Nels Anderson
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What developers can learn from this generation of game criticism
This article analyzes the impact of video essays and online game criticism on game developers, contrasting it with traditional reviews and playtesting. While direct, actionable advice is rare, developers find inspiration and insight from creators like Mark Brown, Noah Caldwell-Gervais, and Jacob Geller, influencing their design philosophies and understanding of player experience.
After his city builder flopped in early access, Firewatch's Nels Anderson didn't give up: 'Smarter people than me … probably would've pulled the plug'
Despite significant wishlists and positive pre-launch indicators, Nels Anderson's solarpunk city-builder Generation Exile sold fewer than 300 copies during its early access launch on Steam. Anderson, also known for Firewatch and Mark of the Ninja, expressed his desire to understand the outcome rather than feeling entitled to success, while also critiquing industry trends that prioritize short-term gains over long-term player engagement.
"We're not perfectly replicating the real world, that would be crazy": The invisible design behind Firewatch's pine cones and picture frames
This article analyzes the subtle yet impactful design choices in Firewatch, focusing on how interactive elements like pine cones and picture frames convey character and narrative. Developer Campo Santo intentionally differentiated object interactions to create a tangible and grounded world, contrasting physics-based objects with those that return to a 'put back spot' to match player intention and character behavior.
"You're not doing parkour off a roof, but the principles were the same": How the makers of Firewatch pulled from Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock to tell a new kind of story in a walking simulator
Campo Santo developers discuss the inspirations behind their narrative exploration game Firewatch, drawing from titles like Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock. The team focused on creating a grounded, human-scale story with reactive gameplay elements and a strong sense of place, influenced by their camping trip to Yosemite National Park.
