Game in the Brain

One response to “Your Alternate Description – Steve Jackson Games Forums”

1. 

   Dagda (Brooks Harrel)

   2010-05-30

   I've found that the creative practice of taking worthwhile insights into the nature of the world, and converting them directly into game elements, does little to create a worthwhile game/experience.

   Then again, the fundamental label I'd assign to my game design efforts is neither "philosopher" nor "artist"; it's "craftsman". The drive here is to start from a concept- whether it's yours or someone else's, brilliant or utter trash- and make it into something great, something that has an *impact* on people. The more it can move someone, the more it can engage them, the more it can enrich their lives, the better job you've done.

   Having that deep, extensive understanding of the world is vital, no question about that. But I really think it's a mistake to adopt a didactic approach. Just focus on making a good story/game/etc.; if you *have* that insight into the ways of the world, it'll naturally inform and inspire your craft. People will look at your creations and applaud layers of depth that you hadn't even consciously thought about until now.

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