I can't f-BEEP! wait for this game… I cant f-BEEP! wait.
Andrew - Jan 19, 2017 at 21:58
I really like the voice actor for Ransome. He's very * in a likeable sort of way.
John - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:01
I really dig the beeping sound you chose. I was afraid it would be annoying but it doesn't bother me at all. It actually adds to the humour. God, I can't wait to.play this game!!!
Mister T - Jan 20, 2017 at 07:01
+1
The beeping fills its function in establishing his anger but blends well into the melody of the voice to allow listening to him. It is a science to get such details right.
vegetaman - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:05
Oh man this is great. So stoked for this!
Mattias Cedervall - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:08
I agree that he sounds like Krusty, but I guess it's hard to create that kind of character using another type of voice.
Quarnz - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:11
Will there be an option to turn off the beeping? I'd love to hear all the *beep*ing swearing X)
Big Red Button - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:21
If I remember correctly, they wrote that they have to keep the beeps in order to make sure that the game will get a PG-13 rating. So, if there will ever be an uncensored version, it will probably be unofficial.
Big Red Button - Jan 19, 2017 at 22:16
Very promising footage! Ransome's voice actor is a great choice indeed!
By the way, I like how the hotel room (at 0:57) reminds me of DOTT.
Dang it, normally no one looks at those website links, seems like I couldn't fool anyone today!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 24, 2017 at 06:55
I always check your links, at every message :-)
JD - Jan 20, 2017 at 06:59
Why it reaminds you of DOTT? (can't recall...old fart I know.) DOTT is/was my best game ever.
Big Red Button - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:24
It may not be exactly the same way as it was in DOTT. But, in DOTT there were hotel/motel rooms as well. Also the dimly illumination and cameras there. Anyway, I like it!
Big Red Button - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:28
Well, in the reality I don't like cameras in hotel rooms of course. :D
Emmanuel - Jan 20, 2017 at 01:36
So... Any progress on a release date? (It's not that I'm impatient, it's just that I really want it now. It's completely different.)
Enrico - Jan 20, 2017 at 01:38
Thanks for the new trailer!
I have an issue: I can't ear the beeps very well and it makes the understanding of the phrase difficult. I *do* understand the phrase, of course, but it's not a natural process and whenever there is a beep, I need to pay attention and my brain needs to realize what has just happened to the sentence.
The cause seems to be a mix between the volume of the beep (which is a bit low) and the kind of beep (that doesn't remind me the high-pitched beeps usually adopted to censor words). It could also depend on a third factor: for some inexplicable reason my brain tells me that the beep has not been *really* used to cover words. I don't know why, but the overall impression is that these beeps were not applied over a full sentence.
Said that, I'm quite sure that it's just me.
Lukas - Jan 20, 2017 at 02:29
I had the exact same thing! I don't perceive the beep as being part of the spoken text, but as a faint background noise.
Rane - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:00
It's weird because sometimes i think the beeping sound is quite alright - perhaps its because in some sentences its more obvious there'd be a swearing word. It confused me too when the beep sound was right before he said "..Thimbleweed Park" - cause i kinda didnt get that he was actually swearing at that point.
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:40
Maybe it's just about getting used to it. Try listening to it several times (as training for the real game :-).
Rane - Jan 20, 2017 at 05:06
It probably helps a lot with the subs too. Just listened to the video again. Its really only 2 instances of beeping which (for me at least) arent that good. One where i simple cant hear the beep (perhaps because of the background music?) and the last *beep*...Thimbleweed Park. All the other beeps sounds just perfect to me :)
Mister T - Jan 20, 2017 at 06:58
It is not just you but, judging from my own experience, it seems to be a matter of rythm and attention. It takes some time to get used to the pattern of the bleeps. It gets easier when they are less drowned out by the music, which for a trailer of course is louder than in the game. The speakers might matter, as notebook speakers often have less clarity. Also keep in mind you will be in control in the game, so there won't be thrown new scenes at you every few seconds, which for me was the most difficult thing: there is just such a lot to see. It is a trailer, so that is part of the Wow-effect.
