Poster Brian Lee White and Brian Trifon, aka Finishing Mo
Composing duo Brian Lee White and Brian Trifon, aka Finishing Move.
Scott R. Kline/courtesy Top Dollar PR
Top Score

Top Score: Brutal honesty brings success on 'Massive Chalice'

Top Score for April 23, 2015
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In most video games, you live "in the moment." A second's hesitation can be the difference between life and permadeath. Massive Chalice, on the other hand, makes the player think 300 years in advance. Every choice has echoes throughout the rest of the game.

Characters in the game live much like their real-life counterparts — they experience birth, life and death. Each stage in life brings about different strategic variables — what type of warrior should this person become? Who should they marry? Should they have children? When should they fight, and when should they retire? Which has greater value, their strength or their wisdom? The questions go on and on.

The game is ambitious, and requires generations of planning to win. Composers Brian Trifon and Brian Lee White (aka Finishing Move when they work together) met with Top Score host Emily Reese at the recent Game Developers Conference to discuss Massive Chalice and the challenges it posed.

The duo has several pointers for collaborative composers. Firstly, know your strengths, and (even more importantly) your weaknesses. Next, find someone whose strengths are your weaknesses, and who can put up with brutal honesty. Next, hone your sense of brutal honesty, to both yourself and to your new partner. If those steps are followed, you are well on your way to success!

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