Game Design Seminar with John Wick (Ep 4)

"A Touch of Fate"

http://havegameswilltravel.libsyn.com/
http://www.evilhat.com/home/

Origins Award winning game designer John Wick talks about playing other people's games and how they can influence your own choices.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• game
• design
• roleplaying
• games
• John
• Wick
• houses
• of
• the
• blooded

[thele99]

I have to say that this video started out brilliantly and gave good advice -- "Play lots of games". But at 2:10 it started to ramble about "Houses of the Blood" again (very blatantly too). This is *not* a very good "Game Design Seminar" at all I'm afraid.

For those reading this, watch the decent first two minutes... then skip the rest.

-Le

Disclaimer: I am an rpg developer and publisher, but my comments are honest.

[LordStrange]

Unfortunately, you're missing the point. The point is not to speak in abstracts, but to use a real game as an example for each design point. I can't use D&D as an example because I didn't design it. I can't use Vampire as an example because I didn't design it.

It seems this series is not for you. I suggest you look elsewhere for game design advice while others continue to enjoy the series.

Thank you.

[azirk83]

Every RPGer in the world needs to see at least the first two minutes of this video. A+

[gameraspinning]

I really appreciate this series, and this one in particular was especially informative about the innovation that are Evil Hat's Aspects, and how they function in HoTB. I knew they'd been adopted into HoTB, but I didn't exactly know their application and how they replaced certain mechanics.

Please keep up the good work as I think this is a useful and fascinating behind-the-scenes perspective and I will pass this link along to gaming folks that read my LJ.

Everyone needs to play more games!

[WizardJim]

Total agreement, I never realised how much better than D&D 3.5 an RPG could be until I played Secret of Zir'An. Everything I wanted D&D to be, but that it couldn't be, Zir'An was.

[NintendoArielle]

I agree; too many people play the same damn game. While I'm not much of a paper-and-pencil RPG person, I've played them a bit. I'm more of a video gamer, though this advice definitely applies to any type of game, as you've said. I'm a video game design student, and I try to balance time between TV consoles, handhelds and even simple Flash games. It's a must.

My fellow game designers, like John said, I urge you to play EVERYTHING! ;p

[YoksterMan]

I agree. :)

[SaintAndSinner4JMJ]

Your comments I'm sure honestly reflect you opinion. It is unfortunate your opinions are deeply mis-informed about the subject and method of these mini-seminars.

[SaintAndSinner4JMJ]

Please keep it up John. There are many of us who never get to peek behind the curtain of our favorite games. It is a treat.

[SaintAndSinner4JMJ]

Why would he continue to address the shortcomings of D&D when he is using "Houses of the Blooded" a game he just finished designing as a springboard for the discussion of game design in general. Go back now and review the previous clips. This game is only tangentially related to D&D. And how do you get off impugning "have games will travel" a very useful podcast site? Do you know anything about the non-traditional game scene?

[johnoghue]

Great video! You have a excellent presence on camera that really lets your message come through as informative and helpful, and not preachy or high and mighty. Thanks for sharing.

[darquenblade]

Another excellent video, John. It's not often that you get ongoing insight into the development of a game, so it's much appreciated.

I'm especially interested in the next segment, which I'm assuming will be about the HotB mechanic of allowing players to narrate their own success/failure?

Keep it up, and I'll keep looking for that preorder info to materialize :)

[Deadgunslinger]

I'm loving this series John. VERY insightful. Keep it up!