Bad Brain company blog [Archive]

HieroHero

10-15-2005, 07:28 PM

have you read the latest entry???

Ever wondered what a crappy name i-jet is for a game? Well, imagine me sitting there at night, having to come up with some games bad brain entertainment will soon start production on. Sure there were concepts in my head already. But they were just ideas by then. The first name for a game that came to my mind was Quizzoid. Ever saw the movie Tremors? Theres a chinese guy who names the worms. In german he calls them Schlangoiden which would translate to something like Snakoids since I bought the Double-DVD I -oid a lot of things. Like Catz-oid for my cat and so on. So I announced a Quizshow game called Quizzoid. I soon realised that people wanted different stuff. They wanted to hear about adventures and adventures was why I founded bad brain entertainment in the first place. So with Bill Tillers announcement of us trying to save Sam&Max2 I thought it might be a good thing to bring a backup team in place. I always wanted to do a 70s/80s style game with animals. And The Orgastic 4 were born. Finally I wanted to have a three game lineup at last. My last game should be something huge. It should be revolutinary and mind bashing. I have to say that most of my ideas come from movies and tv-series. I am a big movie and tv freak and know nearly everything contemporary and ancient. So my last game had just a simple idea. People who try to find their kids. I just saw The Forgotten and simply loved the idea of people seeing the world different. I thought that this would make for a real revolution in adventures. Different characters see things different. Also you could play the game with a friend, enter a room together and see different things. A real co-op game. All I needed now was a name (... and a story and a team and so on ...). I looked around in my office and the first thing I spotted was my fax-machine. A Philips i-jet (for ink-jet) fax. i-jet just sounded myteriously enough for me, so i-jet was the name. You will wonder what we made up to give the name a meaning when you play the actual game.

Hey. That was a long one. So now you know just some more of our dirty little secrets. Stick with us to see how we produced trailers and material out of thin air.

http://www.bad-brain.com/ceo_en.jsp

--------------------------

I don't know what is worse..the fact that he did exactly what I though he did..or that he is actually documenting his lying, and other horrible behaviour..this guy is scum..

and this...

Camela McC (name abbreviated), at that time Studio Manager at LucasArts.

So I emailed her and she emailed back. On September 8th. With some questions what I would intend to do with the Sam & Max 2 Material once I had it. That was the first and last time I heard from Camela.

---

apparently thats the basis of "negotiations with lucasarts" and some stupid "puzzles" and months of lying...

NemelChelovek

10-15-2005, 11:50 PM

My my...he named his game concept after a printer/fax machine. "I-Jet" sounds cool and mysterious? It certainly makes me feel an odd sense of foreboding. Will the data spool to the printer? Will the paper jam? Will I run out of color ink? This is too much.

"I-Jet" sounds like a product you might see at 2 AM being advertised by an overenthusiastic man with a boisterous British accent, with a complimentary little other product that has no relevance to the main item. It doesn't sound like an atmospheric, disturbing thriller. But maybe that's just me...

Martin Gantefoehr

10-16-2005, 02:36 AM

I'm surprised to see quotes on this blog that are obviously lifted from personal or business emails.

Lucien21

10-16-2005, 02:46 AM

Just another example of why I can't take Bad Brain seriously.

They always seemed unprofessional and full of empty promises.

Throwing around alot of promises to developers without the money or know how to back it up.

Airing it all in public is just hilarious.

Kolorabi

10-16-2005, 02:59 AM

This is stuff about the Inventory chat is amazing:

"On the second night of the birthday chat I joined in. People were starting to ask questions like: who are you guys, were did you pop up from, what other products do you have, is there intelligent life on other planets? Well, I decided to come up with answers quick. So it was time to . lets say - improvise."

Then he proceeds to talk about how he came up with the three games (as quoted in the first post).

Respect to him and the rest of Bad Brain for actually trying to make his "improvised" ideas into actual games (and it does seem like The Orgastic Four is coming along nicely), but it feels a bit lame that both The Orgastic Four and I-Jet were just things he made up to impress the crowds at the Inventory chat.

Erwin_Br

10-16-2005, 02:59 AM

I find it all very interesting to read, though :)

--Erwin

Intrepid Homoludens

10-16-2005, 03:59 AM

I find it...... 'amusing'. For lack of a better word.

nordic_guy

10-16-2005, 05:15 AM

I'd find this amusing if he was joking, but knowing that every little bit of this is actually true is just... pathetic.

I won't hold my breath for them to actually release a finished product, then.

simpson_yellow

10-16-2005, 05:46 AM

http://markleonard.net/fsblob/19.jpg

Jackal

10-16-2005, 08:50 AM

So I-Jet came from seeing his printer first... What the hell was he looking at when he named Orgastic 4? :crazy:

Intrepid Homoludens

10-16-2005, 09:10 AM

:shifty: Why the hell did you even have to ask?

Jack

Jackal

10-16-2005, 09:26 AM

Hey, animal foursomes may be common to YOU, but I've never seen one. :shifty:

Martin Gantefoehr

10-16-2005, 09:46 AM

Hey, animal foursomes may be common to YOU, but I've never seen one. :shifty:

In that case, let me familiarize you with a piece of German folklore. :shifty:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Bremer_Stadtmusikanten.jpg/180px-Bremer_Stadtmusikanten.jpg

Karmillo

10-16-2005, 10:26 AM

Im a bit lost here...well im always lost, but whats is it people dont like about this guy?

