Himalaya Studios

How could I pass up the opportunity to be the first to post on the public user forums? Although it will be sad if my only claim to fame is "Posted first on the Hima forums when they went public".

I thought it might be nice to open things up with a spot for folks to post their first impressions of Al Emmo (when it comes out)- or even their impressions prior to- and thoughts of what might come next, what you'd like to come next, etc. Of course, here is where Chris will kick me in the tush since I think of everything they want to know, another opinion of "You should do THIS" is not at the top. But hey, I'm sure everyone who comes here will have one- might as well get it off your chest! That's what these forums are about, anyway, right?

As for me, being a long-time traditional fan of games like Kings Quest and Quest for Glory, I've always loved the fantasy genre. Sci fi isn't bad either- I enjoyed Space Quest, and so it is a good second runner up, but fantasy foremost. I never played Leisure Suit Larry myself- of course, I was younger then, and it didn't interest me. I'd like to see some real fantasy stuff coming up- one thing I loved about Quest for Glory is it was a SEROIUS adventure, new and original with real heart and strong characters, but it didn't take itself too seriously and had a light heart. I'd like to see a fantastical adventure like this come out of the brilliant minds and artists here! I would like to see them create- with the masterful music, skilled writing, and hard work, and more- a whole world of their own that stands up in its own right. Not just a comic masterpiece with spoofy airs, like Al Emmo, but an immersive fantasy world. I think a lot of fans out there of QFG and KQ will agree- we've loved some of the remakes certain anonymous people have put out for this very seroius, we love the fantastical worlds. I'd like to see them make their own, now- the magical, sword slashing, fantastical kinds.

Okay, there's me! Let's hear your thoughts.

-Patrick

All right!! Himalaya forums are now open for business!!!

Let the games begin!

Ahh I feel vunerable without my mod status  :O

Hey guys, just thought I would make myself heard  :D

Interesting to see new options on the forums  :D

Welcome to the forums guys! Can't wait until we have many people here!

Once people actually realise the Hima website actually points here now lol or Brit releases the announcment then there will be a huge boom of users lol!  <):)

<):)  -I'm a cowboy, for the new western game.. heh.

You betcha it's a nice place to call home!  Welcome, guys!  Let the game playing begin!!  

Hi guys!  Name's (as you can probably guess) Luke.  I was a beta tester for KQ2VGA and am a close personal friend of The Avatar.  Nice to be here!

Sweet! Looking forward to Al Emmo! These forums have a nice design, too! I like very much the blue on white. It's a lot less blue than AGDI too which makes it easier on me :).

EDIT: BTW, I noticed that there isn't an off-topic board. Are we still going to use the 'old' forums for off-topic then?

Hi guys. Welcome.

Yeah, right now we're still looking into whether an additional OT-forum is a good idea. It doesn't seem to be at the moment, as it might just provoke a lot of additional stuff for us to read to be posted.

(http://www.agdiforums.com/forum/images/avatars/moodpics/Nashnorm.jpg)

True. Maybe it is a good idea to keep these forums based on Himalaya and its games. Off-Topic is good for fan forums and whatnot, but for an official company it might not be such a good idea.

I agree with Brandon.  Solid reasoning on your part, too, Erpy.

Hey guys!! I'm hoooome   Welcome to the forums...I'm excited to have you guys around!

Hey, Brit...hope you brought doughnuts ... I'm starving!
  :rolleyes:

Donuts, Tom?  We're having a PIZZA Party!  At your suggestion though, we'll have a Krispy Kreme dessert...You're all invited

Hey Pizza! I don't care what you put on the rest of it, but keep at least 2 or 3 slices with just pepporonni and bacon for me!

It's all yours, MusicallyInspired!  Lucky for you, I'm a vegetarian

Anything but pineapple for me!  :D

Hmm.. Doughnuts do sound good.  And pizza.  I think I'll have a mexican taco pizza for myself, and a 3 cheese pizza as well.  Better add in two more with nothing but veggies: Green peppers, onions, tomatoes, red peppers, black olives, mushrooms, and avacado.  That should leave just enough room for dessert.

Looks like everything is being posted her BUT what I posted about. So much for trying to be constructive :P

-Patrick

I think everyone's just pleased to see the forum and is taking the opportunity to acknowledge it in this thread.  :)  There's only been a few of us posting here for the past three years, so it's really nice to finally be able to have some more members on board to share in our excitement.

Hey, why don't we have California Pizza Kitchen cater Tostada pizzas?  Kinda like taco, meets pizza, meets vegetarian meal :) And I know a lot of people are fans of Jane Jensen's work, although I haven't had much experience with it yet (although Stijn will hopefully cure me of that soon!).

Do you have any additional interests outside of fantasy type games, Coroloro?  What would be your second favorite type?

Oh geez, thanks Brit! Now I want California Pizza Kitchen. You think I got the money for that bit of heavenly goodness??? :D

Take care,
Kurdt

Okay, well I couldn't resist posting something that will make everyone even happier. Or define me as the "insane one" on the forums.  :crazy:  Some of us here know that pizza is one of the five elements. Did you know it can also be dessert?  :O  I've actually tried/created the following recipes, and though it sounds strange they're quite tasty!

You will need:
One pizza dough/premade pizza shell (make it from scratch or purchase) enough to feed your friends. Try to stay away from doughs that have savory ingredients i.e.) garlic, cheese, spices. Make sure it's cooked and ready to go.

and then...
Spread peanut butter on the pizza, add strawberry jelly on top along with banana slices. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or crushed nuts. Warm it up and make it gooey if you like. It's yummy cold too!

