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Thimbleweed Park Podcast #64

by Ron Gilbert
Dec 18, 2016

Join us and our special guest, Boris, as we talk about text and translations and voice recording. And *beep* you if you don't like that.

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

Guy Man - Dec 18, 2016 at 13:25
Someone stole your LEGO-Pirate Ship! That sucks.
Was it one you made up your self, or that lego-set you could buy in the early 90s?
Run - Dec 18, 2016 at 13:45
Soo, whenever some art is translated, it means it's probably most likely puzzle relevant... XD
Orcan Ogetbil - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:41
That gives a chance to those who got stuck in the game, they can switch the language to see what is translated, what is not.
Benjamin - Dec 18, 2016 at 14:09
Really great podcast! One suggestion though: when ransome is talking at the end of the podcast, I feel like the beep is too low pitched.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 18, 2016 at 14:13
Given how much is he beeped, the high pitch gets way too annoying.  We're still playing with it.
Zarbulonian - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:22
Thought of matching the beeps to the music, iMuse-like?
Zarbulonian - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:59
Better still, make the beeps dissonant relative to the current chord (as in: a tritone above the fundamental)...
Azrapse - Dec 20, 2016 at 07:37
Any chance of having uncensored voice tracks as an option, or at least for European countries?
I find the beeping really annoying and distracting.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 20, 2016 at 09:10
No. The beeps are baked into the audio files.  If we have an option to turn them off, then the rating for the whole game goes up.  As I mention before, we might release it as a add-on, after the game is release. Also, we don't have time to prep two versions of all his speech. So much to do just to get the game out.
Daniel Wolf - Dec 21, 2016 at 02:11
Just to make sure we're not heading into trouble: You do have un-beeped versions of the Ransome lines (with identical timing) to run Rhubarb against, right? Running Rhubarb against beeped recordings would probably do strange things to Ransome's mouth.
Gffp - Dec 21, 2016 at 14:08
Ladies and gentlemen, I really have to say that. Given all the comments about changing or removing the beeping, which I read before listening to this very enjoyable podcast, when I eventually heard that... hey! Is that all there is to the noise? It's the less annoying and distracting beeping I heard in my whole life!
Gffp - Dec 21, 2016 at 14:14
I mean... I think it has a very good balance in being low pitched in order to not annoy when Ransome swears compulsively.
Gffp - Dec 21, 2016 at 14:38
Listening once more... The volume is pretty good. The beep sounds like the sound in telephone when you're calling someone, waiting for the answer... Probably there are other types of sounds that go well also, but raising the pitch will result in a more noisy sound, probably forcing to lower volume... Maybe a little raising could be tempted, and probably they're already doing it... anyway the result is already good!
Marcel - Dec 21, 2016 at 09:58
You could bake silence into the audio file and make the kind of beeping (incl. pitch etc)  configurable.
Big Red Button - Dec 21, 2016 at 18:13
Not only the pitch but also the volume of the beep is relevant. Though, the smaller the loudspeaker, the louder it gets, compared to the voice - due to the frequency response of the respective loudspeaker.

By the way, I noticed that you beeped a name in The Cave: https://youtu.be/NqXSw78D7Uk?t=10m18s
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 21, 2016 at 18:21
It was "Sir Winston Hitler" in the original text.  That's also a good example of a beep that is too high pitched. It's fine once in awhile, but if you had to listen to it - in Ransome's case - every 3rd line, it would drive you mad.
Big Red Button - Dec 22, 2016 at 04:46
Yes, it's really high pitched indeed.
Thank you for this background information! Now I think I understand why the name was beeped.

By the way, (SPOILER!) I found it not very easy to get a bucket in the museum, because for the first time in the game I had to keep the action button pressed while switching between the characters. Moreover, the dripping water mislead me, because I assumed that this water was destined to form a stalagmite. :-D
Big Red Button - Dec 22, 2016 at 06:55
This is an exception, of course. In my opinion, the lion's share of the puzzles in The Cave is absolutely fair.
The character specific levels are a bit more difficult than the generic levels, aren't they?
It's funny to see that all of my three characters (knight, time traveller and twins) are actually brutal murderers. :-)
Nor Treblig - Dec 22, 2016 at 12:19
This is indeed one puzzle where quite some people had their issues. It uses a game mechanic which wasn't really introduced and used yet.

