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`KILLING` PROJECTS CAN BE `GREAT` TOO
(25 August 2005, 20:55 | Dino) GameSpy`s Allen "Delsyn" Rausch caught up with Sid Meier, Firaxis Games` Director of Creative Development, at this year`s "GenCon" gathering. In the latter stages of the interview, the presently shelved Dinosaurs project is mentioned. In many ways, video games are about exploration and discovery, Meier had responded to an inquiry about the variety of scope in his games. All of my games are based on stuff I was interested in at the time. Rausch then mentions "dinosaurs" as one of those interests. Laughing, Meier replies: [s]ometimes it`s great to be able to kill a project, too.
Earlier, Meier indicated that he was attending "GenCon" with his son, who`s into Role Playing Games (RPGs) and Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, to spend some time with him, and check out some cool new games. No titles of Firaxis` are being promoted at the event. - DanQ
STILL SHELVED FOR THE TIME BEING
(24 August 2005, 14:03 | Dino) In the latest edition of his "Ask Sid" feature published earlier this month on Firaxis Games` website, the gaming developer`s Director of Creative Development addressed a fan regarding a return to development on Dinosaurs which has been on hold now for more than four years [see story].
I haven`t had much time to go back and look at that game lately, Meier answers. We`ve been non[-]stop busy making other games... so th[is] remains on the shelf. However, I do love the idea of a dinosaur game and would like to revisit it when I have some time. - DanQ
IT`S DEAD... FOR NOW
(12 August 2002, 22:25 | Dino) At the 35th GenCon held in Milwaukee, WI over the weekend, Firaxis Games` Chairman and Director of Creative Development Sid Meier answered a question from Andrew S. Bub -- amidst others regarding their current project, Civilization III: Play The World -- whether or not Sid Meier`s Dinosaurs is dead or not.
The answer? Right now it is. I still want to do it but it wasn`t working. We`ll see. - DanQ
MEIER TO SPEAK AT D.I.C.E. SUMMIT
(11 November 2001, 14:10 | Dino) Sid Meier, Chairman & Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games, will be speaking at the 2002 D.I.C.E. Summit being held from February 28th -- March 1st next year at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vagas, Nevada. D.I.C.E. is short for Design, Innovate, Create and Entertain.
According to the summit's itinerary, Meier is set to deliver a speech to attendees entitled "The DINO Project: Three Glorious Failures". From the D.I.C.E. website:
Game designer Sid Meier discusses and shows his prototypes of three different approaches to creating the ultimate dinosaur game. "Sometimes we learn more from a game that doesn't quite work than from one that does", Sid claims.
Other notable speakers include Maxis' Chief Designer Will Wright and Bruce Shelley, Senior Designer at Ensemble Studios. It is hoped that the transcript of Meier's and other speakers' discussions will be released to the public after the conference is completed. Attendence cost is $500US for Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) members and $950US for non-AIAS members; online registration is available.
Thanks to CapTVK for the news tip. - DanQ
MORE ON DINOS` DEMISE
(29 May 2001, 14:21 | Dino) The Stratos Group has posted a report containing the outline and contents of the Q&A session that Sid Meier held during the E3 Conference, in conjunction with the main Trade Show. Although the game focuses largely on gaming trends in general and what makes a good game, there are several interesting tidbits for those who wonder what happened to Dinos.
[A]nother topic Sid discussed, [...] was when you have to kill a game. The game in question was tentatively named 'Dinosaurs.' The game was supposed to be a sim game where the player could create and control races of dinosaurs. The game idea sounded really plausible, but Sid just felt that they couldn't get the gameplay down. The game went through several radical design changes, from an RTS to a collectible card game theme, but in the end they had to close the project down. While the game concept sounded really intriguing, Sid's development team simply hadn't found the way yet to make a truly enjoyable game out of it. Rather than release a 'sub-par' game, they opted to put the game on permanent hold.
There is more to read, so head right over. Thanks to Blue's News for the link. - Snapcase
SID: `DINOSAURS LEFT FOR THE FUTURE`
(26 January 2001, 19:17 | Dino) Stomped published a short interview with Sid Meier on the recent announcement for Dinosaurs.
Sid explained that this isn't the first time something like this happens...
I've made a few games that I put on the back shelf at some point during their development because another idea suddenly caught my attention or it just wasn't flowing the way I wanted it to, so I went in search of inspiration (this happened with the original Civilization). (the definition of "good hunch" imho :))
left hope for the future...
I think a dinosaur game is a cool idea. So, it is definitely still on my wish list of games to make in the future
and gave no clue on what the new prototype is, while pointing to the official site for any civ3 news... :)
Thanks to CapTVK for the quick report! - MarkG
