Thimbleweed Park Podcast #49

by Ron Gilbert
May 14, 2016

This week's bonus material contains spoilers! Are you strong enough to resist?

You can also subscribe to the Thimbleweed Park Podcast RSS feed if that's 'your thing'.

You can also get the podcast directly from iTunes.

- Ron

Zarbulonian - May 14, 2016 at 20:53

Hopefully...

Zuckerberg - May 14, 2016 at 20:54

Zuckerberg - May 14, 2016 at 20:55

Aw.. shoot. Second!

Mattias Cedervall - May 14, 2016 at 20:57

No, I'm unfortunately not strong enough to resist Italian David's spoilers! http://www.spoilertv.com/

juan martin - May 14, 2016 at 21:46

Well I hope there were actuall spoilers, 'cause I resisted and did not listen a bit.

If it was all a prank, please somenone let me know.

R.C.M. - May 14, 2016 at 22:17

There were spoilers, but minor non-plot-related ones. Just a little discussion about some 'will this make sense to the player' puzzle details.

Simon Simon - May 15, 2016 at 02:59

You can safely listen until 11:40 (the outro jingle).

juan martín - May 15, 2016 at 16:10

Thank you for the answer!

Martin Wendt - May 15, 2016 at 01:48

Ah! Animated doors after all :) How many frames? Will puzzles require you to CLOSE doors as well?

Carlo Valenti - May 17, 2016 at 18:25

I always get stuck when a puzzle requires to close a door (to find a ticket, a bunch of keys...).
I HATE close-the-door puzzles. :)

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 18, 2016 at 05:42

It's an obvious puzzle, by now...
I was teached to "always close the door behind you" :-)

Simon Simon - May 15, 2016 at 03:14

Sorry, what are the two exceptionally cool animations? I had a hard time understanding those sentences - can someone please please help?

Mario F. - May 15, 2016 at 04:55

2-tubes-color-hydrant-gate.
rofl

Bogdan Barbu - May 15, 2016 at 06:24

If the engine ever gets cutout-style VR support like you mentioned in a previous podcast, won't having the van in a parallax layer be an issue?

Bogdan Barbu - May 15, 2016 at 06:26

Well, assuming it's a hack.

Ron Gilbert ✓ - May 15, 2016 at 16:18

No, all the parallax layers have z-depth information.

Bogdan Barbu - May 16, 2016 at 01:29

Cool. :D

Frank - May 15, 2016 at 09:41

Aaaaahhh... Noah Falstein, you mean the real "Indiana Jones and the last Crusade", or the real "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis" Noah Falstein? Wonderful. Would it be possible, even for small stuff to include Noah to Team Thimbleweed!!! That would be awesome.

Arto - May 15, 2016 at 11:28

http://www.gamebase64.com/oldsite/gameofweek/amiga/indianajonesandlastcrusade/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Last_Crusade_10.png

Zuckerberg - May 16, 2016 at 16:27

Jebus, TWP is becoming so Allstars..!

Shawn Swift - May 15, 2016 at 13:47

I too went on a cruise to Alaska while I was in the middle of developing a game a few years back. My dad gifted me the tickets for Xmas, and I was broke at the time, trying to finish up "Attack of the Alien Space Beetles" so I could pay the rent. My flight out of Boston to Vancouver was first delayed and then canceled, but they got me on another flight a few hours later. I'd been planning to sleep on the six hour flight so I was already exhausted by the time the first leg of my flight, which wasn't supposed to be a multi-leg journey took off to Canada, and on the second leg in a plane with seats jammed closer together than any I've ever sat in, I then dozed off and re-awoke repeatedly for the entire flight. Along the way they also lost my luggage, and when I arrived in Vancouver I had to sprint to the taxi to get to the ship on time, and at the security checkpoint I forgot my iPhone. When I arrived in Ketchikan with only $200 to my name in the cold spring air wearing only the t-shirt I had on my back because my luggage wouldn't catch up to the ship until the next port I had to run to the nearest shop and buy a long sleeve shirt and jacket. I ended up taking cheap city busses everywhere on that cruise rather than paying for the expensive tours, but it worked out well. And each afternoon when I returned to the ship I'd be sitting in the main lobby with my laptop trying to finish up that damn game. Which was all for naught because the only site that would carry it was ArcadeTown and I made a grand total of like $50 off it after having invested $5K. I ended up licensing the engine for $3K though so it wasn't a total loss, and I made a number of $100 sales of the sprite / particle / menu system I designed for it. I still don't think I made any money in the end though. :( But I got a good story out of it I guess?

