# Critical Path Project > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Critical_Path_Project > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Critical_Path_Project.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Path_Project > Source revision: 1352254512 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) The **Critical Path Project** (stylized **CRITICAL///PATH**) was a video archive of interviews with [video game](/source/Video_games) designers and developers.[1] Launched on July 23, 2012, Critical Path contained over 1,000 videos of interviews with over 100 developers, conducted between 2010 and 2016.[2][3][4] According to director David Grabias, the project's goals include:[5] - To provide a documentary-based venue for critical discussion about the art of making video games.[6] - To provide developers with a place where they can come for inspiration. - To provide players with insight into their game experience. - To make gamers aware of the great minds behind the great games.[7] - To document the current state of game development for future generations. Topics covered in the interviews include violence in games,[8] methods of [storytelling](/source/Storytelling),[9] game mechanics,[10] player interaction, psychology behind playing games,[11] commercialism in the industry,[12] and the future of video games, among others.[13] All clips on the site were available for free viewing online, and there were plans to release a full-length documentary in the future.[14] According to its copyright notice, the site shut down in 2016, so the latter never happened. As of 2026, all the videos from the now inactive website are available on the [Critical Path YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalPathProject). ## Interview Subjects The site currently features video clips with interviews from the following notable developers, among others:[1][15] - [Ernest Adams](/source/Ernest_W._Adams) - [Brian Allgeier](/source/Brian_Allgeier) - [Stig Asmussen](/source/Stig_Asmussen) - [Chris Avellone](/source/Chris_Avellone) - [Daniel Benmergui](/source/Daniel_Benmergui) - [Cliff Bleszinski](/source/Cliff_Bleszinski) - [Ian Bogost](/source/Ian_Bogost) - [Nolan Bushnell](/source/Nolan_Bushnell) - [David Cage](/source/David_Cage) - [John Carmack](/source/John_Carmack) - [Jenova Chen](/source/Jenova_Chen) and [Kellee Santiago](/source/Kellee_Santiago) - [Brendon Chung](/source/Brendon_Chung) - [Michael Condrey](/source/Michael_Condrey) - [N'Gai Croal](/source/N'Gai_Croal) - [Don Daglow](/source/Don_Daglow) - [Patrice Désilets](/source/Patrice_D%C3%A9silets) - [Denis Dyack](/source/Denis_Dyack) - [Noah Falstein](/source/Noah_Falstein) - [Josef Fares](/source/Josef_Fares) - [Tracy Fullerton](/source/Tracy_Fullerton) - [Toby Gard](/source/Toby_Gard) - [Richard Garriott](/source/Richard_Garriott) - Steve Gaynor - [Ron Gilbert](/source/Ron_Gilbert) - [Auriea Harvey](/source/Auriea_Harvey) - [Trip Hawkins](/source/Trip_Hawkins) - [Chris Hecker](/source/Chris_Hecker) - [David Helgason](/source/David_Helgason) - [Richard Hilleman](/source/Richard_Hilleman) - [Clint Hocking](/source/Clint_Hocking) - [Todd Howard](/source/Todd_Howard) - [Rod Humble](/source/Rod_Humble) - [Robin Hunicke](/source/Robin_Hunicke) - [Kenji Inafune](/source/Kenji_Inafune) - [Toru Iwatani](/source/Toru_Iwatani) - [Marcin Iwinski](/source/CD_Projekt) - [Daniel James](/source/Daniel_James_(game_developer)) - [David Jones](/source/David_Jones_(video_game_developer)) - [Hideo Kojima](/source/Hideo_Kojima) - [Raph Koster](/source/Raph_Koster) - [Frank Lantz](/source/Frank_Lantz) - [Ken Levine](/source/Ken_Levine_(game_developer)) - [Laralyn McWilliams](/source/Laralyn_McWilliams) - [Jordan Mechner](/source/Jordan_Mechner) - [Sid Meier](/source/Sid_Meier) - [Peter Molyneux](/source/Peter_Molyneux) - [Ray Muzyka](/source/Ray_Muzyka) and [Greg Zeschuk](/source/Greg_Zeschuk) - [Frank O'Connor](/source/Frank_O'Connor) - [Yoshinori Ono](/source/Yoshinori_Ono_(game_producer)) - [Rob Pardo](/source/Rob_Pardo) - [Randy Pitchford](/source/Randy_Pitchford) - [Rhianna Pratchett](/source/Rhianna_Pratchett) - [Zoë Quinn](/source/Zo%C3%AB_Quinn) - [Amir Rao](/source/Amir_Rao) - [Siobhan Reddy](/source/Siobhan_Reddy) - [Warren Robinett](/source/Warren_Robinett) - [Jason Rohrer](/source/Jason_Rohrer) - [Tim Schafer](/source/Tim_Schafer) - [Jesse Schell](/source/Jesse_Schell) - [Glen Schofield](/source/Glen_Schofield) - [Harvey Smith](/source/Harvey_Smith_(game_designer)) - [Warren Spector](/source/Warren_Spector) - [Joseph Staten](/source/Joseph_Staten) - [Davey Wreden](/source/Davey_Wreden) - [Will Wright](/source/Will_Wright_(game_designer)) - [Brianna Wu](/source/Brianna_Wu) - [Vince Zampella](/source/Vince_Zampella) - [Eric Zimmerman](/source/Eric_Zimmerman) ## Discussion A few quotes from the site have raised discussions between critics and fans alike. For example, [Metal Gear Solid](/source/Metal_Gear_Solid_(1998_video_game)) Director [Hideo Kojima](/source/Hideo_Kojima) (famous for his cinematic narrative scenes) mentions that he's "not trying to tell a story."[16][17][18] [Sid Meier](/source/Sid_Meier) says he's "failed as a designer" when players use cheats,[10][19] causing some stir with gamers when they discovered an all-powerful [Sid Meier](/source/Sid_Meier) character[20] in the latest [Firaxis](/source/Firaxis) release, [X-COM: Enemy Unknown](/source/X-COM:_Enemy_Unknown). The archive presents a variety of differing opinions from developers. For example, [Cliff Bleszinski](/source/Cliff_Bleszinski) speaks about creating empowerment fantasies for players,[21] while [Warren Spector](/source/Warren_Spector) condemns the practice.