Variations: Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread), chunks of canned or fresh fruit, m&ms/reece's pieces, ice cream on the side, crushed cookie pieces.


Just to make this posting legit, my first games were played on the Commodore 64. When I switched to the IBM-compatible, my first favorite game was "Tass Times in Tonetown" in 1986. My eyes were truly opened when I went to a friend's house and played Hero's Quest. She also had a number of other Sierra games along with Ultima. I was hooked! Since then, I've always appreciated a game that was well-rounded instead of the current trend of pretty graphics and loads of needless violence. It's akin to my taste in movies - I want good characters, a meaningful story, wonderful visuals and music, and that extra special "something" that makes you want to experience it all again. Remake or not, a good game goes beyond the technology and touches the heart.  :D

Brit said- "Do you have any additional interests outside of fantasy type games, Coroloro?  What would be your second favorite type?"

Oh, that's an easy one! Well, I THINK it is easy. It depends on if you mean out of the game genre's presently available (ie- strategy, etc) or the categories available for Sierra-Himalaya style games. As far as the second goes, I'd have to easily say Science Fiction! I enjoyed the several Space Quest games I got to enjoy, but I also enjoy more serious ones (aka "The Dig" and not just the farces). Also, I've always enjoyed the Anne McAffrey/Anime style of mixing the two and making a fantasty-type that was actually sci fi.

Now, I could say a close runner up might be historical fiction- l've always had an interest and a passion for the Middle Ages and earlier. Oh, and I loved that too Brit- since I was a boy when I started playing QFG, I was so excited when I realised the games I played actually were based off of REAL places and REAL mythology! Everytime I eat middle eastern food I remember things like "honeyed chicken" and other things the Katta Tail Inn served. Not to mentioned the other various foods like the garlicy stuff from 4, and the grecian food. Why do you think my second choice to game design was intercultural studies? Heh! QFG, that's why. I love how the games take you around the world AND outside of it at the same time.

I also enjoy how games like Kings Quest- KQ7 even, with Greek mythology, and KQ6 as well with other mythology like the land of the dead- take you into mythology from around the world as well.

But I'd enjoy a game that just took me around the world in history period. To be in medieval China or Japan and play an ADVENTURE there (not just fighting junk), or middle ages... you name it. A QFG style fighting adventure would be wonderful, but even a pure adventure like KQ or Al's game. In fact, that might be even more enjoyable than a Sci Fi game- though sci fi games have HUUUGE potential for things like that too.


Now for the reason why I, as a writer, adore fantasy and sci fi. It is because science fiction and fantasy have, through the ages, taken rough ideas and portrayed them in a way people can grasp. Sci fi has constantly taken new ideas and inventions and applied them in a way only imagination can- only to have them ACTUALLY applied that way later (http://www.livescience.com/scienceoffiction/ (http://www.livescience.com/scienceoffiction/) where you can see a direct correlation between REAL discoveries and sci fi books where they were originally talked about previously). Fantasy literature (and games), however, are able to communicate beliefs, ideas, cultures, philosophies, and more in a way that is more interesting and easier to understand than an instructional book. I believe that there are many brilliant minds out there- like JR Tolkein- who chose to communicate by writing a fiction over just writing a book on their theories and feelings. CS Lewis, also, is remembered most for his fictional series over even his many theological and philosophical writings.

What I loved about Sierra fantasy games is how they were the congealed form of the minds of both the primary authors, and those who pitched in to help form the final game played. You explored and interacted with the ideas, interests, and meanings they wanted to convey while at the same time learning a little about them and the team that worked on the game. I think an historical fiction- or even just historically based game- would do this as well, as history itself teaches incredible truths and would be exciting to "live out" in a game.

The reason Japanese games like Final Fantasy still have appeal- despite the fighting that bores me at times- is because, while non-linear plots are interesting for a time, it is the relatively linear story that a person gets to experience that intrigues them. The player wants interactivity, they want choices, but they want STRUCTURE too. The human mind naturally wants some sort of structure and path, without which eventually we either panic, get bored, or give up. Movies, and linear stories, will never loose their appeal- and that is why I also believe adventure games like Himalaya is making have a chance still.

Ahhh, sorry for my tangent. I get excited about this stuff!

-Patrick

Quote from: "GameDevBrit"Hey, why don't we have California Pizza Kitchen cater Tostada pizzas?  Kinda like taco, meets pizza, meets vegetarian meal ?

Yum!  That sounds great, Brit.  I'm not the biggest fan of pizza.  I mean, I like it, but not as much as many of you probably do.  I am, however, quite a fan of Mexican food, as well as interesting takes on classic dishes.  A tostada pizza me suena deliciosa (sounds delicious to me).

Luke

Your not crazy wickedthistle I love Banana and cheese pizza!!!!

[spoiler]Or maybe we're just BOTH crazy![/spoiler]

Wow.....the very first public thread on the new forums goes off-topic within a matter of days. My hopes for the bright and glorious future have never been higher.

(http://www.agdiforums.com/forum/images/avatars/moodpics/Nashshy.jpg)

Hey, it was Tom and Brit that started it, blame them  :laugh:

Quote from: "Erpy"Wow.....the very first public thread on the new forums goes off-topic within a matter of days.

Okay, I'll steer this away a little bit from all the yummy food talk, then. :)[/quote]
I'm afraid I'll have to side with Brit on this one. I've got a real hankering for a good police procedural these days. Hard-boiled plotline, suspect interrogation, forensic work, gritty anti-hero, shootouts with criminals... what's not to like?

