In a fit of glorious creative compulsion I’ve become heavily engaged in the kick off of a new game design company.
...our heroes in a dangerous marsh...
This has been in the secret planning stages for months with colleague and good friend Tom Toynton. Neal Dalton, long time friend and fellow adventurer in a now legendary Gencon Trip in 1996, came on board with his extensive game system knowledge. And now after considerable discussion and several R+D meetings is a reality. A company profile and product release dates will emerge in the coming months.
Everyone directly involved is an academic so our very busy time of the year has just begun.
Game Dev has already become part of my job. Part of my new position is interfacing with the school’s game development program in terms of developing graphics and sound assets.
What does this have to do with writing? What is a game of any kind unless it tells great tales in a rich setting?
I’ve always loved writing for interactive environments more than static fiction (which is, by the way, still being worked on). Cooperative games become their own tales as told by the participants. I’ve written hundreds of pages of game material over the years. Now, culturally there is a push in terms of demand and interest. And not only in the gamer market… At least in education people are finally beginning to realize games and stories are far more than ways to idly waste time. They can also be learning and social tools.
All seems to have finally coalesced with equally driven folks into tangible fruition.
Character Card and Rules and Dice. Of Course.
We hope to have a working prototype of our first board game soon. It is somewhat like an old-school (as in, 1980′s) sword and sorcery miniature/RPG setting with progressive characters updated to modern play esthetics and player-base trends.
Those of you who know me best know I’m quite critical of anything going out there that I’m attached to. I must say: this game will be very good and most importantly a lot of fun to play.
Bonus Photo: Charles the Cat “assisting” with Development on 08/17/2011
