RIP Slasher

Mandle · Sat 12/08/2023 16:58:26

RIP Slasher.

It has just been recently confirmed that Slasher is no longer with us. He passed away from a heart attack last year.

The man was a pillar of this community and a great and unique friend to many of us.

I created this thread separate to the thread that was looking into his sudden disappearance as a place where people could be more aware of his passing and add their comments if they hadn't known.

Have at it, and also be aware that the man himself wouldn't want this to be a solemn place, and for people to have a bit of fun with it all, and I'll start it off by saying:

Slasher, your grammar and spelling were atrocious, and I just had to contact you and ask if I could correct the whole mess, which led us down a years-long journey where I copy edited your games. When I finally had to leave that position, as I was becoming responsible for paid jobs doing the same thing, I was scared that you might be upset, but all you said was, "Go for it, mate! I understand. Go make a million dollars!"

Well, I didn't make a million dollars, but I never forgot how gracious you were.

Okay, goodbye, you cunt. Great to have known you.

Laura Hunt · Sat 12/08/2023 18:00:16

I would lie if I said Slasher and I got along. In fact, we butted heads quite strongly a couple of times.

And yet, in my very very very early days as an AGS newbie, he showed me a silly trick that I still use to this day. So no matter what, there's a tiny part of him in all my games.

Rest in peace, you goddamned boomer.

CaptainD · Sat 12/08/2023 20:19:24

I've known Les since about 2010, when I first worked with him on a game. Since then he had an incredible output of games, not only in quantity but in terms of game style - he would give anything a try in AGS. Game creation was as Mandle alluded to previously a way for him to battle back from having a stroke, but I don't think he realised what a big part of his life it would become. Almost every game could be instantly linked to a strong inspiration but among all the smaller games, he occasionally took on quite big and ambitious projects. I had the pleasure of helping him with a number of games, sometimes as a tester, voice actor or designer. He was always full of ideas and didn't have any delusions of grandeur - he just found great delight in making games.

He was fond of a conspiracy theory (I was never quite sure how seriously he took them) but the concept gave rise to what was I think supposed to be his magnum opus - Maelstrom Obscura. When he started making it, he did mention to me that he expected it to be his final game because his health was deteriorating. Sadly the Kickstarter wasn't successful and, although he was going to do a second campaign, I guess failing health just caught up with him. and it never happened.

A worthy Lifetime Achievement winner, Les will be remembered not to one brilliant game but for a huge number of games, which gradually showcased his growing confidence with AGS, and as an important member of the AGS community. He began by asking a million questions, but gradually became someone who often offered advice and encouragement to newer members. The forums won't be the same without him.

Ponch · Sat 12/08/2023 22:12:55

RIP, dude.

Stupot · Sat 12/08/2023 22:23:44

There was a stretch of time where Slasher was almost single-handedly keeping MAGS afloat. I'd have to go back and check the numbers but he may well be the person who won the most contests, purely by being the only entrant so many times. And yet right up to the end he insisted on calling it MAG.

He kept his graphics fairly simple but no two of his games looked or played the same and many of them were genuine fun.

I propose we, as a community, decide on our favourite 10 or so Slasher (barefoot/steptoe) games and put together a little bundle that could be featured prominently for a while.

Rest in peace, Les.

DBoyWheeler · Sun 13/08/2023 00:48:51

Crap! Another great lost.

AndreasBlack · Sun 13/08/2023 02:08:20

I must say i'm in

Like i've said he was one of the first to help me out when i knew nothing. Kinda sucks he doesn't get to witness the masterpiece i'm working on! My demo game that he wasn't impressed with he said something like "Well, that's a fairly basic puzzle" i actually laughed! I love honest people, most don't, but i do! It's refreshing. But i'm taking it places now. Re-mastered no longer 16 colors, lots of custom animations, etc. I'm sure he's looking down and thinking. You're insane! The massive amounts of questions i had in the beginnings. I remember him saying something like "Well...that was a mouthful"

Only today i've probably recorded 70 voiceclips, cut & pasted together takes to get one good full voiceclip and ai:ed them with a friend's voice, since i'm another character in the game! This is just one of the first rooms of the game and i'm already up at 93 voices for his character!

Hope you'll like it wherever you are Slasher! You will definately be in the credits in the future! R.I.P

Danvzare · Sun 13/08/2023 12:10:33

I've already said my part in the other thread, so I'll refrain from repeating myself here.
Instead I'll share another story. I'll never forgot when I helped someone else add some voice acting to their game "10 Ways to Sunday" and it got nominated for best voice work... because Slasher also did some voice acting for it.

