I was thinking based on some feedback on other sites perhaps they could later add a couple more videos to the Kickstarter page that demonstrates the full spectrum of the Tex Murphy games. Two things people seem to want to see portrayed: the gameplay and the more serious side. Also it might be nice to have a video confirming who is coming back cast-wise for old fans. So I was thinking to myself these ideas.
"Getting into the Game" Video.Most newcomers are assuming it'll be like Myst IV or other FMV games they experienced where it is all fixed pre-rendered areas and you click around the screen to move to or interact with places.
Roaming 3D EnvironmentsFirst part of a video with Chris and/or Aaron talking over clips from the past games that shows the roaming around aspect. Being able to look in and around things or peek in each nook and cranny, or even look up above or down below objects. This made for a great exploratory gameplay experience where you feel you're personally stepping through the world. It also made for interesting game moments like avoiding the GRS security by crouching behind desks. Whereas most FMV games, such as 7th Guest, Gabriel Knight 2, Black Dahlia etc. stuck to static screens you would point-and-click around on to move about. This gives Tex Murphy an edge, it made parts such as exploring a eerie underground base or being in a wilderness cabin that the occupant could return to at any moment feel like you were there in a more intense way. The video could talk about how the games always pushed technology in this vein utilising the latest and greatest at the time to make stepping into the world immersive. Chris Jones mentioned in the RetroNick interview that he would really like to take this even further for an even more immersive experience that makes people go "wow" at the world they're stepping into. So I think this would do well to be featured in a video on the page.
On Closer Inspection: Investigative InteractionSecond part, talking about how the gameplay worked for the investigative aspects. Delving into drawers and in trashcans everywhere. Rummaging for clues and finding them sometimes in the most unexpected of places. Then the resulting puzzles in combining those pieces or solving other kinds of contained puzzles e.g. hacking a door lock code (with the hint system as a safety net). This would also be an opportunity to talk about how they felt the previous games could of been improved in the gameplay. Such as stuff Chris Jones hinted to in the RetroNick interview about technical improvements to the way the game is played. It might pull-in those unfamiliar with the series to see the investigative gameplay in action and hear how far the new game will take this.
Click On All The Things!As an aside it could mention how in each game you could literally look at everything and get a voiced witty comment (something that I think appeals to many adventure gamers). Many games would of just perhaps put some text saying "It's a water cooler" if you click on something, but in Tex Murphy it really made exploring further fun and even just clicking on a water cooler let you have a laugh and sometimes even learn more about your character.
Smooth InteractionProgressive clips on how the interface was updated in each game to make interacting with the environment and menus easier and more fun each time and what ideas there are for updating the interface in the new game if any (as the Kickstarter page mentions "sleek new interface").
As well as talking about the "different ways to play it" concerning game modes (which could talk about how it was done in Pandora Directive for example, if I'm thinking of the same sort of thing in terms of difficulty levels, and if they intend to take that into a new game). But also maybe what Aaron mentioned in terms of different pacing / experience modes beyond just Difficulty for different players (if it's going to be in a new game).
Real People, Real ChoicesFocusing on the human interaction with multiple choices that only give a feel for what Tex is about to say that keeps a fresh element of surprise in the dialogue. It could also talk about how the game offered varied choices in how you interacted with people in the game that represented a range of attitudes, some funny with great comedy but also antagonistic, cynical, suspicious and more. And how this may sometimes lead to a different path or ending (if the new game will have different endings determined by these choices like in Pandora Directive, if not this could be left out).