Quote from: "wickedthistle"When I switched to the IBM-compatible, my first favorite game was "Tass Times in Tonetown" in 1986.

Hey, I can't believe someone else remembers this gem. Very trippy game. I think I still have the fold-out newspaper that came with it tucked away somewhere.

Quote from: "coroloro"The reason Japanese games like Final Fantasy still have appeal- despite the fighting that bores me at times- is because, while non-linear plots are interesting for a time, it is the relatively linear story that a person gets to experience that intrigues them. The player wants interactivity, they want choices, but they want STRUCTURE too. The human mind naturally wants some sort of structure and path, without which eventually we either panic, get bored, or give up. Movies, and linear stories, will never loose their appeal- and that is why I also believe adventure games like Himalaya is making have a chance still.

Well, I agree and disagree. In one sense, linear narrative structure is good because the joys of good storytelling is something no one can deny. The thing is, non-linearity can be just as amazing. If well-implemented, it can give players a sense that their actions are not pre-scripted, that their destiny is their own to write, and that their choices have an impact on a non-static game world. You gotta admit that's pretty seductive too, especially since it's unique to games as an artistic medium.

Quote from: "coroloro"I thought it might be nice to open things up with a spot for folks to post their first impressions of Al Emmo (when it comes out)- or even their impressions prior to- and thoughts of what might come next, what you'd like to come next, etc.

Having finished the game now, I must say that Al Emmo is a lot of fun. It's got charming old-school flavour, memorable characters, and some genuinely funny moments. Puzzle-wise, it's a lot easier than I expected (and believe me when I say that I'm no puzzle-solving savant). Still, that's okay in the end, because not everyone enjoys Mensa entrance exams like the Myst games. I know I certainly have mixed feelings about that series.

That's also why I support the designers' decision to make one particular puzzle near the end easier.


I actually thought it was a stiff but enjoyable challenge, sorta like the adventure game equivalent of a "boss fight". Unfortunately, though, its difficulty really stuck out like a sore thumb in the game.

But to get back on track: after playing Al Emmo for awhile, you'll realize that it does a lot of things right that many modern-day adventure games still struggle with. It's got tons of interactive hotspots to boost immersion. It's got puzzles that are largely goal-based instead of arbitrary. It stays away from masochistic pixel-hunting. And maybe, best of all, it's got an avatar than you aren't forced to watch trudge slowly across game screens (while pixel-hunting, natch).

Could Al Emmo be a long-term franchise? Maybe. It's definitely got potential and I think many adventure gamers will be quite pleased with Himalaya's debut. But, as Yoda says: "impossible to see, the future is."

Regarding the police style idea for future games- my thoughts, you will see. (ack, Yoda strikes again)

I feel that our culture goes through trends. Right now a BIG trend is the whole police/crime sort of thing. Another part is the reality trend that has been infusing TV and movies- but fantasy is making a comeback. Also, we are having a sad tendency to try to turn myths into "reality". Really sad, I think, since myths are just that- myths! And should be enjoyed as myths. It's like taking Star War's "force" and turning it into a modern concept by adding little mediclorian thingies. Heh. Sometimes it is FUN not to have everything explained or scientific.

I feel that while a police sort of thing could have potential, it'd be too generic a direction. I think that a place like Himalaya wants to both 1) tap into the energy and enthusiasm of players who want to see the fantasy of a genre they thought was dying, revived and 2) by drawing on the power of the past and the energy of a new style for the future, avoid the generic trends and go a new direction. Maybe even try something Sierra didn't try!

I thought of it when I was brainstorming in my earlier entry. Try a historic (or even fantasy) adventure based in, say, medieval China or Japan. Or other countries/historic areas. I think it would be neat to take something that the 'new Sierra' or other places have butchered with battles and turn it into a real story and adventure. Or, do something this modern era has forgotten about and do a historic adventure- but mix some of the fantasy and mythology in from that particular area. Quest for Glory did something like that- but you can be a little more direct, too, create a himalaya style of your own.

I know that of all things, police/detective/present day is the only thing I avoid more than western :P

I'd love a serious police type adventure game from Himalaya. That would be great, think of the potencial!

Your right though, it would have to be something special to avoid falling into a general police/detective story which are so abundant these days.

I think a historical fiction game has a lot of potential.  I also would like to see more adventure games set in the Asian culture--there are a lot of neat places over there, even beyond China and Japan, that would make great locations and offer lots of interesting lore.

As for Al Emmo, even though it's set in the Old West, I wouldn't consider it a typical Western.  In a similar way to Quest for Glory--the games were influenced heavily by certain locations and lore, but the game itself was very unique with a story not completely based in any particular era.  Al Emmo was based more on southwest culture than the Old West. I also am not a huge fan of Western Movies, and tried to make certain Al Emmo did not fall into the Old West stereotype.  It's much more unique...

As for police games, I'm still with Angelus and Morte!   Coroloro, you haven't even PLAYED Police Quest yet!  We've got to do something about this!  I think if you experienced those games, you might see police games in the same light as other classic adventure games.  I was actually excited to see, at the Game Developers Conference, I won a copy of Swat 4 by Sierra.  No adventure game, but the SWAT theme was appealing.  I think a law enforcement theme, done really well, in a classic style adventure would be fun!

I will opt for a combination of fantasy and detective. These guys at Himalaya made me remember of Randall Garrett and his very nice cycle "Too many magicians". Just think of this mix: Sherlock Holmes,  "Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eko and fantasy style. I'd love to have such an adventure.

