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Author Topic:   Brian Reynolds' Alpha Centauri

Phlegm posted 02-16-99 02:02 PM ET
No offense to Sid Meier, but I find it a bit inaccurate to put his name in the title. I mean, come on. Who was the Dr. Oppenheimer of this Manhattan Project? Who led the design team, wrote code, implemented ideas, religiously followed the usenet, and developed the idea into the game now keeping us up at nights? Yeah, Sid made Civ 1, which founded the series, but please. He's pratically retired now from development, using his name merely as a cynical marketing ploy and to ensure that the fruits of the FIRAXIS design team are funneled to his bank account. Meanwhile, go to any gaming site and what do they say in their previews/reviews of SMAC. "Sid Meier's next masterpiece..." "Alpha Centauri could be Sid Meier's next great game..." "Sid Meier has done it again..."
I dunno. Sorry to sound so negative. I just think that credit should be given where credit is due, especially for a project of this magnitude. Comments/flames welcome
Phlegm
Jimmy posted 02-16-99 02:42 PM ET
Do you really think that Sid Meier just sat back and watched ? He had a huge part in the development of smac. He should get the credit that he is due as co-creator of smac.
Seely posted 02-16-99 02:52 PM ET
That's all it is: a marketing grab. EA would never release a game that involved Sid Meier in any way without putting his name on it, and that's just the way of things. Remember, money first, credibility second. I doubt Firaxis even had any say about what went on the box. Mr. Reynolds has indicated in interviews that he's relatively unconcerned about it, and his respect and friendship with Mr. Meier is such that something that is clearly intended to generate more sales of the game isn't taken personally. And there's no point in arguing that fact when it's true that the game will sell more with Sid's name-- the gaming sites and mags pay more attention to it, increasing recognition of the game, increasing public interest, increasing sales. And why wouldn't Firaxis want the game to sell more copies? The true fans know that Brian Reynolds was the director of this effort, and they're duly appreciative, and eagerly anticipating his next project. I know I am.
As for Sid Meier being retired from development, that hardly seems the case. He did contribute to SMAC, more as a design tester and some small creative input. He didn't develop the game, but he's not retired from development-- he's between projects. Gettysburg! isn't very old, and the entire Firaxis team was devoted to SMAC. I'm sure Mr. Meier will head the next project or be involved more in direct development...And keep in mind that every title Firaxis ever releases will bear the header "Sid Meier's...", regardless of how much involvement he has with the project, because he's a recognized name, and the most publicized founder of Firaxis. And that will make money... sure it's cynical, but it's the way things are...
Okay, I've beat that to death... sorry to ramble
IkshahI posted 02-16-99 07:48 PM ET
It is not just a market grab, BR stated in an interview :
"It has become a tradition" - Brian Reynolds doesn't need to be shown his self worth people, he knows, you know, Sid knows, and everyone knows that he is as essential to Firaxis as Sid, Jeff, Tim, Michael and everyone else....
IkshahI posted 02-16-99 07:49 PM ET
one more thing :
Firaxis' game plan is too have every other year ALTERNATING. Therefore SMG was pure Meier while SMAC is pure Brian...
Well, that is what was basically said a while back...
hcainesjr posted 02-17-99 02:59 PM ET
I managae a pizza shop. I train my people to do the things the way I want them done. When I am there it is my name on the pizzas. When I am not, they have my name on them because they are made my way. From what I have seen, Sid and Brian share the same brain. I have never known them to publicy disagree with each other. They may reason out any disputes on issues just as one individual may do. This is a team effort and can only be done as a team. How long would it take one person to a game like this. Look a the credits.
VvGaMeRXvV posted 02-17-99 03:06 PM ET
They did give a good amount of recognition to Brian Reynolds. His picture is inside the flap of the box. It shows him next to a caption telling you a little about him. So it isn't like he is treated as a lowly programmer or artist, he gets some attention.
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Author	Topic: Brian Reynolds' Alpha Centauri
Phlegm	posted 02-16-99 02:02 PM ET No offense to Sid Meier, but I find it a bit inaccurate to put his name in the title. I mean, come on. Who was the Dr. Oppenheimer of this Manhattan Project? Who led the design team, wrote code, implemented ideas, religiously followed the usenet, and developed the idea into the game now keeping us up at nights? Yeah, Sid made Civ 1, which founded the series, but please. He's pratically retired now from development, using his name merely as a cynical marketing ploy and to ensure that the fruits of the FIRAXIS design team are funneled to his bank account. Meanwhile, go to any gaming site and what do they say in their previews/reviews of SMAC. "Sid Meier's next masterpiece..." "Alpha Centauri could be Sid Meier's next great game..." "Sid Meier has done it again..." I dunno. Sorry to sound so negative. I just think that credit should be given where credit is due, especially for a project of this magnitude. Comments/flames welcome Phlegm
Jimmy	posted 02-16-99 02:42 PM ET Do you really think that Sid Meier just sat back and watched ? He had a huge part in the development of smac. He should get the credit that he is due as co-creator of smac.
Seely	posted 02-16-99 02:52 PM ET That's all it is: a marketing grab. EA would never release a game that involved Sid Meier in any way without putting his name on it, and that's just the way of things. Remember, money first, credibility second. I doubt Firaxis even had any say about what went on the box. Mr. Reynolds has indicated in interviews that he's relatively unconcerned about it, and his respect and friendship with Mr. Meier is such that something that is clearly intended to generate more sales of the game isn't taken personally. And there's no point in arguing that fact when it's true that the game will sell more with Sid's name-- the gaming sites and mags pay more attention to it, increasing recognition of the game, increasing public interest, increasing sales. And why wouldn't Firaxis want the game to sell more copies? The true fans know that Brian Reynolds was the director of this effort, and they're duly appreciative, and eagerly anticipating his next project. I know I am. As for Sid Meier being retired from development, that hardly seems the case. He did contribute to SMAC, more as a design tester and some small creative input. He didn't develop the game, but he's not retired from development-- he's between projects. Gettysburg! isn't very old, and the entire Firaxis team was devoted to SMAC. I'm sure Mr. Meier will head the next project or be involved more in direct development...And keep in mind that every title Firaxis ever releases will bear the header "Sid Meier's...", regardless of how much involvement he has with the project, because he's a recognized name, and the most publicized founder of Firaxis. And that will make money... sure it's cynical, but it's the way things are... Okay, I've beat that to death... sorry to ramble
IkshahI	posted 02-16-99 07:48 PM ET It is not just a market grab, BR stated in an interview : "It has become a tradition" - Brian Reynolds doesn't need to be shown his self worth people, he knows, you know, Sid knows, and everyone knows that he is as essential to Firaxis as Sid, Jeff, Tim, Michael and everyone else....
IkshahI	posted 02-16-99 07:49 PM ET one more thing : Firaxis' game plan is too have every other year ALTERNATING. Therefore SMG was pure Meier while SMAC is pure Brian... Well, that is what was basically said a while back...
hcainesjr	posted 02-17-99 02:59 PM ET I managae a pizza shop. I train my people to do the things the way I want them done. When I am there it is my name on the pizzas. When I am not, they have my name on them because they are made my way. From what I have seen, Sid and Brian share the same brain. I have never known them to publicy disagree with each other. They may reason out any disputes on issues just as one individual may do. This is a team effort and can only be done as a team. How long would it take one person to a game like this. Look a the credits.
VvGaMeRXvV	posted 02-17-99 03:06 PM ET They did give a good amount of recognition to Brian Reynolds. His picture is inside the flap of the box. It shows him next to a caption telling you a little about him. So it isn't like he is treated as a lowly programmer or artist, he gets some attention.