Josh Sawyer is now Obsidian's "Design Director"

[Roguey]

Guess who got a promotion



Every Obsidian project touched by the consequences of his leadership.

Josh Sawyer now has more influence on Obsidian projects than Chris Avellone ever did as "creative director."

 

[Duraframe300]

Guess who got a promotion

Every Obsidian project touched by the consequences of his leadership.

Josh Sawyer now has more influence on Obsidian projects than Chris Avellone ever did as "creative director."

This is gonna be fun (As in the codex reaction to it)

Also why? Isn't this probably just the same job Chris had? Playtest their games, give feedback?

 

[Duraframe300]

To be honest this also means means additional responsibilities for Josh. Less time on games.

So, codexers may see this either way.

 

[Roguey]

New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity: The Hit Maker.

 

[Excidium II]

To be honest this also means means additional responsibilities for Josh. Less time on games.

So, codexers may see this either way.

But he's going to oversee and set the design guidelines for all projects.

1. No fun allowed
2. Design for lowest common denominator
3. Focus on balance even though the end result will be unbalanced as fuck because tight deadlines

 

[Fry]

Didn't Avellone leave because "Creative Director" involved very little creativity? I imagine "Design Director" will involve very little designing.

It'll be interesting to see how JES adapts to executive life.

 

[Infinitron]

CDO - Chief Design Officer?

 

[an Administrator]

It will be fun.

 

[Hegel]

Told you he'd be "promoted" to a web design position while the real designers did their jobs.

 

[Abu Antar]

Guess who got a promotion



Every Obsidian project touched by the consequences of his leadership.

Josh Sawyer now has more influence on Obsidian projects than Chris Avellone ever did as "creative director."

Historical turn-based rpg.

 

[Fairfax]

Not surprised. They already let him lead all of the most important projects after KOTOR2, and the other partners don't know shit about game design.

Still funny that he's taking MCA's job after all the speculation about a row between the two.

 

[Kem0sabe]

Obsidian is fast becoming a Sawyer meme turned reality.

I predict that every obsidian developed rpg released from now to the Singularity will have absolutely no fun allowed.

 

[Latro]

The only obstacle to the path of balance is Feargus himself. Once he is assimilated to the balanced horde, the world will finally be at peace.

The Dark Age of Balance is coming.

 

[an Administrator]

 

[Kane]

I am selling alll my Obsidian Entertainment shares and all my shares in Bike Companies for good measure.

Didn't Avellone leave because "Creative Director" involved very little creativity? I imagine "Design Director" will involve very little designing.

Directorate roles typically involve organizing and managing whatever you direct while communicating the thoughts of those who you direct to the management. That and eating lots of cake while floor gossiping.

 

[Excidium II]

Not surprised. They already let him lead all of the most important projects after KOTOR2, and the other partners don't know shit about game design.

Still funny that he's taking MCA's job after all the speculation about a row between the two.

Uh wasn't MCA a Creative Director? Are those roles the same thing? Why does game development have such stupid role names?

 

[Infinitron]

Infinitron gets the answers: http://jesawyer.tumblr.com/post/142967942921/congratulations-on-your-promotion-does-it

melnorme asked: Congratulations on your promotion. Does it actually mean anything, though?

It means I’m responsible for helping with overall design direction at the studio. I’ve always talked to designers on other teams about their work, but now it’s part of my job. I talk to individual designers at all levels about challenges they’re facing and what they’re trying to accomplish. I also talk to producers and game directors about high-level design direction and focus. I try to play our games regularly to give feedback on specific issues I come across as well as areas where a team is doing well. I help review all incoming design applications and sit in on as many design interviews as is reasonable.

Currently I’m revising and updating old documentation that covers basic design principles that Obsidian has used and continues to use in our games. Obsidian is a lot larger now than it was ten years ago. Tribal knowledge only goes so far and all standards documentation needs to be regularly reviewed.

 

[Roguey]

This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky.

 

[Zeriel]

Guess who got a promotion



Every Obsidian project touched by the consequences of his leadership.

Josh Sawyer now has more influence on Obsidian projects than Chris Avellone ever did as "creative director."

NOOOOOOOOOO

*takes deep breath*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[Lhynn]

This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky still gives a flying fuck.

yup

 

[Excidium II]

This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky.

Maybe Sawyer's hate of fun is limited to PoE because he hates that type of game. As long as the other Obsidian projects aren't pseudo-D&D romps, they are safe.

I mean he made the JSawyer mod for FNV after all.

 

[Duraframe300]

Infinitron gets the answers: http://jesawyer.tumblr.com/post/142967942921/congratulations-on-your-promotion-does-it

melnorme asked: Congratulations on your promotion. Does it actually mean anything, though?

It means I’m responsible for helping with overall design direction at the studio. I’ve always talked to designers on other teams about their work, but now it’s part of my job. I talk to individual designers at all levels about challenges they’re facing and what they’re trying to accomplish. I also talk to producers and game directors about high-level design direction and focus. I try to play our games regularly to give feedback on specific issues I come across as well as areas where a team is doing well. I help review all incoming design applications and sit in on as many design interviews as is reasonable.

Currently I’m revising and updating old documentation that covers basic design principles that Obsidian has used and continues to use in our games. Obsidian is a lot larger now than it was ten years ago. Tribal knowledge only goes so far and all standards documentation needs to be regularly reviewed.

So, yeah. More or less the same thing. Playtest, talk with designers and write the high level direction documents. More or less what Chris did.

 

[Duraframe300]

This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky.

It's high level. Unless Sawyer goes tyranny (And I really doubt he has the time now) thats probably the one thing Codexers should be least upset about.

 

[Infinitron]

So, yeah. More or less the same thing. Playtest, talk with designers and write the high level direction documents. More or less what Chris did.

Wasn't Chris more focused on narrative design aspects, though?

 

[Love]

Told you he'd be "promoted" to a web design position while the real designers did their jobs.