An interview with Chris Avellone and Tim Cain

[Damian79]

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

It is kinda sad how the process of game development is so lame these days.  It is no longer about the good idea, but rather "make dudebro fps clone/sequel #21".

[Cerveza mas fina]

Everything is based on numbers and research, focus groups etc.

Everything.

[fomalhaut]

this was awesome, Obsidian are probably some of the coolest developers ever. 

I mean Cain and Avellone literally offered to help with the scripts to Nuka Break, who else would do that???

[Sho Nuff]

Everything is based on numbers and research, focus groups etc.

Everything.

I sit in on a number of these and the number of stupid things people say, followed by knee jerk reactions from the publisher to "fix" the issue, would turn you white

[fomalhaut]

LETS THROW EXPLOSIONS ON IT

[Raban]

Everything is based on numbers and research, focus groups etc.

Everything.

I sit in on a number of these and the number of stupid things people say, followed by knee jerk reactions from the publisher to "fix" the issue, would turn you white

I believe it, considering the games I've played at retail.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Everything is based on numbers and research, focus groups etc.

Everything.

I sit in on a number of these and the number of stupid things people say, followed by knee jerk reactions from the publisher to "fix" the issue, would turn you white

I def believe you.

[brob]

easy. leave it on that part on the cutting room floor. and add a bread crumb trail just to be safe. maybe some crazy taxi arrows as well.

[Raban]

where's the suicide smiley when you need it

[fomalhaut]

easy. leave it on that part on the cutting room floor. and add a bread crumb trail just to be safe. maybe some crazy taxi arrows as well.

auto regen health
x = awesome

[Great Rumbler]

This game is too frustrating = Auto-regen health
I wish my favorite games had more content = DLC
I don't know where to go next = Giant, on-screen arrow
Games are too complicated = Kinect, Wiimote, Move

[Sho Nuff]

This game is too frustrating = Auto-regen health
I wish my favorite games had more content = DLC
I don't know where to go next = Giant, on-screen arrow
Games are too complicated = Kinect, Wiimote, Move

The funny thing is, the Japanese way of dealing with focus groups = give them the game 2 weeks before final version, then say "You don't understand the game, this focus group is worthless"

[maxy]

Uncharted 3 game director

He also said that ND had to make adjustments to the game’s crushing difficulty setting as even many play testers found it impossible to complete the game on that mode.

how nice

[Great Rumbler]

This game is too frustrating = Auto-regen health
I wish my favorite games had more content = DLC
I don't know where to go next = Giant, on-screen arrow
Games are too complicated = Kinect, Wiimote, Move

The funny thing is, the Japanese way of dealing with focus groups = give them the game 2 weeks before final version, then say "You don't understand the game, this focus group is worthless"

Which proves that either extreme is equally dumb [see: Final Fantasy XIV].

[Sho Nuff]

Uncharted 3 game director

He also said that ND had to make adjustments to the game’s crushing difficulty setting as even many play testers found it impossible to complete the game on that mode.

how nice

In my experience, playtesters are usually hardcore as shit and will destroy your game for being too easy. If you can make them cry that's quite an accomplishment

edit: Playtesting done right, right here:
http://www.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/15-09/ff_halo?currentPage=all