Seeing as we finally have the best positive news about Tex in years, I thought I'd rustle a few feathers and see what we can do to make Tex survive for another generation. What are the things that we need to keep and what are the things that have to go? I know that the purists would like to see absolutely nothing change, and I too was once one of those people, but I want to see Tex reach as broad an audience as possible so that we can have many more games in the future. Here's what I think should change / not change:
- WW3, I am aware that Tex is a product of the 80's and times were different back then. The whole idea that there was another world war is a bit of a joke, as times have changed along with other threats and mentalities. The whole “mutant†and “norm†thing has to go for a greater sense of realism. I can already hear people groaning but it is not that big of a jump, despite the fact it would change appearances of some of our beloved supporting characters. I’m sorry but I do not want to see an awesome detective story ruined by a guy that has a tentacle on the side of his face. As the Tex games progress this becomes more and more of a distraction to the “feel†that you are actually in the game and that it is actually happening.
- FMV, now I am adamantly aware of the passage of time and that Chris Jones will not maintain his youthful look forever. I love movies and I love actors, that is why I am in college for Broadcasting and hopefully soon Film. The old me would have once fought to the death for the preservation of actors in front of a green screen. That is no longer feasible. It looks like we need to see Tex in CG to preserve the look of Tex forever. Now the benefit of a CG Tex is more dynamic camera angles that can revolve around the whole scene seamlessly. Tex can now do fantastically dangerous stunts. Remember Tex never ages which is good, that means Chris Jones can play him forever. (Hey if Casey Kasem can still play Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, I’m sure Chris can play Tex. . . . provided he never loses interest in him.)
- I love the puzzle and interview elements. They should always remain a staple to the Tex universe if not as integral as Tex himself. On the other hand I believe that there should be more action to keep those with short attention spans interested. Don’t get me wrong, the day I see Tex walking around in first person view mode holding a gun is also the last day that I play Tex. I just mean action in the Tex sense. Think about the 1st time you broke into Auto Tech, or woke up in Alcatraz. or wandered around Roswell with an ever present entity about to destroy you. To me those were what made Tex exciting. The story in between has always been the driving force behind action and that should never falter.
- The interface of the game. I am all for a 3rd person view in the new Tex. I know that the once flashy first person view mode cut it back in the day, but I believe that it should change to incorporate the new 3D Tex. I am unsure however if there should be stationary cameras, or if they should follow Tex. I think a safe mix of both would be best. Picture seeing Tex walking down a dark alley with cleverly positioned lighting to go talk to a person for clues. Mmmmmm Noir Lighting. Now also imagine that once he gets there, a menu of questions can come up in a format that we all love. After your choice this could lead to an in game cinematic as the informant spills his guts. Imagine seeing them at the end of the alley talking and the camera focusing on them from a worm’s eye view as a little rat drags a piece of food in the foreground. My mouth is salivating just thinking about it . . . err not the rat food, just the shot. Now when the informant spills his guts, their conversation is conveniently interrupted by thugs. Hit the space bar and Tex can switch from interview mode to a basic fighting system that works along with movement mode. We have 2 buttons on a mouse, let him punch or kick, but only if he has to. Tex has never been a brawler nor should he be. Now you must be thinking that I’ve gone stark raving mad for even suggesting the fighting element. Truthfully I think that these should be implemented to draw in a larger audience, but not make it so complex that it will scare off the casual gamer.
- If Tex were to have a little more interactivity with the player, that could lead to a visit in the console market. I enjoy PC games, but I am primarily a console gamer. I do not want to spend my money on a PC just to play games on it, that is what consoles are for. Imagine not having to fight with an install of Tex, just sticking it into a console and play the game. I am not saying that Tex should move exclusively to consoles, that would be foolish. Merely make the game so that it is easily transferable to both. I believe that Tex would have a much broader audience if he were able to penetrate both markets. I know that there are new fans waiting to be found. That means for the interface use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid.
