Log of Changes to the Sloperama Game Career Advice FAQs

Changes were logged in only a haphazard fashion prior to April 1, 2004. The FAQs (aka "Lessons" aka "Articles") having been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, changes and updates needed to be logged a bit more methodically, so this log was created for the purpose.


Update log:


c. April 1, 2004 - FAQs 20, 38 - Added a company who can make playing cards in small quantities.
April 6, 2004 - FAQ 28 - Added the terms "specs" and "on spec."
April 7, 2004 - Game Biz Links page - Deleted some dead links, fixed one broken one, thanks to Robert Roskam.
April 10, 2004 - Lesson 24 - Added to the list of types of Stupid Screen Names, and added to the Stupid Paranoia section.
April 13, 2004 - Article 38 - Added a company that prints playing cards.
April 6, 2004 - FAQ 28 - Added the terms "specs" and "on spec."
April 19, 2004 - Links Page - Fixed or deleted some more broken links. Again, thanks to Robert Roskam.
April 25, 2004 - Added FAQ 39.
April 28, 2004 - FAQ 39 - Added links to more applicable sites.
May, 2004 - FAQ 27 - Added some general rules about artist portfolios & demo reels.
June 9, 2004 - Article 13 - Added words of wisdom from Nathan Mates. Article 38 - Added a site where you can get blank cards, blank dice, and blank game boards.
June 14, 2004 - FAQ 8 - Added 2 books.
June 15, 2004 - Lesson 39 - Added a link to a site loaded with sample contracts.
June 16, 2004 - Added Article 40. Added links to FAQ 40 in FAQs 3, 25, and 34. Added a quote to Catch-23. Lesson 28 - Added more punctuation examples. Article 35 - Added an apropos quote.
June 22, 2004 - Added FAQ 41.
June 28, 2004 - Lesson 20 - Deleted a redundancy.
July 10, 2004 - FAQ 24 - added a disclaimer. Article 41 - added fan mail from some flounder, and a disclaimer. Some people are too easily offended by my disdain for "political correctness." And I don't really care.
July 11, 2004 - FAQ 24 - softened the disclaimer.
July 14, 2004 - Links.html - added http://www.gamediscovery.com/ and http://www.gamedeveloper.com/. FAQ 3 - added a link (planetquake.com/polycount/).
July 18, 2004 - FAQ 7 - Added a link to the IGDA career paths page.
July 28, 2004 - Links Page - deleted lots o' dead links, thanks again to Robert Roskam.
July 30, 2004 - FAQ 14 - Added a cross-reference to Lesson 9. (Or, to put it differently, "Lesson 14 - Added a cross-reference to Article 9," since I use the terms "FAQ" and "Lesson" and "Article" interchangeably, probably confusing some readers unnecessarily...)
July 31, 2004 - Added Article 42.
August 1, 2004 - Added more stuff to Article 42, and added a line to Article 14.
August 6, 2004 - Added stuff about design tools to Lesson 14.
August 24, 2004 - FAQ 8 - Added an important new book (Creating Emotion In Games, by David Freeman) and did some cleanup work.
August 31, 2004 - Removed all links to the Academy of G.E.T.
Sept. 15, 2004 - Added Article 43.
Sept. 16, 2004 - Made minor edits to Article 43.
Sept. 18, 2004 - Made another edit in #43. And then another later in the day.
Sept. 19, 2004 - Made an edit in #27 about level design demo discs.
Sept. 22, 2004 - Another edit to Article 43.
Sept. 23, 2004 - FAQ 4 - added links to other articles on getting a job in the game biz.
Sept. 27, 2004 - FAQs 11, 21 - added link to a great Gamasutra article.
Sept. 30, 2004 - Added FAQ 44.
Oct. 1, 2004 - FAQ 44 - made minor edits.
Oct. 2, 2004 - FAQ 28 - clarified "game design" and added a couple of definitions.
Oct. 4, 2004 - FAQ 34 - Added link to FAQ 44.
Oct. 8, 2004 - FAQ 20 - fixed a broken link.
Oct. 14, 2004 - FAQ 15 - Fixed some links, added some, thanks to the blue saynt AKA "Sonny" who insulted me in the process.
Oct. 18, 2004 - Prompted by the umpteenth query about DaMath, added FAQ 45. FAQ 12 - Added a little about modding, reorganized the tips a little.
Oct. 20, 2004 - Article 33 - Added a link to the 2004 KGC page (also newly added). Lesson 12 - added another tip.
Nov. 10, 2004 - Lesson 43 - Found out the IGDA site doesn't have a downloadable NDA template.
Nov. 12, 2004 - Lesson 3 - deleted a female anatomical reference (it may have been the cause of this site being blocked at Christian colleges). In several other lessons, changed all instances of "farther" (a word I apparently used a lot) to "further" in case dirty-word search bots were freaking out by the first four letters of the word. And replaced a couple instances of a three-letter word referring to one's backside with the word "behind." And changed a common 4-letter swear word beginning with "d" to the more innocuous "darn." Maybe now those Christian colleges will unblock the site. (Note: I later learned that the site hadn't been blocked after all.)
Nov. 17, 2004 - Lesson 10 - Added a reader Q&A re development timeline.
Nov. 22, 2004 - Lesson 12 - Added a thought about professional game playing.
Nov. 28, 2004 - Lesson 3 - Reorganized the required/optional subjects (made theatrical subjects more important).
Dec. 5, 2004 - Added article 46.
Dec. 28, 2004 - FAQ 39 - added a discussion about fair use of public figures vs. celebrities' likenesses and names.
Dec. 30, 2004 - FAQs 6, 9, 11, 12, and Links page - changed or deleted dead links, thanks to Robert R.
Jan. 3, 2005 - FAQs 13, 28 - added info about the "inverted pyramid" style of writing.
Jan. 5, 2005 - FAQ 20 - changed an outdated link; made minor wording changes.
Jan. 6, 2005 - FAQ 8 - added a book.
Jan. 10, 2005 - FAQ 40 - made an edit somewhere maybe, I don't remember exactly.
Jan. 13, 2005 - FAQ 16 - added a link for European indies.
Jan. 14, 2005 - FAQ 8 - added a link to a downloadable Chris Crawford book.
Jan. 16, 2005 - FAQ 17 - updated Matt Burns' bio so newbies will know NOT to contact him and ask for a job.
Jan. 19, 2005 - Lesson 39 - added a Q&A about making a game similar to another. FAQ 8 - added a book (Don Norman).
Jan. 20, 2005 - FAQ 5 - clarified where game testing jobs can be found
Jan. 26, 2005 - FAQ 14 - added Level Design as an entry path for game design. FAQ 20 - added a BB thread about blank hex boards. Links page - added a site that lists Canadian game companies.
Jan. 30, 2005 - Added Lesson 47.
Feb. 1, 2005 - Lesson 47 - added a quote, thanks to Scott B. Added another Dr. Laura quote.
State of the Groundhog Union Day, 2005 - added a comment about game masters to FAQ 12.
Feb. 3, 2005 - Lesson 47 - added another wise saying (one I'd forgotten I had on FAQ 35). FAQ 43 - minor edits. FAQ 5 - added a link for those who want to beta-test (thanks to Nathan Mates).
Feb. 4, 2005 - FAQ 16 - added a tip about online distribution, thanks to Gerry Quinn who wrote about it on the comp.games.development.industry newsgroup.
Feb. 7, 2005 - Lesson 47 - added a parable about surgeons.
Feb. 10, 2005 - Lesson 47 - added a quote from an Elvis Presley song.
Feb. 15, 2005 - Lesson 47 - added a quote from conceptual artist Jean-Claude and added a little commentary to a couple other quotes.
Feb. 17, 2005 - Lesson 47 - minor addition of little substance.
Feb. 28, 2005 - Added FAQ 48. FAQ 28 - Added a term (otaku).
Mar. 1, 2005 - FAQ 48 - minor wording improvements. Added pictures. Links page - updated a link.
Mar. 2, 2005 - FAQ 20 - added more thoughts about making a game board.
03.03.2005 - FAQ 15 - added a link to a database of game engines
Mar. 4, 2005 - Article 47 - added a quote, marked two quotes in red as "reverse wisdom" (oddly, both are from The Simpsons).
Mar. 14, 2005 - FAQ 28 - added a term (COTS).
Mar. 19, 2005 - FAQ 47 - altered an attribution (thanks to Kenneth the Young).
Mar. 21, 2005 - FAQ 37 - Added some new questions, thanks to Sean Gooding.
Mar. 28, 2005 - FAQ 28 - added 2 terms (look and feel, trade dress). Links page - added link to www.girlsingames.com.
Mar. 30, 2005 - Added FAQ 49 and FAQ 50.
Mar. 31, 2005 - FAQ 28 - added a term (turnkey). FAQ 50 - made a couple minor mods.