Tim Lammer - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:15
I know what your are talking about.
My feeling was it is sometimes like not completly perfect timed. The first one in the trailer, is like "...its Ransom the f*beeping*Clown here..." You know, I thougt I hear the geinning of the beeped word, then comes the beeb and the beep stays until "Clown" with no gap between the beep an the word "Clown". Like starting late and staying to long.
On the other Hand, I think the Beep sound isn´t high pitched, because this would get really anoying after a few sentences full of beeps. I think Ron wrote that somewhere. But the low pitching makes the beep feel slow. Addionally I think, the way Ransoms voice is spoken (it´s great) leads to holding some words longer. Like not saying a short and quick "fxcking", its soometimes like "fxckiiinggg". I want to say, his words end shortly before the next begins, and need a beep that has no gap to the next spoken word.
I hope you understand what I´m trying to say.
Tim Lammert - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:21
geinning = beginning... *beeping* Hell
David Fox ✓ - Jan 21, 2017 at 20:49
I guess I'm the *beep*master, having beeped about 600 of Ransome's lines. Each beep exactly covers each word... no more or less. So if a beep is long or short, that's because the word Ransome spoke is exactly that length.
I would first make the word silent and then test the full sentence to make sure none of it was left, but that also the words on either side were legible. Then I replaced that section with the tone (650 Hz). First tried 1000 Hz, and that felt too jarring.
Big Red Button - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:42
I'm okay with those beeps. If the pitch and the volume were higher, the beeps would probably become annoying. And, as they explained a few weeks/months ago, this was why they decided for such an unusual beep. Unfortunately, everyone has a completely individual acoustic sense. Maybe you'd get accustomed to it over the first hour of play.
I had the same problem... at the beginning. I lost some beeps and I lost my "rythm", I even thought the words were just muted instead of beeped. Then I got used to it, and before half video I could hear all beeps without any problem.
I think it really has to do with getting used to it. Especially if you expect high-pitched beeps. And, I was listening to it with notebook speakers, I suppose it will be WAY clearer when I'll be playing with headphones.
Steffen - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:17
Maybe it's just a problem for Europeans (like me) cuz they aren't used to have these fu*peep*ing peeping all around. @Ron: So here is another idea for an option (maybe only for a European version?): to switch of the peeping. Any possibility to get this implemented?
Enrico - Jan 21, 2017 at 12:59
@Steffen: I think that in my case it's just an issue with this specific kind of beeps or with the way it has been applied to the sentences. I have watched a lot of videos with beeped words, both for censorship purposes or for comedy (like "Unnecessary censorship" on Jimmy Kimmel) and my brain always understands the phrases effortlessly. Anyway, I hope that it's just a matter of getting used to this kind of beeps. :)
Isaac - Jan 20, 2017 at 01:38
I can't wait to play it!!!! :-)
entropy - Jan 20, 2017 at 01:45
So damn well executed from what I've seen so far. And it seems the team really managed to catch the spirit of your older games without being tied to the strict limitations you had back in the days.
This all looks and feels so familiar in the most positive way! <3
Amazing! Simply amazing! Wonderful job! When is Ransome getting his own spin-off adventure game? :-)
Sundance - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:02
Where can I back Thimbleweed Park 2?
Lluis - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:05
I can't wait anymore i want play to the game, pleaseee
Jan_W - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:09
Wow! Great trailer - it makes you want to play the game right NOW! The voice is great, the pitch of the beeping is just right - I know you don't want it to get too annoying, but, in my opinion, it should be a bit more disruptive - as it is, I get the impression, Ransom pauses, there comes a beep, then he continues undisturbed. As if the beeping was another curse he is aware of and got used to.
