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."
But he's going to oversee and set the design guidelines for all projects.To be honest this also means means additional responsibilities for Josh. Less time on games.
So, codexers may see this either way.
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."
Didn't Avellone leave because "Creative Director" involved very little creativity? I imagine "Design Director" will involve very little designing.
Uh wasn't MCA a Creative Director? Are those roles the same thing? Why does game development have such stupid role names?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.
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.
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."
yupThis is a great wet blanket for everyone whowas excited about Boyarskystill gives a flying fuck.
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.This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky.
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.
This is a great wet blanket for everyone who was excited about Boyarsky.
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.
Told you he'd be "promoted" to a web design position while the real designers did their jobs.