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

[AwesomeButton]

It's very telling that you seem to be perfectly cool with this

Again, I am not passing judgement. Just observing the facts. I would love to work in a "creative" position myself, but there are bills to pay, also I just like money. I keep postponing my great fantasy novel for when I retire. I promise it will not feature fampyrs or dhampirs.

 

[dragonul09]

Did the thread about this get deleted on the official Obsidian forum? Can't seem to find it.

https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/97103-chris-avellone-the-final-frontier/page-14

Wow the discussion on the Obsidian forums has taken a very radical pro-Obsidian turn.

Taken? It has been bootlicking central since page 1. Gotta love the sheer unadulterated sycophancy and rationalizations of unethical behaviour (it's just how business works guise) all the while condemning Avellone for airing dirty laundry.

Well guess what, mismanaging and alienating one of the biggest assets/names in the industry (atleast the RPG niche) to such a degree is bad business. They have no leverage to keep him mum on the topic, he doesn't need their reference or influence to ply his trade. Doors will always be open to him while they're busy doing their usual routine of scrounging for scraps from the publishers in-between routine massive layoffs, it's hardly a stretch to say that they need him (especially given how much they were milking his name while he was still employed there) more than he needs them.

Obsidian is big but not at the level that they're bulletproof from very condemning criticism from someone like Avellone, it is damaging to their reputation. Time will tell how much.

You don't need Avellone to hurt your reputation, your games already do that. Look at the MMO's they've been hired to design, Armored Warfare was practically dead on arrival and soon to be put in the ground for good. They just can't do anything remotely decent, every single one of their games have been half assed in one way or another, unfinished, technical mess, questionable design decisions and so many other issues that the stories werent good enough to counter-balance the other issues.

Now we know why, the entire company is in total dissaray and everyone seem to do whatever the fuck they want there, so fuck them and their shitty games.

 

[Latro]

s full of honestly trash people. I mean, just browse some of the codex threads and you get a sense of the type of folk that hang out there.

all true; i am like animal from sesame street

 

[Lyre Mors]

But damn, I had no idea that the Codex's open dialogue and light handed approach to moderation were so fucking offensive to the self-cocooning leftist troglodyte masses.

Yeah, some people on the codex say some things that this guy finds offensive and he jumps to the conclusion that everyone here believes the same thing. Typical fucking moron.

 

[Latro]

Yeah, some people say some things on the codex that this guy finds offensive and he automatically thinks everyone here believes the same thing. Typical fucking moron.

how do you do, my fellow white supremacist

 

[fobia]

Infinitron

Can we please move the communism bs from Prime Junta to GD, where it belongs?

Come on! Post after post about "AAARGH FEMINIZAM!!, SJW CUCK, I WILL RAPE/hatefuck [insert almost anything here], IT WAS THE JEWS/MUSLIMS/BLACKS!!" in the news and RPG sections and you call for a safespace because of a little bit of communism?

 

[Prime Junta]

But damn, I had no idea that the Codex's open dialogue and light handed approach to moderation were so fucking offensive to the self-cocooning leftist liberal troglodyte masses.

You've been here for four years, how could you not know? (also FTFY)

 

[Mustawd]

There is plenty more there to get the blood flowing, but apparently this the_wart guy has some deep closeted RPGcodex envy. He is sporting some massive love/hate wood. Can't blame him, being able to freely express oneself without fear of the ban hammer is a bit much for your typical SJW milk-toast. Egalitarianism and secular humanism are for cucks. I love how he invokes the whole "this in the year 2018" what the fuck kind of appeal to chronological snobbery is that.

The worst part is that places like this are completely prejudice and hypocritical. They paint this forum as an "alt right white supremacist" forum, but ignore tons of posters who don't fit that mold. I'm not white. A ton of posters aren't white on here. Some are gay. Some are trans, although lower in number than we'd all like. The codex loves ts Trannies. And ofc I say that in a very affectionate way. No homo.

Do we have literal Nazis? Do we have people who hate other groups cuz whatever? Sure. It's the nature of an unmoderated forum. Also, I'll point out that these "literal" Nazis are still interacting qith people that actual historical nazis would prolly execute, gas, etc.

What's my point? If you're at a table during a conversation,then walking away from that conversation cuz you disagree with ppl is the easy way out and it's also the best way to end all influence of that particular discussion. If you really want to influence what ppl think., then stay and discuss stuff. Yes, sure you will meet ppl who will always hate you for XYZ, but you will influence and be influenced by rational arguments if you stay.

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces. It CAN be exhausting to deal with shit that's 100% against what you think. But to cal;l us all white supremacists is just lazy and stupid. At least get more creative and knowledgeable in your insults.

 

[Haba]

Come on! Post after post about "AAARGH FEMINIZAM!!, SJW CUCK, I WILL RAPE/hatefuck [insert almost anything here], IT WAS THE JEWS/MUSLIMS/BLACKS!!" in the news and RPG sections and you call for a safespace because of a little bit of communism?