Marek

10-16-2005, 10:49 AM

http://markleonard.net/fsblob/19.jpg
This is SO true.

jp-30

10-16-2005, 11:12 AM

Meh. I posted that a year ago.

Still holds true though. :P

Stick with us to see how we produced trailers and material out of thin air.

Yeah, I always wondered just how they made that spinning i-jet logo flash animation that was touted as a "teaser trailer".

Erwin_Br

10-16-2005, 11:33 AM

What the hell was he looking at when he named Orgastic 4? :crazy:

The visuals from that game look appealing to me, though.

--Erwin

DustCropper

10-16-2005, 11:53 AM

Wow, I've never had more fun reading a blog before in my life.

I guess we came up with the name bad brain entertainment some days before, just to have one. There were other names of course, but Kai Loeffler, a friend of mine, came up with this one and I agreed. In his intention the bad in bad brain entertainment was for rotten. In mine it was for evil. So we started throwing logo designs at each other and finally came up with a greenish 2D sketch of a brain I ripped from the internet and post-produced - yeah that sounds good - in photoshop.Isn't that illegal??

I'm having a great time imagining what kind of crazy world it must be to work there. It reminds me of that last job George (from Seinfeld) had with Mr. Krueger.

insane_cobra

10-16-2005, 11:58 AM

This is SO true. Spot on, Simpson, I almost choked on my dinner. :)

Wormsie

10-16-2005, 11:59 AM

I'm having a great time imagining what kind of crazy world it must be to work there.Ask Flux...

Udvarnoky

10-16-2005, 12:04 PM

The blog is completely brilliant. One hundred stars.

Huz

10-16-2005, 02:51 PM

http://markleonard.net/fsblob/19.jpg
And let's not forget this work of genius (http://www.scummbar.com/images/comic/comic-6.jpg). It gets truer every day, his blog really does make me weep. Weep tears of laughter.

The rest of you have already mentioned this stuff more than enough, but seriously! He stole his logo off the Web and freely admits to it in his blog? He came up with his game ideas on the spur of the moment? His in-depth discussions with LucasArts amount to one email?

Is anyone else reminded of those people who periodically roll up in places like the Underground forums, post "hi I'm working on a 3D remake of MI2 but need some1 to do the grafix and sound and also the voice acting get back to me plz??? Look at this concept art I amde lol, its in paint but i'll download photoshop 2moro and then admit it on my blog" and are never heard from again?

Honestly, I do wish Wolfgang every success. I do. But it's not going to happen is it?

Intrepid Homoludens

10-16-2005, 02:54 PM

Honestly, I do wish Wolfgang every success. I do. But it's not going to happen is it?

Not likely, the way he's going.

jp-30

10-16-2005, 03:21 PM

Wow, I've never had more fun reading a blog before in my life.

Isn't that illegal??

If the post-production was such that it changed the source image sufficiently (ie. so much so that it would be impossible to trace back), then probably not.

Legolas813

10-16-2005, 03:21 PM

And let's not forget this work of genius (http://www.scummbar.com/images/comic/comic-6.jpg).

That is so great. :D Reminds me I have to rent season two. Season one was just awesome.

jp-30

10-16-2005, 03:28 PM

Not likely, the way he's going.

"We are giving Rocks a third try. Two teams did not make it. So it is up to team three now. I guess we are on the right track now. As soon as there is something new on Rocks, you will find it in the games-list again. Be seeing you!"

Team three they're on for Rocks. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the game... it's a boulderdash (http://wireless.gamespy.com/wireless/rocks/) clone.

simpson_yellow

10-16-2005, 04:13 PM

These blog entries are killing me http://www.dnforum.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif - think I'll be adding it to my favourites. And let's not forget this work of genius (http://www.scummbar.com/images/comic/comic-6.jpg).
Hahaha. That's beautiful!

@jp-30: Sorry, wasn't aware you'd already posted that - assume that was on our last "Bad Brain are a pack of unethical incompetents" thread :)

artwking4

10-16-2005, 04:22 PM

I'm going to be contraversial and say that I don't hate Bad Brain.

Oh I'm in trouble now...

Me

Udvarnoky

10-16-2005, 04:32 PM

I did a search and couldn't find "hate" anywhere in this thread. Damn.

