gamemakers

[KATE]

So what are the qualifications for a gamemaker? What exactly do they do? And how? Are they just in it for the ratings or have bigger agendas like Plutarch? Why purple robes?

[Amata]

In my head, anyway, the Gamemakers are the smart, creative people of the Capitol who easily get bored with everybody's frivolity and decide that managing the Games is a better way to spend their time. They each use their power in the arena to make sure that their favorite tribute wins, so it's basically a huge power struggle behind the scenes that decides who wins the Games. Usually.

And I'd guess that purple robes have to do with the fact that purple is the color of royalty...?

[Hannah]

To most extents I'm with Amata on that~ (I slightly disagree with the rigging the Games so their favorite tributes win... even as Gamemakers, there's only so much they can do, and aren't those involved with the Games banned from the betting and such, anyways?)

I do, however, believe that a certain number might get the positions out of luck, connections, or just pure bloodlust...

For the qualifications, I'd imagine it might be like our job positions today in certain education levels or letters of recommendations... maybe they could be interns first, or something? Someone has to run the errands.

Ah, for the purple... I'd say it might be referring to "the purple", as it was used in Ancient Rome--"a position of rank, authority, or privilege". To show how the Gamemakers are the ultimate authority of the Games?

[KATE]

Yeah the purple thing has to be rank.

I've always seen the gamemaker position as something you COULD work your way up to, but more likely its somehting you're appointed. Thats what a lot of jobs in this world seem to fall into, basically just appointment. That way political power houses can continue however they please and people who fall behind kind of just get lost in the crowds as they can no longer keep it up

[Hannah]

I'm having a hard time imagining working your way up to it, unless, like I said, you were an intern or assistant or something... I know in the books Plutarch has an assistant. Maybe you start there, then Gamemaker, and, maybe eventually Head Gamemaker? Hmm, now I'm wondering if it was common at all for the Head Gamemaker to become President...

[KATE]

Head Gamemaker to president...hmmm... interesting thought. That could make sense and really increase the possibility of just how centralized around the games the civilization is.

[Hannah]

I've always sort of imagined the Capitol as being VERY centered around the Games, even in the little things like school breaks, so I could imagine Gamemakers being very high up on the totem-pole of the Capitol lifestyle. Therefore to me it would make sense that they could move up even further with a certain amount of popularity. Also, if Gamemakers were the ones who frequently became president... it makes more sense, how the Games remained fairly unchanged. Job security for their friends and all.