And I will also agree with the statement that, I'll put it in this way, ethnic -based adventures have really a great potential (not only based on Asian culture but maybe also on African, etc. Hmm, lets see what Benoit Sokal will show us with his "Paradise" (BTW he will do a report on KRI game developement conference in Moscow next weekend)).

One series that I did rather enjoy, besides Space Quest... loved those... was the Lara Bow series, in particular the first one, Colonel's Bequest.  I could see more murder mysteries in this fashion.  The interaction with the characters, each with a motive and reason for the killing... I like that kind of play.  And really, this also can fall along the LucasArts' Maniac Mansion and Day of the Tentacle, of sorts.

Two words... (well, ten including these, and these)

Gabriel Knight.

I am quite interested to see Himalaya continue to make games in QfGesque fantasy settings, with their own style of course. It is exciting to see that Himalaya are developing a western, not just creating parodies of their earlier work.

Aside from Fantasy adventure, I have an innate attraction toward science fiction games. Anything set in space or a non-Earth planet,  moon, or starbase gets my money :p.

Quote from: "GameDevBrit"Hey, why don't we have California Pizza Kitchen cater Tostada pizzas?  Kinda like taco, meets pizza, meets vegetarian meal ;)). I so miss their japanese eggplant and goat cheese pizzas!

QuoteAside from Fantasy adventure, I have an innate attraction toward science fiction games. Anything set in space or a non-Earth planet,  moon, or starbase gets my money :p.

That would explain your Avatar image. It's from Serenity, right?  :)

Correct Chris! a fellow browncoat I presume? :P.

I am with NightShift!

Gabriel Knight!

I only played GK- the beast within, but boy, was that incredible. I am not a big fan of detective stuff, but when you mix in the fantasy element...  Another game that combined some police, detective, and pure fantasy was The Longest Journey. Anyone heard of that? It is by a relatively obscure German company and it was increeeedible. Very new, interesting, and creative- it reminded me of a Japanese game in terms of its ability to break out of any specific 'genre' and make a new story that one could not predict. Usually only Japanese games and anime have such a knack for smoothly going new directions and crossing over multiple genres.

Brit- I was thinking Asia in particular when I mentioned historical. I myself have been to the national museum in Taiwan- which, interestingly enough, holds more major historical artifacts from China than anywhere IN China (or so I was told) since the communist government which took over destroyed most of their historical artifacts. Meanwhile, the Chinese who escaped took many artifacts with them which now are, of course, in Taiwan. I snuck a camera in and took some beautiful pictures. It is fascinating to see how things like anime came clearly from Asian culture dating back thousands of years- you only need look at one of their watercolour scrolls to see the influence. I also love the idea of a scroll painting- ten feet of an image that just keeps going and going, like walking along a bridge and gazing out into the scene beyond. Beyond panoramic.

I think I know where my vote is now- be it detective, police, fantasy, historical fiction, sci fi, or a combination there-of... make it based in Asia! :P That would have been incredible to see. Maybe AGD should try a new approach- instead of taking an existing game and remaking it, try making an ORIGINAL game from an EXISTING series. :)

Quote from: "coroloro"I think I know where my vote is now- be it detective, police, fantasy, historical fiction, sci fi, or a combination there-of... make it based in Asia! :P A developer named Himalaya making a game set in Asia!

That would make an interesting fusion of genres, I can see it now:
"Our stringent hero/exo-entomologist arrives in Kathmandu, hell-bent on saving the area's marsupial population from an extra-terrestrial flesh-eating insect horde"  :hehe:

I really enjoyed The Longest Journey.  That title is very accurate.  The sheer size of the game is huge.  And I believe it was a very successful blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements.

I just loved the fact that one moment you are crawling around the bowels of a spaceship, the next on board a wooden ship navigating by compass.  The settings nearly covered everything, deserts, forests, cities, underwater, space, other dimensions, dreams.

I was impressed on how it all came together rather naturally, no easy task at all.

I enjoyed the Longest Journey as well.  I played it in German, when I didn't speak the language very well, and just remember being very captivated by the surreal environment.

And Coroloro, I believe that Lori Cole mentioned that Asia was on the list for a potential Quest for Glory game if they had continued making them.  It's a shame Yosemite shut it's doors

Hi everyone, nice to see the Himalaya forums (re-)opened. Some of you might know me from other forums - also, Luke's a colleague of mine, hi Luke! :D [/quote]
...I just love a good pizza - but those vegetarian ones tend to spoil my appetite.

Oooh! Forums open! Nice.

What a silly smiley. Also nice.  <):)

Welcome Gron!

Welcome Cellardoor and Gron!  Cute and very relevant smiley, by the way ;)

Quote from: "GameDevBrit"Cellardoor, for now, we've targed the adventure niche, and feel that we can contibute unique, worthwhile projects due to our love of the genre!  There is always a possiblity in the future that we could expand to other areas (i.e. adventure/rpg hybrids, etc).  But for right now, we would like to continue concentrating on what we feel we know best and contribute to a genre we are passionate about.

Yes, ofcourse. I should've made myself more clear; I was wondering if you were doing anything to appeal to a wider adventure audience besides your current Sierra-oriented fanbase.

I don't care much for hybrids myself, but I believe you guys are cutting yourself short by depending mostly on the fanbase gathered through AGDI's Sierra-remakes.

