First, my Color Generator, inspired by the strange colors of Fallen London. I feel that one really captured a strange, otherworldly-yet-relatable feel of such strange things.
The latest of our Creator Interviews is with Steven Savage, of generators site of Seventh Sanctum.
Generators Q&A with Steven Savage of Seventh Sanctum
How did you get into creating random generators?
A long time ago, in the early 80's. I was interested in role-playing games, and in the Elfquest comic series. I built a generator for Elfquest type names on my Apple, and then a Superhero name generator. Later, when I became a programmer professionally, I'd build and rebuild the superhero generator whenever I learned a new language.
Somewhere in the late 90's at a get together of anime and MST3K fans I noted that some anime attacks sounded randomized. So I built a random anime attack generator, then another generator, and Seventh Sanctum was born!
What generators are you most proud of creating and why?
Hmmm, that's a tough one.
First, my Color Generator, inspired by the strange colors of Fallen London. I feel that one really captured a strange, otherworldly-yet-relatable feel of such strange things. It's a sense of real yet surreal.
My deity generator is another one. It creates really memorable images and ideas for deities. That one required me to balance the fantastical and the understandable as well.
There's been so many it's hard to say for sure. Each generator also helps a different group of people.
What other random generators have you seen that you wish you had created?
Almost any graphical one. I tend to "think in text" and there's so many good graphical ones out there!
Sometimes I think I need to step into that arena and up my game.
How do you use random generators in tabletop RPGs?
I actually play tabletop RPGs very little - when I do I'm usually testing a friend's latest creation.
I'm more likely to use them in writing.
What are your next big projects (generators or otherwise) that you can talk about?
No big generators on the horizon - but that can change any moment!
I'm finishing up my novel, A Bridge To The Quiet Planet, an sf/fantasy fusion that's inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett, anime, and more. It's about various characters clashing in a world of super-science and sorcery as they pursue different agendas around a mysterious man with a collection of holy books. I call it a contra-epic, as the characters, living in a world that suffered a horrible war, are people who most certainly do NOT want epic adventures.
I'm also planning more of my Way With Worlds minibooks and eventually a book on my generator theories, probably out next year.
Is there anything else you would like to say about random generators?
I hope that those of us creating them can team up more, build a community. I'm 50 after all, and I'd like to pass on my knowledge to people and encourage others!
Where can people find you on social media?
On
Further Reading
There are several links to Steven's works in the Q&A above.
Check out our first Creators Interview with Emily of Fantasy Name Generators
If you are interested in being interviewed as a creator working with random generators contact me on twitter
