TentamusDarkblade

do you use a template format or one of your own making?

Ah... now I'm beginning to understand. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> priceless

also, I'd recommend just straight out designing stuff. Write write write. I've written a couple design docs just to get the feeling down on how to format them, what to include, etc. Mostly they're just great mental exercise about getting an idea and following it through to it's completion...then tearing it apart for balancing, fun factor, and technology limitations

I'd recommend classes on creative and technical writing Sociology, phsychology, or philosophy (gives you good insight into character creation and player mindsets/reactions) History (best stories already happened, look into them) Excel and Word classes I'd also suggest playing with scripting tools and become familiar with learning new scripting languages. It helps when learning new tools used in design.

i'm sorry, but his portraits - for a CRPG - suck. He puts too much character in the portrait, not leaving alot of room for the player to impose his idea of the character into the portrait. I have that gripe with all of the IWD 1 and 2 portraits.

a design credit in either Pen and Paper or in games. Some folks get it though mods, but they're generally massively successful mods. It's a catch 22...you have to be a designer to become a designer. Internships or side stepping into the role is a good way to get into a jr. design position. I'd recommend the side-step method, because it gives you a better exposure to alot more elements of game creation (plus the interns i work with do all the crap database work) Hope that helps

wait...you mean that doesn't work?

are you kidding...anyone who's been a regular around the BIS crew must have the patience of a saint. I mean, who else could put up with years of Gromnir's orc-speak, Visc's doom-predictions, you ever-popular anti-whining spam, and the other assorted loose nuts eccentric qualities :D

i found a 10 dollar copy at Walmart. Generally, i say screw walmart and don't shop there...but it seems to be the only retail outlet still carrying it.

no no...i'm harmless. If i haven't killed Visc after all these years then i'd say any murderous desires i might have are well controlled.

whats this "would-be" crap

i want his head on a Pike. He's butchered episode 1 and 2, and is poised to do the same thing again with 3. Somebody needs to stop him before it's too late....

Bioware had seasoned programmers and an established publishing branch behind them. Both of which are vital. Can you write a pitch doc? Do you know who to contact regarding funding? Are you prepared to offer salary positions to your workers? What about profit sharing? Do you have lawyers on retainer for IP Negotiations? Do you have a Technical requirement doc yet? How about a design bible? Are you prepared to take out a small business loan to see this through? If you can't answer those questions or simply don't understand them, then you seriously need to take a step back and learn more about the gaming industry. Games in the NWN and KOTOR level have cost estimates that runs in the million and above catagory. That's alot of scratch for you to raise for yourself and an insane amount for you to expect a publisher to front you. Intern somewhere, take some classes, do some mods in your free time...then come back to your game studio idea.

totally gaming network i thinkhas one on it. Also, GameDev.net might have links to some

well, if your leading a project...you've just stopped being a designer and have become a producer. First step you should work on is how you project yourself to others. Slow down, take time to spell and form your sentances. Stop using shorthand netspeak like "neways", just say "Anyway". I still stand by saying that you should intern at a game studio first, but if you're still gun-ho then go look at the Totally Gaming Network link i posted before. They offer free engines and offer publishing solutions to small, independent studios. You should be able to get some of the tools you'll need there.

I thought that Lucasarts originally alluded to a feburary release date for both? So they're releasing the Xbox version earlier, which makes sense since the Xbox is an easier to develop on compared to the PC. What's the big deal? The PC gamers still get the game when it was hinted at being released before. Basically, it seems folks are pissed because someone else gets the game before they do. If so, that's a remarkable weak reason to get in a huff.

you've got the right passion, but you don't have even the rudimentary knowledge you're going to need. Make a mod or too, create a super basic game like light cycles or space invaders, get a job with a game company...any of these things would offer you a huge step forward. There are always spots open for scripting interns and level design interns at game studios around my area, so i'm pretty sure you could find one around yours. I've been in the game industry as a QA tester on both the publisher and development side for 3 years. I'll be moving to design at the end of this year. Everyday i learn something new about the industry and i know i'll continue learning more as i go along.

Game Developer Network Gamasutra Total Gaming Network these sites should provide some more information for ya.

define normal. A game like Fable cost upwards around a couple million to produce. The games from Spiderweb Software probably cost a fraction of that. There's a pretty big range on what kind of cash you'r going to spend in producing a game. Unknown, but i'm pretty sure that it's gonna cost a pretty penny. That depends on if Bioware is planning on allowing outside developers to use their engine. Engines, depending on quality and freshness, range anywhere from Free to the 100k mark.

I'd recommend that you get a job working as an intern with a local game studio or get a job doing QA work. You honestly need to see how the game industry works before you get too into your project. Also, Ender's right. You should try to get a mod done first. It's good practice for your team, to see where your strengths lie and it also shows that you have teh planning and managerial ability to pull your team together to actually create something.

do you have experience in the game industry? Have you worked on any shipped titles, in any genre? Do you have any Pen and Paper game writing experience?

Herve Caen Vs. The Fallout community Today's Al Pacino Vs. Scarface Al Pacino The Bush Girls Vs. The Kerry Girls in a mudwrestling match Jessica Simpson Vs. Britney Spears Vs. Christina Aguilara in a spelling bee....nude The Rock Vs. Vin Deisel The Pirahnas from "Pirahna!" Vs. Jaws

anyone remember the old BIS photo album?

Yeah, very solid rig. Only weak point is the graphics card, but thats an easy fix.

Edmonds, Washington USA Down the way from ole' Billy Gates.