Peppermallow - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:15
The toilet paper option was set wrong during the recording of that video. *ducks*
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:44
The option was set to correct, meaning 'over' in delicate mansions and 'under' in disgusting public toilets.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:34
Amazing... really!!
peterszky - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:40
*beep* awesome!!!
Tim Lammert - Jan 20, 2017 at 03:56
Awesome, just *beeping* Awesome!
Tim Lammert - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:01
Ahhh, everytime I *beeping* use the *beeping* wrong email address for *beeping* Gravatar...
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:48
Is your email *beep*@*beep*.*beep* too?
Tim Lammert - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:25
Yes it is! Yours too? Awesome :D
David - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:03
The waiting is unbearable
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 04:52
I may be going to try out these sounds as "beep" replacements when the game (+ its modkit) is released: https://youtu.be/grtchH6SfGE?t=40 :-)
Capitan Catarro - Jan 20, 2017 at 05:38
The wait will kill me...
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 05:50
Did you pledge for a box? Can I have it when you die?
Thimbleweedster - Jan 20, 2017 at 06:37
@Ron:
Just as a refresher, is there an option to have the un-beeped talkies? I'd fuckin' love it :p .
Yes. Mac, Windows, Linux and Xbox will all release at the same time, and the first three will be available via Steam. See https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/stateofthegame4 for more information.
Anna - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:40
You can turn the beeping off, right?
Dieter - Jan 20, 2017 at 11:11
No. For the reason see some comments above.
Katie Parsons - Jan 20, 2017 at 08:56
Another great trailer, and loving the music too!
I don't feel strongly about the beeps but do understand what people are saying. Some beeps are easier to 'process' than others. Probably would get used to it though.
pedant - Jan 20, 2017 at 09:38
Why do all you guys write it *beeping*? That would be *beep*ing.
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 11:15
How rude.
Mattias Cedervall - Jan 20, 2017 at 13:00
I agree!
Hysteric Fanboy - Jan 20, 2017 at 09:49
WOULD ANYBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO MOJO??!?!?
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 20, 2017 at 09:57
He committed suicide because he was at low moral (he was... mojo mojo...)
Do you mean the voodoo lady or Jojo the piano playing monkey wrench?
Hysteric Fanboy - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:02
Sorry, my english is just too bad or maybe I'm a noob. Please explain that joke to me. If it's not a joke I tell you that I meant not a person but the site.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:33
You meant: http://mixnmojo.com ? You are right, it's down. I don't know why, but maybe there are temporary technical difficulties.
Janet - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:59
Maybe they are being punished for all but ignoring Thimbleweed Park. :-) I always found it odd that Thimbleweed Park has got so little coverage from them, when it seems perfect for the sight. Maybe they have been given marching orders from Tim to not cover it? Doesn't someone from mixnmojo work at DF now? Tim can't be happy with all the "Thimbleweed Park is what I wanted Broken Age to be" comments. Tim tweeted once about the kickstarter and ignores the game.
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:35
Don't be afraid, it's not your english, it's a pun understandable by italians...
This is *beeep* awesome. Now come on you *beeeep* *beeeeeep*, bring the *beeeep* game to Steam....
Soong - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:22
Hi-beeping-llari-beeping-ous! I am so looking forward to this! Love the ambience sounds and the art and everything!
Malcolm - Jan 20, 2017 at 10:33
Ron - how far do you want to drive some peoples´ madness for this game? When do you finally admit that this is all just a perfect orchestration planned and executed from your selected resort on a lovely little island sponsored by all our money?? :D Come on - it´s impossible to believe that we´re really blessed to relive our youth-gaming experiences ... but even the dream feels good ;)
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 11:19
Or maybe he should call the game "The Secret of Thimbleweed Park (1)". AND THEN NEVER EXPLAINING THE SECRET!!
Stef - Jan 20, 2017 at 12:08
And never release "The Secret of Thimbleweed Park (2)"
TWP is planned as trilogy. But after "Thimbleweed Park 2: Ransome Kicks Butt" Disney buys the IP to make some movies so it will never be proper concluded.