[22] [Sid Meier](/source/Sid_Meier) says that "micromanagement is not fun"[23] and other developers, like [Fable's](/source/Fable_(video_game_series)) [Peter Molyneux](/source/Peter_Molyneux), [Ultima's](/source/Ultima_(series)) [Richard Garriott](/source/Richard_Garriott), and others attempt to create games that give the player as much freedom and decision-making as possible. ## References 1. [Critical Path /// insights from the greatest minds in videogames](http://criticalpathproject.com/) 1. [Critical Path /// About Us](http://criticalpathproject.com/about/) 1. Tipps, Seth ["Games industry luminaries to feature in new documentary"](http://www.develop-online.net/news/41501/Documentary-gives-game-designers-their-due) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120726021436/http://www.develop-online.net/news/41501/Documentary-gives-game-designers-their-due) 2012-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, Develop-Online.net. July 23, 2012. 1. Gilmore, Dave ["Critical Path project provides introspection and institutional memory to game design"](https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/07/25/critical-path-project-provides-introspection-and-institutional-memory-to-game-design/), *The Baltimore Sun*. July 25, 2012. 1. Conditt, Jessica ["Critical Path, more than an archive of interviews with your favorite devs"](http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/critical-path-more-than-an-archive-of-interviews-with-your-favo/), Joystiq.com. July 23, 2012. 1. Cocke, Taylor ["Developers Talk Games in Critical Path"](http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/122/1225516p1.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120727004525/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/122/1225516p1.html) 2012-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, GameSpy.com. July 23, 2012. 1. Duryee, Tricia ["Game Gurus Finally Get Some Screen Time in Documentary Interviews"](http://allthingsd.com/20120723/game-gurus-finally-get-some-screen-time-in-documentary-interviews/), AllThingsD.com. July 23, 2012. 1. Plunkett, Luke ["Gamers “Really Loved Killing” Lara Croft, Because She Was a “Strong” Character"](https://kotaku.com/gamers-really-loved-killing-lara-croft-because-she-w-5928809) Kotaku.com. July 25, 2012. 1. ["Creators of 'The Sims,' 'Monkey Island,' 'Halo,' 'Gears' speak in Critical Path interviews"](http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/creators-sims-monkey-island-halo-gears-speak-critical-143120891.html) Yahoo.com. July 24, 2012. 1. Cifaldo, Frank ["Have game designers failed when players are cheating?"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/have-game-designers-failed-when-players-are-cheating-), Gamasutra.com. July 23, 2012. 1. Corriea, Alexa Ray [\[1\]](https://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/7/23/3177397/critical-path-developer-documentary-to-feature-an-all-star-cast) TheVerge.com. July 23, 2012. 1. Cifaldo, Frank ["How to know when your game idea is good enough to make"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-to-know-when-your-game-idea-is-good-enough-to-make), Gamasutra.com. July 24, 2012. 1. Rigney, Ryan ["Video Game Auteurs Define Their Industry In Critical Path"](https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/07/video-game-auteurs-define-their-industry-in-critical-path/) Wired. July 23, 2012. 1. Kuchera, Ben ["Critical Path shares insight from the industry’s leading minds, tackles “wall of white dudes”"](http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/critical-path-shares-insight-from-the-industrys-leading-minds-tackles-wall), Penny-Arcade.com. July 27, 2012. 1. Corriea, Alexa Ray [TheVerge.com.](https://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/7/23/3177397/critical-path-developer-documentary-to-feature-an-all-star-cast) July 23, 2012. 1. Kojima, Hideo ["Story vs. Interactivity"](http://criticalpathproject.com/?v=38405048) CRITICAL///PATH Project. 1. Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin ["Man behind Metal Gear thinks "games shouldn't try to tell stories" : Probably the maddest thing Hideo Kojima's ever said"](http://www.oxm.co.uk/44107/man-behind-metal-gear-thinks-games-shouldnt-try-to-tell-stories/) July 24, 2012. 1. Rosenberg, Adam ["Hideo Kojima Argues Against Storytelling In Games"](http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/726296/hideo-kojima-argues-against-storytelling-in-games/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130114014221/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/726296/hideo-kojima-argues-against-storytelling-in-games/) 2013-01-14 at the Wayback Machine, G4TV.com. July 25, 2012. 1. Meier, Sid ["Game Breaking"](http://criticalpathproject.com/?v=38442038) CRITICAL///PATH Project. 1. [\[2\]](http://www.giantbomb.com/forums/xcom-enemy-unknown/7982/sid-meier-cheat/562012/?) GiantBomb.com. 1. Bleszinski, Cliff ["Empowerment Fantasy"](http://criticalpathproject.com/?v=38403440) CRITICAL///PATH Project. 1. Spector, Warren ["Adolescent Power Fantasies"](http://criticalpathproject.com/?v=38451972) CRITICAL///PATH Project. 1. Meier, Sid ["Is it Work or Fun?"](http://criticalpathproject.com/?v=38442308) CRITICAL///PATH Project. ## External links - [Official website](http://www.criticalpathproject.com/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Critical Path Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Path_Project) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Path_Project?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.