Apr. 3, 2005 - FAQs 16, 29 - added link to another useful resource for startups
Apr. 5, 2005 - FAQ 47 - added a saying.
Apr. 7, 2005 - FAQ 15 - updated the GameMaker link, thanks to Steven R of the UK.
Apr. 8, 2005 - FAQ 8 - added 3 new board game books, thanks to a tipster who remains anonymous. Added cross-links to FAQ 8 from FAQs 20 and 35.
Apr. 11, 2005 - index.html - Simplified the introductory paragraph. Removed some old links. FAQ 28 - added 2 terms ("bliss" and "passions").
Apr. 13, 2005 - FAQ 47 - added a Shakespeare quote. Added FAQ 51.
Apr. 19, 2005 - FAQ 37 - appended a BB post that asked some previously-unasked high school interview questions.
Apr. 25, 2005 - FAQ 47 - added like 2 or 3 quotes. FAQ 42 - added a line to the production section.
Apr. 26, 2005 - FAQs 35, 39 - added a link to a site about contracts.
2005.05.02 - FAQ 20 - added Chitag, and fixed some broken links.
May 3, 2005 - FAQ 16 - fixed a broken link, thanks to aeoruuk.
May 11, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added the Second Golden Rule.
May 14, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added two wise sayings (one by Homer Simpson, believe it or not).
May 18, 2005 - FAQ 3 - Deleted a broken link, thanks to "nemo."
May 22, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Added to the definitions of résumé and CV, thanks to John Lira ("nemo").
May 23, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying (by André Gide - look, another excuse to make an accent aigu). And added another wise saying (about arguing with idiots). FAQ 38 - Added some links to sites that offer blank printable playing cards, thanks to Misty Blagg.
May 24, 2005 - FAQ 5 - Added some links to help aspiring testers find opportunities.
05.25.2005 - FAQ 20 - Added a resource for blank dice.
June 12, 2005 - Added FAQ 52. FAQ 47 - added a quote from Dr. Seuss, a quote from pro poker player Roxci Rhodes, and wrote more about rule-breaking.
June 13, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote from Dale Furutani's book Kill the Shogun. FAQ 46 - added a photo of me giving a speech. FAQ 52 - added a refinement.
June 14, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Minor tweaks here and there.
June 15, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a Hannibal quote. Fixed some links on the Links page.
June 18, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote from the first Shogun of Japan.
Juneteenth, 2005 - Wrote FAQ 53. Links page - added a link to dice2mice.com (free online games magazine).
June 20, 2005 - FAQ 53 - Added a tip, did a little softening (there's probably more of that needed).
The 4th of July, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote from Stanislav.
July 10, 2005 - Game Biz Links - Added a site that lists game companies.
July 14, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Added terms: whining, whiner, loser, shoulda's, cromulent, embiggen. FAQ 47 - Added a Mark Twain quote that's pertinent to the work of designing games. And a wonderful poem about dumb questions.
July 18, 2005 - FAQ 8 - Added a book that I wrote part of. FAQ 6 - added two expos.
July 19, 2005 - Added FAQ 54.
July 20, 2005 - Minor edit in FAQ 54.
July 21, 2005 - FAQ 3 - Added a couple classes aspiring designers should take.
July 25, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added an Art Linkletter quote. Most of my readers probably don't even know who Art Linkletter was! (-_-)
August 6, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a modern saying about Google.
August 8, 2005 - Added FAQ 55.
August 11, 2005 - FAQ 55 - Added a little more about just how perfect "Perfect Land" is.
August 21, 2005 - FAQ 3 - Added a reader-submitted analogy about how to ask a good question.
August 28, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a line from the Eagles song, Desperado.
August 29, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Expanded the definitions of Q.A., testing, and Beta testing.
August 30, 2005 - FAQ 21 - Added 2 links.
September 3, 2005 - FAQ 34 - A few edits and crosslinks here and there.
9/9, 2005 - FAQ 8 - Added book on Serious Games.
September 13, 2005 - FAQ 37 - Minor edits.
September 14, 2005 - FAQ 34, FAQ 44 - Softened my previous stance on game schools, and clarified my stance on the need for a regular and complete college education. FAQ 20 - wrote a new intro, referencing a Gamasutra article.
September 16, 2005 - FAQ 8 - Expanded the description of the Serious Games book.
October 3, 2005 - FAQ 15 - Moved the red links/resources section at the bottom over to the new FAQ 56. Fixed some legacy 16-bit characters.
October 4, 2005 - FAQ 46 - Added a brief mention of GSTAR, game-oriented event upcoming in Korea, encompassing KGC.
October 17, 2005 - FAQ 21 - Added some minor wording clarifications.
October 22, 2005 - FAQ 8, FAQ 56 - Added a book.
November 21, 2005 - FAQ 37 - Added some more student questions so I never have to answer those again! (^_^)
11/22, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Added numerous new definitions. FAQ 47 - Added a quote from the new Harry Potter movie.
November 24, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Added "hotbed" and a link to a hotbeds map (added the link to the Links page too).
November 26, 2005 - FAQ 57 - Added FAQ 57.
November 27, 2005 - FAQ 57 - Made some mods and edits.
November 28, 2005 - Article 57 - Added some more thoughts. It's a typical pattern after I write a new article.
December 3, 2005 - FAQ 6, FAQ 20 - Modified the CHITAG blurb to include games. FAQ 20 - added a HK manufacturer. Article 57 - added stuff.
December 4, 2005 - FAQ 8 - Added book: "Everything Bad Is Good For You"
December 5, 2005 - FAQ 37 - Added a couple new student questions.
December 16, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote.
December 18, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added another wise quote. FAQ 5 - Fine-tuned it a bit to enhance its helpfulness for aspiring testers.
December 19, 2005 - FAQ 17 - Made a few minor edits to bring it up to date and to reduce all the colors down to a less Christmas-y look.
December 20, 2005 - FAQ 17, FAQ 28 - Added some edits suggested by David Steiner of SEK. Added FAQ 58.
December 21, 2005 - FAQ 58 - Added some tidbits.
December 25, 2005 - Added FAQ 59.
December 27, 2005 - FAQ 20 - Added some printing resources for board game inventors.
December 28, 2005 - FAQ 44 - Heavily reworked it based on feedback received. Clarified about the generalized assumptions built into it, and about the importance of doing your own research on your short list of schools. Specified that this article is aimed primarily at aspiring game designers (more so than aspiring programmers or artists).
December 29, 2005 - FAQ 28 - Added definition of "research."
December 30, 2005 - FAQ 47 - Added more wise quotes. FAQs 12, 51 - Added a pertinent wise quote.
January 1, 2006 - FAQ 47 - Added another wise quote.
January 3, 2006 - FAQ 56 - Added a non-programming game creation tool.
January 9, 2006 - FAQ 12 - Appended a post about portfolios, and removed the colors (they didn't add to the readability).
January 14, 2006 - FAQs 18, 19 - Appended a post about Jay Smith.
January 17, 2006 - FAQ 20 - Added a reader tip on making game boards. Thanks to Jim Davis!
January 18, 2006 - FAQ 59 - Beefed up the introduction (to better introduce the topic). FAQ 47 - Added wisdom from Gandhi and Shakespeare.
January 24, 2006 - FAQ 3 - Deleted some redundancies and unnecessary text colors.
January 25, 2006 - FAQ 28 - Added the term "script."
Chinese New Year, The Year Of The Dog - Game Biz Links page - added Wikipedia's List of Game Topics.
March 5, 2006 - FAQ 29 - Added a link to a market research links page.
March 7, 2006 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to a GREAT article, "So you've invented a board game. Now what?" (thanks to a guy who decided to go with an abstract moniker rather than a real name)
March 10, 2006 - Added FAQ 60.
March 13, 2006 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to FAQ 60
March 24, 2006 - Links page - Added DGXpo.com
March 27, 2006 - FAQ 32 - Finished a hanging sentence.
April 3, 2006 - Links page - Fixed a broken link. FAQ 6 - Clarified some things, added link to FAQ 46.
April 6, 2006 - FAQ 38 - Added a reader post about creating game cards in Word.

  • April 16, 2006 - FAQ 48 - Added a reader post about his own experience getting a game programming job in Japan. FAQ 3, FAQ 30 - Added a link to "How To Ask Smart Questions." FAQ 35 - Added a reader post about royalties.
  • April 17, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Minor edit to the disclaimer.
  • April 19, 2006 - Added FAQ 61. Converted the 2001 Finances article into FAQ 62.
  • April 20, 2006 - FAQ 3 - Added a discussion excerpt about some job prep tactics.
  • April 25, 2006 - FAQ 5 - Deleted an undesirable link.
  • April 29, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Added more online content delivery links.