Carlo Valenti - May 15, 2016 at 16:05

Please help me to complete my survey about the family of Ransome!
http://goo.gl/forms/95L4aIJbmu

longuist - May 15, 2016 at 16:33

that was fun :)

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 16, 2016 at 05:00

done!

urielz - May 16, 2016 at 12:12

Neat idea! Done :)

Carlo Valenti - May 16, 2016 at 18:14

Thank you everyone! You understand this is done for precise scientific interest :)

urielz - May 16, 2016 at 22:20

Thank you. I'm guessing you'll post the results here at some point?... perhaps when the next no-podcast-for-you-post comes? ;)

urielz - May 16, 2016 at 22:23

nevermind! just saw it down below (I should be using Mr nor script)

Carlo Valenti - May 15, 2016 at 17:10

Please also help to complete this second survey! It's for my degree in Thimbleology!
http://goo.gl/forms/obS5Merwp8

Carlo Valenti - May 17, 2016 at 15:05

Only one contribution today to this survey: the survey is closed!
Thank you everybody!

(6 responses)
Rayban
Reyect (the rogue fed)
Zenny and Fluggy
Humphrey and Humphry
Light Ray and Gamma Rayes (Sorry, they are no realatives to the Ransome Bros)
May, Jay, and Faye.

Zombocast - May 15, 2016 at 19:25

A few years ago, while hunting Bears in the deep Oregonian Alps, Ron Gilbert crossed paths with his old friend and Comic Book legend Gary Winnick. They later combined forces to create the most anticipated game of all time.

Together they harnessed the power of the Internet, using Promo-code: "KICKSTARTER" to empty the bank accounts of millions. A small but measurable impact to the US economy resulted and President Obama himself expressed his concern. For threat of another 2008 recession, Ron respected the presidents words returning the Trillions he acquired. Only keeping enough to document his work.

Ron then worked tirelessly for many minutes until finally his masterpiece was complete. A team was created to write about the completed works of Thimbleweed Park. 18 months later, the blog is still in development...

The world and Ron wait patiently.

- Ron was last spotted on a small fishing boat heading to Alaska where he gave this statement: "Ron Gilbert doesn't always develop games. But when he does, its the most interesting game in the world"

Patricio Martinotti - May 16, 2016 at 00:34

Dear Ron: I assume I will not purchase the digital common version, 25 bucks, because I'm looking for a physical one. But I cannot represent in my mind a box with just a manual for the price you're asking for. You may say I'm a stupid-classical-oldie guy, but, it's so hard to spent money to make a original CD-Rom? Yes, ok, I can copy one... but I don't know... I'm really want a box with stuff on it, not just an almost-empty box with a manual. I want a CD-Rom, stickers, I don't know. NOT DIGITALLY, but stuff on it.

Maybe you're looking for that kind of stuff. Let me claim to you: in the next months you may edit the purchasing list, because we want to see real photos of the packages, not only the 8-bit draw of the options.

Don't bother, I will purchase the game, I will not piracy it. Sorry my broken wording, Im argentinian. I recently purchase the super deluxe edition of the new Radiohead album (it will arrive in september) and I though, wow, there's so many things that I want on the Thimbleweed Park box for the price they're asking for it.

Best regards, don't think I'm arguing. I'm just asking for an issue that maybe most TP costumers already has.

Patricio. Tum-de-dum, see u. Thank you for your time. I'm very happy with the game. I don't care to keep waiting to january.

PS yesterday a well-known underground band, Funktoche, had a reunion on Moron City, and played Pollo De Goma Con Polea En El Medio, a band's 2003 classic Inspired on The Secret Of Monkey Island. My own band, Tortuga, wrote on 2008 a song named La Cabeza Del Navegante inspired in the same game.

PS 2: can you tell us something about the next project? It will be a Gilbert/Winniks another, or maybe a Fox's one?

