Updating old Tex games

Bafitis wrote:Most of the original Cast came back and did the Radio Theaters for nothing, I imagine if needed that they could be persuaded to redo a few Audio Clips if needed...

However in a thread somewhere on the boards, I thought I remembered reading that AC said something about the UAKM film footage being lost or damaged... I could be wrong, might be something someone else had said in the form of a question...

According to AC in emails they have the masters from the old games. He doesn't mention any missing from UAKM. Then again this is from the email:

AC: The short answer regarding the old Tex games is "Yes, we have the old
footage."

So perhaps the long answer involves some being damaged? I don't know the answer to that, but they have it. If they have the footage then we can use it, fix it, etc. The tech available today to repair damaged footage is amazing.

I'm sure we could get access to some of the cast as well for any ADR that could be needed.

I figure we'd update UAKM and PD at the same time (since they use a lot of the same locations). Then if successful we'd do OVERSEER.

I'm not saying the Technology isn't there and I'm not trying to call anyone a liar, I was just making a comment to something I remembered reading... If it's possible to recover and/or repair the footage from the games, then great, I support remastering the games...

It would enable the Fanbase to grow drawing new interest to the Tex Kingdom which could also encourage big money people to back a new Tex Adventure... That's been the biggest reason behind no New Tex Games, all the Money people behind the scenes don't feel the Fanbase is there to warrant a budget for a new game...

Unfortunately I don't have a wide Tech history or knowledge, but with everyone else on the boards I support such an attempt... So if possible, by all means go forth...

I'd like to get some conformation from one of the fellas. Can one of you members in the know find out about this?

freepizza wrote:I'd like to get some conformation from one of the fellas. Can one of you members in the know find out about this?

I haven't heard from AC yet. I figure that since I haven't received a "no," they are thinking about it.

So it's not a sure thing or anything. I just wanted to know if members here would be interested if I could help put it together. I'm not doing anything without AC and CJ giving their ok. The quote from AC about the footage existing was part of a different email about a different subject that touched on the subject slightly.

If it helps clarify things, I was one of the 2 people doing the interview with AC & CJ for the Alternative Reel blogtalk radio show. So I can confirm the footage exists. I can't confirm that they're going to be "ok," with the idea of updating the games (although I see no reason why they wouldn't be).

The idea would be to go all guerrilla game making to get these updates made with as little money as possible (but some). Then try and market the games with Big Finish.

So far I haven't heard a yes or no from AC. I'll let those that expressed interest in helping know as soon as I know.

Ok. NOW I need help from some of you. AC got back to me. THEY ARE INTERESTED.

Here is the first section of the email (all I can share with everyone):

AC: "Chris and I talked about your emails this morning (I just got back from a
Thanksgiving trip). We think that what you're suggesting is possible - and,
obviously, we'd love to remake/update the old games - but there are a few
things we need to iron out. "

So that is what I'll be working on: ironing out those things. The guys raise some easily understood questions and other questions never asked were answered by the their questions (that may sound confusing but it's not anything I can share publicly) that posed more questions for those of us who want to make this a reality.

So I'll be contacting each of you that offered help through the personal message system here. I'm going to need some help ironing!

Well, if the fellas are okay with it then I would be glad to help. I'm not programmer or 3D designer, but if you have some easy tedious work perhaps I could give it a go.

Ok we need graphic art people or people that have experience with MODs on FPS games. If you can let us know what engine. We're leaning towards a new engine because the license fees are right, but we can look at some of the older engines if we can get experienced users of them.

I find it funny that this is coming full circle for me. After playing Pandora Directive it generated the spark that got me into the field I am in. I looked at Pandora and thought "I can do this." From there I wrote a script for my best friend and I to make into an internet only movie. This was about 1999 and that was unheard of at the time as there was not a YouTube or anything even close to that. I was gonna split it up into chapters and host it on my own site.

It took me years to learn all the skills I would need to pull off the movie to replicate the style that they used in Pandora. When my friend died in 2003 and I canceled that project (parts of it lives on in other works) I never thought that I would need those skills again. Now here we are attempting to remake the old games for the modern age and it just so happened I spent all that time working on learning the very thing needed for this project. I think it's a nice book end to that chapter of my life. To end it where it began and help bringing back another old friend we all know and love.

That would be a great idea! I red in an old interview of Aaron Conners that there are some scenes that didn't make it in Pandora (because of the lack of space on the disks), maybe it could be a director's cut??
This project is big, maybe you need to proceed by step (1)A version with just improved videos and sound 2) an improved game. It's just ideas.
(sorry for my english,I'm french)

This is definately a neat idea.

I would play them, thats for sure.

I always wondered what martian memorandum would look like updated.

lestat666 wrote:This is definately a neat idea.

I would play them, thats for sure.

I always wondered what martian memorandum would look like updated.

I don't think the first 2 games {Mean Streets and Martian Memorandum} are included in this update that they have in mind... Just the 3 Movie based games...

I don't why the guys didn't do this before as there games that have been redone for the current operating system. Mostly done for xp . An example is - the longest journey started as a cd game then went to dvd for xp. Pandora being a dos game is a different ball game but it did work under 95/98 but still with problems.

I am sure there would be a lot people out there willing to support this remake.

I think it would be good to modernize Martian Memorandum too. I mean, mean streets isn't necessary because its story is covered in Overseer, but Martian Memorandum is the only game that doesn't have an even remotely modern feel to it. I of course would support all of them =)

I would support them all as well, of course...
But MM doesn't have any FMV to it like the other 3 do... So there isn't really much to do to modernize MM... It works perfectly well on Dosbox, there isn't much that can be done to enhance it... The only thing that could really be done, would be to reprogram the installation like Sierra did with King's Quest, Larry, Police Quest, and Space Quest, so that it is easier to install and hassle free... There might be something that could be done to enrich the colors a bit, but for the most part MM is pretty much dead in the water as far as updating goes...

A remake in FMV style would be nice, but the budget would probably too much for what would probably be considered a small project...