The Wall Street Journal has an interview with DICE’s Lead Gamer Tester and Executive Producer that I found really interesting. Awesome to have more insight into user testing outside of the web/application realm.

There was one bit in particular that struck a chord with me:

I don’t know why, but I always feel ashamed about the games I’m involved in making. I can’t even bring myself to start up “Battlefield Bad Company 2,” our last game, because I feel so ashamed. I know it is a great product but still I only see the things we could have done better.

Patrick Bach, DICE Executive Producer

UX, Interaction designers, and others who help plan, execute and analyze user tests are often perfectionists, and also tend to be their own worst critics. It’s true in web design, and apparently it’s also true in game design.

For what it’s worth, Battlefield Bad Company 2 was a ridiculously good game (one of my all time favorites), and Battlefield 3 is looking to raise the bar quite a bit. Just more evidence that investing in user centric design, just like investing in outstanding talent and leadership, is crucial to building great products.

At the risk of losing nerd-cred, I never actually played the original Tribes. It seems to have almost a cult-like following, so it must have done something right.

Today, Atlanta-based Hi-Rez Studios released the first in-game screenshots of Tribes Ascend, the most recent installment from the series since 2004. Not sure how the game will actually play, but the art direction is very colorful and impressive.

Probably my favorite song from the Machinarium Soundtrack. Great stuff as always from Amanita Design.

You should also check out one of their latest creations, the Osada Interactive Music Video.

I am your enemy, the first one you’ve ever had who was smarter than you. There is no teacher but the enemy. No one but the enemy will tell you what the enemy is going to do. no one but the enemy will ever teach you how to destroy and conquer. Only the enemy tells you where he is strong. And the rules of the game are what you can do to him and what you can stop him from doing to you. I am your enemy from now on. From now on I am your teacher.

Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game