Something really special is cooking up on the Adventure Game -blog, and we might have more time than usual to wait before the surprise is ready. In addition, the first ever gaming year with the new regime is about to end, with only few games to cover in 1991. So, it's good time to get your CAPs rolling and to decide what games to add to the gaming year 1992.
It wasn't all fun and games in 1992, it was also bad movies sprouting good TV series later
Here's an explanation for anyone uncertain about how this works. A Potential game to be played must be listed on Moby Games as part of the adventure genre (excluding interactive fiction games) and must have at least 10 votes, or it must appear on the Wikipedia Notable Graphic Adventure Games list, or it must be an adventure game in a series, later part of which would be Potential. A game will be automatically Accepted to the playing list, if it a) has at least 20 votes on Moby Games, b) appears on the Wikipedia Notable Graphic Adventure Games list and c) is clearly an adventure game (we might on occasion be lenient with this condition). Borderline game fulfills two of these criteria and Disregarded only one.
Readers can spend CAPs to transfer to the official list games which are marked as Borderline (50 CAPs for an individual or 100 CAPs for a joint effort) or Disregarded (200 CAPs, not dependent on whether you use just your own CAPs or pool your resources). Just like last time, the below is now set in stone, so don't bother heading off to Moby Games to vote or Wikipedia to edit the Notable list. Any CAP trades need to occur before the introduction post for the last game of 1991 (Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective), after which time 1992's playlist will be set.
Next year's games are to be played approximately in the chronological order wherever possible. The order can be seen in our AdventureGamer Spreadsheet - and yes, when dating the games, we have probably made quite many mistakes, since our sources are quite unreliable, so if you know better, just speak up. All discussion on CAP trades for the 1992 playing list should be had on this post. The admin will be adjusting the CAP leaderboard and each game's status as trades are made.
We will also decide who's to play what game in the comments below. Especially with continuing series, reviewers for previous parts are preferred over completely new reviewers. If there will be arguments over who will get to play what game - well, I'm sure we can find some civilized manner to solve the issue.
Like a sword fight
Here are the candidates:
Amazon: Guardians of Eden
You thought Joques Sparrow was a ridiculous character? Wait till you see Access Software’s next attempt!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (17)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
-
Bargon Attack
Killer aliens trying to take over the world!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (7)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Alfred n the Fettuc)
Potential reviewers
Alfred n the Fettuc
Batman Returns
Does anyone want to become Batman?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (11)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Joe Pranevich)
Potential reviewers
Joe Pranevich
Curse of Enchantia
And speaking of Batman...
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (26)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
-
The Dagger of Amon Ra
Someone else should probably review this - I can give Laura Bow only full scores!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (71)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Aperama
Dark Seed
H. R. Giger’s graphics are spectacular, but what about the game itself?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (74)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
-
Dune
Is it really an adventure game?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (125)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Lupus Yonderboy and Reiko and Ilmari)
Potential reviewers
-
Eternam
Weird, but still surprisingly fun setting in a French game
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (14)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
Aperama
Fascination
Does anyone dare to taste, if the makers of Emmanulle have any talent for decent games?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (13)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Canageek)
Potential reviewers
Ilmari
Frederik Pohl's Gateway
Surely we cannot pass this classic, just because it’s interactive fiction!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (30)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Ilmari)
Potential reviewers
Reiko
Gobliiins
Lemmings + King’s Quest = ?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (60)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
-
Hook
Hey, look, it’s Monkey Island 1½!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (2)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
-
Hugo III: Jungle of Doom
Thank God, it’s the last of this series!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (14)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Laukku)
Potential reviewers
-
Inca
Seems more like a space simulator.
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (22)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Aperama)
Potential reviewers
-
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
I’ve been expecting this
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (378)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
TBD
Inspector Gadget: Mission 1 - Global Terror!
This takes me to my childhood!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (3)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Joe Pranevich)
Potential reviewers
Joe Pranevich
The Island of Dr. Brain
Yet another puzzle game
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (31)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Reiko and Ilmari)
Potential reviewers
Reiko
KGB
Who wants to enjoy the last days of Soviet Union?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (42)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Torch
King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
Some consider it best in the series (not me, I’ve always preferred Rosella to his wimpy brother)
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (157)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
TBD
The Koshan Conspiracy
I hear the wailing of Aperama
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (6)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Aperama)
Potential reviewers
Ilmari
Leather Goddesses of Phobos! 2: Gas Pump Girls Meet the Pulsating Inconvenience from Planet X
Not that great a sequel to an IF classic
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (10)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Canageek)
Potential reviewers
-
The Legend of Kyrandia
Somehow I just remember these games involving collecting huge amount of seemingly insignificant stuff for potions
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (92)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Alfred n The Fettuc
The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes:
The Case of the Serrated Scalpel
The game’s afoot!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (52)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Joe Pranevich
Lure of the Temptress
Yet another “save the world from evil sorcerer”
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (67)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
-
Mixed Up Fairy Tales
Is it better than Winnie the Pooh?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (10)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Aperama)
Potential reviewers
Aperama
Nippon Safes, Inc.
A more unfamiliar prequel to Big Red Adventure
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (5)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Canageek)
Potential reviewers
-
Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel (remake)
So Lytton wasn’t a small town after all?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (39)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Laukku)
Potential reviewers
Alex
Putt-Putt Joins the Parade
I am sure Canageek would love it, but is it an adventure game?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (36)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
-
Quest for Glory I: So You Want To Be A Hero (remake)
Another take on the beginning of the Quest for Glory -series
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (39)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Laukku)
Potential reviewers
Aperama
Quest for Glory III: Wages of War
I am sure there are plenty of eager people wanting to play this
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (83)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Alex
Rex Nebular and the Cosmic Gender Bender
What have we got ourselves into this time?
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (30)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
-
Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch
Another classic scifi book turned into a game
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (21)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik)
Potential reviewers
-
Rome: Pathway to Power
Adventure game with strategic elements? Sounds… interesting
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes (well, sort of)
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (10)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (Reiko and Ilmari)
Potential reviewers
Reiko
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Volume II
Two Sherlock Holmes games in a year!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (0)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Lars-Erik and Joe Pranevich)
Potential reviewers
Joe Pranevich
Spellcasting 301: Spring Break
Final episode of the entertaining series of magical college games
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
No (6)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted (Ilmari)
Potential reviewers
Aperama?
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
Where no AFGANCAAP has gone before!
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
Yes
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (83)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
Yes
Result
Accepted
Potential reviewers
Aperama (if no one else wants it)
WaxWorks
You can see it’s from the producers of Elvira
Is it clearly a graphic adventure game?
No
Does it have 20 or more Moby Games ratings?
Yes (30)
Is it on the Wikipedia Notable Games list?
No
Result
Accepted (TBD)
Potential reviewers
-
Now that's a lot of games to choose from! Do you think that's too much? Be glad that you haven't seen all the adventure games in Moby Games that didn't fit even the criteria of a Potential Game. Just to show what you have missed, here's two examples.
