Convos with Creative People is a podcast about creative paths and processes. Each episode features interviews with creators of all genres and mediums, and discussions on writing, art, design, marketing, music, podcasting, and more. Hosted by me, Brian LeTendre.In this episode I dug into the 2009 archives of the Secret Identity podcast for an interview I did with Raven Software’s Senior Creative Director Dan Vondrak, about the X-Men Origins: Wolverine game.Why am I pulling up this interview now? Because Dan Vondrak directed the campaign of this year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. I am loving the campaign, and what is kind of incredible about it is that much of it was created remotely during the pandemic. The idea for this episode came from the first time I booted up the game, as I got hit with a wave of nostalgia. Not because the game itself is set in the ‘80s (though that is a big deal for me as someone whose formative years were that decade), but because of the studio logos that are emblazoned on the screen when it starts. In addition to lead developer Treyarch, there are a slew of other studios who worked on the game, including Beenox, High Moon Studios, Sledgehammer, and Raven Software.I could write an entire series of blogs on the work of those studios (and I likely will at some point), as they created some of my favorite games of the Xbox 360/PS3/Wii generation. Just in case any of those names don’t ring a bell:High Moon Studios brought us the awesome Transformers games War for Cybertron, Dark of the Moon and Fall of Cybertron.Beenox created Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions and Spider-Man: Edge of Time, featuring my two favorite Spideys--Peter Parker and Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099).Sledgehammer Games was born out of Visceral Games, creators of Dead Space, one of my all-time favorite series.Raven Software was behind X-Men Legends I & II, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, among many others.Which brings me to today’s blast from the past. Back in 2009, I was in the middle of my game journo stint, covering games for Comic Book Resources. The Secret Identity podcast was also going strong at that time, and NYCC was the place where we would get almost an entire year’s worth of interviews done for the show.It was at NYCC 2009 that I got to interview Senior Creative Director at Raven Software Dan Viondrak, who was the project lead on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a game that was released alongside the upcoming movie. The game featured a story written by Marc Guggenheim, who you may know from a variety of comic-related projects, including his run on Wolverine of course, as well as runs on Flash and Amazing Spider-man, and his development, writing and production work on the Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow TV shows. X-Men Origins: Wolverine received decent reviews at the time, and most agreed that the mechanics were the strong point. It felt great to play as Wolverine, and the game really captured the brutality of his combat skills, and how far he could push his healing factor. Sadly, unless you own a copy of the game and a console to play it on, you’d have a tough time playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine today. Thye license expired and it’s not available digitally. But there are plenty of used copies floating around out there, and it’s definitely worth checking out.Raven made a Wolfenstein game that was released later that year as well, and also the underrated Singularity in 2010, before working on the Call of Duty franchise for the past decade.Here are links where you can find more about X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Raven Software:Raven Software: https://www.ravensoftware.com/home X-Men Origins: Wolverine game trailer: https://youtu.be/E31qWQz4bHY X-Men origins: Wolverine full playthrough): https://youtu.be/mFV0qBtVDhUX-Men Origins: Wolverine game on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men_Origins:_Wolverine_(video_game)IGN Video on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War campaign: https://youtu.be/OljMXwxn-TEAs always, you can follow me and keep up with my creative projects on Twitter @seebrianwrite. _________________________________________________CWCP Theme music: Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License. Link to original work: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3676-dreamer

