PRESS RELEASE: Warren Spector to Keynote at Texas Independent Ga
by Juuso - Polycount Productions · in General Discussion · 04/27/2006 (1:51 am) · 6 replies
Warren Spector to Keynote at Texas Independent Game Conference
New Event Adds Roundtable Discussions and Game Demo Party to the 2-Day program
AUSTIN, Texas
New Event Adds Roundtable Discussions and Game Demo Party to the 2-Day program
AUSTIN, Texas
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#2
04/27/2006 (3:25 am)
Yeh, I asked Steve how he managed to get Warren Spectors there... didn't respond yet - but he is there alright. 
#3
I used to be a big fan of Warren Spector. But he's actually been kinda anti-indie for a while... or at least anti-low-budget. He's gone on record as saying you've GOT to go with third party licenses, and you've GOT to go AAA all the way, or you may as well not play.
But he and Greg Costikyan have been friends for years, and they worked together in the Pen & Paper RPG industry, so I think I know how they got him to speak.
04/27/2006 (10:06 am)
Hmmm....I used to be a big fan of Warren Spector. But he's actually been kinda anti-indie for a while... or at least anti-low-budget. He's gone on record as saying you've GOT to go with third party licenses, and you've GOT to go AAA all the way, or you may as well not play.
But he and Greg Costikyan have been friends for years, and they worked together in the Pen & Paper RPG industry, so I think I know how they got him to speak.
#4
04/27/2006 (11:13 pm)
Maybe he changed his mind ;) 
#5
Personally speaking I don't necessarilly look on it as a 100% knock on indies, but a well needed and much deserved kick in the ass that we have to make better games. Sorry but its true. Most of the products indies put out is garbage that wouldn't even get the time of day if it wasn't for the fact that some game news sites are desperate for content or trying to cater to a niche market. There are definately a few gems that come out every year that take people by surprise but as a whole we are most definately not living up to our potential.
Yes I know this sounds harsh but its also the honest truth of things. We cut corners, we produce lack-luster so-so titles and we don't give that extra oomph to make our games feel complete or something that was crafted as a labour of love to make the game we want to share wit the world. Argue all that you want that people support indies because they aren't mainstream. I will argue that people will only support the quality products that provide them with an entertaining product that they want to show off to their family and friends, games that most of us don't produce. As such if we want to play in the big pond with the big fish, like we are as indies, we better know how to look and act bigger than you are and pick the fights that you can win.
The ball will only be in our court for so long, so let's do what we can to make great products.
04/28/2006 (8:27 am)
@JayPersonally speaking I don't necessarilly look on it as a 100% knock on indies, but a well needed and much deserved kick in the ass that we have to make better games. Sorry but its true. Most of the products indies put out is garbage that wouldn't even get the time of day if it wasn't for the fact that some game news sites are desperate for content or trying to cater to a niche market. There are definately a few gems that come out every year that take people by surprise but as a whole we are most definately not living up to our potential.
Yes I know this sounds harsh but its also the honest truth of things. We cut corners, we produce lack-luster so-so titles and we don't give that extra oomph to make our games feel complete or something that was crafted as a labour of love to make the game we want to share wit the world. Argue all that you want that people support indies because they aren't mainstream. I will argue that people will only support the quality products that provide them with an entertaining product that they want to show off to their family and friends, games that most of us don't produce. As such if we want to play in the big pond with the big fish, like we are as indies, we better know how to look and act bigger than you are and pick the fights that you can win.
The ball will only be in our court for so long, so let's do what we can to make great products.
#6
Fosters right, Spector said we need to make good games that can compete with larger budget games, or we're out of the league, because theres no point taking away revenue that could be going to a more skilled/deserving developer.
In the same way I don't support independant bands just because they're indie, I only support an independant band if they produce music I like.
04/28/2006 (4:15 pm)
He's never been anti-indie or anti-low-budget, just anti-poorly-made-games. Fosters right, Spector said we need to make good games that can compete with larger budget games, or we're out of the league, because theres no point taking away revenue that could be going to a more skilled/deserving developer.
In the same way I don't support independant bands just because they're indie, I only support an independant band if they produce music I like.
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