The first one's not even listed as an adventure game, but a brave commenter had a bold idea of still making Trickster play it:
No, I am not speaking of Ultima VII (that might have been a little too outlandish), but Alone in the Dark. Moby Games categorises it as an action game and it's nowhere to be seen on the Wikipedia list so it never had any chance to get on the playing list. This is kind of sad, and not just because it was Andy's life goal, but also because the Alone in the Dark -games are categorised as adventure games in other places.
A missed opportunity
The other failed candidate raises some memories of my own childhood at the beginning of 1990s. Ah, the golden days, when I could expect to spend all evening watching McGyver or Star Trek or Mission:Impossible or some other educational and entertaining TV show - unless a sound of saxophone told me that our TV was reserved for my parents.
Or then it was a guitar riff, if they were watching Thirtysomethings
I never watched L.A. Law., because, frankly, it seemed quite boring (hey, my parents watched it!), but it must have had something to do with the law. I was a bit surprised to find out the show was converted to another form.
+
What's next - Ally McBeal: The Computer Game?
Moby Games did categorise L.A. Law: The Computer Game as a 1992 adventure game, but it had no user ratings, so it clearly had no chance getting on the playing list. This was a bit sad, since we do now have a professional lawyer among our reviewer group, and I can just imagine what Alex could have made out of this clearly high quality game.
So, you might have guessed that I had a reason for bringing these two games up. Combining Andy Panthro with L.A. Law we get Panthro Law: every year two games that weren't even Potential will get a chance to make it on the official playing list. Of course, it won't be cheap. Since getting just a Disregarded game to the playing list costs 200 CAPs, getting one of these to the list must cost 500 CAPs (remember that it is possible to pool the resources of many persons).
NOW, let the CAPs roll!
And Andy Panthro hits the first Panthro Law game! Alone in the Dark in now on the list!
And the second Panthro Law game (L.A. Law) has been bought by a joint operation of Canageek, Laertes and Alex, who will also be playing the game. That means it we'll be playing all the candidates for 1992!
I'll sponsor: Amazon: Guardians of Eden Eternam Gobliiins Hook Putt-Putt Joins the Parade Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Volume II
I have some aspirations to play the two Sherlock Holmes games. I'm still up to play Consulting Detective, so I have no idea if that is an adventure game or not, but I'll sign up for its sequel if it's available. It gives me an excuse to round out my experience of playing Sherlock Holmes "Missed Classics".
I'm also seriously considering sponsoring "Batman Returns". I thought that the four Adventure International gems were the only comic book adventures made until recent times, but somehow I missed this one. I'd love to play it.
Beyond that, I think I need to skimp on games in 1992 so that I can concentrate on Top Secret Project Z. But if there are games that no one wants, maybe I can look at them.
Hmm.. But that Inspector Gadget game is so tempting... I clearly have something wrong with me that I want to play all the adaptations.
Transaction has been completed! (I've split the cost of the second Sherlock Holmes -game with you and Lars-Erik).
I think Batman Returns is more based on the movie, so it's not a straight comic book adaptation.
I've also put you as a player for both Sherlock Holmes -games, Batman and Inspector Gadget. I think that's more than enough, considering that there's this ... uhh... project you are about to take soon.
OK, I'll purchase the two Legend games, so Gateway and Spellcasting 3 are both accepted. I assume Reiko will want to play the former and Aperama the latter.
I'm glad Gateway got accepted. I'd have bought it myself it if hadn't already been done. (Could've saved yourself some CAPs there Ilmari if you'd waited a few more hours) :)
I'm still here, sort of. I've not been reading much of anythings but school work as of late; I'm finding I just don't have the brainpower I once did at the end of the day. Hopefully after this semester, when I'm only doing work, and not also TAing and taking a class I'll have more energy. (April 17th is the day my projects are due. Poke me then.)
That said, I still have CAPS from the days of yore, so: Fascination: 200 Leather Goddesses of Phobos! 2: Gas Pump Girls Meet the Pulsating Inconvenience from Planet X: 50 Nippon Safes, Inc. : 200 L.A. Law: The Computer Game: 200
should cover that. That is a bit over half my CAPS, so I hope you enjoy. I think it is is "Obviously an adventure game" it should be played.
But, cough cough, you DID notice L.A. Law is 500 CAPs? I'll hold the purchase a bit until you confirm you'll be wanting to pay it wholly or someone comes and gives you assistance.
BTW, nice to see you continue the tradition of getting French erotic games to the blog. I think it's my duty to take on this piece of cr... creative work (in fact, I might try to do the middle piece of the trilogy, Geisha, as a Missed Classic).
So many good and interesting (and weird) games for this year! I can hardly wait!
I may also have to write a lengthy post about why Ultima VII should be considered as an adventure game, but as it happens I already have one about Alone in the Dark: http://playedbypanthro.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/alone-in-dark-1992-adventure-game.html
So I'm willing to pledge the vast sum of 500 CAPs to get Alone in the Dark on the list for it, which unfortunately leaves me with very few left over for anything else. I may have to hold on to the rest for future years.
I may have time to review too, but I'm not sure how many (or which ones).
Ultima VII is possibly my favourite game of all time, but I can't see how it could be considered an adventure game.
Then again, I was stuck in this game for ages on a 'puzzle' and bought an official hint book, which gave me no indication of how to solve my problem, and eventually a CD full of game walkthroughs (before the days of Gamefaqs) which I think eventually gave me the hint I needed to continue.
I'd love to hear your reasoning for why it's an adventure game so I say get that lengthy post done!
I'll happily review AitD if nobody else wants it, I was kinda hoping someone else would take it though, since my mind is made up that it should count as a horror-adventure, but I wonder what another reviewer would think? Of course I'm sure everyone will give their thoughts in the comments.
@TBD
Ultima VII probably has fewer RPG elements than Quest for Glory, which is why I got to thinking of having it reviewed here. It certainly has more of an emphasis on puzzles and characters/dialogue than most RPGs.
I'm willing to contribute 150 CAPs each toward Island of Dr. Brain and Rome: Pathway to Power, as I'm interested in playing them as well. Any else up for the last 50 CAPs for those?
In fact, I would have been up for sponsoring Gateway, Gobliins, Koshan Conspiracy, or Quest for Glory remake also, so I'd be willing to reimburse the 50 CAPs for up to two of those if the original sponsor would like to support Island or Rome with me. I just don't want to be the only one interested in covering a Disregarded game. ;)
Erm, actually, I don't actually have enough for all that, but I'm still willing to play the games. That counts, right! :) I'll focus on supporting Island first, how's that?
I will contribute CAPs to-- but most likely not play-- Gobliins and QfG. All Sierra games deserve a chance. Hell, why not Mixed Up Fairy Tales too then? (And I might be up for playing it since I think it's fairly short.)
Reiko: I've split the costs for both games, since I like to sponsor people who want to play the games. So, you paid 150 CAPs and I paid the rest (250 CAPs). And I've put you as playing both Dr. Brain and Rome.
Joe: I think Aperama already purchased Mixed Up Fairy Tales. If you want, I can still put you as playing it (it must be short).
I wouldn't mind playing Mixed Up at all. By my standards of games played for this blog, it's actually a step up. (Re: Eternam, sure. I'd also like to play either Laura Bow 2 or the QFG remake, though I've played the entire QFG series so many times it's ridiculous.) I'll also vet the last of Reiko's Island caps, however many that comes out to.