- Now does this isolate the already established fan base from the new fans, I hope not. I do not have those answers. Would someone like Jim the Old Guy enjoy a console Tex? Somehow I doubt it, that is why there must be that PC adaptation. It has always been a staple for the older gamers (Sorry to make an example of you Jim.) Everyone knows how to use a mouse and keyboard, that is why there is a greater base of older PC gamers than their console counterparts. That will eventually change as time goes on.
WOW I’ve written a lot so far. I think I’m gonna end her there. I have more but it’s 4am and I think that I can save it for a later post. I’m curious about other opinions so feel free give your ideas on what should change and what should not. In the meantime I have a bed that is calling my name and sleep is immanent. Until dawn, G’night lads and lasses.
-Electron Stu-
- WW3, I am aware that Tex is a product of the 80's and times were different back then. The whole idea that there was another world war is a bit of a joke, as times have changed along with other threats and mentalities. The whole “mutant†and “norm†thing has to go for a greater sense of realism. I can already hear people groaning but it is not that big of a jump, despite the fact it would change appearances of some of our beloved supporting characters. I’m sorry but I do not want to see an awesome detective story ruined by a guy that has a tentacle on the side of his face. As the Tex games progress this becomes more and more of a distraction to the “feel†that you are actually in the game and that it is actually happening.
- FMV, now I am adamantly aware of the passage of time and that Chris Jones will not maintain his youthful look forever. I love movies and I love actors, that is why I am in college for Broadcasting and hopefully soon Film. The old me would have once fought to the death for the preservation of actors in front of a green screen. That is no longer feasible. It looks like we need to see Tex in CG to preserve the look of Tex forever. Now the benefit of a CG Tex is more dynamic camera angles that can revolve around the whole scene seamlessly. Tex can now do fantastically dangerous stunts. Remember Tex never ages which is good, that means Chris Jones can play him forever. (Hey if Casey Kasem can still play Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, I’m sure Chris can play Tex. . . . provided he never loses interest in him.)
- I love the puzzle and interview elements. They should always remain a staple to the Tex universe if not as integral as Tex himself. On the other hand I believe that there should be more action to keep those with short attention spans interested. Don’t get me wrong, the day I see Tex walking around in first person view mode holding a gun is also the last day that I play Tex. I just mean action in the Tex sense. Think about the 1st time you broke into Auto Tech, or woke up in Alcatraz. or wandered around Roswell with an ever present entity about to destroy you. To me those were what made Tex exciting. The story in between has always been the driving force behind action and that should never falter.
- The interface of the game. I am all for a 3rd person view in the new Tex. I know that the once flashy first person view mode cut it back in the day, but I believe that it should change to incorporate the new 3D Tex. I am unsure however if there should be stationary cameras, or if they should follow Tex. I think a safe mix of both would be best. Picture seeing Tex walking down a dark alley with cleverly positioned lighting to go talk to a person for clues. Mmmmmm Noir Lighting. Now also imagine that once he gets there, a menu of questions can come up in a format that we all love. After your choice this could lead to an in game cinematic as the informant spills his guts. Imagine seeing them at the end of the alley talking and the camera focusing on them from a worm’s eye view as a little rat drags a piece of food in the foreground. My mouth is salivating just thinking about it . . . err not the rat food, just the shot. Now when the informant spills his guts, their conversation is conveniently interrupted by thugs. Hit the space bar and Tex can switch from interview mode to a basic fighting system that works along with movement mode. We have 2 buttons on a mouse, let him punch or kick, but only if he has to. Tex has never been a brawler nor should he be. Now you must be thinking that I’ve gone stark raving mad for even suggesting the fighting element. Truthfully I think that these should be implemented to draw in a larger audience, but not make it so complex that it will scare off the casual gamer.
