When I was asked to write a Dev Diary about the typical day in the life of a Senior Designer on an MMO, I thought about a crazy old wizard named Merlin and what his days were probably like…



First Merlin thought Arthur was insane.  There’s no way!  It’s impossible! Not only does he want to know how to do it, but he wants to know by tomorrow?! Just because he got a sword tossed at him from some crazy woman in a lake, has liberated the lands from tyranny, and given hope to the people of Britain, he thinks he can take over all of Europa? Well…probably,  but rocking back and forth in his chair (I don’t know if they had rocking chairs back then…but let’s just roll with it) Merlin pines over the thought of taking one small kingdom and spreading its glory across the continent. After a few hours of arguing with himself and eating a few bags of popcorn (it’s a fantasy world remember), he spends the evening scribbling down texts, making maps, pouring over historical battles, and entertaining the thought of getting the Lady of the Lake involved…or a dragon…he’s Merlin…he thinks of insanity like that from time to time.

It isn’t easy to figure out how to take over Europa though, because Merlin has to take care of lots of things for the Kingdom.  Arthur had recently taken over Scotland and while the Celts are no push-over, they’ve needed convincing that he is looking out for their best interest.  The desert lands have come under recent scrutiny as well, and getting the most updated scribes from the south has been difficult at times.  All of this of course while making sure Lancelot keeps his grubby hands off Guinevere because we all know where that leads, and Bedevere…don’t get Merlin started on him (he’s crazier than any of the Knights).  Amidst all of this, Merlin somehow manages to write down several ideas and maps out how it may be possible to fulfill the King’s desires. And this is just Wednesday....

Before talking with Arthur again, Merlin gets in touch with Gandalf the next day (fantasy world, remember?).  These two have been long standing friends since well before anyone in either of their kingdoms was born.  After many hours of drinking and catching up, Merlin says, “So Arthur’s got this idea….”  Gandalf replies, “He wants to take over everything doesn’t he?”  Both of the old wizards share a laugh before Merlin whips out about fifty pages of scrolls.  Amidst the never ending pages being read while trying to figure out if Merlin is insane or not, Gandalf asks, “Do you ever wonder why they ask us for help? Can’t our Kings just do whatever they want? They are Kings…”  

Sitting back in his chair Merlin nods his head and says, “Of course they can do whatever they want, but they ask us to help them figure out how it can be done while keeping their best interests in mind as well as the Kingdom.  The Kings have many things to figure out every day and making decisions shouldn’t be done on the spot simply because they can.  They ask us because we have the time to sit, and think, and figure out as many ways that we can to help them...even the crazy ideas from time to time.  It’s then up to them to decide which course of action to take.”  After reading the last of the scrolls, burning a few pages, and finishing the last few pints, the old wizards parted ways confident that Merlin’s ideas, even the few that have a touch of insanity, were what the King asked for.

Early the next morning, Merlin met with Arthur. After several hours of discussion, debate, funny looks and lots of scribbling on fresh parchment, the many ideas boiled down to a unified plan between the King and his Wizard to take over Europa.  This plan ensured peace and prosperity for everyone in the Kingdom both young and old, and best yet, didn’t involve a crazy lady tossing swords at people from a lake or other large bodies of water (even though at one point that was seriously considered).  

Arthur was pleased with the old man as he packed up his scrolls, maps and mathematical contraptions…and as Merlin left the King’s chamber Arthur added, “Oh one last thing....what if I wanted to take over the world instead?”

Merlin cracked a small grin and said, “Of course…just give me a few days…”