Oh, apparently there could have been a tutorial to fix that :p
Guy Man - Dec 18, 2016 at 14:15
I thought the beep level was okay
Lukas - Dec 19, 2016 at 05:01
I had the same immediate reaction. It sounded more like an error beep on a computer, than like beeped-out text. I actually initially thought that Ron put it in there to see how many people would complain about it.
KJL3000 - Dec 18, 2016 at 14:10
Danke, Boris! <3
Big Red Button - Dec 18, 2016 at 14:25
Guten Abend, Boris! :-)
Since we discussed it on this blog a few weeks ago: Did you translate the "on air" sign, or do you keep it in English?
Darkstorm - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:06
Would Tunahead be beeped out if Ransome said it?

Also, if Gary goes to a comic book convention and buys an Asterix comic book it'd probably be in English rather then French, as a long time ago there were excellent English translations done for the UK, where the series is very popular.  I have all the Goscinny ones. :)
Farooq - Dec 21, 2016 at 06:16
Fun thing would be if he says that and it doesn't get beeped out to which he ponders "why didn't that get beeped out?".
Dan Parsons - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:22
Great to hear Boris - interesting that his voice is the clearest, maybe it's because I'm in the UK ;)

Love Ransoms voice - exactly what I'd imagined, bravo!
Tansu - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:22
Hi there, can we do fan supported translations?
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 00:24
Ron mentioned he wants to make this possible, but the whole dialog script won't be released after some time the game is done to prevent spoilers.
ShadowNate - Dec 19, 2016 at 03:39
That would be great. I'd love to have Thimbleweed Park translated for my native language.
Marc - Dec 18, 2016 at 15:38
Thirteenth! (instead of first).
Wow, that took a long time, better be good! :D Will listen to it ............NOW!
Mattias Cedervall - Dec 18, 2016 at 17:32
Podcast 64, Commodore 64 and Nintendo 64...

It was cool to hear Ransome speak and I hope/demand there will be an option to get an uncensored version of the game!

It was nice that Boris joined the party! :-)
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 00:03
I was very pleased to hear that they recorded with curse words!

(note: link is probably NSFW)
Mattias Cedervall - Dec 19, 2016 at 06:38
^_^ Thank you so much for my new beeping henta(i)stic wallpaper! <3
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 11:26
Interesting: after visiting this page the URL autocompletion won't work with the xxx part (but it does for other TLDs).
Someone must have been implemented this feature deliberately...
Mattias Cedervall - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:48
It would be very evil if someone did implement that feature deliberately! :-(
Nor Treblig - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:56
No no, it means you cannot go to some browser and just type xxx and see what sites the user has visited with this TLD, you need to know the actual name of site.

Searching history for xxx works. But maybe my Chrome is broken.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 19, 2016 at 06:58
League of beep... :-D
Ransome's private files!
e - Dec 18, 2016 at 18:34
Any idea which macOS version Thimbleweed Park is going to require when the mac version is released?

I've listened to every podcast you've done and it wasn't until now that I realized that I can't upgrade beyond Yosemite. I depend on too old versions of Adobe's software for my work, newer OS versions break them.. What a bummer if I can't even play the game once it comes out after all this time, heh.
e - Dec 18, 2016 at 18:54
... then again I DO have an iPhone. I forgot for a second that mobile versions are also coming out. At least I've got something to play this on, whew.
Arto - Dec 19, 2016 at 16:20
You can always use VirtualBox and run Linux on that. But for some reason I have a feeling TWP won't require any of the latest macOS / OS X versions. Don't know if I read it somewhere or not. Might be just a hunch.
e - Dec 19, 2016 at 17:03
Well, at least there are plenty of options available.
Alain - Dec 18, 2016 at 19:56
Hi Ron, since you've been recording in Vancouver, is there any chance you've worked with Michael Dobson? I loved his performance in Deathspank. If not, you can always make Deathspank a dlc character.
Peter Brodersen - Dec 18, 2016 at 20:57
Yay, great podcast!

German words are fun. When I'm at my girlfriend's place it is an important part of our morning ritual at breakfast to ask for the Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher. Or as it is called in English: Egg Opener.

