Adventure Game Studio

AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: Dave Gilbert on Fri 01/06/2007 16:29:15

Title: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Fri 01/06/2007 16:29:15
At long last, we can finally announce our next project:

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_poster.jpg)

Coming in July/August 2007, from Wadjet Eye Games! (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com)

The year is 1971.  The sound of a lone, ethereal saxophone drifts over the Roosevelt Island promenade, while a series of accidents plague a midtown construction site.  The citizens of Manhattan take no notice of these events, let alone think they are connected.

Embittered medium Lauren Blackwell and her spirit guide Joey Mallone are the only ones who believe that there is anything strange going on, and they are the only ones who can stop an enigmatic killer from striking again… 



Screenshots:
(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen3.png)
Yet another confused, lost spirit.  What's a medium to do?

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen2.png)
Lauren's reputation procedes her.

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen4.png)
Lauren takes a smoking break.

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen5.png)
Trolling the local businesses for information.

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen6.png)
Once more, looking at photographs will provide clues.


Team:
Writer/designer/coder: Dave Gilbert (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com)
Sprites/animation/Background: Erin Robinson (The Ivy) (http://www.livelyivy.com)
Music: Thomas Regin (http://www.thomas-regin.com/)
Poster art: Dan Lee

Confirmed voice cast:
Dani Marco
Abe Goldfarb
Francisco Gonzalez
Chen-Young Hsu
Mark Smythe


Release date:
July/August 2007

Price:
$9.99

For more details on the game (like character info, concept sketches, and other goodies),  please mosey over to the Wadjet Eye Games website. (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com)
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Privateer Puddin' on Fri 01/06/2007 16:34:51
Excellent, been looking forward to news on future games since finishing The Blackwell Legacy.

Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 01/06/2007 16:47:47
Brilliant news!

Looking good, Dave, looking good. Not to start counting to august... 1st if June today...
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: on Fri 01/06/2007 16:56:25
Aw. I just love that poster. The one from BWL1 still adorns my desktop, but this one... quality stuff. The game screenshots look pretty promising, too- I'm def'nitly looking forward to this one, and I'm quite curious how the new sprites will look in action. I have to admit that I liked the first ones, well... better? But no judging before seeing them in motion.
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Fri 01/06/2007 17:20:29
Fantastic!

Wadjet Eye strikes again!  Keep up the great work my good sir!
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Erenan on Fri 01/06/2007 17:36:28
Yay! Now we have two games called Unbound to look forward to. ;D
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Hammerite on Fri 01/06/2007 17:54:11
do you even NEED a real job anymore?  ;D
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Fri 01/06/2007 19:01:10
Hammerine: This is my real job.  For now, anyway.

Erenan: Another unbound?  Eep.  Me so sorry.
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Ubel on Fri 01/06/2007 19:19:06
Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Fri 01/06/2007 19:01:10
Another unbound?  Eep.  Me so sorry.

Come on Dave, it's LimpingFish's game! Surely you should have known! :D

Anyway, this is still looking excellent!

* Pablo pats Dave on the head
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: big brother on Fri 01/06/2007 21:48:43
Now it's a race to see who can finish their game first and keep the title!
Title: Re: "Blackwell Unbound" - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Hammerite on Fri 01/06/2007 22:07:01
Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Fri 01/06/2007 19:01:10
Hammerine: This is my real job.  For now, anyway.


Kudos to you!
A true AGS entrepeneur!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Fri 01/06/2007 23:23:39
Wheeeeeeeeeeee!

I say, is the main character focus shift (from Rosa to Lauren) due to you not working with Sandy at the mo? Or did I get it the wrong way around, and you're not working with her because Rosa hasn't been born yet?

Do I detect a tiny graphical change from Legacy? Same style, but are they the same artists? I should start reading the credits sometimes, then I wouldn't ask these questions...

Also: WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: LimpingFish on Fri 01/06/2007 23:38:31
Quote from: big brother on Fri 01/06/2007 21:48:43
Now it's a race to see who can finish their game first and keep the title!

Uh-oh.

Of course if Dave is willing to buy me off, I'll be only too happy to drop out of the race.

Edit: Oh, and great looking work, Dave. :)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Sam. on Sat 02/06/2007 00:03:20
If this game proves anything, it is that smoking is cool

*lights up


Really looking good dave, a nice tideover until the next one, although this looks to be much mroe than the tideover which you describe it as!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Sat 02/06/2007 00:13:21
Looking great Dave ;D.

