Richard [K] Morgan's News and Views


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Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Stated Secrets and The Waiting Game


So - long time, no post. Is my life really that boring? (Don't answer that). Have I really sat in a puddle of disinterest since I got back from Australia, and done nothing worth talking about since?

Well, no, in fact I've been doing a bunch of stuff that I'm not allowed to talk about. Or more correctly a bunch of stuff I can now talk about a bit - but you can't tell anyone else about this, because it's a secret, just between us. Shsh.

Happened like this.....

About a year ago, and out of the blue, I got an e-mail from one John Miles, an enforcer (okay, not really) for the British arm of EA Games. He had a proposition for me, was I interested? Interested, of course, was putting it mildly. Video gaming is the only thing in my life that I would fully qualify as an addiction. I like a fairly limited number of games (there's an awful lot of dross out there), but those I like, I really like, and will play them until the game paths, enemy spawning points and scripted incidentals are graven into my synapses. Some game spaces I probably know better than the streets of the city I live in. And, as I've said once or twice on this site, I think the gaming medium has a potential for storytelling every bit as charged and exciting as literature or film. So was I interested? Yeah - just a little bit.

Well, John flew up to Glasgow to buy me lunch, and brought with him fellow enforcer Jeff Gamon and development capo Colin Robinson, who framed their proposition thus: was I interested in coming aboard with EA to write and script for a particular game project they had going, with a view to other game projects thereafter, and if so could I be in Berlin in a week's time?

Talk about your offers you can't refuse.

That was a year ago. Now, without breaking any Non-Disclosure Agreements, I can cautiously reveal that I've been pulled in to consult on three separate games, have spent more time on airplanes and in overseas hotels during the last year than in my entire previous life, and have hit one of the steeper learning curves of my creative existence. Gaming turns out not only to be exactly as fascinating a medium as you'd expect, it's also a very young industry and its norms have yet to be fully formed. So while it shares some characteristics with the movie world, gaming has yet to produce its version of Story guru Robert McKee or the cut-and-dried writing formula requirements that have strangled so much creativity in places like Hollywood. What you can put into a big budget game is still very much up for grabs, and what's more, with the breakneck pace of technological development backing the field, it's constantly changing as well. One producer I'm working with at the moment likens what we're doing to working in Hollywood circa 1920, when everyone was still working out what you could do with this wild, new medium called film; the only difference is that the rate of evolution in technique for video games is running at about a dozen times the speed it ever did for film. The field is open, the potential huge and, in story terms, only just beginning to be properly tapped

For a writer, that's a pretty close definition of paradise.

And it hasn't hurt that the projects I'm working on are all science fiction, so while I chisel patiently away in fantasy at The Dark Commands, my SF muscles are being kept in trim by the concepts at the heart of each game.

So if I've been quiet recently, my apologies; it's just if I'd talked, I would have had to kill you afterwards......


Item 'Stated Secrets and The Waiting Game' posted by Richard Morgan at 11:17

38 Comments:

Hang on... so, Graham Joyce is writing Doom 4, and now you're involved in some game writing/consultancy for EA.

Wow, it's a good time to be a gamer and speculative fiction (or whatever the hell the genre is called this week) reader.

I do hope it goes well for you. I also pray your writing doesn't get too badly strangled by EA's "corporate process". I've seen too many shitty-to-play, badly-produced, but well-conceived games come out of EA over the last few years to be entirely suspicion-free.

By Anonymous Rolphus, at 3 November 2009 13:56  

Very exciting news. Too bad none are base on your IPs. Any of those, I think, would be must buys.

EA has gotten much better about their development practices. They used to be borderline exploitative of their work force. Seems that hat has passed to Activision-Blizzard as of late.

Definitely looking forward to more news about the games.

By Blogger Rook, at 3 November 2009 15:57  

Okay, great news. Now get some Hollywoodians to read any of your SF novels and try to get it filmed, ok? I'm still waiting for an Altered Carbon movie :) .

Žarko from Croatia

By Blogger jbt, at 3 November 2009 16:28  

Great news! I'm very excited to see what you come up with.

By Blogger lander, at 3 November 2009 17:52  

So Richard, are you a PS3 or an Xbox guy? And what's been rocking your console lately?

I just got a PS3 and have been really digging Uncharted 2. The immersive storytelling is fantastic, and I would love to see a similar game created in the sci-fi genre. I hope, hope that you are working on something like this!!!

By Blogger lander, at 3 November 2009 23:30  

Initially xbox (I'm a sucker for good FPS and horror survival), but since I started doing this stuff, I've acquired a PS3 as well - purely as a business necessity, natch :-)

Uncharted 2 is a cracking game, no doubt - though I was bitterly disappointed he ended up with the white-picket-fence All American gal-next-door, and not the dark n dodgy Aussie-voiced siren. Also thought scarred bald angry man was a bit naff as a boss bad guy - in general, I think compared with the first game, the story-telling in this one creaked a bit under the load of the game-play; but then the game-play was so fantastic, it's hard to complain too much about something like that.....