- If Tex were to have a little more interactivity with the player, that could lead to a visit in the console market. I enjoy PC games, but I am primarily a console gamer. I do not want to spend my money on a PC just to play games on it, that is what consoles are for. Imagine not having to fight with an install of Tex, just sticking it into a console and play the game. I am not saying that Tex should move exclusively to consoles, that would be foolish. Merely make the game so that it is easily transferable to both. I believe that Tex would have a much broader audience if he were able to penetrate both markets. I know that there are new fans waiting to be found. That means for the interface use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid.
- Now does this isolate the already established fan base from the new fans, I hope not. I do not have those answers. Would someone like Jim the Old Guy enjoy a console Tex? Somehow I doubt it, that is why there must be that PC adaptation. It has always been a staple for the older gamers (Sorry to make an example of you Jim.) Everyone knows how to use a mouse and keyboard, that is why there is a greater base of older PC gamers than their console counterparts. That will eventually change as time goes on.
WOW I’ve written a lot so far. I think I’m gonna end her there. I have more but it’s 4am and I think that I can save it for a later post. I’m curious about other opinions so feel free give your ideas on what should change and what should not. In the meantime I have a bed that is calling my name and sleep is immanent. Until dawn, G’night lads and lasses.
-Electron Stu-
I dunno how to say this without sounding like a pretentious git, so i'm just gonna state my opinion and damn the consequences. I'm just throwing my thoughts out randomely now.
I agree that if and when this new Tex game gets made, it will have to do moderetly well for the company that forked over the dough to make another one. That being the case, you do want to try and reach a decent gaming audience. If you have to introduce elements that deviate from what made the original games great, i see that as a bad move because you're alienating your first and foremost intended audience.
There was a huge backlash from adventure gamers on the internet when Broken Sword 3 came out because of the action bits it had in it. Now personally i had nothing against them and thought they added to the game but a lot of people were screaming bloody murder.
Those scenes you described from Pandora Directive and Overseer, they were actiony and suspensful while still staying true to what the games were. I'm sorry but i just don't see how introducing fighting elements would accomplish that.
The thing about fighting is, the main purpose of such an addition would be to appeal to the mass market of gaming these days right? Well here's where it's going to go wrong. Adventure gamers are going to buy this game. If there is fighting, they will complain but tolerate it if the game is good (and we're talking Tex here so i have no doubt it will be). If the fighting is anymore complex than what you described as punch and kick, then you have a problem. The adventure gamers arn't going to like that one bit.
Let's look at the other side now. Today's average gamer who buys the game because the back of the box says "unique fighting implemented in gameplay". If it's punch and kick, he'll be bored rather quickly and think the game was a waste of time. Sure one might say, if we get those people to buy it we boost sales and are closer to getting another Tex game, but as a game player myself, i hate buying a game and having it turn out to be a total dissapointment to what i expected. I don't think that's fair to do it to other people.
As for Tex on a console, well, i can actually see the interface easily being transfered to a controller. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You just need to remember that Tex is a PC title and has been designed as such. PC gaming is still a good chunk of the industry. Consoles are a huge market but they are also a different market.
In my opinion, a new Tex game would be for the classic PC gamer who enjoys adventure games for what they were, but through clever advertising and word of mouth could introduce a lot of the mass market to the wonders of the adventure game and the greatness of Tex Murphy.
I'll step off my soapbox now.
I agree that if and when this new Tex game gets made, it will have to do moderetly well for the company that forked over the dough to make another one. That being the case, you do want to try and reach a decent gaming audience. If you have to introduce elements that deviate from what made the original games great, i see that as a bad move because you're alienating your first and foremost intended audience.
There was a huge backlash from adventure gamers on the internet when Broken Sword 3 came out because of the action bits it had in it. Now personally i had nothing against them and thought they added to the game but a lot of people were screaming bloody murder.
Those scenes you described from Pandora Directive and Overseer, they were actiony and suspensful while still staying true to what the games were. I'm sorry but i just don't see how introducing fighting elements would accomplish that.
