Larry Vales Returns...take two.

[Simple]

Evidently I posted this in the wrong forum.  I'm a butt, what can I say.  If this is wrong again, please move it to the correct place rather than lock it.  Thank you.

Original post:
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Hey gang.  Some of you may remember me...but I'm not even sure how many of the old crew hang out here anymore.

Anyway, I created a couple of little games in the Larry Vales:  Traffic Divison series.  I promised a third, but never made it further than a demo.  There were a few reasons for this.  None of them are exciting enough to recount here.

But I recently bought a laptop PC and started poking around with the new version of AGS and, what do you know, I seem to have caught the creative bug all over again.

So I am going to create another Larry Vales game.  A third Larry Vales game, but not the promised LVIII.  It'll be more of a replacement game...entirely free standing.  It's not a series reboot because there will be no series.  There will be just one, big, complete and comprehensive game that I hope everybody will enjoy.  It'll bump Larry up to non-DOS playability, which you'll all agree is long overdue.

Only trouble:  you've seen my artistic ability.  It stunk all those years ago and it's even worse now.  So I'm looking to contract somebody to do my graphics work.  It won't be the biggest or most involved project you've ever seen, but it will be a big job, and for consistancy I have to insist that whomever signs on in that capacity sticks around until the whole thing is complete.

One thing I will do is work out exactly what I need beforehand.  By the time I give you anything, it will all be complete on my end.  This is to ensure that your work isn't wasted by my losing interest in the project, and to protect you from me getting a "better" idea for a scene after you spent time and effort drawing it.  (Oh, and you must be absolutely and totally tight-lipped about the project.  I'm serious.  If any spoilers leak out beforehand, I'll cancel the whole thing.  It's that simple.)

So, basically, another Larry Vales is on the way, if anybody would be kind enough to donate their time and talents to the graphics department.  I have plenty of ideas (reworkings of the first two games, salvaged ideas from the third, and plenty of brand new stuff as well) and can promise you, at the very least, a game with lots and lots of very well written boob jokes.

Reply here or to chickenbrutus [at] yahoo [dot] com.  I'm open to creative interpretation of my world and characters, but please provide a sample, at least, of how you intend to draw Larry.

Addendum:  somebody asked if I'd also be looking for a composer.  The answer is yes. 

[Adamski]

I think I can sum up my feelings about this with

[Pumaman]

Teh sideburns are back!! I'd do your graphics for you, if I didn't have the artistic skills of an elderly tortoise.

[TerranRich]

This is a pivotal time in AGS history. Several members are returning out of nowhere, returning to work on making games, and now Phil Reed!? This is like the anti-apocalypse, where all the good things are happening all at once.

[Andail]

Welcome back, Phil.

I think one of the strengths of Larry Vales was the naivistic, simplistic art. I hope it won't turn all professional and clean now.

[Simple]

Welcome back, Phil.

I think one of the strengths of Larry Vales was the naivistic, simplistic art. I hope it won't turn all professional and clean now.

Oh I agree...and thanks for mentioning that, so I don't feel so alone in my opinions...but what I said in my original post is true:  I'm much, much worse now.  I have no graphics programs and if I bought one there'd be such a steep learning curve that it'd be a project in itself just to learn it.

So I think the only way that the game will ever see progress is for me to farm out the visual side of things, freeing me to concentrate on the heart of the game:  the story and jokes.

Honestly I'm not expecting photorealism or anything, but I am open to experimentation.  Day of the Tentacle would be too cartoony for what I have in mind.  Police Quest 4 would be too real.  I think a simple, warm visual environment is the way to go with this...but I'm curious to see what people come up with.

[MillsJROSS]

If there isn't a promise of another trilogy after this one...I'm not sure you've sold me. But I'll replay the old ones and see what I think of this news then. I'd suggest making a skeleton of your game first and then trying to get art.

-MillsJROSS

[Simple]

If there isn't a promise of another trilogy after this one...I'm not sure you've sold me. But I'll replay the old ones and see what I think of this news then. I'd suggest making a skeleton of your game first and then trying to get art.

-MillsJROSS

I'll even do you one better than there not being a promise of another trilogy...I'm making a direct promise that there will NOT be another trilogy.  I don't have the time or patience to get bogged down in a series, and setting one up, at this point, will only lead to eventual disappointment when a certain sequel doesn't happen.

I want to concentrate on getting everything about this game right, so that it can stand on its own as one completely self-contained adventure.  And maybe I haven't sold you on that idea.  And that's okay, because it's fully possible that this isn't an approach you will enjoy.

But I think it's a lot better than making any sort of promise that I already know I can't keep.

[Esseb]

Larry Vales won't quite be the same without the charming walking animations of the originals, but I'm sure it'll be amazing all the same. I'm afraid I can't help with the art either, but welcome back, Phil.

[Kweepa]

Huzzah!
I agree that it doesn't need any visual polish over and above I and II.
I'd really like to see the artist recreate the style of the original.
Your games attracted me to AGS, so a warm welcome back!

[Dualnames]

Welcome aboard, the spaceship Advanced Greatness Shuttle, we've missed you. Everyone on board including the captain Ulysses Jones, greets you.

[Eggie]

This is good news!
And while I'm probably too horrible unreliable to do graphics work, here's some awkward looking fan-art I was inspired to do from this post:

[TerranRich]

I CAN PLAY LARRY VAELS!!!1111

[Ionias]

Awesome news, and welcome back Mr. Reed. Unfortunately I too would be most unreliable to do any artwork for you. I can’t even seem to finish my own sequels, har-har, but here is some quick versions of one of my all time favorite characters.

[Nostradamus]

Larry... Vales... Will return !!!

Rejoice brothers!!

Woo hoo!!   

I thought this day would never come... when I read this I checked my calendar to see if it's not April 1st... apparently it isn't... YES  !!!   

I also share the sentiment that a part of LV's greatness was its awkward unproffesional graphics.. but I understand what Phil is saying about not being able to do this anymore... unfortunately a 4 year old can draw better than me even with a computer... I beg the person that will do the art to stay within the original style... don't do it too good please.

Thanks Phil for returning and wanting to do another LV game !!

[kaputtnik]

I started a new version of the classical Larry Vales Theme by m0ds but sadly ran out of time, I'll have to get to work quick now! Anyway, here it is, the far-from-finished version for you to have a look at: Larry Vales, Ho-Dad!

[m0ds]

Good news! This will be teh awse! You know you always have a friend! 

Hows the movie script coming along?

[LGM]

Phil Reed?  Who let that bastard in?

[Gilbert]

Let's replace that Moustache thread with a Sideburn thread!

[Dualnames]

Phil Reed?  Who let that bastard in?

LOL