If you have yet to see Ken Levine's keynote at PAX 2008, you should stop reading right now and check it out. It is a fascinating look into the life of a game developer, a development cycle if you will, not often shared with gamers. It is a candid look at how ones surroundings and time period can affect their life choices and who they become.

When considering all of the influences and things that matter to him, I wonder if that is why I enjoy his work so much. Forgetting about the subject matter of his games for a moment, Ken understands, at a core level, what it means to be a nerd. He enjoys many of the things gamers everywhere enjoy. He was influenced in the same way you or I were influenced. We all share the same passions, and are all driven by a common interest.

I wonder if the saying "Birds of a feather flock together" works in this instance. As ridiculous as this sounds, I feel like I can tell a difference between developers who were influenced by games, and developers who were influenced by comic books, science fiction films, and board games.

To play a game developed by a games inspired developer is like playing a copy. In-so-far as the ways in which they construct narrative and gameplay can be found in dozens of other titles. To play a game by developers inspired by comics, films, and board games feels fresh. It's as if after 10's of years they've gleaned from those sources of inspiration how to construct narratives and understand how those elements can effect gameplay and the world around you. Something about them feels different, and in a way that appeals to me.

Kens work speaks to me on a level that a lot of developers does not. I don't know how else to explain it other than he gets it. He is of the same core that defines me. Our interests appear to be similar. This is in no way meant to read like an "Oh man, we are the same" article. However, by happenstance that is the way it reads.

The man is fascinating. I would love nothing more than to have him on the podcast, if only for a half hour. That also goes for other developers. They deserve a spotlight, and I want to pick their brains. In a lot of cases the developers commentary is far more fascinating than the game. At times it helps me to appreciate the game world on a more personal level.

 If you read this Ken, thank you. Seriously, I sincerely appreciate you and your work. I can't wait to play Bioshock Infinite.