ZeroCougar wrote on May 7, 2013, 07:16:
Boy, I wonder why Will? Maybe its cause your creations helped muster in the age of ultra casual gamers, with the games you made. The Sims:Epic DLC's editions come to mind right away.

I would blanket statement and just say, its like the pot calling the kettle, black. He is the last person to talk about anything, unless its an apology.

Love your avatar dude.

Prez wrote on May 7, 2013, 01:31:
Spore didn't help much there William. That was one of the biggest letdowns in the last 20 years. Hell, Peter Molyneux could learn a thing or two about how to over-hype and under-deliver from that "game".

The sad thing is that Spore looked really compelling in previews until they decided to pare it down to its barest elements to cater to a mass audience.

Boy, I wonder why Will? Maybe its cause your creations helped muster in the age of ultra casual gamers, with the games you made. The Sims:Epic DLC's editions come to mind right away.

I would blanket statement and just say, its like the pot calling the kettle, black. He is the last person to talk about anything, unless its an apology.

Wright is a master of schlock IMO. Reality TV is popular but that doesn't make it good. Same with his games.

Prez wrote on May 7, 2013, 01:31:
Spore didn't help much there William. That was one of the biggest letdowns in the last 20 years. Hell, Peter Molyneux could learn a thing or two about how to over-hype and under-deliver from that "game".

Just like musicians, where not all the tracks an artists produces on an album will be the greatest can be applied to games. Not every game from a respected game designer is going to be a masterpiece. You have the one-hit wonders, or just a few that are really good and there might some or a lot of crap in between.

Spore didn't help much there William. That was one of the biggest letdowns in the last 20 years. Hell, Peter Molyneux could learn a thing or two about how to over-hype and under-deliver from that "game".

I think what he meant to say was SimCity:Unfinished Edition fell way short as a medium.

Cutter wrote on May 6, 2013, 19:25:

"No game designer ever went wrong by overestimating the narcissism of their players," Wright said, alluding to H.L. Mencken's famous quote, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." By that, Wright meant that it's important to give players a chance to share (or show off) their progress and achievements in a game.

Oh really? I don't give a shit about virtual achievements or have any need to share my progress in a game. What a completely asinine blanket statement. And who the hell is a fluff designer like Wright to talk about what's falling short as a medium? Jesus, the ego on the guy.

What the hell are you talking about? Did you ever hear of a multiplayer game? Nothing he said had anything to do with what you're even implying.

"No game designer ever went wrong by overestimating the narcissism of their players," Wright said, alluding to H.L. Mencken's famous quote, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." By that, Wright meant that it's important to give players a chance to share (or show off) their progress and achievements in a game.

I wonder if the article's author's interpretation of the quote was correct. Narcissism (can but) doesn't necessarily mean you need to flaunt or publish your accomplishments; but it does, at least I think, imply you need that sense of wanting to be "great" while playing the game (even just by playing the role of a hero or a god). From that point of view, Wright's statement is a lot more palatable to me. Of course, out of context, I certainly don't know what Wright "really" meant...

Cutter wrote on May 6, 2013, 19:25:
Oh really? I don't give a shit about virtual achievements or have any need to share my progress in a game. What a completely asinine blanket statement. And who the hell is a fluff designer like Wright to talk about what's falling short as a medium? Jesus, the ego on the guy.

I'd be curious as to what about it you think is wrong, or even why you don't think it's narcissistic to think that just because you don't like achievements or sharing progress that nobody else does; especially when there's so much evidence to the contrary out there now. Play an MMO for a little while, and then look at what he said and say he's even a little bit wrong. Players want control over everything, and they want everyone else to see it afterward.

He's also not wrong about falling short with the medium compared to what could be done with it. We're caught up in cycle after cycle of sequels and rehashes instead of moving forward with new ideas and innovations. Most developers are still working on perfecting the same things we saw in 2005 rather than doing something new.

That sim city interview was pretty half assed.... if someone doesn't answer your questions it isn't an interview.

Heh, on the Gamers with Jobs podcast, recently someone mentioned it had been a while since Will Wright gave a crazy talk. Voila!

"No game designer ever went wrong by overestimating the narcissism of their players," Wright said, alluding to H.L. Mencken's famous quote, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." By that, Wright meant that it's important to give players a chance to share (or show off) their progress and achievements in a game.

Oh really? I don't give a shit about virtual achievements or have any need to share my progress in a game. What a completely asinine blanket statement. And who the hell is a fluff designer like Wright to talk about what's falling short as a medium? Jesus, the ego on the guy.