Whats up with the team change? :-/
Old team members to busy?
Or do you just want to try something new? :).
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sat 02/06/2007 01:27:38
Quote from: Peder Johnsen on Sat 02/06/2007 00:13:21
Whats up with the team change? :-/
Old team members to busy?
Or do you just want to try something new? :).

There's a "real" sequel in production, called Blackwell Convergence, but since it won't be released for a while I thought it would be nice to release something to tide people over.  I had the plot for Unbound designed awhile ago, so I decided to work on that too.

It's slightly smaller and simpler in style in order to facilitate it being released sooner (albeit with a slight change in price to reflect that).  I started another team (i.e. Ivy) working on this while the main team works on the other game.

Rui: Yes, Sande won't be voice acting in this game because Rosa isn't in it. :-D 
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sat 02/06/2007 01:31:43
Ivy's skills are really progressing and it shows, particularly with the backgrounds.  I also dig the title screen.  Good luck with this!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Vince Twelve on Sat 02/06/2007 02:04:04
Well done Dave and Ivy!!!  It's looking really nice!  Oh, and Dan Lee: woo!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Sat 02/06/2007 12:42:13
Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Sat 02/06/2007 01:27:38
There's a "real" sequel in production, called Blackwell Convergence, but since it won't be released for a while I thought it would be nice to release something to tide people over.  I had the plot for Unbound designed awhile ago, so I decided to work on that too.

It's slightly smaller and simpler in style in order to facilitate it being released sooner (albeit with a slight change in price to reflect that).  I started another team (i.e. Ivy) working on this while the main team works on the other game.

Ok! :).

That explains it ;D.
It might be simpler but its still pretty awesome ;D.

Good luck with both games!
Looking forward to their releases :).
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Nacho on Sat 02/06/2007 13:59:08
Looking very good, Dave. Knowing your "savoir faire", this game is going to be really interesting.

About Ivy' s work... Wow! I saw previous work of her, and I knew it was good. But this is very very good. :D Congrats for your work.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: The Ivy on Sat 02/06/2007 15:27:28
Wow, lots of replies! Being part of team Gilbert is awesome. :D

Thanks very much Nacho, ProgZ, Vince, Peder, and everyone else who likes the 'new' Blackwell style. The support is wonderful to hear; this is certainly the most ambitious project I've been involved with. I've been working pretty hard to get the sprites and backgrounds looking consistent with 'Legacy' (with some help from ProgZ :)). The hardest part was abandoning big brother's amazing sprite palettes and trying to find new ones that worked.

Anyways, back to spriting for now. I'm looking forward to this game as much as anyone. :)

Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Candle on Sat 02/06/2007 19:02:18
Wow looks great Dave, nice job.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: SinSin on Mon 04/06/2007 14:31:16
Looking good, I enjoyed the first game demo got well into it (but never bought it  didnt have time )

Nice team line up Dave Hope everything goes fantastically

Sin
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: vertigoaddict on Mon 04/06/2007 16:30:36
I can't wait for the demo, usually I don't like to download demos...but games written by Mr.David Gilbert are sooo worth it!


The graphics look more cartoony in this one, but that doesn't mean it's not great! ^_^ I guess I liked the 1st one better because it had, for lack of a better word, a more 'mature' look.


Tell you the truth, I'm really interestd in how the music will sound like. Perhaps it's sound like the music in 'the bestowers of eternity'? Well I'll just have to wait and hear! OwO
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: on Mon 04/06/2007 17:36:08
Looks really nice! :)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Mon 04/06/2007 17:41:04
Thanks for the feedback, everyone!  I'm having great fun making this game and working with Ivy's been a blast. 

vertigoaddict: Go to the wadjet eye site, go to the Unbound section, then check under "downloads" to listen to a sample of the music.  It might not be used in the game, but it's a good example of the style.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: thomasregin on Mon 04/06/2007 17:56:04
Quote from: vertigoaddict on Mon 04/06/2007 16:30:36
Tell you the truth, I'm really interestd in how the music will sound like. Perhaps it's sound like the music in 'the bestowers of eternity'? Well I'll just have to wait and hear! OwO

Well, maybe I can shed a bit of light on how the music's gonna sound like!

Although the style hasn't been defined 100% yet, I'll probably do a mixture of orchestral suspense tracks and 70's like jazz-ballads with a touch of evil!..  ;D

But I don't want to reveal too much yet! All I can say is that I'm honoured and proud that Dave chose me to work on this game. I enjoyed the music from his previous games a lot and I know that it's going to be tough to compete with that. I just hope that I can bring something new and maybe a bit different to the music side of this game.

