Mulligan's recent activity
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
Mulligan LinkI was laid off recently and I've dedicated my (non-job hunting) time to two projects: finishing my novel and creating a game with my design partner. the book: I finished the first draft of my...I was laid off recently and I've dedicated my (non-job hunting) time to two projects: finishing my novel and creating a game with my design partner.
the book: I finished the first draft of my novel about 3 months ago. I set to editing it with the goal of cleaning up the language, characters, and plot, and trimming 20,000 words to get it under 100k. After finishing that editing pass I shared it with 5 alpha readers. I've gotten some great feedback and criticism from my readers and I've been outlining and rewriting with their suggestions in mind. The alpha reader process went much better than I expected as 4 of the readers finished the book in a month, had similar likes and dislikes, and said that they would be happy to read the next draft as they really enjoyed the story.
the game: I've been designing games professionally for about 10 years. Over the last 3 years I've developed a design partnership with a close friend. When we got laid off, we started designing a game together. We're both interested in tight, simple games, and we excel at systems and content design. Our experience is mainly in collectible card games, and we're making a rouge-like, card-based, auto-battler. It's similar to Balatro and Slay the Spire, but with a unique and transformative take on deck and resource management.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~books
Mulligan Link ParentI loved the first book in the trilogy but I wanted to wait until all three were out before I dove back in. It's cool to finally see this book mentioned. I stumble across threads like this on...I loved the first book in the trilogy but I wanted to wait until all three were out before I dove back in.
It's cool to finally see this book mentioned. I stumble across threads like this on reddit / elsewhere and I don't think I've ever seen Catlin come up before.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
Mulligan Link ParentThank you, I appreciate it. I avoided writing long hand main because it seemed like an affectation that would also slow down the process. It definitely sped things up and I wrote way more per...Thank you, I appreciate it. I avoided writing long hand main because it seemed like an affectation that would also slow down the process. It definitely sped things up and I wrote way more per session than when I was stuck at the computer.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
Mulligan Link ParentThanks much. I've read the same. Pretty soon I'll work out a solid pitch email and start looking for agents. I've done a little research on publishing, but it definitely feels like it will be...Thanks much. I've read the same. Pretty soon I'll work out a solid pitch email and start looking for agents. I've done a little research on publishing, but it definitely feels like it will be something of a part time job once I start searching in earnest.
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Comment on What creative projects have you been working on? in ~creative
Mulligan LinkEditing my novel for clarity & content. Hope to trim it down to 100,000 words. It's the first novel I've ever written and it's currently clocking in at around 110,000. Writing it has been a long...Editing my novel for clarity & content. Hope to trim it down to 100,000 words. It's the first novel I've ever written and it's currently clocking in at around 110,000.
Writing it has been a long and difficult journey and I'm glad I was able to finish. I'd write in starts and fits and when work or personal life was maxing me out it would often be the first thing set aside. I don't think I would've finished if I hadn't switched from typing on PC to writing long hand.
I really enjoyed going to my local coffee shop and writing in my notebook. I think there's a lot of different reasons why this was easier for me. I liked being out writing in public and feeling like a writer. It was fun and exciting for me and it turned the process from a chore into a treat. It eliminated distractions. I got to see the pages fill up and carry a big fat notebook filled with my words. I explored different types of pens and refills. It felt more like ritual.
My goal is to have this draft complete within two months and to explore traditional publishing.
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Comment on Disney to take $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games, work with Fortnite maker on new content in ~games
Mulligan Link ParentSure my mistake. Do you have any thoughts on the point of my post? Do you think Iger will be involved given his interest in this space in the past or do you think that's unlikely?Sure my mistake. Do you have any thoughts on the point of my post? Do you think Iger will be involved given his interest in this space in the past or do you think that's unlikely?
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Comment on Disney to take $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games, work with Fortnite maker on new content in ~games
Mulligan LinkIt will be interesting to see what kind of a role Iger takes in this acquisition. He's been interested in the gaming space, particularly metaverse stuff for awhile now, even sat on the board of an...It will be interesting to see what kind of a role Iger takes in this acquisition. He's been interested in the gaming space, particularly metaverse stuff for awhile now, even sat on the board of an avatar styled web3 company called Genies.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentYou can do it. A close friend jumped from QA to game design by studying Unity and C+ in their spare time and making their own game.You can do it. A close friend jumped from QA to game design by studying Unity and C+ in their spare time and making their own game.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentNarrative is really hard to break into. I have a lot of personal and professional writing experience in addition to nearly ten years in game design. It would be a long shot for me to get a...Narrative is really hard to break into. I have a lot of personal and professional writing experience in addition to nearly ten years in game design. It would be a long shot for me to get a Narrative role because the market is extremely small and they're always looking for someone with AAA experience as a Narrative Designer. That lines up with what I've been told by friends who work at AAA studios. The other path that sometimes sees success is starting as a tech writer at a big studio, putting in a ton of time and extra work, and eventually transitioning to Narrative. But Narrative usually pays less so by the time you're invited to move over it's not as attractive.
Another path is to work at a smaller company where roles are less specialized. This is what I've done and because of my interest and experience as a writer, I end up taking on more of the story driven content / moments. That led me to a leadership position on another team where I ended up creative lead, handling all the story content, managing the style guide, etc.
