J Allard Crashes

[Borys]

Major Nelson, one of Xbox Live's developers, posted an update on his blog (http://www.majornelson.com/2005/08/12/j-allard-injury-report/#comments) on the recent bike accident that happened to his colleague - J Allard (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/jallard/default.mspx) (Chief XNA Architect).

A few of you have emailed me asking what is up w/ J Allard and his injury. In case you have not heard, he broke his left arms radius and scaphoid. He stopped by my office today and told me about it. It was a pretty nasty fall he took while mountain biking up in Whistler, B.C. In addition to the damage to his left arm, he also cracked a couple of ribs. Below are photos that J took of himself (with his camera phone) when he was in the ER getting treated. (On a side note, he was biking with another member of the Xbox team who separately on another run broke his LEFT hand.)

We each send and receive a lot of mail at Microsoft…and J Allard is no different. He and I were chatting, and he said since he can only type with one hand, it’s REALLY hard for him to send emails. Does anyone know of a T9 driver that J can download for his PC? That would be a perfect solution for him to type with one hand until the other mends. The good news is that this won’t affect the launch of the Xbox 360 at all.
You can check Allard's aftercrash photos by going straight to quoted news.

Well it's good that it's nothing serious and he will get well pretty fast.

On a sidenote: Normally I would quote news from more objective sources, like my favourite GameSpot for example. Howewer their take on this story is everything but objective (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/12/news_6131006.html) - pretty childlish to be honest.

[Hellstorm]

The truth is Reggie kicked his ass, took his name, broke his arm, and cracked a few ribs.

[lpmiller]

gamespot must have pulled it, because the link doesn't work.

[51|RandoM]

I wonder how much insurance companies like Microsoft have for incidents like this involving key staff?

[Mr.Green]

No, it's there. Borys is just HTML challenged. ;)

Here's the gem:
What we heard: J Allard's extreme makeover isn't limited to just wearing some nifty clothes and cleaning the old dome. Real cool kids would see straight through that feeble attempt by PR people. No, in order to really get in with the hip kids, one has to do something...EXTREME! Allard's mountain biking fetish has been documented before. The Xbox guru, in a strange metaphorical coincidence, apparently likes biking uphill more than downhill. With the upcoming Xbox 360 launch nearing, Allard's method of stress relief is needed more than ever. Recently, reports surfaced that J took a spill and ended up in an emergency room. The word from a Microsoft spokesperson: "J broke his wrist in a mountain biking accident. He's doing A-OK." It's unclear whether J was performing 360's at the time.
Typical case of a fat nerd with an inferiority complex towards anything that moves. ;)

[Mrbunchypants]

For those that don't know Whistler in B.C. is a ski hill durning the winter in the summer it opens up as a mountain bike place. I've skied there a few times it has some nasty drops.

Hope he heals fast.

[Zeal]

That's what he gets for wearing a hoody under a business jacket.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE FOOLING, MR. ALLARD?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE FOOLING?!!!!

::insert planted crowd here::

[Savok]

Ouch, he should stick to piracy on the high seas.

And can't they just get him something so he can dictate to his laptop? He works for MS for christ sake, they make this shit.

[Ravana]

Ouch, he should stick to piracy on the high seas.

And can't they just get him something so he can dictate to his laptop? He works for MS for christ sake, they make this shit.
They're only allowed to email at Microsoft, no speaking allowed.
Spies might overhear :eek:

seriously though, this is Microsoft. I would've thought he wouldn't be able to get into his office because the door is barricaded with dication software boxes . Hell, if I worked there and sprained my pinky, I'd be dictating to Jessica Alba while seated on a chair made of hookers.

[Rafer]

Allard then and now. (http://www.geekonstun.com/mt/archives/hd_allard_050605.html)

It's nice to hear he's exercising though, a lot of people in the game industry could probably benefit from some time on a mountain bike.

[51|RandoM]

All it takes is one girlfriend to go from old allard to new allard, I've seen it 10 times if I've seen it once. :-)

[Morrolan]

When I read 'J Allard Crashes' I thought maybe he had come down from his speed high. :p

Really though, I hope he gets well soon.

[bapenguin]

I love people that trash talk him because he shaved his head and got an earring and lost some weight. My uncle did the same thing when he turned 55.

[bKangy]

They trash him out of jealousy and bitterness.