It is off topic drivel and belongs in a separate thread. If Avellone's truth bombs hadn't traumatized him so deeply, Infibot would've already split the thread.

Also bend over and remove your pants, we need to inspect your honor.

 

[Prime Junta]

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces.

Infinitron!

mm-hm

 

[AwesomeButton]

There is plenty more there to get the blood flowing, but apparently this the_wart guy has some deep closeted RPGcodex envy. He is sporting some massive love/hate wood. Can't blame him, being able to freely express oneself without fear of the ban hammer is a bit much for your typical SJW milk-toast. Egalitarianism and secular humanism are for cucks. I love how he invokes the whole "this in the year 2018" what the fuck kind of appeal to chronological snobbery is that.

The worst part is that places like this are completely prejudice and hypocritical. They paint this forum as an "alt right white supremacist" forum, but ignore tons of posters who don't fit that mold. I'm not white. A ton of posters aren't white on here. Some are gay. Some are trans, although lower in number than we'd all like. The codex loves ts Trannies. And ofc I say that in a very affectionate way. No homo.

Do we have literal Nazis? Do we have people who hate other groups cuz whatever? Sure. It's the nature of an unmoderated forum. Also, I'll point out that these "literal" Nazis are still interacting qith people that actual historical nazis would prolly execute, gas, etc.

What's my point? If you're at a table during a conversation,then walking away from that conversation cuz you disagree with ppl is the easy way out and it's also the best way to end all influence of that particular discussion. If you really want to influence what ppl think., then stay and discuss stuff. Yes, sure you will meet ppl who will always hate you for XYZ, but you will influence and be influenced by rational arguments if you stay.

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces. It CAN be exhausting to deal with shit that's 100% against what you think. But to cal;l us all white supremacists is just lazy and stupid. At least get more creative and knowledgeable in your insults.

My favorite part is listening about Schrödinger's Codex (from people who are not on this forum):
Simultaneously full of people of low intelligence and racists, and also producing all the news and legal/financial expertise on a subject of interest to all the enlightened RPG communities.

 

[Mustawd]

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces.

Infinitron!

mm-hm

 

[Glaucon]

But damn, I had no idea that the Codex's open dialogue and light handed approach to moderation were so fucking offensive to the self-cocooning leftist liberal troglodyte masses.

You've been here for four years, how could you not know? (also FTFY)

Everyone knows real leftism is about alleviating the sense of alienation and powerlessness of disgruntled software engineers, the true proletariat.

 

[Kleptocratic debt serf]

Yeah, some people say some things on the codex that this guy finds offensive and he automatically thinks everyone here believes the same thing. Typical fucking moron.

how do you do, my fellow white supremacist

*Tongue planted firmly in cheek* Honestly, white supremacy is so passé, who has time to rule over their lesser men these days?

Unless, of course, the answer is MCA. Avellonian supremacy is the one true supremacy.

 

[Parabalus]

There is plenty more there to get the blood flowing, but apparently this the_wart guy has some deep closeted RPGcodex envy. He is sporting some massive love/hate wood. Can't blame him, being able to freely express oneself without fear of the ban hammer is a bit much for your typical SJW milk-toast. Egalitarianism and secular humanism are for cucks. I love how he invokes the whole "this in the year 2018" what the fuck kind of appeal to chronological snobbery is that.

The worst part is that places like this are completely prejudice and hypocritical. They paint this forum as an "alt right white supremacist" forum, but ignore tons of posters who don't fit that mold. I'm not white. A ton of posters aren't white on here. Some are gay. Some are trans, although lower in number than we'd all like. The codex loves ts Trannies. And ofc I say that in a very affectionate way. No homo.

Do we have literal Nazis? Do we have people who hate other groups cuz whatever? Sure. It's the nature of an unmoderated forum. Also, I'll point out that these "literal" Nazis are still interacting qith people that actual historical nazis would prolly execute, gas, etc.

What's my point? If you're at a table during a conversation,then walking away from that conversation cuz you disagree with ppl is the easy way out and it's also the best way to end all influence of that particular discussion. If you really want to influence what ppl think., then stay and discuss stuff. Yes, sure you will meet ppl who will always hate you for XYZ, but you will influence and be influenced by rational arguments if you stay.

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces. It CAN be exhausting to deal with shit that's 100% against what you think. But to cal;l us all white supremacists is just lazy and stupid. At least get more creative and knowledgeable in your insults.

It's projection from their side - since they are all "(white) soyboys" over there, and the thought of a diverse Utopia (Kodex) fundamentally scares them, since it denigrates their core principles.

I'm not privy to server data but I'm sure the stereotypical "straight, white, (Christian) male" they rail against is a minority here.

 

[TT1]

Can we have more bombs, please?