Joe: Gobliins was bought by Lars-Erik and QFG remake buy Laukku.
Aperama: OK, I've switched you for Mixed Up and added you as a player for Eternam, Laura Bow and QFG remake. You've certainly played your share of bad games, so you'll deserve some good games.
Yeah, almost every Bioware game has one somewhere. And yet somehow people still have trouble with it...Star Wars: The Old Republic has a Towers of Hanoi that's part of a raid boss encounter. I have "fond" memories of trying to explain the puzzle to pickup groups...
That and the freaking magic square... I've done it maybe 100 times and I still can't wrap my head around an easy way to solve one. Considering the TAG community and purpose, it would be interesting to see what kind of puzzle has been done hundreds of times in adventure games... I'm thinking about the "put the newspaper under the door and push the key" classic also...
And I've put you as a player for King's Quest VI and Indiana Jones. If there are other people wanting to play them, you'll just have to get your sword ready :P
I was going to buy Waxworks too, too late. It is one of the few games I played at the time (along with Fate of Atlantis and The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes).
Incidentally I am replaying Fate of Atlantis and I am suffering and odd bug. The Lost dialogues of Plato is giving me wrong instructions about how to use the stone discs. It may be a problem with SCUMMVM for all I know.
I'm surprised that Mixed-Up Fairy Tales is on the 1992 list. I thought it was released in 1991, not long after Castle of Dr. Brain. Maybe it came out in January 1992.
"Especially with continuing series, reviewers for previous parts are preferred over completely new reviewers."
Sigh. I guess this means: Sign me up for the PQ I remake!
Can I do QfG III as well? There's also the matter of "Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon" as a Missed Classic. When should we schedule that for?
Missed Classics can be scheduled whenever, but you have to let Ilmari know when and how many posts it will take usually. We can discuss it on the board.
Alex: I've put you down as playing PQ I remake and tentatively also QFG III. As for the Missed Classic, it's as Joe says: just have the posts ready, and we'll publish them when there's a good gap on the blog.
And to throw a random current sale into the mix, GOG are having an insomnia sale, which seems to have random games on sale one at a time, with a certain number of copies available, switching to the next game after the current game is 'sold out'
I only have 472 CAPS . . . does anyone want to pitch in another 28 so I can play what we can definitively say is the ONLY adventure game to feature Jimmy Smits AND Corben Bernsen, L.A. LAW. I feel it is my legal and ethical obligation to attempt this likely disaster to provide entertainment and schadenfreude for all.
The game is by Capstone. They did the Beverly Hillbillies game. God help me.
I've made the purchase of L.A. Law so that Canageek pays 200 CAPs, Laertes 28 and Alex rest (272 CAPs). I've also put Alex as the player of the game (I so hope this is worth all the CAPs).
I had no idea when L.A. Law was published, so I just put it somewhere in the middle of the playing list.
The game apparently came with a manual with some phone numbers as a copy protection. I haven't been able to find the manual, but the phone numbers appear to be here: http://www.cheater.cz/winch/online/L/X271.htm
Wow, seems I arrived late at the sponsoring party. Lots of quality games on the horizon. Many of them I didn't get to play back in the day (and never heard of Batman Returns!) so I'm looking forward to playing them along when they come up.
This one was posted in March 2016, and gives us 37 games to play
The previous ones were...
December 2014 (15 months earlier - 22 games to play)
April 2013 (20 months earlier - 21 games to play)
May 2012 (11 months earlier - 11 games to play)
What conclusions can we draw from this?
1. There are more adventure games released each year (though this may change between the mid-90s and mid-00s.) 2. We have little to no chance of ever catching up and playing a year in less than a year 3. This project can conceivably go on until the end of time! 4. I have too much time on my hands and have a vague and unprofessional interest in statistical analysis
I like the idea of TAG continuing on indefinitely. Especially if around 3000 AD they will play an adventure game commemorating the first generation of brave TAGgers:
"The admin of TAG have gone missing and people are desperately waiting for their monthly supplies of CAPs. Travel around the world in search of the missing admin and meet all the original reviewers. Chances are, your path might cross the legendary Trickster, but beware - getting to his abode requires the legendary resurrection card, hidden behind a puzzle more devious than even the makers of Les Manley could fathom."
Like disco music, the adventure game genre does not continue to expand indefinitely. I think we hit Peak Adventure around the blockbusting arrival of Myst, then it enjoys a flood of cheap knockoffs and the entire genre goes down the tubes for a decade... and all you get are slim fangame pickings written using AGS.
Wow, that's a long list for 1992. Some good ones coming up. I'm especially excited about Fate of Atlantis and QfG3, even though I've played them both fairly recently.
Dune is a weird beast, though. Starts off as an adventure game of sorts, but turns into a strategy game towards the end. Still fun, though.
I might consider volunteering to play KGB, if nobody else wants to. I think I still have it installed on my Amiga 1200.
KGB is a great game, but I've played it so recently that I wouldn't want to do it. I'll put you tentatively as the player, there's still a chance that someone else might want to play it.
Considering we generate 3700 CAPs *minimum* by playing 37 games, I think it's very unlikely to be unable to fund all games. If nobody with CAPs is interested in a particular game, then it won't be funded, but that's how it should work. Even so, that seems unlikely. You guys seem interested in covering practically anything *cough*Emanuelle*cough*.
Is IS true that there are a lot more CAPs being distributed these days since we reward the reviewers with them. But is this a bug or a feature? I'm not sure.
It'd be more interesting if there was something else to do with CAPs other than fund the games that aren't automatically accepted for each game year. As it is, it feels a bit like an RPG where the economy is designed such that you end up with tons of cash by the end of the game and nothing to spend it on. I wonder if Missed Classics should be funded with CAPs too? Or interviews? Or some other thing I haven't thought of? That way there's an alternate benefit (other than the main series of games) that could be scaled up to however many CAPs someone wants to throw at it. Something to think about, anyway.
Or do as the real world does when inflation occurs, that is, make prices higher? Borderline-games seem quite cheap - you can essentially buy two games with the salary of playing one game.
That's right. Plus I've never understood the rule of requiring 100 for a borderline game from a group effort if one person can fund it for 50. I guess if more than two people want to share the cost (if none of them even have 50, for instance), it might make sense. Still, why not just make borderline games cost 100 regardless of whether it's split or not? That would be a good start. Probably any changes would only take effect starting with 1993 games at this point, but this is as good a time as any to consider whether the system needs any tweaks.
I did a quick calculation, balancing out the CAPs paid for the games and the CAPs that will be eventually created for playing the games. Surprisingly, there's only a surplus of 150 CAPs, which seems quite acceptable. This is mostly due to Panthro's Law -games, which effectively cancelled 800 CAPs from the system. We could use that as kind of a regulation system, adding up more of those to the market, if the TAG economy appears to go overboard.
