Branding Quote by Chris Avellone
“I am never going to do an Empire Strikes Back ending again in a game, even if they put branding irons to my feet.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Game Development Talk, 2015
The speaker vows never to repeat a predictable, cliché ending in games, even under extreme pressure.
In simple terms: Refuse formulaic game endings.
Key Takeaway
Avoid predictable conclusions.
Themes
creativity
integrity
gaming
storytelling
player agency
Mood
determined
defiant
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- game design meetings
- storyboarding sessions
- post‑mortems
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
Narrative design
player expectation
industry pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance originality with audience expectations?
- What pressures make you consider compromising your vision?
A Different Perspective
Even with constraints, some may argue that familiar structures aid player satisfaction.
![“Seventeen years after its intial release, The Empire Strikes Back is still as thrilling and involving as ever. Because of the high quality of the original product, it doesn't show a hint of dating. Neither [Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope nor Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi] were able to…” quote by James Berardinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea0/james-berardinelli-18367_able_seventeen-years-after-its-intial-release_477730.jpg)