Glenn Epic

10-16-2005, 04:39 PM

Bad Brain is bile

jp-30

10-16-2005, 05:22 PM

@jp-30: Sorry, wasn't aware you'd already posted that - assume that was on our last "Bad Brain are a pack of unethical incompetents" thread :)

Yeah (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=6634). Though his image link is broken now dabnabbit. Not that I'm claiming some sort of monopoly on the association. :)

It just scares me how he continues his davidbrentisms to this day. And beyond no doubt.

artwking4

10-16-2005, 05:29 PM

I did a search and couldn't find "hate" anywhere in this thread. Damn.
People don't have to use the word 'hate' for that feeling or impression to come across loud and clear.:)

this guy is scum..
assume that was on our last "Bad Brain are a pack of unethical incompetents" thread :)
Bad Brain is bile

I'm not a mind reader, and I could be misinterpreting some of those, but the impressions of some of my forum friends aren't lost on me.;)

And this isn't the first time Bad Brain has gotten gang probed on this forum. I'm just saying I'm one person who doesn't hold everything against them. I'm disappointed, for sure. They certainly made some pretty dumb mistakes and made highly exaggerated claims, but I'm hoping they've learned from the fallout and changed in the last few months. Of course, I'm thinking that airing the dirty laundry by doing this little CEO Blog is a bad idea on Bad Brain's part. It's clearly not winning anybody over to their side. Nevertheless, I hope that we'll be getting some good games from them, and that's all I really care about. Bad, evil, bilous or unethical, I don't care if they have to lie, cheat, steal, or enslave orphaned hamsters running on little wheels to make a good game, if it gets the job done and I'm enjoying the game, I'll be satisfied. Is that so wrong? Does that make me a bad person?:devil: ;)

Anyway, personally, I think Orgastic 4 has some good potential. I mean, how many games have a beaver as one of the main characters? It's way ahead of its time, I tell you what.:) :crazy:

Orange Brat

10-16-2005, 05:37 PM

Udvarnoky

10-16-2005, 05:57 PM

I'm going to be contraversial and say that I don't hate Bad Brain.

Oh I'm in trouble now...

Me

Is that so wrong? Does that make me a bad person?:devil: ;)

Is the sarcastic self-scolding supposed to be part of an effort to form some lame point against a non-existent anti-BBE crusade? Glancing through past related threads, you seem to believe that a lot of people want Bad Brain burned to the ground or something. You can have a different opinion without antagonizing everybody. The reaction here is not positive, but it's hardly inappropriate. And you've got to admit, the latest postings on Wolfgang's blog are highly silly, revealing, and entertaining.

artwking4

10-16-2005, 06:33 PM

Is the sarcastic self-scolding supposed to be part of an effort to form some lame point against a non-existent anti-BBE crusade? Glancing through past related threads, you seem to believe that a lot of people want Bad Brain burned to the ground or something.

It's as if you're looking into my soul. My paranoia shames me...:frown:

And you've got to admit, the latest postings on Wolfgang's blog are highly silly, revealing, and entertaining.

They are. I actually think it's interesting how he came up with those kinda ridiculous names. Just because the origins don't seem that creative or inspired now, it doesn't mean they won't become something far more fascinating later on. Except for Rocks. I really have no idea what's up with that.

simpson_yellow

10-16-2005, 07:13 PM

Yeah (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=6634). Though his image link is broken now dabnabbit. Not that I'm claiming some sort of monopoly on the association. :)
self
I even posted on that thread. :crazy:

And artwking, I think I pretty much agree with you. I don't normally care how games arrive in my lap either. I'm sure Bad Brain aren't the only people who do things like this, but they're about the only people I know that declare it publicly (some might call this brave, but strikes me more as stupidity).

And just for the record, the "Bad Brain are a pack of unethical incompetents" thing was kind of tongue in cheek and was as much a comment on public/forum perception of Bad Brain as on Bad Brain itself (well, maybe not quite as much, but at least a little ;)). My post in the thread that jp-30 linked to better outlines my take on Bad Brain:
I hadn't given too much consideration to Bad Brain's behaviour, but thinking about it, it's certainly caused more harm than good. As you say, it's probably well intentioned but it's definitely inappropriate.

Particularly their latest announcement, which clearly levels blame at the LucasArts side of the table (which may be fair(?) but is less than professional). How they can make an announcement like that, and then expect someone else to happily enter negotiations with them is a bit beyond me.

In the long run, if things continue this way, I don't think anyone will come out of this looking golden. Bad Brain will suffer as well.

And I think suggesting that people petition Steve Purcell is just plain stupid.

I respect what Bad Brain are trying to do, just not how they are trying to do it.Either way, I'm still interested to see what this beaver will bring to the table.

HieroHero

10-16-2005, 08:39 PM

if some german guy with not much money wanted to start a game company and talk about all the games he created i wouldn't mind.. what i find offensive is he would use fans of "sam & max" who had waited 12 years for a sequel to their favorite game, and having it just cancelled pull them along for his own interests. he stated "he had signed a nda with lucasarts" that was completely false.. he said he was in discussions with lucasarts..no he wasnt he received 1 e-mail from someone at lucasarts.. and with this he dragged out this whole thing for months

david brent was inanely stupid but i dont remember him lying as much as keidorf..

and artwking youve been defending BB all along and i'm not sure why.. what makes you think one german guy with no money no game producing experience is going to deliver a quality game? he's basically admitted in his blog he made everything up as he was going.. :r

HieroHero

10-16-2005, 08:46 PM

So I-Jet came from seeing his printer first... What the hell was he looking at when he named Orgastic 4? :crazy:

well i cant wait to see what other titles he comes up with after watching his german porn collection.. :shifty:

Fum

10-16-2005, 09:39 PM

Of course, I'm thinking that airing the dirty laundry by doing this little CEO Blog is a bad idea on Bad Brain's part. It's clearly not winning anybody over to their side.

