Adventure Gamers' "Developer's Desk" series features articles by industry insiders giving their perspective on the ins and outs of the gaming industry. The second installment in the series has just been released, and is written by none other than our own Aaron Conners.
Check it out at http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,1061!
Check it out at http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,1061!
That was a great read...
I love the VGA remark... lol VGA was a freakin’ acid trip!
I love the VGA remark... lol VGA was a freakin’ acid trip!
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Damn I am late to the party again. I found the article to be incredibly insightful. I guess a resounding “no duh” is in order for that observation.
But he’s right, the industry has changed in the last 20 years. No one wants to wander around lost aimlessly anymore in a game, trying to figure out what to do. You’ve got to grab your audience quickly and hook them, moving forward, because there’s another dozen or more titles available at the simple click of a button. Much like the music and TV industry. There’s an almost unlimited amount of choices, but makes it harder to have a “collective experience” for lack of a better phrase.
What’s the good and bad side of this? Well the good is that you can find just about anything you want, but it’s harder to find someone to share it with. Everyone I knew listened to Michael Jackson is his heyday, but I’d be hard pressed to find someone in this day and age that can match his widespread appeal. Not when the music stores are as big as warehouses.
Jeez Jen where are you going with this? Sorry, let me get to my point. I think it’s harder for the guys now. Almost everyone I knew played Myst, whether they liked it or not, but I’m pulling a big zero to find anyone that’s played the same handful of titles. I think focusing on story based games is perfect for them. Strong stories can transcend genres, and maybe bring a following of new gamers into the fold to boot. I can only hope!!! (End loquacious hyperbole.)
I agree wholeheartedly with you Joilet Jane, Aaron’s approachability, and willingness to share his expertise and insight to the reality of the industry is unheard of. I, as you, look up to him, but then I’d have to, he’s 6’5 or 6’6 to my measly 5’4!
Why was AC credited in the article with having worked on Brute Force? His name doesn't show up in that game manual's credits.
And what other post-Access, pre-Big Finish games has he worked on aside from Amped 3 & (maybe) Brute Force?
Not that I have the inside scoop or anything, (make mine Fudge ripple please) but he did work for Micro-smurf for over 5 years under the ethereal title of “User Experience lead”. He did a ton of technical writing and user manuals, along with storyline and dialogue. Freelancer, Brute Force, Age of Empires, Top Spin, and Inside Pitch were titles bantered around. And somehow I think he might have been brought in as a “gunslinger” to tighten up and make camera ready projects that fell under the MS umbrella. That last bit is purely speculation on my part, the former, internet digging brought to light.
Oh BTW, there’s a Tex Murphy thread on the Adventure forum right now towards the top, maybe we should go and “represent”! Night guys (and gal)!!!!
But he’s right, the industry has changed in the last 20 years. No one wants to wander around lost aimlessly anymore in a game, trying to figure out what to do. You’ve got to grab your audience quickly and hook them, moving forward, because there’s another dozen or more titles available at the simple click of a button. Much like the music and TV industry. There’s an almost unlimited amount of choices, but makes it harder to have a “collective experience” for lack of a better phrase.
What’s the good and bad side of this? Well the good is that you can find just about anything you want, but it’s harder to find someone to share it with. Everyone I knew listened to Michael Jackson is his heyday, but I’d be hard pressed to find someone in this day and age that can match his widespread appeal. Not when the music stores are as big as warehouses.
Jeez Jen where are you going with this? Sorry, let me get to my point. I think it’s harder for the guys now. Almost everyone I knew played Myst, whether they liked it or not, but I’m pulling a big zero to find anyone that’s played the same handful of titles. I think focusing on story based games is perfect for them. Strong stories can transcend genres, and maybe bring a following of new gamers into the fold to boot. I can only hope!!! (End loquacious hyperbole.)
I agree wholeheartedly with you Joilet Jane, Aaron’s approachability, and willingness to share his expertise and insight to the reality of the industry is unheard of. I, as you, look up to him, but then I’d have to, he’s 6’5 or 6’6 to my measly 5’4!
Why was AC credited in the article with having worked on Brute Force? His name doesn't show up in that game manual's credits.
And what other post-Access, pre-Big Finish games has he worked on aside from Amped 3 & (maybe) Brute Force?
Not that I have the inside scoop or anything, (make mine Fudge ripple please) but he did work for Micro-smurf for over 5 years under the ethereal title of “User Experience lead”. He did a ton of technical writing and user manuals, along with storyline and dialogue. Freelancer, Brute Force, Age of Empires, Top Spin, and Inside Pitch were titles bantered around. And somehow I think he might have been brought in as a “gunslinger” to tighten up and make camera ready projects that fell under the MS umbrella. That last bit is purely speculation on my part, the former, internet digging brought to light.
Oh BTW, there’s a Tex Murphy thread on the Adventure forum right now towards the top, maybe we should go and “represent”! Night guys (and gal)!!!!