  • Mayday, 2006 - FAQ 61 - Fixed a typo.
  • May 2, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Added link to website of The Indie Developers' Guide to Selling Games. FAQ 28 - Added a term or two, edited another. Or two.
  • Cinco de Mayo, 2006 - FAQ 56 - Added links to two tools for making text-based games. Thanks to Brian Upton!
  • May 9, 2006 - FAQ 38 - Added a tool for printing cards.
  • May 13, 2006 - FAQ 35 - Added a link to an E3 2006 article from Red Herring.
  • May 16, 2006 - FAQ 16 - crosslinked to FAQ 60.
  • May 18, 2006 - FAQ 49 - Added some thoughts about "is my demo disc good enough?"
  • May 23, 2006 - FAQ 38 - Added a card printer, and reorganized slightly.
  • May 24, 2006 - FAQ 15 - Added a nice letter and a link about becoming a programmer.
  • May 31, 2006 - FAQ 10 - Added a nice letter and a link about the 3D art process.
  • June 1, 2006 - FAQ 20 - Modified and reorganized some links.
  • June 2, 2006 - FAQ 61 - Added some stuff about depicting vehicles and weapons.
  • June 4, 2006 - Links page - Added Gam3r 7h3ory link.
  • 06/09/06 - FAQ 48 - Added a BB Q+A about what it's like working in Japan.
  • June 10, 2006 - FAQ 47 - Added an attribution.
  • 06/12/06 - FAQ 61 - Linked to a couple of articles on fan fiction and fair use. FAQ 28 - Added a couple of terms to the glossary.
  • 06/18/06 - FAQ 61 - Added a final thought (recommendation to "just don't do it").
  • June 25, 2006 - FAQ 61 - Added yet another final thought ("consult an attorney").
  • June 28, 2006 - Links page - added Wikipedia's list of game publishers.
  • June 29, 2006 - FAQ 7, Links page - added Game Career Guide link.
  • July 6, 2006 - FAQ 42 - Added a link to "So You Want To Be A Producer" on Gamasutra. Links page - added Austin Game Conference.
  • July 12, 2006 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying about hope. FAQ 14, Links - added link to free art tool better than Paint (GIMP), thanks to Pete.
  • July 17, 2006 - FAQ 31 - Added Toru Iwatani nod.
  • July 18, 2006 - FAQ 8 - Added book, "THE DESIGN OF EVERYDAY THINGS"
  • July 20, 2006 - FAQ 20 - Added link to TheGameBabe.com, resource for self-publishing board games.
  • July 21, 2006 - FAQ 5, FAQ 28 - Clarified about beta testing.
  • July 25, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Added a self-publishing link, Manifesto Games.
  • July 26, 2006 - FAQ 14, FAQ 35 - Added two links about philosophies for good presentations.
  • August 14, 2006 - FAQ 56 - Added XNA Game Studio Express.
  • August 18, 2006 - FAQ 5 - Added a link to a UK test lab.
  • August 22, 2006 - FAQ 32 - Added link go Game Writers Conference.
  • August 28, 2006 - FAQ 34 - Fixed a typo. FAQ 25 - Added a link to a Game Career Guide (Gamasutra) article on choosing a game school.
  • August 31, 2006 - FAQ 63 - Added FAQ 63, about Freelancing.
  • 9/11, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Added another hosting site, devimg.net.
  • September 14, 2006 - FAQ 60 - Added info about self-publishing and self-publicizing.
  • September 17, 2006 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying by Philip K. Dick.
  • September 22, 2006 - FAQ 29 - Added a link to an article about starting a game company.
  • September 27, 2006 - FAQ 39 - Added link to the GameDev legal kit.
  • October 4, 2006 - FAQs 3, 25, 34, 44 - Changed school links to point to Game Biz Links page.
  • October 5, 2006 - FAQ 25 - Minor edit.
  • October 6, 2006 - FAQ 24 - A little softening was needed.
  • Friday the 13th, October, 2006 - FAQ 56 - Added Torque.
  • November 4, 2006- FAQ 2 - Changed trademark to copyright, thanks to sharp-eyed reader Erick.
  • The Ides of November, 2006 - FAQ 61 - Added link to article, "Intellectual Property in the Brave New World of User-Created Games" on GameDaily Biz.
  • November 25, 2006 - FAQ 5 - Minor clarifications up front. FAQ 8 - added a book.
  • November 28, 2006 - FAQ 5 - Added a warning about testing scam sites (prompted by an email from a testing scammer, wanting to do a link exchange).
  • Pearl Harbor Day, 2006 - FAQ 24 - Added stupid wannabe trick #21, "Falling For A Scam." FAQ 13 - Added a tip about writing game designs.
  • Dec. 11, 2006 - FAQ 28 - fixed a typo, thanks to Adam Renberg.
  • Dec. XX, 2006 - Added FAQ 65.
  • Dec. 15, 2006 - FAQ 65 - Added a tip.
  • Dec. 18, 2006 - FAQ 15 - Added a "starting out" programming tip from Marc Vaughn; deleted a dead link.
  • Jan. 1, 2007 - FAQ 61 - Added a link. Game Biz Links page - added links to European conferences, thanks to Andre Beccu. FAQ 6, FAQ 46 - Added disclaimer about outdated links in these particular FAQs.
  • Jan. 4, 2007 - FAQ 56 - Added a link.
  • Jan. 7, 2007 - FAQ 38 - Deleted a dead link and added some tips thanx to Raven Black.
  • Jan. 12, 2007 - FAQs 2, 13 - Added link to sample GDD.
  • Jan. 16, 2007 - FAQ 66 - Added FAQ 66.
  • Feb. 8, 2007 - FAQ 47 - Added a bit of "reverse wisdom," from Hawaii Five-O this time (not Homer Simpson). I also heard a great Dr. Laura quote today, but now I can't find the !#&$%@! thing...
  • Feb. 12, 2007 - FAQs 21, 31 - Added a link to The 10-Minute Game Sales Potential Test on Gamasutra.
  • Feb. 15, 2007 - FAQ 47 - Added two more wise quotes (Samuel Butler, Nathaniel Hawthorne). I love this FAQ!
  • Feb. 19, 2007 - FAQ 14 - Added a conversation clarifying some of the Catch-22 aspects of becoming a game designer.
  • Feb. 21, 2007 - FAQ 40 - Added some clarifying text about what "following your passions" means. FAQ 14 - continued the conversation of Feb. 19.
  • Feb. 23, 2007 - FAQ 13 - Added an example of a chart as might be used in a game design document, and a few more new pointers.
  • 3/3/2007 - FAQ 42 - Added tips on preparing to become a producer.
  • March 22, 2007 - FAQ 28 - Added some terms. FAQ 58 - Added info about EULAs.
  • April 3, 2007 - FAQ 66 - Added a summation at the end.
  • April 6, 2007 - FAQs 21, 24, 28 - Minor edits, clarifications, cross-links.
  • April 8, 2007 - FAQs 21, 35 - Added links to Dan Marchant's related articles.
  • April 10, 2007 - FAQ 32 - Added more tips about freelance writing. FAQ 64 - fixed a broken link (Dan Marchant rebuilt his obscure.co.uk website entirely).
  • April 14, 2007 - FAQs 5, 14, 15, 53 - Added links to latest salary info.
  • April 17, 2007 - FAQ 3 - Added a link to an article by game designer Patrick Curry. FAQ 12 - Added a link to a different article by game designer Patrick Curry. FAQ 14 - Added links to two entirely yet again different articles by game designer Patrick Curry.
  • April 22, 2007 - FAQ 24 - Added a couple of stupid email subject lines to avoid.
  • April 27, 2007 - FAQ 60 - Added another online game provider for those who want to self-publish. FAQ 56 - Added GameStudio.
  • May 13, 2007 - FAQs 60 29 15 16 10 61 39 63 - Added link to the GameDev.net "Business of Game Development" forum FAQs. FAQ 47 - Added another wise quote from that great sage, Homer Simpson.
  • May 15, 2007 - FAQ 47 - Added another wise quote from the Columbo TV show.
  • May 16, 2007 - FAQ 8 - Massive rework. Deleted icons, greatly shortened the list of books, added Laurie Hutzler's e-book and newsletter.
  • May 18, 2007 - FAQ 60 - Added a site for online paper game distribution.
  • May 19, 2007 - FAQ 8 - Added Neuromancer; edited the Ender's Game listing.
  • May 20, 2007 - FAQ 56 - Added XNA, and a crosslink to FAQ 60. FAQ 35 - Added some tips about the use of Powerpoint and the Elevator Pitch in game submissions. FAQ 28 - Added some definitions. FAQ 13 - Added a tip. FAQ 47 - Attributed the Serenity Prayer to Niebuhr (per Wikipedia).