I have to say the blog has won me over. From the very beginning Bad Brain struck me as an amateur operation run by some spontaneous overenthusiastic guy. A guy that would talk big ideas, design a decent website (with all the graphics and source code probably ripped-off, though), lie a little bit to try to portray the company as legitimate and get some attention, but then quickly lose interest in it all once a brick wall was hit when it came to actually making games, and the whole thing would fizzle. And the way he talks about the company in his blog seems to reinforce this impression completely. But then, someone like this wouldn't talk about such things so publicly...so I’ve decided he can't actually be someone like this. Maybe he's just kind of stupid, but he doesn't seem to be. The type of person the fella' strikes me as is a marginally insane person, and I like insane people, so I’ve decided I like him.

artwking4

10-16-2005, 09:53 PM

and artwking youve been defending BB all along and i'm not sure why.. what makes you think one german guy with no money no game producing experience is going to deliver a quality game? he's basically admitted in his blog he made everything up as he was going.. :r

I know, I'm a terrible person for hoping and believing in adventure games, especially in these days when it's a MIRACLE that any get made and published at all. It's just awful of me to try and have a positive outlook on this, thinking that Bad Brain can learn it's lessons and get back on track, if only for the crazy, selfish reason that I want to see more adventure games on the market. :shifty: Somebody come put me away before I hurt myself!:crazy: :)

I honestly don't really know why, and I don't really care why, but I'll keep doing it. I don't care what they did in the past anymore, just what they're going to do in the future. Strange as it is, defending Bad Brain was my first post in this forum, and if I have to keep doing it until it's my last post at AG, than I'll do that.

I can always HOPE that an adventure game will be good. If a bunch of people working in their spare time for free can create a game like KQIX (although unfortunately cancelled) with little to no money, then there's always a possibility that some German guy with not much money who starts a game company can actually raise more money and come up with ideas and hire talented people and actually make a good game.

well i cant wait to see what other titles he comes up with after watching his german porn collection.. :shifty:
Ah, yes. At least "Fists of Fury" is already taken.

artwking4

10-16-2005, 10:04 PM

but then quickly lose interest in it all once a brick wall was hit when it came to actually making games,

The whole Sam & Max debacle and the loss of A Vampyre Story are huge brick walls for Bad Brain. The fact that they're still around after all that tells me they're serious at least.

The type of person the fella' strikes me as is a marginally insane person, and I like insane people, so I’ve decided I like him.
Maybe that's what I like about this guy. He's got everything to prove and tons to lose. And he's going to try to do it by making adventure games. That's just plain nuts!

frozenhamster

10-16-2005, 10:05 PM

The only good thing Bad Brain has done for me is keep me nice and occupied with their puzzles to reveal their so-called secret game. Although nothing came of it and I was pretty pissed at the end, I have to admit that the ride was fun.

On another note. I wonder if the people who he "cast" for I-Jet are even real people. maybe he made them up too.

artwking4

10-16-2005, 10:10 PM

On another note. I wonder if the people who he "cast" for I-Jet are even real people. maybe he made them up too.

There were casting videos made available when they held auditions, so the people are probably real, unless he's REALLY good at CG animation. They're in that Club Bad Brain thing on the website.

simpson_yellow

10-16-2005, 10:42 PM

Ah, yes. At least "Fists of Fury" is already taken.Best laugh I've had all day!

insane_cobra

10-16-2005, 11:01 PM

I'm sorry, I just can't take that guy seriously. He's an amusing comical character and I'm far from hating him, or Bad Brain, but that's all he'll remain until he comes up with some good games to back his claims up.

HieroHero

10-16-2005, 11:20 PM

HieroHero

10-16-2005, 11:21 PM

There were casting videos made available when they held auditions, so the people are probably real, unless he's REALLY good at CG animation. They're in that Club Bad Brain thing on the website.

"the first multi player adventure game!!!"

well maybe in his mind .....

ashleyelaine

10-16-2005, 11:46 PM

Intrepid Homoludens

10-16-2005, 11:59 PM

jp-30

10-17-2005, 12:26 AM

Intrepid Homoludens

10-17-2005, 12:54 AM

Yes. After a fashion, as it were.

HieroHero

10-17-2005, 04:13 AM

But this (http://www.cafepress.com/badbrainltd.16499439) is progress, surely!?

somehow I dont remember evryone requesting this in the inventory chat.. :D

Jackal

10-17-2005, 06:36 AM

They're genius because we're all here talking about this and generating interest. When the game(s) finally do come out, we'll all try them out, and if they're good then there will be a lot of crow to eat.

It takes no genius to lie for free publicity. Just nerve. And the whole "no such thing as bad publicity" thing is nonsense. Bad Brain has burned player and media trust, and really their games are generating very little interest now. (A single thread on a fan site further mocking their professionalism hardly qualifies.)

I don't think anyone is saying they aren't capable of coming up with a decent game, though the odds are severely stacked against them releasing anything, let alone something good. But lots of companies succeed in spite of their management incompetence (I know, I've worked for some). So the right team could pull off a nice game even while he runs around shooting himself in the foot.

