[pleto4_ryan]

Good luck in everything you will do from now on...

[Steve Ince]

That's really kind of you to say. Thanks.

[Steve Ince]

My second column has just been published on the Randomville site:

http://www.randomville.com./article/8/120.html

I hope you find it interesting to read.

[Ninja Dodo]

Good stuff... and congrats on the agency thing.

Out of curiousity, does anyone else usually get their best ideas late at night, often just before going to sleep? I always have a notepad handy...

[Steve Ince]

Thanks Ninja.

[redhotray]

Just to say, that in relation to how much The Sleeping Dragon cost, I feel every penny I invested was worthwhile, if it contributes to the survival of a genre I've grown up playing and enjoying ever since I was a boy. Don't get me wrong, Broken Sword was a fantastic game, the graphics were superb, the dialogue humorous and entertaining, and everything about the story, including it's research, worked very well together. BS:TSD was a breakthrough game, and it worked very, very well!!

I still wouldn't mind seeing a forth game though.

And Ninja, yes, I agree somewhat, as I tend to be more alert during the later hours of the day. Though, sometimes I'll just be sitting or walking around, and all of a sudden...POW...an idea pops into my head as if from nowhere. Inspiration is the strangest thing...

[Steve Ince]

Originally Posted by redhotray

I still wouldn't mind seeing a forth game though.

Me too.

[Steve Ince]

The third in the series has just been published:

http://www.randomville.com./article/8/126.html

[DomStLeger]

Fascinating read Steve. It was also a suprising illustration of your point that In Cold Blood started off with the intention of making Broken Sword 3. It's amazing that such a different game emerged, and that a whole new game world was born.

[Steve Ince]

It also proves that you can't change the nature of a character without him becoming someone else. When we tried to give George a gun, it simply wasn't George any longer.

[Jackal]

Yes, the BS3/ICB andecdote was quite the revelation! Amazing how a key closed-door decision can affect the gaming landscape so dramatically. (A gutsy call, too, but the right one).

Thanks for the column, Steve. You've always been one of the few industry insiders who actually take the time to mingle with the fans, and bridge the gap between developer and player. It's definitely appreciated.

[Steve Ince]

I'm one of you really.

[redhotray]

The columns are a fantastic read. I really enjoy them.

I'm working on a writing project right now, I'm planning to take about four months unpaid leave from work, to crack on and write it. I look at this as a test to me, to find out, whether or not, I have the resolve to finish a novel. I love writing creatively, I love formulating ideas, which I can then put to paper. I just want to be able to finish something from top to bottom, to know if I have that ability, possibilities of publishing, are secondary to me, at this point.

I'm in a situation right now, where, I need to know if I can do this, or if I can't.

I've learned something about myself over the last few years, I'm not content working fast food, nor behind a bar, or doing 9-5. I'm only happy when I write, and when I'm thinking about writing.

Its just crazy that I have to take such steps, like unpaid leave, and passing up promotion, to do that.

However, they're sacrifices I'm willing to make.

I look forward to the forth edition of your column.

[Steve Ince]

Best of luck. Keep us informed how you progress.

[LauraMac]

I liked this column. Not more than the others just differently. This one had some valuable information for aspiring game developers or even writers of any sort. You have to figure out your structure ahead of time or it can quickly become a rambling well written mess.

I too was really surprised at the leap from a potential BS game to ICB. Speaks well for the team involved as well as the process. I am glad that it was put to work here, as ICB is one of my favorite games. It was what pulled me into a different style of gaming from the old safe point and click adventure mode.

Will be fun seeing where your developers mind decides to take us next week. 8-)

[Steve Ince]

Thanks Laura.

I've just finished writing it and it's more philosophical than specifically practical.

[ragnar]

I really like your style of writing (and more), Steve. I can't really pinpoint it exact, but you always write in a good-humoured, warm-hearted way that make me make you look at things more positive somehow. I don't know if it's really so much better than anything else out there, but I always enjoy reading what you write. I can only feel sorry for Revolution, having to fire you, because I fear that their future games will not be the same without you.

[Steve Ince]

Thank you Ragnar.

I'd like to be clear on one thing - Revolution did not fire me, I was made redundant. Big difference.

[jjacob]

Originally Posted by Steve Ince

Thank you Ragnar.

I'd like to be clear on one thing - Revolution did not fire me, I was made redundant. Big difference.

Damn right! And don't let them forget it, bastards. I trust you'll make them wheep over their decision in the near future, to keep it vaguely oblique

[Wormsie]

Originally Posted by Ninja Dodo

Good stuff... and congrats on the agency thing.

Out of curiousity, does anyone else usually get their best ideas late at night, often just before going to sleep? I always have a notepad handy...

No, but I get the most ideas.