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Tag: Pentiment

  • New Vegas director Josh Sawyer says games can and should pull on artistic inspirations from ‘anywhere and everywhere’: ‘Greek plays, they knocked it out of the park thousands of years ago—why not look at them?’

    The Art of the System: How Inspiration Fuels Game Design

    In the world of video games, there’s a fundamental tension at play: how do you blend mechanical systems with genuine artistic inspiration? For design director Josh Sawyer, the answer lies not in choosing one over the other, but realizing that artistic influence is an unavoidable constant throughout the entire creation process.

    When asked whether game design involves injecting art into design systems or designing systems around art, Sawyer offered a straightforward yet profound response: artistic inspiration is simply everywhere. The true heart of the design process, he argues, is understanding that the goal is to make a person think or feel something about something—not just to keep them entertained.

    This philosophy becomes crucial when dealing with games, where players invest hours of their lives into an experience. Unlike a three-hour movie, games demand that systems and moment-to-moment gameplay must reinforce the emotional beats of the story. For Sawyer, this means constantly reevaluating whether the mechanics driving player time—like looping reloads or hammer-fanning animations—are supporting the intended emotional reality, rather than just being functional.

    Consider games where player choice is paramount, such as Pentiment. In these narratives, the goal is to make moral decisions feel weighty and agonizing. Sawyer emphasizes that developers must continually ask: Is this decision designed to evoke genuine moral turmoil? Do we want the player to feel the weight of their choices, the reflection on the consequences, or a sense of true consequence?

    This quest for emotional effect often influences the world-building itself. In games like 2026 games and others, the names of abilities or systems can be crafted not just for function, but to tap into the collective consciousness—to provoke the player’s imagination about the world they are inhabiting.

    This focus on deep psychological impact extends beyond narrative structure. Sawyer notes that while complex systems like inventory management might seem purely cognitive, they still operate within a framework of artistic inspiration. Inventory systems, for instance, force the player to engage in a different kind of evaluation—weighing value and understanding stacks—which changes their cognitive mode away from pure action and into contemplation.

    The source of this creative wellspring is incredibly diverse. Sawyer draws inspiration from across history and aesthetics. He looks to the character-writing principles of Robert Bolt, pulling lessons from classical theater—finding the agonizing moral turmoil in Greek plays. His influences also stretch to musical composition, referencing Sondheim musicals, medieval illuminated manuscripts, the striking simplicity of a Rothko painting, and even misinterpreted lyrics from artists like Florence and the Machine.

    Whether it’s analyzing the archetypes of classical art or channeling the aesthetic sensibilities of a bronze sculptor father’s collection of Modigliani books, Sawyer believes that inspiration should be continual. It is the ability to pull in “certain symbolism and emotional connection” from anywhere and everywhere that ultimately transforms systems into meaningful experiences.

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    Credit: PC Gamer

  • With a dumpster-truck full of cash, New Vegas director Josh Sawyer would probably make a ‘spiritual successor’ to a crunchy 1992 RPG

    For design director Josh Sawyer, the world of video games is less about conquering massive new worlds and more about the fascinating complexity of collaboration and creative pursuit. With a distinguished portfolio that includes classics like New Vegas, the intricate depth of Pillars of Eternity, and the poignant historical narrative of Pentiment, Sawyer has proven himself a master at crafting immersive experiences.

    Yet, as he looks toward his next creative endeavor, his focus shifts dramatically from the content itself to the people he works alongside. When asked about his dream project, Sawyer admitted that the answer doesn’t lie in conquering a specific new realm, but in perfecting the collaborative experience. His insight suggests that finding joy in the process is far more rewarding than chasing a singular, grand vision.

    Sawyer believes deeply that the magic of game development often resides in the team. He posits that working on a project you are intensely passionate about within an environment that energizes you is what truly yields awesome results. Conversely, he cautions against the pitfalls of pursuing unwinnable dreams: trying to force a dream project in an environment that doesn’t align with your strengths can quickly turn inspiration into a nightmare.

    This philosophy means Sawyer isn’t anchored by a single, unattainable vision. Instead of striving for one monolithic game, he embraces the multitude of possibilities available to him. This openness allows him to explore ideas that are perhaps less conventional but equally compelling.

    Even without a singular destination, there remains potential in the creative landscape. Sawyer speculates about projects that draw upon historical and realism-focused fantasy, suggesting an interest in exploring spiritual successors to games like Darklands, an early 90s historical fantasy roleplaying game.

    One particular direction that sparks his imagination involves applying this focus on realism. Sawyer has recently reflected on how much he admires the dedication to realistic armor systems in games, such as those seen in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. He is eager to see what his own unique approach would look like if applied to a full historical fantasy setting, aiming for a game steeped in realism, perhaps set in the 15th-century Germany.

    Ultimately, Josh Sawyer’s journey illustrates that true innovation often happens not at the end of a line, but in the exploration of the paths taken. By prioritizing collaborative passion over rigid ambition, he is setting a compelling example for designers looking to build the next great adventure.

    Credit: PC Gamer