Seems pretty obvious that his high-profile claims and promises were really to attract investors, not fans. I think the only question at this point is whether Bad Brain actually has any money (the kind needed to produce a game, market it, and get it on shelves around the world).

artwking4

10-17-2005, 07:27 AM

artwking i'd invest your faith in other companies.. theres a difference in supporting and hoping for the best for adventure gaming.. and believing in someone who has lied to the entire adventure game community

I've got plenty of faith to go around for all of the lying adventure game company CEO's, all of the fledgling startups like Telltale who choose an unpopular distribution method, and even those poor loveable dopes, the fangame creators who keep on making fangames knowing full well that their efforts could be for nothing when a C&D comes their way. I'm not the only crazy one around here.

Kolzig

10-17-2005, 04:19 PM

I've got this gut feeling that Wolfgang Kierdorf and Dr. Uwe Boll are related.

Karmillo

10-17-2005, 04:51 PM

Who is Uwe Boll?

artwking4

10-17-2005, 05:09 PM

Who is Uwe Boll?
He's a crazy German movie director or something. He turns video games into bad movies. Or at least mediocre ones. I don't think I've seen any of his films.

DustCropper

10-17-2005, 05:18 PM

He turns video games into bad movies.That's quite a big understatement, there. :)

Intrepid Homoludens

10-17-2005, 05:48 PM

I've got this gut feeling that Wolfgang Kierdorf and Dr. Uwe Boll are related.

If not sleeping together. :shifty:

Karmillo

10-17-2005, 06:02 PM

He turns video games into bad movies.That's quite a big understatement, there. :)

Bloody hell, for someone to make bad Video Game movies allot of publishers sure have signed him on for their games:

Bloodrayne
Far Cry
Fear effect

all in production :crazy:

although I havent seen Alone in the Dark or House of the dead....were they released in Uk Cineimas atall?

Intrepid Homoludens

10-17-2005, 06:02 PM

At least he didn't get Silent Hill.

Whew!!!!

EDIT: I think I'll put Bloodrayne on my Netflix queue, just to see how bad it is. :P

RLacey

10-18-2005, 06:56 AM

At least he didn't get Silent Hill.

Whew!!!!

EDIT: I think I'll put Bloodrayne on my Netflix queue, just to see how bad it is. :P

Have you seen the Bloodrayne trailer? Trailers for action films are supposed to be exciting, well-paced creatures. This one... wasn't.

Karmillo

10-18-2005, 03:51 PM

At least he didn't get Silent Hill.

Ooooo i sure hope Silent Hill's story is as good as the games is!

It'll be great if they also capture the atmosphere :9~

BigJ

10-19-2005, 09:30 AM

My problem with him is that he spends far too much energy shooting his mouth off about how great these games are gonna be and how fabulous he is that he thought them up. I'd prefer he keep a low profile for a while and actually make the games first? Say, some very nicely done tech demos, screenshots, teaser trailer......you know, actual progress?

Well, for The Orgastic 4 they've released two screenshots, two tech demos (character animations), two music samples (plus several bits of concept art)... For i-jet they've released two music samples and seven casting videos... For A Whispered Wor[l]d they've released several screenshots and a demo... Do those count?

Yeah, BBE has dicked around the community, but I'm still willing to give them a chance if they ever actually publish anything.

Risingson

10-19-2005, 01:06 PM

Er... yes, no comment. That was it, no comment.

Terramax

10-20-2005, 01:48 PM

This guy is cool. Makes me wonder what real professional programmers do/have done that we haven't been told about.

Ninth

10-20-2005, 01:58 PM

This guy is an asshole, and it would take an incredibly hype and excellent reviews to make me buy anything that might possibly go out of his studio.
It's not even that I cared that much about Sam and Max 2, but I can't stand self-satified liars.

Udvarnoky

10-20-2005, 02:18 PM

All I know is, the only reason I know Bad Brain's games exist is because of Sam & Max and A Vampyre Story. We all know what happened with Sam & Max, and Autumn Moon parted ways with BBE because apparently they had no idea what they were doing. That or they had no money:

By that time I did not have remotly enough money on my own to finance a game project that size. But I made that clear from day one and told AME that I was sure to raise the money somehow.

... Sure to raise the money somehow? I could have said that!

So Bad Brain is now on the map. Intentional or no, I feel manipulated. Even if they publish a game, and it turns out to be good (!), it's hard to support a company that gained its initial attention by, you know, fan deception.

SoccerDude28

10-20-2005, 02:26 PM

If the games they make are good, who cares? It's not like we lost any sleep knowing that bad-brain is not publishing Sam and Max, or parting ways with Autumn Moon. To me, it was rather entertaining. The more adventure developers, the better I say.

Udvarnoky

10-20-2005, 02:28 PM

Kind of sad to think of adventure developers that get no attention, while BBE is well-known in the adventure community because they talk out of their ass. So yes, I do care.

SoccerDude28

10-20-2005, 02:30 PM

Kind of sad to think of adventure developers that get no attention, while BBE is well-known in the adventure community because they talk out of their ass. So yes, I do care.
Which adventure developers don't get attention in the adventure community?

artwking4

10-20-2005, 02:36 PM

If the games they make are good, who cares?
And it's not like we've decided not to buy games from certain dubious publishers just because they don't treat the developers better, or give them more credit for the game, or pay them well enough or whatever.

