> It does seem like games, of all things, would have the potential to be at their greatest under the vision of a single author, but history has shown the opposite
I have to disagree with you here.
Both Civ II and Alpha Centauri were headed by a strong single author. As were both the original Civ and Civ IV which I and many others would see as the best manifestation of the game.
We can also see this outside of the Civ franchise. Think of Super Mario, Popoulous, Doom/Quacke, Sim City, Elite – just to name a few.
Great games were made by great Designers, yes, single authors. Very much akin to big movies or fantasy novels.
I have to disagree with you here.
Both Civ II and Alpha Centauri were headed by a strong single author. As were both the original Civ and Civ IV which I and many others would see as the best manifestation of the game.
We can also see this outside of the Civ franchise. Think of Super Mario, Popoulous, Doom/Quacke, Sim City, Elite – just to name a few.
Great games were made by great Designers, yes, single authors. Very much akin to big movies or fantasy novels.