"Danger's like jello, always room for more" video.The pitch video is excellent, some are donating solely because of it even without playing Tex Murphy before and it was good to make it funny as a marketing piece. But some seemed to get the impression on other sites that because the actual newly filmed content of the (awesome) pitch beyond some of the initial clips from past games (Pandora and Overseer) focused on intentionally over-the-top celebrity cameo performances and cartoony comedy (e.g. Porky Pig) that the game itself will primarily be in this vein. Though many loved this aspect in Under A Killing Moon (I liked the humour and how it doesn't take itself too seriously either), I noticed some (such as those new to the series or unaware of stuff that was in the Radio Theater etc.) seem to say they'd be drawn in more if there was also another side in the new game too with serious dramatic performances that convey peril, intrigue, drama and thriller aspects. The text mentions that it'll be a deep plot but I think a video might work to hit it home just like the Radio Theater did for us old fans (but newcomers are likely to make up the rest of the funds).
There are even some who thought the intentionally comedic performances in the pitch was not intentional which is making them think more in the vein of some of the past campy FMV games they had been turned off by. I understand that in the end some are just going to make split-second judgements about anything FMV but I think a video going more in-depth would be beneficial to extend beyond the (required) brevity of the pitch for newcomers.
Cinematic SpectrumI know that in interviews Chris mentioned the new game will really go deep into intrigue and mystery for a thriller experience whilst also keeping things lively with the humour and pratfalls we've all come to love. So not as serious as Overseer or as comedic as UAKM but maybe something which sounds like it strikes a balance such as Pandora Directive. I think they could do a sort of author commentary, over scenes from past games, discussing the challenges they had in striking the balance between humor and other themes in previous games and how they feel the new game will take this to new heights with a diverse range of atmospheres (as we already know from the Radio Theater its not all laughs). Chris Jones made some great exciting comments in the retroNick interview such as how they feel confident that with this new game they'll "be able to do a
dynamite job" in bringing the storytelling up to date so I think something like discussing the full range a new game would likely have would be enticing for some.
It could also go into how the use of FMV in the games progressed between each game, with clips of the performances, and how they were especially enhanced by Adrian Carr over time within and after Pandora Directive. Then mention how the new game will progress this further. There was some great insights into how FMV can be a legitimate addition to games again to show serious depth of human emotion further than CGI can from Chris and Aaron in interviews that could be used here alongside clips of different acting from past games.
"Acting the Part" video.A video with actors stating their support would be great to get people excited, confirm who is returning and show some of the range of people the games have or have had.
It could have annotated notes alongside the actors names to make clear who is confirmed so far to be returning, as people in the comments aren't even sure if the actor for Chelsee is returning based on a question I saw and some are curious about Louie etc. It might also be good to pop in what characters in general are returning even if no webcam clips or confirmed actors yet (as a slideshow in the video e.g. Clint, Nilo etc.). Based on Suzanne's reaction to the Kickstarter I'm sure she (and hopefully others) would be up for a quick webcam clip
But also if possible past actors who might not return (if their character is done with or other reasons) could pitch in a brief word too (e.g. Michael York? Or if not then maybe more clips of some of these actors with documentary-like commentary on what it was like to work with them to show the diversity of acting the games had ). People seemed pretty stoked on Jane's kickstarter when the guy who acted in Gabriel Knight 2 did a supportive webcam clip for example even though he's moved on from acting.
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mr_cyberpunk wrote:
I'd love to maybe see this hit IOS someday though.
Here's a bit from the RetroNick interview if you didn't manage to catch it (hopefully they port some of the things they mentioned in other interviews to the Kickstarter page, its juicy info that I think those less in the know would be keen to learn)
Quote:
Chris Jones: Initially we're talking about being out on PC and Mac. But we've had discussions wondering when we can bring other formats in such as cellphones, Ipads. We've set a minimum goal of 450,000. We're hoping we get a little more than that. The 450 would obviously be the basic but if we can get more then I think the opportunity to do the other formats would become available. Obviously if we put the product out and it does well on the formats that we're on then that would be an opportunity. But it would be nice if we could release them all at the same time, or at least closely to the same time these other formats, the cellphones and the Ipads.
RetroNick: Very nice, so you're talking about an IOS version, Windows mobile etc.?
Chris Jones: Yes.