Teo - Jan 20, 2017 at 11:43
I can't wait ! and I prefer don't see to much, just play it soon as posible
Stef - Jan 20, 2017 at 12:09
Vacuum Tube Artificial Intelligence, so hot right now. :-D
Soon™ - Jan 20, 2017 at 12:10
I think the beeping is annoying, not sure what to think about his voice yet.
I prefer an uncensored version.
Mattias Cedervall - Jan 20, 2017 at 12:58
Same here! Americans are infamous for their ridiculous censorship! :-(
"strong language" and "sexual references" are only allowed in games for 16 year olds and up. There are even symbols for a "bad language".
Soon™ - Jan 20, 2017 at 14:06
I want all that, gimme strong language, sexual references but spare me the beeping.
Now i got, the voice reminds me of 'I did it, your parents are gonna do it, break the cycle, rise above, focus on science.'
Steffen - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:30
Me too. But I am afraid for PR reasons and easy selling - in US in general and EU as PEGI 6plus - there will be only a version with peeps.
Arto - Jan 20, 2017 at 18:08
I once had to (got to) make a website that presented spirits, in Finland. The only problem was Finnish law which prohibits spirits' advertising, that states there should be no website like this in Finland. We got around this problem by requiring birth date (that's of course a given) and the current country they stayed in. The trick was not to include Finland in that selection. So, anyone who gave a birthdate above 21 yo and selected any country in the list, was ok to enter, by Finnish laws.
The lesson: there could be an option for swearing. Tick the box "I swear I live in Finland where swearing is the only way to manage through life's cruel obstacles" and everyone's ok with the fucking *beep*words.
...I missed the beep, didn't I?
Steffen - Jan 21, 2017 at 12:52
I think an implementation for an (anti-)peep-option depends on the way the peep is implemented yet.
If it's just an overlay for the audio output it's probably easy to add this option. But where's no easy way to add the option if the audio file already merged original audio and all the peeps. In the second case you first have to implement a second/overlay audio, then the time slot sync to get the peeping you had before and then finally you can add the option to switch it off. Probably a lot of work...
Steffen - Jan 21, 2017 at 12:56
I've just read the post from Ron from Jan 20, 2017 at 20:18... so there's already a full answer!
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 24, 2017 at 07:04
When you say "spirits" you mean ghosts and similar stuff?
Mario F. - Jan 20, 2017 at 12:52
Hey Ron, what the heck is in Ransome's Baloon? a dead fish?
Arto - Jan 20, 2017 at 16:27
Remember how in Zak McKracken And The Alien Mindbenders you got to put Sushi the fish in a balloon? Me neither. So that must be the Alien. From the movie Alien. Or a fetus. Somehow that would fit a clown like Ransome.
yet, I am pretty sure there are more known people in this scene. Can you spot any I have missed?
Cheers,
S.
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 15:58
Left from 2: Mark and Octavi. Right from 2: Jenn and Robert. 5 is Annie. Dave and Sandy aren't on this screenshot, they look like this in the game: https://goo.gl/4PKC5M Green shirt may be Ron himself.
8 may be purple tentacle in disguise to fool and conquer the world :-)
Have a look here: http://www.zak-site.com/c64.htm Green shirt and curl seem to be a good indicator that there is Zak in the audience.
Best,
S.
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:25
I agree with Zak. But with green shirt I meant the guy right to Voodoo Lady 2.0 (exactly between 7 and 9).
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:40
I took another look at the video:
On the left there is also Lauren and Malcolm. Also some guy looking like a young Waldo without hat and glasses :-)
Ron and Gary are more on the right (darker green shirt). Also the Edmunds on far right.
Here you can see an older build: https://youtu.be/TVmioEtIZiU?t=613 Characters from Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken used their original sprites there! :-)
Gffp - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:34
On the right of the screen, in the second line, in front of Ransome (watch the video cause you can't see them in the screenshot above) there are Ron and Gary, exactly how they appeared in the first kickstarter video!