Looking at the current status of 1993, there are 19 Accepted games, 13 Borderline and 5 Disregarded. If the Borderlines would cost 100 CAPs (being effectively worth 0 in the whole economy), the total amount of CAPs generated would be 1900 – 500 = 1400. Add to that three Panthro’s Law –games, and we’ll have surplus of 200; add four, and we’ll be able to cancel 200 CAPs. Seems pretty effective.
I wasn't so much forgetting as ignoring them, since we cannot really determine beforehand how much of those people will earn during one gaming year. If we just have a steady source of "Panthro's Law" -games, we will have all the means necessary for regulating the "cash flow" of the blog.
The main problem with "Panthro's law", I think, is not so much finding games, but more deciding which to choose. Remember that we don't have to find quite many of them, since they are meant to be very costly. I just looked at MobyGames for Dos/Windows graphical adventure games of 1993 and found quite quickly five games that didn't fit the criteria of a Potential game - and I didn't even look through the whole list. If that isn't sufficient, we can always extend the search to interactive fiction, action-adventure or even those smutty Japanese visual novels (well, perhaps we shouldn't go THAT far).
All the miscellaneous CAPs could add up to quite a lot, actually, especially when you consider you're giving CAPs for Missed Classics too. I looked at the last five Final Ratings and, not even counting points associated with Missed Classics or the 100 given to the reviewer, the totals were between 40 and 182 per game, with an average of 97. Now the 182 may be skewing that a bit high, but it's very likely that each game will generate between 50 and 100 extra points, on average. Plus Missed Classics! That's not a negligible influence on the system.
Oh, I didn't say they are insignificant source of CAPs, but more like chaotic or unpredictable.
But let's get down to basics. Readers do want to award people for blogging about the games and it makes sense for bloggers to encourage discussion by awarding good comments - that's why we have CAPs as kind of prestige points (the more you have them, the more you are taking part in the TAG community).
And it makes sense to use CAPs to affect what games are to be played. It makes a good compromise between having strict criteria what to play and trying to play every adventure game ever made - and it helps to get people involved with TAG.
I think there's nothing wrong with the principles, but what we can do is to tweak some details. Firstly, we should establish that at least the regular awards and prices seem fair.
Regular Awards: 20 CAPs for guessing the score, at most 25 CAPs for playing along, 50 CAPs for Missed Classic, 100 CAPs for a regular game. I'd say these seem pretty reasonable.
Prices now: 50 CAPs for Borderline, 200 CAPs for Disregarded, 500 CAPs for a "Panthro's Law" -game. Like I said, Borderlines could be raised to 100 CAPs - playing a game is worth adding a game. Should the other two be also higher or do they seem fair as they now are?
After the prices are set, the best thing to do is to give people things to do with the CAPs. Easiest thing is to add more possibilities to add games to the playing list, just with very high CAP prices (what Panthro's Law is essentially all about).
Of course, we may have to tinker a bit about the best prices for the more costly games and about the amount of Panthro's Law -games, but I do believe it's possible to get quite near to a satisfying balance point here.
I think I'd seen 10 CAPs for playing along recently. But playing along should be worth more than guessing the score, I think, since it requires a lot more time.
Making Borderline games cost 100 also makes the cost more consistent in another way: each "level" then costs 100. The jump from 200 to 500 is a lot more than 100 to 200, but maybe that's intentional.
Still think some Missed Classics or other special features could be bought with CAPs. I know some are kind of personal projects now (Joe), but maybe there are others.
Here's another bit of analysis. Even after funding all the games for this year, there are over 10,000 CAPs already earned and not yet spent. The 23 people with over 100 CAPs left total over 8500 CAPs. Since the total CAP cost for this year's games was only 3750, that means that we'd theoretically be able to fund all the games for next year even if nobody earned any more CAPs between now and then.
This is a good analysis! But also quite a lot of worry about our little fake economy. It's tough to see how we could improve this, plus I'm not sure that funding all the games is a BAD thing. But it does make the gamification of the site a bit less. I would be up to discussing how to improve it.
Unlike with Trickster, I'm not sure that any of us reviewers have enough of a personal reputation that people would want to put up CAPs to have us play games. I would be willing though to take requests if people wanted to put up CAPs for them as a way to provide more things for people to spend on. (But I have my hands full, too.)
Yeah, Reiko totally deserves some CAPs for that analysis... :)
I'd not be too worried about the 'economy'. We always have the Trickster CAP dump every now and then to his new currency (seriously, how many people can say they've created -two- currencies) - and when it really comes down to it it's a gimmick. A fun one, but still a gimmick. We have the actual content at the core of the site to keep it vibrant, no?
Is Trickster still allowing CAP dumps to his site? I thought it was a one-time thing when the site launched. I wasn't taking into account any later siphoning of CAPs.
I wouldn't be too worried about CAPs lying around in readers' "bank account". Some people won't use them ever, others are waiting to save them for some future game etc.
As for having alternative ways to spend CAPs, if viable options are invented, the admin are happy enough to do the dirty number work. As for using them for Missed Classics and other extra features, the main problem I see with that is the possibility that the extra features would then start to compete with the main game line for resources - we would have to give them slots in the publication schedules more regularly, we would actually have to have someone appointed to playing them, instead of people playing the games out of personal interest etc.
It might work in a somewhat limited fashion - we might have a limited number of assigned Missed Classic slots per gaming year (two or three?), which people could fill with their choices, if they could gather enough CAPs (1000 CAPs for one game?) - these assigned Missed Classics could be sold at regular intervals (always, when a fourth of the games of the gaming year have been played, for instance). Beyond those assigned Missed Classics, we could then also still publish freely chosen Missed Classics and other extra features (but somewhat less, since these assigned Missed Classics would eat the publishing slots). Or something like that (I am open for suggestions).
Then again, like Joe and Aperama said, we need not be overtly concerned with the economy (it's not like we could create any real crisis with our made-up money).
Reiko. Yeah, I think 10 CAPs has been the standard 'playing along' prize but it's occasionally been more. I agree that 20 CAPs is a more suitable prize for that as a standard and think we should do that from now on.
I also agree that there's no point worrying too much if we have CAP hoarders (I've been one myself, and it's not because I'm saving up for a big CAP purchase, but I just couldn't be arsed doing anything with them) I'll happily admit I'm wrong when someone saves enough CAPs to buy us out and fill the site with ads for weight loss, gambling and porn.
From my point of view the main point of CAPs is just a fun little recognition for writing something somewhat interesting to the reviewer or winning a competition. The total amount of CAPs I have and the ability to spend them are of much less interest to me personally.
I'm happy if people find fun reasons to spend CAPs though so keep the ideas coming if anyone has any...
Sorry I'm late to the party. I'd like it if we could keep CAPS cheap enough that people who don't review games can still afford things from time to time.
Good point. Something to keep in mind as, though there are lots of CAPs out there, they are becoming more concentrated on the reviewers.
I do think we've got it fairly right at the moment though. The costs of disregarded and borderline games are the same as they have been, and there's always the option of pooling points.
And now that we've all spent a bunch of our points, we all have over a year to earn CAPs before we get another chance to spend them in bulk.