SBW: Conversations With Creative People

Dan Vondrak Talks X-Men Origins: Wolverine Game at NYCC 2009

Convos With Creative People | Don CardenasConvos with Creative People is a podcast about creative paths and processes. Each episode features interviews with creators of all genres and mediums, and discussions on writing, art, design, marketing, music, podcasting, and more. Hosted by me, Brian LeTendre.In this episode I welcome artist, musician, fellow podcaster, and friend Don Cardenas to the show. I’ve known Don for over five years now, and we first connected around our mutual love of music, as he was a listener of the Thrash it Out podcast. He’s an amazing artist, and I interviewed him about his book Packs of the Lowcountry for the Secret Identity podcast back in 2017 (in fact, it was the last interview we did for the show, which ended later that year).As we always do whenever we catch up, Don and I cover a lot of ground in this discussion. In addition to talking about his work and his process, we ended up talking quite a bit about finding your creative community, and adjusting creative expectations for yourself in the midst of a pandemic. In fact, this conversation was the inspiration for the blog series I recently started about rebuilding my creative routine. I’d like to thank Don for being so gracious with his time, and for the great discussion as always. Go check out his work, and listen to his podcast!Here are links to where you can find Don, as well as some of the stuff we talked about in this episode:Don on Twitter: twitter.com/DonCardenasArtDon on Instagram: instagram.com/doncardenasartDon’s Website: doncardenasart.com Comics - Coffee - Metal podcast: https://anchor.fm/donald-cardenas Brian’s episode on CCM: https://anchor.fm/donald-cardenas/episodes/CCM-Podcast-Episode-20-Brian-LeTendre-eikvta Packs of the Lowcountry on ComiXology: https://www.comixology.com/Packs-of-the-Lowcountry/comics-series/40302I Wish it Was Xmas Today (Cover): https://youtu.be/ajKIHBrnA5o As always, you can follow me and keep up with my creative projects on Twitter @seebrianwrite._________________________________________________CWCP Theme music: Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License. Link to original work: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3676-dreamer

Don Cardenas--Comics, Community, and Creating During a Pandemic

Convos with Creative People is a podcast about creative paths and processes. Each episode features interviews with creators of all genres and mediums, and discussions on writing, art, design, marketing, music, podcasting, and more. Hosted by me, Brian LeTendre.In this episode I reach all the way back into the 2008 archives of the Secret Identity podcast, for a conversation with the creator of the Forgotten Realms, Ed Greenwood. Way back in April of 2008, my friends Alana Abbott, Max Saltonstall and I traveled to the Dungeons and Dragon Experience (DDXP) convention, to get a preview of the upcoming 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. We got to meet, interview, and play games with some of the architects of 4e, and it was an amazing time. One of the highlights of the show was getting to sit down with the legend himself, Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Forgotten Realms. We got to talk about the Realms being the base setting for the new edition, what was new and different with the Realms in 4e, and some of the projects Ed was working on at the time.Maybe my favorite part of this interview from a creative standpoint, was hearing Ed’s take on the Living Forgotten Realms initiative, and how it contributed to the richness of the stories being told around that world. Fantastic stuff.As I said in the intro for this episode, these old interviews are great to revisit, and provide a time capsule of what was happening at any given point. This time in particular was a very exciting one for D&D and the Forgotten Realms, and it’s fascinating to see what part of WOTC’s plans for 4e came to fruition, what didn’t, and how that informed a lot of what we see with 5e today.Anyway, I hope you enjoy this interview from 2008! Here are links to some of the things Ed and I talked about, as well as things I mentioned in the intro:Blackstaff Tower (Book 1 in the Waterdeep series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0786949139Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide (4e): https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/57376/Forgotten-Realms-Campaign-Guide-4eEd Greenwood Presents Elminster’s Forgotten Realms: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/166568/Ed-Greenwood-Presents-Elminsters-Forgotten-RealmsLiving Forgotten Realms Campaign Archive: https://www.livingforgottenrealms.com/ History of Winter Fantasy/DDXP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Fantasy Ed Greenwood on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEdVerse Article about the launch of Gleemax: https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/interviews/1218-Gleemax-Wizards-of-the-Coast-s-Gamer-MySpaceArticle about the shutting down of Gleemax: https://critical-hits.com/blog/2008/07/28/someone-broke-the-brains-jar/ As always, you can follow me and keep up with my creative projects on Twitter @seebrianwrite._________________________________________________CWCP Theme music: Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License. Link to original work: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3676-dreamer