  • May 21, 2007 - FAQ 24 - Expanded on Stupid Wannabe Trick #20. FAQ 38 - Added 3 links to tools for making custom game cards. FAQ 48 - Added a link to a site about studying in Japan, thanks to Ashley Ainsworth.
  • May 22, 2007 - FAQ 38 - Added another software tool for making custom game cards.
  • June 5, 2007 - Links page - Added gamecareerguide.com, moved job sites to Design Resources (renamed it Design & Job Hunting Resources).
  • June 16, 2007 - FAQ 24 - Altered what I wrote about lying scam artists, in response to a lawsuit threat.
  • June 26, 2007 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to the Board Game Designers Forum Wiki
  • July 5, 2007 - FAQ 5, FAQ 24 - Expanded on what I wrote about lying scam artists, and crosslinked to my July 2007 IGDA column about lying scam artists. FAQ 2 and Links page - Crosslinked to my article, "The Importance of Design Docs in Game Development" at thecorpament.com (I'd forgotten I'd written it).
  • July 8, 2007 - FAQ 47 - Added a Yeats quote about education.
  • July 25, 2007 - FAQ 20 - Added 2 manufacturing resources for plastic board game pieces.
  • July 27, 2007 - FAQ 48 - Added a link to a new article about getting work in Japan.
  • August 7, 2007 - FAQ 64 - Added link to great Gamasutra article by Jill Duffy.
  • August 12, 2007 - FAQs 29, 62 - Added links to sites with information about sales data. Links page - added link to David Perry's game industry map.
  • August 17, 2007 - FAQ 28 - Added a definition of "experience" and modified the definition of "E3."
  • August 22, 2007 - Links page - Updated the Leipzig conference links.
  • August 28, 2007 - FAQ 8 - Added a comment to the listings of the Nolo Press books.
  • August 29, 2007 - FAQ 28 - Added the Berne Convention. Oughta add other legal terms but I'm too lazy.
  • September 4, 2007 - FAQ 67 - Created FAQ 67 from BB posts.
  • September 7, 2007 - FAQ 20 - Added Playthings magazine as a resource.
  • 9/11/2007 - FAQ 15 - deleted a dead link and its associated text.
  • September 13, 2007 - FAQ 5, FAQ 24 - Added another scam site (this one purports to warn you about scam sites). FAQ 47 - Added a bit of reverse wisdom for managers.
  • September 19, 2007 - FAQ 4 - Edited and updated it a bit. Deleted references to now-dead newsgroups, substituted current lively online forums in their place. Edited the discussion about sample design writing in the portfolio. FAQ 5 - Minor edit in the section "Location, Location, Location."
  • September 20, 2007 - FAQ 5 - Another minor edit in the same location.
  • September 23, 2007 - FAQ 12 - An edit so minor I didn't feel like logging it.
  • September 30, 2007 - FAQ 44 - Added a link to another site that discusses the pros and cons of "game schools."
  • October 4, 2007 - Route 66 - Expanded the introduction and conclusion.
  • October 5, 2007 - FAQ 16 - Deleted discussion of now-defunct regshare.com.
  • October 8, 2007 - FAQ 41 - Deleted a dead link.
  • November 15, 2007 - FAQ 24 - Fixed a broken link, thanks to Andrew Spitz.
  • November 21, 2007 - FAQ 39 - Added a link to another article about trademark and copyright protection of video games.
  • November 26, 2007 - FAQ 5 - Edited the opening paragraphs to reflect the changing reality that more and more publishers outsource their QA to game testing labs. FAQs 7, 14 - Edits to reflect that same changing reality. FAQs 4, 24, 27 - Edits to reflect another changing reality: that email is now the method of choice for job applications. FAQs 5, 7, 14, 15, 17, 42, 44, 53, Links - Updated the instructions for finding the Salary Survey on gamecareerguide.com. FAQ 44 - Added a reader's comments about the value of a regular college education.
  • November 27, 2007 - FAQ 41 - Added a link to the slides from my talk on "Switching It Up: Changing Career Paths" (at E For All 2007) at http://www.gamecareerseminar.com/
  • December 1, 2007 - FAQ 2 - Deleted a dead link, thanks to Zerowolf.
  • December 5, 2007 - FAQ 48 - Added a link to an article by Andrea Rubenstein about her successful effort to enroll in a Japanese game school.
  • December 6, 2007 - FAQ 24 - Fixed a broken link reported by Andrew Spitz. Added "DUUUDE!!" to the list of stupid email subject lines, in honor of Andrew Spitz who used that subject line today.
  • December 11, 2007 - FAQ 15, FAQ 44 - Added link to GameCareerGuide article "Schooling Game Programmers: Specialized Degrees vs. Computer Science."
  • December 18, 2007 - FAQ 8 - Added The Game Production Handbook by Heather Chandler.
  • December 20, 2007 - FAQ 60 - Added The Great Game Experiment.
  • December 29, 2007 - FAQ 60 - Fixed a link, thanks to Madison Durie.
  • January 1, 2008 - FAQ 24, 27 - Added a new stupid wannabe trick (spamming multiple employers with one job application email) and its corresponding barrier-busting tip (tailoring each application to the specific employer and the specific job), after having received yet another hopeful applicant spam. FAQ 54 - Crosslinks, minor update.
  • January 7, 2008 - FAQ 24, 27 - Added a new stupid wannabe trick and added the concomitant barrier-busting tip.
  • January 9, 2008 - FAQ 5 - Added another verbal communication exercise, and a written communication exercise (with a link to an example bug report).
  • January 19, 2008 - FAQ 20 - Added a disclaimer.
  • January 26, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader letter giving more good advice for underage game aspirants.
  • February 4, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader letter from an underage idea man.
  • February 5, 2008 - Links page - added link to gseabroad.com, which offers study abroad programs for students to popular destinations around the world.
  • February 6, 2008 - FAQ 65 - minor edit to a link.
  • Chinese New Year, 2008 - FAQ 14, Links page - Added link to a new article on gamecareerguide.com. Also did a mass edit across the entire site, replacing most uses of the word "gaming" with simply "game."
  • February 8, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added a few terms.
  • February 11, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader letter that's apropos to the topic.
  • February 13, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added 2 reader letters (this FAQ's format is letters and my responses). FAQ 21 - Minor edit to make it easier to find a frequently occurring subtopic.
  • 2/22/08 - FAQ 56 - Updated the GameMaker link, thanks to Colton Popovich.
  • February 23, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added some reader letters.
  • February 25, 2008 - FAQ 39 - Added link to article "Hey, That’s MY Game! Intellectual Property Protection for Video Games" by Attorneys Ross Dannenberg and Steve Chang.
  • March 11, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader Q&A about getting a game career.
  • March 12, 2008 - Links page, FAQ 42 - Belatedly added links about my 2006 Serious Games Summit talk, "How To Find And Work With The Right Studio For Your Serious Game Project" - an article by Jill Duffy synopsizing the talk, and links to where you can download the Powerpoint slides.
  • March 13, 2008 - Links page - Updated the GameIndustryMap link.
  • March 16, 2008 - Links page - Added links to sites for researching game sales statistics.
  • Saint Patrick's Day, 2008 - FAQ 34 - Modified entry 5 to cover online education as well as community college.
  • March 18, 2008 - FAQ 63 - Clarification added re the term "experience."
  • March 19, 2008 - FAQ 7 - Added my little rant about the word "gaming." FAQ 39 - Added a crosslink to FAQ 58. Why didn't I think of it before?
  • March 22, 2008 - FAQ 8 - Added 2 books on game design.
  • March 25, 2008 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to a site that can help you make your own wargame hex boards and counters.
  • March 26, 2008 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote from Benjamin Franklin.
  • March 27, 2008 - FAQ 24 - Added stupid wannabe trick #24, relying on headhunters to get a QA job (inspired by a post on IGDA today).
  • March 28, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader Q&A about finding testing jobs in countries not usually associated with games, while furthermore being underage. FAQ 5 - Added info about staffing agencies.
  • March 29, 2008 - FAQs 29, 62 - Added a link to "The Finer Points of Starting Your Development Company [Part II]: Financing."
  • March 31, 2008 - FAQs 5 & 27 - Added more info about technical staffing agencies and how they supply testers. FAQ 20 - Added a link to Richard Gottlieb's blog on Playthings.com, calling for more respect for board game inventors. FAQ 42 - Modified the brief mention of alternate job titles of producers. FAQs 5 & 24 - Added more info about scam test sites that ask you to send them money and you'll get testing jobs that pay $120 per hour (I roll my eyes).
  • April 3, 2008 - FAQ 34 - Crosslinked to my GameDev.net article, "Am I In The Wrong Degree Program?"
  • 4/4/2008 - FAQ 34 - Added a reader Q&A that's highly apropos to the topic (A Question Of Degree).
