Obsidian Entertainment - Game Design Research, ala Avellone

Obsidian's Chris Avellone has written a humourous (as always) blog on the topic of research before starting a game design for Game Tycoon.  Here's the opening:

Obsidian Entertainment recently got the chance to do a role-playing game set in the Aliens universe.

This is due with many thanks to our fine publisher, SEGA, who used their oodles of cash and resources to woo Fox. Wine and song may also have been involved. And lawyers. And contract negotiators. But let’s set that aside for a second.

When we got the Aliens license, it hit me that there is one resoundingly positive aspect of being in game development: Doing research for games is the best thing, ever.

The article is peppered with Chris' cartoons and is an entertaining read.