Nor Treblig - Jan 20, 2017 at 17:41
You are right, I knew I remembered Gary sitting next to him!
Oh well, I should have taken a look at more than one frame only :-)
Cool!
Bogdan Barbu - Jan 20, 2017 at 18:20
Number 9 is actually a character from TP. Other than that, you missed a few. IIRC, I recognized everyone (or almost everyone?) from the audience (they show the whole screen in a different trailer) either because we know they are part of the game, because they are part of a Lucasfilm/LucasArts game, or because they are part of the development team (see the About link on this site).
spiffy - Jan 21, 2017 at 02:46
If you watch the Delores trailer [1] you can see that Sandy, Dave, Dr. Fred and Edna sit on the left side. Also the whole Team Thimbleweed [2], including Ron and Gary, is in the circus.
It's interesting to me that people want an un-beeped version, because the beeping to me is what makes it funny, like the whole joke is that he's beeped out... he's a foul-mouthed clown who is too rude for the game he's in. Like he swears so much he should be in an adult game, but he's found himself in a family adventure game and the game is forced to constantly censor him.
I know there is a practical reason as well, so it gets a certain rating, but it's also one of those self referential meta-jokes... kinda like how they add the ™ symbol to things as a running joke, not to actually trademark everything.
I kinda assume it will also be used in other jokes with characters referencing the beeps, or where there are a whole string of beeps where you're just left to imagine what insane insults he's throwing out.
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Jan 20, 2017 at 20:18
As I've stated before, Ransome is beeped due to needing a consistent rating around the world (the same build sold in the US is sold in Germany), plus I personally don't want any parent starting up Thimbleweed Park and subjecting a kid to Ransome's f-bombs. I actually have very strong feelings about swearing around kids. I'm not OK with it.
Ransome's beeps are burnt into the sound files, it's not overlaid at run time. There is no way to data mine the game files and get the uncensored versions, besides, we use unbreakable XOR encryption (over 255 permutations, too many even for today's supercomputers).
A few months after release, we will probably release a uncensored and unrated sound pack for all you potty-mouths out there.
Soon™ - Jan 21, 2017 at 00:44
It sounds like a bummer that an uncensored version will take months to be added. Wouldn't it make sense offering both versions via the options (suomi mode, for desktop)? It's nice that a censored version is available for kids when the rest of the game is appropriate for children too but some of us are able to raise our children reasonably on our own, outgrew our childhood and experienced a different cultural background, so the beeping feels artificial and out of place. Moreover there is no satisfying rhythm and flow when listening to someone being beeped..
Does it need some additional timing/integration work or wouldn't it be sufficient checking for the audio in the options and once the data is available offering it as well?
Ron Gilbert ✓ - Jan 21, 2017 at 01:15
Because we have way too much work to do as it is. We want to get the core game done, get the mobile versions going again and maybe start the PS4 port, then we can think about this.
Adding a second language pack (or any feature) is never simple, because it now needs to be tested. The uncensored build needs to be put though a full QA cycle, so the testers have more to test, plus bugs will come in, distracting us, etc, etc. Plus we have no UI for switching, so that needs to be coded. I'm not sure yet how to have two version of dialog that share IDs. Yes, we can figure it all out. We're all very tired. We want to ship this game.
Beware of feature creep.
Soon™ - Jan 21, 2017 at 07:30
Okay, thanks for the answer. A uncensored version wouldn't be feature creep from my point of view but i get your points. I wasn't sure if it's 'just' about a pure audio/text job (switching sounds, exchanging text) or if further work (like timing issues and adapting animations) would be involved. Good luck for finishing the game and i'm looking forward to a release of the uncensored version afterwards. Btw if you need more resources in testing/etc. ...