As we still have quite a few games unaccounted for, I'd like to put my hand up for a few more:
Leather Goddesses of Phobos II, to give me an excuse to Missed Classic the original Amazon: Guardians of Eden, to see how Access have evolved since Martian Memorandum
It's probably too late for any chance of it being added and sponsored, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Maybe it'll get played as a Missed Classic in the future.
Unlike our counterpart the CRPGAddict, TAG isn't really intended to be exhaustive. As Ilmari summarized above:
"A Potential game to be played must be listed on Moby Games as part of the adventure genre (excluding interactive fiction games) and must have at least 10 votes, or it must appear on the Wikipedia Notable Graphic Adventure Games list, or it must be an adventure game in a series, later part of which would be Potential."
This one received just 9 votes and so was shy of the required target...
I personally have an "inclusive" bent and would like to see a few more exceptions someday, but our Missed Classic system is suitably robust that we may not need it. (You may have seen my comment recently about the future ICOM games. Those are games that aren't notable but done in the waning days of a team that previously did notable games. Should those be automatically included? Maybe or maybe not. Worthy of debate. Some other day.)
As for 1992, we have already more games than any other year I believe so one more may not be that welcome... :)
Ah, I just reread the inclusion rules and realised the difference between the 10 and 20 Mobygames votes requirements (thought it was always 20). I did wonder why the Batman game was votable while the other game wasn't. Nevermind then.
Note Regarding Spoilers and Companion Assist Points: There's a set of rules regarding spoilers and companion assist points. Please read it here before making any comments that could be considered a spoiler in any way. The short of it is that no points will be given for hints or spoilers given in advance of the reviewer requiring one. Please...try not to spoil any part of the game...unless they really obviously need the help...or they specifically request assistance.
If this is a game introduction post: This is your opportunity for readers to bet 10 CAPs (only if they already have them) that the reviewer won't be able to solve a puzzle without putting in an official Request for Assistance: remember to use ROT13 for betting. If you get it right, you will be rewarded with 50 CAPs in return. It's also your chance to predict what the final rating will be for the game. Voters can predict whatever score they want, regardless of whether someone else has already chosen it. All score votes and puzzle bets must be placed before the next gameplay post appears. The winner will be awarded 10 CAPs.
I'll sponsor:
ReplyDeleteAmazon: Guardians of Eden
Eternam
Gobliiins
Hook
Putt-Putt Joins the Parade
Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Volume II
Bring 'em on!
Thank you, the transaction has been completed, enjoy the ride!
DeleteI have some aspirations to play the two Sherlock Holmes games. I'm still up to play Consulting Detective, so I have no idea if that is an adventure game or not, but I'll sign up for its sequel if it's available. It gives me an excuse to round out my experience of playing Sherlock Holmes "Missed Classics".
ReplyDeleteI'm also seriously considering sponsoring "Batman Returns". I thought that the four Adventure International gems were the only comic book adventures made until recent times, but somehow I missed this one. I'd love to play it.
Beyond that, I think I need to skimp on games in 1992 so that I can concentrate on Top Secret Project Z. But if there are games that no one wants, maybe I can look at them.
Hmm.. But that Inspector Gadget game is so tempting... I clearly have something wrong with me that I want to play all the adaptations.
Yeah. I'll put my caps to all of the above. Lars-Erik already sponsored the Holmes game, but I'll split it with him if he likes.
DeleteTransaction has been completed! (I've split the cost of the second Sherlock Holmes -game with you and Lars-Erik).
DeleteI think Batman Returns is more based on the movie, so it's not a straight comic book adaptation.
I've also put you as a player for both Sherlock Holmes -games, Batman and Inspector Gadget. I think that's more than enough, considering that there's this ... uhh... project you are about to take soon.
I'll spend CAPs on:
ReplyDeleteHugo III
Police Quest 1 remake
Quest for Glory 1 remake
Transaction has been completed! Fine choices! Well, except the first one...
DeleteThe trilogy simply HAS to be played to completion!
DeleteI'll spend CAPs for Bargon Attack! I remember it was kinda weird, so I'd love to know what it looks like today!
ReplyDeleteTransaction completed! I hope it will be good one.
DeleteI can try and play through it if no one else wants it, so I would be the one suffering if my memories are bad...
DeleteOK, I've put you tentatively as playing Bargon Attack.
DeleteOK, I'll purchase the two Legend games, so Gateway and Spellcasting 3 are both accepted. I assume Reiko will want to play the former and Aperama the latter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting me on for Gateway! I'm excited already. :)
DeleteI'm glad Gateway got accepted. I'd have bought it myself it if hadn't already been done. (Could've saved yourself some CAPs there Ilmari if you'd waited a few more hours) :)
DeleteI'll buy Inca, Mixed Up Fairy Tales and The Koshan Conspiracy (on the proviso that I don't need to play it).
ReplyDeleteTransaction completed! I can take the Koshan Conspiracy A.K.A B.A.T. II, if you'll take Eternam.
DeleteI'm still here, sort of. I've not been reading much of anythings but school work as of late; I'm finding I just don't have the brainpower I once did at the end of the day. Hopefully after this semester, when I'm only doing work, and not also TAing and taking a class I'll have more energy. (April 17th is the day my projects are due. Poke me then.)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I still have CAPS from the days of yore, so:
Fascination: 200
Leather Goddesses of Phobos! 2: Gas Pump Girls Meet the Pulsating Inconvenience from Planet X: 50
Nippon Safes, Inc. : 200
L.A. Law: The Computer Game: 200
should cover that. That is a bit over half my CAPS, so I hope you enjoy. I think it is is "Obviously an adventure game" it should be played.
We'll be waiting for you!
DeleteBut, cough cough, you DID notice L.A. Law is 500 CAPs? I'll hold the purchase a bit until you confirm you'll be wanting to pay it wholly or someone comes and gives you assistance.
BTW, nice to see you continue the tradition of getting French erotic games to the blog. I think it's my duty to take on this piece of cr... creative work (in fact, I might try to do the middle piece of the trilogy, Geisha, as a Missed Classic).
Oops. Well then, I'll drop that to 100 caps and only spend those if someone else goes in on it with me.
DeleteSo many good and interesting (and weird) games for this year! I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteI may also have to write a lengthy post about why Ultima VII should be considered as an adventure game, but as it happens I already have one about Alone in the Dark: http://playedbypanthro.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/alone-in-dark-1992-adventure-game.html
So I'm willing to pledge the vast sum of 500 CAPs to get Alone in the Dark on the list for it, which unfortunately leaves me with very few left over for anything else. I may have to hold on to the rest for future years.
I may have time to review too, but I'm not sure how many (or which ones).
Alone in the Dark is now on the playing list! I suppose you wouldn't want to review it?
DeleteUltima VII is possibly my favourite game of all time, but I can't see how it could be considered an adventure game.
DeleteThen again, I was stuck in this game for ages on a 'puzzle' and bought an official hint book, which gave me no indication of how to solve my problem, and eventually a CD full of game walkthroughs (before the days of Gamefaqs) which I think eventually gave me the hint I needed to continue.
I'd love to hear your reasoning for why it's an adventure game so I say get that lengthy post done!
Good show, one we should play for sure.