I have fond memories of Murder on the Mississippi on the Commodore 64. I especially remember how fluent the game was running with a lot of non-blocking disc loading going on all the time which seemed pretty revolutionary. In that aspect it sounds like even more of a feat for Boris to crack open the game and changing the text content. I am very impressed.

And I like the voice of Ransome. I was a bit afraid that it would turn out to be too high pitched as crazy characters tend to have in cartoons. But this sounds really great.

I could go on about how excited I still am about the game and the whole openness of the process and regular high quality updates. I currently feel that the podcast itself is worth much more than even my pledge for the game. This is one of the rare cases where the delivery of the actual product - excellent as it might be - would still leave me with a feeling that it's all over.

However this would probably also mean that Ron, David and Gary would be allowed to go back to having a life again. Which would probably be pretty healthy.
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 00:18
There is even a translation with half the character count: spoon. (That's what most non-fancy people use.)
Run - Dec 19, 2016 at 01:55
Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher - Until now I didn't even know such devices exist. But to be fair, it also says Eieröffner on the package (at least the one I found at a certain online store after googling.)
Lukas - Dec 19, 2016 at 05:05
For those who don't speak German, Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher is a joke. It means something like "egg shell predetermined breaking point creator." Since you can create nouns by assembling other words in German, this is an actual real German word, but not one anyone would use outside of a jokey context.
Arto - Dec 19, 2016 at 16:39
Languages that create words by combining other words are bit weird. And damn difficult. This is a real Finnish word: atomiydinenergiareaktorigeneraattorilauhduttajaturbiiniratasvaihde. It's a cogwheel switch in a nuclear plant. And thus also never really used. Apparently this is officially the longest Finnish word: kumarreksituteskenteleentuvaisehkollaismaisekkuudellisenneskenteluttelemattomammuuksissansakaankopahan. But I can't even understand that word.
Arto - Dec 19, 2016 at 16:45
Hmm... the longest word don't seem to fully fit in the comment box... The end should ne "...kaankopahan".
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 20:02
Now those are some words...

In the beginning of the first word we can easily read stuff like: atom, energy, reactor, generator...
There is also "turbiinirat" which sounds like turbine wheel. Are you sure about the cogwheel thing?
Roman - Dec 19, 2016 at 02:57
Maybe Doc Bobo can finally help me solving Murder on the Mississippi ;-) Gute Arbeit Boris!
Mister T - Dec 19, 2016 at 04:34
Unless he ran out of green paper.
Dieter - Dec 19, 2016 at 04:53
For all young gamers, here is a Let's play of "Murder on the Mississippi" (not mine). Might help Roman to solve the game. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZTbGp2EjNA
Roman - Dec 19, 2016 at 05:08
hehe...thanks...there's only one problem: I'm not a young gamer....I've actually played it in the 80s....
Dieter - Dec 19, 2016 at 11:25
The Let's play contains the complete solution. So it may help you. :)
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 11:38
The note-taking feature looks interesting. Is it required to finish the game?
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 19, 2016 at 04:38
Nice to have met Boris, I laughed at his story about the first translations he did... by cracking the copy protection, making the translation, and putting the copy protection back !! :-D
Ah, those old good days... eheheheheh...
Regarding the translation of Thimbleweed Park, glad to know there is many many lines to translate. And I am curious about the jokes Boris had to translate.
I imagine they could be like "if a woodchuck would chuck wood..."
In italian it was translated non literally, but in a way that it could sound well ("se un RODITORE potesse RODERE legno").

Anyway, keep up the good work!!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 19, 2016 at 04:54
Sorry for my english mistakes, I never read my written text once more before sending it... !!!

met = listened to (I never met him personally)
there is many = there are many (of course)
cirion - Dec 19, 2016 at 05:06
Heya Ron,

I would really like to put in a vote for having an adult version without the beeps. Here in Germany we do not have this practice of beeping out words (or even visually blurring the mouth). To me it is alway very annoying when I look at American TV recordings. In the end everyone knows what evil f-word (I hope I am allowed to write this) is being said anyways.

To me the beep sound is very, very annoying and kills the atmosphere. And frankly I fear it will do the same to the game. Please try to find a way where you do not need to treat grown-ups like small children if possible.