  • April 10, 2008 - FAQ 47 - Added 3 wise sayings by Randy Pausch.
  • April 11, 2008 - FAQs 24, 27 - Added another tip and its associated dumb trick - "Doing (not doing) your homework."
  • April 14, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added a great definition of "art" by Ian Bogost of Georgia Tech, that I heard today on NPR's "All Things Considered."
  • April 17, 2008 - FAQ 13, Links page - Added links to Google Sketchup and MetaCard, great tools for game design. FAQ 28 - edited the entry on "cromulent."
  • April 18, 2008 - FAQ 37 - Couple minor updates.
  • April 22, 2008 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to Rolco Games, a provider of board game parts, pieces, blank boards, and a Game Inventor Kit.
  • April 27, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a kid Q&A.
  • May 3, 2008 - FAQ 56 - Added link to Wikipedia's List of Game Engines.
  • May 16, 2008 - FAQ 29 - Added link to DFC Intelligence website (lots of free articles for those writing game industry business plans).
  • May 24, 2008 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote from Mark Twain.
  • May 27, 2008 - FAQ 42 - Added a reader Q&A about classes to take to become a producer.
  • June 2, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added some definitions. FAQ 47 - added a wise quote from Ben Kaufman.
  • June 3, 2008 - Added wise quote from Howard Aiken to FAQ 47 and FAQ 39, added Kaufman's wise quote to FAQ 31.
  • June 7, 2008 - FAQ 20 - Fixed a broken link.
  • Father's Day, 2008 - FAQ 39 - Added a nice article on game copyright, thanks to a professional dunce.
  • June 16, 2008 - FAQ 44 - Expanded the up-front disclaimer notes.
  • 7/7/2008 - FAQ 27 - Crosslinked to FAQs 54, 46, and 6, and my IGDA column.
  • July 8/08 - FAQ 1 - Deleted the old newsgroup links and replaced them with current good forum links.
  • July 9, 2008 - Links Page - Added link to David Sirlin's page about playing to win, thanks to Oskar.
  • 7/11/2008 - FAQ 16, Links Page - Added http://forums.indiegamer.com/ thanks to Dan Marchant.
  • 14 Juillet, 2008 (Bastille Day) - FAQ 65 - Deleted links to newsgroups, since most discussion has moved to the Web. FAQ 47 - Added a quote from Gilda Radner.
  • The Ides of July, 2008 - FAQ 53 - Linked to article "Demystifying the Art of Video Games."
  • July 22, 2008 - FAQ 35 - Added a reader Q&A about the negotiability of contract terms.
  • July 24, 2008 - FAQ 47 - Added a new wise quote from Dr. Laura.
  • July 26, 2008 - FAQ 47 - Expanded the "brick walls" quote by the late Randy Pausch.
  • July 28, 2008 - FAQ 56 - Added Caligari Truespace 7.6 thanks to Dan Lingman. How2Search page - added www.cuil.com.
  • July 29, 2008 - FAQ 32 - Added crosslinks to other FAQs.
  • July 31, 2008 - FAQ 67 - Added a reader Q&A about preparing to be a programmer.
  • 8/8/08 - FAQ 5 - Added a tip, thanks to Joseph Hatcher.
  • August 22, 2008 - FAQ 29 - Added a link about game sales statistics.
  • Labor Day, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added HUD and Shmup to the glossary.
  • September 3, 2008 - FAQ 2 - Added a link to game design samples on GameCareerGuide.com.
  • September 10, 2008 - FAQ 65 - Added more important stuff about legal questions and how to deal with possible answers you might get to your questions.
  • September 12, 2008 - FAQ 13 - Added pertinent reader Q&A, about writing a story design doc.
  • September 18, 2008 - FAQ 1 - Added a link to Chris Crawford's article, Education of a Game Designer. FAQ 38 - Added links to new sites for generating game cards.
  • September 21, 2008 - Links, FAQs 25, 34, 44 -- Added a link to unigo.com where visitors can rate colleges.
  • September 29, 2008 - FAQs 1, 3 -- Added link to Lewis Pulsipher's "ideas" article on GameCareerGuide.
  • September 30, 2008 - FAQ 28 (Game Biz Glossary) - Added "Dungeon Master" and "MUD."
  • October 1, 2008 - FAQ 7, Links page - Added link to new salary analysis on GameCareerGuide. FAQ 8 - Added an upcoming book on board game design. FAQ 20 - Updated the FAQs crosslinks.
  • October 3, 2008 - FAQ 14 - Added a link to the new Gamasutra article "How To Hire Good Game Designers." Links page - Deleted 2 dead links.
  • October 4, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Minor edit to "Gameplay."
  • October 5-6, 2008 - FAQs 5, 28, 53 - Added some commercial links. I gotta make money, ya know. They are indicated by a mouseover popup.
  • October 8, 2008 - FAQ 37 - Minor edits.
  • October 9, 2008 - FAQ 5 - Minor edit.
  • October 14, 2008 - FAQ 7 - Deleted a dead link.
  • October 26, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added 2 terms to the glossary: outsource and concept art. Modified the entry on patience.
  • October 30, 2008 - FAQ 3 - Added a link to another sample GDD.
  • 11/1/08 - Links Page - Added a link to IndustryBroadcast.com.
  • November 2, 2008 - FAQs 40, 47 - Added a Shunryu Suzuki quote about following your passions.
  • November 17, 2008 - FAQ 42 - Added a reader Q&A about publisher producers vs. developer producers.
  • November 19, 2008 - Added FAQ 69, Level Design.
  • Turkey Day, 2008 - FAQ 42 - Minor edit, and added a reader Q&A.
  • November 28, 2008 - FAQ 44 - Added a link to another article about game degrees, and a note about my teaching activities.
  • Pearl Harbor Day, 2008 - FAQ 28 - Added more detail about TDDs, thanks to a reader Q&A.
  • December 16, 2008 - FAQ 37 - Fixed very minor typo.
  • December 17, 2008 - FAQ 22 - Bill Hawkins reminded me that the original title of Bedlam was Castle Keep, so I changed where I'd written "I don't remember what the working title was," thanks to Bill.
  • December 29, 2008 - FAQ 32 - Added a link.
  • December 31, 2008 - FAQ 20 - Added a Chinese printing resource for small quantities.
  • January 3, 2009 - FAQ 50 - Fairly minor edits for emphasis.
  • January 6, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added "creds."
  • January 19, 2009 - FAQs 5, 28, Links - Added mention of fileplanet as a possible place to find beta testing opps.
  • January 22, 2009 - FAQ 34 - Edited the introductory comments on DigiPen and Full Sail.
  • January 24, 2009 - FAQ 52 - Rewrote the ending to clarify the six possible answers to a classic two-choices question.
  • January 27, 2009 - FAQ 53 - Added a link to an article on game audio, thanks to Jill Duffy. FAQs 5, 24 - Added more links to exposés of Game Tester Guide and similar test scam sites.
  • January 30, 2009 - FAQ 39 - Added a link to "Under Development," a terrific legal blog.
  • February 1, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying (from one of those emails that go around these days).
  • February 4, 2009 - FAQ 60 - Added a link.
  • February 5, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added three new terms to the glossary: fan fiction, fan game, and universe.
  • February 6, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying from playwright Edward Albee.
  • February 7, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Minor edit.
  • February 8, 2009 - FAQs 9, 53 - Added a reader Q&A about professionalism and art team member input.
  • February 20, 2009 - FAQ 56 - Deleted a dead link, thanks to elynch.
  • February 26, 2009 - FAQ 14 - Added a reader Q&A about a "typical" day for a game designer. FAQ 5 - Because people frequently ask about QA interview questions, made a minor edit under "How To Prepare."
  • April 13, 2009 - FAQ 20 - Added a domestic board game manufacturing resource, Chicago Game and Card Co.
  • April 20, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added "unsolicited submission" to the glossary.
  • May 2, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added quotes from President Obama and Dr. Laura. FAQ 20 - Deleted a dead link.
  • May the Fourth be with you, 2009 - FAQ 14 - Added a clarifying pertinent BB reader Q&A.
  • 5/7/9 - FAQ 54 - Added a link to Darius Kazemi's blog on networking. FAQ 58 - Added a section on collaboration agreements, added links.
  • May 9, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote from Sun Tzu's Art of War.
  • May 11, 2009 - FAQ 5 - Added discussion about advancement from QA. FAQ 28 - Added clarifications to "development" and "production."
  • May 20, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added collaboration agreements.
  • May 22, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Refined definition of "gaming."
  • May 23, 2009 - FAQ 8 - Added David Perry On Game Design.
  • May 26, 2009 - FAQs 47, 61 - Added a quote by Mona Ibrahim.
  • May 28, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Minor re-org and edits.