What would you suggest we'd do in order to appeal to a wider audience? We already took out some of the elements that older Sierra games were often criticised for...dead ends and dying. (well, you can still die near the end, but you're automatically returned to the point where you were before you died)

(http://www.agdiforums.com/forum/images/avatars/moodpics/Nashswt.jpg)

Could be that I myself misunderstand Cellardoor, but I believe he asks whether you've taken steps to promote the game to all adventure-gaming fans, and not just Sierra fans. Could be that I'm wrong...

Sure would be nice to buy a 15-second plug on television...which would eat up any profits we hope to see.  :doze:

As far as advertising is concerned, gaming magazine ads are fairly hit and miss (not to mention very expensive). Truthfully, the AGDI scene will probably be our main (and best) source of advertising initially due to our small budget.  But I expect that the demo's distribution and word of mouth will help spread knowledge about the game far beyond just the AGDI audience. We'll also be trying to get the demo on some magazine cover CDs which will help get it into people's hands who otherwise would not know about it (or may consider it out of their niche).  

Al Emmo's demo is also much larger than the average game demo nowadays (about 1/9th of the game) so it will give players a very good idea of how the full game looks, feels, and plays like. I think it was Ken Williams who said that you should set your first game in any series up for brand-name recognition, and not necessarily to make a major profit; that's what sequels are for.

For Al Emmo 1, I think there will be a lot of scepticism surrounding the game at first, but once people try it and become familiar with its characters, game mechanics, and humor, they'll discover that it includes the same charms as the adventure games of the past (along with some modern improvements) and then the game/series will effectively be able to market itself from that point onward. So, that said, the first thing we need to do is to make sure enough people play it and become familiar with it.  This is also why pricing will be important and we have some interesting ideas up in the air at the moment regarding that!  :)

Oh, BTW Disco:

QuoteCorrect Chris! a fellow browncoat I presume?

Actually,  I hadn't ever seen (or didn't even know about) the Firefly series prior to seeing Serenity. I just saw it on DVD one day because it was lent to me. I was kind of surprised to find out afterwards that it was a sequel of sorts! The film seemed to work quite well as a self-contained story.

Quote from: "Gronagor"Could be that I myself misunderstand Cellardoor, but I believe he asks whether you've taken steps to promote the game to all adventure-gaming fans, and not just Sierra fans. Could be that I'm wrong...

Yeah, that's basically it. I don't think Himalaya is doing anything wrong - I was just curious what it is they are doing to promote their games to the general adventure audience. Adventure gamers I've spoken with that are anticipating Al Emmo tend to be mostly Sierra fans...

And ofcourse, there's nothing wrong with that either. I just think that Al Emmo might appeal to fans that never liked Sierra's adventures.

One thing that has been done is multiple articles at Adventure Game websites. There have actually been quite a few articles written about the game. Hopefully these will attract in some people who have never played the AGDI games.

Will we be seeing a 'the making of...'??

Quote from: "Gronagor"Will we be seeing a 'the making of...'??

That would rock!!

Gron, what a brilliant idea.  *Runs off with pen in hand to get to work*...

Quote from: "Morte"

Quote from: "Erpy"Wow.....the very first public thread on the new forums goes off-topic within a matter of days.

Okay, I'll steer this away a little bit from all the yummy food talk, then. :)

I'm afraid I'll have to side with Brit on this one. I've got a real hankering for a good police procedural these days. Hard-boiled plotline, suspect interrogation, forensic work, gritty anti-hero, shootouts with criminals... what's not to like?

Quote from: "wickedthistle"When I switched to the IBM-compatible, my first favorite game was "Tass Times in Tonetown" in 1986.

Hey, I can't believe someone else remembers this gem. Very trippy game. I think I still have the fold-out newspaper that came with it tucked away somewhere.

Quote from: "coroloro"The reason Japanese games like Final Fantasy still have appeal- despite the fighting that bores me at times- is because, while non-linear plots are interesting for a time, it is the relatively linear story that a person gets to experience that intrigues them. The player wants interactivity, they want choices, but they want STRUCTURE too. The human mind naturally wants some sort of structure and path, without which eventually we either panic, get bored, or give up. Movies, and linear stories, will never loose their appeal- and that is why I also believe adventure games like Himalaya is making have a chance still.

Well, I agree and disagree. In one sense, linear narrative structure is good because the joys of good storytelling is something no one can deny. The thing is, non-linearity can be just as amazing. If well-implemented, it can give players a sense that their actions are not pre-scripted, that their destiny is their own to write, and that their choices have an impact on a non-static game world. You gotta admit that's pretty seductive too, especially since it's unique to games as an artistic medium.

Quote from: "coroloro"I thought it might be nice to open things up with a spot for folks to post their first impressions of Al Emmo (when it comes out)- or even their impressions prior to- and thoughts of what might come next, what you'd like to come next, etc.

Having finished the game now, I must say that Al Emmo is a lot of fun. It's got charming old-school flavour, memorable characters, and some genuinely funny moments. Puzzle-wise, it's a lot easier than I expected (and believe me when I say that I'm no puzzle-solving savant). Still, that's okay in the end, because not everyone enjoys Mensa entrance exams like the Myst games. I know I certainly have mixed feelings about that series.

That's also why I support the designers' decision to make one particular puzzle near the end easier.


I actually thought it was a stiff but enjoyable challenge, sorta like the adventure game equivalent of a "boss fight". Unfortunately, though, its difficulty really stuck out like a sore thumb in the game.

But to get back on track: after playing Al Emmo for awhile, you'll realize that it does a lot of things right that many modern-day adventure games still struggle with. It's got tons of interactive hotspots to boost immersion. It's got puzzles that are largely goal-based instead of arbitrary. It stays away from masochistic pixel-hunting. And maybe, best of all, it's got an avatar than you aren't forced to watch trudge slowly across game screens (while pixel-hunting, natch).

