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Posted in: minutia
There are a few things I’ve been meaning to say, but haven’t got around to…
The Round Table - Have you noticed how awesome all the contributions to the Round Table have been this month, or rather year? Simply amazing submissions. I’m in awe. Seriously. I’m also working on being able to record Skype conversations under Linux, so I can merge the podcast with the Round Table. The plan is to follow up the post Round Table with a live Round Table featuring contributors from the month and, when possible, a guest panelist from the industry.
The Big Move - I’m moving to Portland, Oregon in September. MsZ, (T.S.) Eliot and I will be driving all the way across the country, camping along the way. We’ll spend a week in Minneapolis/St. Paul visiting relatives and other family, playing some Renown, visiting the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and eating at least one dinner at both La Cucaracha (Mexican food) in St. Paul and The Blue Nile (Ethiopian food) in Minneapolis. Our friends in Portland will also be making a road trip to the Twin Cities at this time and we’ll all drive back to Portland together. I’m really looking forward to the move. Not only is Portland an amazing city (I’ve live there twice before) with some really great indie game devs, but it’s close enough to Seattle and San Francisco that I’ll have an easier time reaching out to clients in both of those cities.
Renown Testing - Local Renown testing has been going very well, which in part tells me that the quirks mentioned by some of the remote testers are related to how poorly the current manual communicates the game dynamics (by overly focusing on the game mechanics). MsZ started the overhaul of the manual last night and I have no doubt the next version will address the weaknesses of the first. This in no way is meant to invalidate the impressive amount, and quality, of feedback I’ve been received from the official testers. Their attention to detail, suggestions for improvements, and critique of mechanics has been simply invaluable. I honestly wish I could pay them in more than free copies of the game. Also, I’ve set up a Facebook page for Renown and other games that use the Book of Yetl. We’ve got 11 fans already and if you wanted to swell our ranks, I wouldn’t be at all upset.
Paying Words - Contract work is going quite well. I just wrapped up a small contract and have another on the front burner. EA/Pogo has suggested a contract approach that doesn’t leave us with 3 month dead spaces and I’ve got a phone call this morning with a potential client in Poland. There’s also a good chance that another contract (a nice one that I’m pretty excited about) will come my way after Casual Connect next month. If I weren’t moving in 12 weeks I’d make it to Seattle for this conference myself, but it’s going to have to wait until next year when it’ll be a short train ride away.
…and I think that about covers it for now. Not to be too syrupy–but with all the political stress and economic hardships in the world around us, I’m so thankful for my ability to ply my trade of choice and, hopefully, make a positive difference in whatever small way I can. I owe no small part of this to you, my readers. Having such intelligent and thoughtful people to bounce my ideas off the last several years has been invaluable.
Thank you.
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I’m from the St. Paul area! Was up there last summer visiting. Won’t be there anytime soon though. Sweating out the TX summer and saving $$$.
by Eric on 2008-06-30 at 9:22 am
That’s too bad, it’d be awesome if you could visit in September, play some Renown with us, join us for dinner.
Ah well, we’ll have to get you out to Portland at some point instead.
by Corvus on 2008-06-30 at 9:25 am
Once you move to Portland and you wander up to the Seattle area, give me a shout. We should meet up.
by Brinstar on 2008-07-03 at 5:44 pm
Absolutely! And if/when you visit Portland again, we’ll hopefully have room to put you up.
by Corvus on 2008-07-03 at 6:48 pm