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Need Help - Opinions about what happened to classic graphic adventure games

by Sean Brady · in General Discussion · 07/09/2009 (6:55 am) · 22 replies

Hello my name is Sean Brady. I am a student researching the reason behind the recent (1990's - present) unpopularity of point and click graphic adventure games.

I was wondering if it was possible to get your opinion on the whole matter. I am dealing with both the development/commercial reasoning and consumer/player interest. If it is possible to get your opinion on both sides that would be fantastic.

I appreciate the time given and thank you sincerely.

The question ultimately is "what factors account for the unpopularity of point and click graphical adventures?"

NOTE: The opinions expressed will be transcribed within the research dissertation with the names of the suppliers beside them but it can be arranged to remain anonymous if required.

Any indication about individuals who from your knowledge would provide a valuable viewpoint, please don't hesitate to say, thank you.

Thank you once, again.

Any opinion / voice is greatly appreciated.
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Nate Gertsch
#1
07/09/2009 (11:52 am)
You have seen this article on the subject? I tend to agree with premise of the article. Adventure games fell from popularity when they were bad and rose when they were good. A better question is why developers stopped making good adventure games or why it is hard to make a good adventure game.

http://www.oldmanmurray.com/features/77.html

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#2
07/09/2009 (12:01 pm)
the article was very helpful thank you.

There are alot of articles out there with different perspectives on the matter. I am trawling through them at present. But I need the opinions of individual people more so gamers in order to have this considered as primary research. Articles are helpful for one section of my research dissertation but I need peoples own voiced opinion on the matter typed out here so I can transcript for thesis.

Thank you once again.

Torque 3D Owner Rubes
#3
07/09/2009 (12:08 pm)
Here's a suggestion: how about interviewing specific individuals associated with adventure game development, both now and in the past? There are many folks out there who would have some great perspectives on this: Dave Gilbert, Telltale Games, Tim Schafer, so on and so forth.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#4
07/09/2009 (12:33 pm)
Apologies to Nate Gertsch for forgeting to answer, (about the new questions) I have researched countless other questions focusing on emergence, ludology, adventure games and so forth but given the time scale I have (due in 7th September), I have to focus on something and I have researched this and found it to be the most measurable.

I would love to interview these game development figures but the timescale is a bit sparse as I am sure their free time is in the same state. Maybe I am overreacting I am just trying to get as many opinions as possible for analysis.

Gary Czernick
#5
07/13/2009 (7:23 pm)
Thats sad. I used too love adventure games. And hated platform and fighting games. Too this day my favorite RPG is the old, old, really old goldbox games. Sorry guys but I get more zoned out playing Secret of the Silver blades than I did Morrowind or Oblivion, wich are ok and all but I get sick of fighting the same groups of monsters over and over again, All the ruins and forts all look the same too me. And dark moody adventure games like Shadow man I liked for the atmosphere. Many like things too look true too life but I kinda liked the graphics that almost looked like they were drawn in with pencil crayon, or chalk.

Gary Czernick
#6
07/13/2009 (7:26 pm)
Mind you, umm, gauntlet style games seem too last forever in popularity. I think Sacred 2 is a gaunltet style game in my opinion. Just with added shops and your not locked in a maze.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#7
07/14/2009 (1:57 am)
@Gary Czernick - Whats sad?

@Rubes - Cheers, I am at present getting some studios to pass around the question which some specifics, thanks again it was a great suggestion.

Anybody here want to help, anymore opinions?

Torque 3D Owner Tony Richards
#8
07/14/2009 (7:37 am)
Dave Gilbert lives a couple of doors down from me... I can give him a shout and see if he's interested in doing a phone interview or something.

If you're in the NYC area, he will probably be at the IGDA's New York Meetup tomorrow.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#9
07/14/2009 (7:47 am)
Thank you Tony Richards, but i have been in contact with him already through email and he has said that he is available to answer any questions i have.

Thank you.

Torque 3D Owner Rubes
#10
07/14/2009 (8:18 am)
Cool, I'd be interested to hear the responses. Will we get a chance to read or hear them?

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#11
07/14/2009 (11:35 am)
Absolutely, i will be posting the finished paper and transcripts of any answers received to the garagegames, yoyo games, wintermute engine and adventure game studio communities.

But only if i have permission to do so, I imagine it wont be a problem.

Cheers, Sean.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#12
07/15/2009 (8:46 pm)
Just an update,

so far I have some members of Cyanide Studios submitting opinions along with some of the development team working on the second title in the witcher games series.

Any other companies want to help out?

All submissions are greatly appreciated, thank you.

Torque 3D Owner Rubes
#13
07/15/2009 (8:59 pm)
That's excellent! Nice work. Just a quick check, did you mean Cyan Studios? (The Myst folks.)

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#14
07/15/2009 (9:17 pm)
Rubes, no it is Cyanide Studios in canada and france. I originally contacted a collection of sixty units of information sources (inclusive of both individuals and studios) but I have only got back three responses offering to help so far.

At least the online forum communities are pumping out alot of interesting viewpoints that I have not thought of. Particularly here, wintermute engine forum community and the adventure game studio community. Dave Gilbert has helped out alot also.

Thanks to all so far. Any more anyone?

Torque 3D Owner Kenneth Holst
Default Studio Name
#15
07/16/2009 (1:37 am)
I will be watching with great interest, the number of sales Monkey Island Special Edition generates on the 360/PC. I suspect it will do quite well.

Adventure games are like the cockroach that will survive a nuclear blast, and I mean that with all respect. I love them and play them, and as long as people continue to make them or remake them with or without next-gen hooks like widescreen, HD, etc. I will pay for them if I can afford it.

Heck, I still fire up Zork from time to time. I also look forward to Rubes creation with anticipation :) .

It is a timeless genre IMO, that died way too soon due to the flashy 3D graphics (which are also awesome). I would like to see both happily exist side by side, kinda like the recent resurgence of 2D fighters along the 3D fighters.


Torque Owner Sean Brady
#16
07/18/2009 (5:57 am)
I will be watching that to with interest. Monkey Island may do from the nostalgic quality it has but it all depends on the quality of the game in the end.

Thanks for opinions, insightful and very much appreciated.

NOTE: The deadline for the submission of opinions that will be considered in the research paper is the 4th of August.

(All opinions will referenced appropriately to their respective owners within the research paper)

Thank you.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#17
08/05/2009 (2:33 am)
The deadline for submissions has past.

Thank you for all insightful comments.

Much appreciated.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#18
09/03/2009 (10:15 am)
Here is the completed dissertation, thank you for all contributions. Much appreciated.

www.mediafire.com/download.php?mwztoz2mmtk

;)

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#19
09/05/2009 (11:39 am)
Just to clarify, all the information presented was based upon the readings and responses received. Responses have been added to text in appendices and texts were referenced in both references section and bibliography.

Thank you.

Opinions were not used at all as that would jeopardise the strength of the research.

Torque Owner Sean Brady
#20
03/16/2010 (11:25 am)
Thank you to all the participants and contributors for this study once again.....

Just a late and final update.

The final result I received for this study and dissertation individually was 68%. Two percent away from a first. Was very delighted with it, thank you once again.

Take care.
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