Interview with Lun

[Porter]

Well I did this a while ago for the grand opening of http://www.rpgmaker.net, but we aren't getting anywhere very fast. So I'm going to share my material with you.
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An interview with RPGMaking legend Lun Calsari, the maker of the Crestfallen series for the Rpg Maker 95 engine and the immensly popular The Way series.

Porter: Well, as you know, The Way is a hit throughout the RPGMaking community, what were your initial expectations of reactions from the community when first released The Way?

Lun: Well, by the time I released the first Episode 1 was already working on number 4 so I was pretty certain, from playing other amatuer games, that The Way would be considered "good".

Porter: So there were no doubts that you would be successful?

Lun: There is always some doubt, but making The Way was something that I really enjoyed doing. I've been making little games on paper since gradeschool, and to have the ability to program one and put it out to a large audience over the internet is a very great priviledge in my mind.

Porter: Excellent, that leads right into my next question. We all have seen the dynamics of your story such as character development and plot scheme, how do you go about planning this?

Lun: Well, I spend a lot of time creating characters and writing scenes on paper. When you first start working on any character it's difficult to write scenes for them cause you don't really "know" them yet. So I write a lot of stuff that I eventually throw away in the process of working these characters out as far as plot scheme. I highly enjoy watching interesting and somewhat unpredictable characters react to one another in tense and awkward situations. When I'm writing plot I usually ask myself, "If I'm watching this unfold, what is it I would like to see? What would catch my interest?" I'm also a big believer in foreshadowing. I like to write plots that could logically have many different explanations, so even with huge clues it's not like the entire thing is ruined because there is just so many ways it could go.

Porter: How long have you been using RM2k, and would you consider yourself a master of the program?

Lun: I've been using it since early 2000 and I don't know if I'd call myself a master. I've done a lot of things that many people would consider advanced and I'm pretty familiar with all the commands, but I'd feel uncomfortable saying, "Yes, I'm a master of Rm2k!" I'm a confident user.

Porter: How much trial-and-error was involved getting your systems down?

Lun: As with any project that requires a lot of coding there is always going to be some things that go wrong, so there was lots of errors all throughout my systems at the start. The basic methods were solid as I'd psuedo code everything on paper first, but there are always some scenarios you forget about that cause problems when they occur during gameplay. Most of the trial-and-error occurred when I was first learning how all the commands worked.

Porter: What do you think the future of RPGMaking is?

Lun: As far as best selling games goes, I'd say the future lies in immersive game worlds that offer players lots of options and adding RPG elements to more action based games. Free form play.

Porter: What do you think will happen to Rm2k in the future since the introduction of RM23k?

Lun: Rm2k will fade out. I haven't used Rm2k3, but from what I'm told, it simply gives creators more to work with than the RM2K. If I was just coming onto the scene I'd use Rm2k3, but The Way will be finished using Rm2k

Porter: What advice can you give to those that are just starting out making a game with Rm2k?

Lun: Well...I'd say plan ahead if you really want to finish your game. That means knowing where the story is going, you don't have to know everything, but having some direction surely helps. A lot of people tell me they get bored with their story or stuck.

Porter: What are you plans for the future? Will you continue to make games with Rm2k, or will you switch to some of the upcoming makers?

Lun: After The Way is complete I'm through with Rm2k.

Porter: Interesting

Lun: I'm getting on in years, I'm 23 years old now, and so most of my focus has shifted towards a professional career. I'd love to make games professionally, but I don't know if that will happen yet.

Porter: And how will you achieve this?

Lun: Well, I haven't decided yet. I am also writing some scripts, screen plays, short stories, and I may try my hand at comics. I'd need to improve my drawing quite a bit though. So at this point I feel like there are many things I could do. But of course I still have to finish The Way series

Porter: Definatly with creativity like yours I can see any of these things happening

Lun: I guess that's all.

Porter: Thank you Lun for your time.

Lun: My pleasure, Porter.

[Impossible]

Woo for action-based RPGs, and gameplay in RPGs. Lun is right about that.

[Telephalsion]

I hope he gets hired by (or even starts one) some big game making company.

[OverlordBill]

Yeah, I have some questions for Lun.

1) Is he really 23 or... AN ALIEN?

2) Diarrhea or vomiting?

3) Condoms or castration?

4) How many oreo cookies can he fit in his mouth?

5) Vagisal or Aveeno?

[Exiled]

Awesome interview Porter.