Could Al Emmo be a long-term franchise? Maybe. It's definitely got potential and I think many adventure gamers will be quite pleased with Himalaya's debut. But, as Yoda says: "impossible to see, the future is."[/quote]

Tass times in tinsletown was great!

Anyone remember a game where you were a pharmasisct in a old west town? I loved that game! It had a wacky sense of humor, and if memory serves correct, was similar in gameplay to what al emmo looks to be.

Quote from: "Erpy"What would you suggest we'd do in order to appeal to a wider audience? We already took out some of the elements that older Sierra games were often criticised for...dead ends and dying. (well, you can still die near the end, but you're automatically returned to the point where you were before you died)

(http://www.agdiforums.com/forum/images/avatars/moodpics/Nashswt.jpg)

I think the best thing you can do is to get the name and idea behind the game out. Most males who play computer games in their 20-30's grew up and have a huge nostalgia for games like this.

I am a huge gamer, a LDM fanatic, and i didnt even know that this game existed. I found out by a very rare chance.

Forum marketing ~ With cool screenshots on some of the larger forurms, get it on fark, digg, etc.

After you release though. Otherwise people will forget. Forums are huge, and the best way to spread word of mouth online cheaply. Hit up treasure forums, old school gaming, etc.

Good luck! I will do my bit to get it out, and i already have!

I just wish i had found out about this game sooner. I would have killed to get into beta!

Hi, I'm very glad these forums are working. Although I just recently decided to register in the AGDI forums, I've been keeping track of it for a couple of years now. And by the way, I've been playing Adventure games since 1987 (all kinds, mostly Sierra), so I'm very interested to see what your game will be like.

Hey Tom, how are you? I'm the guy from Mexico that sent you those Castle of Dr. Brain mp3s. Sorry about the delay in the Island of Dr Brain files but (as AGDIs would say about remakes) mp3s don't pay the rent


Anyway, I decided to post here in the first place because, well, it seemed the right place to do it, and also to tell you that is true that you need to do some strong marketing (easier said than done, I know). I've been a hardcore fan of adventure games for almost 20 years now, and I really discovered Tierra by accident. I was searching the net to find if the original KQ1 AGI was to be found anywhere on Earth, and thats how I discovered your remakes (more the better for me).

But Al Emmo is something totally new, no one will find it that way, so you need to do something to get to the ears of all adventure fans (I'm sure there are a lot of them who haven't heard of your efforts).

Since you have fans from all over the world (from what I've seen) perhaps it wouldn't be so difficult to launch a world-wide off-internet campaign, with fliers or posters, something like that. You could design a flier and perhaps there will be people willing to help you, printing them and distributing them in their home towns.

I know I would be willing to spare some time to go around and stick some posters in all video game stores. You know, Mexico city has 20 million people in it. SOME of them MUST be adventure game fans, don't you think?

I get the feeling that the team wants to get the Beta finished and get the game released and then bring out the marketing, otherwise its just hype.

Hey Blind and Haradan!

Welcome to the forums Those are some great marketing ideas.  I would agree that posting on forums where old school adventure game players frequent is a great means of spreading the word!  We would really appreciate it if would go ahead and make posts where ever you think people might be interested in hearing about our efforts.

Also, that is a really neat idea, creating a poster which can be printed and put up in shops around town in different parts of the world.  I would be up for making such an advertisement...  What does everyone else think about this idea?  Would anyone else like to participate in putting up posters that they can print out???

I would be all about putting up posters. There was a QfG2VGA poster made up I think nearly 2 years ago. I posted copies around my college and put them on bulletin boards in Media Play and at my local coffee shop. The latter is frequented by several people in their 20s and 30s that I've had conversations about old Sierra games with, seems like an Al Emmo poster would be at home there .

You know Deb and I would be into putting Hima posters up! Our workplace has 1000+ over 20 year olds!

QuoteAnyone remember a game where you were a pharmasisct in a old west town? I loved that game! It had a wacky sense of humor, and if memory serves correct, was similar in gameplay to what al emmo looks to be.

Hey Blind, that game is called Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist.  

GameDevBrit wrote:

QuoteAlso, that is a really neat idea, creating a poster which can be printed and put up in shops around town in different parts of the world.  I would be up for making such an advertisement...  What does everyone else think about this idea?  Would anyone else like to participate in putting up posters that they can print out???

Glad to help. As I said, consider Mexico city covered. And I know many more people will do the same (at least if they find out one day that the Himalaya forums are working. Not many people around here yet) :)

I spoke with our graphics artist, and he will be making some promotional materials.  Wow, Mexico City and a work place of over 1000 people are covered, as well as a number of coffee shops and universities.  We're off to a great start   I'll let you guys know once promotional materials are available to print out--and thank you again for offering your help!

As for these forums, if you guys can let people know by word of mouth that they are open, that would be great as well.  

Thanks again!

Another idea for a "goodie" would be a soundtrack CD included in the box!

I don't know if Tom was thinking of offering the soundtrack at Queststudios, but that would definitely be a great add-on!

We do have some interesting ideas for the soundtrack, as well as other game goodies...but nothing's been finalized at this time.

I contacted an Admin at GameSpot about the game and they were kind enough to put up a gamespace.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/alemmoandthelostdutchmansmine/index.html

I encourage you guys to contact other major gaming sites.

Last time I checked IGN had listings.

