Cult video gaming and the Unofficial Tex Murphy forum

One final topic is that i managed to find a list of games that would be considered cult. These include titles like Elite, Earthbound, Shunmue, Killer7, Katamari Damacy, and Shadow of the Collosus. There were two adventure games on this list as well. Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey.

Gosh. You missed the one cult-game series that started it all: Zork

Zork has a huge cult following, going all the way back to the early text adventures and up through the entire classic period of graphic games. Zork is arguably *the* most important and influential of all adventure game series.

but wasn't Zork pretty huge in PC and adventure gaming circles?

but wasn't Zork pretty huge in PC and adventure gaming circles?

Well, you gotta remember that we're talking 1979 to 85 when you could consider the entire computer using population to be a cult - unlike today where everybody has a computer. In fact, for the first two years, Zork was only available on mainframes.

So yes, Zork was hugely popular, but among a relatively small and unique population of computer nerds. Nothing like the huge markets of today.

As such, Zork has spawned many fan sites, fan fictions, fan-produced games, and a dedicated sub-culture, with 'insider' references appearing in a wide variety of other media to this day. Zork is the very definition of a gaming cult.

Take a look at some of these articles for a sense of what those days were like since you are probably too young to remember them (I'm guessing.)
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/Infocom/Articles/

ah yes, PC gaming was very niche back then.

The fanbase of Zork is definitely the type of thing i'm looking for when exploring cult videogames.

Thanks for the info

Cult usually describes being offbeat, having a niche audience, being emblematic of a subculture and providing a completely furnished world for fans to take advantage of. It's not looking for just an audience but an avid audience who will consume.

A fan is someone who is obsessed with an aspect of culture, but a cult fan seems to imply a cultural identity.

Now based off what i just wrote, i believe that this community and the Tex Murphy games are an example of cult videogaming and a cult fan subculture.

*****First question is do you agree or disagree, and why?

I disagree, although it probably depends from person to person. If I was someone who was obsessed with this specific culture, I probably would have played all the Tex Murphy games, or at the very least all of the interactive movie ones. Also, considering how often I put down Overseer, that adds up to make me a rather odd fan, but not one that fits your definition.

*******What about the Tex Murphy world has drawn you to become a fan of it?

I'm a fan of both 1940's noir detective films and science fiction stories that use the science fiction as a medium to tell the story, rather than wrap itself around the science, and Tex Murphy merges both.

******Is that same quality something you believe every member of this community shares?

I think the community as a whole has their own specifics they love most about Tex games. I'd imagine the well developed characters get ranked the highest.

******Do you believe that the interactivity of videogames and perhaps the added ease of the internet make it easier for game designers to interact with their fans?

Yes. One example is Cliffy B, of Unreal and Gears of War fame, and his blog.

http://www.cliffyb.com/

******Would you agree that critical acclaim and financial failure might be a good measuring bar for cult video game status (as these games usually maintain a niche but rabid fanbase)?

If a game is a financial success, that would mean it can't find cult status, or at least right out the door, because in order to comply to the definition that a cult is a niche group, that would have to mean that lots and lots of people didn't play it.

The thing with Tex Murphy, I'm fairly certain the Pandora Directive was a financial success. Tex Murphy gains cult status via an unfinished story and years of no sequels.

So...perhaps thats another way to judge cult status. Cult status builds after fan base moves on to next big game. Such as, it's fair to say that Goldeneye has a cult following these days, because most of the people that played Goldeneye when it came out would rather play Call of Duty 4 now.

Here are some examples of games that I think have achieved cult status that you didn't mention.

Beyond Good and Evil
Primal
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Anything from Tim Schafer

******Does a game or series have to be dead in the water before it can be considered cult, or can this be recognized during its life span?

I'd imagine the Nancy Drew series attracts more of a niche audience, but she still gets games released...

.

Cult? Cultist? I'm just a shallow follower. Don't read so much into it.

There is nothing mysterious about Tex Murphy. The games are fun because they were put together for adults with imagination, wit and talent, allowing players to escape into the dream world of Bogart and Chandler (with tongue in cheek).

