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

[The_Mask]

I wonder what Avellone thinks of the Souls games success

I subscribe to this. @ChrisAvellone - have you given any Soulsborne game a shot?

 

[Quillon]

The heart of this thread has skipped a beat. Nothing more. I've done far worse. I plunged the peaceful kingdom of Codexia into civil war. I slew the monarch of Troika, whose people never knew hardship under his rule, and replaced him with a cruel despot who brought Obsidian to edge of ruin many times. When aRPGs reached to our lands I saw to it the cRPGs did not anymore. They scraped anything resembling RPG goodness from their games in favor of cinematic experience.

- Thaos-Ix-Arquillon

 

[mondblut]

For example, a straight forward follower such as Kivan in BG1 and his revenge for a loved one quest - would you "spin" that somehow if you were given a similar NPC guideline to work?

For starters, Kivan would become Kiva halfway through the quest.

Oh wai...-

 

[Durandal]

Every company bigger than 10+ people is dysfunctional to some extent.

It's just that not all of them are lucky enough to have a former owner heroically try to save the employees from oppression by ruining their relationship with clients and getting them fired, trying to sabotage important product launches and getting people in shit with the management by leaking that they're preparing to quit.

I wholeheartedly applaud these valiant efforts to improve atmosphere at Obsidian and make it a better workplace for all.

Avellone's remarks would only have an Avellerse consequence on Obsidian's financial state if retards took MCA's complaints upon themselves to form some Gamergate-esque movement and boycot Obsidian by spreading awareness of the upper management's misdoings and not buying their games. Which isn't happening on Steam, on reddit, on 4chan or 8chan, on any kind of fansite, and save for some pulled pre-orders, not even here, considering we're too busy discussing the benefits of seizing the means of production and the journalistic integrity of Geoff Keighley.
For a game like PoE2, a good percentage of the buyers don't care about internal drama, there's a good percentage of fanboys who see Avellone's posts as a means to sabotage the success of their beloved PoE2 regardless of whether they believe what MCA says has any merit, there's a good percentage of people who won't buy this game because "lol SJW", and the rest don't care.

Best case scenario, news gets out about the upper mismanagement over at Obsidian through many outlets, Fearg and co. are put under the looking glass by their fellow employees/adoring fans/potential partners and investors doubting F&C's managerial abilities, and Feargus will genuinely try to improve his ability as a manager, at least until the heat dies down and things go back to as they used to be. This is of course unlikely to happen, because in the eyes of the press sneak fucks and against Infinitron's wishes, the Codex is seen as an untrustworthy site (for hearsay, rumors on any other site are completely believable of course) and thus not worth reporting about. Though I do believe some sites would be willing to host an official interview with MCA, provided MCA's reputation level with the Journalist faction hasn't dwindled to Vilified for posting here too much at all.

Most entertaining case scenario, some Obsidian developers or Fearg himself try to defend themselves against MCA's accounts, causing the fire to rise high for everyone to see, prompting several protest leaves against the ongoing mismanagement, internal drama to reach its apex, and the eventual splintering of Obsidian into several smaller studios with less hierarchical management.

Worst case scenario, eventual boycots after a media sensation on this topic cut deep into Obsidian's pockets, prompting more layoffs and downsizing until a skeleton crew remains, but Fearg & Co. remain in charge.

Most likely case scenario, nothing of serious consequence happens, but the Codex at least gets its fair share of lulz and drama on top of MCA becoming a regular Codexer.

 

[The_Time_Master]

Fargo had a plan when I talked to him when I started working on WL2 part-time at inXile... he had a five-year plan that was very clear, made a lot of sense, and clicked. In all the years at Obsidian (no shit), there wasn't a sense of where the company should go, would go, or how it would get through the next few months.

Was Fargo's 5 year plan anything like this?

Step 1: Piss of the Codex
Step 2: Try to mend bridges with the Codex after your project does poorly
Step 3: Daisy chain kickstarters together so nobody can trace the money being spent.
Step 4: Retire.

That's not Todd Howard...

 

[Alberto Belli]

pineapple-on-pizza eaters

I am italian and this is extremely offensive.

