Sometimes great things come from small beginnings. Computer gaming has advanced to a point where it's extremely easy to become immersed in a fantasy world. It's not always been that way.
In the early 70's, Gregory Yob thought up an adventure game that captured the fancy of geeks like me..."Hunt the Wumpus". The concept was simple: Imagine a set of interconnected rooms in a deep dark cave. Your mission is to seek out and terminate a scary, hairy being that has been the doom of unwary explorers before you. Your only weapons are your wits, your senses, and a limited supply of "crooked arrows". All this was done with a simple command line interface. No sound. No graphics. You, your imagination, and as series of instructions.
There is seldom something more creative than the "theatre of the mind". Thrills and chills are quite often the product of an active imagination. The big scary monster in movies is seldom as awe inspiring as the lurking horror that you produce while waiting for the director to reveal his special effects budget.
Business Intelligence is an exciting and dynamic field -- ripe with possibilities. It's important to keep the creative juices flowing, and to not rely on what's been crafted before. Don't be afraid to push the envelope -- do something daring, but remember that actionable should continue to be a key concept.
Sexy graphics don't necessarily make the game...simple and easily understood concepts do. While you're creating the next great new thing, don't forget to keep it actionable. Suggest, don't demand; guide, don't steer. Your information consumer will thank you for it.
Be well.
