Game Design

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The FreeOrion Design Team is responsible for maintaining and developing the gameplay of FreeOrion. The Design Team consists of a Lead Designer and the Creative Team, of whom one or two members (optionally) fill the positions of FreeOrion Designer. These terms are defined as follows:

Creative Team: Members of the FreeOrion community who contribute regularly to discussions on the Design board and in public reviews may be inducted into the Creative Team. This is an honorary title; it provides no additional authority or responsibility. We very much want to credit everyone who contributes regularly to this project, no matter what phase they came in on; consequently, people who frequent the Game Design board and post according to the rules, offer valuable insight into difficult questions, or otherwise exemplify the qualities of professional, critical debate, discussion, and design that are vital to the FO design team are brought on the team.

FreeOrion Designer: Members of the creative team who hold this title are considered part of the FreeOrion development team, and may have additional responsibilities relating to writing sections of the design document, technical documentation, forum moderation, conducting public reviews, and other administriva. These positions are not always filled.

Lead Designer: The Lead Designer is responsible for managing the design team, acting as a liaison to the other project teams, and for writing and maintaining the design document. The Lead Designer will direct discussion on the design board and conduct public reviews in accordance with the FreeOrion Mission Statemnet and other stated goals. The Lead Designer is also responsible for the workflow of the public side of the project -- integrating ideas, suggestions, and proposals into the development process.

The current roster for the game design team is below, along with a FAQ.


I am pleased to announce the current roster of the FreeOrion Creative Team. This roster will be updated periodically. Please read on for answers to several FAQ regarding the creative team.

As of May 11, 2004:

Lead Designer: Aquitaine

Designers: (none currently)

Past Designers: Drek Nightfish

Creative Team: Drek Nightfish jbarc1 utilae skdiw Krikkitone Impaler emrys Bastian-Bux Ablaze Powercrazy han_krum guiguibaah

Q: I've been very active on this project and you haven't added me to the Creative Team!

A: This is very likely an oversight. There are no hard-and-fast rules as to when the team will be updated or what one must do to be on it, but this is on purpose, because there is also no difference between someone who is on it and someone who is not in terms of contributing to this project, and that is why we are here. The FO Creative Team is essentially a group of people to which the FO project wants to extend a big 'thank you!' for one reason or another who might otherwise not get credited (as programmers, artists, and musicians do).

Q: Should I email/PM you and complain? A: You can, but this could be in poor taste, so if you really and truly feel slighted, then absolutely contact me, as I maintain this list. This is not a 'club,' it is not exclusive, and there are no special priviledges, which is why we are leery of having 'joining requirements' or anything silly like that. We all work for no pay, so it's just one of several ways we have of showing our appreciation.

Q: So I don't even get a pin? Thanks for nothing! A: You can put it on your resume, if you like, and list "Aquitaine the one-eyed red Spathi" as a reference. But this may not be a good idea.

Q: Arg! I want a special title other than 'FreeOrion Creative Team!' A: That would be favoritism. Butter us up first.

Q: I don't want to be on some stinking team! Take me off! A: Uh. Okay.

Q: I used to be on the team but then I was banned because Aquitaine is a draconian forum moderator! Will I still get credited? A: Absolutely. Short of really egregious offenses like trying to destroy our severs or impersonating Nightfish, your name gets carved in stone, even if you leave the project later for any reason. Also, the above has never happened, so this is purely hypothetical.

Q: I've posted three million times on Brainstorming or Rants and Raves or <some other board>. Why don't you add me? A: You must be active on the Game Design board. The brainstorming boards and the 'chat' boards are provided as a convenience, and the FO team cannot always follow them.

Cheers, Aquitaine