"... I like coming to this board because it keeps 'Tex Murphy' alive. We all know the truth but we _choose_ to see things differently. Tex lives as long as we keep him alive. Heck, I cannot even remember how I found "The Unofficial Tex Murphy" board. But as long as the board is here, so am I. ..." Tex Murphy is a escapist fantasy and this board is too.

Tex Murphy is the _only_ computer game I bought. I'd buy it again. It is the only game I play (when I can get it to run). I'd play it again.

.

Atomicvegetable wrote: What about the Tex Murphy world has drawn you to become a fan of it?

It was very Unique back in its day and was way ahead of its time... It was a game like no other, it drew you into its own world making you feel as if you were the character in the game...

Atomicvegetable wrote: Is that same quality something you believe every member of this community shares?

More or Less... I've seen it voiced to the same context in which I stated above... People loved how the game made the player a part of it and most agree it was different than other games back then...

Atomicvegetable wrote: Now a cult fanbase usually lengthens the world of their fandom through fan-fiction, conventions, art and other fan created media. Many members of this forum have written fiction and we've even discussed creating a fan game on more than one occasion.

Something that can be considered unique as opposed to other cult mediums is that the creators of the franchise (Chris Jones and Aaron Conners) not only frequently stop by and update us on the status of another game, but they made a bunch of radio theatre episodes to soften the blow of the cliffhanger at the end of Overseer.

Do you believe that the interactivity of videogames and perhaps the added ease of the internet make it easier for game designers to interact with their fans?

There is no easier way to learn what the fans think than to talk to them directly... It is much better than taking polls or surveys... You learn what the players/fans/users which ever term you want to use, you learn what they want and expect out of the game... It keeps the creators from making something that will nose dive when released... And even though the people who possess the copyrights don't want to put the money behind making a new game, I believe they are making a mistake profit-wise... The gaming industry needs an Adventure Game comeback and something as detailed and as deep as a Tex Murphy game would work wonders for that comeback...

Atomicvegetable wrote: Do you think this could be a factor that differentiates cult videogames from other cult media?

Not really, because I've been to a lot of message boards for Video Games and I don't believe the creators are as active with the fans as they are here... So it would separate this Video Game with other games and other media...

Atomicvegetable wrote: One final topic is that i managed to find a list of games that would be considered cult. These include titles like Elite, Earthbound, Shunmue, Killer7, Katamari Damacy, and Shadow of the Collosus. There were two adventure games on this list as well. Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey.

The main theme i can see linking these as cult videogames is that they were all critically acclaimed but financial failures. My memory is a little shaky in regards to when Under a Killing Moon came out (other than borrowing it off a friend in grade 7), but perhaps someone here can remind me if the game was a success? I remember it being pretty big, then Pandora and Overseer becoming more and more like the other games on the cult list.

Would you agree that critical acclaim and financial failure might be a good measuring bar for cult video game status (as these games usually maintain a niche but rabid fanbase)?

It could go either way in my opinion...

Atomicvegetable wrote: Also an interesting factoid i found on the game Earthbound reminded me of something going on here. Earthbound is the 2nd game in the Mother series. in 2006, the sequel was released on the Game Boy Advance. As of yet, it has not seen an English release. The fans have done many things from online petitions to rom translations, but what struck a chord is a donation fund to send money to Nintendo to get them to release the game in the west.

The parallel to our $3000 a member fund to fund a new Tex game was enthralling.

The connections that cult fans have with their medium is inspiring. I've already kind of asked about the connection you guys have to Tex, so i won't repeat myself, but here's an interesting final question.

Does a game or series have to be dead in the water before it can be considered cult, or can this be recognized during its life span?

Oh it can definitely be during, things don't have to die to become popular, they can be popular before hand... Sometimes it takes something dying to end up with a community like this, but that doesn't mean that the fans are any less dedicated to it...



Okay, hope all goes well for you with your paper... Keep us informed...

To begin, just a couple explanations (as these don't have true definitions).

Cult usually describes being offbeat, having a niche audience, being emblematic of a subculture and providing a completely furnished world for fans to take advantage of. It's not looking for just an audience but an avid audience who will consume.

Now based off what i just wrote, i believe that this community and the Tex Murphy games are an example of cult videogaming and a cult fan subculture.

First question is do you agree or disagree, and why?

