a number of patterns

[Snapcase's Temporary DL]

"We are already deep in development for our first game - but we're not ready to talk about it just yet. Suffice it to say if you look back at my career you'll see a number of patterns emerging. I think you can pretty much imagine those themes are going to come along with me. Getting any more specific than that in your guesswork is probably dangerous!"

From the GameLoft UK interview back in september...

Patterns? Brian has been lead designer on three and a half games, afaik, all of them Civ-style. Is this an indication in that direction?

[timfry]

Didn't Brian also say when he was leaving Firaxis that he did not want to do another TBS game. Instead he was hoping to do some stuff with RTS.

[lord of the mark]

possible patterns

TBS - but he said that he wanted to do RTS - but that was before he signed with MS, which already has an RTS shop (ES) and no TBS shop.

Historical themes - well except for SMAC of course.

4X

Complexity and depth, including philosophical elements.

So i'd say there are many directions he could go and still follow one of his "patterns"

[Brian Reynolds]

The grunting noise you hear is me wanting to tell you all about it!

Brian

[FinnishGuy]

Hey, it speaks!

Perhaps you could tell us when you will start lifting the curtain...

[Myronides]

Hey, Brian! You can trust us with your secrets, we wont tell

[Brian Reynolds]

We're projecting release in 2002 (that's as far as I can narrow it down for you right now), which means that the marketing-planning is naturally still at a fairly preliminary stage. But hey, it's getting closer!

Looking forward to it,

Brian

[St Leo]

Taking existing concepts and refining them?

Oh, and a somewhat humorous
Scenario 1: Blizzard clones Warlords Battlecry! properly, releases it in 2002, and kills Brian's critically-acclaimed sleeper. BHG learns from the experience and releases a hit with their second game. Probability: 5%

Scenario 2: Havas Interactive get WarCraft III released in 2001 to cover its Sierra losses and it bombs. Microsoft's marketing muscle pulls through and BHG's first game places somewhere between Age of Empires II and Urban Assault on the sales charts. Probability: 25%.

Scenario 3: Microsoft's marketing department does a good job of identifying BHG with Ensemble and tricks Jane-Six-Packs into buying a quality game. Probability: 60%.

------------------
St. Leo
http://www.sidgames.com/hosted/ziggurat/
http://www.sidgames.com/forums/

[FinnishGuy]

Thanks, Brian!

Yes, looking forward to BHG's first game. I just wish that I'd know more about it...
[This message has been edited by FinnishGuy (edited January 16, 2001).]

[Geography Dan]

Wow! I can't wait to find out what it is!

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Why is it that every time I see a game company aligned with Microsoft, I get the sinking feeling that they're going to be turning out coasters for the XBox pretty quick...if it is a strategy game, I hope that BHG isn't going to be forced to cut it down and make it fit in a console...

Say it ain't so, Brian, say it ain't so...
[This message has been edited by Bell (edited January 16, 2001).]

[Geography Dan]

Good point, Bell. I pray MS doesn't go down that road.

[FinnishGuy]

Hmm I remember that when the Microsoft deal was announced, they also stated that at least the first game will be developed for PC.

[Snapcase on Snapcase]

Hey, a response!

Not much info, but with the alotted timesphere, we should see something at least by E3 in May, right?

[lord of the mark]

so brian, while you're here, care to comment on the Civ3 unique civ controversy, or are will you diplomatically avoid comment on Civ3?