So whenever I see that little silver icon beneath my avatar, I'm always reminded of him. I've never made a game worthy of being nominated, but thanks to him it looks like I have.

Creamy · Sun 13/08/2023 18:21:24

Farewell, man of a thousand games.

Tabata · Sun 13/08/2023 18:31:07

So sad to see someone else left that way

RIP Slasher

Pax Animo · Sun 13/08/2023 21:17:45

I enjoyed his quirky games.

RIP fella.

CrashPL · Mon 14/08/2023 13:36:36

It's always gut-wrenching to see this kind of outcome when folks try to contact someone who suddenly went quiet...

I can't say I really knew Les, as we never talked, but man -- I always admired his energy and motivation to work on so many games despite his age or health problems. As somebody already mentioned - MAGS will definitely feel different without his quirky little games.

Another great loss to the AGS community. Rest in peace, Les.

Sinitrena · Mon 14/08/2023 14:15:48

I guess in a way it was expected when he wasn't around for so long after being so active before.

I can't say I knew Slasher well. I played a couple of his games, and enjoyed them overall. There are still so many left to try, but it would have been nice to get a couple hundred more from Slasher. He was so full of ideas, he brought so many stories to the screen.

RIP Slasher. You'll be missed.

Cassiebsg · Mon 14/08/2023 20:24:34

We colab in a few games where I did graphics for his game... but boy did he annoyed me sometimes by requesting hard to do BGs (making me do more work on a BG that I couldn't see how it would possible look better) and then end up using a grab from an online reference pic in game.... or using an unfinished BG when I specifically told him I wasn't finished, and just wanted some feedback to improve it... or picking a sprite and distorting it to fit his "size" (instead of asking me to rendered it again at a bigger size)... but I'll still miss him and his horde of games.

And I'll start by nominating Deadly consequences to the "10 slasher favorite pack".

Was the first game I played of his and I really enjoyed and it's puzzles.

Cheers, and continue game making in the great beyond!

RIP

cat · Mon 14/08/2023 20:33:28

Slasher was certainly one of the most prolific game developers in this forum. When he started to enter MAGS, he became even more productive and made so many games in his very own style. Sure, they were not the prettiest ones and his GUIs were often insane, but one thing they had in common: They were always fun to play.

We were both part of a team for a MAGS game, and it was great working with him. He was creative, coming up with ideas and always positive.

It's sad to think that I won't be playing any Slasher games for next year's MAGGIES voting.

RIP Slasher

bicilotti · Mon 14/08/2023 21:31:28

I did not know Slasher very well. The sheer amount of games listed in his profile — eighty-seven! — and the kind words in this thread show how he valued the community and the commuinity valued him back.

DBoyWheeler · Mon 14/08/2023 23:43:36

Quote from: bicilotti on Mon 14/08/2023 21:31:28I did not know Slasher very well. The sheer amount of games listed in his profile — eighty-seven! — and the kind words in this thread show how he valued the community and the commuinity valued him back.

87 games?!

Dang!

This makes his passing even more devastating. To think how much more he could've accomplished, had he had more time in this world...

Creamy · Mon 14/08/2023 23:54:47

Quote from: CassiebsgWe colab in a few games where I did graphics for his game... but boy did he annoyed me sometimes by requesting hard to do BGs (making me do more work on a BG that I couldn't see how it would possible look better) and then end up using a grab from an online reference pic in game.... or using an unfinished BG when I specifically told him I wasn't finished, and just wanted some feedback to improve it... or picking a sprite and distorting it to fit his "size" (instead of asking me to rendered it again at a bigger size)... but I'll still miss him and his horde of games.

I was under the impression that he never came back to his MAGS games after the month was over.
I sometimes wished he would skip some competitions to polish his most promising ideas, but everyone does as they like.

Dr. Chuckles' miniature world of madness is one of my favorites from Slasher.

Mandle · Tue 15/08/2023 00:03:48

Quote from: Cassiebsg on Mon 14/08/2023 20:24:34We colab in a few games where I did graphics for his game... but boy did he annoyed me sometimes by requesting hard to do BGs (making me do more work on a BG that I couldn't see how it would possible look better) and then end up using a grab from an online reference pic in game.... or using an unfinished BG when I specifically told him I wasn't finished, and just wanted some feedback to improve it... or picking a sprite and distorting it to fit his "size" (instead of asking me to rendered it again at a bigger size)... but I'll still miss him and his horde of games.