The thing about fighting is, the main purpose of such an addition would be to appeal to the mass market of gaming these days right? Well here's where it's going to go wrong. Adventure gamers are going to buy this game. If there is fighting, they will complain but tolerate it if the game is good (and we're talking Tex here so i have no doubt it will be). If the fighting is anymore complex than what you described as punch and kick, then you have a problem. The adventure gamers arn't going to like that one bit.
Let's look at the other side now. Today's average gamer who buys the game because the back of the box says "unique fighting implemented in gameplay". If it's punch and kick, he'll be bored rather quickly and think the game was a waste of time. Sure one might say, if we get those people to buy it we boost sales and are closer to getting another Tex game, but as a game player myself, i hate buying a game and having it turn out to be a total dissapointment to what i expected. I don't think that's fair to do it to other people.
As for Tex on a console, well, i can actually see the interface easily being transfered to a controller. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You just need to remember that Tex is a PC title and has been designed as such. PC gaming is still a good chunk of the industry. Consoles are a huge market but they are also a different market.
In my opinion, a new Tex game would be for the classic PC gamer who enjoys adventure games for what they were, but through clever advertising and word of mouth could introduce a lot of the mass market to the wonders of the adventure game and the greatness of Tex Murphy.
I'll step off my soapbox now.
Good points.
Hmm here I go :)
Personally I wouldn't want the original setting to change too much, personal preference thing (as is all of this actually but yeah :) ...). It wouldn't really make sense to me when the game would be a continuation of previous stories. Suddenly making the third World War not happen (to put it bluntly) would most likely annoy people familiar with the world of Tex. And whilst I realise the importance of winning a new audience, it's also important to keep the old audience as I'm sure you realise too. I personally like the post-apocalyptic setting and the fact that Tex is happier living on the 'mutant' side of the world, and all the varied characters of his neighbours etc. that comes with that. It's obviously a sci-fi fantasy setting, but I don't think I thought otherwise anyway and I prefer fantasy and fiction, exploring worlds very different from my own is more entertaining for me. Grounding it into reality wouldn't be appealing to me, if anything it would make me feel that it had lost some of its originality that had come with the setting. I suppose the futuristic elements would still be there and the contrast of old-style P.I. and future technology/backdrop, but I think the post-apocalyptic setting gives a certain atmosphere to many of the environments and people.
FMV, there's a little thread in The Latest section talking about that. So I guess I'll just say to check that out instead :D I'd write my opinion out again but I guess there wouldn't be much point. But yes, I think as long as we have the voices then I can get used to it, as I enjoyed the Radio Theater. If they were too visibly 3D and all smooth and distorted then I'm not sure it'd work. But as Aaron said they'd only make Tex 3D if they could feasibly do it *well*, then it doesn't sound bad.
I hope if Tex does do dangerous stunts, that he still slips up whilst doing them though. But if the user had full control then I guess that wouldn't happen. I like how he's so fallible and for a guy who falls off chairs and window ledges I think it'd be out of character to have him too... what's the word I want... agile? Anyway, but I do see what you mean about the possibilities of 3D and needing to utilise them fully. So I'm not saying that there shouldn't be action etc. Perhaps the user could control the action but the game controls the result. For example the user can activate the jump from the ledge to the tree, but after that the resulting sequence is pre-determined and has him falling through the tree (as in the Radio Theater). Some kind of balanced mix would be good.
Yes those moments in the game were very gripping (Roswell etc.). And I think moreso because Tex doesn't have a weapon that he can just use to blast the alien away or to blow up security systems with etc. Since he has to use his own resourcefullness and wits, then it becomes even more dangerous and those moments are very tense. So having such moments or even utlising them more would certainly grab the attention of thrill-seekers :D
I don't think I'd mind 3rd person perspective. You could even have the option of both perhaps, if the 3D environment is flexible enough. You could possibly switch to 1st person to get a closer look at some shelves, then switch back to 3rd person to get a better scope of a room for movement.