Ed Greenwood--Talking Forgotten Realms 4e at DDXP 2008

Convos with Creative People is a podcast about creative paths and processes. Each episode features interviews with creators of all genres and mediums, and discussions on writing, art, design, marketing, music, podcasting, and more. Hosted by Brian LeTendre.In this episode I welcome game designer and Scarred Lands Line Developer Travis Legge to the show. Travis and I talked a lot about his new project for the Scarred Lands, Frostlands of Fenrilik, which is coming out very soon through the Slarecian Vault, the community content portal on Drive Thru RPG. Frostlands of Fenrilik is an expansion for Scarred Lands that explores the frozen continent of Fenrilik. Known as the Roof of the World, Fenrilik is a massive frozen tundra filled with unique creatures, dangerous weather and deadly Titanspawn.We talk a lot about the Scarred lands as a setting, and why it is one of our favorites, community content programs like DM’s Guild and the Slarecian Vault, and a bit about what the future holds for the Scarred Lands line.Here are links to everywhere you can find Travis, and more info about Frostlands of Fenrilik, including two free previews that are on DriveThruRPG now. Scarred Lands: Frostlands of Fenrilik Trailer: https://youtu.be/Xm6hqg-YlVY Free Preview One: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/329593/Frostlands-of-Fenrilik--Preview-One Free Preview Two: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/329594/Frostlands-of-Fenrilik--Preview-TwoOnyx Path website: http://theonyxpath.com/Onyx Path on DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4261/Onyx-Path-PublishingOnyx Path Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath/ Slarecian Vault Titles: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4261/Onyx-Path-Publishing/subcategory/8329_29809/Slarecian-VaultSlarecian Vault Info and FAQ: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/cc/19/Slarecian-Vault Travis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TravisLegge Travis on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/plasticageplaysTravis on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxV5V2fCZn6uaPIyHoZAleA Travis’ Products on DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Travis%20Legge As always, you can follow me and keep up with my creative projects on Twitter @seebrianwrite._________________________________________________CWCP Theme music: Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License. Link to original work: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3676-dreamer

Travis Legge--Frostlands of Fenrilik and Scarred Lands

Convos with Creative People is a podcast about creative paths and processes. Each episode features interviews with creators of all genres and mediums, and discussions on writing, art, design, marketing, music, podcasting, and more. In this quick preview episode, I talk about the evolution of the podcast from its origin as See Brian Write, and what listeners can expect moving forward.You can follow me and keep up with my creative projects on Twitter @seebrianwrite._________________________________________________CWCP Theme music: Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod, used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License. Link to original work: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3676-dreamer

CWCP Preview Episode--October 2020

In the thirty-second episode of SBW, Brian kicks off a brand new season by hanging out with author, podcaster and comic writer Amber Love. They discuss Amber's Vodka O'Clock podcast, her Farah Wethers mystery series and her work both covering and writing comics.You can keep up with Amber on twitter at twitter.com/elizabethamber and check out her website www.amberunmasked.com for news on all of her projects.You can also get the show notes for this episode at www.seebrianwrite.com, and you can find his books on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFA. Special thanks to Jeremy Horn for allowing us to use his music for the SBW theme.

See Brian Write #32--Amber Love Talks Mysteries, Podcasts and Comics

In the thirty-first episode of the See Brian Write podcast, I wrap up the NaNoWriMo-themed season with my good friend and co-author Jolene Haley. We talk about editing your NaNoWriMo project and the benefits of collaboration.We also have plenty of discussion about The Woodsview Murders, our new series that was born out of NaNoWriMo. The first book in the series--HARROWED--arrives 9/22/15.IntroReflecting on the NaNoWriMo seasonMy Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewJolene HaleyEditing your NaNo ProjectThe Woodsview MurdersCollaborationJolene on Twitter: twitter.com/JoleneHaleyJolene’s Blog: jolenehaley.comJolene on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7753660.Jolene_HaleyJolene on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jolenelouisehaleyWrap-UpHARROWED arrives 9/22/15Add HARROWED on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/25728924-harrowedWoodsview Case Files: twitter.com/woodsviewfileswww.woodsviewmurders.com

