Learning Game Design with Arcade Berg

Yes, make design recommendations

I recently got a link from a friend:

http://johnnyholland.org/2010/01/06/my-recommendation-stop-making-design-recommendations/ (6/2/2010)

It basically says that one shouldn't make design recommendations, because it's likely that the product will turn out worse and/or they'll lose faith in you. Now, I think his arguments are sane and understand how he means, but I disagree. He says:

Making recommendations is an easy out. You say, “Do this. Change that.” then wipe your hands clean of it. If they don’t do it, they’re obviously idiots. If they do, you’re brilliant. The best case scenario is they follow your great recommendation and it improves the design. But it turns out, that only one out of four possible outcomes.

- Jared Spool (6/1/2010)

And then he shows this table:

Risky situation.

Now, his point is that there's only one result that's good for you, one neutral and two bad. Hence, you shouldn't make recommendations.

I disagree, because I think that's a cowardly way to act.

The way I see it is that there's a 50/50 chance that the design will turn out better, so there's nothing to stop you there. And hopefully, you actually think you're recommendation is good and it will turn out as in the green box. And since the only way to achieve the "good ending" is to actually come with a recommendation (assuming you have one you believe in), I think you should do it. Risk vs. reward.

But then again, you have to believe in your idea and that's what he discuss in the "Bet your salary"-section, but I think he's a bit to careful.

No pain, no gain?