My personal guess is that a byte XOR'd Mp3 would keep kids busy actually :-) It did back then for a little while.
008 - Jan 21, 2017 at 03:39
I found three specks of dust!
Frengo - Jan 21, 2017 at 05:28
Why don't you add an option to let the user change the type of beeps (after all you do that to toilet paper after all)?
Arto - Jan 21, 2017 at 06:15
That would require a higher age rating, which could have a negative impact on sales. Also, implementing the uncensored voice and text would be a lot of work, which would require money and especially time to do.
Arto - Jan 21, 2017 at 06:18
Oops, sorry, you referred to types of beeps... The beeps are not separate from the voice file, so there should be multiple voice tracks for Ransome. And implementing multiple voice tracks would again require time and money to do.
Frengo - Jan 21, 2017 at 14:36
Another way could be play the beep sound over the original one but requires synch for every beeps.
Gffp - Jan 21, 2017 at 08:42
That's just a test! Start it together with the original trailer video! :-P
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Is that your voice?? I thought you were from Naples, but it is a Roman accent! Congratulations, it's a fantastic interpretation of Ransome! Great!!
Gffp - Jan 25, 2017 at 10:25
I'm glad you liked it! More could be done, that's just a test, my voice is somewhere unexpressive, go high and low too many times and in the end, ahah my vocal chords just didn't resist the "scratchy" tone! I coughed more than during my last flu! Anyway it was great fun! Yes it is a roman accent: could an -beep-hole like Ransome come from Naples and surroundings? Ahah I gave him a slightly accent, because it sounds to me like the original has not a formal american english accent, he seems to me more true to reality (but I'm not so used to americans so I could be wrong), and since everywhere in the world speaking in real life is different from tv-news accent, I choosed roman accent because there is this stereotype (not so much a stereotype by my experience ehehe) that romans are rude at first approach and they tend to be like they live in the most beutiful and important city and such things and others are just morons... The scratchy tone also reminded me of Alberto Sordi in the movie "Il marchese del Grillo" where his character could be summed up by his words: "I am what I am and you are -beep- ing nothing!" which is true to the -beep-hole nature of the character (for what I now). Also many other rude roman characters by Corrado Guzzanti like Gabriele LaPorta and Gianfranco Funari, and Er Monnezza by Thomas Milian. This helps in translating also the contrast with the childish appearance of Ransome. I started trying to emulate the original voice, anyway. Probably he's the most difficult character to dub in the entire game. Also I made a first test that was awesome because it was roman slang... It was very funny and expressive but I tought it was too much distant from the original version. If you remember our conversations here with other followers (Guga, Ema, Carlo and so on...) we said that an accent too much strong (almost a dialect with reshaped words) would have been too much. A parody. Sam'n'Max was too much in the italian voice acting with regional dialects. So I made this second test (there have been many tests to be honest) with a slightly roman accent.
Gffp - Jan 25, 2017 at 10:35
How many grammatical errors I made?
Zak Phoenix McKracken - Jan 26, 2017 at 08:59
Not as many as I would have made, don't worry! :-)
Lemar - Jan 21, 2017 at 13:57
I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed. I didn't even smile. I can't say I'll be playing this or recommending it to my friends. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to it.
Soon™ - Jan 22, 2017 at 06:22
I had to laugh when i saw how he combed his hair (and looped that part a couple of times). I also was attracted to the vacuum tubes. The game also needs me, like fixing the toilet paper. The scenes look nice, I'm confident that this will be fun, even more once there will be an uncensored version. I'm looking forward to the release.
Avis - Jan 22, 2017 at 09:23
I am looking forward to this *so* much.
Aristotlol - Jan 24, 2017 at 15:21
This is looking absolutely brilliant, guys. Seriously good. <3
Phaze - Jan 30, 2017 at 14:19
I like trailer and the feeling it has! The voice is also nice, but somehow i got a feeling that the sound quality of the recording is a bit low? Perhaps because of the microphone or the compression in the final file, but it seems to miss some top frequencies, at least to my ears. Anyone else getting this?