Thanks a lot for reading and concidering these lines!
spiffy - Dec 19, 2016 at 06:15
As I understand the beeps are part of the humor. Omitting the beeps would make it less funny.
cirion - Dec 19, 2016 at 08:55
As I understood from the podcast the TWP team also worries about how to beep it without being too annoying - the sample at the end of the podcast did not use the characteristic beep that is used on TV (thank god). However if that one is not used, it is then not a joke anymore on the *beeping* practice used on TV.

In my opinion ever beeping frequency will in the end be more or less annoying. Using other sound effects (cartoon like) I would imagine as silly,. In my mind at least it does not seem to fit the setting. So to me it seems rather like a necessity due to rating issues. Thus my (hopefully polite) proposition to consider an adult version - let the player choose if they want to be offended or not.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 19, 2016 at 09:32
Option #122: Mute beeps
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 11:27
We've already settled that there will be all kind of options to configure the tone generator for the beeping!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:07
I forgot there will be an "Advanced settings..." for the option #122 :-D
Jesper Hansen - Dec 19, 2016 at 10:10
I whole wholeheartedly agree that the beeping should be an option.

As Boris said, in a lot of European contries we are used to foul language. Actually I make a sigh when hearing beeping. So I am a little afraid that the joke of beeping will be lost on me, and simply just be annoying.
crux - Dec 19, 2016 at 09:53
You might want to consider listening to what was done for Mr Torgue in the Borderlands 2 "Campaign of Carnage" DLC (beeping just enough you get the funny effect of incessant beeps, but short enough that you can make out the words). It sounds like you have a character talking in a very similar manner.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 19, 2016 at 10:43
We want the game to be somewhat kid friendly, and only partially beeping the words doesnt d that, and it might also mean a higher rating.

Shipping the game with an option for the swearing will also increase the rating.  We might release the full uncensored Ransome speech as a add-on/download, but after the game is out. Too much work to do.
cirion - Dec 19, 2016 at 13:29
Hello Ron,

having the un*beeping* version as an extra download would be very acceptable solution. I would assume that the DRM free version of the game for backers needs to be supplied anyhow from some location where probably ratings do not matter.
Could also be an extra bonus for us backers :-D.
Big Red Button - Dec 19, 2016 at 18:50
In my opinion, some decisions in terms of game design should be definitive. I'm not sure if an uncensored version of would be advantageous. Maybe if the demand is great enough.
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 20:21
I think it could be hilarious. But I wouldn't enable it during first playthrough, I'd like to play games the first time as they were intended to from the game designers.

Only then I enable all cheats, rushing through all those automatically unlocked doors on all those vistas to finish the end boss again in no time. :-)
Big Red Button - Dec 19, 2016 at 18:55
I'm currently playing The Cave and I really like it! There are so many great ideas in it! It's fun!
Zuckerberg - Dec 19, 2016 at 20:07
Sailors,
I second Ron's lost LEGO ship with my Playmobil pirate ship, which actually decorates my office. Like, really... https://imgur.com/a/2TFl4
Nor Treblig - Dec 19, 2016 at 20:22
Aarrrrrrr!
Nicolas - Dec 19, 2016 at 22:07
In my opinion you guys should have an option for us to check if we want the beep or if we want a random sound, or any option that you guys think for the censor.

And i hope the jokes can be translated as good as possible!
Nor Treblig - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:45
That's the spirit! Moar options!
Kroesi - Dec 21, 2016 at 01:50
Managing all the options will be the real challenge :-)
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 21, 2016 at 04:16
Option #123: Achievement for toggling all the options (except this one)
Nor Treblig - Dec 21, 2016 at 06:23
It will be its own game in the game!
Gave up - Dec 20, 2016 at 03:13
Game was pushed back too many times, use key on car, use foot on gas pedal, look at taillights baby.  Not expecting this game anytime soon.
Nor Treblig - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:46
LOL

But:
"Use foot on gas pedal" won't work, you forgot to open the door of the car first...
...which will also not work: "Cannot open door, scratched car is locked".
Cole Trickle - Dec 20, 2016 at 04:13
Maybe I'm just sentimental 'cause it's Christmas time, but this is a *beeping* awesome community.
Thanks for the great posts and jokes to everyone.
Brian Baker - Dec 20, 2016 at 13:08
I just read that The Cave will be available as part of the Xbox Games with Gold program in January. Awesome!

http://news.xbox.com/2016/12/20/games-with-gold-january-2017/
Paulup - Dec 20, 2016 at 19:58
Boris, and Ransome's voice, and the beeping are all excellent...

