Let a billion videogames bloom

Merry Christmas, everyone! Having planned to post a newsletter on this day rather than taking a break, I hoped to make it especially good. That didn't quite work out, but enjoy anyway. Least I can do while working on things not connected to games.

Speaking of which: a word about my plans in 2021 is in order. I hope to keep going for another twelve to eighteen months; after that however, No Time To Play is winding down, most likely. While I still have faithful readers, there are only a few in a big sea of silence. With an uncertain future ahead and little to struggle for... something will need to change. Sorry about that.

In the mean time, let's see the end-of-year news.

• First of all, via Gamasutra we learn of a New Yorker interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, and there's much to love no matter how you feel about Nintendo. I'm conflicted myself: they've been so good over the years at nurturing creativity within their own ranks, while at the same time so horrible to fans. In this way, too, they are so much like Disney. How paradoxical.
• While we're in the legendary game designer aisle, let's hear Nathalie Lawhead's plea: Start making tools!. And seeing how the single most successful thing I made is ASCII Mapper? All I can say is, this!
• Also for game developers, some advice on Adding a "Reduced Effect Intensity" option to an existing RPG Maker MV game; despite the title, the write-up contains more widely applicable advice.

Last but not least, last Friday The Digital Antiquarian posted a history of Lode Runner, which is also well worth a read. With that, be well these holidays, and see you next year!

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