golf sim.  This was the perfect task for me given this team’s tremendous passion and enthusiasm for golf, and I believe that my creativity, experience in the industry and desire to ship great games would complement the team perfectly.

LCC: What’s the best part of your new job?

RR: Working with so many talented individuals each day. This is a great team and we’re working hard to deliver the best Links experience to date!

LCC: Which do prefer: Links golf or real golf? If you play golf, do you have a handicap (What is it)?

RR: Oh, Links golf – no question about it!  I get frustrated less often and my language is much cleaner.  As far as my handicap, I would have to say “My Inability to Play.”

LCC: What’s your best score ever on a real golf course?

RR: Since the numbers are so ugly, let’s just say that when I scored par on three separate holes.  Look, I’m the first to admit that sounds terrible, but to me, it felt like Christmas.

LCC: What’s your favorite course? Favorite hole?

RR: I’d have to say Augusta and Amen Corner.

 LCC: What course would you most like to play?

RR: St Andrews – so I could feel the breeze as I experienced the birthplace of golf.

LCC: Who are some professional golfers you support, and why?

RR: I adore Annika Sorenstam.  Her courage and ability is truly remarkable.  In addition, I couldn’t be happier about Phil Mickelson’s recent successes as I’m a sucker for a great story.

LCC: What is your best score ever for 18 holes on a Links 2004 course?

RR: I’ve had better scores, but when we were playtesting the Ocean Mills Director’s Cut, I was so proud of my +4 – it left me grinning from ear to ear!

LCC: When you play video games for fun, which game or games do you most often play?

RR: Ignoring golf games for the moment, I love sports games (especially baseball), sports management games (such as Baseball Mogul and Out of the Park Baseball), wrestling games, strategy games and games that truly involve the player and personalize action so that the game’s story becomes YOUR story.

LCC: What can you tell us about future versions of the Links franchise, beginning with the Xbox version? What about the PC version? Are there plans to create a new edition of Links for PC?

RR: Unfortunately, I cannot go into specifics, but the Links we’re currently planning is going to blow the socks off of our hardcore fans!  We’re working on adding elements that make the game accessible to every one regardless of their skill level.  We’re going to deliver the most robust and exciting version of Links yet!  And as far as our PC friends, don’t worry, we have not forgotten you.  We’ve still got some things to get into place, but to paraphrase Arnold in The Terminator – We’ll be back!

LCC: What new technology or features would you like to let gamers know about?

RR: It’s hard to list all of the great ways that we’re improving the game, but I can do it by letting people know that we’re working on a variety of gameplay issues – not enough diversity in the A.I. (their shots all fall in the same place and Skins Play can be AGONY), not enough insight or excitement from our commentators (wait until you hear what we have next!) and our difficulty levels don’t nurture players enough (I want Beginner to end with the player competent at Intermediate) in order to make it easier to play online.  And what I have listed above is nothing compared to our BIG surprise!  Trust me when I say we have something exciting to roll out to our fans.

LCC: What are the plans for the “official” tours for both versions of the game? Are there going to be more tournaments? Better prizes? What can you tell us?

RR: Well, right now we’re working out a plan that will allow us to share some of the tremendous swag that was shared with us by our fantastic licensing partners.  We’ve still got some issues to work through, but as soon as we have news to share, we’ll pass it along.

LCC: When the next version of Links for the Xbox ships, how will it differ from the current Xbox version?

RR: It will be the best version of Links ever – best looking, best playing and have the most unique and interesting feature set!  Our long time fans will have an easy time introducing new players to the game with the hope that their love of Links will foster new Links fans throughout the world!  The development team truly believes that we’ll always be the best golf game for golf enthusiasts, but we also want to welcome casual players to come give our game a try!

LCC: Last question: Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore?

RR: Hmmmm, that’s a tough question as I find both quite funny, but I think that I’m going to have to give Caddyshack the edge as it’s much more quotable (and there are those who would say that gratuitous nudity never hurts, but of course I’m too much of a gentleman to ever be swayed in such a manner…).