I don't want to jinx it, but I think this may be The Greatest Adventure Game of All Time™
And then seeing as adventure games are the greatest game genre ever... well, you do the math.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 21, 2016 at 05:33
One year ago, precisely on Dec 22nd, the 18-minutes TWP video was released, where Ron played a first-polished version of Thimbleweed Park.
Here is the Dev Blog Post: https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/18minutes
Look at how many improvements have been done in one year...
Nor Treblig - Dec 21, 2016 at 06:31
Two years and I still cannot reply properly to comments...
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 21, 2016 at 11:02
Why not, thank you to your helpful script, I can reply in a new tab each time, and it's very very efficient!
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 21, 2016 at 09:12
We gutted two major puzzles since that video.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 21, 2016 at 11:01
Golly! :-)
May I ask you what was the main reason that led you to remove two major puzzles?
Nor Treblig - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:03
I wonder if we will get an updated version of the Puzzle Dependency Chart™... (the previous one was already the almost final one :-)
Big Red Button - Dec 23, 2016 at 11:24
Let's wait and see. Maybe there will be a version of the PDC within the game, paying homage to the one in Ed's room.
Kroesi - Dec 30, 2016 at 19:07
What about an ODC?
("option dependency chart")
Nor Treblig - Dec 21, 2016 at 06:30
I've never watched this video (I try to avoid spoilers which I'm apparently not very good at).
But I've now bookmarked the video and will watch it after playing the final game for direct comparison!

I can't believe it's been two years already since the end of the Kickstarter campaign...
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 21, 2016 at 11:06
Well, to tell the truth, neither I watched that video in its wholeness, for your very same reason.
I don't want to watch too much by now, just a peek here and there, I prefer to discover all the fun by playing the game.
Zombocast - Dec 21, 2016 at 21:19
Your attention to detail is amazing, adding minor flaws like the Postal workers lazy eye really adds character and awareness to the human disposition. Bravo Sir Ronald of Gilbert
Zombocast - Dec 21, 2016 at 22:43
Ray (Female Agent)
Antonio Rayes (Male Agent)
Delores (Young game designer girl)
Franklin (The ghost)
Ransome (Clown)

Chet (Pizza guy, the survivalist)
Sandy (Diner Girl)
Dave (Diner Guy)
Pigeon Brothers (Big Pigeon, Small Pigeon)
Willie (Town Bum)
Madame Morena (Old lady)
Ms Cole (Banker)
Mr Cruffman (Safely first manager)
Natalie (Nickel News)
Margie (Delores sister)
Nor Treblig - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:05
Oh no, you misspelled Reyes!

Here are some other guys I've seen on the TWP Cards:
Carney Joe
Chuck (Pillow Magnate)
Doug (Caretaker)
George (Postal Worker)
Teddy (Hotel Kid)
Orcan Ogetbil - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:27
How are you going to handle the breaks in the speech when one sentence is broken into multiple strings? Putting in a custom pause amount for each string will be a lot of work.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:30
Not sure I follow? If there are multiple strings, it just plays one after another. Always has worked fine.
Orcan Ogetbil - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:44
Maybe I misinterpreted what I heard. David was mentioning about putting gaps between strings. I mean, the gap amount would be different when two successive strings are part of the same sentence versus two separate sentences.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:49
Ah, I see. If two string are played back-to-back, the engine knows that and can add a gap.  If it's a single string, then no gap.
Orcan Ogetbil - Dec 22, 2016 at 00:52
Gotcha.
Kern - Dec 22, 2016 at 11:41
when is the release from the game ? i cant waiting :-)
Arto - Dec 22, 2016 at 16:04
Roughly first quarter of 2017. Let's say April to be safe.
All good things take time.
Brian Bagnall - Dec 22, 2016 at 16:41
Ransom sounds pretty much like Crusty the Clown.
Paulup - Dec 24, 2016 at 15:18
A little bit, mixed with a little bit of Spike the Clown from the awesome Toonstruck adventure game -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcs66XyUXRE
Brian Bagnall - Dec 25, 2016 at 23:04
Well aren't you the connesour of adventure games. Never tried that one myself. Spike sounds pretty original with a bit of Jack Nicholson thrown in.
badde - Dec 22, 2016 at 20:13
How are your ceckstone? German translation run?
Redenhalter - Dec 23, 2016 at 09:30
Will the german version released the same day as the english version?
Big Red Button - Dec 23, 2016 at 11:29
For all I know there will be only one version, which will be multi-lingual.
Diego - Dec 23, 2016 at 11:22
HEY GUYS! MERRY CHRISTMASS FOR YOU ALL! SPECIALLY FOR YOU RON!