[Borys]

I love people that trash talk him because he shaved his head and got an earring and lost some weight. My uncle did the same thing when he turned 55.

Nah, they trash him because he is famous, rich and behind Xbox.

Typical human jealousy.

[kathode]

Allard then and now. (http://www.geekonstun.com/mt/archives/hd_allard_050605.html)

It's nice to hear he's exercising though, a lot of people in the game industry could probably benefit from some time on a mountain bike.
Looks like a tremendous improvement to me.

[Heretic Machine]

Ya, real cool guys, let's make fun of the dude for wanting to get laid.

[Varsity]

Allard then and now. (http://www.geekonstun.com/mt/archives/hd_allard_050605.html)
:eek:, just :eek:.

[baz]

I didn't think the gamespot article was that bad, I don't think they meant to be mean rather they were just having a little fun.

[Kelegacy]

Allard then and now. (http://www.geekonstun.com/mt/archives/hd_allard_050605.html)

It's nice to hear he's exercising though, a lot of people in the game industry could probably benefit from some time on a mountain bike.

Holy crap. I had no idea what he looked like before. That's actually pretty frigging funny! He looks older THEN then he does now. And three times as geekish. The Queer Eye certainly jumped his bones.

I think many of us gamers could follow J's new diet revolution/makeover and shed some unwanted lbs, crazy hair, and wrinkled clothing. I was 150 lbs soaking wet in high school but I balloned up to 210 when I started working post-college. Thankfully I've cut back on the junk and I'm back down to a respectable weight. Beer and sitting on your ass gaming and forgetting about exercise really does it to ya. That said, I sure would like to lose some more weight but Mr. Hops wont let me. Plus I always fall off the diet wagon in the summer...too many BBQ's and parched days that warrant beer drinking.

[Kelegacy]

I love people that trash talk him because he shaved his head and got an earring and lost some weight. My uncle did the same thing when he turned 55.

That's called a midlife crisis.

[Dirty Harry]

I love people that trash talk him because he shaved his head and got an earring and lost some weight. My uncle did the same thing when he turned 55.
So he became gay and joined the navy aswell :rolleyes: (much <3)

[Draft]

Hahah, people make fun of J. Allard because he tries to hard.

Hoody under sportsjacket? Super bald head? The earing? Classic early mid life crisis.

[Mr.Green]

So he became gay and joined the navy aswell :rolleyes: (much <3)
LOLOLOL he's gaEy!!!!1!

*sigh*

If only that Jack Thompson freak could whine enough to make the internet AO...

[Chill]

For those that don't know Whistler in B.C. is a ski hill durning the winter in the summer it opens up as a mountain bike place. I've skied there a few times it has some nasty drops.

Hope he heals fast.

I've been to Whistler/Blackcomb a few times in the winter and summer, and I think its the best mountain (and town) in North America. But really crazy downhill mountain biking in the summer. The top of the mountain is always covered in snow all year round. I flipped over twice and ran off the trail a few times. Then almost got attacked by a black bear. Best vacation in recent memory.

[bKangy]

I think many of us gamers could follow J's new diet revolution/makeover and shed some unwanted lbs, crazy hair, and wrinkled clothing.

Yep, I've pretty much done the same. Guess what? It works. There's a whole world of people who aren't so much afraid of the brains, games and /., but actually just get scared off by the all black clothes and long, greasy hair. Shallow as it may be, it's certainly more fun. Heck, I even met friends who were interested in playing Risk and WoW through socialising a little more.

[mister_slim]

I've been to Whistler/Blackcomb a few times in the winter and summer, and I think its the best mountain (and town) in North America. But really crazy downhill mountain biking in the summer. The top of the mountain is always covered in snow all year round. I flipped over twice and ran off the trail a few times. Then almost got attacked by a black bear. Best vacation in recent memory.
Almost attacked by a black bear? Sounds like my childhood.

Whistler does sound like fun. Maybe I should start setting aside some money for a snowboarding trip.

[51|RandoM]

I think many of us gamers could follow J's new diet revolution/makeover and shed some unwanted lbs, crazy hair, and wrinkled clothing. I was 150 lbs soaking wet in high school but I balloned up to 210 when I started working post-college. Thankfully I've cut back on the junk and I'm back down to a respectable weight. Beer and sitting on your ass gaming and forgetting about exercise really does it to ya. That said, I sure would like to lose some more weight but Mr. Hops wont let me. Plus I always fall off the diet wagon in the summer...too many BBQ's and parched days that warrant beer drinking.

