Well, it’s been a while, folks, and NoWayJose is still working on his act. I thought I’d take the opportunity to let us give some feedback on how he’s been doing. (I’d also like to slip in a kind word or two for the uniqueness of Qt3 in giving us, the gaming public, a chance to read the opinions of acclaimed developers like NoWayJose.)
I present to you NoWayJose’s 9 most recent P&R posts, and invite you to vote on which you think is the best. I know the competition will be close, and I apologize for only allowing you to vote for one, but I’m afraid this poll is just going to have to demand a pale shadow of the hard decision-making that has stood NoWayJose in such good stead in the cutthroat but wonderous field of games design.
Option #1: “Did we get any updates…”
A strong contender. Very topical, asks incisive questions.
Option #2: “Everyone knows that anyone…”
In his condemnation of humorless idiots, NoWayJose finds room for some refreshing wit – which will probably be lost on them, but not (thankfully) on us!
Option #3: “I’m also pretty sure…”
Here NoWayJose gets serious for a moment, and it’s an unalloyed, virtuous seriousness that reminds me very much of Keith Olbermann. Although a respected designer has to know how to play, this steely side of NoWayJose is also very appealing.
Option #4: “So far I’m able…”
NoWayJose has always been ready to clarify previous posts for us, which speaks well to a developer/fan culture of openness and information. It’s also good to hear that NoWayJose hasn’t let the long hours that dominate the industry spoil his healthy marital relationship.
Option #5: “Funny, I carry 70 cents…”
A sublime blend of the personal and the political.
Option #6: “Is it true…”
Despite his achievements and his stature, NoWayJose is a man unafraid to admit that he doesn’t know everything.
Option #7: “Ted Haggard went…”
Some developers are arrogant. They don’t have time for fans or forums. Not so with NoWayJose! Here he is closely following a fascinating P&R thread and priming it for brand-new revelations.
Option #8: “Never mind.”
Brevity comes only from those who choose their words with exceptional thought and care. I don’t think there was any doubt about where NoWayJose has stood on that spectrum, but this post demonstrates it with eloquence, style, and irrefutable substance.
Option #9: “So I assume…”
This one is kind of a dark horse. It’s timely, it’s insightful, it’s as brief and brilliantly written as any Roman epigram, but the contest is just too tough. I don’t see how it can compete with gems like “Funny, I carry 70 cents…”, or “Is it true…”, or “Never mind.”
Option #10: SHIT, BONERZ
I include this option out of tradition. I’ve said in the past that every poll should have an abstention, and I stand by that general rule, so I won’t break it. But if I could countenance an exception, it would be here – this is a topic that everyone can follow and have an opinion on. You can, and you should. But I’ll leave SHIT, BONERZ in, in case anyone here isn’t a NoWayJose fan yet, in which case my message to them is “I’m sorry… and you should really check out Interstate '82.”