While Paul Barnett is a very strong second, I know of no more fascinating a public speaker in the world of video games than Will Wright. I've repeatedly fawned over the man's capacity to insightfully articulate profound scientific and sociological ideas in ways that everyday idiots like me can grasp, and it's been my belief that I could listen to Will Wright talk about anything. He proves my point with this video from the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he spends a solid five minutes pontificating on the intersection of education and games. Edutainment is right up there with Florida Tax Law and Regional Theatre Renditions of Rent on the list of Discussion Topics That Make Ryan Die Inside, but as always, Will Wright manages to make it fascinating. He also shows off his new business cards, which are printed on random foreign currency, which is totally awesome and eccentric in the way I expect Will Wright to be.
 

While Paul Barnett is a very strong second, I know of no more fascinating a public speaker in the world of video games than Will Wright. I've repeatedly fawned over the man's capacity to insightfully articulate profound scientific and sociological ideas in ways that everyday idiots like me can grasp, and it's been my belief that I could listen to Will Wright talk about anything. He proves my point with this video from the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he spends a solid five minutes pontificating on the intersection of education and games. Edutainment is right up there with Florida Tax Law and Regional Theatre Renditions of Rent on the list of Discussion Topics That Make Ryan Die Inside, but as always, Will Wright manages to make it fascinating. He also shows off his new business cards, which are printed on random foreign currency, which is totally awesome and eccentric in the way I expect Will Wright to be.
 

Who that man in a black sedan, with two cheap hookers and a Mexican.

Bumpin' white lines, sippin' one Coors light,

Mickey Avalon, call me Mr. Wright!

Paul Barnett is more interesting than Will Wright on my charts.

Next up: Will Wright talks about the delicate art of observing the gradual drying of paint. The world listens.

Will Wright remains as hypnotic as ever. I should really go to the bathroom... but... I can't... look away... *Continues watching in awe*

ahhhhh WHERE IS THE NEW SIM CITY!!!!

Hmmm... that freeze frame of Will Wright reminds me of Anton Chigurh; that villain from No Country For Old Men.

I find his points on Dr. Seuss rather interesting, particularly because some of his earliest works done during WWII were, behind their playfulness, rather racist (especially regarding the Japanese)

Will Wright for President.

Will Wright is the man.

Will Wright's a casual.

The interviewer seems like a dick. He's always all like "Really?", "You're kidding right?"

What a weird ending with Will just walking away..

lol, Will Wright talking about how games can have deep meanings and motivations.

What games has he made that do that?

Damn, that was awesome.

It seems like no matter what he is talking about, he is answering the most important question YOU personally could ask anyone.

Cool interview.

I think he motivated me. I don't know to do what, but I somehow feel motivated.

He's a smart man.

This is honestly the first interview I've seen with Will Wright. I like the way he thinks, the man is good.

The interviewer sounds like he's from NPR. I liked this interview.

Will Wright is what Steven Hawking would sound like without the voice synthesizer. Those 2 were seperated at birth.

" Hmmm... that freeze frame of Will Wright reminds me of Anton Chigurh; that villain from No Country For Old Men. "

" Hmmm... that freeze frame of Will Wright reminds me of Anton Chigurh; that villain from No Country For Old Men. "

" Who that man in a black sedan, with two cheap hookers and a Mexican.Bumpin' white lines, sippin' one Coors light,Mickey Avalon, call me Mr. Wright! "

Did he mean to say that The Sims is supposed to motivate kids to be interested in sociology?  That seems like quite a stretch to me.

I guess an Animal Farm esque game could be interesting.

That dude is hardcore across it. Those business cards are ace.

I can't fucking stand Paul Barnett... he talks wayyy too much and I never seem to care about what he's saying. I guess I could see why other people like him but I hate when he's on the podcast.

on the other side though, I love Will Wright.

Will reminds me of alot of instructors at my university.

" @MatthewMeadows said:

" The interviewer seems like a dick. He's always all like "Really?", "You're kidding right?" "

Yeah. I thought that, too. Especially that "Huh..." he utters when Will says motivating kids is more important to him. The interviewer definitely comes across as a bit of a douche in the few lines and words he has, which takes talent. "

If that video was an hour long, I'd still probably watch the entire thing. Will Wright catches your attention.

I kinda just shut my eyes off and stared blankly into the screen as he was talking, intently listening.  He has an amazing way of grasping your attention and not letting go.

Dude, I am going to print my business cards on Toliet Paper from other places.... (hopefully not used)

Thanks Ryan. This is the kind of thing that makes me wish I had access to these people, and just listen.

Incidentally, I have not listened to the bombcast yet! Next stop.

I think I just fell in love with this dude haha (no homo). this was one of those things that I couldnt pause and take a break I had to and wanted to listen to everything this guy had to say. thanks will!

Will wright has been known to CHOKE A BITCH

I think that computing was a lot more experimental before, and has since narrowed because of market speculation...  But I guess there's always a bit of tightening in the beginning.  He's a good salesman, although I sometimes get a Molyneux feeling with him now, especially after Spore.

I agree with his implying that play isn't just for kids, though, and he's also right that themes don't have to be so specific or contemporary in games to be significant (they might even lose their pertinence because they're so tightly bound to a specific problem).

When Will Wright talks, you shut your filthy little fucking mouth and listen up, god dammit!

Will Wright for President of the World.

Unlike most interviews I've seen, this one was very interesting. If it was longer, I would have been there still, listening intently. Will Wright, he's an alright guy in my book. :P

Will Wright is a smooth talker, but the only game of his that I liked was the SNES version of SimCity.

Will Wright speaks the truth, interactive software is a powerful tool for learning and the fact its so underused for such things is down right crazy.

Imagine if you could go to school and instead of having a teacher yell at you and demand you write a 3000 word essay you instead spend your time playing in a virtual world where you are constantly being taught new things.
I want to see a company make a game that can be classed as a documentary or a history lesson, their is no reason these kinds of games couldn't be made without still being fun.  And that's the key to education, making it enjoyable.

Has he apologized for Spore yet?