I'm not sure that the Tex Murphy fan-base quite tips the scales as being cult-like.
We are dedicated fans, to be sure, but the TM universe, although futuristic and inhabited by mutants, is still pretty mainstream. We don't feature any sort of unusual behaviors or rituals that set us apart and identify us as an offbeat group. With only a few exceptions, I don't get the impression that TM permeates our lives beyond chatting on the board and replaying the games.

What about the Tex Murphy world has drawn you to become a fan of it?

The first thing that drew me in was the novelty of the free-roaming, real-time 3D environment. As I got further into the game, it was the wonderful characters, and when I really got into the game, it was the depth and scope of the story.

Is that same quality something you believe every member of this community shares?

I don't know if other people are as into 3D as I am, but I'm sure everyone here are strongly attracted to the characters and story

Now a cult fanbase usually lengthens the world of their fandom through fan-fiction, conventions, art and other fan created media. Many members of this forum have written fiction and we've even discussed creating a fan game on more than one occasion.

More than discussed. I've have made a couple short fan games based TM games.

Something that can be considered unique as opposed to other cult mediums is that the creators of the franchise (Chris Jones and Aaron Conners) not only frequently stop by and update us on the status of another game, but they made a bunch of radio theatre episodes to soften the blow of the cliffhanger at the end of Overseer.

Is this a question? When something has developed a cult following, I don't think it is unusual for the creators to appear or interact with the fans.

Do you believe that the interactivity of videogames and perhaps the added ease of the internet make it easier for game designers to interact with their fans?

Absolutely.

Do you think this could be a factor that differentiates cult videogames from other cult media?

No. Take Star Trek, for example.

One final topic is that i managed to find a list of games that would be considered cult. These include titles like Elite, Earthbound, Shunmue, Killer7, Katamari Damacy, and Shadow of the Collosus. There were two adventure games on this list as well. Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey.

The main theme i can see linking these as cult videogames is that they were all critically acclaimed but financial failures. My memory is a little shaky in regards to when Under a Killing Moon came out (other than borrowing it off a friend in grade 7), but perhaps someone here can remind me if the game was a success? I remember it being pretty big, then Pandora and Overseer becoming more and more like the other games on the cult list.

Would you agree that critical acclaim and financial failure might be a good measuring bar for cult video game status (as these games usually maintain a niche but rabid fanbase)?

No. I think what happens is that a good game comes out and is very popular. But times change and new games come out that aren't like the old game. A minority of fans who prefer the old game keep hanging on to it and they become the cult, while the rest of the world has moved on to bigger and worser things.

Here's an interesting final question.

Does a game or series have to be dead in the water before it can be considered cult, or can this be recognized during its life span?

Yes and no. If the game has very wide popularity, then it can't be cultish until it dies or dissappears. The smaller group of fans who remain ever-hopeful for a return form the cult. On the other hand, if the initial game is only popular among a small, select population, (like the original Zork game when relatively few people had computers) then it can be an instant cult because they are an obsessive group separate from the general population.

Atomicvegetable wrote:First question is do you agree or disagree, and why?

I think it probably is, yes. I also think its difficult to define whats 'cult' or not, its kinda subjective and up for argument over semantics. But I would say a game that is 10 years old or more with no updates and still has a captive audience is definitely rare and a 'niche' thing and can be considered cult for that reason.

What about the Tex Murphy world has drawn you to become a fan of it?

Many reasons. To name a few:
Probably the way Aaron tells it. He is a great writer as shown by the books that are just as good as the games.

I love the humour that runs through the games, comedy and laughs is definitely a valuable thing. The Tex Murphy character has alot of good humour with him, when examining stuff or in the way he acts or bumbles around etc.

Even with the humour, it doesn't generate into sillyness etc. There's still a fantastic and intriguing story to be found in each game and the way everything somehow connects to each other is amazing. I can never remember exactly how I start out in an apartment and then end up in a jungle or 100 feet below ground, but somehow the developers got me there in a way that totally makes sense and in a way that I'd never of expected!

The world has many unique characters each with their own quirks. The people you go to investigate aren't just generic "man who owns shop" or "police officer". They all have their own little quirks and personalities, again with a pinch of humour that makes it all alot of fun and very interesting.