See Brian Write #31--Jolene Haley and The Woodsview Murders

In the thirtieth episode of the See Brian Write podcast, my friend and the EIC of Red Stylo Media Enrica Jang joins me. We talk about her NaNoWriMo Experience, working in comics as well as prose, and her new anthology project, 27, A Comic Anthology. IntroAnnouncing Harrowed! My Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewEnrica Jangredstylo.comtwitter.com/red_stylotwitter.com/EnricaJang 27, A Comic Anthology Kickstarterwww.kickstarter.com/projects/RedStyloMedia/27-a-comic-anthology-inspired-by-musics-infamous-2NOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #30--Enrica Jang and Harrowed

In the twenty-ninth episode of the See Brian Write podcast, my Camp NaNo cabin mate Laura Chapman joins me to talk about her NaNo experience, as well as her books The Marrying Type and Hard Hats and Doormats.IntroLovecraft's Pupil is Out! My Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewLaura Chapmantwitter.com/lmchaplaurachapmanbooks.comwww.change-the-word.comHard Hats and Doormatshttp://www.amazon.com/Hard-Hats-Doormats-Laura-Chapman-ebook/dp/B00H7OME88The Marrying Typehttp://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Type-Laura-Chapman/dp/0991162080Laura's Post on Editinghttp://www.change-the-word.com/2015/04/another-round-of-edits.htmlNOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #29--Laura Chapman and Camp NaNoWriMo

In the twenty-eighth episode of the See Brian Write podcast, the awesome Jolene Haley joins me to help you get ready for Camp NaNoWriMo next week. This episode is a treasure trove of info for anyone interested in doing any of the NaNo events. IntroLovecraft's Curse cover revealInterviewJolene Haleytwitter.com/JoleneHaleyjolenehaley.compenandmuse.commidnightsocietytales.comhocuspocusco.com NaNoWriMo Freebie Resources from Pen & MusePlot worksheet - for figuring out your plot http://penandmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/WritingSheet.pdfWord count - For tracking your writing goals & actualshttp://penandmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/WordCount.pdfGetting to Know your Character worksheet - For really nailing down your characters http://penandmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Character-Worksheet.pdfTent Pole Plotting Worksheet from Eddie Louise (guest post on PM) - http://penandmuse.com/campfire-tales-unique-method-excapsulating-story-creating-synopsis-plus-freebies-eddie-louise/Editing Worksheet - For when they are done.http://penandmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Editing-Checklist.pdfResults for searching NaNoWriMo on Pen and Muse:http://penandmuse.com//?s=nanowrimo&x=0&y=0Camp NaNoWriMowww.campnanowrimo.org

See Brian Write #28--Prepping for Camp NaNoWriMo with Jolene Haley

In the twenty-seventh episode of the See Brian Write podcast, I chat with Mary Beth Blevins about her past NaNoWriMo experiences, and what keeps her coming back each year. IntroScribdwww.scribd.comMy Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewMary Beth Blevinstwitter.com/Dammit__WomanMary Beth's Blogwordnerdlove.wordpress.comCamp NaNoWriMowww.campnanowrimo.orgNOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #27--Mary Beth Blevins and Scribd

In the twenty-fifth episode of See Brian Write, writer/artist Roxie Prince helps me kick off our NaNoWriMo-themed season. We talk about her experience with NaNoWriMo, as well as her books (Compendium, The Way We Go) and the projects she's currently working on. Intro Dark Carnival hits #1 on AmazonGet Dark Carnival on AmazonGet Dark Carnival on SmashwordsPen & Muse blog: penandmuse.comMy Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewRoxie Princewww.roxieprince.comtwitter.com/roxieprinceCompendiumhttp://www.amazon.com/COMPENDIUM-Horror-Novelette-Roxie-Prince-ebook/dp/B00DYENMR2The Way We Gohttp://www.amazon.com/Way-We-Go-Roxie-Prince-ebook/dp/B00N3GZ9FENaNoWriMowww.nanowrimo.orgtwitter.com/search?q=%23NaNoWriMo&src=tyahCo-Op Criticswww.co-opcritics.comtwitch.tv/coopcriticsNOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #25--Roxie Prince and Co-Op Critics

