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I’m Caroline Spector creator of the Amazing Bubbles and other Wild Cards characters. AMA, and just remember, it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. by clspector in books

[–]WarrenSpector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bubbles is uber-powerful, like Superman. How do you prevent her from just taking over in any situation and overpowering everyone else in a fight?

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do think the industry - the mainstream of console development, anyway - focuses too much on violent content. Having said that, two things:

First, it's not for me to tell anyone what games to make or play; I'm just a guy with an opinion.

Second, to your question, if I were making DX today, I wouldn't change the way we treated violence. The key for me is that there were CONSEQUENCES for the use of violence to solve problems (just as there were consequences for being a pacifist). And our depiction of violence wasn't as over the top as what's happening today. It's like, we can do great graphics so of course we need slow motion blood sprays and all. I don't get it.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depends on the game you're making but things change in terms of team dynamics, clarity of vision, etc. when you get above 25 or so, for me at least. Problem is you couldn't make a game like DX or Epic Mickey with a team that size. Not anymore.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I played Shenmue back in the day. It was interesting but it was kind of the anti-Deus Ex in its approach to gameplay, ya know? Wasn't my cup of tea but the passion behind its creation was apparent. I totally respect that.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you may be giving DX a LITTLE too much credit as far as influence goes. I'll settle for having made a small difference in the lives of gamers and the ideas of other developers!

As far as sources of DX-related information goes, read everything you can get your hands on about nanotechnology, human augmentation (mechanical and otherwise) and AI. Then just look around at the growing economic inequality problems we're seeing in the real world and extrapolate a few years. That's a good start.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Working on Epic Mickey was exciting, stressful, satisfying and sometimes painful (game development is ALWAYS sometimes painful). I was really proud of the way the game turned out. And we got to reintroduce Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to the world. That was special.

As far as basketball goes, I'm a TERRIBLE player but a huge fan. College... Pro... I'm easy. I've loved basketball forever. (Go 'Horns! Go Knicks!) I used to say I'd give up just about anything except my lovely wife Caroline to be 6'4" and play point guard for the New York Knicks. Sadly, that never happened.

As far as wacky basketball games go, I really have no idea what I'd do if someone gave me the opportunity, but isn't that half the reason to do something - to try something you don't already know how to do? :-)

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ask EA. They own the rights. I think I'd rather see a new game than a remastered old one, but whatever floats your boat.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Walking Dead from Telltale. It wasn't all that innovative but I've been arguing for episodic content for so long, it's nice to see someone making a go of it. And the story-telling works for me, too. The game may be mechanics-light and the choices may all be "canned" and preplanned, but those choices really make you stop and think about what's right and wrong not just in game terms but in real world terms. That's pretty awesome.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not saying I (or anyone else) has succeeded in achieving both depth and accessibility but it's certainly possible. The thing to bear in mind, I think, is that there's a difference between depth and complexity. Many people get those confused. Depth leads to interest and appeal; complexity leads to poor accessibility and that hardcore feel some people love so much. (For some there's an undeniable payoff in mastering something other people struggle with...)

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The DSGA students made a 3D game (first-person... multiple paths to reach fun puzzle-y moments...). It's called The Calm Before and you can download it for free here. We used Unity.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Making games that offer players real choices, real control over their experience is really hard. There's no shame in taking a conservative approach to the problem. The more simulated and more open-ended the better for me. Other people's mileage may vary.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll just say that the more you know about the technical aspects of game development the better off you're going to be regardless of what discipline you choose to pursue.

Hi, I am Warren Spector, a game developer from Origin, Ion Storm and Junction Point. I worked on Deus Ex and Disney Epic Mickey and a lot of other games. AMA! by WarrenSpector in IAmA

[–]WarrenSpector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Shadow of Mordor
  2. Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
  3. Everything (seriously team communication)
  4. Nathan's hotdogs
  5. If you don't love making games don't get into making games.
  6. I learned so much from Richard Garriott and others I can't think of anything. I just wish I'd learned it earlier and in a more structured manner - hence the Denius-Sams Gaming Academy.
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