Greg Kasavin, writer behind Supergiant Games' titles Pyre and Hades, discusses game writing, mythology, and world building. They explore the benefits of early access, challenges in adapting mythological stories, and the process of creating new mythologies. The speakers highlight the importance of research and authenticity in developing complex mythologies for fictional worlds.
Adapting mythology requires portraying gods' flawed humanity and subverting expectations.
Thorough research is essential when working with established mythologies to leverage familiarity.
Creating new mythologies involves drawing inspiration from existing folklore and addressing complex questions.
Deep dives
Adapting Greek Mythology: Subverting Expectations and Expanding the Narrative
In the podcast episode, the discussion centers around the process of adapting Greek mythology, specifically in the game Hades. The creative director of Supergiant Games, Greg Gassavon, shares insights into their approach. They aim to portray the gods as a dysfunctional family, focusing on their flawed humanity rather than their godhood. The team explores lesser-known underworld gods and subverts expectations by creating a lighthearted story set in the Greek underworld. They also discuss the advantages of using well-known mythological characters to provide a familiar access point for the audience. Overall, the key takeaway is to approach adapting mythology with respect, while also adding unique perspectives and surprising elements to captivate the audience.
Research and Preconceptions: Leveraging Established Mythologies
The podcast episode highlights the importance of research when working with established mythologies. Whether adapting or creating mythologies, understanding the source material is crucial. It allows writers to leverage preconceptions and familiar elements to quickly establish characters and settings. Additionally, researching lesser-known mythologies can offer fresh perspectives and unique stories. Writers are encouraged to challenge common misconceptions and offer new interpretations while respecting the source material.
Creating New Mythologies: Cultivating Originality while Drawing Inspiration
The discussion touches on the process of creating new mythologies. Writers are advised to draw inspiration from existing folklore and mythologies to inform their world-building. By recognizing common patterns and archetypes in various mythologies, writers can add depth to their fictional cultures. The focus should be on understanding what matters most to the fictional culture and incorporating mythology that aligns with their values and beliefs. Building mythologies from this perspective allows for originality while grounding the narrative in familiar elements.
The Complexity of Mythology: Going Beyond Simple Portrayals
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of not oversimplifying mythology. Mythology addresses complex questions that cannot be easily answered. Writers should approach mythology with respect, acknowledging its power and significance for many people. By embracing the complexity of mythology and avoiding simplistic portrayals, writers can create narratives that reflect the richness and mystery of real-world mythology.
Creating a Mythology with Complex Themes and Ambiguity
The podcast explores the process of creating a mythology for a fictional world, emphasizing the importance of asking big questions and considering the complexity of real-world mythologies. It discusses the significance of exploring themes of freedom, faith, and mortality in mythology and how mythology can provide a framework for understanding the world. The guest speaker shares their experiences working on the game "Pyre" and the challenges of crafting a mythology that feels real and human, while also leaving room for interpretation and differing perspectives.
Integrating Mythology into a Story as Flavorful Background
The podcast delves into the concept of integrating mythology into a story without it being the central focus. It suggests that mythology can add richness to a fictional world by being part of the background, influencing characters' beliefs and everyday life. The guest speaker mentions the significance of minor gods and flavorful mythological elements that make the world feel more authentic. The discussion highlights the importance of creating believable mythologies that have their own unique perspective, rather than simply imitating existing mythologies. It encourages writers to explore how their fictional world and characters interact with the mythology, creating a deeper connection.
Adam, Red, and Seán are joined by Greg Kasavin, the writer behind Supergiant Games’ many titles such as Pyre and Hades. We discuss what it’s like to write for video games as a medium, as well as the origins of Supergiant’s critically acclaimed title, Hades. Then, we explore how to create mythologies, or adapt existing ones for our stories. Spoiler: we talk about doing research a lot, so pull out your bingo cards!
Follow the hosts!
Adam @adamcbassett
Red @hikitsune_red
Seán @caorabhan
Greg @kasavin
Dave @DJLProjects
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