DONT DRINK TOO MUCH!

DIEGO
longuist - Dec 23, 2016 at 14:38
I like how "beeping" is handled here (scott pilgrim movie):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N13WI3oVda8
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 23, 2016 at 18:00
That's a biiiiit too much! :-)
longuist - Dec 23, 2016 at 20:31
And some bauds too much too 8)
1000000 - Dec 23, 2016 at 18:42
Scheisse! Da ist Blut, Rotes, überall.
Mario F. - Dec 24, 2016 at 04:38
I wonder what xmas present we get...
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 24, 2016 at 06:19
BREAKING NEWS

Agents Ray and Reyes wish you a...
http://www.cinemapioxi.it/zak/TWP/Natale.html
Nor Treblig - Dec 24, 2016 at 10:14
That's great!
Gv - Dec 24, 2016 at 17:08
_b
Ema - Dec 24, 2016 at 07:49
Here's a sensational leak... Ron wrote me in private to tell me he had the ultimate solution.
I'm going to reveal it ;-)

Option#24545598 - Censorship options:
[ ] Do not censor Ransome's swears (option available for European Market only)
[ ] Do not censor Ransome's swears (For US market: to activate it you have to prove your age posting on the dev blog a video of you buying alcohol drinks without being arrested or shot)
[ ] iMuse-like beeping
[ ] Dissonant beeping ---> suboption: adjust interval in semitones
[ ] silence instead of beeps
[ ] funny noises
[ ] substitute electronic beeping with dev team members' voices saying "beep"
[ ] substitute electronic beeping with your own voice (mic needed)
[ ] swap swear words with gentle and sweet words ---> suboption: add visual effects as flowers, hearts, gummy bears...
[ ] swap swear words with Ned-Flanderish gibbering
[ ] BEEP! ---> suboption: adjust pich in MHz
                ---> sboption: choose instrument to play the beeps (864 different timbres follow, categorized as percussions, horns, strings and so on)

It was so easy, after all!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 24, 2016 at 08:16
[Italian mode ON]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juziPP4V-0I
[Italian mode OFF]
Nor Treblig - Dec 24, 2016 at 10:16
[X] substitute electronic beeping with dev team members' voices saying "beep"
   (  ) Ron
   (  ) Gary
   (  ) David
   (  ) Mark
   (  ) Octavi
   (  ) Lauren
   (  ) Jenn
   (  ) Robert
   (  ) Malcolm
   (X) random
   (  ) shuffle

(every team member recorded 10 different variations of their "beep")
Mattias Cedervall - Dec 28, 2016 at 10:48
That's a wonderful idea! :D
Arto - Dec 24, 2016 at 16:14
"[ ] substitute electronic beeping with your own voice (mic needed)"

Is this real-time beeping? If so, achievement points could be rewarded if a beep would be said over a correct word.
Nor Treblig - Dec 24, 2016 at 22:31
With that amount of swearing it will be like playing Guitar Hero on Expert!
Arto - Dec 25, 2016 at 05:55
Hey, there could be three modes to play the game (like Indy 4 with wits, fists and team): Adventure, Options and *Beep*ing Hero.
Adventure would be a normal point and click game.
Options would be same as above, but you'd need to find a right combination of options in order to be able to finish the game.
And the *Beep*ing Hero would be a mode where you would need to censor Ransome's swearing in order to be able to solve the puzzles.
Gv - Dec 24, 2016 at 17:07
[ ] Use PC-Speaker for beep sounds. (and for music!)
ac - Dec 24, 2016 at 14:20
I wanted to share this GDC video about 2D game post proc fx. Doing this kind of lights/mood stuff is just up my alley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdN06E6Xn9E
peterszky - Dec 24, 2016 at 14:21
Merry Christmas to the DEV team and all backers!

