A Blast From The Past: Grim Fandango Designer Diary

Kwiksnax · 01-20-2006, 05:05 AM

In case anyone is interested, I came across the hilarious Gamespot Designer Diary for Grim Fandango written by Tim Schafer himself back in 1997/8.

I remember reading this Designer Diary back when it was first released, but I'd forgotten about it until today when I decided to replay GF after it had sat for years at the bottom of my computer room cupboard. The diary is as funny and insightful now as it was back when Schafer wrote it. It's packed full of intriguing insights into the gaming creative process as well as juicy tidbits of info regarding the inner workings of Lucasarts studios in the late 90s, and of course it is absolutely dripping with authentic Tim Schafer wit. It makes for a great reading if you've got some time to kill.

Cheers

morriss · 01-20-2006, 06:36 AM

Thanks for that.

It saddens me to think that Schafer has such a hard time getting his games published. I mean, surely his name should equal guaranteed investment?

Tramboi · 01-20-2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morriss

It saddens me to think that Schafer has such a hard time getting his games published. I mean, surely his name should equal guaranteed investment?

Surely not, Grim Fandango and Psychonauts are not generally considered as big sellers and Psychonauts was real expansive to make....

Erwin_Br · 01-20-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramboi

Surely not, Grim Fandango and Psychonauts are not generally considered as big sellers and Psychonauts was real expansive to make....

Actually, I read somewhere that Grim Fandango sold quite well. I think it was Schafer himself who said that.

--Erwin

Wormsie · 01-20-2006, 02:42 PM

The impression I got from some interviews somewhere (Schafer and... someone else...) was that Grim indeed sold enough copies so that it made profit. It wasn't a blockbuster hit, though.

Lain · 01-20-2006, 05:29 PM

I guess being a game designer is hardly glamorous.

You can tell he's got a good sense of humor.

*stuboy* · 01-20-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramboi

Surely not, Grim Fandango and Psychonauts are not generally considered as big sellers and Psychonauts was real expansive to make....

That's not really the point. Seeing as they both got literally universal critical acclaim and heaps of awards lavished upon them, Majesco only really have their own incompetence to blame for not marketing Psychonauts properly (and delaying the European release for a year? I mean wtf?)

Kolzig · 01-21-2006, 12:13 AM

I've always had the idea that Grim Fandango was a sleeper hit.
It didn't sell immediately much, but during a very long period it sold enough.

Erwin_Br · 01-21-2006, 03:43 AM

It sold more than enough

--Erwin

Junkface · 01-21-2006, 04:59 AM

Thanks for posting this. I read it went it was first posted, then forgot where it was and halfheartedly looked for it every couple of years, concluding in failure. The concept sketch of Manny, Glottis and Meche in the Calavera club is now my wallpaper.

Erwin_Br · 01-22-2006, 04:40 AM

Those Peter Chan drawings are awesome indeed! This game was great in 3D, but I bet it would've been fantastic in 2D as well.

--Erwin

bigjko · 01-22-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuboy

..Majesco only really have their own incompetence to blame for not marketing Psychonauts properly (and delaying the European release for a year? I mean wtf?)

Isn't it THQ's fault the game was delayed in Europe?

And what bad marketing are you talking about? Psychonauts had a million dollar marketing campaign, if I remember correctly.

Trumgottist · 01-22-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erwin_Br

Those Peter Chan drawings are awesome indeed! This game was great in 3D, but I bet it would've been fantastic in 2D as well.

But then you probably wouldn't be able to drive things! Vrrrroooooom!

RemiO · 01-22-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjko

And what bad marketing are you talking about? Psychonauts had a million dollar marketing campaign, if I remember correctly.

It doesn't really matter how much is spent, when it isn't spent properly. What it comes down to, as far as I'm concerned, is that Majesco didn't have enough experience in the console full-price market, and that became painfully apparent when it came to selling both Psychonauts and Advent Rising.

I don't think Psychonauts would ever have been a giant hit, but it certainly had the potential to sell more than 95,000 copies domestically.

01-20-2006, 05:05 AM	#1
Kwiksnax Invoker of tumbleweeds. Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39	A Blast From The Past: Grim Fandango Designer Diary In case anyone is interested, I came across the hilarious Gamespot Designer Diary for Grim Fandango written by Tim Schafer himself back in 1997/8. I remember reading this Designer Diary back when it was first released, but I'd forgotten about it until today when I decided to replay GF after it had sat for years at the bottom of my computer room cupboard. The diary is as funny and insightful now as it was back when Schafer wrote it. It's packed full of intriguing insights into the gaming creative process as well as juicy tidbits of info regarding the inner workings of Lucasarts studios in the late 90s, and of course it is absolutely dripping with authentic Tim Schafer wit. It makes for a great reading if you've got some time to kill. Cheers Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Strewth forsooth!

01-20-2006, 06:36 AM	#2
morriss Gold Elite Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 119	Thanks for that. It saddens me to think that Schafer has such a hard time getting his games published. I mean, surely his name should equal guaranteed investment? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Gider I alle sammen godt, lad være???!!!

01-20-2006, 02:42 PM	#5
Wormsie Doctor Watson Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 4,736	The impression I got from some interviews somewhere (Schafer and... someone else...) was that Grim indeed sold enough copies so that it made profit. It wasn't a blockbuster hit, though. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Don't worry, I'm a doctor.

01-20-2006, 05:29 PM	#6
Lain Lost in Adventure Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 107	I guess being a game designer is hardly glamorous. You can tell he's got a good sense of humor. Share Share this post on Twitter

01-21-2006, 12:13 AM	#8
Kolzig The Reggienator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vaasa, Finland Posts: 5,519	I've always had the idea that Grim Fandango was a sleeper hit. It didn't sell immediately much, but during a very long period it sold enough. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "The old standby, that never got old in the first place. We come back to them weekly, nightly, for hours at a time--and they always deliver. They are pure, timeless, and often taken for granted." - Nick Breckon - Shacknews My gamesale list updated 26.8.2007 Hey, dear people please buy my games, I need money to conquer Europe! Or do something similar.

01-21-2006, 03:43 AM	#9
Erwin_Br Under pressure. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Apeldoorn, The Netherlands Posts: 3,773	It sold more than enough --Erwin Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ > Learn more about my forthcoming point & click adventure: Bad Timing! > Or... Visit Adventure Developers: Everything about developing adventure games.

01-21-2006, 04:59 AM	#10
Junkface Grah! Grah! Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 509	Thanks for posting this. I read it went it was first posted, then forgot where it was and halfheartedly looked for it every couple of years, concluding in failure. The concept sketch of Manny, Glottis and Meche in the Calavera club is now my wallpaper. Share Share this post on Twitter

01-22-2006, 04:40 AM	#11
Erwin_Br Under pressure. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Apeldoorn, The Netherlands Posts: 3,773	Those Peter Chan drawings are awesome indeed! This game was great in 3D, but I bet it would've been fantastic in 2D as well. --Erwin Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ > Learn more about my forthcoming point & click adventure: Bad Timing! > Or... Visit Adventure Developers: Everything about developing adventure games.

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