HAHAHA! Yup, that's Les all right! The same kind of stuff happened during my copy editing of his game texts. He would sometimes just rewrite pieces of text I had already corrected and signed off on without running them by me again. And those monstrosities would show up in the released games that had my name on them as copy editor, making it look like I had overlooked them.

However, it was that slap-dash "meh-good-enough" attitude of his that made him able to get so many projects finished instead of tweaking stuff for ages, or forever, like a lot of us have done. Kinda the Roger Corman (and sometimes the Ed Wood) of AGS in many ways. I think he either assumed others had similar attitudes about their efforts, or he just didn't care. He did have a very "take me or leave me" outlook, the old bugger.

I nominate "Condemned" for the potential Slasher 10-Pack.

The one with the death-row prisoners fighting to the death on the island. That's the game of his I worked on that I thought was the most complete story-wise, still great wacky fun, and still represented his style while being quite beautiful at times.

eri0o · Tue 15/08/2023 04:24:12

I really liked Food Wars, it starts really calm and then gets more intense - in the theme of nominating favorite games. We probably need to archive these games...

I always felt slasher games had heart - some terrible graphical choices at times, the non-adventure stuff could be very confusing, but games that didn't take themselves seriously, and that were finished and playable, and that often could make you smile.

lorenzo · Tue 15/08/2023 11:20:36

I'm so saddened by Les's passing. He was such a nice guy and a legend here. I always enjoyed his quirky games and his sense of humour.

I worked together with Les on his big game, Maelstrom Obscura, and I wish he had managed to finish it, since it was very ambitious. He also helped me test some of my games, which was especially nice since I could write him during game jams and he would be ready to try them the next day, and the new versions as soon as I had them. Plus, he always had ideas on how to make the games better.

Quote from: Cassiebsg on Mon 14/08/2023 20:24:34We colab in a few games where I did graphics for his game... but boy did he annoyed me sometimes by requesting hard to do BGs (making me do more work on a BG that I couldn't see how it would possible look better) and then end up using a grab from an online reference pic in game.... or using an unfinished BG when I specifically told him I wasn't finished, and just wanted some feedback to improve it... or picking a sprite and distorting it to fit his "size" (instead of asking me to rendered it again at a bigger size)... but I'll still miss him and his horde of games.

Quote from: Mandle on Tue 15/08/2023 00:03:48HAHAHA! Yup, that's Les all right! The same kind of stuff happened during my copy editing of his game texts. He would sometimes just rewrite pieces of text I had already corrected and signed off on without running them by me again. And those monstrosities would show up in the released games that had my name on them as copy editor, making it look like I had overlooked them.

It's funny how I had a similar experience with him, where he added stuff to my backgrounds that clashed quite a lot with the original images. I think he was just used to working alone, fixing problems by himself, and he didn't want to bother me with adding changes. But one email exchange clarified things and didn't create any issues between us. It was just easy to get along with him and when there was something wrong, you could just tell him and there were no hard feelings.

Quote from: Mandle on Sat 12/08/2023 16:58:26Slasher, your grammar and spelling were atrocious, and I just had to contact you and ask if I could correct the whole mess, which led us down a years-long journey where I copy edited your games.

Funnily enough, I remember when I was making my jam game Bartolomeo, I sent him a first very rough version of the game. I wrote it so quickly because I was afraid of not making the deadline, and it was full of typos and badly written sentences.
Les pointed out so many of them and helped me improve the game so much, that I had to add him to the credits for proofreading, which I always found a bit funny since his spelling was usually terrible

But I guess he couldn't be bothered to write better in his games and communication.

It was the same with his games: he just wanted to get them done, no matter the bad graphics or lack of polish. And there was such a rough honesty to them that you couldn't help but smile when playing.

--

Thank you very much to all who took their time to find out what happened, and especially to heltenjon for contacting his son.

heltenjon · Tue 15/08/2023 11:58:19

When I started using the AGS pages, it was partly because they provide a huge supply of relatively short games, as I had little time for playing full length titles. And the heart and soul of it all was the MAGS contests. (In my mind, they still are, even with dwindling participation.) Even now, I may find an old MAGs thread, download the games and see what different people got out of a theme. MAGS games thus was my way of finding Slasher's games.