  • May 29, 2009 - FAQ 70 - Added FAQ 70. FAQ 54 - Fixed a morse code error, thanks to Joe Z.
  • May 31, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added an anonymous quote. FAQ 52 - Minor edits.
  • June 7, 2009 - FAQ 58 - Further clarification of what a collaboration agreement contains.
  • June 8, 2009 - FAQ 56 - Deleted a broken link on the Links page, and updated the Game Maker links in FAQ 56.
  • June 9, 2009 - FAQs 47, 70 - Added a Mark Twain saying.
  • June 18, 2009 - FAQ 66 - Just a cleanup (deleted no-longer-valid email addresses, put an older email above a newer email, updated a link).
  • Juneteenth, 2009 - FAQ 5 - Added a link.
  • Summer Solstice, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote by Satchel Paige.
  • June 23, 2009 - FAQ 2 - Deleted link to Corpament.com, which has turned into a sponsored links site.
  • June 27, 2009 - FAQ 2 - Added a link.
  • July 5, 2009 - FAQ 16 - Added a link to indiedevnet.
  • July 6, 2009 - FAQ 5 - Added a link to a pertinent thread on GameCareerGuide. FAQs 35, 60 - Added a link to a pertinent article about selling IP.
  • 7/8/9 - FAQ 48 - Added a link to Japanmanship. FAQs 11, 39 - Deleted "poor man's copyright."
  • 7/11, 2009 - FAQ 20 - Added an agent.
  • July 24, 2009 - FAQ 70 - Minor update to grids.
  • July 29, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote by Yogi Berra.
  • August 1, 2009 - FAQ 67 - Deleted last names. FAQ 71 - Added FAQ 71.
  • August 5, 2009 - FAQ 14 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A about the duties of a game designer.
  • 8/11, 2009 - FAQ 61 - Added the term "product placement" as a bullet.
  • August 12, 2009 - FAQ 1 - Edited the advice to write a full GDD, since my advice on this has changed.
  • August 14, 2009 - FAQ 61 - Added a link to a pertinent GameDev.net discussion of copying gameplay. FAQ 65 - Added a little more info.
  • August 25, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added entries for Database and DBA. Cleaned up a formatting problem. FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote by Dr. Laura (heard on her radio show today).
  • August 26, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a saying by (believe it or not) David Hasselhof.
  • August 27, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added entry on Dress Code.
  • August 28, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying I heard on NPR this morning. FAQs 25, 47, 70 - A wise quote by Dr. Laura that belonged in 3 FAQs.
  • August 29, 2009 - FAQ 13 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A about concept docs and treatments.
  • September 1, 2009 - Links page - Added a link to the GameCareerGuide forums.
  • September 2, 2009 - FAQ 58 - Added a direct link to Mona's blog on Collaboration Agreements.
  • September 7, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added QoL and Crunch.
  • 9.9.9 - FAQ 60 - Added 2 new game clearinghouse sites.
  • September 10, 2009 - FAQs 3, 4, 7 - Added a link, thanks to Dan L. FAQ 14 - Added a paragraph about one of the most common misconceptions as to what a game designer does.
  • September 14, 2009 - FAQ 12 - Updated discussions of old tech (VCRs, cassettes), added discussion of levels, mods.
  • The Ides of September, 2009 - Updated technology mentions in FAQ 56. Minor edit to FAQ 12.
  • September 18, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added Work for Hire. FAQ 58 - Linked to an article on Works For Hire.
  • 09/20/2009 - FAQ 42 - Added a link to a Gamasutra article.
  • September 21, 2009 - FAQ 56 - Added FreeMMORPGMaker (Eclipse), thanks to jackolantern1.
  • 09/29/2009 - FAQ 3 - Changed "required" to "recommended," and made associated minor edits.
  • October 6, 2009 - FAQ 28 - Added Play Balancing, Play Testing, Game Developer, and CS. FAQ 5 - Added discussion of play testing (as opposed to bug testing).
  • October 22, 2009 - 29 files - Changed all links to my IGDA column after the IGDA re-designed and re-organized their website. Affected files are as follows: contentsa, links, index, searchresults, bulletinbd + 7 bulletinbd-archives, and FAQs 5, 14, 24, 27, 28, 29, 34, 41, 53, 54, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 67. FAQ 11 - Added a reader Q&A.
  • October 23, 2009 - FAQ 37 - Sanitized some reader Q&A (removing last names and email addresses)
  • October 26, 2009 - FAQ 3 - Edits to show that the terms "college" and "university" are being used interchangeably.
  • October 28, 2009 - FAQ 37 - Added a new reader Q&A. FAQ 11 - Removed some outdated references.
  • Halloween Night, 2009 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying by Kong Few Shun.
  • November 2, 2009 - Links page - Added a link. FAQ 3 - Added a link and a crosslink.
  • November 6, 2009 - Links page - Revamped the section on school lists, added crosslinks.
  • November 27, 2009 - FAQ 58 - Fixed a broken link.
  • December 2, 2009 - FAQ 65 - Added a link. FAQ 56 - Added important links. FAQ 47 - Added yet another wise saying by Dr. Laura.
  • December 3, 2009 - FAQ 65 - Added that wise saying by Kong Few Shun (copied from FAQ 47).
  • December 5, 2009 - FAQs 40, 28 - Minor edits.
  • December 11, 2009 - FAQs 5, 24 - Edited references to certain "game tester" websites.
  • December 18, 2009 - FAQ 61 - Added a link.
  • December 29, 2009 - FAQ 71 - Added a sentence, deleted a couple words.
  • January 7, 2010 - FAQ 71 - Added "too old." FAQs 5, 28, 53 - deleted some paid links. FAQ 38 - inserted some paid links.
  • January 8, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Minor edits.
  • 01/10/10 - FAQ 47 - Added a wonderful bit of "reverse wisdom" by GameDev poster MadApples.
  • January 12, 2010 - FAQ 61 - Added another link.
  • January 18, 2010 - FAQ 42 - Deleted a dead link.
  • January 21, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added an Army Engineers quote and a Derek Bok quote. Slight re-org.
  • January 25, 2010 - FAQ 13 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • January 27, 2010 - FAQ 21 - Added image of telephone and how to use it.
  • January 30, 2010 - FAQ 61 - Minor edit.
  • February 3, 2010 - FAQ 15 - Minor edit. FAQ 29 - Updated links to sales stats sites.
  • February 7, 2010 - FAQ 12 - Added crosslinks.
  • February 13, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Katie Uhlaender quote.
  • Valentine's Day, The Year of the Tiger - Added quotes by Dr. John and Sai Baba.
  • February 26, 2010 - FAQ 5 - Clarification re bug-writing exercise.
  • April 25, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Michael J. Fox quote. Slight reorganization.
  • April 26, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Dr. Laura quote that's perfectly in line with the Michael J. Fox quote.
  • April 27, 2010 - FAQ 58 - Fixed a broken link, and added info about how to find an article if a link to Mona Ibrahim's blog is broken.
  • May 13, 2010 - FAQ 10 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • May 17, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Dr. Laura quote.
  • May 27, 2010 - FAQ 32 - Added a tip.
  • June 1, 2010 - FAQ 11 - Noted that a link is no loger valid.
  • June 7, 2010 - FAQ 5 - Added info about applying for QA jobs.
  • June 8, 2010 - FAQs 3, 13, 21 - Added a link to the original Bioshock pitch doc.
  • June 9, 2010 - FAQ 7 - Added crosslink to FAQ 69.
  • June 24, 2010 - FAQ 61 - Added link to an article about licensing IP.
  • July 1, 2010 - FAQ 5 - Added a link. FAQ 1 - Fixed a broken link.
  • July 23, 2010 - FAQ 4 - Changed section on cover letters; several touch-ups.
  • August 4, 2010 - FAQ 28 - Updated the definition of "graphic designer." FAQ 53 - Appended a reader Q&A.
  • September 8, 2010 - FAQ 27 - Massive rewrite and update. FAQ 28 - Added definition of "cylindrical file."
  • September 11, 2010 - FAQ 44 - Appended a reader Q&A and added a little more wording to the up-front disclaimer.
  • September 13, 2010 - FAQ 60 - Added facebook and the Apple developer site, and fixed a broken link.
  • September 16, 2010 - FAQ 60 - Added link to IGDA Indie Production Guide.
  • Autumnal Equinox, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Dave Ramsey quote about planning.
  • September 29, 2010 - FAQ 7 - Fixed broken link to IGDA's Breaking In page (and added beta v2.0 Breaking In page).
  • October 13, 2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Gail Sheehy quote. FAQ 8 - Added a book on creativity.
  • 10/20/2010 - FAQ 47 - Added a Japanese saying and a Thomas Jefferson quote.
  • October 28, 2010 - FAQ 20, Links page - Added a link to boardgames.stackeschange.com.
