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Amongst the Little People No More |
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Many of us who are gamers and not just video gamers know the name Steve Jackson. He and his company have had numerous game hits such as Munchkin, Gurps, Ninja Burger and really just too many to list, spanning many non-digital game formats. So why would we find Steve at an independent video game development conference? What are the parallels? Could we actually see a Steve Jackson video game?
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Steve Jackson was on site at the Texas Independent Game Conference in Austin, Texas to head a discussion called “Lessons From the Old School.” A true gaming design icon to many, he drew quite an A-list crowd of attendees and free panelists alike. The paper gaming industry, as it can be called, is heavily populated with hundreds of independent, successful game developers. The most notable difference when looking at why paper gaming independents are so numerous is universal. It is just cheaper to produce and distribute paper games. There are also a lot more “mom and pop” paper gaming retailers compared to their digital cousins.
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So what do video game independents have to learn from Steve’s experience? Tons! Steve brought back the importance of a well played product. Not just tested, but played - something that many find to be lacking from the production houses that pump out titles on deadlines. Be true to what you as a developer and a player want to see. If you don’t like it, nobody else will. All of this is common sense, you say. Well yes it is, and it is also sometimes overlooked for deadlines and marketing. All of these things are universal to both paper and digital arenas. Both are striving to make great games, not just product.
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At the closing of his talk, Warren Spector put Steve directly on the spot about why he had never made a video game before. The question quite literally left him searching for words for a moment. When he collected himself, he said he was extremely interested in the notion. Warren further went on to say that it wasn’t like he didn’t know anyone to help him with the digital side of it. You could see Steve’s eyes dance while the engine in his head turned at the notion of being offered help to get it done. What did I just see? Could I have actually witnessed the birth of a Steve Jackson video game? Only time will tell. I am calling dibbs right now for the review, when it comes out.
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-WUMPUSJAGGER, GameVortex Communications AKA Bryon Lloyd |
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