Hmm fighting is a tough subject. Because as you say, he's not much of a fighter and I say that as a good thing when it's the character of Tex because that means he has to be more clever and resourceful which is entertaining. When mention is made of fighting I start to rememebr that fight scene in the Radio Theater. Heh, so I suppose a Tex fighting mode would involve hair pulling :D I'm not sure that I'd personally want a fighting mode, well I wouldn't ask for one... But Aaron mentioned though that there would possibly be a need for more action etc. and stated that he could see a way of fitting in some "running and gunning 'Tex style' that would in no way interfere with what makes Tex Murphy who he is". If Aaron, as the writer, believes that his character can do this then I'm certainly not one to say otherwise. It's his character and he knows best what Tex can and can't do and since he's adamant that it will be in character then it could work. I'm sure it's all in the way it plays out on screen.
Referencing the Ask Aaron section of the old board again, the possibility of having Tex on console has been brought up and I think if it happens then that's fine. I think there'd still be a need for a PC version though as you say. And as you also said, compatibility issues would go out the window which would be great. I play both PC and console games so I hold no allegiance :D Hmm I wonder which I'd buy though... if it didn't come out on a version of the Playstation but instead came out on the XBox or GameCube or some other console then I'd have no choice anyway :D (I can't afford to buy another console just for one game... and the Playstation has most of what I want in terms of console games)
Hmm anyway... I guess that's it. I wish I could add more points to discuss but I think you did a good job of bringing up some of the most prominent ones on peoples minds :) So I'm not sure what else to add at this point.
Changes will certainly be made I think. And hopefully a good balance can be made to please all (although, it's physically impossible to please everyone but you get the idea... :D ).
Hmm here I go :)
Personally I wouldn't want the original setting to change too much, personal preference thing (as is all of this actually but yeah :) ...). It wouldn't really make sense to me when the game would be a continuation of previous stories. Suddenly making the third World War not happen (to put it bluntly) would most likely annoy people familiar with the world of Tex. And whilst I realise the importance of winning a new audience, it's also important to keep the old audience as I'm sure you realise too. I personally like the post-apocalyptic setting and the fact that Tex is happier living on the 'mutant' side of the world, and all the varied characters of his neighbours etc. that comes with that. It's obviously a sci-fi fantasy setting, but I don't think I thought otherwise anyway and I prefer fantasy and fiction, exploring worlds very different from my own is more entertaining for me. Grounding it into reality wouldn't be appealing to me, if anything it would make me feel that it had lost some of its originality that had come with the setting. I suppose the futuristic elements would still be there and the contrast of old-style P.I. and future technology/backdrop, but I think the post-apocalyptic setting gives a certain atmosphere to many of the environments and people.
FMV, there's a little thread in The Latest section talking about that. So I guess I'll just say to check that out instead :D I'd write my opinion out again but I guess there wouldn't be much point. But yes, I think as long as we have the voices then I can get used to it, as I enjoyed the Radio Theater. If they were too visibly 3D and all smooth and distorted then I'm not sure it'd work. But as Aaron said they'd only make Tex 3D if they could feasibly do it *well*, then it doesn't sound bad.
I hope if Tex does do dangerous stunts, that he still slips up whilst doing them though. But if the user had full control then I guess that wouldn't happen. I like how he's so fallible and for a guy who falls off chairs and window ledges I think it'd be out of character to have him too... what's the word I want... agile? Anyway, but I do see what you mean about the possibilities of 3D and needing to utilise them fully. So I'm not saying that there shouldn't be action etc. Perhaps the user could control the action but the game controls the result. For example the user can activate the jump from the ledge to the tree, but after that the resulting sequence is pre-determined and has him falling through the tree (as in the Radio Theater). Some kind of balanced mix would be good.
