Any intelligent fool can make
things bigger, more complex, and
more violent. It takes a touch of
genius – and a lot of courage – to
move in the opposite direction.
E.F.Schumacher, 1973

Pursuing Elegance
Simplicity, Complexity and the Creative Process
Joel Burgess
Bethesda Game Studios

simplicity.

“The poor architect succumbs
to every temptation and the
good one resists it.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein

Developers are Problem-Solvers
● Long-term Appeal of Development
● Solving Imaginary Problems
● Pride in Hard Work and Cleverness
● …both of which are largely irrelevant

(a somewhat large videogame)
● Full Scale Production: < 3 years
● Team Size: 90+ Developers
● Outsourcing: Limited
● Level Design: 300+ Locations / 8 LDs
● Hit Ship Date – No Delays

Studio Culture
“We can do anything, but we
can’t do everything.”
● Ambition
● Compromise
● Everyone Is Accountable

The Idealist The Realist
• Ambitious Ideas Be Of Two Time Conscious 
• The “Right Way” Perspective 
• Fears Not Scope Minds Expedient 

in practice.

Loopback Layouts
Exit
“Boss”
1-way drop
“Boss”
1-way drop
Entrance
Entrance/Exit

Unexpected Circumstances
I go where
I please.

Asking “So What?”
● Usually the more Ideal Solution
● Greater Player Expression
● Doing Nothing is Efficient
● Easier than any alternative 100% of the time

Less
Work!
Better
Experience!

Radiant Story
● Broad Data Awareness
● Semi-Procedural Experiences

The Radiant Assassin
● Successful Use of Story System
● Appears If:
● Player Level >= 10
● Player is not Dark Brotherhood Member

Mistaken Possibility
? Identity Space
Authored
Story ? ? ?
The Jarl An Assassin
Purchased was sent to Romance
Political
The Contract kill me!
?
?
? ?
?
?
Revenge

The Headless Horseman

Body Slot
Ears Slot
Hair Slot
Head Slot
Circlet Slot

15-Minute Proofs
● Explore Risky Ideas
● Save Time in Long Run
● Especially Useful w/Multiple Fixes

scripting.

bool function playerHasTools()
if Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe01) > 0
; player has a pickaxe. Return true.
return TRUE
Else
; player has no pickaxe. Return false.
return FALSE
endIf
endFunction

if Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe01) > 0
if Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe01) > 0
OR
Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe02) > 0
if Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe01) > 0
OR
Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe02) > 0
OR
Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(pickaxe03) > 0

bool function playerHasTools()
if Game.GetPlayer().GetItemCount(mineOreToolsList) > 0
; player has an item in tools list. Return true.
return TRUE
Else
; player has no items in tools list. Return false.
return FALSE
endIf
endFunction

Barred Doors This door is
You must
barred the
raise from
bar to open
the other
This door is this door.
side.
barred from
the other
side.
Toggle bar

if barred == true && actor == game.getPlayer()
if actor.getDistance(Door) < actor.getDistance(LockBar)
; I cannot be opened from this side!
barredMSG.show()
else
; player must be on the "right" side
UnlockMeMSG.show()
endif

Scripting Literacy
● 60+ Years of Shared Knowledge
● Readable Code is Good Code
● Logical Design is Universal
● Designers & Coders – Unite!

complexity.

Occam’s Razor

Simple Complex

Simple
Direct Robust
Complex

Critters

Critter Feature Set
● Limited Environmental Awareness
● Procedural Movement
● Interactive (Damage/Collection)

Considering The Alternative
Fully Scripted
Vs
Canned Art

Justifying Critter Complexity
● Pioneer Test of Scripting System
● Richer Player Experience
● Repetition Of System
● Player Experience
● Workflow

Artist
Artist Artist
Artist
Artist Artist Artist
Artist Artist
Artist Artist Artist
Implementers
Designer
Artist Artist Artist
Artist Artist Artist
Artist Artist
Designer
Programmer Designer Designer
Users
Designer Designer
Programmer Designer Designer
Designer Designer

process.

Direct
Elegant
Robust

Elegance
● Merges Best of Both Worlds
● Always Optimal
● In reality: Usually Unavailable

Pursuing Elegance
● No Direct Path Available
● Disguised as Compromise
● Revealed Through Process

“Write with the door closed, rewrite
with the door open.”
Stephen King, On Writing

The Creative Cycle
● Begin Idealist, End Realist
Pre-Production Content Lock
Initial Layout Final Iteration
15-Min Proof Implementation

●“You have to practice
Improvisation, let no one kid
you about it!”
● Art Tatum

Thanks for Listening
Questions/feedback?
joel@joelburgess.com