A Disco Elysium writer once told Josh Sawyer that 'we can do better than this now,' and Sawyer agrees

Renowned RPG director Josh Sawyer, known for acclaimed titles such as *Fallout: New Vegas*, *Pillars of Eternity*, and *Pentiment*, recently offered a candid perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of game development. In a chat with the Human Can Opener Podcast, Sawyer discussed the crucial role of mutual inspiration among creators and emphasized his humble approach to game design. He notably welcomes constructive criticism from his peers, including a writer from the critically acclaimed *Disco Elysium*.

Sawyer revealed an intriguing exchange where a *Disco Elysium* writer reached out, proposing a talk that served as an "updated response" to a narrative choice lecture Sawyer delivered back in 2012. Despite the potentially challenging nature of the suggestion—implying there was significant room for improvement on his decade-old ideas—Sawyer embraced it wholeheartedly. He famously quipped, "I certainly hope, fuckin', 10 years we can do better!" underscoring his belief that progress is not only inevitable but necessary.

This remarkable openness stems from Sawyer's core philosophy that no single developer holds all the answers. He views the creative process as a continuous cycle of appraisal and innovation, where creators actively build upon each other's work. Sawyer likened it to his own habit of critically examining other games, then attempting to improve upon concepts, only for others to subsequently refine his own contributions. Even deeply entrenched RPG traditions, such as branching dialogue, are subject to constant re-imagination and refinement.

Ultimately, Sawyer emphasizes that this iterative process is driven by collaboration, not competition. He asserts that the industry thrives on developers inspiring each other to push boundaries, rather than engaging in animosity. For Sawyer, the goal is simple: "do the best you can, [and] get inspired by other people," ensuring that game design, particularly in the rich RPG genre, remains vibrant and innovative for generations to come.

Closing

What exciting new narrative paths will future developers forge? We can't wait to see how these creative dialogues continue to shape the games we love!

Source: Original Article

Support the free press, community building, and the local arts scene by supporting The Prototype.