So tomorrow's the big day when Ben Jordan Case 8 is finally released. Wow, I can't believe that the wait is almost over. :) I'm very excited to play through the game and finally discover the answers to all the open questions, but I can't help but feel I'll be a bit sad when it is all over. It really is the end of an era. Anyways, I will put online a detailed report about my experience playing the game, probably some time next week, but in the meantime you can already read my retrospective of the series so far. You'll find it in the new Reviews section of this site. So happy playing all you other Ben Jordan fans out there - see you on the other side!
Who woud have thought, I managed to finish my big Ben Jordan retrospective in time! Now I just need to do some formatting, add some screenshots and publish them all once BJ8 is finally released next week. Hurray!
Of course, my focus on these reviews together with a very busy time at work and even on the weekends means that I didn't manage to put any work in FCotW2 lately. But oh well, my vacation is almost there and I can't wait to dig into it again. I've also gotten a few ideas for some short games in a different style recently. I might try my hands on one of these after FCotW2 has been released. It should help me improving my game maing skills and let me get another quick game out there before I return my focus to FCotW3. Wesray here, with another quick update.
It was another productive weekend, with a new screen that I've planned for a very long time now almost done. I'm currently working on a location for one of the two alternative paths in the game by the way. Somehow frustrating to think that only half of the players finishing my game might even see it. Still, I think it will be worth it, as it helps the replayability, and hey, there WILL be a hidden way to finish both alternative paths in the same game. Won't be easy though. ;-) I've also began writing my promised reviews of the Ben Jordan series. Didn't realize I have so much to say about them! :-) Currently there are several options on how I could publish them: 1) One review each day starting Monday, May 30th, leading up to the release of BJ8. 2) All 10 reviews in one big patch on August 8th, to celebrate the release of BJ8. For both option 1 and 2, a BJ8 review would be added later, once I'm done playing it. 3) After the release of BJ8 in one big patch, including the BJ8 review. Of course this all depends on how much time I'll have these next few weeks for finishing the reviews, but if you are interested in them and have a preference either way, you can always drop me an email! My monthly FCotW2 rundown: 50+ backgrounds done, a few more to go. Hoping to hit a big milestone in late August, just in time for my vacation and the one year anniversary of FCotW1. We'll see, we'll see.... :)
If you call yourself an adventure game fan, I hope you've also checked out the latest AGS hit "Resonance" by the supremely talented Vince Twelve. If you haven't yet, then go, get it! It's a gem of a game, and I don't just say that because yours truly is listed in the "Special Thanks" section of the game credits. I'd also like to mention that one of the biggest inspirations for the FCotW-series, Grundislav's Ben Jordan saga is coming to a close - I believe the release of the eight and final game of the series is currently planned for early August. To celebrate the release of BJ8 I entertain the thought of reviewing each and every one of the BJ games, including the two deluxe editions, in detail on this site. More about that as we get closer to the big day... Hi everyone! You've probably wondered (or not) what I've been up to lately and who am I to withhold that crucial information? :)
1) Really enjoying season 2 of HBO's Game of Thrones. Go watch it! Even better yet, buy the books and read them too. 2) Adventure-game legend Jane Jensen of Gabriel Knight fame is currently running a Kickstarter project for her new game studio Pinkerton Road. It's certainly going to be funded, but if you can spare a few of your hard-earned bucks, please go and show Jane your support. Depending on your backing level you will get one or two full new mystery adventure games out of it, plus lots of cool extra stuff like t-shirts or the Gabriel Knight e-books and design bibles. Yay! 3) Counting down the days to the release of Diablo 3. Open Beta was a joy. Yes, sometimes I play things other than adventure games... Shocking, I know. 4) Don't fret, even with all these things competing for my rare spare time, FCotW2 hasn't been forgotten, though there's not too much new to say. A few new screens are done, in fact I spent the last few hours working on another one that will be completed shortly. I've also got some great ideas for improving a puzzle that I've had in my mind for a long time. Well, that's it for today. I'll post more news as they come along. Cheers! :) I admit it, I've been a lazy bum these past few weeks. At least I had the chance to catch up on my library of unplayed AGS games. In particular a couple of commercial projects were released recently, that are all well worth playing: the AGS bake sale bundle (a collection of 14 very cool AGS games and you can choose how much you want to pay for it!), Anastronaut and Metal Dead. Check them out if you have the money, they are worth it! As for FCotW2, I wasn't totally idle but worked on a few more backgrounds and integrated them in the game. I noticed however that my original deadline for finishing all the artwork was ridiculously off. Ups! :) Oh well, we are getting there slowly. I'd love to tease you with some of the completed screens, but I guess it's better to pace myself and hold the good stuff back until we get closer to the release - I don't want to spoil the surprises after all. :) For now I give you a new "character" in the game: You can look forward to more characters, screenshots and a first, short teaser trailer in the next few months!
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