Soren Johnson

Is there a video of that? I still don't know what she was talking about!

In this episode, Soren interviews Westwood Studio co-founder Louis Castle. They discuss why early video game artists were also great at Etch-a-Sketch, why Dune 2 was not Dune 1, how Boom Blox was almost Angry Birds, and why narrative games can’t end on a negative. Games discussed: Temple of Apshai, The Mars Saga, Command & Conquer, Monopoly, Dune 2, Eye of the Beholder, Blade Runner, Boom Blox, LMNO, The Battle for Middle-Earth https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/louis-castle

In this episode, Adam Saltsman interviews independent game developer Liz Ryerson, known for experimental games like Problem Attic. They discuss whether we should ever make players uncomfortable, why horror games have more freedom to try unconventional design, and whether Twitter is a game. Games discussed: the Civilization series, Overland, Problem Attic, Train, Papers Please, PRY https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/liz-ryerson

Yeah, they recorded this session before Adam even knew about the podcast. I think it was originally intended for a book, which might be why it's a little different from the normal format.

I feel bad about that too. Part of the problem is that my group of game dev contacts (not to mention the games I am familiar with so that I can ask good questions about) are on the strategy game side... which is not where female game designers tend to end up. Would like to improve the balance, however!

I didn't realize until going through the interview, but I think it's clear that Westwood is absolutely unparalleled in breadth of game development (meaning being willing to make almost any type of game).

Thanks, please let me know if you hear any more.

Our Steam release sale ends at 1pm ET today! http://store.steampowered.com/app/271240/

In this episode, Bruce Geryk interviews Soren Johnson about his new economic RTS, Offworld Trading Company. They discuss how exploring a black map is one of gaming’s greatest hits, why the hardest part of designing Offworld was ending the game, and why Early Access games shouldn’t have QA. Also, listen to hear Soren correctly pronounce timbre! Games Discussed: Offworld Trading Company, StarCraft, Age of Empires 2, Railroad Tycoon, M.U.L.E., Belter https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/offworld-trading-company-1

ha, that sums up our goals pretty well!

I'd recommend trying to beat the Daily Challenge before trying MP because it uses the same settings (more or less).

So, I recorded playthroughs of all of the Practice Games, along with general commentary on how to play, if you guys are interested:

Yes, you should switch to the regular version.

So, the release version is actually available to the public early using these instructions: http://offworldtradingcompany.gamepedia.com/Next_version please let me know if you see anything weird!

In this episode, Soren interviews game designer Ananda Gupta, best known as the co-designer of Twilight Struggle and the lead designer of XCOM: Enemy Within. They discuss why DC has no fort in For the People, whether Labyrinth's neocon design is intentional, and should Twilight Struggle use dice to resolve conflicts. They also assume quite incorrectly that Command & Conquer: Generals was released before 9/11. Who knew?!? Games Discussed: Lode Runner, Ancient Art of War, Diplomacy, Risk series, Paths of Glory, Twilight Struggle, History of the World, Labyrinth, A Distant Plain, Sept. 12th, Civ 3: Conquests, A Force More Powerful, X-COM, XCOM https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/ananda-gupta

We have a release date - April 28th! http://www.mohawkgames.com/2016/04/07/release-date-april-28th-2016/

In this episode, Adam Saltsman interviews Tyriq Plummer, who is the artist, designer, and programmer behind the roguelike platformer Catacomb Kids. They discuss why a game should let you eat your severed arm, how items can be adjectives instead of verbs, and how to design a deep game when you don't see the bottom yet. Games Discussed: Lonely Hated Rock, Powder, Spelunky, Catacomb Kids, Cibele https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/tyriq-plummer

In this episode, Soren interviews Jamie Cheng, founder of Klei Entertainment which is known for the Shank series, Mark of the Ninja, Don't Starve, and Invisible, Inc. They discuss paying back the Canadian government, why Mark of the Ninja's AI needs to be dumb, why Don't Starve has no extrinsic rewards, and how free-to-play games are his white whale. Games Discussed: The Legend of Zelda, Aerobiz, SD Gundam, Dawn of War, Eets, The Outfit, Sugar Rush, Shank 1 & 2, Mark of the Ninja, Don't Starve, Invisible, Inc. https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/jamie-cheng

In this episode, Soren interviews Nels Anderson, who was the lead designer of the critically acclaimed Mark of the Ninja and is currently a designer/programmer at Campo Santo working on the upcoming game Firewatch. They discuss how he almost went into law enforcement, whether Mark of the Ninja actually has AI, and why designers should be able to write code. Games Discussed: Thief, Planescape: Torment, DeathSpank, Mark of the Ninja, Firewatch https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/nels-anderson

In this episode, Adam Saltsman interviews indie game developer Davey Wreden, who is best known for his work on The Stanley Parable and The Beginner's Guide. They discuss why he worked as a bartender while making The Stanley Parable, how they fit the "gnawing void" into the game, and why he is looking forward to getting old. Games Discussed: The Stanley Parable, Dear Esther, English Country Tune https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/davey-wreden

That's why I actually rushed a little to get it out today!

In this episode, Soren interviews game designer Chris Avellone, who is best known for his work on Fallout 2, Planescape: Torment, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and Wasteland 2. He is currently working at inXile Entertainment on Torment: Tides of Numenera. They discuss why he owes his career to publisher desperation, how Torment reflects that players only care about themselves, the mystery of how Black Isle lost the D&D license, and why game writing is overrated. Games Discussed: The Bard's Tale series, Etrian Odyssey, Dungeons & Dragons, Fallout, Planescape: Torment, Ultima Underworld, the Icewind Dale series, Van Buren, KOTOR 2, Alpha Protocol, Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/chris-avellone

June 19, 2015 In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Bruce Shelley, who is best known for his work on Railroad Tycoon, Civilization, and the Age of Empires series. He is currently working at Bonus XP on Servo, a new RTS. They discuss what the two Sids have in common, why they took disasters out of Railroad Tycoon, what game got shoved out the door to make way for Civilization, why Ensemble games always look so bright, and why he always does his research in the children's section of the library. Games Discussed: Squad Leader, the MERP series, Titan, Civilization (Avalon Hill), 1830, Cosmic Encounter, Acquire, Wooden Ships & Iron Men, F-19 Stealth Fighter, Covert Action, Railroad Tycoon, Pirates!, Empire Deluxe, Civilization, Age of Empires series, Company of Heroes https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/bruce-shelley

Offworld is currently 50% off: http://store.steampowered.com/app/271240/

In this episode, Adam Saltsman interviews independent game developer Daniel Benmergui, who is best known for experimental story games like Today I Die, I Wish I Were The Moon, and the IGF-winning Storyteller. He is currently working on the Indie Fund-backed puzzle game Ernesto. They discuss why games should not be designed backwards, how to recover from the burden of success, why players have difficulty committing a murder of jealousy in Storyteller, and whether Chris Hecker hates Ernesto. Games Discussed: Storyteller, Today I Die, I Wish I Were The Moon, Ernesto, Return of the Obra Dinn, Gone Home, Overland, Hundreds, FTL https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/daniel-benmergui