Delete@Ilmari
DeleteI'll happily review AitD if nobody else wants it, I was kinda hoping someone else would take it though, since my mind is made up that it should count as a horror-adventure, but I wonder what another reviewer would think? Of course I'm sure everyone will give their thoughts in the comments.
@TBD
Ultima VII probably has fewer RPG elements than Quest for Glory, which is why I got to thinking of having it reviewed here. It certainly has more of an emphasis on puzzles and characters/dialogue than most RPGs.
I'll put you tentatively as playing AitD, with the proviso that someone else might do it also.
DeleteI'm willing to contribute 150 CAPs each toward Island of Dr. Brain and Rome: Pathway to Power, as I'm interested in playing them as well. Any else up for the last 50 CAPs for those?
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I would have been up for sponsoring Gateway, Gobliins, Koshan Conspiracy, or Quest for Glory remake also, so I'd be willing to reimburse the 50 CAPs for up to two of those if the original sponsor would like to support Island or Rome with me. I just don't want to be the only one interested in covering a Disregarded game. ;)
Erm, actually, I don't actually have enough for all that, but I'm still willing to play the games. That counts, right! :) I'll focus on supporting Island first, how's that?
DeleteI will contribute CAPs to-- but most likely not play-- Gobliins and QfG. All Sierra games deserve a chance. Hell, why not Mixed Up Fairy Tales too then? (And I might be up for playing it since I think it's fairly short.)
DeleteReiko: I've split the costs for both games, since I like to sponsor people who want to play the games. So, you paid 150 CAPs and I paid the rest (250 CAPs). And I've put you as playing both Dr. Brain and Rome.
DeleteJoe: I think Aperama already purchased Mixed Up Fairy Tales. If you want, I can still put you as playing it (it must be short).
Unless Aperama wants to play it.
DeleteI wouldn't mind playing Mixed Up at all. By my standards of games played for this blog, it's actually a step up. (Re: Eternam, sure. I'd also like to play either Laura Bow 2 or the QFG remake, though I've played the entire QFG series so many times it's ridiculous.) I'll also vet the last of Reiko's Island caps, however many that comes out to.
DeleteOh, awesome. Thanks, Ilmari!
DeleteJoe: I thought Gobliiins and QfG were already bought too.
DeleteI can't keep track! But if they aren't, I will buy them.
DeleteJoe: Gobliins was bought by Lars-Erik and QFG remake buy Laukku.
DeleteAperama: OK, I've switched you for Mixed Up and added you as a player for Eternam, Laura Bow and QFG remake. You've certainly played your share of bad games, so you'll deserve some good games.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed that the first Dr. Brain game didn't have a Towers of Hanoi in it. Nice to see that the second game has one!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was great in movie form, too. :P
DeleteI agree about Towers of Hanoi. I'm good at puzzles like that, so I'm looking forward to tackling the Island!
DeleteWould be interesting to know exactly how many adventure games have the towers of hanoi puzzle. I'm guessing it's in the 40/50...
DeleteIf you take into account also CRPGs with Hanoi, the number must rise to hundreds.
DeleteYeah, almost every Bioware game has one somewhere. And yet somehow people still have trouble with it...Star Wars: The Old Republic has a Towers of Hanoi that's part of a raid boss encounter. I have "fond" memories of trying to explain the puzzle to pickup groups...
DeleteThat and the freaking magic square... I've done it maybe 100 times and I still can't wrap my head around an easy way to solve one. Considering the TAG community and purpose, it would be interesting to see what kind of puzzle has been done hundreds of times in adventure games... I'm thinking about the "put the newspaper under the door and push the key" classic also...
DeleteI think I covered how to do the regular magic square in the first Dr. Brain post.
DeleteOnly Dune and Waxworks are left, otherwise we have a full-house.
ReplyDeleteAnd L.A. Law is still missing 300 CAPs (perhaps that's for the best).
DeleteI would spend 50 CAPs for Dune to be played. Someone wants to spend the rest?
ReplyDeleteI'll contribute 50 CAPs toward Dune.
DeleteI might provide the rest (100 CAPs). So, transaction is completed!
DeleteWow. Lots of people want to put CAPs into playing games.
ReplyDeleteI might pony up the CAPs for Waxworks. I'll look into it and see if it looks like something I'd like to play for the blog...
As for playing, as our unofficial Adventure Gamer King's Quest reviewer (TM) I need to put my hand up for King's Quest VI.
I'd also love to do Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Another Lucasarts Classic
I'll get back to you about buying Waxworks after conferring with my CAP Accountant.
UPDATE: After reading a bit on Waxworks and conferring with my accountant I've decided to buy Waxworks and volunteer to play it for the blog!
DeleteOnly Dune to go...
Transaction completed! Only L.A. Law to go...
DeleteAnd I've put you as a player for King's Quest VI and Indiana Jones. If there are other people wanting to play them, you'll just have to get your sword ready :P
DeleteAnd with that, I've lost my position as the only person in the Top 10 CAPs list to have never spent a CAP.
DeleteYou'd better be worth it, Waxworks!
I was going to buy Waxworks too, too late. It is one of the few games I played at the time (along with Fate of Atlantis and The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes).
DeleteIncidentally I am replaying Fate of Atlantis and I am suffering and odd bug. The Lost dialogues of Plato is giving me wrong instructions about how to use the stone discs. It may be a problem with SCUMMVM for all I know.
I'm surprised that Mixed-Up Fairy Tales is on the 1992 list. I thought it was released in 1991, not long after Castle of Dr. Brain. Maybe it came out in January 1992.
ReplyDeleteI do see that the copyright date on the box is 1992... that just doesn't match my memory.
Delete"Especially with continuing series, reviewers for previous parts are preferred over completely new reviewers."
ReplyDeleteSigh. I guess this means: Sign me up for the PQ I remake!
Can I do QfG III as well? There's also the matter of "Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon" as a Missed Classic. When should we schedule that for?
Missed Classics can be scheduled whenever, but you have to let Ilmari know when and how many posts it will take usually. We can discuss it on the board.
DeleteAlex: I've put you down as playing PQ I remake and tentatively also QFG III. As for the Missed Classic, it's as Joe says: just have the posts ready, and we'll publish them when there's a good gap on the blog.
DeleteAlright, cool, sounds good. And I'm still going back-and-forth with Mrs. Marx getting some great insights about things. It'll be a cool interview.
DeleteAnd to throw a random current sale into the mix, GOG are having an insomnia sale, which seems to have random games on sale one at a time, with a certain number of copies available, switching to the next game after the current game is 'sold out'
ReplyDeletehttps://www.gog.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=game_subject&utm_campaign=Insomnia_Launch_EN
I only have 472 CAPS . . . does anyone want to pitch in another 28 so I can play what we can definitively say is the ONLY adventure game to feature Jimmy Smits AND Corben Bernsen, L.A. LAW. I feel it is my legal and ethical obligation to attempt this likely disaster to provide entertainment and schadenfreude for all.
ReplyDeleteThe game is by Capstone. They did the Beverly Hillbillies game. God help me.
I can pitch them. So we have the complete list, haven't we?
DeleteNote that Canageek has already pledged 200 CAPs to L.A. Law, so you'll need lot less to purchase it.
