Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson
Fred Hicks and Rob Donoghue
Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford

While each of those individuals has done great work in the game industry, as team-ups they have had amazing success and impacted the hobby significantly. What these team-ups gained was synergy. Their long-term creative and business relationships lead to amazing games many of us enjoy.

synergy [sin-er-jee]
nound – The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements
(Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synergy?s=t)

As freelancers, we often tend to run solo on multiple projects with numerous publishers. At times, we can build a relationship with a publisher and work on multiple projects in the same line. Even better, we can be blessed to find a writer, editor, or artist that we consistently work with. Over time, that consistency can lead to a synergy. You trust each other, develop a rhythm in your requirements, begin to challenge each other to be better, and you enhance each other’s creativity.

I just completed my tenth proofreading project (Shadows of Atlantis) working with Lynne Hardy as the writer and/or editor. When we began working together, it took us a while to understand each other’s standards, communication styles, and priorities. Now, after ten projects, I can read the text of our joint projects and know her preferred writing style and quickly know what edits she prefers. We still have differences on a project, but they now lead to respectful discussions which set standards for the next project. I feel that each project we work on together makes us stronger , increasing the quality of work that we do as a team. I don’t expect, as a freelance proofreader, for my name to remembered along side Lynne’s like the great game industry team-ups I mentioned earlier. But I greatly appreciate that we work well together, and our synergy creates amazing books.

I look forward to each project I have an opportunity to work on with Lynne. As a freelancer, have you found someone in the game industry that you feel synergy with when you work with them? Is there someone you always enjoy working with on projects?

Synergy – Teaming Up For Greater Growth And Impact

Post navigation


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.