  • Halloween, 2010 - FAQ 53 - Added descriptions of game art specialties.
  • 11/01/10 - FAQ 8 - Fixed broken Charles River Media links.
  • November 4, 2010 - FAQ 29 - Added some links. FAQ 3 - Fixed a broken link.
  • November 6, 2010 - FAQ 36 - Added a pertinent reader comment.
  • 11/11/10 - FAQ 39 - Added a reader Q&A about the "poor man's copyright." FAQ 27 - Added the Cover Letter Workshop.
  • November 16, 2010 - FAQ 3 - Added a link to Escapist Magazine's video, "So You Want to be a Game Designer."
  • Thanksgiving, 2010 - FAQ 48 - Added a pertinent reader comment.
  • December 8, 2010 - FAQ 20 - Added some links to external pages about tabletop roleplaying game design.
  • December 15, 2010 - FAQ 7 - Added a link to a pump-you-up video, and polished up the talk about the annual Salary Survey and where to find it.
  • December 16, 2010 - FAQ 28 - Added Assembly Line, and modified Platform.
  • December 19, 2010 - FAQs 47, 71 - Added a great quote about the stupid question, "am I too old?"
  • December 22, 2010 - FAQs 5, 24 - Updated the discussion of game tester scam websites, adding powerupgames. FAQ 4 - Added a reader's job application success story.
  • January 19, 2011 - Links page - Deleted 2 or 3 dead links. FAQ 20 - Added some paid links. FAQ 38 - Modified some paid links.
  • January 28, 2011 - FAQ 47 - Added a quote about fear of failure.
  • February 5, 2011 - FAQs 5, 24 - Deleted powerupgames mentions. For now, anyway. Review still pending.
  • February 18, 2011 - FAQ 28 - Added some definitions.
  • February 25, 2011 - Links page - Fixed two broken links.
  • February 26, 2011 - FAQ 24 - Changed the title from "10 Stupid Wannabe Tricks" to "10 Stupid Things Wannabes Do." Too many stupid wannabes were insulted, thinking I was calling them stupid wannabes when I wasn't doing that at all (but now I am saying that THOSE wannabes WERE stupid).
  • March 2, 2011 - FAQ 56 - Added Game Salad and Vassal.
  • March 24, 2011 - FAQ 51 - Minor wording edit.
  • March 30, 2011 - FAQ 48 - Added a haiku for my friends in Japan.
  • April 27, 2011 - FAQ 27 - Added a reader Q&A about email subject lines.
  • May 23, 2011 - FAQ 28 - Added "Subject Lines" to the glossary.
  • June 14, 2011 - FAQ 54 - Added a reader Q&A, and updated some content. FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying.
  • Ides of June, 2011 - Links page - Added a link.
  • Summer Solstice, 2011 - FAQ 53 - Deleted all email addresses; patched a dead link.
  • June 27, 2011 - FAQ 25 - Added an advertising link; some rewording in the intro.
  • June 30, 2011 - Links page - Deleted dead links.
  • July 1, 2011 - FAQs 72, 73 - Added FAQs 72 and 73. Fixed a broken link in FAQ 34.
  • July 3, 2011 - FAQ 27 - Crosslinked to FAQs 72, 73.
  • 4th of July, 2011 - FAQ 24 - Teeny tiny typo fix.
  • July 6, 2011 - FAQs 5, 24 - Added a warning about another tester scam site, earnwithplaying.com.
  • July 8, 2011 - FAQ 61 - Fixed a broken link. FAQ 56 - Reorganized it (put the Q&A after the links to the tools).
  • July 18, 2011 - FAQ 61 - Added a Q&A about risk aversion. FAQs 5, 24 - Added becomeagametester to the list of websites to stay away from.
  • July 20, 2011 - FAQs 71, 47 - Added a wise quote.
  • July 26, 2011 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote, thanks to Bill Black.
  • July 27, 2011 - FAQs 71, 47 - Added a wise quote.
  • July 28, 2011 - FAQ 56 - Major rewrite of the opening, and added some vital links.
  • July 31, 2011 - Links page - Added gdmag.com.
  • August 10, 2011 - FAQ 44 - Some edits.
  • 8/11/11 - FAQ 40 - Added two links.
  • August 13, 2011 - FAQ 28 - Modified the entry for AAA.
  • August 20, 2011 - Links page - Added the 2011 salary survey.
  • August 24, 2011 - Edited the section on portfolios; added a paid link.
  • August 25, 2011 - Removed paid link.
  • August 31, 2011 - FAQ 53 - Minor cleanup in opening paragraph.
  • September 6, 2011 - FAQ 5 - Added a reader Q&A that's become a recurring topic of late.
  • September 19, 2011 - FAQ 60 - Added Desura and Linux Game Consortium.
  • September 20, 2011 - FAQ 60 - Added Google+ Games.
  • September 24, 2011 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying by boogyman#### (I'm too lazy to memorize the numbers, so shoot me).
  • October 3, 2011 - FAQ 47 - Added a J.D. Salinger quote.
  • 10/12/11 - FAQ 20 - Added a link to an article on how to make and publish a board game.
  • 11/21/2011 - FAQ 28 - Added a couple terms.
  • November 26, 2011 - FAQ 28 - Added numerous terms.
  • December 3, 2011 - FAQ 28 - Removed a term.
  • December 30, 2011 - FAQ 61 - Added a link.
  • January 8, 2012 - FAQ 56 - Fixed a broken link.
  • January 24, 2012 - FAQs 20, 38 - Removed some paid links.
  • January 25, 2012 - FAQ 61 - Added some new links about IP usage (thanks to Chuck Hoover).
  • February 11, 2012 - FAQs 21, 35 - Updated so the articles don't sound like they were written in the seventeenth century.
  • February 15, 2012 - FAQs 35, 39 - Appended a pertinent reader Q&A from the bulletin board.
  • February 18, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added 2 terms.
  • March 2, 2012 - FAQ 2 - Fixed a broken link and deleted a dead link, thanks to Danny McGill.
  • March 28, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added the term "Wall Of Text."
  • March 30, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added the term "Glass Cannon."
  • April 15, 2012 - FAQ 3 - Accidentally fixed a broken link (didn't know the Extra Credits "Game Designer" video wasn't on The Escapist anymore, but discovered the broken link while posting a link to the video on Penny Arcade).
  • April 26, 2012 - FAQ 8 - Updated the info on Tracy Fullerton's book.
  • May 9, 2012 - Links page - fixed or removed three broken links, thanks to some SEO-type person named Linda who wanted me to add her off-topic links too (I didn't).
  • May 17, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added terms "M.O.B.A.," "DotA," and "e-Sports."
  • June 21, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added another definition for "TDD" (test-driven development).
  • July 2, 2012 - FAQ 12 - Added a paragraph about online portfolios. FAQ 28 - Expanded definition for "UI" and added "UX."
  • The 4th of July, 2012 - FAQ 16 - Fixed some now-corrupted "smart" characters used by the writer of the article in 2002. Fixed a broken link, removed a dead link.
  • July 5, 2012 - FAQ 34 - Added a paid link.
  • 7/11/2012 - FAQ 28 - Added 2.5D.
  • July 15, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added TRPG.
  • July 19, 2012 - FAQ 56 - Added link to Construct 2.
  • July 31, 2012 - FAQ 69 - Added clarifying language after a reader drew the incorrect conclusion that I was saying he had to go to an expensive game school.
  • August 6, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Edited the Mod listing.
  • August 7, 2012 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying by Robert E. Lee.
  • August 10, 2012 - FAQ 28 - Added PBM and PBeM.
  • August 23, 2012 - FAQ 61 - Added Fair Use (thanks to bschmidt).
  • October 25, 2012 - FAQ 12 - Fixed minor typo.
  • 11/11/12 - FAQ 70 - Added more thoughts.
  • November 18, 2012 - FAQs 35, 58 - Updated links to Mona Ibrahim's website. Not sure I found them all.
  • Nobember 30, 2012 - FAQ 54 - Added a link.
  • January 2, 2013 - FAQs 35, 58 - Updated the links to Mona Ibrahim's site again.
  • January 24, 2013 - FAQ 61 - Due to a broken link, I added instructions for finding an article using the Wayback Machine.
  • January 25, 2013 - FAQ 2 - Added links to more example game design documents (GDDs).
  • March 5, 2013 - FAQs 28, 42 - Added PRINCE2 (both) and Scrum (FAQ 42).
  • April 12, 2013 - FAQ 39 - Updated.
  • April 24, 2013 - FAQ 42 - Updated.
  • May 7, 2013 - FAQ 61 - Deleted broken links. Links page - removed some dead weight, added some truthiness about the three main discussion forums.