Udvarnoky

10-20-2005, 02:38 PM

You can know a developer exists and not follow them.

Starflux

10-21-2005, 02:45 AM

Look, you may not take my words as wholly objective and you don't have to, because I've been an intern at Bad Brain and worked closely with Wolfgang for months. I've been reading a lot of opinions on him in this thread, he's been bashed and defended, I laughed my ass off with the David Brent strip because I saw exactly where it was true and where the comparison was false. Let me give you my take on Wolfgang.

The man is fantastic. He's an outrageous, funny, healthy person. I think it says a lot about the industry that everyone's getting so excited because a CEO is just saying exactly how it is in a blog. Bad Brain deceiving? Sure, that's why he's putting it there in a blog. If you ask me, Wolfgang is just saying it as it is. Bad Brain isn't a huge publisher, they're a little company that have a massive job to do. Let me put it like this: do you honestly think that the little companies can be just as professional and machine-like as the big ones? I think you will find that a lot of the smaller companies are exactly like Bad Brain (maybe without a baby-eating CEO), they're just pretending they're more professional than they really are. That's a choice they're making, and Wolfgang obviously has chosen a more controversial route: being a bit more open about the inner workings of the company.

I'm not going to defend the mistakes that were made. Hyping up Sam & Max was not the wisest thing to do, but I wholly believe this was not a foil to get publicity. I know Wolfgang and I know of his peerless enthusiasm for the game. If anything, this sort of thing came from inexperience, not out of scheming. But what I don't understand is why he is being totally flakked all the time. Aren't we all despising publishers like EA for not having a heart for gaming and pooping out uninspired sequels? Then why the hell aren't we supporting a company that -if still finding its way- is extremely enthusiastic and genuinely caring about games (i.e., NOT in it for the money)?

Don't come to me with tales of who and who 'deserves it more'. I don't blame people for saying these things, but Wolfgang has built up everything he has with his bare hands and he works like a madman. And please don't stop making David Brent jokes because they're very funny and I know Wolfgang laughs as hard as us all about them. But also cut the man some slack. If you want every decision tippy-top and churned out by a board of executives -if you want professionalism to the point that it loses every charm- then by all means, go to the hojillion-dollar megacorps. But if not, if you can see the distinct charm of imperfection and beginning enthusiasm, you may want to give Bad Brain a tip of your hat instead of wiping your feet on it.

AFGNCAAP

10-21-2005, 06:22 AM

Which adventure developers don't get attention in the adventure community?
Maybe not in the adventure community, but down here the so called "mainstream" publications, including those which either ignore most adventure releases or often have no clue about their true creators (eg. atributting Return to Mysterious Island to TAC), all mentioned BBE releasing Freelance Police at one time or another. That's what I would call an undeserved publicity, to put it lightly.

artwking4

10-21-2005, 08:08 AM

Fum

10-21-2005, 08:36 AM

he works like a madman.

I knew it. He's insane. I definitely like him now.

SoccerDude28

10-21-2005, 09:13 AM

Maybe not in the adventure community, but down here the so called "mainstream" publications, including those which either ignore most adventure releases or often have no clue about their true creators (eg. atributting Return to Mysterious Island to TAC), all mentioned BBE releasing Freelance Police at one time or another. That's what I would call an undeserved publicity, to put it lightly.
But seriously, besides the realm of game journalists and people in the industry, or adventure game fans, how many people really know about bad brain. Actually let me ask this, how many "mainstream" fans care if Freelance Police is released or not. How many of them even know what Freelance Police is? From when were adventure games the interest of the mainstream people (not magazines)?

And judging by forumites opinions about the Whispered Wor[l]d demo, it seems like people like it, so obviously this guy is capable of making a good game. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and judge him based on his work rather than his mouth.

Jackal

10-21-2005, 09:53 AM

But what I don't understand is why he is being totally flakked all the time.

Because he played the fans and media, plain and simple. Whether he fully intended to or not, he's reaping what he sowed. Trust is a foolish thing to burn by running your mouth. And frankly, "all the time" is completely exaggerated. The only reason THIS conversation is happening is because he's boasting about more of his lies. Well. If it's publicity he wanted with that, that's what he's getting. If it's affection, he'd better keep re-thinking his strategy until he gets it right.

Then why the hell aren't we supporting a company that -if still finding its way- is extremely enthusiastic and genuinely caring about games (i.e., NOT in it for the money)?

There's nothing to support or not support. Bad Brain hasn't produced a single thing. We're just talking, just like Wolfgang. If they ever actually publish something, and people talk about boycotting, THEN you'd have a case to talk about support.

If you want every decision tippy-top and churned out by a board of executives -if you want professionalism to the point that it loses every charm- then by all means, go to the hojillion-dollar megacorps. But if not, if you can see the distinct charm of imperfection and beginning enthusiasm, you may want to give Bad Brain a tip of your hat instead of wiping your feet on it.

Those are our two choices? Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb? How about we keep demanding that every company operate with some integrity, and hold them accountable when they don't? I'm kinda liking that idea.

Terramax

10-21-2005, 10:31 AM

Kind of sad to think of adventure developers that get no attention, while BBE is well-known in the adventure community because they talk out of their ass. So yes, I do care.