DeleteI've made the purchase of L.A. Law so that Canageek pays 200 CAPs, Laertes 28 and Alex rest (272 CAPs). I've also put Alex as the player of the game (I so hope this is worth all the CAPs).
DeleteI had no idea when L.A. Law was published, so I just put it somewhere in the middle of the playing list.
The game apparently came with a manual with some phone numbers as a copy protection. I haven't been able to find the manual, but the phone numbers appear to be here:
http://www.cheater.cz/winch/online/L/X271.htm
OK, leave me at 200 then.
DeleteSweet!/Dear God, what have I done????
DeleteWow, seems I arrived late at the sponsoring party. Lots of quality games on the horizon. Many of them I didn't get to play back in the day (and never heard of Batman Returns!) so I'm looking forward to playing them along when they come up.
ReplyDeleteHey if you want to refund me for some of what I paid...
DeleteJust a note on our previous Year Ahead posts.
ReplyDeleteThis one was posted in March 2016, and gives us 37 games to play
The previous ones were...
December 2014 (15 months earlier - 22 games to play)
April 2013 (20 months earlier - 21 games to play)
May 2012 (11 months earlier - 11 games to play)
What conclusions can we draw from this?
1. There are more adventure games released each year (though this may change between the mid-90s and mid-00s.)
2. We have little to no chance of ever catching up and playing a year in less than a year
3. This project can conceivably go on until the end of time!
4. I have too much time on my hands and have a vague and unprofessional interest in statistical analysis
I like the idea of TAG continuing on indefinitely. Especially if around 3000 AD they will play an adventure game commemorating the first generation of brave TAGgers:
Delete"The admin of TAG have gone missing and people are desperately waiting for their monthly supplies of CAPs. Travel around the world in search of the missing admin and meet all the original reviewers. Chances are, your path might cross the legendary Trickster, but beware - getting to his abode requires the legendary resurrection card, hidden behind a puzzle more devious than even the makers of Les Manley could fathom."
Like disco music, the adventure game genre does not continue to expand indefinitely. I think we hit Peak Adventure around the blockbusting arrival of Myst, then it enjoys a flood of cheap knockoffs and the entire genre goes down the tubes for a decade... and all you get are slim fangame pickings written using AGS.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a long list for 1992. Some good ones coming up. I'm especially excited about Fate of Atlantis and QfG3, even though I've played them both fairly recently.
ReplyDeleteDune is a weird beast, though. Starts off as an adventure game of sorts, but turns into a strategy game towards the end. Still fun, though.
I might consider volunteering to play KGB, if nobody else wants to. I think I still have it installed on my Amiga 1200.
KGB is a great game, but I've played it so recently that I wouldn't want to do it. I'll put you tentatively as the player, there's still a chance that someone else might want to play it.
DeleteWow, I'm impressed! Didn't think we'd get everything funded. I hope we can gather enough points for next years games!
ReplyDeleteConsidering we generate 3700 CAPs *minimum* by playing 37 games, I think it's very unlikely to be unable to fund all games. If nobody with CAPs is interested in a particular game, then it won't be funded, but that's how it should work. Even so, that seems unlikely. You guys seem interested in covering practically anything *cough*Emanuelle*cough*.
DeleteAlso, not all games need funding to start. I didn't go count, but I'm guessing 30-50% of the games are automatically accepted.
DeleteIs IS true that there are a lot more CAPs being distributed these days since we reward the reviewers with them. But is this a bug or a feature? I'm not sure.
DeleteIt'd be more interesting if there was something else to do with CAPs other than fund the games that aren't automatically accepted for each game year. As it is, it feels a bit like an RPG where the economy is designed such that you end up with tons of cash by the end of the game and nothing to spend it on. I wonder if Missed Classics should be funded with CAPs too? Or interviews? Or some other thing I haven't thought of? That way there's an alternate benefit (other than the main series of games) that could be scaled up to however many CAPs someone wants to throw at it. Something to think about, anyway.
DeleteOr do as the real world does when inflation occurs, that is, make prices higher? Borderline-games seem quite cheap - you can essentially buy two games with the salary of playing one game.
DeleteThat's right. Plus I've never understood the rule of requiring 100 for a borderline game from a group effort if one person can fund it for 50. I guess if more than two people want to share the cost (if none of them even have 50, for instance), it might make sense. Still, why not just make borderline games cost 100 regardless of whether it's split or not? That would be a good start. Probably any changes would only take effect starting with 1993 games at this point, but this is as good a time as any to consider whether the system needs any tweaks.
DeleteI did a quick calculation, balancing out the CAPs paid for the games and the CAPs that will be eventually created for playing the games. Surprisingly, there's only a surplus of 150 CAPs, which seems quite acceptable. This is mostly due to Panthro's Law -games, which effectively cancelled 800 CAPs from the system. We could use that as kind of a regulation system, adding up more of those to the market, if the TAG economy appears to go overboard.
DeleteLooking at the current status of 1993, there are 19 Accepted games, 13 Borderline and 5 Disregarded. If the Borderlines would cost 100 CAPs (being effectively worth 0 in the whole economy), the total amount of CAPs generated would be 1900 – 500 = 1400. Add to that three Panthro’s Law –games, and we’ll have surplus of 200; add four, and we’ll be able to cancel 200 CAPs. Seems pretty effective.
DeleteYou forget all the CAPs that we earn for commenting, playing alongside, and similar. It's not a huge amount, but they'll certainly add up.
DeleteAnd while "Panthro's Law" games might take a good chunk off, that does require us actually finding enough of those that are appropriate.
I wasn't so much forgetting as ignoring them, since we cannot really determine beforehand how much of those people will earn during one gaming year. If we just have a steady source of "Panthro's Law" -games, we will have all the means necessary for regulating the "cash flow" of the blog.
DeleteThe main problem with "Panthro's law", I think, is not so much finding games, but more deciding which to choose. Remember that we don't have to find quite many of them, since they are meant to be very costly. I just looked at MobyGames for Dos/Windows graphical adventure games of 1993 and found quite quickly five games that didn't fit the criteria of a Potential game - and I didn't even look through the whole list. If that isn't sufficient, we can always extend the search to interactive fiction, action-adventure or even those smutty Japanese visual novels (well, perhaps we shouldn't go THAT far).
All the miscellaneous CAPs could add up to quite a lot, actually, especially when you consider you're giving CAPs for Missed Classics too. I looked at the last five Final Ratings and, not even counting points associated with Missed Classics or the 100 given to the reviewer, the totals were between 40 and 182 per game, with an average of 97. Now the 182 may be skewing that a bit high, but it's very likely that each game will generate between 50 and 100 extra points, on average. Plus Missed Classics! That's not a negligible influence on the system.
DeleteOh, I didn't say they are insignificant source of CAPs, but more like chaotic or unpredictable.
DeleteBut let's get down to basics. Readers do want to award people for blogging about the games and it makes sense for bloggers to encourage discussion by awarding good comments - that's why we have CAPs as kind of prestige points (the more you have them, the more you are taking part in the TAG community).