 

[Latro]

There is plenty more there to get the blood flowing, but apparently this the_wart guy has some deep closeted RPGcodex envy. He is sporting some massive love/hate wood. Can't blame him, being able to freely express oneself without fear of the ban hammer is a bit much for your typical SJW milk-toast. Egalitarianism and secular humanism are for cucks. I love how he invokes the whole "this in the year 2018" what the fuck kind of appeal to chronological snobbery is that.

The worst part is that places like this are completely prejudice and hypocritical. They paint this forum as an "alt right white supremacist" forum, but ignore tons of posters who don't fit that mold. I'm not white. A ton of posters aren't white on here. Some are gay. Some are trans, although lower in number than we'd all like. The codex loves ts Trannies. And ofc I say that in a very affectionate way. No homo.

Do we have literal Nazis? Do we have people who hate other groups cuz whatever? Sure. It's the nature of an unmoderated forum. Also, I'll point out that these "literal" Nazis are still interacting qith people that actual historical nazis would prolly execute, gas, etc.

What's my point? If you're at a table during a conversation,then walking away from that conversation cuz you disagree with ppl is the easy way out and it's also the best way to end all influence of that particular discussion. If you really want to influence what ppl think., then stay and discuss stuff. Yes, sure you will meet ppl who will always hate you for XYZ, but you will influence and be influenced by rational arguments if you stay.

I get why some people might want to flock to safe spaces. It CAN be exhausting to deal with shit that's 100% against what you think. But to cal;l us all white supremacists is just lazy and stupid. At least get more creative and knowledgeable in your insults.

It's projection from their side - they are all "(white) soyboys" over there, and the thought of a diverse Utopia (Kodex) fundamentally scares them, since it denigrates their core principles.

I'm not privy to server data but I'm sure the stereotypical "straight, white, (Christian) male" they rail against is a minority here.

the truth is we're all straight mexican catholics

 

[Mustawd]

I'm not privy to server data but I'm sure the stereotypical "straight, white, (Christian) male" they rail against is a minority here.

I really think it is. Look at the mod team. You got a jew. You got a woman. You have a 50 yr old man with down syndrome (Crispy ), you have a guy who used to think aobut being trans, you have a picky gay guy who loves tb games but is playing SOTA for some stupid fucking reason. You have a dirty greasy liberla Eyetalian living in mexico. Etc etc.


Yet all I read on RetardCetera and Obsidian forums is how shitty we all are and how we're all alt right white supremacists. Newflash. I voted for HRC. No. If you're reading this you're the short sighted ones. Fucking dumbasses.

 

[AwesomeButton]

It's projection from their side - they are all "(white) soyboys"

While in reality everyone is a mudcrab.

 

[Blaine]

>RPG Watch thinks Codex is full of American white supremacists
>member gallery actually full of Asians, Slavs, Latinos, Scandinavians, Muslims, Jews, le 56% face, etc.
>one confirmed literal German Nazi (in hiding)
>diversity conference in California filled with rich white hipsters, etc.

It's p. hilarious, because the Codex has actual diversity instead of fake and forced (and largely imaginary) diversity. Really though, a lot of these people think that console RPGs are good, and if you can believe that, you'll fall for fucking anything.

Wait... we don't have any out-of-the-closet black people, do we? Nevermind, clearly we're white supremacists after all.

 

[Kleptocratic debt serf]

Spoiler

extermination

OH I see... You had to use the spoiler tag because you're a mantis. Extermination would be a touchy subject for a fine upstanding insectoid.

 

[Kyl Von Kull]

Chris Avellone, some of these selections from other forums (fora?) do have a point. It goes without saying that the codex is a wretched hive of scum and villainy, so why is this the forum you choose to interact with? Is it because of relatively long-standing relationships with the likes of Fairfax? Are we just more obsessed with you and your work than anywhere else? Does Infinitron have photos of you in a compromising position? Did you and Sawyer partition the web so that he gets SomethingAwful and you get this place? Is there a chaotic neutral troll inside you that seeks out unmoderated environments? Or does the Codex simply feature the right kind of RPG fanaticism?

Please get some sleep.

 

[Latro]

on the outside i may be brown, but on the inside a germanic 100% white heart beats!

 

[Blaine]

on the outside i may be brown, but on the inside a germanic 100% white heart beats!

Let's get a look at ya....

Confirmed for 100% white. Sir, you're free to browse the Codex now. HEIL HITLER!

 

[Chris Avellone]

Chris Avellone, some of these selections from other forums (fora?) do have a point. It goes without saying that the codex is a wretched hive of scum and villainy, so why is this the forum you choose to interact with? Is it because of relatively long-standing relationships with the likes of Fairfax? Are we just more obsessed with you and your work than anywhere else? Does Infinitron have photos of you in a compromising position? Did you and Sawyer partition the web so that he gets SomethingAwful and you get this place? Is there a chaotic neutral troll inside you that seeks out unmoderated environments? Or does the Codex simply feature the right kind of RPG fanaticism?

Please get some sleep.

RPGCodex is one of the only ones who asked - and when asked, I try to answer.