GROG for everyone!
important-looking pirate 2 - Dec 24, 2016 at 22:33
GROG!
important-looking pirate 3 - Dec 24, 2016 at 22:33
GROG!
important-looking pirate 1 - Dec 24, 2016 at 22:33
GROG!
So great - Dec 26, 2016 at 03:12
Boris Schneider greatest translator of all time :) So great guys !
Zombocast - Dec 27, 2016 at 20:07
Can we add a Priceless Lelu costume to the Thimblecon 87 convention?
Everyone loves Store Wars. Especially when Duke Tiebreaker saves the day during "The Emporium Sales Comeback".Best Episode Ever. Saw it twice
Big Red Button - Dec 28, 2016 at 14:38
Just listened to 25 Minutes Of Silence featuring Ron:
http://boardwalkaudio.com/25minutesofsilence/16-ron-gilbert/

I have a deep respect for the host who was able to not ask Ron anything for not less than 25 minutes!
Interestingly, Ron didn't mention the Android port of TWP, but he mentioned the Playstation port instead.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Dec 28, 2016 at 19:03
Don't make too much out of failing  to mention one port, feature another. I don't have a script I'm reading off and sometimes (most of the time) I just forget.
Big Red Button - Dec 29, 2016 at 05:11
Okay. Thank you for this clarification!
I just thought about the release dates. Since you mentioned that Android ports typically return a much lower profit than iOS ports, I wouldn't be surprised if the Android port was released after the ones for Playstation and iOS.
On the other hand, it's clear that there has to be an Android port as well, since it has been a stretch goal on Kickstarter (unlike the PS4 port). For this reason I already presumed that you simply forgot to mention the Android port in the podcast.
Hopefully, my comment didn't confuse anyone.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 29, 2016 at 05:32
Well... even Fantozzi (an italian character starred by actor Paolo Villaggio) says something about 25 minutes of Silence podcast...
Nor Treblig - Dec 29, 2016 at 05:43
I've listened to the complete podcast!

What about the latest TWP screenshot, does it have your blessing?
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 29, 2016 at 08:27
Of course, the most interesting part is at minute 26:33, when both Ron and the pocasters talk.
Every TWP screenshot have my blessing, and even Fantozzi's one :-D
Big Red Button - Dec 29, 2016 at 11:23
You mean this one?
https://twitter.com/grumpygamer/status/814262751899963392
Italians can be happy now! :-)
Though, I still think that the verbs ought to be darker when they aren't selected. They seem to be brighter than the inventory items. Bright verbs may be advantageous for presentations, so that everyone immediately notices the classic GUI, but in dark rooms the verbs would appear even brighter (and the rooms themselves even darker). This may become stressful for the eyes of the player.
Nor Treblig - Dec 29, 2016 at 18:44
Yes, that's the screenshot!

Pro-tip: Stick dark foil onto your monitor in the verb area.
Big Red Button - Dec 30, 2016 at 05:12
That's how I'm going to deal with it. :-)
Nor Treblig - Dec 30, 2016 at 10:26
They could include such foil as feely in the box!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 29, 2016 at 12:25
The verb "PUSH" can be either translated as "PREMI" o "SPINGI".
The difference is tiny: the first one is used for little things (like a doorbell, a coin, etc.), on the contrary the second one is mostly used for bigger things (like a boulder, a window, a chair, etc.)
In DOTT it was translated with the second choice, but I personally prefer the first one.
So, this picture has my blessing :-)
Nor Treblig - Dec 29, 2016 at 18:45
So 'premi' is a little bit like 'press'?

The width of the verbs seem to fit perfectly in Italian.
I imagine this can be problematic when finding good verbs in other languages.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Dec 30, 2016 at 06:38
Yes, correct.
Altought in Maniac Mansion you used to PUSH the doorbell, the more appropriate verb should have been PRESS.
Same thing in italian.
But who cares... if I have a strong arm, I PUSH that damn doorbell! :-D
So, at the end: if there are many big objects to push, let's translate with SPINGI. Otherwise, let's use PREMI.

(P.S.: I bet my underpants that you can use 'USE' instead of 'PUSH' in many situations!)
Nor Treblig - Dec 30, 2016 at 10:49
Yes, we need to add another verb!