And it makes sense to use CAPs to affect what games are to be played. It makes a good compromise between having strict criteria what to play and trying to play every adventure game ever made - and it helps to get people involved with TAG.
I think there's nothing wrong with the principles, but what we can do is to tweak some details. Firstly, we should establish that at least the regular awards and prices seem fair.
Regular Awards: 20 CAPs for guessing the score, at most 25 CAPs for playing along, 50 CAPs for Missed Classic, 100 CAPs for a regular game. I'd say these seem pretty reasonable.
Prices now: 50 CAPs for Borderline, 200 CAPs for Disregarded, 500 CAPs for a "Panthro's Law" -game. Like I said, Borderlines could be raised to 100 CAPs - playing a game is worth adding a game. Should the other two be also higher or do they seem fair as they now are?
After the prices are set, the best thing to do is to give people things to do with the CAPs. Easiest thing is to add more possibilities to add games to the playing list, just with very high CAP prices (what Panthro's Law is essentially all about).
Of course, we may have to tinker a bit about the best prices for the more costly games and about the amount of Panthro's Law -games, but I do believe it's possible to get quite near to a satisfying balance point here.
I think I'd seen 10 CAPs for playing along recently. But playing along should be worth more than guessing the score, I think, since it requires a lot more time.
DeleteMaking Borderline games cost 100 also makes the cost more consistent in another way: each "level" then costs 100. The jump from 200 to 500 is a lot more than 100 to 200, but maybe that's intentional.
Still think some Missed Classics or other special features could be bought with CAPs. I know some are kind of personal projects now (Joe), but maybe there are others.
Here's another bit of analysis. Even after funding all the games for this year, there are over 10,000 CAPs already earned and not yet spent. The 23 people with over 100 CAPs left total over 8500 CAPs. Since the total CAP cost for this year's games was only 3750, that means that we'd theoretically be able to fund all the games for next year even if nobody earned any more CAPs between now and then.
DeleteThis is a good analysis! But also quite a lot of worry about our little fake economy. It's tough to see how we could improve this, plus I'm not sure that funding all the games is a BAD thing. But it does make the gamification of the site a bit less. I would be up to discussing how to improve it.
DeleteUnlike with Trickster, I'm not sure that any of us reviewers have enough of a personal reputation that people would want to put up CAPs to have us play games. I would be willing though to take requests if people wanted to put up CAPs for them as a way to provide more things for people to spend on. (But I have my hands full, too.)
Yeah, Reiko totally deserves some CAPs for that analysis... :)
DeleteI'd not be too worried about the 'economy'. We always have the Trickster CAP dump every now and then to his new currency (seriously, how many people can say they've created -two- currencies) - and when it really comes down to it it's a gimmick. A fun one, but still a gimmick. We have the actual content at the core of the site to keep it vibrant, no?
Is Trickster still allowing CAP dumps to his site? I thought it was a one-time thing when the site launched. I wasn't taking into account any later siphoning of CAPs.
DeleteI wouldn't be too worried about CAPs lying around in readers' "bank account". Some people won't use them ever, others are waiting to save them for some future game etc.
DeleteAs for having alternative ways to spend CAPs, if viable options are invented, the admin are happy enough to do the dirty number work. As for using them for Missed Classics and other extra features, the main problem I see with that is the possibility that the extra features would then start to compete with the main game line for resources - we would have to give them slots in the publication schedules more regularly, we would actually have to have someone appointed to playing them, instead of people playing the games out of personal interest etc.
It might work in a somewhat limited fashion - we might have a limited number of assigned Missed Classic slots per gaming year (two or three?), which people could fill with their choices, if they could gather enough CAPs (1000 CAPs for one game?) - these assigned Missed Classics could be sold at regular intervals (always, when a fourth of the games of the gaming year have been played, for instance). Beyond those assigned Missed Classics, we could then also still publish freely chosen Missed Classics and other extra features (but somewhat less, since these assigned Missed Classics would eat the publishing slots). Or something like that (I am open for suggestions).
Then again, like Joe and Aperama said, we need not be overtly concerned with the economy (it's not like we could create any real crisis with our made-up money).
Reiko: Not at the moment, as far as I know. I guess Trickster won't do it quite often, since he has to do the transfer manually.
DeleteLate to the party, but...
DeleteReiko. Yeah, I think 10 CAPs has been the standard 'playing along' prize but it's occasionally been more. I agree that 20 CAPs is a more suitable prize for that as a standard and think we should do that from now on.
I also agree that there's no point worrying too much if we have CAP hoarders (I've been one myself, and it's not because I'm saving up for a big CAP purchase, but I just couldn't be arsed doing anything with them) I'll happily admit I'm wrong when someone saves enough CAPs to buy us out and fill the site with ads for weight loss, gambling and porn.
From my point of view the main point of CAPs is just a fun little recognition for writing something somewhat interesting to the reviewer or winning a competition. The total amount of CAPs I have and the ability to spend them are of much less interest to me personally.
I'm happy if people find fun reasons to spend CAPs though so keep the ideas coming if anyone has any...
Sorry I'm late to the party. I'd like it if we could keep CAPS cheap enough that people who don't review games can still afford things from time to time.
DeleteGood point. Something to keep in mind as, though there are lots of CAPs out there, they are becoming more concentrated on the reviewers.
DeleteI do think we've got it fairly right at the moment though. The costs of disregarded and borderline games are the same as they have been, and there's always the option of pooling points.
And now that we've all spent a bunch of our points, we all have over a year to earn CAPs before we get another chance to spend them in bulk.
As we still have quite a few games unaccounted for, I'd like to put my hand up for a few more:
DeleteLeather Goddesses of Phobos II, to give me an excuse to Missed Classic the original
Amazon: Guardians of Eden, to see how Access have evolved since Martian Memorandum
TBD: I've put down your name to those games.
DeleteI just stumbled onto a video showcasing adventure games from 1992 and noticed a game missing from the above list:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/daughter-of-serpents
It's probably too late for any chance of it being added and sponsored, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Maybe it'll get played as a Missed Classic in the future.
Unlike our counterpart the CRPGAddict, TAG isn't really intended to be exhaustive. As Ilmari summarized above:
Delete"A Potential game to be played must be listed on Moby Games as part of the adventure genre (excluding interactive fiction games) and must have at least 10 votes, or it must appear on the Wikipedia Notable Graphic Adventure Games list, or it must be an adventure game in a series, later part of which would be Potential."
This one received just 9 votes and so was shy of the required target...
I personally have an "inclusive" bent and would like to see a few more exceptions someday, but our Missed Classic system is suitably robust that we may not need it. (You may have seen my comment recently about the future ICOM games. Those are games that aren't notable but done in the waning days of a team that previously did notable games. Should those be automatically included? Maybe or maybe not. Worthy of debate. Some other day.)
As for 1992, we have already more games than any other year I believe so one more may not be that welcome... :)
Ah, I just reread the inclusion rules and realised the difference between the 10 and 20 Mobygames votes requirements (thought it was always 20). I did wonder why the Batman game was votable while the other game wasn't. Nevermind then.
DeleteI'd say definitely point things like this out though.
DeleteYou mentioning it has made me extremely likely to be Missed Classicing it