- Platform:
- Published by:
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- Release Date: Oct 8, 2006
- Genre: Action
- Multiplayer: No
- Online: No
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Sid Meier Q&A
-- October 9, 2006 by: David Craddock
"Just one more turn."
Hours (days? weeks?) later....
"Just one more turn... seriously... just one more...."
Any fan of Civlization, Alpha Centauri, or any of Sid Meier's countless other addicting titles has uttered this phrase. Creator of arguably the most addicting video games of all time, the name Sid Meier brings smiles to the faces of many gamers with recollection of pulling all-nighters (probably even all-weekers) completing "just one more turn."
But Sid Meier's name doesn't produce respect and awe among only the gamers of the world; his name is far more powerful. Game designers from any genre know that any title bearing the "Sid Meier's" prefix is one worthy of careful scrutiny. If you want to learn game design from a master, you study a Sid Meier title.
To hear from a guy who genuinely loves gaming, who really cherishes his job, is always a joy, and whether you like Sid Meier's games or you don't, his thoughts are worth listening to. I had the chance to ask Sid more than a few questions concerning the industry, and as expected, his answers proved quite interesting.
Shack: Many game designers have that one special title, that one defining game or gaming moment that made them say, "This is what I want to do with my life." What game or moment is that for you?
Sid Meier: I grew up before video games were on the map, so my love of gaming stems from board games I played as a kid. As computers came into existence I was fascinated by them and spent time figuring out how they work and learning to code.
My first job out of college was with a company that made cash registers and slot machines and while I was there I met Bill Stealey who was in the sales department. I guess the "Ah-ha" moment for me came when Bill and I were at a convention and we found a flight-sim arcade to play. Bill was certain he would beat me since he had a background as a fighter pilot, but each time we played I crushed him. He asked how I was winning and I said I could figure out what the AI was doing and beat it. I told him the game was pretty lame and thought I could make a better game in two weeks. Bill challenged me to do it, I did, and Microprose was born.
That was in the early '80s and I've been making games ever since. It's the best job imaginable.
Shack: What games do you enjoy playing?
Sid Meier: My favorite games are probably Starcraft, Grand Turismo 3, and Age of Kings. I've also been having lots of fun with Guitar Hero; my son and I are budding rock 'n roll stars.
Shack: If you could pick any one genre that you haven't tackled yet, what would it be, and why? What would your "vision" for the genre and/or game be?
Sid Meier: I'm really interested in MMOs and have some ideas floating around, but nothing that I can share at the moment.
Shack: Do you see more console development in your future?
Sid Meier: Yes. More on that soon.
Shack: Things in the industry seem to be hurtling in the direction of online, online, online. What is your stance on digital distribution via services such as Steam that allow you to purchase games over the Internet? Good, bad, somewhere in between?
Sid Meier: I don't really have a "stance" on the topic, but I think it makes sense to have games available for purchase online. Some of our games are available on IGN's Direct2Drive and it's certainly a convenient way to purchase games.
Shack: What about episodic content?
Sid Meier: It's a very cool idea that allows developers to deliver fresh content to gamers on an ongoing basis, which keeps the game experience fun and rewarding for players...for a very long time.
Shack: Many gamers and industry specialists alike feel that gaming has hit a plateau. Some even feel it's growing stagnant, and that change is needed. What do you think? What sort of changes or innovations does gaming need to give it a boost?
Sid Meier: I don't agree with that sentiment. Gaming is constantly growing and changing...we're a very young industry and just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we can do with this medium. The next-gen hardware that is arriving now will allow developers to deliver new experiences to gamers that will push gaming to the next level.
The emergence of Xbox Live Arcade is one good example of gaming moving forward...developers can create new games, on a shorter development cycle and deliver them inexpensively to gamers. Right now most of the games appeal to more casual gamers, but as the space evolves it will allow for more robust games that will appeal to hardcore gamers.
Shack: What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Wii? Do you think it will offer exciting new game play possibilities, or do you see it as more of a flash in the pan?
Sid Meier: I just attended a demonstration of the Wii and it's a very fun system. We played Tennis and Excite Truck and had a blast. The controller is definitely a unique approach and is pretty intuitive. It won't work for all games, but it makes lots of sense for games that require individual character movements (like tennis, baseball, sword fighting, driving etc.).
Continue to page two, where you'll learn Sid's thoughts on the PC gaming industry, as well as the war on video games being waged by Congress.