So what. This is no safe-space for italian-culture-warriors.

 

[Mustawd]

pineapple-on-pizza eaters

I am italian and this is extremely offensive.

So what. This is no safe-space for italian-culture-warriors.

Italian safe space when?

 

[ArchAngel]

Every company bigger than 10+ people is dysfunctional to some extent.

It's just that not all of them are lucky enough to have a former owner heroically try to save the employees from oppression by ruining their relationship with clients and getting them fired, trying to sabotage important product launches and getting people in shit with the management by leaking that they're preparing to quit.

I wholeheartedly applaud these valiant efforts to improve atmosphere at Obsidian and make it a better workplace for all.

You truly are an Obsidian fanboy, your posts should be put on wikipedia on page about fanboys as example for the world.
You are beyond "I don't believe what MCA is saying is true or his why he is saying it" and right into "I don't care what is going on over there, JUST LET MY OBSIDIAN BE!"

A true example of

level of retard fanboy.

 

[DarkUnderlord]

Joke: Roguey is a Josh Sawyer alt

Woke: IHaveHugeNick is a Darren Monahan alt

Bespoke: DarkUnderlord is a Feargus Urquhart alt

Fake news. I am actually Tom Cruise, so back the fuck off or you'll be dealing with Xenu.

I always had you picked as Leon. Tom Cruise would never post on the Codex because he doesn't like RPGs. I know because I asked him once. Tom and I were chilling on Steve Balmer's yacht - this is back before he was full Scientology - and I asked him, "Tom, do you like RPGs" and he said, "No Feargus, I don't".

 

[masteratt]

Registered just to say thank you Chris for this. So, thank you. It's such a sad thing to read this was such a personal thing to you, and I wish these shitty practices were exposed and pressured more and more. I work in development (not gaming though) and saw people brought to tears over the pressures and stresses that mismanagement can bring. It's really not a great way to spend anyone's time or talents and is very disrespectful. I usually cut my losses and move on, even if it costs me a few less numbers in my pay check but not everyone can afford to do that (I am a single dude who rents) and it's just so demoralising to see, especially as it seems to keep happening to good hearted, talented and caring people.
I do get there are two sides to every story, but in the companies I worked for, the other side rarely comes across convincing or well reasoned. Usually "oh, ok yes everyone is dead inside now but I had to do it because more money".


I also have a question for mods:
I've tried to access Chris Avellone's post history through his profile so I can compile all his responses into a Q&A format or something more easy to follow than forum posts where what he's responding to and the reply can be pages apart, but when I've tried to navigate to his profile, I was greeted by: "This member limits who may view their full profile."

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

 

[Infinitron]

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

You wouldn't need access to his profile to do that. Use the Codex's search function, top right. Search this thread only, Posted by Member: Chris Avellone.

 

[Ninjerk]

Registered just to say thank you Chris for this. So, thank you. It's such a sad thing to read this was such a personal thing to you, and I wish these shitty practices were exposed and pressured more and more. I work in development (not gaming though) and saw people brought to tears over the pressures and stresses that mismanagement can bring. It's really not a great way to spend anyone's time or talents and is very disrespectful. I usually cut my losses and move on, even if it costs me a few less numbers in my pay check but not everyone can afford to do that (I am a single dude who rents) and it's just so demoralising to see, especially as it seems to keep happening to good hearted, talented and caring people.
I do get there are two sides to every story, but in the companies I worked for, the other side rarely comes across convincing or well reasoned. Usually "oh, ok yes everyone is dead inside now but I had to do it because more money".


I also have a question for mods:
I've tried to access Chris Avellone's post history through his profile so I can compile all his responses into a Q&A format or something more easy to follow than forum posts where what he's responding to and the reply can be pages apart, but when I've tried to navigate to his profile, I was greeted by: "This member limits who may view their full profile."

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

Search tools are your friend

 

[Quillon]

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

You wouldn't need access to his profile to do that. Use the Codex's search function, top right. Search this thread only, Posted by Member: Chris Avellone.

He didn't know that! He'll be reluctant to post now.