There's paths but it's tough.
The biggest thing I can recommend is make as many real friends in game design as you can. Go to game jams and local meetups until you connect with someone that you enjoy making games with.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentAs much as the skill would transfer to Video Game Level Design, which is mainly FPS and similar genres. If you're interested in that I'd look at one of the many free Unreal tutorials and try to...As much as the skill would transfer to Video Game Level Design, which is mainly FPS and similar genres. If you're interested in that I'd look at one of the many free Unreal tutorials and try to build your own FPS map.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Mulligan (edited )Link ParentIt feels to me like card acquisition is better, but not solved. You can save up 'spotlight keys' now so that you have a little more agency as to which cards you are picking up on the track. I'd...It feels to me like card acquisition is better, but not solved. You can save up 'spotlight keys' now so that you have a little more agency as to which cards you are picking up on the track. I'd still like some kind of low spend path to staying current, or at least a month or so behind, but I don't know that that's their priority.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Mulligan Link ParentMy path to game design was through MtG. I was a pro tour competitor and consistently placed in the top 25 legends on Hearthstone. I knew people through my gaming days, they had positions at a game...My path to game design was through MtG. I was a pro tour competitor and consistently placed in the top 25 legends on Hearthstone. I knew people through my gaming days, they had positions at a game design company, and they were looking for playtesters and contractors. They liked my work and brought me on full time as an associate designer and I worked my way up.
Power creep is endemic across CCGs, not just MtG. I don't know what the best solution is. When you're releasing as many cards as they are, new space is devoured at breakneck pace. I think there's unexplored space to manage power-creep with a more SNAP-like release schedule. Even back when I was playing MtG , I felt like the MtG release schedule was way too aggressive. It's unfortunately something they're locked into because of their blind-reveal collection model.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentCounts for me. Most of the traditional game design roles in the industry are level design so you probably have more relevant experience than I do.Counts for me. Most of the traditional game design roles in the industry are level design so you probably have more relevant experience than I do.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentSounds good. I'm happy just posting relative to my interests every week or so. I'm coming at things from the perspective as a game designer and not a developer so much of what I have to contribute...Sounds good. I'm happy just posting relative to my interests every week or so. I'm coming at things from the perspective as a game designer and not a developer so much of what I have to contribute is probably fine for the tabletop and boardgame communities as well.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentIt sounds to me like you would have plenty to contribute. As the previous sub was shut down for inactivity, I'll stick to posting about what most interests me and go from there.It sounds to me like you would have plenty to contribute. As the previous sub was shut down for inactivity, I'll stick to posting about what most interests me and go from there.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentFor sure. I'm also happy to answer questions anyone might have about the game design industry and how to get started on a career in games.For sure. I'm also happy to answer questions anyone might have about the game design industry and how to get started on a career in games.
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Comment on Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup? in ~tildes
Mulligan Link ParentThank you. I will try to post relevant threads to games and see what kind of traction we can get. Makes sense that there wasn't enough activity for such a niche topic.Thank you.
I will try to post relevant threads to games and see what kind of traction we can get. Makes sense that there wasn't enough activity for such a niche topic.
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Is there any interest in a video game design subgroup?
Hey all, I'm a professional game designer with about ten years in the video game industry. I've worked primarily with collectible card games and my most recent project is a mobile first strategy...
Hey all,
I'm a professional game designer with about ten years in the video game industry. I've worked primarily with collectible card games and my most recent project is a mobile first strategy card game. I'm interested in talking more about video game design, design theory, and more.
Most of the design topics I've seen on Tildes are focused more on tabletop / board games and I was wondering if there is a big enough population of people interested in discussing game design more from the professional side of video game design.
Hope to have some meaningful discussion and I'm available to chat about relevant topics.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Mulligan LinkI'm a professional game designer, specializing mainly in collectible card games (CCGs) and mobile strategy. I went back to Marvel Snap this month, partially for research and partially to explore...I'm a professional game designer, specializing mainly in collectible card games (CCGs) and mobile strategy.
I went back to Marvel Snap this month, partially for research and partially to explore the updates they've made to economy and card acquisition. Having been away for almost a year, I'm impressed by the improvements. It feels easier to collect cards and the spotlight system offers a path to planning out and optimizing my collection. That said there's still room for improvement and collecting has to be their biggest barrier to attracting new users, bringing back previous customers, and retention.
I've also been spending a lot of time with Warcraft Rumble for similar reasons. I've written about it a bit previously and I'll copy paste most of that here. "It does a great job of making 'the grind' much more enjoyable then any of its competitors. The ease of compiling a full collection is a huge bonus. I don't find myself frustrated with a limited collection and unable to create the many decks / armies I want to try. Full collection compiled with the huge variety of maps and explorable single player content is absolutely amazing and keeps me playing daily."
I continue to play most, if not all the classic CCGs and new releases. If anyone is interested in chatting about game design and / or CCGs and mobile strategy, hit me up.
Thanks for your interest. We've got a discord now but it's currently friends and family. We're hoping to be feature complete by the end of the year and we'll open up around then for early testing.