Writing is hard. Writing interactive, multiple-choice games is harder. Good at turning a phrase? Excellent – now turn seven of them, all equally-well written, that make sense in four different contexts, as said by three different characters.
Writing is not the act of putting words on a page. It includes that, to be sure, but there is so much more to the process than simply creating the result. Your mind stretches and spaces out; thoughts drift away …
How Elegy for a Dead World Coaxes Forth Creativity Read more »
“Mommy, will you show me a bedtime story?” “Yes, dear. Now get ready for bed.” Charlie hops into bed, pulling the comforter tight over his little body. Wiggling his toes beneath the sheets in anticipation. Mommy opens the closet door …
Finishing things is hard. For all the brand new conveniences and leisure distractions available today, the harsh reality is that the world only values you for what you produce. This is largely true for game development – unless you’re backed …
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is widely regarded for its excellent writing. There’s a reason for this that may not exactly surprise you: its writing is excellent, and deserves to be studied as an exemplar of what game writing can …
The Lasting Excellence of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver’s Writing Read more »
Nothing can match the power of subtext. In almost any interaction between sentient beings, the things that go unsaid tend to be the most powerful. One reason for why this remains an innate human truth is the power of the …
Particle Mace: The Space Game About Selflessness Read more »
Maybe it was something a teacher said to you years ago, when you were still a child. Maybe a parent uttered an offhand comment that stayed with you, despite its seeming normalcy. Maybe a stranger muttered something to you on …
“How do you let people betray each other?” “How do you handle gay marriage?” “How do you get people to want to play?” No, the above aren’t results from a Google auto-complete gone wrong. These were just a few of …
PRACTICE Makes Better: Self-Improvement Through Game Design Read more »
It was my last day in Montreal. I had just finished lunch at a local landmark a friend had recommended. The rest of the day was wide open before a late flight back home to New York. I wandered for …
