Meeting Robin Hunicke, Chris Avellone and Sheri Graner Ray at the Game Connect Asia Pacific 2012
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Later that day, Obsidian creative director Chris Avellone conducted a design masterclass to a large audience. I was completely blown away by the attention to detail the studio had considered when designing games like Fallout: New Vegas. Playing that game when it was first released (2 years ago now), I was just a mere player who did not take into account all the work that I was overlooking. Now, I sat attentively listening to the thought process that went even into the graffiti designs that were placed around the environment, what they insinuated, and how they could send an underlining message to the player. The visual cues to lead the player through the environment was impressive, and I suddenly realised that I also had been a victim to their visual lures and player manipulation (Obsidian, you won). Also, one can only imagine the time and effort that went into designing all the conversation branches and general narrative in that game – including DLC – and Chris stated the importance of managing a large team that was collaborating together to ensure everything was consistent. Right down to the standards and parameters used. All communication meant everyone in the studio had to be on the same page. He recommended Microsoft Sharepoint for team and project management, as well as becoming well-versed in the likes of Xcel, Word and Outlook. For ambitious producers like myself, he pointed to David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity and Gina Trapani’s Upgrade Your Life: The Life Hacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better.
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During lunch I spotted Chris Avellone and seized the opportunity to talk with him. I told him about my ambition to become a producer, and asked for his advice in seeking opportunities in the American industry, knowing full well that Australia’s current climate was so much different, and I probably have tons more to learn. He turned out to be one of the nicest guys I have met. He promised to introduce me to some of the producers as Obsidian, of which he has kept his word (more on that later!)
The rest of the day was spent hanging out with Sheri Graner Ray and Chris Avellone; just sitting and listening to what they had to say, surrounded by a small handful of others who also saw the benefit in skipping the other lectures to spend some time with the two industry greats. Sincere apologies to those lecturers who I had missed!