RPG Codex Interview: Chris Avellone on Pillars Cut Content, Game Development Hierarchies and More

[Tacgnol]

passive agressive conflict-mongering

Thought MCA started to do dat after his departure, seems it started well before that.

Did you also think he was the only one? It's the entire office, my dude.

We had a big gay Codex discussion a few months back about development teams full of B-type personalities and the many ways in which passive-aggressive nonsense is a way of life in such environments. I'm sure someone can dig it up.

It's probably drama central in there 24/7 when the cameras aren't rolling—not football team and cheerleader style drama, but debate team and anime club style drama.

It's the way of life in most office based work spaces.

 

[HoboForEternity]

Oh god i cannot stop opening this thread every time i turn pages.

Is this what ADHD like?

 

[Junmarko]

this thread keeps distracting me to see if a new bomb has been dropped.

Day 1 DLC: Nuka-Bonus.

 

[Iskramor]

I'm really surprised that this didn't get more coverage from mainstream media like kotaku since they usually report studios drama

Reporting one man's allegations without verifying with another source or at least getting a comment from Obsidian might not reach sufficient journalistic standards for the higher tier sites (yes, believe it or not). If nobody from Obsidian is willing to talk, there might be nothing.

Everyone loves to point out that MCA is "one man," but he's a man that Obsidian trotted out onto the runway countless times to show off: "YOO-HOO! WE'VE GOT AVELLONE ON BOARD, HERE! CHRIS AVELLONE, EVERYBODY! GOT CHRIS AVELLONE WRITING, BUY OUR GAMES! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE 'EM!". The point being, his word carried a lot of weight with both Obsidian and the fans up until yesterday at least. He's not the building janitor or an intern.

They have zero journalistic standards and can and do report rumors prematurely, if they want to. The only reason they won't in this case is because their paymasters (i.e., developers and publishers) wouldn't like it for reasons that should be obvious. If it were any other kind of unfounded juicy rumor that could get them clicks, it'd be up in an instant.

Your ability to delude yourself and remain in denial about certain things even in the face of so much obviousness truly beggars belief. Is it a special Israeli talent?

Rotschild gene indeed

 

[Rivmusique]

Chris Avellone
Has Obsidian lawyers contacted with you yet? Blink twice if you can't say.

there probably are more edgy sites that would print his words as is (for example, the Codex)

I don't see this on the front page. Also, suggesting that Codex is edgy suggests that you don't belong here.

This thread is pinned on the front page.

 

[Rev]

There is no forgiving anyone in Obsidian management after hearing their actions during and after New Vegas, their best game and some of the best writing in gaming in general. They have sabotaged talent and they have given completely into inane work place politics. It's petty and a disgrace. All to attain some misguided failing visions of few talking heads, who couldn't care less about the medium or the creativity in it.

Weren't you an Obsidian/PoE/Sawyer fanboy just until some weeks ago? I'm asking just out of curiosity, since your last comments seem much more negative than they used to be.

Btw, Avellone's claims about Feargus and upper management draw a terrible picture about them. I'd still like to hear the other side of the story, although it's not likely to happen (and MCA would be stupid to lie completely about all this stuff), but we will see.

 

[Blaine]

Is this what ADHD like?

What were we talking about again?

 

[conan_edw]

Was codex anymore fun?

 

[Maculo]

I am further curious how Josh Sawyer may or may not fit into this. I presumed a lot of tension came from a Avellone/Sawyer divide, but it appears more and more like Fenstermaker drama.

 

[dragonul09]

This should have been the first clue that nothing is going well at that company, no one is that delusional, I knew it

 

[Mikeal]

Holy fuck, I should be writing my master thesis, but this thread is to entertaining/interesting to get back to writing. Damn Chris if I will have to defend in september you will be one to blame. All this good Obsidian's games like KOTOR2, NWN2, MOTB, F:NV, AP, PoE it will be hard to play in them now, when I know what kind of shitty company Obsidian is. I know it's pretty stupid but I can't separate product from creator/publisher. With all this information you shared, you should finally answered on Codex ultimate question. What happened between you and Josh Sawyer? All users on Codex are dying to know the truth and create shitload of crazy theories. Enlighten us finally Chris. Please.

