BENEDIKT GRINDEL - Producer

In a nutshell

  • Date of birth:March 6, 1969
  • Residence:Düsseldorf
  • With Blue Byte since:April 2001

CV

  • Grew up in Münsterland, 1 year of High School in Minnesota/USA, Abitur (equivalent to high school diploma), mathematical studies (algebraic number theory, minor: BWL - business studies)
  • Several part-time jobs and internships, including editor (print + online), travel guide, advertising compositor and magician
  • First introduced to current job through position in marketing and distribution for a French carpeting manufacturer
  • With Ubi Soft since 1998, first in marketing (Product Management, Group Management, Group Marketing Director), from 2000 with subsidiary Ludiwap (later Ludigames, now Gameloft) as Business Development Manager
  • Since April 2001, Producer at Ubi Soft subsidiary Blue Byte

Motto

  • Be happy, do good things and let the dogs bark

Which computer game kicked off your passion for gaming?

  • The Settlers 2

Three games for the desert island

  • Heroes of Might and Magic 3, because it just is the best game
  • World of Warcraft, because I’d probably have the time then…
  • Minesweeper, because I still have to break Dietmar’s record

Your favourite multiplayer game

  • Doppelkopf (German card game)

The game you can’t wait for

  • The THE SETTLERS: Rise of an Empire

Your favourite website

The best day of your life

  • September 10, 2005

This movie can take you away

  • The Shawshank Redemption, Much Ado About Nothing, Amélie

This music grabs you

  • Dire Straits, Funny van Dannen, Johnny Cash, Lee Hazelwood

Your favourite book

  • The Royal Game by Stefan Zweig

Favourite activities besides computer and videogames

  • Olympic handball (active and passive)
  • Magic
  • Biking
  • Canoeing
  • Travelling (esp. North America)
  • Cooking
  • All card games, esp.Doppelkopf, Poker, Skat
  • Many board games, esp. Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride

This food lures you away from your computer

  • Italian food in (almost) all variations
  • Steak
  • Viennese escalope

Your dream job if not in the computer world

  • Tour operator

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