thread: 2005-06-16 : Craft and Innovation
On 2005-06-19, Brand Robins wrote:
Funny enough, if you combine Vincent, Paul, and Meguuey's posts in various combinations (constant interaction with the material, growth of experts, and analysis of learned material) you pretty much get the history of the university/academy as it developed in the western world. The constant, consistent, and systematic accumulation, analysis, and passing of knowledge is a far more potent method of learning than the individual genius model (especially as it can enfold the genius and increase their ability to effect change and growth), and I think we're starting to move that way in game design.My post in Yud's dice was really about the fact that I think we're still weak in the 'building upon what we've already learned' part of the formula. Now I've since been schooled a little bit on the ways in which there is more of that dynamic that I was originally allowing for, but I think the point still stands. Let us not forget Newton's "standing on the shoulders of giants" aphorism. Yes we need innovation, yes we need constant interaction and systematic analysis of all play, but we also desperately need the ability to build upon each others works in a more solid and consistent manner.
With no real masters in the picture (yet, though I think a few are getting damn close on to it) the journeymen need to help each other and build off of each others' work. They need to bring in those on the outside with sharp new ideas and integrate those ideas. And they all need to constantly return to the field to make sure they are not building castles in the air. I do think that the Forge, and budded journals like this one and Ben's journal, are moving in that direction and away from the splintered individual genius model that has dominated game design for the past 30 years. And I know it will be a slow process, but its one that I think can be speeded up more than a bit if we consciously think about what we are doing and try to build it deliberately rather than waiting for random chance to bring it together.
Plus, I'm just the impatient type.