Yes those moments in the game were very gripping (Roswell etc.). And I think moreso because Tex doesn't have a weapon that he can just use to blast the alien away or to blow up security systems with etc. Since he has to use his own resourcefullness and wits, then it becomes even more dangerous and those moments are very tense. So having such moments or even utlising them more would certainly grab the attention of thrill-seekers :D
I don't think I'd mind 3rd person perspective. You could even have the option of both perhaps, if the 3D environment is flexible enough. You could possibly switch to 1st person to get a closer look at some shelves, then switch back to 3rd person to get a better scope of a room for movement.
Hmm fighting is a tough subject. Because as you say, he's not much of a fighter and I say that as a good thing when it's the character of Tex because that means he has to be more clever and resourceful which is entertaining. When mention is made of fighting I start to rememebr that fight scene in the Radio Theater. Heh, so I suppose a Tex fighting mode would involve hair pulling :D I'm not sure that I'd personally want a fighting mode, well I wouldn't ask for one... But Aaron mentioned though that there would possibly be a need for more action etc. and stated that he could see a way of fitting in some "running and gunning 'Tex style' that would in no way interfere with what makes Tex Murphy who he is". If Aaron, as the writer, believes that his character can do this then I'm certainly not one to say otherwise. It's his character and he knows best what Tex can and can't do and since he's adamant that it will be in character then it could work. I'm sure it's all in the way it plays out on screen.
Referencing the Ask Aaron section of the old board again, the possibility of having Tex on console has been brought up and I think if it happens then that's fine. I think there'd still be a need for a PC version though as you say. And as you also said, compatibility issues would go out the window which would be great. I play both PC and console games so I hold no allegiance :D Hmm I wonder which I'd buy though... if it didn't come out on a version of the Playstation but instead came out on the XBox or GameCube or some other console then I'd have no choice anyway :D (I can't afford to buy another console just for one game... and the Playstation has most of what I want in terms of console games)
Hmm anyway... I guess that's it. I wish I could add more points to discuss but I think you did a good job of bringing up some of the most prominent ones on peoples minds :) So I'm not sure what else to add at this point.
Changes will certainly be made I think. And hopefully a good balance can be made to please all (although, it's physically impossible to please everyone but you get the idea... :D ).
(Ruri_Ayanami from the old Tex Murphy ezboard).
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
I think Tex will suffer in the console market... even though the average age of console gamers is higher than that of PC gamers nowadays, consoles are more for group entertainment and I could not picture partys "going off" with 20 or so people watching 1 person hunt around for a good two hours for a box of matches for a puzzle.
Besides... PCs need to gain back their market respect.
-Cub. =o)
Besides... PCs need to gain back their market respect.
-Cub. =o)
Tex should stay on the PC. There's not enough rapid button pushing to hold up on a console.
I think the gameplay and game views should stay the same, just improve on the graphics.
I have reserved opinions on CGI characters over FMV. But no matter how good CGI might be, I will still favour real life capture.
I think the gameplay and game views should stay the same, just improve on the graphics.
I have reserved opinions on CGI characters over FMV. But no matter how good CGI might be, I will still favour real life capture.
I can't say. Its ultimately not up to me. Its all up to AC where Tex will be going. I have been following him since UAKM to the TMRT. UAKM was the same as Pandora, and I followed it. Overseer changed from Pandora, and I followed it. All I can say is I will follow AC judgment. Later.
"If at first you don't succeed,
redefine sucess."
- Sowden
www.nineteenthstar.cjb.net
www.sowden.cjb.net
redefine sucess."
- Sowden
www.nineteenthstar.cjb.net
www.sowden.cjb.net
Frankly like someone else said already, time moves on and the industry does too. So definately some things would have to change and some things would have to be updated.
As long as they make the game deep and rich with plot, story and characters then I think everything will be ok.