I was always amazed by this non-stop game making machine. He would be finished in half the time, and fix errors if we players found them before the deadline. Looking back, there are dozens of shortcuts made: re-use of character graphics, or simply recoloring their clothes, ripped music or backgrounds, anything to get the job done. What was so amazing is that he made use of almost every conceivable genre. There would be mystery games, science fiction stories, horror, musicals, board games, love stories, westerns, action games, driving games and so on. And always with a quirky sense of humour. Among my favourites are Stuck on you (the one where you have to get rid of a wig glued to your head), The Rat Pack do Cheesy Castle (which may not be the greatest game, but those rats singing about cheese always put me in a good mood), and Deep Space Mission: Are We Alone? (the upcoming pick of the month and an impressive full length game in its own right).

I volunteered to do some voice work on his unfinished epic Maelstrom Obscura, and he basically taught me how to use sound programs, make ogg files and do voice work. Even though my Helicopter Pilot voice work probably never will be heard, I've made use of this for my own games and when making voice work for others.

Here's to you, Les. I will do my best to play and comment on all of your games in the database. I dread the day when I have played them all and know there will be no further games from you on this plane.

Stupot · Tue 15/08/2023 16:37:45

I've noticed that Slasher's birthday is coming up (Sunday 20th, if I'm not mistaken). I feel like we should do something but it's a bit late to organize much

What if we were to just open the AGS Awards client for the day so anyone who wants to can just drop in and have a virtual beer in his honour?

DBoyWheeler · Tue 15/08/2023 22:13:23

Also, I've been thinking with others who had gone on before... somewhere in this forum we should have an "AGS-er Memorial Wall" to commemorate those who shuffled off the mortal coil.

cat · Fri 18/08/2023 11:29:59

Quote from: lorenzo on Tue 15/08/2023 11:20:36And there was such a rough honesty to them that you couldn't help but smile when playing.

This. Thanks for putting this feeling into words.

Frodo · Fri 18/08/2023 14:35:52

I'm so sorry to hear this news. As others have said, he is a legend!

I had the honour of testing some of his games, as well as voice acting. I always enjoyed it - his games are a lot of fun.

R.I.P Les. You will be missed.

Kastchey · Sat 19/08/2023 11:24:35

Quote from: Stupot on Tue 15/08/2023 16:37:45I've noticed that Slasher's birthday is coming up (Sunday 20th, if I'm not mistaken). I feel like we should do something but it's a bit late to organize much

What if we were to just open the AGS Awards client for the day so anyone who wants to can just drop in and have a virtual beer in his honour?

That's a nice thought, I'm checking what we can do.

LimpingFish · Sat 19/08/2023 18:50:25

Quote from: lorenzo on Tue 15/08/2023 11:20:36It was the same with his games: he just wanted to get them done, no matter the bad graphics or lack of polish. And there was such a rough honesty to them that you couldn't help but smile when playing.

I remember rating a bunch of his games for the rating panel, and I don't think I could ever bring myself to rate them lower than two or three cups, because, regardless of how higgledy-piggledy the artwork was, or how rough around the edges they were (and some of them where really rough), there was always a good idea lurking somewhere or a clever moment that made you sit up and pay attention.

And, like others, I was amazed at his output. On more than one occasion, I found myself thinking "Maybe if he slowed down and concentrated on one game, took his time, really polished it...", but that wasn't what his games were about. He just had all these ideas, and he wanted them out there and experienced by as many people as possible, and he had the drive to do it. That's such a great quality, and I really envied him for it.

I know some of his opinions might have perplexed a few people, and he even received a short ban over some of his "Q"-flavored posts, but I can honestly say he was a valued, and valuable, member of the community, and we will be poorer for his passing.

Here's to you, Les.

Ponch · Sun 20/08/2023 01:31:01

Quote from: Mandle on Tue 15/08/2023 00:03:48the Roger Corman (and sometimes the Ed Wood) of AGS in many ways.

I think Slasher would be very happy with that comparison!

AndreasBlack · Sun 20/08/2023 22:42:29

Slasher, here's a screenshot from the re-mastered room! In honor of you i'm posting it when the graphics ain't really done

Enjoy wherever you are. @heltenjon you don't happen to have any build of his unfinished masterpiece?