(Let's hope we won't see a bunch of negative reviews saying they stole Krusty, lol.)
The beeping fills its function in establishing his anger but blends well into the melody of the voice to allow listening to him. It is a science to get such details right.
By the way, I like how the hotel room (at 0:57) reminds me of DOTT.
Anyway, I like it!
I have an issue: I can't ear the beeps very well and it makes the understanding of the phrase difficult. I *do* understand the phrase, of course, but it's not a natural process and whenever there is a beep, I need to pay attention and my brain needs to realize what has just happened to the sentence.
The cause seems to be a mix between the volume of the beep (which is a bit low) and the kind of beep (that doesn't remind me the high-pitched beeps usually adopted to censor words). It could also depend on a third factor: for some inexplicable reason my brain tells me that the beep has not been *really* used to cover words. I don't know why, but the overall impression is that these beeps were not applied over a full sentence.
Said that, I'm quite sure that it's just me.
Also keep in mind you will be in control in the game, so there won't be thrown new scenes at you every few seconds, which for me was the most difficult thing: there is just such a lot to see. It is a trailer, so that is part of the Wow-effect.
My feeling was it is sometimes like not completly perfect timed.
The first one in the trailer, is like "...its Ransom the f*beeping*Clown here..." You know, I thougt I hear the geinning of the beeped word, then comes the beeb and the beep stays until "Clown" with no gap between the beep an the word "Clown".
Like starting late and staying to long.
On the other Hand, I think the Beep sound isn´t high pitched, because this would get really anoying after a few sentences full of beeps.
I think Ron wrote that somewhere.
But the low pitching makes the beep feel slow.
Addionally I think, the way Ransoms voice is spoken (it´s great) leads to holding some words longer. Like not saying a short and quick "fxcking", its soometimes like "fxckiiinggg". I want to say, his words end shortly before the next begins, and need a beep that has no gap to the next spoken word.
I hope you understand what I´m trying to say.
*beeping* Hell
I would first make the word silent and then test the full sentence to make sure none of it was left, but that also the words on either side were legible. Then I replaced that section with the tone (650 Hz). First tried 1000 Hz, and that felt too jarring.
Unfortunately, everyone has a completely individual acoustic sense. Maybe you'd get accustomed to it over the first hour of play.
I think it really has to do with getting used to it. Especially if you expect high-pitched beeps. And, I was listening to it with notebook speakers, I suppose it will be WAY clearer when I'll be playing with headphones.
@Ron: So here is another idea for an option (maybe only for a European version?): to switch of the peeping. Any possibility to get this implemented?
And it seems the team really managed to catch the spirit of your older
games without being tied to the strict limitations you had back in the days.
This all looks and feels so familiar in the most positive way! <3
When is Ransome getting his own spin-off adventure game? :-)
The voice is great, the pitch of the beeping is just right - I know you don't want it to get too annoying, but, in my opinion, it should be a bit more disruptive - as it is, I get the impression, Ransom pauses, there comes a beep, then he continues undisturbed. As if the beeping was another curse he is aware of and got used to.
Just as a refresher, is there an option to have the un-beeped talkies? I'd fuckin' love it :p .
See https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/stateofthegame4 for more information.
I don't feel strongly about the beeps but do understand what people are saying. Some beeps are easier to 'process' than others. Probably would get used to it though.
You are right, it's down. I don't know why, but maybe there are temporary technical difficulties.
But there seems to be an error since they've now unintentionally restored their old design again...
https://twitter.com/mixnmojo/status/821932788441939968
That new Native American design was great!
Come on - it´s impossible to believe that we´re really blessed to relive our youth-gaming experiences ...
but even the dream feels good ;)
AND THEN NEVER EXPLAINING THE SECRET!!
I prefer an uncensored version.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_European_Game_Information
"strong language" and "sexual references" are only allowed in games for 16 year olds and up. There are even symbols for a "bad language".
