Articles

BEND OVER AND PASS THE VASOLINE – ADVENTURE COMMUNITY SCREWED AGAIN

What is Ubi Soft thinking?

In the August 9th issue of Time Magazine a wonderful article about Myst IV was tainted by Gamespot executive editor Greg Kasavin who said, "Myst is no longer relevant to gamers as it used to be, it represents an antiquated style of gaming."

But now that UbiSoft has thrown a bushel of money at Gamespot, they are more than happy to host the exclusive, international demo of Myst IV.

Could someone explain UbiSoft’s marketing strategy? Instead of taking the effort necessary to market to their true demographics - which would involve some innovative new marketing techniques - they’re content to continually reward the magazines and websites that continually slag their adventure games.

ANOTHER MYSTED OPPORTUNITY

Speaking of UbiSoft, has anyone seen even one whit of marketing – other than a press release - for their Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Earring game that is scheduled for a late September release?

In the meantime Digital Jesters – the U.K. publisher for the Sherlock game - has banners across adventure sites on the Internet, they are sponsoring giveaways on Just Adventure and elsewhere, offering screenshots, interview opportunities and even a free movie dvd with game purchase.

If you really want to support those who are supporting the adventure community, then order Silver Earring from Digital Jesters. Sure it will cost a little extra for shipping to North America, but which publisher would you rather support?

WHY ADVENTURE GAMES SUCK

Wait a minute! I didn’t say it, but Ron Gilbert, of Monkey Island fame (and the even more excellent Humongous children’s adventure games) did and you can read all about it in his blog.

The article - even though it is 15 years old – makes some valid points, but why is it that the talented people (like Gilbert & Tim Schafer) who aren’t making adventure games anymore are always the first ones to claim they suck? You never read about any ex-Sierra employees deriding the genre. But given recent events, it’s easy to understand why so many ex-LucasFarts employees are so grumpy. Oh, oh - now I did it, the fanboys will be ripping me a new one – gotta hide…

WHAT’S IN A NAME? APPEARANTLY NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE

This past April, The Adventure Company released Crystal Key 2 to less than stellar reviews. So what do you do when your newest title is not selling – why rename it of course!

So if you are scanning the shelves at your local game store and see a game called The Far Realm, it’s actually Crystal Key 2 renamed.

But wait! It gets even better. If you’re in Europe and you spot a game titled Evany – Key to a Distant Land, it’s actually – all together now – Crystal Key 2.

And if you’re in Cuba and spot a game titled Key to Freedom, it’s actually….okay, I just made up that last one, but how would you know unless I told you?

DOOM 3 – ANTIQUATED FPS GAMING

I played Doom 3 with my son last night.

Is this what the industry considers to be innovation? Sure the game is fun, but this is the same FPS crap they’ve been regurgitating for the last ten years! All you do is run around and kill monsters. The plot is nonexistent and the few characters have as much depth as Jessica Simpson. Sure the graphics are more realistic, the blood bloodier and you can even **gasp** see texture in character’s faces.

Whoopdy doo.

Bottom line – all you do is pick up health packs and ammo, find new weapons and kill monsters. Much like an adventure game where all you do is pick up inventory items, speak to other characters and solve puzzles. At their core, both genres have remained true to their roots.

And twitch jockeys like Greg Kasavin have the audacity to claim that adventure gaming is ‘an antiquated style of gaming.‘

THEY PROBABLY THINK TORTURING PRISONERS IS HILARIOUS

An honest-to-gosh true game advertisement for publisher Hip Games CT Special Forces 2: Back in the Trenches:

“The threat of terrorism is greater than ever before. Intelligence agencies are reporting an increase in terrorist activity across the globe. CT Special Forces are once again being summoned to protect democracies the world over.

Be prepared for hours of fun!”

Yeah, I can’t think of anything that’s more ‘fun’ than watching terrorists fly airplanes into towers, slaughter innocent civilians and car bomb mosques.

HELP JA SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Newly wed JA reviewer Scott Jelenik is currently proudly serving his country by pulling duty in Afghanistan. As the following email illustrates, our men would appreciate some diversions to alleviate the stress. So if you have any PS2 or PC games you no longer play and would care to donate, please contact me at for details so we can send a care package to Scott’s troop in Afghanistan and maybe make their stay a little easier:

Hey Randy

I don't know if you know what happened to me, I can't remember the last time I wrote. I got deployed to Afghanistan. I now work in middle of the desert with little contact to any real civilization. I wish I had more time to myself and to get things done, and keep in touch with people I should keep in touch with.

I have not lost interest in JA. The other day I saw a JA review on a gamebox out here, so you are even out here, where there is no civilization. Comforting thought, huh.

I hope things are going well. I want to review again someday, hopefully you will still have me when I get back to the states. I have my PS2 out here, but the game selection is terrible, and I only have about an hour a night to play around, if I am lucky. I am playing Nights of the Templar, probably an illegal copy of the game, it was sold on PAL at a Haji Market. Its mindless violence, but that’s what is called for after a long day doing what I do.

Keep safe and well back in the states.

** SCOTT **

RED HERRINGS

Who is Just Adventure? Unlike the coveted 15-25 year old male demographic that comprises the staff of most gaming websites and magazines, we are of all ages and races from across the world and truly represent the wonderful diversity of the adventure community.

JA is Scott Jelenik and Dawn Johnson both proudly serving their country.

JA is wonderful reviewers like James Saighman, Robert Washburne, Ugur Sener, Michael Chourdakis and Michal Necasak.

JA is professional singer Jennifer Miller, pilot Tally-Ho, author Jeff Strand, photographer Ray Ivey and cartoonist Steve Ince.

JA is Vicky (Crash) Indrawan of Indonesia, Arjan Speelman of The Netherlands, Agustin Cordes and Ricardo Pautassi of Argentina and Alexander Tait of Australia.

JA is Dimitris Manos and The Inventory, the Internet’s only adventure magazine.

JA is webmaster Valerie Davis and her new Greek hubby Aya.

JA is college students Audrey Wells and Matthew Desmond and high school student Ryan Casey.

JA is Bob Freese, Harriet Gurganus and Karla Munger – all of whom are curiously the same age – 39.

And JA is all of you, thank you for reading and visiting our site.