Randy Smith's blog

Essay Questions on Storytelling

Much like real life, which is also made up as it goes along, we are invested in the unfolding, emergent story told by our actions in a videogame.

January 07, 2009

A Few of My Least Favorite Things

Unimaginative gameplay solutions block our ability to innovate. Here are some of the very worst offenders.

December 09, 2008

The Big Question

How much of the average videogame is art, and how much is product?

November 13, 2008

How Long Should Games Be?

Smash Bros is just one example of a short, repeating core experience with incredible versatility and depth, which makes it perhaps the haiku of our medium.

October 12, 2008

The Power of Imagination

When it comes to story, less can be more. Randy Smith, a lead game designer at EA’s LA Studio, investigates...

July 15, 2008

Today's News

PlayStation Platforms Dominate In Japan

PSP and PS3 lead weekly hardware sales, while Sega’s latest J-League Soccer title heads the software chart.
GameStop Acquires Jolt Online Gaming

Leading US games retailer reportedly purchases a majority stake in publisher of free-to-play browser titles.
Class Action Lawsuit Over Xbox Live Bans

Law firm alleges that Microsoft's recent wave of Xbox Live bans “has resulted in a great deal of collateral damage”.

Recent Features

MIGS: Only Fun and Games?

Brenda Braithwaite and Randy Smith discuss the potential in making games that aren't necessarily fun to play.
Mystery Play

Relic breakoff Smoking Gun Interactive explains its ambitious graphic novel and ARG project, all built to serve its still to be revealed new console IP.
Learning Vehicle

Code Of Everand aims to turn tired government policy points into engrossing play. We speak to developer Area/Code to find out how.

Keynotes

Survival Of The Fittest

Modern Warfare 2 didn’t muddle its morals: the game has no morals, and that’s exactly the way we like it, argues Chris Dahlen.
Jacks Of Both Trades

If games and movies don't develop some mutual respect, all we can expect are films that are really bad action games and games that are really bad films, says Steven Poole.
The Mecca Of Videogames

Chris Dahlen is lucky to live just an hour from the world’s greatest classic arcade, Funspot - so lucky that he takes it for granted.

From Edge Magazine

The Making Of: Cannon Fodder

Sensible Software’s cartoon yet exacting shoot ’em up took flak from the Royal British Legion, but lived to tell the tale.
Time Extend: Radiant Silvergun

It should have started a revolution, but Radiant Silvergun became famous instead for its price. One of gaming's greatest injustices?
A Brave New World

How do you innovate in the post-Wikipedia era? How about by creating a virtual world built from geographical data of the real world?
Time Extend: The Mark Of Kri

It was touted for its combat system, but SCE San Diego's team of ex-Disney animators really focused on movement rather than mechanics.
The Making Of: Tapper

Looking for a game to play in a bar, two coders hit upon an apt concept: beer. And a legend was born.

Randy Smith's blog

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