Interview Matt Chat 193: Neal Hallford on Cavedog and Swords & Circuitry

[Infinitron]

Tags: Cavedog Entertainment; Elysium; Matt Barton; Neal Hallford

Today's episode of Matt Chat once again features Neal Hallford. In this episode, Neal talks about his years at Cavedog Entertainment, where he worked on the never-released "episodic fantasy adventure" Elysium. Most of the interview, however, is about his acclaimed book on CRPG design, Swords & Circuitry.

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In the latter part of the interview, Neal gradually shifts to more general topics, describing his philosophy of game design, and also his view of the gaming industry today, which is that it's in terrible shape. I think we can agree with that.

 

[Cosmic Misogynerd]

Swords and Circuitry is one of my favorite RPG design books (is there any other one?). Really nice to hear Neal talk about the book in this chat.

 

[Rhuantavan]

Swords and Circuitry is one of my favorite RPG design books (is there any other one?). Really nice to hear Neal talk about the book in this chat.

 

[Davaris]

Swords and Circuitry is one of my favorite RPG design books (is there any other one?). Really nice to hear Neal talk about the book in this chat.

I was looking at that book on Amazon last week. I couldn't tell if it had what I wanted or not.

 

[Rhuantavan]

I was looking at that book on Amazon last week. I couldn't tell if it had what I wanted or not.

While some of the sections are a bit outdated now, it really is a wonderful read. What are the things you are looking for in the book?

 

[Davaris]

I was looking at that book on Amazon last week. I couldn't tell if it had what I wanted or not.

While some of the sections are a bit outdated now, it really is a wonderful read. What are the things you are looking for in the book?

Something I would like to read is how the pros go about balancing games, so they are not too difficult or easy. I know some of them crunch numbers on Excel, but I haven't seen a discussion of it anywhere.

 

[Rhuantavan]

Something I would like to read is how the pros go about balancing games, so they are not too difficult or easy. I know some of them crunch numbers on Excel, but I haven't seen a discussion of it anywhere.

I don't remember the book going into that, and I'd like to know about the process too. Perhaps Neal can chime in and/or make a note to include this for Part 2 of S&C?

 

[Davaris]

I don't remember the book going into that, and I'd like to know about the process too. Perhaps Neal can chime in and/or make a note to include this for Part 2 of S&C?

Hope he reads the Codex.

 

[tuluse]

Something I would like to read is how the pros go about balancing games, so they are not too difficult or easy. I know some of them crunch numbers on Excel, but I haven't seen a discussion of it anywhere.

I'm guessing the answer most devs will give about this is have people play the game and get feedback. You should ask Sawyer on his formspring.