Adventure Gamers: How many of the unresolved questions brought up in the previous games are going to be answered?

Jonathan: What questions? I've stated many times that certain elements are left open, for personal interpretation. Dark Fall: Lights Out actually features a very simple story, which seems to puzzle some people beyond its intentions. But, sci-fi concepts can be a little hard to explain, without resorting to spouting techno-babble and time paradox theory. The recently published 'Lights Out Companion' includes lots of information about what, who and why things happened on Fetch Rock.

But, if you are referring to Dark Fall... well, there's not an awful lot to say here that hasn't been discussed elsewhere. Again, I believe the story to be a simple one, but I do not go as far as to name, or classify, what the Dark Fall actually is (and never will). That would be rather foolish. To name and explain the force would defeat the object of the game... that being to present a formless, existential horror, that exists purely in the mind of the gamer.

One person's perception of hell, limbo and the afterlife is a very personal thing. I'm not sure I want to state what I believe exists in the next world, or whether anything exists at all. The writing in Dark Fall leaves each gamer to come to their own conclusions in regards to concepts such as ghosts, evil, death and purgatory. I'm not a big fan of Christian and Catholic propaganda, so certainly wouldn't fuel any single ideologies... you know.... one person’s faith is their own.

But, if you wanted answers to something more simple, which you believe to be unanswered by the fiction, feel free to ask. I have often found myself wondering whether we actually 'defeated' the Dark Fall, in part 1, or just subdued the power until a later date? The next game will tackle elements like that. But, there are also more silly questions that can be looked at, such as why Nigel and Polly had no sleeping bags, in DF1, given that they planned to stay for several days. Where did they sleep, and where were the Takeaway dinners delivered to?! The mind boggles.

AG: I was referring to the bigger picture issues, but the smaller details you mentioned might just warrant a replay. Along those lines, you’ve recently re-released the first two Dark Fall games in updated editions. What prompted that decision?

Jonathan: With Dark Fall: Lost Souls on the horizon, it seemed an appropriate time to re-evaluate the original games. After some thought, it was decided the time was right to update the games to run on newer systems, and also fix a few nagging issues which were present in the original versions. After tweaking a few things in Dark Fall, I found myself playing Lights Out and wondered why so much detail was removed during production....then I remembered the publisher, and it all came flooding back. Not a good time. So, I grabbed the Spring Cleaning Bag, my old notes and scripts, and got to work re-vamping the game, and pushing it up onto a new level...that of a Director’s Cut. Most have loved the new additions, changes and 'scarier' bits, but some feel I've "done a Lucas" and fiddled with a classic. I don't think Lights Out is a classic, but is instead a thoroughly enjoyable paranormal, time-travel romp involving a traditional old lighthouse. Phew!

I also wanted to get back towards self-publishing, so offering the older games in a Limited Edition (Pins & Needles), with soundtrack, seemed a great opportunity. You must remember that my first game, and first experience of other gamers, came through self-publishing Dark Fall back in 2001. I highly recommend the venture to any new, indie studios, based upon my experience. It has never been anything less than a joy to converse with gamers directly, from all walks of life, and all corners of the globe. Even a mega-publisher cannot post games to some corners of the world... whereas I am more than happy to do so. I have a frightening pinboard world map in the studio, with pins for each country I've sold to. It's looking very spiky, after all these years.

AG: Do you think Lost Souls will be the last Dark Fall game, or do you see the series continuing?

Jonathan: Hmm, not sure. I like Trilogies, they tend to work quite well. Returning to face the Dark Fall, one last time, would certainly wrap up the series. I'm then moving on to The Last Crown, which will take a good year to produce (not as much to learn this time round!), so I'm tied up for a while. Plus I'm planning a new horror franchise, with Matt Clark, at Shadow Tor. We have a shared love of European horror movies, so it would be great to get something going. The series would be quite striking, and technologically progressive, so watch this space, come 2011.



AG: Much to look forward to, then! But first Lost Souls. We've just heard the good news about Europe, but what are your publishing plans for elsewhere? Do you plan to release it yourself or through retail publishing partners?

Jonathan: There are lots of options at the moment, which is more than I can say for 2008. Lots of publishers and distributors went bust, or went mental, leaving the adventure scene rather desolate. But, in all honesty, I'd love to see Dark Fall: Lost Souls on shelves... and not just in game stores... which will soon be a thing of the past. Wouldn't it be great to see new releases in the big super stores and bookstores... something a little different. I am talking to new publishers who are keen to get games in new locations, so anything could happen. Hopefully, fingers crossed, the game will be available in the late summer, or autumn. I like that time of year... Bonfire Night, Birthdays and Halloween! I've got a lot planned for that season, including a 'live' broadcast Ghost Hunt from the dark, damp pinewoods of Cornwall. News of that, and production on Lost Souls, will be appearing on my blog: www.jonathanboakes.blogspot.com.

AG: Well, whatever forms it comes in, we’re really looking forward to it. Thank you for joining us, Jonathan, to help us patiently bide our time until then.

Jonathan: Great! I look forward to seeing what Adventure Gamers make of the next game; as far as I am concerned it is my best game yet, but I think The Lost Crown has a few fans loitering in the forums. They won't have too long to wait for a sequel, planned for 2010, so it's a busy time for me and Darkling Room. Things change, move on, or stop, but I'm going to be making games for some time to come. It is a great time to be an independent developer! Thanks.



Leave it to Jonathan to tease us with another new sequel just as he's departing, but we'll leave him be for now or he'll never get them all done. In the meantime, if a five-page Jonathan Boakes retrospective still isn't enough, there's a great image gallery still to come, filled with additional photos of the man himself, several making-of technical images, and even more seen-only-by-a-select-few screenshots of The Displacement! Enjoy.