Mario F. - May 16, 2016 at 05:14

you only spent $25 and have all this requirements??? go away.

longuist - May 16, 2016 at 16:51

I'm pretty sure he meant that he would like to not buy the 25$ digital version if there will be a boxed one with a CD in it (for more than 25$), which sounds legit to me. So no need to be rude.
The additional comments citing Ron are nice, but when you click on "support us" the info is still: "Actually, it's just a box and a manual,..", so one could easily get the wrong impression.

longuist - May 16, 2016 at 16:59

@Ron, you should update the "Support Us" page, so people who are just stopping by (without reading every single comment) will know the COLLECTORS BOX contains "a printed manual, *CD* and some kind of feelie™."
Pretty sure backing will boost by magnitudes :P

Simon Simon - May 17, 2016 at 06:20

I was not aware either that a CD is included with the collectors box. If true, an update of the "support us" page would be helpful indeed (as a physical CD may be a convincing additional selling point for potential supporters / pledge upgraders).

Peter Campbell - May 17, 2016 at 12:40

Yeah, this was quite a problem during the kickstarter campaign because the Collector's Edition Box pledge reward description was left ambiguous as to whether it actually had a copy of the game on disc or not, the initial description made it sound like it really was just a box and manual without any type of disc. Then during the last week of the campaign Ron & Gary had a kickstarter update explaining exactly what it was that the collector's box included and that it was indeed going to have a DRM-free copy of the game on disc and also a bonus goodie.

Additionally as an exclusive bonus to kickstarter backers, the box will be signed by both Ron and Gary. After this update the number of people who pledged for the collector's edition box increased by 5x or 6x during that last week of the campaign. I was watching for updates and immediately pledged $160 for that tier once I saw that update.

Sushi - May 24, 2016 at 16:30

oh, I thought the DRM-free copy of the game on disc was actually 5-1/4" disks (as seen on the drawer picture.in the kickstarter)
But then Mark came along and it would require a lot more floppies.

P. Martinotti - May 18, 2016 at 11:59

Backer: contribute to make the product, for love of art. You will not obtain anything.
Purchase: buying something
But "support"? (I don't understand what is itself)

I will wait until october-november to see photos of the product, and then I will buy it. I want to know EXACTLY what I'm buying. If you say I will have an original CD, you make me so happy!

Patricio Martinotti - May 17, 2016 at 08:01

I didn't know that the box cointains a CD. As you said, the information is pretty wrong. I mean, I can make a CD-R with the digital copy, but, I don't know, I would like to have an original CD with a color booklet. And the term "support us" is wrong too, because we are purchasing the game, the "backers" thing ended up long months ago. I'm so excited with this game, and with the possibility to buy it and see how a postman throws the package in my garden.

Marco Lizza - May 17, 2016 at 08:19

I would definitely kill THAT postman if the package content is damaged, 'tough... :)

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 16, 2016 at 05:51

If you donate $160 (or $260 for a collector box + poster), your name, as a contributor, will be put in the ending credits of the game.
Your name.
In the game!
Can you imagine it?
Of course, that amount alone is quite high for the average prices in computer games, but we are talking about a game in its DEVELOPING phase, and your money will increase the QUALITY of the game, not still the final product.

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 16, 2016 at 05:53

(still = only)

Sally - May 16, 2016 at 09:36

Where does it say your name will go in the end credits of the game?

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 16, 2016 at 13:21

Nowhere, it's an idea of mine.
But I feel it could be easily realized.

Simon Simon - May 16, 2016 at 05:53

Backing is not purchasing.

Le Chantaux - May 17, 2016 at 00:16

Exactly! Thank you!

Nor Treblig - May 16, 2016 at 06:39

"The box contains a printed manual, CD and some kind of feelie™."

Big Red Button - May 16, 2016 at 14:41

If you would like to "purchase" the game, you have to wait until it is in trade.

Let me quote Ron's recent reply to a similar comment:
"When you *back* the game, you're *not buying* a t-shirt, you're helping us make the game. The rewards are thanks for that. It's not a store. We will have a "store" up soon where you can buy t-shirts, but non of that money will help make the game better. T-shirts are too expensive to make any profit from."