Hands down recent winner for me, all consoles, was Dead Space. Fucking terrifying.

By Blogger Richard Morgan, at 4 November 2009 12:08  

Your news is making the rounds of the gaming blogs today.

Linda

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4 November 2009 15:29  

I've read the news on kotaku earlier today, found it very interesting. I'm going to disagree with Rook though, I'm so fucking glad EA aren't using your existing IP for a 5 hour game when there's so much to do with the world of Altered Carbon.

I'm also hoping to persuade you into licencing them to me in a few, uh, decades when the indie company I work at stumbles into a pile of cash. So please don't sell those rights yet, Richard.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4 November 2009 15:59  

I'd like to see a Takeshi Kovacs MMORPG. That would be sweet crack.

By Blogger Patrick, at 4 November 2009 17:33  

Excited to read this today. Really hope that they do allow you to flex your writing muscles. I love gaming but too often even great games get dragged down into a mire of cliched pointlessness (as regards the story anyhow).

Kudos!

Oh, hope it's stuff that makes it onto PC....I don't have an XBox or PS3. :(

By Blogger redrichie, at 4 November 2009 19:10  

I've wanted to make an Altered Carbon game as soon as I read your book, which was just prior to becoming a game designer.

I actually worked on a pitch for an Altered Carbon game while I was working as a producer at EA, however I never ended up pitching it because at the time I didn't think EA would do your work justice :)

I wish you all the success on your EA venture Richard...

If you ever want a die hard fan to help you design an Altered Carbon MMORPG please give me a shout. I would work on it for free. Seriously.

By Anonymous Nathan Charley, at 4 November 2009 21:19  

I'm a huge fan of your Kovacs series (reading them right now, actually) and I'm also a game writer, so you've got me doubly hooked.

Just like everyone, I can't wait to find out what the projects are :)

By Anonymous Luna, at 4 November 2009 22:53  

This is wonderful news, and I'm very excited at the thought of your word-tentacles slipping into EA's box of better-than-they-used-to-be game noodles.

A word of warning - if one of these games is Dead Space 2 I will explode everywhere.

By Blogger Philip, at 4 November 2009 23:22  

Wow, two of my favorite things (RM and gaming) banding together...It's like they invented chocolate chip cookies all over again or something...

I've read all three Kovacs novels too many times and keep finding more detail with each read. They seem to be the literary equivalent of Radiohead albums.

I think an FPS/RPG like Deus Ex with a story by Richard Morgan would be my new obsession...

By Anonymous Jay, at 5 November 2009 08:08  

Please.

Please.

Please let this be:

1. Dead Space 2
2. Mass Effect 3
3. Altered Carbon: The Game

By Blogger Tarryn, at 5 November 2009 16:03  

Given that I was blown away by the cinematic nature of Modern Warfare, I am going to be very interested to see what this delivers... Just remain true to yourself Richard, and I am sure it will be gold!

By Anonymous Pete, at 5 November 2009 16:30  

I hope more professional authors will in future contribute to game development. I think many developers would be really excited for such an opportunity. Especially Adventures and RPGs could always profit by high-quality writing (best example of game-writing might be "Planescape Torment" yet).

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5 November 2009 17:54  

Well and well and well..
This is all very interesting, inasmuch as one thing might could possibly lead to another... But.
I've read all the Takeshi books twice and will no doubt read the European (Black Man) version of 13 in the not-too-distant, which is also a worthwhile expenditure of time... But.

None of this is getting another Takeshi (or, hell, even a sequel to Black Man/13) book in my grimy little paws.

Sure do hope you haven't abandoned all us long suffering fans of your prose, just to dance with someone who failed to be there when you were thumbing a ride to the soiree.

..er, something.

By Blogger Rich, at 5 November 2009 20:58  

This is seriously awesome news! As a life long gamer with a particular love for those with lots of focus on storytelling and also a fan of your books I'm really excited for what this could bring.

By Blogger HaraldC, at 5 November 2009 22:03  

Great!! i get rid of my PS3 so the kids can have a wii and i see this AAHHH!!! i hope its out on pc whatever it is!!!

By Anonymous Melski, at 7 November 2009 21:07  

Hah! I can see it. You just ended up on the bad end of a Kalashnikov on Level 3, you now reside in a small metal storage device in the neck of a corpse. New game?

By Blogger Neal Asher, at 13 November 2009 08:03  

Btw, have you seen Alan Campbell's September post about games on his blog?
http://anurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/
Interesting reading since he was involved in developing Grand Theft Auto.

By Blogger Neal Asher, at 13 November 2009 08:07  

Ah - the infamous GTA.