All the best,

Tom.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Mon 04/06/2007 18:29:38
Thomas!  Didn't know you were an AGS member.  Hi there. :p
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: GarageGothic on Mon 04/06/2007 18:45:26
Looks and sounds excellent, Dave. I'm a bit surprised by the cheerful graphics (almost reminds me of Two of a Kind) considering what we know about aunt Lauren's fate. But I understand the need for working with multiple artists, and I'm sure the story will be as spooky as ever.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: xelanoimis on Thu 07/06/2007 13:48:56
I love the looks of it. It's amazing!
I hope I'll find time to play it one day :)
Keep on the good work, Dave!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Vel on Thu 07/06/2007 14:01:57
That looks and sounds great, Dave!
Hopefully this time you'll list Bulgaria after Burundi. ¬_¬
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: CosmoQueen on Mon 11/06/2007 02:44:32
*dies, wakes up, then dies again* I so gotta get my cd-rom fixed so that I can buy this! It looks amazing Dave! ;D
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: ShadeJackrabbit on Sat 23/06/2007 21:30:28
Oooh... looks like it will be good!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: i k a r i on Mon 25/06/2007 23:15:06
So this is auntie Laurie?, will we get to see the part when everything "changed" for her?  :o, I hope the puzzles are as good as the ones from BL 1. Good luck with this.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Rui 'Trovatore' Pires on Mon 02/07/2007 11:08:23
I'll have you know, Mister Gilbert, that you got me dreaming of Blackwell Unbound last night. Now, I don't know what kind of mind-altering drug you used on me, or even how you got it to me all the way across the atlantic ocean, but what I saw was rather extraordinary, and unless the final product is as good as I dreamed I shall boycott you to the end of my days.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Coming soon from Wadjet Eye Games
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Tue 10/07/2007 17:48:07
Haha.  I'll do my best, Rui.

In case anyone cares, the website's been updated with more character bios (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/unbound.htm?page=characters), as well as some cast information.  Our very own Grundislav is lending his voice to a Wadjet game for the third time.  An actress named Dani Marco is slotted to voice Lauren, and Abe Goldfarb is returning once more to voice Joey. You can read about them on the cast page. (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/unbound.htm?page=cast)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Snarky on Tue 10/07/2007 20:28:20
I love the ability to play six degrees of Kevin Bacon with AGSers:

MrColossal was in Ben Jordan 1 Deluxe with Dave Gilbert
Dave Gilbert was in The Blackwell Legacy with Grundislav
Grundislav will be in Blackwell Unbound with Dani Marco
Dani Marco was in I Think I Love My Wife with Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Disco on Tue 10/07/2007 22:06:29
Quote from: Snarky on Tue 10/07/2007 20:28:20
I love the ability to play six degrees of Kevin Bacon with AGSers:

MrColossal was in Ben Jordan 1 Deluxe with Dave Gilbert
Dave Gilbert was in The Blackwell Legacy with Grundislav
Grundislav will be in Blackwell Unbound with Dani Marco
Dani Marco was in I Think I Love My Wife with Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

I love you Snarky ^_^

It has been a lifetime goal of mine to get within those six degrees, and now at the age of 25 and without even realising it I am within four degrees :D Real thanks are to Grundislav for casting me in BJ Deluxe. I'm glad I learned to stop questioning your judgment  and just go with it now :P

Unboundwise, August is looking like an exciting month.  Based on the premise, I can hardly wait to buy the soundtrack even.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Stupot on Wed 11/07/2007 11:56:16
For some reason I read "Cast announced" as "Cancelled".
I almost choked on my coffee... but luckily I wasn't drinking coffee so I'm OK.
Good luck with the latest project... I haven't played the first yet, one but when "unbound" is released I might buy them together.... or shall I wait until the third one is made and buy the trilogy box-set... hehe.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Nlogax on Wed 11/07/2007 13:19:51
Yeah, just want to add my voice to the chorus of approval. Looks good.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Stupot on Fri 13/07/2007 18:07:20
Just played the demo of the first one (well, not much "playing" involved but as introductions go this one was up there).