RedPhantom - May 16, 2016 at 12:43

How was the cruise experience? I did Alaska cruise at this time last year and it was awesome. Endless trees everywhere!

longuist - May 16, 2016 at 17:18

Blatantly re-blogging tweets:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-16-how-thimbleweed-park-recreates-the-glory-days-of-graphic-adventure-games
No new news for us, but good read nevertheless.

Carlo Valenti - May 16, 2016 at 17:49

Here is the partial result of my first survey:
*"What are the names of the clown brothers of Ransome, the a##hole clown from Thimbleweed Park?"*
http://goo.gl/forms/95L4aIJbmu
Tomorrow the final results!

(25 responses)
Randome (the chaotic clown)
Runsome (the fast-moving clown)
Ronsome
Needsome (the drug addict)
Rincesome (will fin(n)ish you off)
Handsome (the Beau)
Fulsome (His bigger brother)
Folsome (Imprisoned all the time)
Someran (the h***ass clown)
Comegetsome (the Duke)
Enterpransome (to boldly %#!?! where no ?#%! has gone before)
Mumsome (His mother, biatch)
Bobombsome (Pyromaniac)
Simpsome (either yellow or murderous)
Cumbersome (Big belly bastard)
Booty, Looty, and the lost french brother, Grisby.
Larsony and Shamson
RAMsome (the clown who forgets everything when power goes off)
Cassian, Dick, Fulk
Phistula and Bolum
ROMsome (Cant speak, reads only your memory)
Light Ray and Gamma Reyes
Felony
Lettucini Brothers!
1

Carlo Valenti - May 17, 2016 at 15:03

No new answers today to this survey: the survey is closed!
Thank you everybody!

Marco Lizza - May 18, 2016 at 08:52

Out of curiosity... what's the point of these surveys?

longuist - May 18, 2016 at 09:49

He said: " It's for my degree in Thimbleology! "

--> *SCIENCE*

Carlo Valenti - May 18, 2016 at 10:59

And a little fun. Hope it didn't bother.

Sushi - May 24, 2016 at 16:34

lol at RAMsome (guess I'm a geek now)

Carlo Valenti - May 16, 2016 at 17:54

And here the very partial result of the second survey:
*"What are the names of the FBI colleagues of agent Ray and agent Reyes, the two feds from Thimbleweed Park?"*
http://goo.gl/forms/obS5Merwp8
Please contribute with your knowledge in this matter: I need your help to graduate in Thimbleology!

(5 responses)
Rayban
Reyect (the rogue fed)
Zenny and Fluggy
Humphrey and Humphry
Light Ray and Gamma Rayes (Sorry, they are no realatives to the Ransome Bros)

Mark Suter - May 16, 2016 at 20:47

I love the character art style. Is there a chance I could either:
A) Pay an exorbitant amount of money to have you make me into one
B) Pay a reasonable amount of money to have you make me into one, then use it to promote the game
C) Pay a stingy amount of money to get permission to modify an existing one so it kind of looks like me.

Mark Suter
(ps, my students and I Skyped with David Fox this semester about his Rube Goldberg game, he was awesome!)

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 17, 2016 at 04:49

During Kickstarter campaign (end of 2014), if you pledged $5,000 your name would have been one of the supporting characters in the game, and model it after your likeness.
Maybe at this stage it's a little late...
For the record: 3 out of 10 had pledged $5,000 ... so... I wonder whose characters are they?!

Sushi - May 24, 2016 at 16:42

a clown and two pigeons ;-)

Pumbaa - May 17, 2016 at 13:21

I wish it was a blog. Not converted in a podcast....

Carlo Valenti - May 17, 2016 at 18:23

David, may I ask what are you doing right now?
Thank you,
Carlo

David 'fake' Fox - May 18, 2016 at 05:44

Hi Carlo,
I'm currently typing on the keyboard.

Carlo "fake" Valenti - May 18, 2016 at 14:29

Thanks! (makes note on clipboard)

Zak Phoenix McKracken - May 18, 2016 at 06:02

Another article on TP, by PC PowerPlay (in english):
http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/feature/handson-preview-interview-thimbleweed-park-and-ron-gilbert,419707

Arto - May 18, 2016 at 11:41

Zak McKracken was spelled wrong. I stopped there.