Obsidian at PAX Prime 2011

[funcroc]

http://prime.paxsite.com/schedule.php

 

The Agony and Ecstasy of RPG Writing

Kraken Theatre

Saturday 12:00pm - 1:00pm

 

More than any other genre, role-playing games are known for their story - such that their success may entirely depend on it! But how do you wrangle scripts that may clock in at thousands of lines? How do you organize complex webs of character choices? And how do you manage to create unique and memorable characters after you've already made dozens?! Join an array of game writer/designers to hear them share their knowledge and tales of triumph and tragedy.

 

Panelists include: John Gonzales [Writer, Warner Bros], Travis Stout [Writer/Designer, Obsidian Entertainment], Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda [Content Designer, ArenaNet], Brian Mitsoda [Creative Director, DoubleBear Productions]

Obsidian's current employee Travis Stout and three ex-Obsidian employees... interesting mixture of panelists

 

 

Resumes, Cover Letters and Websites

Kraken Theatre

Friday 12:00pm - 1:00pm

 

How many times have you submitted your work to a game studio only to get a rejection letter or no response at all?

 

If this is the case please come to our Resumes, Cover Letters and Websites panel where Jim Rivers Hiring Manager for Obsidian Entertainment, Lindsey McQueeney Internal Recruiter for Big Huge Games/38 Studios and Dino McGraw Manager of Global Staffing for Foundation 9/Double Helix will explain step by step how to write a resume, cover letter and layout a website for submission to a game studio.

 

We will cover tips and tricks on how to get past the front line of defense of the game industry.

 

Panelists include: Dino McGraw [Manager of Global Staffing, Foundation 9/Double Helix], Lindsey McQueeney [internal Recruiter, Big Huge Games/38 Studios], Jim Rivers [Hiring Manager, Obsidian Entertainment]

Edited August 6, 2011 by funcroc

[ShadowScythe]

John Gonzales doesn't work at Obsidian anymore? I thought he was the guy who wrote the Survivalist's log in Honest Hearts.

[C2B]

Nevermind

Edited August 6, 2011 by C2B

[WorstUsernameEver]

John Gonzales doesn't work at Obsidian anymore? I thought he was the guy who wrote the Survivalist's log in Honest Hearts.

 

He doesn't. Honest Hearts was done a long time before it was published anyway, so it's not exactly surprising that he could have worked on it.

[funcroc]

OT: John Gonzalez's profile at PAX Dev site

 

John Gonzalez

Before joining WB Games in Kirkland as the Lead Narrative Designer of an unannounced game, John was the Lead Writer and Lead Creative Designer of Fallout: New Vegas at Obsidian Entertainment. His other credits include Tom Clancy's EndWar and Alter Echo.

Edited August 6, 2011 by funcroc

[funcroc]

http://twitter.com/#!/offby1

 

- The process of writing for RPGs seems just nuts. The time scales and complexity of the process. Plus: "vague specificity". #pax2011

 

- "You say sterotype, I say well-honed narrative device" ― Travis Stout (Obsidian Entertainment) #PAX2011

Edited August 27, 2011 by funcroc

[funcroc]

PAX 2011: RPG writers spill their secrets (via Gamespot)

[WorstUsernameEver]

Reading the comments to the article I feel like I'm taking a trip through a bizarro land where Mass Effect 2 had a good story and Obsidian has only written Neverwinter Nights 2 and Storm of Zehir.

[MechanicalLemon]

Reading the comments to the article I feel like I'm taking a trip through a bizarro land where Mass Effect 2 had a good story and Obsidian has only written Neverwinter Nights 2 and Storm of Zehir.

 

The comments make me sad. Gamers in general prefer a more "epic" story over a personal/subdued narrative (e.g. FO3 fans arguing FO3 had a better story than FNV because of "epic" moments like Liberty Prime). It's the same reason why the Transformers movies are so financially successful.

[WorstUsernameEver]

F:NV didn't generally have a really good narrative (compared to MotB or even Dungeon Siege III), but it made up in dialogue and player agency. Plus, it's compared to the awful Fallout 3 narrative, so there's that too.

[Wombat]

Reading the comments to the article I feel like I'm taking a trip through a bizarro land where Mass Effect 2 had a good story and Obsidian has only written Neverwinter Nights 2 and Storm of Zehir.

 

The comments make me sad. Gamers in general prefer a more "epic" story over a personal/subdued narrative (e.g. FO3 fans arguing FO3 had a better story than FNV because of "epic" moments like Liberty Prime). It's the same reason why the Transformers movies are so financially successful.

Not news to me. If I were just following narrative, I'd rather watch movies or could play even JRPG.

 

F:NV didn't generally have a really good narrative (compared to MotB or even Dungeon Siege III), but it made up in dialogue and player agency. Plus, it's compared to the awful Fallout 3 narrative, so there's that too.

Also, NV has some memorable characters, too.

[pmp10]

Reading the comments to the article I feel like I'm taking a trip through a bizarro land where Mass Effect 2 had a good story and Obsidian has only written Neverwinter Nights 2 and Storm of Zehir.

 

The comments make me sad. Gamers in general prefer a more "epic" story over a personal/subdued narrative (e.g. FO3 fans arguing FO3 had a better story than FNV because of "epic" moments like Liberty Prime). It's the same reason why the Transformers movies are so financially successful.

Not news to me. If I were just following narrative, I'd rather watch movies or could play even JRPG.

You are essentially following a narrative in any type of game that presents a storyline.

It's just that gaming standards for it's handling are so poor that people apparently think it's something only JRPGs have.

The whole reason for aiming at that 'epic' style is because designer cannot create any emotional reaction in the player.

All they can try is dropping giant monster or pushing giant world-changing battles to instill at least some notion of wonder.

F:NV didn't generally have a really good narrative (compared to MotB or even Dungeon Siege III), but it made up in dialogue and player agency. Plus, it's compared to the awful Fallout 3 narrative, so there's that too.

Also, NV has some memorable characters, too.

Such as?

[Wombat]

It's just that gaming standards for it's handling are so poor that people apparently think it's something only JRPGs have.

The whole reason for aiming at that 'epic' style is because designer cannot create any emotional reaction in the player.

I simply used "JRPG" as a typical example of fixed story line + party combat but I do know some exceptions.

 

The whole reason for aiming at that 'epic' style is because designer cannot create any emotional reaction in the player.

All they can try is dropping giant monster or pushing giant world-changing battles to instill at least some notion of wonder.

I guess I should be just happy with having not played the games you seem to have... Wonder if it has something to do with the fact I stopped playing Bioware games...

 

I cannot follow what you are trying to say here, but if you are implying something like: some games follow Hollywood pop movie standard which rely on spectacles and gorgeous CGs than insight to a situation and/or people in that, then, I can agree with you.

 

Also, NV has some memorable characters, too.

Such as?

If they haven't come across with you, then, our opinions are different. However, I don't expect much emotional ties to NPCs in FO series...it has a different approach compared with something like Planescape: Torment, IMO (Yea, still poking around bushes to figure out what you are saying).

[pmp10]

I'm just pointing out that western developers have given up on improving gaming narrative about a decade ago.

That's why aiming at 'epic' in narrative/storyline has become the standard.

[funcroc]

OT: http://www.facebook.com/GameCreatorsVault/...263090213710357

 

An interview with Obsidian Entertainment's Hiring Manager Jim Rivers is coming soon to our channel! This week in fact! Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on all our videos! (Sollitto)