So are you guys planning on releasing a downloadable demo?

You could always have sites like Gamershell, 3Dgamers, GameSpot, and Worthplaying host it for you.

Whenever any adventure game has a demo, it is almost always downloadable from those sites.

Errr....that page that Gamespot put up says "Al Emmo is a third-person, point & click adventure game by three of the King's Quest developers.". I think they should be properly notified.

Hey guys!

Thanks a bunch for contacting GameSpot, Legolas!  We do plan on releasing a downloadable demo, which is roughly 1/9th of the game! We're adding some final touches to it at the moment.

As for the comment "Al Emmo is a third-person, point & click adventure game by three of the King's Quest developers"--it is, in a way, accurate, if you consider Chris, Daniel Stacey, and I to be the three designers...and we did all work on the KQVGA remakes.

If you guys can think of any other good sites to promote the game, just let me know...

Thanks again.

When the demo comes out, definitely contact sites like Gamershell, 3Dgamers, GameSpot, Filefront, and Worthplaying and have them host it for you.  Not only will this save you bandwidth, but the demo will give you major exposure by being on so many major sites.

I don't know how all of this works.  Just making suggestions.

I can definitely see why Musically Inspired thinks that it should be changed.  It makes it sound like Roberta Williams and crew created Al Emmo.  Might piss off the wrong/right people.

I think that at this point, advertising the game would not be too soon- or just 'hype'. I cannot say when it will be released- I have no idea- but after playing the game somewhat myself, and seeing how the development is going, it seems like the only things left to do now are do some double, triple, etc checking.

Unlike hype where game companies, such as games like "Horizons" (if anyone remembers that one- a great game that was just never fully completed even when released, and had years of hype)... this game IS done, just being tested for complete, total wholeness and cranked clean of most foresee-able bugs. I mean, I am sure some will pop up- absolute certainty with all the machines available out there- but these guys are doing SO much to iron out kinks, I can say personally this will be more bug free than many Sierra games were on release. Why? Because Himalaya seems far more concerned in a top quality product that will shine at its best than just making the money. Sierra, early on, was like that. I'm proud to work with them in beta testing.

In my long history of pursuing game design and enjoying games- I grew up with Sierra myself, wanting to one day work for them (shattered, of course, when they fell into something very un-Sierra like)- I have seen two types of game companies and those in between. One is "entertainment"- like movie companies, their goal is entertainment, making something that will entertain and sell. Many turn into companies a lot like big movie production companies.

Then there are those that are "artistic entertainment"- oh, maybe a popular fiction style is them unlike "elite art" that freaks a lot of average joes out and entertains only the more eccentric I think. But their idea is- "entertain, and enjoy making money doing what we love, but NOT at the expense of an inferior result we are not proud of". I feel, personally, that EVERY person on this team- that I have heard of at least- is PROUD of their game, and when things come up to compromise this, they do all they can to refine it. Himalaya has certainly started its time out as an "artistic entertainment" company and I hope that the success I am SURE it will generate will strengthen, rather than seduce as it did Sierra, the company towards higher and more incredible things.


I digress. This game is currently more playable than most Sierra games were right off in the early 90's- ten times more so than the infamous QFG4. Ha ha! So, advertising the game now is a little like movies being talked about and advertised in the month or so before their release- it's basically done and being refined for complete satisfaction. After all, I was beta phase 1- and they seemed to have done in alpha testing what MOST game companies do in beta.

I hope the hype is building up- because, even as a person who really hates western themes, I'm really hyped about it some myself and I haven't even finished it yet (my focus has been demo testing- and what a demo it is! You guys have a real treat ahead!) Be assured when you get your hands on the demo, and then the full product, you will get a game worth more than what you paid for it. I don't even know what the end price will be, but I am sure of that much.

-Patrick

I've been lurking here for a bit, and I decided to finally register and post.

First, just a little bit about myself. My name is David, or Dave, or doggans, or That Babbling Idiot, or whatever you choose to call me. I'll answer to just about anything. I'm in college, an amateur filmmaker/actor/voice actor/comedy writer/guy with too many hobbies. I've always loved adventure games, and have many childhood memories of getting up early in the morning trying to get past the latest King's Quest puzzle I was stuck on. (Heck, when the Brothers Chaps at Homestar Runner released their Peasant's Quest parody two years back, I felt like a kid again.)

I came across the AGDI KQ remakes a while back. I was entertained with KQ1, and I enjoyed how it updated the "official" remake with better graphics and sounds. Then, like so many others, I was absolutely blown away by KQ2. I loved just about everything about it, from the graphics to the voice acting (hearing Josh Mandel as Graham again in both of the remakes was a real treat), but what I loved most of all was the way it was set up to surprise players of the original, with Macguffins (the wooden stake, etc) that ended up being used in completely unexpected ways. Plus, the flash-forward sequence gave me a better appreciation of Mask of Eternity.  :P

So after playing the games, I decided to poke around the site some more, and discovered the link to Himalaya Studios. I looked at the site and checked back every once in a while to see if there were any updates. When the demo for Al Emmo was released, I played it, and loved every second of it. The graphics were wonderful, the voice acting top-notch, the humor very clever and entertaining, and the gameplay was just plain fun. I knew I would enjoy it as soon as I started playing, especially when one of the first things I found in the game was an Easter Egg, and a parody song at that!

So, now that I've rambled on for probably a bit too long, I'll summarize: I love your games, and eagerly anticipate the release of the full version of Al Emmo, which I'll preorder as soon as I have a bit more money.

And, uh, most likely all my future posts will be a bit shorter than this one.

