This is a great idea but I would recast it as an RPG (role playing game) where you develop these skills over time by distributing points you gain from chasing away (or catching) vermin, cats, people, cars, etc. mating, have puppies, (esp. if you mess with a purebred), avoiding getting caught pooping on the neighbor's lawn, avoid the dog catcher and worse the pound. Or, once caught, getting adopted and gettting a whole free level up. You could collect collars, toys, slippers, etc, and bury them in secret places or redeem them with your person for treats and points. You could play single or in a pack. You could even have pvp (player vs. player) or dogfights. You would lose points for being neutered, getting fleas, missing your heartworm medicine, etc. Wow, Mary lets learn to write code!

I'm all for becoming a game designer! that seems like one of those professions like fabric pattern designer or calendar designer that offers the opportunity to apply all kinds of crazy concepts. Are there RPGs that have the high speed thrills of regular video games? You know, that switch between making choices and kind of thinking things through and then wild joy stick or whatever wiggling? You can tell I don't play that many games. Ever since I finished the last Bugdom I haven't found anything that amuses me so much, although I plan on getting back to Nanosour. I tried playing Super Mario brothers a couple of times and it just seemed kind of wierd. But maybe I didn't try hard enough.

The Playstation "Dogs Life" game kind of tries to do what you're talking about, but it looks kind of boring. That having been said, if I had a Playstation I'd probably buy it.

Mary, I was kind of modeling it on the Diablo series which is a mixture of RPG/action (diabloii.net) you get to do the character creation but you also run around and kill things and solve little mysteries. It is not as transparently turn-based as say Neverwinter Nights or other Dungeons and Dragons type games. So, there is a lot more action with a little bit of character development—something missing from most PS2 games. Talk to S&P about it, they are the ones who go me hooked.

Regarding video game designers... It's more a lifestyle than a job for most of them I think. I met a guy once who's biz card read, "Game Evangelist". And he worked for some huge company too. Go for it.

I've been in the room when Chris was playing Neverwinter Nights - it would be cool to have that degree of complexity applied to dog living.

On second thought, I think I'd be better as a video game conceptualist rather than a designer -- ditto for fabric designing, etc. etc.

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