 

[Bohr]

I've tried to access Chris Avellone's post history through his profile so I can compile all his responses into a Q&A format or something more easy to follow than forum posts where what he's responding to and the reply can be pages apart, but when I've tried to navigate to his profile, I was greeted by: "This member limits who may view their full profile."

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

Or click on the "parrots" counter next to one of his posts

 

[DarkUnderlord]

Edit: Kit Walker, every time I read your post, I momentarily think it is Avellone and question why his writing style drastically changed.

Agreed. Kit Walker, we hereby revoke your avatar rights until such time as you can no longer be confused with MCA.

 

[PrettyDeadman]

Shut it down!

 

[masteratt]

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

You wouldn't need access to his profile to do that. Use the Codex's search function, top right. Search this thread only, Posted by Member: Chris Avellone.

Thank you. My mistake was looking for the search button in the forum section but it was on the home page. And trying to search takes me to following URL: http://www.rpgcodex.net/globalsearch.php Which throws a 404 error just FYI.

I've tried to access Chris Avellone's post history through his profile so I can compile all his responses into a Q&A format or something more easy to follow than forum posts where what he's responding to and the reply can be pages apart, but when I've tried to navigate to his profile, I was greeted by: "This member limits who may view their full profile."

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

Or click on the "parrots" counter next to one of his posts

This worked, thanks.

 

[conan_edw]

Is this a new one?
https://www.cgmagonline.com/2018/05/07/obsidian-entertainment-ethics-questioned-by-ex-employee/

 

[Prime Junta]

Man this is shit journalism, they're just reporting on this thread. You'd think they'd be pestering Feargus for comments at the very least. But not even a "could not be reached" there. Fucking stenographers...

 

[ArchAngel]

OK I think I have this figured out guys and gals (and others, you know who you are).
This whole coming out seems to be some daddy issue thing. Chris Avellone now posted enough clues for this conclusion.

So Feargus treated him as a son and had his back and protected him for 15 years. MCA adored him for it and lied for him and cheated others (by agreeing to steal that idea for the game).
Then a new child appeared, Sawyer. And he soon became Feargus favored son. Feargus cared what Sawyer thought about him, shared profits with him and even did some tough dad parenting with threats of firing him.
MCA was jealous now so when he confronted Feargus about it, Feargus in rage said he never loved him and then cut him off from family name (Obsidian).
Sad little MCA now knew if he stayed he would have to witness Feargus play ball with his favored son Sawyer. So he left.

And all his good words for Sawyer are actually very neutral when one reads them more carefully. Passive-aggressive is only way that MCA can now cope with loss of his father Feargus.

Also if Feargus would take him back and call him his favored son again, MCA would go back in an instant (confirmed when he said he would even keep Feargus around if he "changed").

So now MCA is getting Codex physiological consulting while Sawyer gets Feargus daily hugs.

 

[TT1]

So, I had nothing to do and decided to compile all questions and answers in a google doc: CLICK ME

Enjoy

 

[Maggot]

Nice to see someone advocating a hierarchical structure when companies like Valve where everyone is their own boss were held up as ideal not too long ago.

 

[masteratt]

So, I had nothing to do and decided to compile all questions and answers in a google doc: CLICK ME

Enjoy

I had just started doing the same thing, then luckily I saw this. Thanks!

 

[Flou]

Man this is shit journalism, they're just reporting on this thread. You'd think they'd be pestering Feargus for comments at the very least. But not even a "could not be reached" there. Fucking stenographers...

Indeed. Do they even once mention that Avellone was a partner and a founding member of the company, not just an employee.

 

[The_Time_Master]

I also have a question for mods:
I've tried to access Chris Avellone's post history through his profile so I can compile all his responses into a Q&A format or something more easy to follow than forum posts where what he's responding to and the reply can be pages apart, but when I've tried to navigate to his profile, I was greeted by: "This member limits who may view their full profile."

Is there a mod or someone compiling Chris' responses into that format? Is that something that would even be useful? If the answer to question one is "No" and to question two is "Yes", I'm happy to do it if I can have access to Chris' profile so I can skim through his post history / responses in this thread. Thanks either way.

Or you could, you know, respect his wishes to not have his full profile viewed.