Al Lowe Happy to Not be Involved in Box Office Bust

[modeps]

Al Lowe has posted a comment (http://www.allowe.com/Larry/BOB.htm) about the latest Leisure Suit Larry game, Box Office Bust, up on his website. Lowe, for those who don't know, is the original designer behind the LSL series, as well as other early Sierra titles.

All I know about BOB is what I've read online. VU (and later Activision, Team 17 and Codemasters) did not consult me nor discuss anything about this game with me. In fact, they've expressed no interest in me whatsoever! For a while, I hoped that they would remember to send me a review copy. Now that the reviews are in, it's just as well that they didn't!

Originally, the game's Executive Producer, John Melchior, claimed it had "open world sand box gameplay," racing, platforming, and puzzles and yet also repeated four times that "it's an adventure game." As another warning sign that rarely bodes well for good gameplay, Larry BOB proudly features its voiceover talent, which includes some D-list "stars." Mr. Melchior wanted to make a game that "Al Lowe would like to play." I wonder why he didn't just ask me?

Ah, well; it can't be worse than Magna Cum Laude, can it?

Now that the reviews are coming in, the answer is: Yes, it can!

My Take: Thank you, VU Games, for keeping me completely away from this latest disaster!

Thanks VE3D (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/46078/Al-Lowe-On-Leisure-Suit-Larry-Box-Office-Bust).

[lockwoodx]

Dam straight Mr. Lowe.

The Al Lowes, guys from Andromeda and Roberta Williams of this world need to re-unite and create an epic adventure once again.

[Earth Djinn]

You wouldn't think it would be that hard to make even a passable game in this franchise.

Apparently it is, though.

[Azriel77]

I cannot believe how horrible this game turned out to be. The biggest problem is the horrible camera angle and bugs. The camera is ALWAYS in the worst possible position in the platforming, so you are guaranteed to die a LOT of times. The develpers complained about how horrible the magnum game controls were, however they were fucking light years ahead compared to this game. There ARE some good moments in the game if you tough it out, the creating and playing the actual movies ARE fun/entertaining, but running through hoops(minigames/platforming) to get to them is not. I can even take the casual dying, but having the game set up so when you die and then have to start ALL the way over in a mini game drove me to hulk rage. Did the developers even play their own game? I want to also mention that I knew it would be bad the moment the game said they had no nudity. They gave some B.S. answer about why but honestly I think it was stupid since they have dildo(and other things) props throughout the game. Finally, there just is nothing to do in this big world besides just look at the scenery and play horrible mini games.

[Netami]

Someone out there should really bring Al Lowe in to their game studio and just make a new game in the old style with his direction. Doesn't have to be a big company, heck... Maybe three or four guys well versed in flash or the Green House PA guys fund it.

The beauty of Leisure Suit Larry was never in advanced graphics (though it was eye candy in more than one way back in those days), but the great writing and adventure. It seems like the timelines are a bit mismatched, because I can totally envision Al getting a flash game for adults up and running.