Richard Garriott thinks most game designers just suck

A bit too frank.

Posted By | On 20th, Mar. 2013

richard garriott

Who is Richard Garriott? He is the creator of Ultima. Bet you haven’t heard of that. He had a lot to say about game designers and who are credible and who aren’t to PC Gamer.

“I think there’s really very few great game designers. I think Chris Roberts is one of them, Will Wright’s another, Peter Molyneux is another. They clearly exist, but on the whole, I think that the design talent in our industry is dramatically lower than we need, as an industry. It’s a very hard skill to learn,” he said.

“Other than a few exceptions, I’ve met virtually no one in our industry who I think is close to as good a game designer as I am. I’m not saying that because I think I’m so brilliant. What I’m saying is, I think most game designers really just suck, and I think there’s a reason why.”

He also revealed that most designers he worked with were lazy.

“And every designer that I work with – all throughout life – I think, frankly, is lazy,” he recalled.

“But if you follow, they generally say, ‘You know, I really like Medal of Honor, but I would have bigger weapons, or I would have more healing packs, or,’ you know. They go to make one or two changes to a game they otherwise love versus really sit down and rethink, ‘How can I really move the needle here?’”

You can read more about that here. What do you think about what he has to say? Does he make a valid point?

Let us know below.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Stellar Blade Review – 2B or Not 2B

Stellar Blade Review – 2B or Not 2B

Stellar Blade feels like a blast from the past in the best way possible.

10 Amazing Open World Games That Refuse to Hold Players’ Hands

10 Amazing Open World Games That Refuse to Hold Players’ Hands

Getting lost and confused is part of the fun in these open world epics.

The Most Promising Linear Games to Look Forward to in 2024 and Beyond

The Most Promising Linear Games to Look Forward to in 2024 and Beyond

Fans of more focused, linear experiences have plenty to look forward to.

MudRunner VR Announced for Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro

MudRunner VR Announced for Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro

The off-roading sim will feature eight all-terrain vehicles, vast maps, story and free play modes, and more.

Phantom Fury Review – Fun-Filled Rampage

Phantom Fury Review – Fun-Filled Rampage

Phantom Fury is a follow-up to Ion Fury, taking place a few years into the future. Read on to figure out how w...

Europa is Looking Like One of the Most Engaging Games of the Year

Europa is Looking Like One of the Most Engaging Games of the Year

With this feature, we take a look at Novastar Entertainment's upcoming Europa and why it could end up being on...