Now i got, the voice reminds me of 'I did it, your parents are gonna do it, break the cycle, rise above, focus on science.'
But I am afraid for PR reasons and easy selling - in US in general and EU as PEGI 6plus - there will be only a version with peeps.
The lesson: there could be an option for swearing. Tick the box "I swear I live in Finland where swearing is the only way to manage through life's cruel obstacles" and everyone's ok with the fucking *beep*words.
...I missed the beep, didn't I?
If it's just an overlay for the audio output it's probably easy to add this option. But where's no easy way to add the option if the audio file already merged original audio and all the peeps.
In the second case you first have to implement a second/overlay audio, then the time slot sync to get the peeping you had before and then finally you can add the option to switch it off. Probably a lot of work...
I took the liberty of examining the audience in the circus scene: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2n9sEsWQAAJ5d9.jpg:large
It seems that we can expect several cameos from Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken.
Best,
Herr Stirz
yet, I am pretty sure there are more known people in this scene. Can you spot any I have missed?
Cheers,
S.
Right from 2: Jenn and Robert.
5 is Annie.
Dave and Sandy aren't on this screenshot, they look like this in the game: https://goo.gl/4PKC5M
Green shirt may be Ron himself.
8 may be purple tentacle in disguise to fool and conquer the world :-)
The whole left half is missing...
Green shirt and curl seem to be a good indicator that there is Zak in the audience.
Best,
S.
But with green shirt I meant the guy right to Voodoo Lady 2.0 (exactly between 7 and 9).
On the left there is also Lauren and Malcolm.
Also some guy looking like a young Waldo without hat and glasses :-)
Ron and Gary are more on the right (darker green shirt).
Also the Edmunds on far right.
Here you can see an older build: https://youtu.be/TVmioEtIZiU?t=613
Characters from Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken used their original sprites there! :-)
Cool!
[1] https://blog.thimbleweedpark.com/meet_delores
[2] https://thimbleweedpark.com/team
Tanks a lot, spiffy.
Best,
S.
I know there is a practical reason as well, so it gets a certain rating, but it's also one of those self referential meta-jokes... kinda like how they add the ™ symbol to things as a running joke, not to actually trademark everything.
I kinda assume it will also be used in other jokes with characters referencing the beeps, or where there are a whole string of beeps where you're just left to imagine what insane insults he's throwing out.
Ransome's beeps are burnt into the sound files, it's not overlaid at run time. There is no way to data mine the game files and get the uncensored versions, besides, we use unbreakable XOR encryption (over 255 permutations, too many even for today's supercomputers).
A few months after release, we will probably release a uncensored and unrated sound pack for all you potty-mouths out there.
Does it need some additional timing/integration work or wouldn't it be sufficient checking for the audio in the options and once the data is available offering it as well?
Adding a second language pack (or any feature) is never simple, because it now needs to be tested. The uncensored build needs to be put though a full QA cycle, so the testers have more to test, plus bugs will come in, distracting us, etc, etc. Plus we have no UI for switching, so that needs to be coded. I'm not sure yet how to have two version of dialog that share IDs. Yes, we can figure it all out. We're all very tired. We want to ship this game.
Beware of feature creep.
It did back then for a little while.
http://www6.zippyshare.com/v/MZptpwiU/file.html
Is that your voice??
I thought you were from Naples, but it is a Roman accent!
Congratulations, it's a fantastic interpretation of Ransome!
Great!!
Also I made a first test that was awesome because it was roman slang... It was very funny and expressive but I tought it was too much distant from the original version. If you remember our conversations here with other followers (Guga, Ema, Carlo and so on...) we said that an accent too much strong (almost a dialect with reshaped words) would have been too much. A parody. Sam'n'Max was too much in the italian voice acting with regional dialects. So I made this second test (there have been many tests to be honest) with a slightly roman accent.