Name me a company that hasn't talked out of its ass once in a while. Even the biggest publishers in the industry make fake promises of 'Being on schedule' and promising a 'revolutionary new way to gaming', etc

Marek

10-21-2005, 10:48 AM

Hope you don't mind if I respectfully disagree with you, Flux. :)

The man is fantastic. He's an outrageous, funny, healthy person. No doubt he's a cool guy to hang out with. But most people criticize him because he hasn't been very responsibile, not because of his personality. Remember, people liked him a lot back when Bad Brain first entered the limelight, but a cool attitude doesn't excuse you from having responsibility.

I think it says a lot about the industry that everyone's getting so excited because a CEO is just saying exactly how it is in a blog. More openness is great (interesting example: Greg Costikyan over at Manifesto Games), but some things you just have to keep to yourself. His personal correspondence with LucasArts or Bill Tiller are things he should keep to himself, if he wants to run a serious business at all. I probably wouldn't want to negotiate with Bad Brain knowing my correspondence could be posted publicly a couple of months later.

Let me put it like this: do you honestly think that the little companies can be just as professional and machine-like as the big ones? Wait, you equate professional with machine-like? Ouch. Please get a new perspective on professionality. :) Okay: yes, I honestly think little companies can be just as professional as the big ones, because professionality is a quality, not a quantity. A company run by a single person can be more professional than one that employs a dozen. It depends entirely on their attitude.

If anything, this sort of thing came from inexperience, not out of scheming. That I agree with.

If you get a chance in the future to get some first-hand experience at a medium or large company, I think you should try it out. You put some pretty stark contrast between the 'free-minded, creative, skilled, awesome charming little indie developers' and the 'huge international money grubbing capitalist corporate monsters that don't care about games'. Maybe more nuance would be better? There's a lot of companies trying to constantly balance commercial considerations with artistic ones, and to my mind that commands more respect than being some kind of game development unicorn that doesn't get their games published.

Jake

10-21-2005, 11:03 AM

Aren't we all despising publishers like EA for not having a heart for gaming and pooping out uninspired sequels? Then why the hell aren't we supporting a company that -if still finding its way- is extremely enthusiastic and genuinely caring about games (i.e., NOT in it for the money)?

1) If he's not in it for the money, how is he running a business? Does he expect to just eventually run out of money, close up shop, say "that was fun?" and move onto the next goofy rich kid activity? Does he expect to manipulate crazy tax loopholes to profit from a string of financial losses, Hollywood studio- (or, more appropriately, Uwe Boll-)style?

2) If he's not in it for the money, why couldn't he meet the needs of Autumn Moon, who needed a modest investment*, and a major partner and ally. Instead, they got little to no money, and Wolfgang saying things like "we should have fans make the demo instead of pay Autumn Moon to do it because it would be cheaper."

It seems to me that money is a big issue with this company.

*(modest in proportion to every other commercial game of the size Autumn Moon was making -- a size Wolfgang agreed to fund then backed out on or at least stalled on and balked at for the good part of a year, I might add)

If anything, this sort of thing came from inexperience, not out of scheming.

Agreed 100%. See Marek's above post, which I agree with as well

Udvarnoky

10-21-2005, 12:00 PM

Name me a company that hasn't talked out of its ass once in a while. Even the biggest publishers in the industry make fake promises of 'Being on schedule' and promising a 'revolutionary new way to gaming', etc

You're kidding me, right?

Toefur

10-22-2005, 12:36 AM

1) If he's not in it for the money, how is he running a business? Does he expect to just eventually run out of money, close up shop, say "that was fun?" and move onto the next goofy rich kid activity? Does he expect to manipulate crazy tax loopholes to profit from a string of financial losses, Hollywood studio- (or, more appropriately, Uwe Boll-)style?

2) If he's not in it for the money, why couldn't he meet the needs of Autumn Moon, who needed a modest investment*, and a major partner and ally. Instead, they got little to no money, and Wolfgang saying things like "we should have fans make the demo instead of pay Autumn Moon to do it because it would be cheaper."

It seems to me that money is a big issue with this company.

Just because money isn't a motivating factor, certainly doesn't mean that he has large amounts of money to throw around (or, perhaps even as much money as hed' like to have to throw around), and isn't concerned about breaking even.

HieroHero

10-22-2005, 05:36 AM

I really do not believe this guy has the money to fund any serious game developments.. I just cannot trust him.. It's a pity Autumn Moon got caught up in all that

HieroHero

10-22-2005, 05:44 AM

But also cut the man some slack. If you want every decision tippy-top and churned out by a board of executives -if you want professionalism to the point that it loses every charm- then by all means, go to the hojillion-dollar megacorps. But if not, if you can see the distinct charm of imperfection and beginning enthusiasm, you may want to give Bad Brain a tip of your hat instead of wiping your feet on it.

Wolfgang is all "enthusiasm, and ideas." You cannot produce any product of quality, without a lot of thought, PREPARATION, PLANNING, hard work and focus. In my estimation wolfgang has failed on all counts. I could start a game company tomorrow and do exactly what this guy has done. If you want to sell games to your audience you must build up a level of respect and trust with them. Wolfgang has none, he should quit now and save himself the embarassment.

