“Now we’re talking. While reading along while OSC outlines a number of game types, I felt a chill ran down my spine (honest.) This is the most elaborate description of OSC’s vision for any Ender’s Game video game that I’ve read yet, and it’s encouraging. The right studio and development process (I’m imagining that Bungie’s experience developing and testing for Halo 3 with Microsoft Labs would be a good model to base it on, but we might like to see that crossed with a “Matrix: Path of NEO” interface) could make Ender’s Game a breakthrough game- one that evolves the way we “see ourselves” in the story during online game play.”

http://www.enderverse.com/enders-game-video-games

Few random thoughts:
1. Songmaster – I can’t finish it. I’ve read about 1/3 of it and it’s just too slow and boring. Should I finish this book, is it worth it?

2. Loved Treason. Liked Wyrms fine, I am thinking about buying the Wyrms comic books, and maybe Ultimate Iron Man since OSC wrote that. Anyone have any comments on the comic books?

What OSC shared about the lost money and creativity (20 books) was harrowing for me. It got me thinking last night about what would have happened if I had funneled that same creative energy that I used to make my ideal societies and cities, and instead used it to make something that would have a lasting impact on others. OSC is the perfect example–either he can make a perfect Civ2 earth that only he will enjoy and appreciate, or he can use the same amount of time to write, hmm, maybe a third of a book, that will be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands to millions of people. The fact that he eventually chose the latter–and has sworn off certain game varieties to keep himself free of tentacles of his addiction–makes him a true Maker/builder at heart.

I say that OSC was generous in saying these things because (a) it benefits others to share them, and (b) it’s at his own expense. I don’t tell people about my gaming addiction because I want them to respect me. Orson has done the world a tremendous favor by saying the things he has, and I love him all the more for it. It gave me the courage last night to decide that I would write this morning instead of playing my latest addiction. I have stories I’m working on that get added to whenever I have the inspiration, but most mornings I am so interested in playing that I don’t stop to consider whether I have any good things to add. This morning was different–with the commitment already made to write, I woke up this morning with 5 good scenes in my mind.

Like OSC said, nothing is ever wasted, and my time immersed in gaming will probably have a benefit on my future writing–for one thing, it has elucidated my interest in society-building. It would be hard for me to give that part of my life up entirely–where else in this world do you get to created whole cities and societies, other than games? When you have this need, it’s not like you can necessarily fulfill it in your workplace for most people. But in my case, I can, if I think of my role as a writer being the creation of new worlds. That thought gives me new hope and meaning for my writing. And yes, it only came to me since last night, after reading this interview.

I shared the article with my wife as we were going to bed. She loved Orson’s idea of the “get a life switch.” She said, “you should make that!” I replied, “I can’t, it’s somebody else’s idea.” Orson, you have the money, go patent it and get it developed already! Consider it your gift to civilization. It might not make you millions, but then again, it is exactly the kind of invention that won’t get developed by the people that make computers (or games) because they have a financial interest in having people use their products as much as possible. It’s up to you.

Please do not make a poor adventure game out of it. Character development has a huge playground here, and you’ll miss out if you cut it into too many pieces. Go for a third person adventure AND a good shooter AND a good strategy game (not a shooter with tiny elements of adventure and strategy, mind you). It’s possible these days, and the story practically demands it. This might just screw all the pieces up? Yes, it might, but not unless the adventure part is botched anyhow. There are plenty of teams that produce good shooters, tactics, and (most of the time not so good) adventures. To tell Ender’s story, you need the Battle Room, you need the fleet simulator, and you need to grow along with Ender. The Giant’s Drink can be sacrificed if it absolutely has to – it should not be, because the game will be worse without even a rudimentary version of it.

It’s from this point you can branch out into MMPORG county (preferably Battle Room and fleet command in the same game, perhaps using several schools, tournaments, and wars between worlds in order to get that levelling-a-character-and-gathering-stuff base that most people need for prolonged playing of multi games). The pieces in themselves won’t work unless you have inordinate luck.

what are they doing to keep this from happening.. there is a depth and a purpose to Ender’s violence.. that brooding, constantly reflective tone is carried through almost all of his major and minor triumphs..

“The whole Peter and Valentine subplot is gone, for the simple reason that all they do, on screen, is sit at computers and type. you can’t SEE what they do.”

you cant just delete this from the film. what about Speaker for the Dead, the ENTIRE Shadow line.. dropping Peter and Valentine’s most important contribution to the series, might as well forget he had siblings entirely

Also, the action has to be compressed in time so that instead of taking seven years, as the book does, it all takes place in one year

if the movie has to to live action.. it doesnt have to.. frankly, it shouldnt be..

RE: Termy
I have the greatest confidence that the changes made to the material are important and sometimes necessary, but these changes also limit the potential for other films to explore the rest of the material..

I almost feel like i should sit down and edit the material myself.. criticizing the author for something i probably couldnt do myself is very arrogant, least then id fully understand the difficulties Ender’s Game the Movie would present..

inherent. not inherit.

And yes, Sam, The Worthing Saga is incredibly awesome and was way ahead of its time.

Red Son Rising said:
“everytime i read about the Ender franchise going big screen i cry a little inside.. i love the material and seeing it butchered and hacked apart will ruin what could be an epic movie experience…”

I feel that way too but if Card is writing the script then I’m hopeful about it. The changes to the story he mentions here really do sound necessary.

i really believe i should write the screenplays (thats right, screenplays!!!). first off ender’s game is not one movie, minimum two 2.5 hr films.. anything less and you have to cut so much it becomes another teen saves the world, bubblegum summer flick..

i read Ender’s Game cover to cover continuously for 5 years.. it hurts to see card acknowledge the difficulties translating it to film, ive been watching the movie myself for years..

i love listening to OSC’s views and ideas, seeing as how they are always so honest and well thought out.

being a big fan of the enderverse, i am eagerly awaiting ANYTHING involving that story/franchise.

would’ve liked to know if he planned on any further work with the Alvin Maker story line. i think there are some fun multimedia projects there just waiting to happen! but again, thanks for the interview and allowing him to update us on these projects!!