Interview with Jon Shafer on RockPaperShotgun

ainwood · Sep 10, 2010

Gaming Blog Rock Paper Shotgun's Quentin Smith sat down with Civilization V's lead designer Jon Shafer to find out how he went from Civ 3 modder to Civ V's lead designer in just two games.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/09/10/code-to-joy-jon-shafer-on-civilization-v

Also mentioned were some of Jon Shafer's influences, why tiles are so important to Civ, and why Civ V is the first Civ game to use hexagonal tiles ever. Jon also explains the unique role a designer at Firaxis plays.

It's more involving than you think!

Thanks to Tssha for letting us know!

Tssha · Sep 10, 2010

Wow, I'm surprised you posted that verbatim. I'm humbled. :blush:

No, seriously, I'm really blushing. Thank you.

Cyrus_the_Great · Sep 10, 2010

Thanks for posting the link. I enjoyed the interview and loved the screen shots.

Depravo · Sep 10, 2010

He sounds like a decent bloke, but not the kind of Roman candle of a genius that would justify holding a job that legions of history nerds, grognards and thousands of underemployed programmers would probably set fire to their grandmothers to get. And getting paid for it besides.

I speak from pure envy of course. :cry:

gunsnroses · Sep 10, 2010

For everything I've heard about him, read about him and out of the interviews I gather that he is a very suited guy for this; I'm more impressed by him than I was by Soren Johnson.

Slinko · Sep 10, 2010

I am confident Jon will do a great Job on Civ 5

kounoupi · Sep 10, 2010

Soren Johnson gave us a marvel of a game, a masterpiece in its kind. Undoubtedly, Jon Shafer´s Civ V will be different, a vision of a different kind. Yet, he is a pure child of the Civ series, deeply in the spirit of the game, and his enthusiasm shines in any interview.

I look forward to experiencing his take on my favorite game (it's been *gasp* 20 years constantly installed on my various computers). It is undoubtedly civ, yet seems also fresh and different. Embrace it with an open mind, and I'm sure Civ5 will reveal many new charms!

Now, if I could only decide on which of these myriad versions to preorder...

ainwood · Sep 10, 2010

Tssha said:
Wow, I'm surprised you posted that verbatim. I'm humbled.

No, seriously, I'm really blushing. Thank you.

Well, I thought it was well written, and saved me coming up with something creative myself. So thank-you.

James009 · Sep 10, 2010

Good interview. I REALLY wish he'd explain how he went from being a modder to becoming the designer of Civilization 5 in more detail. I'm a political science major who does some small mods and wouldn't mind doing Civ VI, LOL.

Seriously, good interview. I'm looking forward to Civ 5.

Varelse · Sep 10, 2010

In January 2005 he was a modder and an active member of the Civilization fan community. Today, hes the Lead Designer on Civilization V, out on the 24th of this month.

I thought it was coming out on the 21st? When did this change?

mjs0 · Sep 11, 2010

Varelse said:
In January 2005 he was a modder and an active member of the Civilization fan community. Today, hes the Lead Designer on Civilization V, out on the 24th of this month.

I thought it was coming out on the 21st? When did this change?

I'm pretty sure RPS is based in the UK, hence the reference to the international release date which has always been the 24th.

Varelse · Sep 11, 2010

Ha ha! We get it first! :king:

USA! USA!

UNIT 666 · Sep 11, 2010

... and Canada... and Mexico...

--

Good article! RPS has some great stuff.

Interview with Jon Shafer on RockPaperShotgun

ainwood

Consultant.

Tssha

Warlord

Cyrus_the_Great

Warlord

Depravo

Siring Bastards

gunsnroses

Warlord

Slinko

Chieftain

kounoupi

Chieftain

ainwood

Consultant.

James009

Warlord

Varelse

Rabble Rouser

mjs0

The 4th X

Varelse

Rabble Rouser

UNIT 666

One of Many

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