My email to LucasArts... I suggest others write similar letters (though in retrospect it probably didn't need to be this long):
You're all probably getting a lot of email right now, but please read this one. There are very valid concerns you need to address.
Hey there, guys. You've lost another fan. I'm sure this happens all the time, especially considering your business practices in the last five years or so, but I figured I'd let you know. So wow's it feel to be high up in one of the most laughable and unessential game studios working today? Do you ever wonder why people like Schafer, Gilbert, Grossman, Land, Chan, Ahern, Ackley, and others (like Jeffery recently) left? The sad thing is, you probably don't. I love how consistently over the last several years, and in particular this morning, you have managed to take a game company synonomous with innovation and unbridled creativity for most of the 90s and turn it into a completely bland and mundane third-party publisher (after all, you guys don't seem to be interested in the whole GAME DEVELOPMENT thing) who I can guarantee nobody envies. So you're just not big on good games? Is that what it is now? You saw fit to RUSH Armed and Dangerous out the door when it's obvious a Christmas release wasn't necessary, to push the completely uninspiring RTX and Wrath Unleashed into stores and then turn your back on one of the most beloved franchises you have ever owned? Great thinking. So that's what you guys call "careful evaluation of current market place realities"? What'd you do, walk down to the local Electronic Boutiques and count the number of adventures on the shelf? Pardon me if I don't really have the utmost respect for your brilliant analysts. Try listening to the press or to the fans, who, I may add, don't seem to give a shit about your other current games (hooray for Wrath...er, hooray for RTX? er...), but who were doing things like naming Sam and Max one of the best upcoming titles of 2004. Let's switch gears a bit. You know, this is entirely specific to me, but I was a LucasArts fan since 1992. I grew up with your damn company, and for the good part of the entire decade you were respected by your peers in the industry, by the media, and by your legions of fans. Sometimes I wonder why I stuck with you so long after it was obvious that your hard-earned reputation had become worthless. Well, I'm not wondering anymore because now I just don't give a shit. I mean, what do I have to look forward to? More Star Wars games? Great. That's really what I need. In case you haven't noticed, we are up to our asses in Star Wars games. I don't know which of you were around at the founding of this company (probably not many, if any), but for all his faults George Lucas established LucasFilm Games so they could create and foster original intellectual property, not just ride on the success of mediocre Star Wars game after shitty Star Wars game, while publishing some half-ass third-party titles. I don't think many people have much faith in old George anymore, but that doesn't mean you guys had to follow suit and descend into worthlessness. Well, what does it matter what I think? After all, I'm just representative of your once-loyal fanbase who you have alienated again and again, past any sane point of loyalty. Have fun making your games. I hope all this brilliant "analysis" works out for you.
Chris Remo
News Updater/Assistant Webmaster
Adventure Gamers
http://www.adventuregamers.comchris@adventuregamers.comPS. I'll sure to stop by at GDC in a few weeks and say hello. You can fill me in on how all your smartypants sales analysts are doing.