Would be fun to see his best effort!

heltenjon · Mon 21/08/2023 02:30:36

Quote from: AndreasBlack on Sun 20/08/2023 22:42:29@heltenjon you don't happen to have any build of his unfinished masterpiece? Would be fun to see his best effort!

Sadly, no. He was looking for testers back in spring 2022, but given the game's size of nearly 6 Gb, if I recall correctly, it was hard to get people. I told him I could do it, but not quickly, and he responded that he was doing some self testing. I never got a download link.

Case 1 is in the database, though. https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/site/games/game/2372-maelstrom-obscura-case-1/

If someone should have the entire thing, I would perhaps think @Adeel could be a better guess, listed as assistant scripter on the Maelstrom Obscura page. But I don't know how updated that page was.

heltenjon · Mon 21/08/2023 12:37:42

On Les' Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@maelstromobscura1575/videos there are walkthroughs/game videos from several of the unreleased chapters: New World Order, Antarctica and Yeti.

Cassiebsg · Mon 21/08/2023 21:28:14

Maybe worth asking the son about it?

lorenzo · Mon 21/08/2023 22:15:55

Quote from: heltenjon on Mon 21/08/2023 12:37:42On Les' Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@maelstromobscura1575/videos there are walkthroughs/game videos from several of the unreleased chapters: New World Order, Antarctica and Yeti.

Thanks for the link! I wanted to point that out as well, but I couldn't find the link to the channel anymore.

Perhaps those who have collaborated on Maelstrom Obscura could share what they had done for the project. It could be interesting to see what it could have been. I know I have a lot of backgrounds from that game.

CaptainD · Tue 22/08/2023 08:16:47

I helped Les with some occasional brainstorming and feedback - I think the most relevant thing I told him was that there needed to be some movement in each scene, the backgrounds were nice but extremely static 0 but my main claim to fame is that I came up with the name "Maelstrom Obscura". It's a real pity Les never got to finish it.

TheFrighter · Tue 22/08/2023 14:39:03

Riposa In Pace, Slasher.
Requiescat In Pacem.

He asked me to dub voices in a game, but I wasn't skilled enough.

_

Durq · Tue 29/08/2023 00:54:34

Slasher helped me when I was first trying to learn AGS. He took the time and had the patience to answer my beginner questions.

In March of 2022, he said Maelstrom Obscura was "being fully tested", which I'm assuming meant the game was mostly complete. I searched around in my files to see if I have a recent build of the game, but I don't seem to have one beyond the first case.

Gurok · Thu 07/09/2023 13:51:50

Vale, Slasher. You will be greatly missed. Slasher's games were a guilty pleasure for us on IRC. I remember we were all playing one of his games together one night. I don't know if his games were intended to be funny, but they were just so absurd and full of heart. A great author who didn't mince words and produced so much.

ukz530 · Fri 29/09/2023 05:37:22

I don't know him in detail, but I've often seen him talking to other AGS users on this forum or Discord. And it's sad that he's no longer with us.

RIP Slasher.

Mandle · Fri 29/09/2023 08:15:36

Quote from: Gurok on Thu 07/09/2023 13:51:50Vale, Slasher. You will be greatly missed. Slasher's games were a guilty pleasure for us on IRC. I remember we were all playing one of his games together one night. I don't know if his games were intended to be funny, but they were just so absurd and full of heart. A great author who didn't mince words and produced so much.

Having had worked closely with him over several games, you can rest assured that the comedy value was 100% intentional. The old fart could never resist a bit of toilet humour, and left much of the jankiness in the games either on purpose or because it was funny, or probably equal portions of both.

cipberbloom · Mon 09/10/2023 13:08:09

Was just checking to see what the MAGS theme was this month... what a shock. Les can't be gone!

His output and creativity always blew me away--MAGS nearly every month! My activity on the AGS forum and gamedev in general has been pretty sporadic to say the least but he was one of the first people I connected with on here. He encouraged me to just finish something, no matter how small, and though that hasn't happened yet his kindness has continued to prevent me giving up altogether (not to mention his amazing catalogue). We had a fun conversation about Scotch one night, too! Whatever dimension you're in now, Slasher, may it be full of the music you love, wonder, and of course adventure!

tbook · Thu 19/10/2023 13:35:10

What sad news

I will remember him by his bold and fresh take on games. Didn't know him much, but we had a chat some time ago and he was very supportive and encouraging. His game JACK will stay in my memory, as we played it with friends and had so much fun with it. His take was a little bit weird to say the least but very creative guy he was