Developer Blog: The Role of the Developer

By Kevin A. "Silverwolf" McKee.

As a developer, I sometimes wonder my role is. I look around at the big companies and I see very little developer presence there. There's maybe a hint here or there, a nudge or a whisper. Our PR person tells me (in no uncertain terms) that one of the things I'm supposed to do is blog, so I blog. As a developer, I also develop. I put in long hours writing until my wrist hurts and I'm ready to break my keyboard. I have to make sure everyone's work matches with my vision, while avoiding creating hard feelings amongst my friends and teammates. And above all, I increasingly see, I must become a symbol, a meeting of developers and players.

I still remember the wonder I always felt when I saw a developer write something, before I began developing myself. It was always special, like I had been gifted by their almighty presence. The other day, somebody told me that developers are like rock stars in the eyes of the public, and I think that's the case. You speak, and people will listen. But it's a "cool" kind of speaking, not dry, boring, and generally insincere - ala most politicians. That said, as with rock stars, a certain frequency is required. Some rock stars only need release updates every few years, whereas others need to update far more frequently. Those that keep their fans posted often have more loyal followings.

Depite this, the same does not appear to be true of game companies. Although our PR constantly assures me that blogging is a good thing, and having a visible presence in the community is important, I look at big companies and I don't see it. Their games still sell millions, hundreds of thousands of people still play them. And so I wonder, how do they do it? I don't think they're right, in any way shape or form. A game is a pact between the developer and the player to create the most enjoyable experience for all. This view is impossible to maintain without a strong, visible position by the developer. Games such as World of Warcraft (a favorite example of mine due to its success) are wildly popular, but could be so much better with a constant interplay between the developer and the public.

If we developers are to be "rock stars of gaming," then accessibility must be the first priority, before new content or even revising old content. The players shouldn't feel that it is some special privilege to be heard or to converse with a developer. The "rock star status" is not something I desire. I'm a gamer myself, so I know how it feels. A more perfect synergy of developer and gamer needs to happen before any game can be truly "next-gen." Developers are increasingly spending more and more of their time behind closed doors - releasing products, saying a few meaningful nothings about them, and then retreating to their caverns and closets to produce something new, before repeating the entire process all over again. I argue that it should be the other way around, and I intend to be an example of a present and visible developer.