Regarding Use vs. Push: Use is OK in situations when it's apparent that the object is used in such way (e.g. a button to press). But Use should never work in other cases, e.g. moving boxes (because you need to decide for yourself that you want to move it, or you want to open it etc., or else the interface can be reduced to a single use-verb-interface as it is in many other games).

Push vs.Pull: I wonder how often there were cases in games when both options were possible at the same time. I remember the safe in MI1 but that's all. There was a crate puzzle at the beginning of Indy4 but I'm not sure if there was push/pull possible at the same time on one of those crates.
Ema - Jan 08, 2017 at 12:47
Push/pull... the primitive sculpture on Monkey Island, MI1.
In Indy4 there's another puzzle immediately after the crates which involves it.. the three levers.
At the moment I can't racall any other push/pull puzzle, but I'm sure there are more.
Nor Treblig - Jan 08, 2017 at 17:44
Indy4: Yes, those were 3-state levers I think.
But if you decide to merge those two verbs you can design the puzzles just a little different and should still be good.

Primitive sculpture on MI? I cannot remember this one.
Ema - Jan 09, 2017 at 17:28
You know, the catapult with the rocks... when you are trying to get the bananas from the tree...

Anyway: I agree, you can slightly change the puzzle to make it work with the verb "use". But why? :-)

So, why having verbs, then?

To be honest, I've always been slightly disappointed that two verbs were unused in MI1..... and then they were thus eliminated from the VGA version.
Nor Treblig - Jan 09, 2017 at 20:29
Oh catapult, now I remember!

No no, I wasn't talking about replacing it/everything with 'use' verb, just merging push/pull (=move) and open/close.
Especially the latter one is a no-brainer. The other one is debatable.

E.g. when moving something with 3-states it could just switch between those 3 (e.g. catapult: rotating or going back and forth).

You mean 'turn on/off'? Yes, there isn't much use for them especially in such game without a lot of machines or even electricity (at least not until SPOILER). It also wasn't a Larry game.
Ema - Jan 10, 2017 at 16:54
Yes, but I like verbs for the sake of verbs.
You're right, "move" could be a good merge.... and open/close should really merge sice you can't close what is already close, but....
Many verbs give you the illusion of multiple possibilities.
Just one of them will work, But you'll have to try all the possibilities out to be sure.
If you start merging verbs, the step to have a one-purpose-single verb, like in many adventure UIs in the 90es, is reeeealy short.
Nor Treblig - Jan 10, 2017 at 19:13
Oh I don't want to really reduce verbs, just thinking about merging those which are mostly mutually exclusive.

...because then we have more room to introduce other verbs (again)! I like the ones from Simon 2 where there is a separate 'Wear' verb, because it makes a difference if you just want to use a chainsaw or if you want to wear it :-)
http://chainsawsuit.com/comic/2008/03/31/strip-346/
Nor Treblig - Dec 30, 2016 at 10:58
I also wonder if Ron would have liked to merge some verbs. It's not so easy when using text in the interface (OPEN/CLOSE is long and looks stupid).

When using icons that's quite possible, e.g. Simon the Sorcerer 2 merged open/close and push/pull:
http://scummvm.org/data/screenshots/agos/simon/simon2-1-full.png
Evan - Dec 29, 2016 at 02:04
When Thimbleweed Park becomes a breakout mega-hit, you should send a copy to J.K. Rowling, and offer for David to lead the development of the Harry Potter point-and-click adventures as long as he can live in Potterworld.

P.S. 25 minutes of silence is the oddest podcast concept I've ever heard of.
Steve - Dec 30, 2016 at 02:48
Hey Ron, if you havent yet found a French translator, I recommend Raphaël Rouby. He has done our last two games and he has done heaps for Big Fish Games. You can find me here: http://www.parallelwords.fr/en/

Cheers,
Steve
Marco Lizza - Jan 04, 2017 at 06:29
I guess that almost everybody thought this... but... Ransome sound so much like a Krusty The Clown (which is not a bad think, however)...
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 08, 2017 at 16:55
They are both clowns, after all, and bot jerk, but Ransome has different hair and more *beep*ings !
Daryl Ortiz - Jan 10, 2017 at 06:12
Pro-tip: Stick dark foil onto your monitor in the verb area.

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