The Sideline Interviewer

[LadyThief]

Interviewer - You seem to be getting a slow start compared to the others.
No, not really. I came up with a lot of stuff yesterday, most of which will probably make it into the game. I also did a lot of work earlier. I've already got a fairly workable system. I just haven't bothered to type it yet.
Interviewer - So I see you're out of the running for the first Chairman's Challenge.
Yeah, I know that the Victorian Era is common in RPGs. But dammit, I wanted to do a game set in the Victorian Era. Mostly because I wanted clockwork monstrosities and references to reality.
Interviewer - Speaking of references, can we expect to see references to various other forms of entertainement in your game?
Oh hell yeah. So far, I've managed to reference a movie, an anime series, and a manga. I'm sure there will be more.
Intervierwer - Can we expect this delectable masterpiece early?
More than likely. I have somewhere to be over the weekend, and I won't be in any condition to do any creative thinking. There will be pocky.

[PlotDevice]

Interviewer: So you're taking another break for rest. Feel like you have made much progress?

Yes and no. I made a mental list of my outstanding problems. The list has shrunk a bit. So that is progress.

Interviewer: It does look like many of the others have progressed quite a bit further with their games. Do you think you are falling behind?

Everyone works in their own way. Let me tell you a story I heard on the TV show Lost the other day. Michelangelo was commissioned to create a statue. Two months on, the patron came to the artist's workroom to see how things had progressed. He found Michalangelo sitting quietly in the room, staring at the block of marble, which had not been touched. When the patron, somewhat upset, asked him "What are you doing?" he simply answered, "I'm working". Four months later, that slab of marble was the David.

Interviewer: Are you comparing yourself to Michelangelo?

Oh, crikey, no. That is just a crappy story from a TV show, I doubt it has any foundation in reality. But it illustrates something in my process. I think about an issue a lot, from lots of different angles, until I am happy with it. Usually I abandon ideas after several days of trying if the peices don't end up fitting together to my satisfaction. But on those occasions that I get it all to fall into place... it doesn't take that long to write once I have it right. In fact, that part, the writing, is the last bit, and in my mind the easiest. It is the getting it right, or at least as good as I can, that is the killer.

Interviewer: So how do you feel about the work so far on this challenge? Does it feel right yet?

No, not yet. But none of the issues I have at the moment are feeling insurmountable... so there is good hope. I have some time yet. In fact, I better dive back in now.

[Jason Petrasko]

Interviewer: We just tracked down another contestant back from sleep!. Hey! You there! What's the rush?

*pants* I had a heap of ideas come in brainstorms last night. *pant* Gotta go gettm' down and work 'em up! *runs off*

[BrennaLaRosa]

Interviewer:Is this promising to be a productive day for you?
Alas, Doctor Who was at Midnight last night and I NEVER miss an episode! So I woke up late and so much had to be done. But I have a few ideas I can spit out today!

Are you afraid you're confection might be seen as too sweet?
Well, I can only please one person at a time, right?

*Screams as an assistant tries to beat out the flames on a dish*
Eheh, 'Scuse me a minute! *dashes off*

[matthijs]

Interviewer: What do you think of the other contestants so far?
They're all, you know, really nice people. I think. Actually, from where I'm sitting, they might also be AIs. In fact, this whole thing might be a Turing test for all I know.

Is it time you went to bed?
Yes.

[BrennaLaRosa]

Interviewer: Awfully late and you have work in the real world tomorrow at 8!
Yeah, but I'm monitoring the competition. Looks like it could be close!

Shouldn't you be in bed now, Chef La Rosa?
...I know not of this...BED of which you speak.

[Rossum]

Interviewer: And now we catch up with a relative newcomer to the Indie RPG scene. Mischa, do you have a moment for our viewers at home?

Anything for my public.

Interviewer: How did you come to enter this year's competition?

Well, I'd heard about this competition on the Forge a few months back, but it had totally slipped my mind. Clinton R. Nixon of Anvilwerks fame mentioned it to me last Friday, and the steps as posted got my mind working. Like most of us, I've been playing for years and fiddled with designing homebrew games, but never seriously turned my hand to writing a game.

A funny story- When I first read step three, I misread the requirement to choose only one of the rules limitations. I started working on something to trying to hit all six!

Interviewer: That's pretty shameless name-dropping there.

Well, as a newcomer, I need to earn whatever currency I can, but I don't want to trade on any name other than my own. At the very least, I can get invited to some of the better parties.

Interviewer: How are you feeling about your dish? How did you choose the name?

I'm pretty excited. Alternate history and post-apocalypse are two of my favorite genres. I've needed an excuse to create something, and the Game Cheff competition gives me a public reason to keep at it. I think I have an extremely solid idea for a roleplaying game- it may not be as dressed up as a lot of the work on the fringe these days, but I think it'll satisfy.

I named the game after a specific year with a heavy connotation, and 'Prime' designates an offshoot from the main timeline. I chose to spell it out rather than call my game 1984', with an easily-overlooked apostrophe. I had a few other, more heavy-handed ideas, but I just didn't like them and they didn't have the right feel.

Interviewer: What do you think of the other entries?

