Part 1 of 1, by Adam Miller
My long and rambling hobby as a modder began to spite my wife.
I had heard of Neverwinter Nights, and started to get excited as I had long loved playing with “Build Your Own Adventure” type games. I was busy writing dialog, making maps, and generally getting ready for my first module. We were at my in-law’s house and my mother-in-law asked, “What’s Adam doing?” “Something he’ll never finish,” my wife dryly replied.
From that moment, I redoubled my efforts. Even before the game was out, I had planned out every map, all the dialog, and much of the scripting. Once released, I frantically built five modules in nine months, then immediately jumped into Dreamcatcher. I was hooked.
I loved bringing characters and a story to life. Pushing the edge of what was possible with the game was maddening and wonderful. When the awards, magazine articles, and job offers poured in, I was all aglow. I watched the ratings of my earlier modules carefully, cringing at every low score. Now I was vindicated, proof that my talent and hard work was finally recognized.
As I finished Dreamcatcher and moved on to Demon, something funny happened. It became work. I spent endless hours removing the sparkly seams between tiles. I would slog through bugs, write apologetic e-mail to people who didn’t like my story, and play tech support to every player in the world. I still had fun creating the story, though the excitement had waned, especially working away without a release for a year.
People continued to play my modules, and the e-mails continued to trickle in. I got very good at writing a “glad you appreciated it” response. Still, some would come in that gave me pause.
There were a couple letters from soldiers stationed in war zones, my game being a bright moment in an otherwise dreary and tense life. I had one from a man who had lost both parents. I befriended a woman dying of cancer, who told me her husband laughed for the first time in a long while when they played together. She gave me the line “This one’s for Skippy the cabin boy!” There were others, each finding some measure of joy and control in a life that was often bleak and unfair.
I still make games because it’s fun, and love creating characters and situations that range from moving to hysterical. Most of the people who play will enjoy themselves for a few hours and move on to the next pastime. Yet I often think of the people who need games, a palliative against the madness of life. When I’m knee-deep in debugging code, I remember those few, and hope my offerings bring them some small peace.
I was lucky to be involved with Dragon Age early, attending the builder’s event up in Edmonton. Already plans are forming, my notebook filling with scribbles of maps and dialog. Last night I made my second cutscene, the player stepping out of a mirror and looking about in wonder. I felt that familiar excitement welling up, the lure of mystery and promise of adventure.
This one’s for Skippy.
Adam Miller does not work for BioWare despite their efforts to change that state of affairs but he did train for years to become a biology teacher, then fled in terror after facing his first class. Falling back on his hobby, he ended up working as a programmer and getting involved with web technology back when management through it was a fad. In his free time, he builds robots with his son, plays ninja with his daughter, and knocks off the occasional Neverwinter Nights module.
Tags: builder, miller, module design, neverwinter nights, toolset, video game
February 4, 2009 at 5:29 pm |
I loved Dreamcatcher! If I remember correctly, before starting Kingmaker, part of our homework was to play DC to see how excellent a small module could be. It was quite inspirational.
February 4, 2009 at 11:06 pm |
Yeah that Adam is good with them vidja games, I tell you what.
I look forward to voicing in more modules you “knock off” on your spare time! When it’s time to do Dragon Age, promise that there will be no more anatomically-correct talking flesh thingies!!
February 5, 2009 at 2:24 pm |
very nice read. keep up the fantastic work …
February 5, 2009 at 4:01 pm |
Yikes! I sorta feel guilty that I became somebody’s homework.
Guy Incognito supplied some fantastic voice work for Dark Waters, so he may be a little biased. I’ve been very lucky to get some great help from a number of people along the way, so I feel a little guilty whenever someone declares that a particular module is “Adam Miller’s”. I’ve been trying to learn to accept it. Cackling maniacally and whispering “Mine, all mine” seems to help.
February 5, 2009 at 6:46 pm |
Adam,
I loved all your earlier mods, and I loved Demon; it was the only NWN2 mod I finished,. I wish you every success in Dragon Age, and am beginning to see why – despite its purported lack of multi-player – I might have to buy it.
Keep us posted!
-Throbblefoot
February 9, 2009 at 9:42 pm |
I want you all to know that Adam is a really sweet funny son, and I’m really proud of what he’s doing, even though
I’m not quite sure what it is. He’s made me realize how small the world is becoming and how amazingly well you young people communicate with each other. Much love, Old Mom
February 20, 2009 at 2:01 am |
How typical, how familiar, how true…
I didn’t really want to stop playing and definatly didn’t want to stop building with NWN1. But sometime real life gets in the way and you loose track and time.
Just this week i stumbled upon ‘my’ old NWN1 guild after being abscent for 4 to 5 years. All my old friends were still there, building and playing. Right then I realised that our campaignsetting never did really leave my mind and had evolved and grown without me even knowing it: I still love building. I still love creating stuff that appeals to other players. I love seeing them have fun and knowing it’s your hands and dedication that made that happen.
Today i read you article and just love the way you explain ‘the passion’ for building.
My wife is bugging me for spending time on the computer instead of her. A new job will keep me away from the computer. But my god, i WILL start building again.
Thank you so much for inspiring me, and others.
Keep building. Cheers.
MIAS
March 18, 2009 at 3:38 pm |
Hey!!!
First i want to apologize for my bad , self learned, english. Im brasilian
and i am a silent (until now) fan of adams miller’s work.
i always loved rpg and always dreamed to play NWN while reading magazines of rpg’s stuff so one day i managed to buy the first never winter nights and just loved the game but… when i downloaded (50kbs conection in that time) shadowlord and dreamcatcher i …dude, i was just amazed … that was an incredible adventure that made me think and dream in and out of the PC …. i remember that time with joy
.
My life have changed much in these hmm 6-8 years i think, now the time is short , i have to much things to do in so little time but,
i never stoped to search for adams miller work in his homepage .
and i have played all modules so far and just wanna say :
Thanks’s man
im in debt with u …. u gave me so many fun moments and just can say thank u…
u are a true storyteller
see ya
May 19, 2009 at 6:08 am |
Hey Adam its Jason (Undead/Undead II – Hell Quest/Demon Cards Bar & Grill) Just wanted to say whats up since I haven’t talked to you in so long. Once again thanks for letting me use Demon Cards, the hencmen from Shadowlords/Dreamcatcher/Demon, and for helping with some of my scriting problems in the first module I ever built all the way back in 2004. It’s hard to belive that its been that long already. Been 5 years since I first played your modules and contacted you for your help. I have learned a lot from your example. I’m nowhere near as good of a scripter and builder as you are but I have learned quite a bit from you and thanks to you I have become a decent module builder myself. I still haven’t made the jump to NWN2 yet this old pc of mine can’t handle HOTU let alone anything higher than that. yet I know its a dinosaur of a pc but she still runs liek new so no reason to change her or trade her in for a newer one just yet lol. I take good care of what few things I do have in this world. With less and less free time tho I dont get to work on modules as much as i would like to but thats life my friend. Anyways its good to see your still active around the community and congrats on winning the 2008 module of the year award for NWN2. Well keep in touch and feel free to contact me any time would love to catch up on old times. secretplace109@yahoo.com Well tell the wife and kids I said hi and I hope to hear from ya again sometime.
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