Anyone interested in CRPG design should really check out Tim Cain's youtube channel. He is the creator of Fallout. His channel is treasure trove of information and industry experience you won't find anywhere else.
I have avoided him and PirateSoftware for similar reasons that are hard to express. They both strike me as - I don't know, barbecue uncles? Too many stories in which they're the hero, perhaps.
100%. I find a good bit of his wisdom is broadly useful, at least in software development, and not just game dev.