Hi Neal, long time.

It's funny, I played a bit of GTA 3 and 4, and I could never see the big appeal. I mean, I could see that it was an incredible achievement in terms of open world construction, and I did get an initial kick out of just driving around to see where I would end up (this especially in 4, where the graphics and depth of environment were truly phenomenal), but it got old pretty fast, and in neither game could I get even faintly interested in the story.

Then again, I'm not a big fan of sandbox gaming in general - as in movies and books, so in games, I like to be told a story, and I like it to be a powerful, compelling one. And the sandbox dynamic mitigates pretty severely against that. By definition, something in which you have millions of free choices can't be compelling - because you're never going to be compelled! So any narrative there is in a sandbox game is pretty inevitably going to end up feeling a bit like soap opera, or even - yikes, Scooby! - real life itself!!.

And who'd want that??!

By Blogger Richard Morgan, at 17 November 2009 09:00  

GTA4's plot is a landmark in gaming!

A story that revolves around a survivor of a massacre during the serbian war and his struggle with the feelings of guilt and anger that overshadow the next decade of his life isn't your standard game script!

The only real player choice that affects the narrative is in the final act. Do you shun the network of family and friends you build over the course of the game for revenge at any cost? Or do you accept your past and attempt to move foward? Both choices carry very different consequences as Nico's past must inevitably catch up with him.

Your doing yourself a disservice not to complete it!

The rumours on net seem to be linking you with the new Syndicate game, which would be great!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 17 November 2009 11:30  

Some of the commenters here say Altered Carbon would make a great game, but seems to me Broken Angels would be a perfect game.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 18 November 2009 01:09  

I Wet my Pants upon hearing you were consulting on games with EA - then i went and changed just so i could wet a second pair.

I Disagree with those oppinions that the Kovac novels would make Great games. They'd make FUCKING INSANELY GREAT Games - IF Anyone could pull them off - which i reckon would be impossible. Also who'd Honeslty want to have there favourite sci-fi novels ruined by MMO Players - C'mon they are the most annoying and objectionally retarded gamers around - Cant you see it? Some 16 year old with a character named 'Tahkahshee' Spouting all kinds of Gibberish about how much more they Enjoyed the Novels than anyone else and visciously abusing(flaming) anyone who wanted to have a (half) intelligent discussion about them But, i digress, If any of your Novels were to be Gamified it'd have to be The Steal Remains in either a Viking: battle for Asgard Brawler - or, if anyone had the inclination, as an Epic Oblivion style Open-world RPG

I myself as a sandbox fan found all of the GTA series Fantastic Gaming, but all my friends and Family happen to be very - anti-sandbox so i understand completely where your coming from - if Any of those games were to be played through i'd Suggest #4 or Vice City. As works of Story telling they are SO thorough.

I would have thought something like Lost Planet would have tickled your fancy too - sure the first game was clumsy, but the Backrounds and fiction immersed in the game were just sensational.

As an end to my droolings, i'd just like to say that i named My 3 Fallout:3 Characters Takashi(good), Ringil(evil) and Marsalis(neutral)

Smoke on All~ Freeman

By Anonymous Freeman, at 18 November 2009 06:18  

I'd just like to take this time to Add that the Games industry is looking to Novelists and Script writers more and more often - A Fine Example is the Work of Rhianna Pratchett (Terry's Daughter)in such underwhelming titles as Overlord, Overlord 2 and Mirrors Edge. Personally i didnt click with those titles, but the Scripting of the Spoken sections and the over all Story Arcs were just Heaven....

By Anonymous Freeman, at 18 November 2009 06:25  

Back to Broken Angels as a game: You could expand the war, more battles, etc. Imagine the endless possibilities of choosing soldiers from Semetary's collection, or the infinite number of evolving mutants at the beach. The battles from the Martian ship. This could be expanded much further than the book could ever go.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 18 November 2009 19:28  

I played GTA once (I think), Richard, and I avoid it like I avoid all computer games. I'm addicted to enough as it is. The Internet is already too much of a distraction from writing, without getting involved in blasting away at homicidal zombies onscreen.

By Blogger Neal Asher, at 19 November 2009 12:45  

I hear ya Neal - Although im a Game-Junkie - Left4Dead Stole Atleast 8 straight months of my life from me and put a massive time delay on writing material for a hip-hop album - Which i only ever half finished and then abandoned after settling in to a circular reading fest of Richard and Dan Simmons....

I had another Brilliant example of Thorough story telling in a game Format but at the momnet my brain is panting in 36 centigrade (i think thats 105-110f) heat and 80% Humidity - Summer in Aus!!! Time to Wilt...

By Anonymous Freeman, at 20 November 2009 21:37  

Congratulations Richard!

I'm certain you'll do a superb job. Can't wait to play the final product!

