Suggestion for better interviews

[TCO]

I have been pretty dissatisfied with the interviews that we've seen on Apolyton and other gaming sites. They seem to be dry and not really share much info.

I think this happens for two reasons:

1. We interview the wrong people (faces of Apolyton, interviewing ourselves) or we interview the right people (game designers), but do so when they are in "mareketing mode" versus "fellow gamer" mode.

2. The interview questions appear to be mailed and returned with answers. There is no back and forth. no elaboration on interesting areas, etc.



What would be better would be an interview (real one) with someone like Alan Emrich. See these links for how interesting he would be:

http://hometown.aol.com/aemrich111/aemrich11/default.htm

[MarkG]

Re: Suggestion for better interviews

Originally posted by GP
1. We interview the wrong people (faces of Apolyton, interviewing ourselves) or we interview the right people (game designers), but do so when they are in "mareketing mode" versus "fellow gamer" mode.

do you include questions on the ability of the AI to do full-scale invasions in the "marketing mode" or not?

2. The interview questions appear to be mailed and returned with answers. There is no back and forth. no elaboration on interesting areas, etc.

that's true, and it's the preferred way of the companies to do things

we are also doing chats though, where there is plenty of back&forth-ing

[Solver]

Hm, making a list of people to interview here. George Bush, bin Laden, Fidel Castro and David Beckham. Is that going to be good .

[Ming]

I thought the interview with the great god Sid for SimGolf was a good one. While he was in marketing mode... we did get some insights into his love of the game of golf...

[TCO]

Markos, this was a serious comment from me. If we could raise the bar for interviews, it would look really good.

[TCO]

Ming, agreed some are better than others.

Markos, some companies will agree to having the questions mailed ahead of time, but still allow a "real interview" with some followup and spontaneity. I would like to send you some articles about a famous Greek journalist who di great interviews of the US Navy duroing the Cold War. This will motivate you.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by GP
Markos, this was a serious comment from me. If we could raise the bar for interviews, it would look really good.

there's a serious answer in my post GP. just take out the humourous parts

[TCO]

Ming,

I think some of these guys don't have any concept of how artificial "mailed Q&A" is. When I was talking with Solver, I offered to interview you, Ming. Fully intending to set up an in-person interview on my next trip through Chi-town (alcohol and tape recorder included). Sure I'd do some work ahead of time to be prepared, but it would be more like a real interview.

Solver, didn't seem to understand the concept!!

[Ming]

In a perfect world... you are correct. (It would be a funny interview after about the 10th beer)

But the current format is about the only way to do it unless you use the chat room...

[TCO]

Ming,

It might take 10 or so...you've got quite a tolerance!

Anhow, there are other options than chat room or mailed Q&A.

There's this new fangled thing called ICQ. And this oldfashioned thing called the "telephone".

[MarkG]

Originally posted by GP
some companies will agree to having the questions mailed ahead of time, but still allow a "real interview" with some followup and spontaneity

ok, we'll go find these companies and do interviews with their people, even if they have nothing to do with civ...

[Ming]

Originally posted by MarkG
ok, we'll go find these companies and do interviews with their people, even if they have nothing to do with civ...

[TCO]

No I didn't miss that. I understand that. (As long as we're talking to each other in this tone...) I think you missed the following points from my postings:

1. Some interviewees will agree to a "live" interview provided the questions are sent ahead of time, and there are no surpirses in the real interview. This is still preferable in terms of getting a more readable interview and because a little followup Q/A can be done.

2. Maybe we should interview game designers not just when in marketing mode. For instance this Emrich guy. Read his take on strategy guides. It is quite revealing. Or one of the guys who left Firaxis or the industry. Or Shelly (sp?) on Civ1.

[TCO]

Originally posted by MarkG
ok, we'll go find these companies and do interviews with their people, even if they have nothing to do with civ...

1. Having fun, Mark?

2. Ever try bargaining a little? ask for "half a loaf"?