In the twenty-third episode of See Brian Write, I'm joined by my first ever return guest, as Joel T. McGrath stops by to talk about his new book Dwellers. The book is currently entered in the Kindle Scout program, and Joel shares a lot of great information about the program and his experience with it so far. IntroNaNoWriMowww.nanowrimo.orgtwitter.com/search?q=%23NaNoWriMo&src=tyahMy Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterviewJoel T. McGraththeplaintivepoet.blogspot.comtwitter.com/joeltmcgrathDwellers on Kindle Scout (Vote Now!)kindlescout.amazon.com/p/17YXZS1ON58DUMore About Kindle Scoutkindlescout.amazon.com/aboutBody Language in Literature by Barbara Kortewww.amazon.com/Body-Language-Literature-Theory-Culture/dp/0802007066NOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #23--Joel T McGrath and Kindle Scout

In the twenty-second episode of See Brian Write, writer Jessica Rougeau joins me to talk about her new book of poetry Witch Doctor, and the near-death experience that inspired it. My book recommendation for this episode is Julie Hutchings's newest release, Running Away. Intro Pen and Muse Dark Carnivalhttp://penandmuse.com/dark-carnival-pen-muse-press-horror-anthology/Pen and Muse Haunted House Writer and Illustrator Showcasehttp://penandmuse.com/the-haunted-house/My Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAInterview Jessica Rougeau's Witch Doctorwww.1stmist.com/jessicarougeau.htm (print and digital versions available)Book RecommendationRunning Away by Julie Hutchingswww.amazon.com/Running-Away-Julie-Hutchings-ebook/dp/B00NXCDUJKRunning Homehttp://www.amazon.com/Running-Home-Julie-Hutchings-ebook/dp/B00EEG42IMJulie on Twittertwitter.com/HutchingsJulieNOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #22--Jessica Rougeau and Running Away

In the twenty-first episode of See Brian Write, my good friend Joe Caramagna joins me to to discuss writing comics and fiction. Joe's collection of horror stories Halloween Double Feature has just been re-released, and you can get it here.In the Writer's Toolbox I talk about using the character rules of Dungeons & Dragons to create interesting characters for your fiction. IntroMy Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFAPen and Muse Dark Carnivalhttp://penandmuse.com/dark-carnival-schedule-events/Pen and Muse Haunted House Writer and Illustrator Showcasehttp://penandmuse.com/the-haunted-house/InterviewJoe Caramagnatwitter.com/joecaramagnaHalloween Double Featurehttp://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Double-Feature-Joe-Caramagna-ebook/dp/B00FTU6RA8Further Travels of Wyatt Earphttp://getyourmustacheon.tumblr.com/Writer's ToolboxDungeons and Dragons Basic Rules (Free Download) http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrulesNOTE: If you are a writer and want to be on the podcast, either email me (brian@seebrianwrite.com), or DM me on twitter: twitter.com/seebrianwrite. I am now scheduling new interviews!

See Brian Write #21--Joe Caramagna and D&D

SBW is a podcast about the creative process hosted by Brian LeTendre. The show features discussions about writing, art, podcasting and more. Each episode includes interviews with creators of all genres and mediums. You can learn more about Brian's projects at www.seebrianwrite.com, and you can find his books on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Brian-LeTendre/e/B00AGFTZFA.Special thanks to Jeremy Horn for allowing us to use his music for the SBW theme.

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SBW: Conversations With Creative People

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