Erwin_Br

10-22-2005, 06:18 AM

Wolfgang has none, he should quit now and save himself the embarassment.

Hmmm, I'd rather give him a chance now that I've seen and played the Whispered World demo. Screenshots for the Orgastic 4 look neat too, so that makes two games I hope to hear more from in the future.

So yeah, I'm willing to wait, and hold my judgement just a little longer.

--Erwin

SoccerDude28

10-22-2005, 12:07 PM

Wolfgang saying things like "we should have fans make the demo instead of pay Autumn Moon to do it because it would be cheaper."

He really said that? :crazy:

BigJ

10-22-2005, 08:39 PM

...Wolfgang saying things like "we should have fans make the demo instead of pay Autumn Moon to do it because it would be cheaper."

I've kept a fairly close eye on Bad Brain Entertainment and Autumn Moon Entertainment ever since it was announced that they were going to try and team up for AVS, and I never heard anything even remotely like that. Could you please give a source for that quote please? Because even though I think Mr. Kierdorf has said some blatantly stupid things (as in, talking about things publicly that he shouldn't, way before he should), that doesn't really seem in character with him. His problem is that he's over-enthusiastic, not that he's an idiot, and frankly, he'd have to be an idiot to come up with the idea of a fan-made demo for a professionally made game. It's counter-intuitive, counter-productive, and just plain stupid. I mean, a fan-made game will be completely different than a professionally made one, no matter how enthusiastic the fans are. Heck, it could turn out that the fan-made demo is better than the professionally-made game (just look at 3rd person shooters and fan-designed levels, it can happen, although with the talent behind AME I doubt it would happen in this case), and where would the company be then? Stuck with fans going, "We could have made a better game than this. Heck, we did." Plus, to have a fan-made demo, they'd have to get the story for the demo from AME anyway, plus character likenesses, character voices, script, software... basically AME would have to make all the components for the demo, then give it to the fans to assemble, which would be the relatively cheap and easy part, unless the components were buggy. And if the fan-made demo was garbage, BBE would have shot themselves in the foot, since anybody who played the garbage fan-made demo would be extremely hesitant to buy the completed game.

I repeat, Mr. Kierdorf would have to be an idiot to think a fan-made demo made sense, nevermind that it would be a good idea, and he hasn't struck me as being an idiot so far, although I'm guessing some people would be willing to argue with me over that.

artwking4

10-22-2005, 09:30 PM

I have to admit, it really sounds like something he might actually say, but it sounds to me as though it would be more like one of his many lame jokes he makes where he gets too excited about trying to please the adventure fans and just says insane stuff. But I don't know, the quote is taken out of context. It could very well be that he seriously meant it, though, but without the context, it's impossible to tell. Honestly, it was probably just a stupid joke. We all know he's made plenty of those.

Marek

10-23-2005, 05:45 AM

I don't think it was ever widespread public knowledge, but what Jake says is absolutely true (as implausible as it sounds).

nihil

10-23-2005, 06:47 AM

And where did he say that?

bigjko

10-23-2005, 08:01 AM

"the first multi player adventure game!!!"

well maybe in his mind .....

Are you suggesting there are other multiplayer adventure games out there? I'm intrigued.

insane_cobra

10-23-2005, 08:20 AM

Are you suggesting there are other multiplayer adventure games out there? I'm intrigued. Uru had multiplayer for a short period of time (it was originally planned to be its main gameplay mode) and Zork Grand Inquisitor included a cooperative play mode.

kelmer

10-23-2005, 08:20 AM

The Mortadelo y Filemón games (known as Clever & Smart outside Spain) have a rough multiplayer concept which lets two players play the game simultaneously, with two different characters (Clever and Smart).

LauraMac

10-23-2005, 10:09 AM

Probably shouldn't have been stated publically - but the proposition that rather than paying AME to make their own demo - - Bad Brains pushed the idea it could be made by fans instead and in all seriousness.

The source is private, but it was one of the persons directly involved.

Have to protect your sources and all that press stuff. :)

And like Marek said, seemed implausible. It was "business decisions" or lack of them that caused me to have huge doubts about Bad Brains for some time. Not from lack of wild-eyed enthusiasm - but because they didn't seem to have a sound business plan or perhaps even a clue as to what is involved in developing, publishing and marketing a game.

BigJ

10-23-2005, 10:17 PM

Well, as long as we all agree that it sounds improbable. I'd still like a source, but if it was never actually made public, I guess I have to take your word on it.

Which, I guess, make Mr. Kierdorf a bit of an idiot. :frown:

Still, I'll give any games BBE manages to get off the ground a fair shake. TO4 and TWW both look like they'll be decent if they're ever finished.

Starflux

10-24-2005, 12:56 AM

Over the weekend I came to the realisation that it was indeed a bit silly of me to put "indie vs. EA" so starkly up front, like it was either one or the other. I know you all understand that I certainly see the tight fits of Bad Brain's pants (haha, that came out so wrong, but I don't feel like making up another silly analogy). I just like the guy, also on a personal level, but certainly also as a colourful guy in the industry. Yeah, so he's doing some crazy stuff, but it's not like it's coming off of our time or money or something. Whatever the reasons and how it started, it seems like there's some interesting stuff coming out of their stables.

Of course I am biased as living hell :)