Re: IF Criticism (or, Review of Review: The Light...)

["Andrew C. Plotkin" <erkyrath+@CMU.EDU>]

u6ed4@wvnvm.wvnet.edu (bonni mierzejewska) writes:
> I find these "rules" rather intimidating.  As a new author, actually, I've
> become *afraid*, in the last month or so, of how my competition entry will
> be received, and Gareth Rees' reviews have been contributing to that fear.
> If what's wanted in new IF

Bzzt! Syntax error. Passive voice has led you astray. "What's wanted
in new IF" by who?  

People want all sorts of things. Your audience will find you. (Unless
you refuse to upload your game.) Someone who hates your game will also
find you. This happens to everybody.

> So should I refrain from releasing any games until I can compete
> with Graham Nelson, Gareth Rees and Dave Baggett? 

Yes -- in fact, you should crawl into a cave and eat nothing but moss
until you attain enlightenment and solve the world's problems. Come
on, what do you think I'm going to say?

You were talking about coding expertise, but I tend to think that's
less important to the success of a game than design and writing
ability. (The coding in Spiritwrak is, well, pretty bad -- but people
are having fun with it.) Writing ability is a matter of practice and
feedback. And stealing from the best, of course. :)

--Z

"And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these were the borogoves..."