Log of Changes to the Game Biz Advice FAQs ("Lessons")

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.

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