FMV, Mainstream actors, ect were great and I loved them, but if they are what is standing between us and another game then I say lets do without them.
As long as they make the game deep and rich with plot, story and characters then I think everything will be ok.
FMV, Mainstream actors, ect were great and I loved them, but if they are what is standing between us and another game then I say lets do without them.
Here's my two cents.
Adventure gaming is dead.
With the exeption of Myst (which I hear is going on it's final game soon, one that will finish the story), the days of games like Full Throttle, 7th Guest and Under A Killing Moon are dead.
Today, where do we find adventure games? Online for free from AGS. In the ever ready Nancy Drew games available for twenty bucks a pop. Foreign markets and small companies. Adventure games have been thrown aside into the bargain bin, the newest of the new zombie/nazi/alien shooters have taken reign over the shelves. Why is this you might ask?
Are people dumber? Maybe. But in the 90's, Full House was a popular show, as was Saved By The Bell, so I doubt it.
No, the problem is that over time, adventure games have not evolved. All of gaming has either evolved or died. See many games like Air Wolf or Gradius? Nope. Dead. And while first person shooters have benifitted from better A.I. and level design and physics and lighting, and rpg's have (benefitted?) from cheaper storylines that touch a larger audience, adventure games are the same as they were before. Just better graphics.
So, what will it take to bring Tex back? To bring him back to the days of Pandora Directive?
Changes.
Remember...change is good. You may not like it at first, but some changes have to be made. And, while I'm not talking about gun toting fist fighting bad mouthed Tex strutting through the halls of the alien base, rocket launcher in hand, that doesn't mean that some of the other things can stay the same.
Such as, the fmv. That's going to have to go. CGI is in, FMV never really was.
Doesn't matter if it's first or third person. I'd prefer first, although the old interface would have to go. The new interface would be accomplished through a small, easy to use menu that pops up from the mouse curser.
No box pushing puzzles. There weren't any before, and that best stay.
The game should be made with entirely open enviroments. This would consist of three cities, and various smaller locations for Tex to travel to. This would involve driving the car. I think it would be cool driving his flying car around.
The interviews would stick around, and the story would be told in a more open fashion, unlike the traditional adventure formula, which may end up having you searching every room until you finally click on the dot in the corner.
Adventure gaming is dead.
With the exeption of Myst (which I hear is going on it's final game soon, one that will finish the story), the days of games like Full Throttle, 7th Guest and Under A Killing Moon are dead.
Today, where do we find adventure games? Online for free from AGS. In the ever ready Nancy Drew games available for twenty bucks a pop. Foreign markets and small companies. Adventure games have been thrown aside into the bargain bin, the newest of the new zombie/nazi/alien shooters have taken reign over the shelves. Why is this you might ask?
Are people dumber? Maybe. But in the 90's, Full House was a popular show, as was Saved By The Bell, so I doubt it.
No, the problem is that over time, adventure games have not evolved. All of gaming has either evolved or died. See many games like Air Wolf or Gradius? Nope. Dead. And while first person shooters have benifitted from better A.I. and level design and physics and lighting, and rpg's have (benefitted?) from cheaper storylines that touch a larger audience, adventure games are the same as they were before. Just better graphics.
So, what will it take to bring Tex back? To bring him back to the days of Pandora Directive?
Changes.
Remember...change is good. You may not like it at first, but some changes have to be made. And, while I'm not talking about gun toting fist fighting bad mouthed Tex strutting through the halls of the alien base, rocket launcher in hand, that doesn't mean that some of the other things can stay the same.
Such as, the fmv. That's going to have to go. CGI is in, FMV never really was.
Doesn't matter if it's first or third person. I'd prefer first, although the old interface would have to go. The new interface would be accomplished through a small, easy to use menu that pops up from the mouse curser.
No box pushing puzzles. There weren't any before, and that best stay.
The game should be made with entirely open enviroments. This would consist of three cities, and various smaller locations for Tex to travel to. This would involve driving the car. I think it would be cool driving his flying car around.