That's a hard one to answer. So far, I'm most impressed with Beneath a High Pillow and The Shab-al-Hiri Roach. Both seem to be very rich and succulent.

On the other hand, and I'm not sure if this is due to a lack of understanding on my part, or simply a lack of released information of the chefs, but some of the other entries seem to be more hors d'oeuvres than full meals. I know there's nothing wrong with a quick bite if you don't have time for the whole course, but that sort of thing won't always satisfy every appetite.

Interviewer: Share your thoughts on this year's ingredients.

I think that some of the ingredients go together like, well- like Accusers and Companions. Wine and Entymology, on the other hand, are very specific words to me. It's hard to think of a game that only peripherally deals with those concepts.

As for the rules limitations, I've had a passel of ideas that would be much better suited to a board or a card game, notably with all the cards, colors, and hand gestures. You may notice I'm holding back on discussing the system I plan to use for 1984 Prime.

Interviewer: It seems that there's a lot of entries generating a fair amount of discussion. Are you worried or intimidated?

A little, but not much. I'm hoping that I'm releasing information that's relative clear and doesn't need much clarification. I also know that I've held back on system-specific details, and that's the sort of meat that really generates the pageviews. Maybe I should just hire a better publicist.

Still, it's an honor just to participate.

Interviewer: Look at the time, we need to sign off. Any last thoughts?

<sniff sniff> Er, I should really get back to my kitchen. A fine dish doesn't just cook itself, no matter how much you goof around on the Internet.

MDK

[Paka]

Interviewer: How are you feeling about your entry?

It is shaping up. I think it wil be a fun game when its done.

Interviewer: How is this different from what you usually done on gaming forums, coming up with ideas for other people's games?

Its the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, I think. One can help and inform the other but ultimately, they are different ways of moving.

Interviewer: How do you feel about your many unfinished projects and that many doubt your ability to finish this by the deadline?

This summer, for me, is all about finishing up loose ends. I look forward to a chance to prove that here. Ultimately, this contest is last on my priority list this week but it should be a nice way to keep my typing flow moving smoothly.

Interviewer: What other projects are you working on?

I'm trying to put the finishing touches on the Dictionary of Mu and a d20 project.

Interviewer: d20? Can you say that here?

I dunno. Can I?

Thanks for this interview but I can see that my water's boiling.

And a shout-out to the other cooks:

Gambatte, my brother and sister gaming geeks!

[Eggo von Eggo]

Interviewer: Hang on, I see someone trying to sneak in just beyond the crowds lining up for real designer's autographs

>camera jostles thorugh a crowd in true MTV style, eventually settling on an unwashed miscreant, toting an oversized burlap bag with "andes" stencilled on the side. He quickly covers the bag with a filthy blanket, his eyes darting about maniacally.<

excuse me, are you seriously trying to enter at this late stage?

Well, I've been doing research. Lots of it.


Interviewer: is that what all of those things you're carrying are? And what's that smell?
>grin< Well, while my fellow chefs have been "designing" and "thinking", I've been out in the field, actually figuring out a good way to tie everything together.


Interviewer: I can tell from your smack-down inspired oration that you must be a return contestant.
But don't let it fool you. If there ever was a dark horse, it was me. The darkest of any horse in history. Last time 'round my idea was lame, my application wishy-washy, and my mechanics uninspired. But not this time. >fiendish grin<


Interviewer: So, what can the public expect this time?
Well, to begin with, I think "public" is a pretty strong term. Nobody who matters cares about this stupid contest. On the other hand, dozens of slovering wanna-be game designers are in for a treat. I've spent the last year rubbing salt in my wounds, honing my skills in a cauldron of self-loathing, and contemplating how best to show up these pretentious game-fu monkeys.


Interviewer: Wow. Your last game must have really sucked.
Yeah. But Mike didn't have to be mean about it.


Interviewer: Are you really that bitter?
No. But it's a useful personality to affect to distract everyone from my many foibles.


Interviewer: So, what's in the big smelly bag?
Oh, a little of this a little of that. Let's just say I snuck it over a few borders to get it here. I'm going to be bringing a little southern flavour to the contest, which is always overrun with a bunch of wankers who think they know what a ninja is. Did I do my bit about the game-fu monkeys?


Interviewer: Yes. Yes you did.
Good. It's a good bit. >moves closer to camera<


Interviewer: >covering nose with hankie< Shouldn't you go clean that llama dung off of your poncho before you start cooking?
Nah. Adds protein.

[jmstar]

Interviewer: Shab-al-hiri?
Real place. In Iraq, near the Syrian border. There's a potash mine there. Here's an awesome map:

Interviewer: Pemberton University?
Made up. I was inspired by this guys growing collection of portraits:

Interviewer: Those are great. How about the ingredients - what's your take?
Well, I was pleased. "Entymology" really got me started. The mechanical constraints didn't bother me because, for some reason, I'm really into designing with cards anyway. I'm super excited to see the wide range of designs emerging inother games!

Interviewer: Any concerns about your dish at this point?
Plenty - I'm not sure it is going to hang together mechanically, and I need to hammer Reputation into shape. Also, not sure about getting and losing the Roach yet. (Glances with concern at the kitchen) I gotta get back to work.

Interviewer:Thanks for your time.
No problem.