Odd coincidence that I just finished reading 'Prador Moon' last night, to find Neal Asher posting here (loved it - thanks for writing it, Neal - I shall eat chilli crab with even more gusto now).

Grats again Richard and may all your game plot lines be fiendishly twisted, unpredictable and yet credible.

If it has the atmosphere of F.E.A.R. I'll be happy...well frightened.

best

Ravi.

By Anonymous Ravi, at 24 November 2009 00:23  

Oh, you lucky motherfucker. A writer that writes books for cash, and now video game scripts? Get project head and you've pretty much landed profession paradise for any creative spirit of this kind. Congratulations.
Good luck, and hopefully EA doesn't hamstring your work.

Very much looking forward to the fruits of your efforts.

By Anonymous Max C., at 24 November 2009 04:23  

Some people have all the luck. I have attempted to find a publisher for my works with little success. The titles include Can We Kiss Before We Kill (erotic sci fi), The Secrets of Rich Men and Wealthy Women, Infinity, Lucifer's Lover (aka Send Me to Hell, I'll Learn More), So I Create A New Dawn, and Tie Them to A Chair and Teach Themm(A new approach to handling misguided Arabic terrorist.)

My projects would be great for a video game.

A demigod princess strives to liberate humans from the shackle of myth. Her capitalist lover is seduced by the power of religion and joins Saint Mary's camp.

Now her once lover thieves her birthright. Bloody Mary is back in modern times for power and mind control.

Another theme entails Eve reincarnated as Jezebel and Whore of Baby L On. My Eve partakes of the fruit without remorse. Any publisher or gamer interested to here more should contact me at SOICreateANewDawn@yahoo.com

I am also interested in finding people who would like to work on these projects with me. Co authors or anyone with constructive criticism. Or if anyone knows an agent that would appreciate these themes, perhaps they could write me.

I still swear I met Kovac. Am I test subject on your latest game??
small smile.

By Anonymous Lucifer'sLover, at 24 November 2009 06:43  

Great news! Kovac asked me if I wanted to move with him. I knew it was him the second I saw him. I know he's just trying to save me from a family of vultures.

However, on the last visit he was loitering in jewelry stores.

By Anonymous Eva, at 28 November 2009 09:28  

WTF. Kovac is claiming he has a son with cancer. RKM, can you verify this fact?
I demand to know in which book these events took place.
Authors these days. They create characters and refuse to tell you all the minor/major details that go with them.
So far I've gotten him to cough up that he has a daughter about my age and an x he just bought a house for.
No problem - I dreaded being the Stepfordain Mistress. Better to live alone.

Members of the media tried explaining that he's somewhat of an antihero...


I wonder what Virginia has to say of Kovac. She would probably know the real him the best.

Hope she posts. I am working on an exciting sci fi thriller titled Can We Kiss Before We Kill. I am selecting a group of writers to write a story or two for the collection. I would love to see her ideas. It could be a collaborative effort. Post here and write SoICreateANewDawn@yahoo.com

Jessica

By Anonymous Lucifer'sLover, at 2 December 2009 06:42  

WTF. Kovac is claiming he has a son with cancer. RKM, can you verify this fact?
I demand to know in which book these events took place.
Authors these days. They create characters and refuse to tell you all the minor/major details that go with them.
So far I've gotten him to cough up that he has a daughter about my age and an x he just bought a house for.
No problem - I dreaded being the Stepfordain Mistress. Better to live alone.

Members of the media tried explaining that he's somewhat of an antihero...


I wonder what Virginia has to say of Kovac. She would probably know the real him the best.

Hope she posts. I am working on an exciting sci fi thriller titled Can We Kiss Before We Kill. I am selecting a group of writers to write a story or two for the collection. I would love to see her ideas. It could be a collaborative effort. Post here and write SoICreateANewDawn@yahoo.com

Jessica

By Anonymous LucifersLover, at 2 December 2009 06:48  

I'm very happy with the fact you will be involved in writing for video games.In fact I'm giddy at the prospect! I've been a massive games fan for the best part of 25 years and have seen the progress from blocky men jumping on turtles to massive marines with chainsaws attached to their guns. Good times. You only have to look at a few modern games to see the difference a decent writer and story can make to a game. Gears of War 2 springs to mind as well as the amazing Mass Effect.

By Blogger Chris, at 27 January 2010 21:04  

I'm very happy with the fact you will be involved in writing for video games.In fact I'm giddy at the prospect! I've been a massive games fan for the best part of 25 years and have seen the progress from blocky men jumping on turtles to massive marines with chainsaws attached to their guns. Good times. You only have to look at a few modern games to see the difference a decent writer and story can make to a game. Gears of War 2 springs to mind as well as the amazing Mass Effect.

By Blogger Chris, at 27 January 2010 21:08  

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