Q&A: June 7th, 2023

Jake Malone Asks
What do you value most in an RPG? And what is something you think more games should focus more on for RPGs?

Ever since doing the Alpha Protocol video, what I really want to see more of is reactivity rather than choice. Instead of the game going "here's all these decisions" I want the game to instead go "We're going to notice whatever you pick."

It's kind of funny how one of the most iconic moments in gaming is Deus Ex's "Denton, stay out of the ladies restroom" and yet we've made not much progress since then in-terms of actually registering the player's actions.

I believe that AI development shouldn't be spent trying to replace writers, but using it to register player actions that'd be far too cumbersome and time consuming to script by hand, that has the potential to combine brilliantly with handcrafted story.

nitrogue Asks
Have you ever seen Jormungand? It's one of the few things (sadly) that are somewhat similar to Black Lagoon. Speaking of, have you read the manga, since (even more sadly) the anime ended with the OVA?

I watched Jormungand years ago, and while there's aspects I liked, I can't honestly so I cared for it that much. The reason I love Black Lagoon and Ghost in the Shell is they really minimize the annoying anime-isms and focus on telling an interesting story and exploring characters in-depth.

Jormungand has way too much time wasted on unfunny gags that just amount to "haha, boobies!"

I like boobies, but if an arrogant hack like Kojima can incorporate them into the story (MGS3), then so can you. Though, I use arrogant hack because of MGS4 & 5, so...

As for the Manga, I haven't read the whole thing cover to cover but I do sometimes check-out whatever the latest arc is going on, and part of the frustration of not having a new season is not getting to see these new characters fully realized.

I especially enjoy the current arc of Revy becoming more of a mentor; I've heard some people complain about Black Lagoon not developing its characters, I just don't get it.

The character development is probably my favorite aspect about the series.

Though, I assume when they mean character development, they really mean, "are Rock and Revy fuckin yet?"

andylad Asks
Do you pity those in the game dev industry that can’t let go of their own creations and are forced to make sequels? Like how Kojima got fed of making MGS and how Sakurai got fed up of making Smash Bros sequels?

No.

They built that cage for themselves.

They could've let them go the whole time but just didn't want to risk it either falling down or excelling without them.

I don't pity them, but I also don't begrudge creators for it, I understand letting go isn't easy... though, I've never been in the position of letting go after making millions of dollars.

I feel like that'd make things a lot easier.

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