Alot of FMV games at the time got a bad reputation and the genre dropped out of existence. But at the time I didn't even know a bad FMV game existed (except maybe the X-Files one, which was rather questionable, as much as I am an X-Files fan, I was terrible dissapointed with it). Because my experience of FMV games was with the Tex Murphy series, Gabriel Knight 2 and Black Dahlia. All of which had pretty good production values. Tex Murphy won out above all for acting though.

Overall it's just a unique set of games with a great creator at the lead. It draws you in and keeps you wanting more. And is replayable (once you forget some of it) due to all the little steps in the gamealong the way.

Is that same quality something you believe every member of this community shares?

I think we all have different reasons. There's probably a few threads with "Why d you like Tex" "Why are you a fan" etc. around the forum that can be found with a Search. I can remember one or two at least.

Now a cult fanbase usually lengthens the world of their fandom through fan-fiction, conventions, art and other fan created media. Many members of this forum have written fiction and we've even discussed creating a fan game on more than one occasion.

I have considered doing fanart and a fangame (never get the time though...)

Do you believe that the interactivity of videogames and perhaps the added ease of the internet make it easier for game designers to interact with their fans?

The internet definitely is the biggest factor. And it does definitely help to keep a niche fanbase ticking over. Both with the fact of getting feedback/updates/bits & bobs from the developers and also the fact of there being a way to communicate with other fans. It makes 10 years without physical updates feel like 10 years with some updates and some fun.

Do you think this could be a factor that differentiates cult videogames from other cult media?

I don't think so really. It being 'more' simple because its interactive could be well argued against. As people who really get into a show/film etc. make up their own interactions with the characters/world and would get 'drawn in in' just as much. Its all subjective and eepdns on each person.

One final topic is that i managed to find a list of games that would be considered cult. These include titles like Elite, Earthbound, Shunmue, Killer7, Katamari Damacy, and Shadow of the Collosus. There were two adventure games on this list as well. Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey.

Check out the Little Big Adventure community too. http://forum.magicball.net (sub section of this site http://www.magicball.net/ )

That game series is terribly similar to Tex Murphy (just without the cliffhanger ending). It's an old series of games with alot of people wanting a third. The creator etc. are in contact with the fanbase and have dropped updates etc. The creator would like to continue/make another game but can't due to lack of funds/industry support/etc. It also has not received any real physical updates/new game in years. The fans there make alot of fanart/fiction and other sorts of creative stuff. There's even alot of projects going on over there for fan-made games or mods (they have quite a few 'developer tools' that rip apart the LBA engine).

They also have had petitions in the past and major campaigns.

LBA 1 being my first ever PC game I have a fondness for it and would love another game, although for some reason I'm active on this forum and only briefly touched the other forum, maybe because the LBA one is sooo big I haven't yet figured everything out (which is not a criticism just me being lazy).

Would you agree that critical acclaim and financial failure might be a good measuring bar for cult video game status (as these games usually maintain a niche but rabid fanbase)?

Not necessarily. I would consider any game that still has a solid fanbase many many years after its release to be kinda cult. Because they need to be dedicated to keep that kind of interest and its sort of rare in this day and age of quick-paced media. Even if the game was a total failure, so long as theirs a dedicated fanbase for it, it becomes cult because they like it regardless of the majority acclaim.

Does a game or series have to be dead in the water before it can be considered cult, or can this be recognized during its life span?

Possibly not, if a series/game was by majority unpopular/unknown but there was a dedicated fanbase for it. I would probably think of that fanbase as 'cult'/'niche', even if a new game/episode was being released.

Hi

I would agree that tex murphy games are an example of cult video games. It doesn't have to be dead in the water to be a cult it can definately have a cult following in its life span. I live in hope and over the last few years i come here in the hope that I will find out about a new game being released. Get a life some might say. I have a life but God I loved Tex Murphy as do hundreds of others. There is definately a cult following of Tex. I just wish at least I could still play my old games but can't on the xp windows. What drew so many of us to Tex, It had everything, mystery, comedy, he was just so cheeky and loveable and real. Bring him back. I won't give up. In desperation for something with a bit of interactive detective work I am playing Nancy Drew, not comparable but passes the time. With Tex, he took over my time.

Hey Barry, someone on this board can most likely help you play Tex-games on XP. Ask around!

-Fred