Your weight may have nothing to do with gaming, drinking beer, and a lack of excercise. I eat what I want, drink what I want, game for ridiculous hours and the only time I get any real exercise is when I get laid. I'm the same weight I was when I got out of high school 18 years ago, 165 pounds. Only time I ever put on weight is when I have a girlfriend who is a good cook. Even then, it amounts to about 5 pounds of extra weight.

My friends keep telling me, "oh when you hit ## age, you'll have to start watching your weight." They told me that at 25, lol, 30, 35... and nothing changes.

Grey hair, on the other hand, I've had since mid-20s, go figure. :-)

[bapenguin]

That's called a midlife crisis.

My point exactly.

[Kelegacy]

Your weight may have nothing to do with gaming, drinking beer, and a lack of excercise. I eat what I want, drink what I want, game for ridiculous hours and the only time I get any real exercise is when I get laid. I'm the same weight I was when I got out of high school 18 years ago, 165 pounds. Only time I ever put on weight is when I have a girlfriend who is a good cook. Even then, it amounts to about 5 pounds of extra weight.

My friends keep telling me, "oh when you hit ## age, you'll have to start watching your weight." They told me that at 25, lol, 30, 35... and nothing changes.

Grey hair, on the other hand, I've had since mid-20s, go figure. :-)

My weight? I dont think of myself as fat because I wear it so damned well. I have a picture in the "Meet an EA Member" thread here somewhere. I am about 190 now, but i was 180 a month ago due to food poisoning. I am only about 5'11, so my weight should be around the low 180's for the upper ranges of the 1950's weight criteria. So, I"m overweight. My belly is where it all accumulates...but I still am a rugged bastard. In the winter I usually drop 20 lbs due to diet and exercise, but the summer I seem to stop because I am more active in the summer and probably think that because I play softball and swim I can eat whatever I want.

Before I went to college I could eat anything and not gain a pound. Now, I have to worry about what I eat. Do you know how many calories are in a vagina????

[Dirty Harry]

there are people outside, who play videos games? what the fuckkk?

[Mac]

They trash him out of jealousy and bitterness.
Yeah, I agree. The dude looks good, sheesh, who made you guys judge, jury and executioner? Give him a pass.

[51|RandoM]

Yeah, I agree. The dude looks good, sheesh, who made you guys judge, jury and executioner? Give him a pass.

You really think he looks good? You don't find yourself saying "arrr!" for no reason and staring at mens' asses, do you?

The image issue isn't how he looks, fyi, it is that people feel the look was engineered specifically to have a hipster on the xbox frontline, not out of any personal agenda. Who knows if this is even the case, but the fact that he is obviously trying way too hard earns him quite a bit of disrespect. He is like the guy with a 31 tattoo who wanted a 13.

Using sex to sell your product is a time-honored tradition, but you usually pick sex objects that appeal to your main customer group. I don't believe the target audience for x-box is made up of gay pirates, but I could be wrong.

[Mac]

Yeah, he looks fine. Shit, a lot better than he looked then he did in that first picture. I'm secure enough to say that.

[baz]

Shit, computer games and excercise are no way mutually exclusive. I go to the gym 4 days a week, bike to work, play basketball and rugby and still play games for 20 hours+ each week.

The gaming demiographic is every bit as varied as any other, its just that people love steriotypes...

[51|RandoM]

http://www.hypebox360.com/jokes/102

I found the real answer, lol.

[Bushido]

He prolly got jumped by some rowdy canadians. If I saw that nerd I'd beat him up for his lunch money.

[Dracula-X]

http://www.hypebox360.com/jokes/102

I found the real answer, lol.
ok, this made my day :) The last caption is killer.

[Mr.Green]

He prolly got jumped by some rowdy canadians. If I saw that nerd I'd beat him up for his lunch money.
Says the nerd with a blog and the name of his mmorpg character in his videogaming forum signature. :rolleyes:

[Mister Pie]

Wow, I never knew what he looked like before. I never knew clothes and hairstyle could make that huge a difference on percieved age. He actually looks younger in the later pictures.

[Bushido]

Says the nerd with a blog and the name of his mmorpg character in his videogaming forum signature. :rolleyes:


I hafta feed my habits man, that guy is rich and weak. I gank in game too.

[Oblivion]

WHO GIVES A FUCK!!!


man...