
INSPIRATION
“If there's a documentary, book, or podcast about game development, I'm probably familiar with it. I'm a video game history nerd, and I think the historical documentation of development is important for future generations to learn from. It is, in my opinion, the most meaningful way of measuring a developer's intent against a game's lasting impact. So when I was brought into Amazon Games to build out the Community Video team, I was eager to share my love of developer insight with the world.” “When I met Scot (Game Director, New World), I pitched him on doing a weekly show that would allow for me, and the community, to be a fly on the wall and observe discussions that were already happening around the office. Scot rallied the team to help with the show, and collectively they (and the community) have helped continuously shape it.” [previewyoutube=6sCKkxosCSI;full][/previewyoutube]AN EVER-EVOLVING SERIES
“Forged has evolved quite a bit since the beginning, both in terms of process and in terms of what we're trying to do. In the beginning, Scot, Dave (Creative Director), Katy (Senior Producer), and Rob (Narrative Director) helped brainstorm a lot of discussion topics, and I spent a good amount of time asking different devs if they would come on the show.” “We then schedule shoots. I like to film at least a few episodes at a time. When we shoot far enough in advance, that extra time can help us compile gameplay footage to edit into the episode. Occasionally I shoot the episodes solo, but more often than not I'll get assistance from Chuck and Steven, my video team.” ”Steven or myself put together the edits and then we run the video through internal approvals. Once it's release time, I publish the episode and stare at the comments like a hawk until the knots in my stomach go away.”
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS
“Hundreds of questions come in and we aim to answer 10 to 15 of them. What could go wrong?” “I'd love to cover every question, but the reality is that some aren't ready to be addressed. Whether the devs have an answer but can't yet elaborate meaningfully or they have a meaningful answer but need to hold to align with Marketing, it can quickly get complicated.” “I want the community to feel heard and truly believe their time with the Community Q&As is time well spent. Though the overall sentiment remains favorable, the criticisms I've read are fair and warrant introspection. I know the Q&As can be even better, so that's what we have to do.” [previewyoutube=BgKlvthYvXY;full][/previewyoutube] “One thing I'd like to try in the next Q&A is to be more prescriptive when asking for questions, so that we can make sure we're only eliciting questions we know we can answer. I'm working with the teams to get a clear vision of what's on the table for discussion further in advance. I'm optimistic, but I'll be on the lookout for feedback as usual. If the next Q&A doesn't land well, the neat thing is that we will always have another shot just a month away.”MOST MEMORABLE COMMENT
“Out of the thousands of comments, I've screen capped several hundred favorites across YouTube, Reddit, and Discord into a folder on my desktop. Many are jokes, some are constructive suggestions for improving the show, and others are suggestions for game features. But there's one comment I go back to more than others—in the March 2023 Community Q&A, we opened with an apology from Scot about the delay of the Season 1 release.” [previewyoutube=DEVwMdxyD7E;full][/previewyoutube] “One of the top comments on YouTube said, 'We understand you guys and your struggles. Maintaining your transparency and honesty is all we ask! Thanks so much.' I thought it was an important moment for the relationship between the New World team and community. I was also moved to see that support in the comments.”GREATEST CHALLENGE
“I am sensitive to the reality that for many on the New World team, this is the first time they've been on camera and subjected themselves to the internet. It's challenging to ask the team to put themselves out there week over week. Yet one year later, they continue to do so.”
HARDEST EPISODE
[previewyoutube=R4-JrRNBPg4;full][/previewyoutube] “The April 2023 Community Q&A gradually went off the rails into chaos, with blinding daylight that made Katy as bright as the sun. By the end, Scot's holding up a flag to block light on Katy, Chuck's holding up a ridiculously large canopy umbrella to block light on Scot, and I'm doing my best to get through the questions without laughing. It was ridiculous. We second-guessed ourselves and questioned whether we should re-shoot it. I'm glad we opted not to.”FAVORITE EPISODE
[previewyoutube=1LQHRRMU77Y;full][/previewyoutube] “What the community doesn't have the pleasure of seeing is the before and after of every episode, where we oscillate between planning and making jokes. When I look at past episodes, I remember those moments more than the actual filming. I'll never not laugh when I think of Katy scolding Scot and Charles (Art Director) for their lack of remorse killing Stanley in Restless Shore. Scot and Charles seem sweet, but they showed their true cards there.”BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORY
“I spend way more time with the New World team than they do with me. The nature of making videos is that I get very familiar with the way people talk, their ticks, recognize when people are anxious or have doubt about the words they just used. In a parasocial sense, I feel like I really get to know the people I film and edit, when in reality the hours I've spent with them is significantly more than the time they've spent with me.”
BEHIND THE CONTROLLER
- Favorite Character: In my first playthrough, as soon as I saw him fishing, Yonas was my favorite character. Second playthrough had the revamped MSQ, and I was drawn to Grace O’Malley the whole way through. On this third playthrough (ForgedInAeternum, LEO) I’m in love with my mount.
- Favorite Cutscene: Prison Argument!
- Favorite Event: Easily Winter Convergence Festival. Nothing beats the experience of gathering Tokens with my daughter so that we could buy our very own ‘Wittl’ Winter Whiskers for the house we built.
- Favorite Quest: The entire Season 1 Fellowship & Fire questline. I loved the storytelling of the Silver Crows and enjoyed the sense of belonging to a team.
- Favorite Weapon: War Hammer. I know it’s utility but it’s so fun! Right now, I’m leveling the Ice Gauntlet and Fire Staff. The Ice Gauntlet takes some getting used to but I’m enjoying the combination.
- Favorite Ability: Path of Destiny
- Favorite Faction: Marauders
- Favorite Expedition: Empyrean Forge
- Favorite Enemy Family: Angry Earth
- Favorite Enemy: Siren Queen
- Favorite Lore: Artemis and the Angry Earth taking over First Light.
- Favorite Territory: Weaver’s Fen
THE FUTURE OF FORGED IN AETERNUM