The interviews would stick around, and the story would be told in a more open fashion, unlike the traditional adventure formula, which may end up having you searching every room until you finally click on the dot in the corner.
My blog:
http://nvracar.wordpress.com/
http://nvracar.wordpress.com/
I agree...
I think if they can take a risk on something, and it works, it will scream originality, and people will love it!
Even if it may not be in everyones best interests, if it is will done, people will say so and word will spread and poeple will get interested and but it.. they don't really have to like it but at least you have the sales and given then something different, so who knows!
-Cub. =o)
I think if they can take a risk on something, and it works, it will scream originality, and people will love it!
Even if it may not be in everyones best interests, if it is will done, people will say so and word will spread and poeple will get interested and but it.. they don't really have to like it but at least you have the sales and given then something different, so who knows!
-Cub. =o)
Well, you say adventure gaming is dead cause it hasn't evolved. What has really evolved in the 1st person shooter since the days of Wolfenstien? Technology is the main one. The interesting thing though is what really evolved the FPS was half life. What did half life try and bring to the table? Story.
To give you a purpose and a sense of immersion as you were running along shooting things. Now the adventure game may not be at the forefront today because an adventure game is pretty much all story. Moderation in all things i guess. That's why there have been attempts to inject action into adventure games. It's because i believe today's average gamer is different to the gamer of old. Since gaming has gone mainstream in the mid 90s, a lot of people are looking for a quick thrill instead of spending a large amount of time immersed in a story, solving fiendish puzzles.
I forgot where i heard it, but i remember recently someone saying along the lines of "If i wanted to experience a story, i'd read a book". Now i don't know if the average gamer today thinks this way but it could go a long way to explaining why our beloved genre isn't the rampant success in the PC gaming world it once was.
Still, i don't believe the adventure game is dead. The Longest Journey, Syberia, Broken Sword 3. These games have achieved decent success in today's gaming world. Let's not forget the latest additions to the Myst series as well. Sure most of the people buying these games are probably like us and remember the days of old, but i remember hearing that Broken Sword 3 did rather well in the console market as it was released on xbox. I know this contradicts my idea about today's gamer not caring about adventures but in my opinion, that contradiciton is good. It means hope for the genre.
I've sat a few people down and had them play Pandora Directive as of late. True these are people who don't mind adventures, but never the less, i think i've got them hooked. If a good enough game comes along, i think it might grab a lot of people's interest. Action, adventure or hybrid.
To give you a purpose and a sense of immersion as you were running along shooting things. Now the adventure game may not be at the forefront today because an adventure game is pretty much all story. Moderation in all things i guess. That's why there have been attempts to inject action into adventure games. It's because i believe today's average gamer is different to the gamer of old. Since gaming has gone mainstream in the mid 90s, a lot of people are looking for a quick thrill instead of spending a large amount of time immersed in a story, solving fiendish puzzles.
I forgot where i heard it, but i remember recently someone saying along the lines of "If i wanted to experience a story, i'd read a book". Now i don't know if the average gamer today thinks this way but it could go a long way to explaining why our beloved genre isn't the rampant success in the PC gaming world it once was.
Still, i don't believe the adventure game is dead. The Longest Journey, Syberia, Broken Sword 3. These games have achieved decent success in today's gaming world. Let's not forget the latest additions to the Myst series as well. Sure most of the people buying these games are probably like us and remember the days of old, but i remember hearing that Broken Sword 3 did rather well in the console market as it was released on xbox. I know this contradicts my idea about today's gamer not caring about adventures but in my opinion, that contradiciton is good. It means hope for the genre.
I've sat a few people down and had them play Pandora Directive as of late. True these are people who don't mind adventures, but never the less, i think i've got them hooked. If a good enough game comes along, i think it might grab a lot of people's interest. Action, adventure or hybrid.