Emerald City Commentary

Dave Gilbert · Sat 20/08/2011 00:50:02

A bit inspired by Grundislav, I decided to do my own "play my game and talk about it" series. I chose Emerald City Confidential as the game to do, since I probably have the most to say about it. I'm not able to do it live, but I've posted the first episode to YouTube.

Link Here!

In this episode, I talk about how hard it was for players to pick up a crowbar, why dialog windows are terrifying (to some), and the genesis of those quest gems.

Anyway, lemme know if you enjoy it. I'll probably do more.

Eggie · Sat 20/08/2011 00:58:17

Super interesting stuff! Especially the stuff about 'giving Petra the crowbar', up until now I always thought the tutorialness of the first bit was a little too much... I guess not for most people.

Tabata · Sat 20/08/2011 01:36:05

I like this kind of let's play - very interesting to hear your thoughts about the game. Also about some of those sidestories of the characters and about the creating process, so hopefully you will decide to do more!

Baron · Sat 20/08/2011 04:24:39

I'm really liking this trend of AGSers Lets Playing their own stuff. It gives you the inside rationale on why a project evolved the way it did. Keep it up!

Dave Gilbert · Sat 20/08/2011 13:20:30

I'm glad you all enjoyed it! I'll probably be uploading them daily. Here's part two:

CLICKY

Armageddon · Sat 20/08/2011 20:33:15

Some really great stuff, can't wait for the next episode. Your voice is nice too.

Anian · Sat 20/08/2011 21:24:55

I really don't think I would have the patience to adapt a game to "casual" gamers, so hats off to you. Plus nice design process.

hedgefield · Sun 21/08/2011 18:01:41

Like I already said on Youtube, really great stuff. It's fascinating to get some insights into the minds of casual adventure gamers. And it's funny how much thought processes I recognize from the time I was involved in making a casual adventure game for a museum.
It started out more on the hardcore side of the spectrum, but after testing we went more and more in your direction, adding a notebook with hints and very BIG and CLEAR goal popups. One thing we avoided entirely from the start was dialogues of any sort. There were cutscenes, but nothing interactive in the talking department, and by the looks of it that saved us a lot of headaches

Please continue!

Dave Gilbert · Mon 22/08/2011 23:51:51

Part three is up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UM3UZA1hk

WHAM · Tue 23/08/2011 09:47:15

Love the idea! It's great to get to hear what the developer of the game had in mind when creating the game.
Would you mind if I stole your idea? I might want to do a similiar video of my first game at some point.

Dave Gilbert · Tue 23/08/2011 14:35:41

Quote from: WHAM on Tue 23/08/2011 09:47:15
Would you mind if I stole your idea? I might want to do a similiar video of my first game at some point.

It's hardly an original idea, so go right ahead.

Derrick Freeland · Tue 23/08/2011 22:17:09

@ WHAM

YES PLEASE

These kinds of videos are awesome. I think any AGSer that has some work to show and would like to talk about it should put one of these together.

Dave Gilbert · Tue 23/08/2011 22:52:01

Part 4:

http://youtu.be/4pqVXAnBw_Y

There's a moment in the game that all the critics hated. Here, I apologize for it and make an attempt to defend it.

Baron · Wed 24/08/2011 02:36:42

Dammit Dave! I can't get any work done on my game with you publishing these things every day! Off to watch episode 4.....

Dave Gilbert · Thu 25/08/2011 16:05:30

Happy to help, Baron! Here's part five: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq3iBb9lhk0

Dualnames · Thu 25/08/2011 16:22:08

I have to say, those are great, I'd like one point if of course you could ever, get the time to do a live commentary, and answer questions live, but those are definitely great so far. Very interesting.

Keep them going!

AJA · Fri 26/08/2011 00:34:57

It must've been something like decades ago when I played the hour-long demo. Back then I don't think I had even seen the film Wizard of Oz, probably most Finns haven't since it's not really that big a deal over here. However, I knew the gist of it and found the game very interesting. But I didn't buy it. Can't remember why. It wasn't because of the constant popups, that much I know, I got quite used to them during the hour. Maybe it was because you had to buy it through Playfirst. Anyway...

These commentary videos reminded me how enjoyable the style and atmosphere of the game had been when I played the demo, so I decided to buy the full game, finally. I finished it just a couple of minutes ago and loved it all the way through! We definitely need more noirish adventure games.

Thanks, Dave, for the great game and these wonderful commentary videos! I'm gonna go back to lurking now and wait for your next game.

Dave Gilbert · Fri 26/08/2011 22:25:26

Where'd you buy it from this time, AJA? Steam or somewhere else?

Anyway, episode six is up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKvHhACL2VI

WHAM · Fri 26/08/2011 22:48:39

Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Fri 26/08/2011 22:25:26
Anyway, episode six is up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKvHhACL2VI

I was supposed to sleep!

AJA · Fri 26/08/2011 22:52:39

Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Fri 26/08/2011 22:25:26
Where'd you buy it from this time, AJA? Steam or somewhere else?

Playfirst.

I know, I suck.