For those of you who don't know (Bruce), I was the designer
for Shadow Watch, and I have a comment on the
article.
I loved it.
Obviously, I disagree with much of it, although not all of
it. I also don't want to get into a point-by-point argument over
it for two reasons. The first is the tactical reason. I see no
point in entering a head-butting contest with a man so neurally
infarcted that he believes that the brilliance of the tactical
combat in X-Com was only incidental to that title's legendary
quality. I'd end up looking like an elderly Klingon long before
I got a satisfactory explanation of such little gems as the claim
that Shadow Watch doesn't reward player progress when he includes
A SCREEN SHOT OF THE FRICKIN' SKILL TREE. But perhaps I digress.
The second and more important reason is strategic. Bruce's
work represents an actual review of the game. No, better than
that: actual criticism of the game.
In case you missed it, Shadow Watch didn't review well. I
could duck over to Gone Gold and get some statistics on that,
but I've already hit my quota on antidepressants today. But the
vast majority of the reviews took the game to task for either
being turn-based, 2D, or in most cases both. Now perhaps it's
my own background as a reviewer, or possibly just normal mammalian
brain activity, but I believe that you don't go to the Westminster
Dog Show and dock the pups points because they're not all German
Shepherds. Bruce showed signs of having actually tried to play
the game and actually trying to think about it, thereby distinguishing
himself twice from most reviewers.
In this, Bruce's criticism serves two points. Not only is
it easy fodder for an Abnormal Psych postdoc's journal efforts,
it also actually encourages discussion of the points it raises.
Here I don't mean his comments about the lack of need for turn-by-turn
planning in SW; we'll just forward those along to the FDA to prove
that Bruce's drugs need more warning labels. I mean his larger
comments about the role of story, the need for pacing, and the
central point that strategy games revolve around decisions.
Bruce's article is noteworthy for raising these points, even
though the framing and outcome are tragically misguided; it's
like watching a remake of Lolita starring Adam Sandler and Hallie
Kate Eisenberg. While computer and video games are not art, they
are an art form, or at least there are rules of form that apply
to making good ones, and I'm grateful that the voices in his head
babbled this way today.
Also, I'm happy to see anybody mention Shadow Watch anywhere,
no matter what the outcome. I also feel certain that anyone familiar
with Bruce's opinions before will rush right out and demand several
copies of SW for all their friends and neighbors, so the outcome
will definitely be good.
It was interesting to see the three of you work together:
like a Yalta for geeks. Keep Bruce around if you can; just don't
let him have Poland.
Kevin Perry
Director of Design, Red Storm Entertainment
Hello Tom!
On which site can I read more of your reviews? Also bring
back the Shooting Club. :-)
Regards,
Marc Floessel
Hey, where are the new shoot clubs? They're pretty much the
only thing worth reading on the site so it's a pity you haven't
done one in a month and a half. Or did you guys give up already?
Brian Robinson
Hello, my name is Jeff Matsuda and i wanted to drop a line
to say that i really enjoy your shoot club column. I attained
the link off of blues news, and will be reading it from now on.
I was just playing giants as well on a lan and found all the same
things to be true. well anyhow gotta go, before more typos appear.
thanks
-j
When are you updating the Shoot Club again....You guys have
a great page good news and even better laughs..But Shoot Club
was the best..Please hurry and bring it back!!!!!!
James
Hey guys,
Just wanted to say that you are doing a great job, but I'm really
jonesing for another ep of Shoot Club!!!!! Is Tom still doing
the column? I understand if he is busy but if not, beat him for
me would you?
Peace,
Shawn
I could rhapsodize, but fuck that. You guys kick ass. Keep
up the good work.
"You know, I heard there's a Shoot Club in Chicago now."
Wil Flachsbart
Wil et al.,
We're detecting a pattern here. Check Quarter to Three tomorrow.
We hope you'll be pleasantly surprised.