 

[Jedi Master Radek]

Using Chris's debts to effectively force him out of the industry is not just business as usual; it's highly immoral behavior that is border line, or even straight up, criminal

It is business as usual. Companies are greedy and will always do everything they can to maximize their profits. They don't think about their action in ethical terms, they think only about what they can do and get away with it. Don't trust PR liars who are there to manipulate you. There is no such think as morality in business. There are more psychopaths at the CEO positions then they are in prisons.

 

[Blakemoreland Hybrid Boss]

Damn, using cancer as leverage. Stay classy, Obsidian.

LOL

In Infinitron's eye, anyone who says mean things about Obsidian, Larian, CDPR, HBS, PB et al. or any of their games is being an edgelord. I'm not sure if inXile is still under his protection after they've disgraced themselves so many times.

BTW, this is also how Infinitron has rated all of my posts critical of Obsidian, Larian, CDPR, HBS, PB et al. or any of their games.

A few pages back he was rating every post that was critical of Obsidian "creative", suggesting that it was mere confabulation in classic passive-agressive fashion.

 

[Blaine]

Holy fuck, I should be writing my master thesis, but this thread is to entertaining/interesting to get back to writing.

Semi-annual Codex drama alert threads in a nutshell.

 

[Goral]

This thread is pinned on the front page.

Thread yes but not the bombshell. The article fragments that are on the front page are nothing special compared to what's been said on the forums.

 

[mondblut]

Chris what is you doing

Stop stealing Fargo's parts.

 

[you know what time it is]

Holy fuck, I should be writing my master thesis, but this thread is to entertaining/interesting to get back to writing.

Semi-annual Codex drama alerts in a nutshell.

Was there anything more juicy than this though?

 

[Blaine]

Was there anything more juicy than this though?

Bro, I hung up on my sister earlier than I usually would last night so I could get back to this thread. You can see the gap in my posts from about 0040 GMT to around 0150? GMT last night (for me).

Jobs have literally been quit to ensure that nothing is missed in Codex drama eruption threads.

 

[mondblut]

Jeez, it's like 'pick your mommy or your daddy' situation all over again.

P.S. Since mommy can't really do 'good morning son' it's an obvious choice.

Have the codex wars finally begun? I am eager to fell Joshenites with my axe.

Where is Admiral jimbob ? The time is nigh for another comics.

 

[2house2fly]

Holy fuck, I should be writing my master thesis, but this thread is to entertaining/interesting to get back to writing. Damn Chris if I will have to defend in september you will be one to blame. All this good Obsidian's games like KOTOR2, NWN2, MOTB, F:NV, AP, PoE it will be hard to play in them now, when I know what kind of shitty company Obsidian is. I know it's pretty stupid but I can't separate product from creator/publisher. With all this information you shared, you should finally answered on Codex ultimate question. What happened between you and Josh Sawyer? All users on Codex are dying to know the truth and create shitload of crazy theories. Enlighten us finally Chris. Please.

I doubt many game experiences would be improved by unfiltered behind the scenes access

 

[pomenitul]

'Murica's healthcare system FTW.

 

[HanoverF]

I'm really surprised that this didn't get more coverage from mainstream media like kotaku since they usually report studios drama

Reporting one man's allegations without verifying with another source or at least getting a comment from Obsidian might not reach sufficient journalistic standards for the higher tier sites (yes, believe it or not). If nobody from Obsidian is willing to talk, there might be nothing.

I'm sure a memo has gone out through everyone's shock collars at Obsidian that they are not to comment in any way.

+1 to the list of developers Codex is blacklisted at

 

[Infinitron]

Jeez, it's like 'pick your mommy or your daddy' situation all over again.

P.S. Since mommy can't really do 'good morning son' it's an obvious choice.

Have the codex wars finally begun? I am eager to fell Joshenites with my axe.

Where is Admiral jimbob ? The time is nigh for another comics.

He's a Something Awful goon now.

 

[Nano]

Jobs have literally been quit to ensure that nothing is missed in Codex drama eruption threads.

I actually quit my job last Thursday. Looks like I picked the right time!

 

[FreeKaner]

Weren't you an Obsidian/PoE/Sawyer fanboy just until some weeks ago? I'm asking just out of curiosity, since your last comments seem much more negative than they used to be.

One must be disillusioned to be open to truth.