It blew my mind.  Reading the letters sent a chill down my spine and a tear to my eye.  I'll definitely be purchasing both games as soon as I have some disposable income.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sun 22/07/2007 21:01:29
(http://www.davelgil.com/boe/conv/powee.gif)

Little animation sample for you, courtesy of Ivy.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: Ozzie on Sun 22/07/2007 23:43:22
Great! I'm sold already!!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Cast announced!
Post by: dunnoson on Mon 23/07/2007 06:54:08
THis is an interesting game.  The only downside is that you need to pay about $10 to access it.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - Voiceover speech previews
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Thu 26/07/2007 23:58:29
I had a few recording sessions this week, and you can listen to some samples on the Wadjet Eye forum (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/forum/index.php?board=6.0).  The samples include Dani as Lauren, Chen as Mavis, and our own Grundislav as Dwayne. :)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - more screenshots!
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sun 29/07/2007 23:22:19
Some screenshots for your perusal!

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen4.png)
Lauren takes a smoking break.

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen5.png)
Trolling the local businesses for information.

(http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/mayoco/project/media/BU_screen6.png)
Once more, looking at photographs will provide clues.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - more screenshots!
Post by: Vince Twelve on Mon 30/07/2007 04:02:15
Hot!  Really looking forward to this, Dave!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - more screenshots!
Post by: Vel on Wed 01/08/2007 17:16:26
Check out the  AGS Ezine (http://agsezine.wordpress.com/2007/08/01/blackwell-unbound-preview/) for an exclusive preview of the game, all info and the screenshot courtesy of Dave.
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sat 11/08/2007 00:36:57
Hey gang.  I'll spare you guys the marketing spiel.  In a nutshell, I've put the game up for pre-order and created some deals/incentives to go along with it. :)

Pre-order now and you'll get a free digital download of The Blackwell Legacy soundtrack, and for CD-ROM orders you'll get free shipping (to anywhere!).  This offer obviously expires when the game goes on sale, which is estimated to be August 31st.  For more details, check out the Wadjet Eye Games store. (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/store)

A demo will be out soon.

-Dave
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Sat 11/08/2007 00:59:24
I have ordered mine!  Can't wait to play it!!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: Nikolas on Sat 11/08/2007 01:01:18
I just ordered my CD as well!

now I have 2 copies of the Legacy Soundtrack ;)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: blueskirt on Sat 11/08/2007 04:57:12
I've just pre-ordered here too.

Quotenow I have 2 copies of the Legacy Soundtrack ;)

It was the reason why I did not pre-order the CD, I prefer to wait until the Unbound CD include the Unbound soundtrack, not the Legacy soundtrack. But I'm begining to think that I simply misunderstood and the Unbound soundtrack is included with the Unbound CD. :-\
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Sat 11/08/2007 10:27:45
Yeah, the pre-order of the Unbound CD-ROM gives you access to the downloadable Legacy soundtrack.  The Unbound CD package comes with the Unbound soundtrack.

Sorry for the confusion! :)

-Dave
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - special pre-order deal!
Post by: Peder 🚀 on Tue 14/08/2007 19:16:56
Yay!

I pre-ordered mine the other day and cant wait till I recieve it ;D.
And I glad I never brought the first game or any of my other games with me over to Wales since my valuable stuff got stolen :-\.

Looking forward to the game Dave!
The screenshots looks awesome!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Thu 23/08/2007 17:43:07
Howdy folks!  Another fanart contest is in the works. So if you want to try to win a free game, send me a picture!  More details on the Wadjet Eye Site (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com).
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: Afflict on Mon 27/08/2007 05:09:36
The game is looking awesome, I like the team it's going to be awesome!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: The Ivy on Mon 27/08/2007 20:01:30
Quote from: Dave Gilbert on Thu 23/08/2007 17:43:07
Howdy folks!  Another fanart contest is in the works. So if you want to try to win a free game, send me a picture!  More details on the Wadjet Eye Site (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com).

I can totally enter this, right? ;)
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: Bai Karl on Tue 28/08/2007 11:38:36
Great graphics! Good work!
Title: Re: Blackwell Unbound - WIN A FREE COPY
Post by: Dave Gilbert on Fri 31/08/2007 17:26:45
from the wadjet eye blog:

Quote
Well, we tried.

I had estimated that we'd complete the game by August 31st, and we
weren't far off the mark. We have successfully tested Blackwell
Unbound, but it cannot be released due to technical difficulties
beyond our control.

My hands are tied and all I can do is wait for a third party to fix
what needs to be fixed. Rest assured that as soon as this problem is
sorted, the game will be released. It's a holiday weekend here in the
US (Labor Day), so it might take a few days or it might take a few
hours. At the latest, I'm estimating Tuesday the 4th.

A few days isn't much of a delay, true, but I know that a number of
you were hoping to play the game today and I apologize for that. In
the interim, the fanart contest and the pre-order deals are still on.