J.E. Sawyer interview

[funcroc]

http://www.rpgcodex.com/content.php?id=127

 

1. What's your definition of RPG? What features are important to you and why?

 

I think the ability to make personality choices through my character that influence the outcome of things in the world is the only requirement for a game to be an RPG.

 

I don't think that the character I play needs to be one invented by me, but I have to be in control of aspects of that character's personality. And the way in which I choose to express that character's personality needs to have significant effects on the state of the world. The more the world reacts to my character's personality, the better.

 

I do not think that item collection, stat screens, combat style, or the presence of a lot of dialogue make a game an RPG. Using this definition, I've never shipped a game with strong RPG elements.

Edited March 17, 2006 by funcroc

[Haitoku]

Good read, I especially like the last question.

[baby arm]

That's a totally fake interview. VD just answered all the questions himself. The scary thing is, he actually believes he's Sawyer and sometimes even David Gaider. We plan to do an intervention soon (don't tell VD).

[mr insomniac]

I'm still maintaining a wait-and-see attitude about Bethesda's Fallout game, but dayum... <curses Caen again>

 

Also liked what was said about whether there can be too much text in a game.

[Pagan]

Good read, and definitely better than their last one.

[kirottu]

Mormons?

 

Totally awesomness!

[Stephen Amber]

Mormons?

 

Totally awesomness! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I agree. Leave it to the wacky mormons to survive... Shooting up mormons might not have been the most politically correct thing to have in a game, though.

Edited March 17, 2006 by Stephen Amber

[Meshugger]

Long time ago, answering a question about the future of RPGs at NMA, you said that they are going "straight to hell" and that "Troika is one of the last pure PC RPG developer in the U.S." How would you answer the same question today?

 

To my knowledge there are no pure PC RPG developers left outside of very small outfits like Spiderweb Software.

 

Welcome to hell!

 

Haha :D

[CoM_Solaufein]

That's a totally fake interview. VD just answered all the questions himself. The scary thing is, he actually believes he's Sawyer and sometimes even David Gaider. We plan to do an intervention soon (don't tell VD).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well we will know for certain once Josh logs on here.

[Judge Hades]

It wouldn't surprise me if it is a fake interview.

[Dark_Raven]

Mr. Sawyer. We shall wait and see if Mr. Sawyer will confirm the interview is legit or not.

[Nartwak]

Sawyer passed through earlier without leaving a comment.

[Vaultman]

It wouldn't surprise me if it is a fake interview.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The interview is fake. A person by the name of JE Sawyer doesn't exist.

[Judge Hades]

If you say so.

[Ellester]

It wouldn't surprise me if it is a fake interview.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The interview is fake. A person by the name of JE Sawyer doesn't exist.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK VD has confirmed it's a fake. Nothing here people, move along...

[J.E. Sawyer]

I think a fraudulent interview would be a little more risky in what it said.

[Meshugger]

I think a fraudulent interview would be a little more risky in what it said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

So, how's life in Hell?

[Judge Hades]

I think a fraudulent interview would be a little more risky in what it said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That is not a confirmation or a denial.

 

I simply said it wouldn't surprise me that it would be fake, not that I think it is.

[Antagonist]

Mr. Sawyer once again wins the first price for integrity in interviews. Good stuff.

[Judge Hades]

Come now Visceris, I'm sure a lot of us here know the reason you keep on whining about the codex. Something about Spazmo PMing you some fun images, must have been intriguing after what 15 years of no sex.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hey, you are the one who brought up the gay porn not I. I place RPG Codex as credible as any other Internet gaming news site. Take that as you will.

[metadigital]

The development of Icewind Dale II was like putting thirty people in a Mack truck that had just been pushed down a mountainside. We all just tried to stop it before it reached the bottom and destroyed everyone inside.

 

And so that differs not a jot from all other game development only in scale (plus or minus thirty people)? work carried out by small groups in large companies"

[Shadowstrider]

I know it is impossible, but could we please have a thread with "RPG Codex" mentioned that doesn't devolve into name calling and poop-flinging?

[Judge Hades]

I would think it would be easier to get out of the truck and run for your lives but that is just me. In any even the days of the pure RPG on the electronic form is dead and gone with the exception of small development houses, but I think that Obsidian can do a good job of it for with what they have to work with.

 

At least better than what they had toward the end of Black Isle by the looks of it.

Edited March 17, 2006 by Judge Hades

[Judge Hades]

I know it is impossible, but could we please have a thread with "RPG Codex" mentioned that doesn't devolve into name calling and poop-flinging?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I fully agree.

[metadigital]

*Meta casts Level 3 Repair (repairo, for those Harry Potter Fans)*

 

 

Topic pruned. Please keep posting on topic.