Project Jane-J News

DragonRose · Tue 04/05/2004 02:46:31

AAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could live with the cancellation of Full Throttle. I could live with the cancellation of Uru Live. I could even live with the cancellation of Sam & Max 2.Ã,Â But this... this is EEEEEVIL!

QuoteFirst the news on Gray Matter that everyone in the adventure community has been breathlessly anticipating. Gray Matter (aka Project Jane-J) has temporarily been put on hold.

Okay.Ã,Â I know it's not really that bad.Ã,Â I know that other would-be games have suffered much, much worse fates.Ã,Â But Gray Matter was the game that had me running around the house making squeaky noises of delight when I heard about it.
This was the game that was going to make up for the open-ended conclusion to GK3. This was the game I was going to run out and buy the first day it hit the shelves. I'd pay full price to support this. And now it's on hold.

I guess it's for the best, though. If JJ thinks she can make Adventure Games profitable again (she plans on doing an episodic AG, where you can buy small portions of the game and download them over the net, trying to attract the casual game market and the hard core adventurers) more power to her.

Wow. I think I went through the seven stages of grief in like, five minutes.Ã,Â You know you're too wrapped up in adventure games when... :

<---(ugly smiley. want the old one back)

remixor · Tue 04/05/2004 02:50:11

This is really a shame, but it's not at all surprising to me. Jensen really shouldn't have gotten involved with The Adventure Company. I hope this project gets back off the ground.

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Tue 04/05/2004 06:29:19

I can't believe it. And according to the article, this is directly relationed to the cancellation of OTHER titles! It's an avalanche!

The second disappointment in a WEEK! (The first one when I read the Invenbtory's review on Syberia 2). 'Tis a bad age to be an adventurer, sure.

(dubious) Thanks, DragonRose. Be sure and let us know if (WHEN) the project is back on its feet!

Vel · Tue 04/05/2004 08:28:10

Am I the only one who thinks that the future is in Runaway 2?

remixor · Tue 04/05/2004 08:58:54

Quote from: Vel on Tue 04/05/2004 08:28:10
Am I the only one who thinks that the future is in Runaway 2?

I hope so.

Vel · Tue 04/05/2004 09:24:59

Chris, although the first one had its problems, mainly with puzzle design, I am sure that the creators will get rid of them in the second one. Plus, it had the best graphics ever, in my opinion.

Lazy Z · Tue 04/05/2004 10:27:39

Sigh... so basically instead of Gray Matter we get... Booby Trap? Isn't it a bit late for April Fool's jokes? Reality is becoming a bit too absurd lately.

BTW, from the article:

Quote"â€œDreamcatcher's big adventure game titles like Broken Sword: Sleeping Dragon and Syberia have not been very profitable"

I'm guessing they refer to Syberia 2, right? Anyone got the actual number of copies each game sold?

Kweepa · Tue 04/05/2004 11:52:14

Quote from: Vel on Tue 04/05/2004 09:24:59
Chris, although the first one had its problems, mainly with puzzle design, I am sure that the creators will get rid of them in the second one.

That's what they said about Syberia 2...

remixor · Tue 04/05/2004 12:04:20

Quote from: Vel on Tue 04/05/2004 09:24:59
Chris, although the first one had its problems, mainly with puzzle design, I am sure that the creators will get rid of them in the second one. Plus, it had the best graphics ever, in my opinion.

Well, it certainly had the highest resolution graphics of any adventure game to date, at least.

Personally, I found no redeeming factors in that game. The characters were laughably-one dimensional, with no development or substance. The dialogue was average at best, the storyline was spotty and uninspired, the puzzles were either too simplistic or incredibly frustrating due to ludicrous pixel-hunting. I derived no enjoyment out of it and I'm not planning on buying its sequel.

Vel · Tue 04/05/2004 16:04:23

@remixor: Heh, it's your opinion, but don't cross out Runaway 2 just yet. Only time will tell. plus, the characters had much personality. Moreover, there was a psychical change in Brian - do you think that he would give up his studies in the beginning of the game to ejoy himself? The voice acting may have ruined it though - I have the german version(and I got it a year earlier than most of you did - HAR HAR).

I actually think that "Booby trap" will be a good game - I liked Colonel's bequest immensely, it could have been even better, and I guess that's what JJ will do.

DragonRose · Tue 29/08/2006 17:49:14

Yes, I'm resurecting a two year old topic. Why, you may ask?

Because there is hope!

For the link phobic, Geman publisher ANACONDA has picked up Gray Matter/Project Jane-J, and is working towards a Q4 2007 release. WOO HOO!

It's kind of nifty that three of the four cancelled games I mentioned in my first post have been revived.