Welcome Dave!

Thanks for your thoughtful words about our games.  It's always great to meet another adventure gamer, and I am glad to hear you've enjoyed our work :)

Great to have you around!

Brit

Hey doggans, thanks for the comments and the compliments. I'm glad you enjoyed your experiences with the demo!

Tasstimes In Tone Town was freakin' awesome.  I played that on my cousin's IIgs all the time.


Anyhoodles, I can't wait to see how things go for this game.  I'd certainly like to see more adventure games developed.


Bt

Ditto to that, Blackthorne.  Long live adventure games

Indeed.. long live, long live..


Resurgance is what I desire. Let us please become of it. You have my full aid in all respects.

Yeeeeha.

Finally I found my way into this Forum to post the following comment:  Adventures belong to storywriters, that's the point. When you look hard enough, there is a lot of adventure-producing going on in the gameindustry. But when you look again, you recognise, that there is almost no adventure-writing going on. All the stories seem to revolve around the same lame pseudohorror-mediummystic-scenario without any sense of humour or dramaturgy. But - wow! - Britney, you are surely a heck of a writer! You don't need better computers or faster renderalgorythms to create a narrative computer game. You need a story and characters you can sympathise with. Al Emmo is a great project. Go, Britney, go!

And - oh - I liked that last slogan: Long live adventure games. But just when brains live long either.

Something I forgot: Above in the thread I have read some inspirations and discussions about future himalaya-projects - I would like a sequel of Al Emmo, where the Narrator is the main character  :rolleyes:  Wouldn't it be fun, if he had to learn, that it is not that easy to be under control by a demented computergamer? Hihihihihihihi.


sry. just an idea.

Hey Poki!

Great to see you around the forums :)

QuoteI must say though, that I am only responsible for part of the writing--the basic story and creation of the characters.  I also worked alongside Chris on this.  The true magic really came out when Daniel Stacy, of King's Quest II VGA fame, transformed each of these characters into a really interesting, living, breathing entity and added some awesome humor to the mix!

Okay. I can see, that this was not fair of me. Chris? Daniel? Where are you? You get the golden Poki-medal of excellent storydevelopment as well.  :hehe:

Nontheless - I feel it's time that the title of "director" should be applied more prominently to the work of the executive dramaturgist of narrative computergame. I have worked as director of two shortmovies and I have developed an adventure game. I know the parallels. Watching the camerawork of the Al Emmo introsequence shows that it helps to think in cineastic lines (if you choose to think in lines at all - and not in wiggles). I really mean the following sentence: The camerawork of the Al Emmo intro is much better than in many cutszenes of Monkey4. Leaving aside the skills of 3D modelling, LucasArts could learn something from you.

Heh... The models were developed by quite a few different people. The actual animation was done by Charles Hutchings. He's very talented. Chris was very precise in the camera angles and such that he wanted, so the camera work of the cutscenes is really the result of both of their talents.

Mm...On the subject of the art and model work if I may, (which really fits the game wonderfully, BTW) Did it take a while to settle on the style of the chars. and backgrounds, or was the art decided on from the get-go? And, following that, was it difficult to put the designs into action as models within the game in terms of which ways they would move, etc? Forgive the little mini-inquisition in your craft, I guess I'm just curious about that aspect of the work, is all. Odd, considering my field of interest lies at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Hey DasWheel,

Thanks for your kind words regarding the artwork in the game.  Initially, we were actually going to use 2D character animations.  We ended up receiving an email from a character modeler and animator during the development process, and he submitted some of his work.  We were really impressed with the fluid and complex animations that were made possible by using 3D animation, and his ability to create characters that were caracturized.  This animator basically set the animation style, and we sought other modelers and animators to mimic this style.

The background art was painted in acrylics, and then over time, was increasingly detailed through pixel editing in Photoshop.  We strived to make the backgrounds as detailed as possible, to correspond nicely with the detail found in the 3D models.  The 3D models were also created in a fun, caracturized way, to correspond with the 2D, drawn/painted backgrounds.

There were a LOT of animations in the game, and creating the massive amounts were challenging, but our lead programmer Chris volunteered in the animation department, and with a massive amount of dedication, was able to bring that task closer to completion.

Chris has a real talent for understanding movement--this probably was solidified while creating so many 2D animations for previous games at AGDI.  The jump to 3D was exciting for him, in my opinion, because it suddenly gave him a lot more freedom when creating movements.  I think for him, more than being a challenge, it was a great artistic experience that he just had fun with.  He made a lot more animations than were even necessary...he was always creating fun little Easter egg type animations:)

Wow.. five months go by pretty fast, huh?  

The range of topics on this thread is vast.  From What Himalaya's next game should be, to pizza , to good ways to market Al Emmo, to a bit of 'how'd they do that' designer commentary..

This team has always struck me as more the humorous type.  They all have a fantastic sense of humor and it shows in their games' dialogue, animations, characters and numerous easter eggs.  So I guess my question is for the main designers Chris, Daniel, and Britney.  How would you feel about side-stepping comedy for an adventure with a serious and more dramatic undertone?

I'd just like to add that I'm not stating my own preferences about the 'style' of an adventure game yet.. I'm really curious to hear where you stand though.  :)  I am, I might add, thorougly enjoying this vegan pizza..  these constant deliveries to this forum are amazing!

QuoteHow would you feel about side-stepping comedy for an adventure with a serious and more dramatic undertone?

I see comedy as an aspect of drama, but if you mean more "serious", then sure... I'll try my hand at just about anything!