Adam Heine's Blog, page 7
July 9, 2015
Q: Which is harder, game writing with a team or solo-writing novels?
I actually got this question on Twitter, but I thought it deserved more than 140 characters. Although if you're into the tl/dr version then here you go.
So which is harder? Writing a game or a novel? Writing solo or on a team?
Game vs. Novel
First, you should know that I've never written for a non-Torment game, and Torment has lots (and lots and lots) of words. It's entirely possible there are games for which writing is a piece of cake. I wouldn't know what that's like.
What's difficult about ga...
So which is harder? Writing a game or a novel? Writing solo or on a team?
Game vs. Novel
First, you should know that I've never written for a non-Torment game, and Torment has lots (and lots and lots) of words. It's entirely possible there are games for which writing is a piece of cake. I wouldn't know what that's like.
What's difficult about ga...
July 7, 2015
How you can be part of a cybermob and not know it
Cybermobbing is getting ridiculous. I mean the entire spectrum here: public shaming, online bullying, harassment, and the general dickery that goes on all over the internet everyday.
The existence of this crap is not news (well, actually it is, like every single day). But it's often assumed that the people engaging in these activities are sociopaths, sadists, and trolls -- people who get high off wrecking other people, or who just have no conception of empathy at all. To be fair, parts of thes...
The existence of this crap is not news (well, actually it is, like every single day). But it's often assumed that the people engaging in these activities are sociopaths, sadists, and trolls -- people who get high off wrecking other people, or who just have no conception of empathy at all. To be fair, parts of thes...
May 18, 2015
Q: A couple of TTON details vs. Pillars of Eternity
Alessandro Gambino has two questions today:
I'm not sure where I might have mentioned separate inventory screens. If I did, it was either very early in design or else a mistake. Our inventory design is based on Pillars of...
a couple of questions that arose directly from my playthrough of Pillars of Eternity.
First question: As far I remember, in Torment we will have separate inventory screens for each character, won't we? And if so, any hope you guys are reconsidering this part of the GUI?
I'm not sure where I might have mentioned separate inventory screens. If I did, it was either very early in design or else a mistake. Our inventory design is based on Pillars of...
May 8, 2015
Q: What's your favorite part of the writing process?
Trevor asks:
My favorite part is the part where I make money, followed closely by the part where people tell me how awesome my writing is.
Is that... is that not what you meant?
So, in terms of actually creating the story, I prefer planning, by far. I'm a notorious, obsessive, ridiculously detailed planner (which is perhaps why I make a decent game design lead). I like to outline my stories down to each chapter's beats and cliffhangers, if I can....
What's your favorite part of the writing process?
My favorite part is the part where I make money, followed closely by the part where people tell me how awesome my writing is.
Is that... is that not what you meant?
So, in terms of actually creating the story, I prefer planning, by far. I'm a notorious, obsessive, ridiculously detailed planner (which is perhaps why I make a decent game design lead). I like to outline my stories down to each chapter's beats and cliffhangers, if I can....
May 5, 2015
Q: How do you have time for everything?
Trevor asks a very pertinent question:
I have no idea.
Well, that's not stri...
How do you have time for everything?
Seriously, I see that you have 10 kids, work remotely on an anticipated game, and write, among other daily challenges I'm sure. Was there ever a point when you wanted to let go of any of these passions? Do you ever worry that you can't devote enough time to each of them?Do I ever worry I can't devote enough time to everything? Constantly. How do I make sure that doesn't happen?
I have no idea.
Well, that's not stri...
March 31, 2015
Q: Will Torment use Unity 5?
Mark asks:
It turns out this was a more complicated question than one would think. We're planning to move to Unity 5, but we weren't sure about that for a long time (and even now, there's still a fair amount of work to do before the move is official).
Further details from our illustrious wizard/programmer, Steve Dobos:
We started work on Torment before Unity 5’s full feature set was announced. By the time Unity 5 beca...
Is Torment going to be / has Torment been developed with Unity 5 in mind?
It turns out this was a more complicated question than one would think. We're planning to move to Unity 5, but we weren't sure about that for a long time (and even now, there's still a fair amount of work to do before the move is official).
Further details from our illustrious wizard/programmer, Steve Dobos:
We started work on Torment before Unity 5’s full feature set was announced. By the time Unity 5 beca...
March 21, 2015
Q: How do we know who wrote what?
Haran asks:
The "secret way" is we ask people what they were responsible for. The answer we get back is rarely simple.
The thing is that most big games are a team effort. Although one person might initia...
About writing credits in games - in most big games, you can't know which part of dialogue\text was written by whom, just that there is a "lead writer" and other writers. Is there a secret way industry people like you guys use to know this? And for Torment, will you list somewhere who wrote what?
The "secret way" is we ask people what they were responsible for. The answer we get back is rarely simple.
The thing is that most big games are a team effort. Although one person might initia...
March 19, 2015
Q: What kind of writing samples do you want for game work?
Gunther Winters is looking for a writing position in the gaming industry. He says:
I can't tell you specifi...
...all those ads [that interest me] require the submission of "samples" of one's own work, and I suspect that those that don't clearly require it just take it for understood. ...what is adequate for "submitting"? How many "pieces"? How long? Of what kind? Most ads mention no details whatsoever...
Any other advice for an aspirant "writer" who is trying to approach the gaming industry?
I can't tell you specifi...
March 2, 2015
Q&A: Can you rest anywhere in Torment?
Alessandro from Torment's Italian fan blog says:
You've talked extensively about Effort in many occasions by now, but there's still a piece of the puzzle missing, at least to me. How do you intend to limit rest in the Torment?
I mean, managing Effort is an interesting gameplay mechanic. but only because Effort is a limited resource. If players are able to rest whenever they want, the whole thing explodes.
Now, I know that during Cryses time is a factor, so resting will be either limited or impos...
February 24, 2015
Torment Novella Fan Art
In case you missed it, I got my first for-real fan art the other day for the Torment novella. From Michael Malkin, this is "Ama, seeker of the Golden Tide."
I like the golden light shining in from the left. That's a nice touch. Thanks, Michael!
I like the golden light shining in from the left. That's a nice touch. Thanks, Michael!