  • May 17, 2013 - FAQ 44 - Changed "smart apostrophes" to regular apostrophes in a posted 2007 reader email. Why the hell does Microsoft insist on "smart apostrophes" and (quote) "smart quotes" (unquote) when they're just going to show up as wingdings when they show up in a browser anyway?
  • May 19, 2013 - FAQ 24 - Deleted 2 dead links. Fixed a typo and updated the length of time I've been in the game industry.
  • May 20, 2013 - FAQs 4 & 12 - Appended a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • May 21, 2013 - FAQ 5 - Added a link, deleted a dead link.
  • May 22, 2013 - FAQ 75 - Added FAQ 75. And added crosslinks to FAQs 5 and 17.
  • May 23, 2013 - FAQ 5 - cleaned up the ABCD scale wording. FAQs 73, 75 - some polishing. FAQ 4 - fixed a broken URL (found a dead page on the Wayback Machine).
  • May 30, 2013 - FAQ 39 - Added a link.
  • June 6, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Cleaned up an entry.
  • July 16, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Added an entry.
  • July 17, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Fixed an alphabetization problem.
  • July 27, 2013 - FAQ 48 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • August 22, 2013 - FAQ 40 - Fixed a link.
  • August 23, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Added an entry.
  • August 24, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Added to yesterday's entry.
  • August 30, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Added a couple entries.
  • September 11, 2013 - FAQ 47 - Deleted a dead link.
  • October 11, 2013 - FAQ 24 - Added another "video game tester jobs" scam site to the list.
  • October 20, 2013 - FAQ 13 - Added some stuff.
  • October 26, 2013 - FAQ 50 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • November 4, 2013 - FAQ 28 - Added an entry.
  • December 18, 2013 - FAQ 34 - Removed an expired paid link.
  • December 19, 2013 - Added FAQs 78, 79, 80, 81, and 82 (formerly published on IGDA.org as "The Games Game" columns, and now no longer available on IGDA.org).
  • December 27, 2013 - Added FAQ 83 ("The Experience Experience," formerly a "The Games Game" column).
  • December 28, 2013 - FAQ 25 - Pulled a paid link that had expired. Changed some wording about game design.
  • December 30, 2013 - Added FAQ 84 ("Location, Location, Location," formerly a "The Games Game" column on IGDA.org). And added crosslinks to it in FAQs 24 and 27.
  • January 2, 2014 - FAQ 47, FAQ 40 - Added a wise quote.
  • January 8, 2014 - FAQ 5 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • January 20, 2014 - FAQ 14 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • January 27, 2014 - FAQ 28 - Added Underpants Gnomes Theory.
  • January 28, 2014 - FAQ 7 - Changed some arcane wording.
  • February 11, 2014 - FAQ 28 - Added a couple of terms.
  • February 21, 2014 - Links page - Fixed a broken link.
  • March 28, 2014 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • April 13, 2014 - FAQ 88 - Added FAQ 88 ("Does Size Matter," a "The Games Game" column).
  • April 23, 2014 - FAQs 44, 77 - Added a link.
  • April 28, 2014 - FAQs 39, 58 - Deleted dead Mona Ibrahim and IGDA.org links; modified wording to accommodate removal of dead links.
  • April 29, 2014 - FAQ 58 - Added new Mona Ibrahim links (gamedev.net blog), moved some Tom Buscaglia text (and deleted redundant wording), and added links to the Jim Charne section.
  • Cinco de Mayo, 2014 - FAQ 77 - Added info about the amount of money a college grad can earn over what a high school grad can earn.
  • June 3, 2014 - FAQ 89 - Added FAQ 89 (converted a TGG column).
  • June 14, 2014 - FAQ 56 - Deleted dead links. FAQ 27 - Fixed broken links to my IGDA columns (now all relegated to "legacy").
  • July 12, 2014 - FAQ 71 - Added a link to a pertinent infographic.
  • August 17, 2014 - FAQ 61 - Noted that some dead links may still be found by accessing the Wayback Machine.
  • September 19, 2014 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying.
  • November 11, 2014 - FAQ 5 - Fixed some broken links, and linked to new FAQ 90. FAQ 90 - Created FAQ 90 (converted a TGG column).
  • December 18, 2014 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying.
  • January 27, 2015 - FAQ 58 - The MAIEntertainmentLaw website is back online, so revised the wording about an important article there.
  • February 11, 2015 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise saying.
  • 2/22, 2015 - FAQ 28 - Added a definition.
  • March 21, 2015 - FAQ 24 - Fixed a typo, thanks to a March 11th tweet I'd missed.
  • Summer Solstice / Father's Day, 2015 - FAQ 85 - Added the IGDA article, "The Path to Designer" - renamed it "The Path Back to Designer."
  • June 24, 2015 - FAQ 75 - Added the use of the term "glitch" as a common mistake in bug report writing.
  • August 7, 2015 - FAQ 2 - Fixed a broken link, added a link to another sample GDD.
  • August 13, 2015 - FAQ 56 - Added three books.
  • August 20, 2015 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • August 29, 2015 - FAQ 5 - Deleted a dead link, thanks to Jessica.
  • December 17, 2015 - FAQ 7 - Deleted 2 dead links.
  • January 21, 2016 - FAQ 56 - Updated it, removed some old info.
  • May 27, 2016 - FAQ 8 - Updated an entry, added an entry.
  • June 4, 2016 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • June 5, 2016 - FAQ 28 - Added more terms. FAQ 47 - Added a Dostoevsky quote.
  • 6/6/16 - FAQ 28 - Added another term.
  • June 8, 2016 - FAQ 70 - Fixed a mathematical error reported by a sharp-eyed reader.
  • June 9, 2016 - FAQ 58 - Deleted a dead link, added a link.
  • June 23, 2016 - FAQ 71 - Minor edit, and added mobile-friendly link.
  • July 10, 2016 - FAQ 28 - Added more terms.
  • July 26, 2016 - FAQ 5 - Added a link.
  • July 29, 2016 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • August 13, 2016 - FAQ 28 - Added 2 terms.
  • September 30, 2016 - FAQ 69 - Fixed broken links, thanks to Don X.
  • October 11, 2016 - FAQ 7 - Deleted a dead link.
  • December 29, 2016 - FAQs 7, 10, 14 - Added a reader Q&A about crunch.
  • January 8, 2017 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • March 10, 2017 - FAQ 61 - Added another use case.
  • St. Patrick's Day, 2017 - FAQ 39 - Added a link to a Mona Ibrahim video on Gamasutra.
  • April 12, 2017 - FAQ 13 - Added a pertinent reader Q&A.
  • June 5, 2017 - FAQ 34 - Fixed some broken links.
  • June 15, 2017 - FAQ 32 - Deleted a broken link, added a link. Deleted some words, added some words (like the term "narrative designer," for instance). FAQ 28 - Added the term "narrative designer."
  • June 18, 2017 - FAQ 11 - General modernizing, made crosslinks work better, deleted dead links.
  • June 30, 2017 - FAQ 28 - Added a second meaning for "FPS."
  • August 22, 2017 - FAQ 21 - Added a link to an example game submission policy on a publisher website.
  • Sept. 5, 2017 - FAQ 5 - Minor edits.
  • Oct. 16, 2017 - Links page - deleted a dead link that was now leading to an erectile boost drink page in Japanese, and fixed a broken link (both thanks to Kathleen Gray, an SEO specialist trying to get me to post her link, which I declined to do).
  • Nov. 5, 2017 - FAQ 34 - deleted dead links.
  • Dec. 6, 2017 - FAQ 21 - deleted dead links.
  • Dec. 22, 2017 - FAQ 28 - fixed a broken link, thanks to some SEM/SMM guy who wanted me to send people to an entirely different article.
  • Jan. 26, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added some terms.
  • Feb. 4, 2018 - FAQ 37 - Find-and-replace all instances of "lesson" with "FAQ."
  • Mar. 16, 2018 - FAQ 3 - Find-and-replace all instances of "lesson" with "article." Oh the vagaries of whim. Oh, and I deleted dead links, and added a new link. FAQ 25 - Added a criterion to consider (proximity to industry) when choosing a college, and added a link.
  • Mar. 23, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • Mar. 30, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added a term.
  • Apr. 4, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added some terms.
  • May 13, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added some terms.
  • May 16, 2018 - FAQ 17 - Fixed a broken link.
  • June 6, 2018 - FAQ 14 - Deleted some broken links.
  • June 23, 2018 - FAQ 28 - Added two terms, made a few edits.
  • July 8, 2018 - FAQ 7 - Added some roles.
  • October 20, 2018 - FAQ 20 - Removed a defunct link.
  • March forth, 2019 - FAQ 28 - Added a disclaimer.
  • April 14, 2019 - FAQ 8 - Why did it take me so long to list Jesse Schell's book???
  • May, 2019 - FAQ 47 - Added a wise quote.

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