Adventure Game From Makers of Earthworm Jim and Neverhood

[Bubble_Man]

Doug TenNapel (creator of Earthworm Jim) is working with Pencil Test Studios in an effort to create a new game called "Amrikrog." It is an adventure game that uses claymation and is a spiritual successor to "Neverhood." I just came across this recently and it looks interesting.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_YPtIo2Rto&list=PLP4gEO0jN3HYEBApxhMucx76inEtcYRes

It's on Kickstarter right now with 3 days to go.

[Bojay1997]

Unfortunately, I can't and won't support a project conceived by someone who spews hate and bigoted views on a regular basis.

http://gameological.com/2013/06/foc-tennapel-armikrog/

[JakeM]

I bet the monster is trying to eat people who keep gay marriage illegal, so you have to go and avenge your fallen GOP buddies. T is obviously for Teabagger, and not the good kind.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Yeah, it sucks that TenNapel's political/social views are so extreme, because there's not any overt evidence of them in his games, which are typically creative, fun and funny.

Skullmonkeys is one of my all time favorite platformers.

There's no better opportunity to vote with your wallet. If you're offended by Mr. TenNapel's views you can actively avoid donating to this effort with the hopes that failure to meet goals will prevent the project from getting off the ground.

[The Adventurer]

Its fascinating how this will probably one of the first high profile, nostalgia fueled, Kickstarter projects to fail. And its failure to can be fully attributed to one man, and his hateful beliefs. You reap what you sow I guess.

[Daltone]

Yeah, it sucks that TenNapel's political/social views are so extreme, because there's not any overt evidence of them in his games, which are typically creative, fun and funny.

I am of two minds about this.

One part of me says "I disagree with your view of the world, therefore I don't like you much."

The other says "there's nothing to do with those views in the games that I've played. If he's not trying to preach, why prevent myself from getting an enjoyable game which has nothing to do with those views I'm not keen on." The same part of me says that even though I don't agree with his views, he is perfectly entitled to have them, I'll just think he's an idiot and ignore him. It's got nothing to do with the game.

Of course, nothing says "I disagree" like not buying the product on the basis that he is involved. But if you start doing that where do you stop? He's more high profile than, say, the heads of Asda (or Wal-Mart), but I'm sure if you looked close enough you'd find something to dislike with someone up there.

EDIT: Perhaps scientology is a better example. I think it is dangerous and exploitative to those at the lower levels. Would I ever not go and see a Tom Cruise or John Travolta etc etc film just because they are proponents of Scientology? No.

[Bojay1997]

I am of two minds about this.

One part of me says "I disagree with your view of the world, therefore I don't like you much."

The other says "there's nothing to do with those views in the games that I've played. If he's not trying to preach, why prevent myself from getting an enjoyable game which has nothing to do with those views I'm not keen on." The same part of me says that even though I don't agree with his views, he is perfectly entitled to have them, I'll just think he's an idiot and ignore him. It's got nothing to do with the game.

Of course, nothing says "I disagree" like not buying the product on the basis that he is involved. But if you start doing that where do you stop? He's more high profile than, say, the heads of Asda (or Wal-Mart), but I'm sure if you looked close enough you'd find something to dislike with someone up there.

For me he crossed the line with his repeated and unapologetic and very public rants on some high profile websites about a variety of topics including gay marriage, the role of women, etc...I have no problem with someone having different views than myself on issues, but when that person goes out of their way to not only express those views, but do so in a really offensive and outrageous manner repeatedly, I have to draw a personal line.

As for the claims about having nothing to do with the game, I would encourage you to read the commentary I linked to earlier.

[Daltone]

For me he crossed the line with his repeated and unapologetic and very public rants on some high profile websites about a variety of topics including gay marriage, the role of women, etc...I have no problem with someone having different views than myself on issues, but when that person goes out of their way to not only express those views, but do so in a really offensive and outrageous manner repeatedly, I have to draw a personal line.

As for the claims about having nothing to do with the game, I would encourage you to read the commentary I linked to earlier.

I missed that, I'll have a look.

[The Adventurer]

You guys may not be familar with TenNapel's body of work if you're saying something like "there's nothing to do with those views in the games that I've played." because over the last decade or so, the guy has released a comic graphic novel nearly every year. And as the years have gone on his comic work has become more and more a soapbox for his world views. Culminating into a book called RATFIST. Which might as well be called 'The Guide to Doug TenNapel's Worldview'. I have absolutely no faith that he can separate his work from his beliefs at this point. Which is really my problem with him.


And even going all the way back to The Neverhood, its present in his video game work. The Neverhood's story is christian allegory to the most obvious. And though its all wrapped up in its own mythology, it doesn't stray far from the tenets of Christianity.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

You guys may not be familar with TenNapel's body of work if you're saying something like "there's nothing to do with those views in the games that I've played." because over the last decade or so, the guy has released a comic graphic novel nearly every year. And as the years have gone on his comic work has become more and more a soapbox for his world views. Culminating into a book called RATFIST. Which might as well be called 'The Guide to Doug TenNapel's Worldview'. I have absolutely no faith that he can separate his work from his beliefs at this point. Which is really my problem with him.


And even going all the way back to The Neverhood, its present in his video game work. The Neverhood's story is christian allegory to the most obvious. And though its all wrapped up in its own mythology, it doesn't stray far from the tenets of Christianity.

While I'm wholly unfamiliar with his work outside of games, I didn't get a sense of a Christian allegory from The Neverhood games, at least not one that I felt was overt (and I'm never actively looking for things like that).

Then again, I'm sure plenty of people read the Narnia books without any great understanding of what's below the surface.

[SpaceHarrier]

http://gameological.com/2013/06/foc-tennapel-armikrog/

"Though TenNapel makes a living as an artist, he’s known by many for his inflammatory public statements concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues."

I find it ironic that earthworms are hermaphrodites.

So what I've read so far is.. it isn't so much his personal beliefs that are the primary offense, it's his delivery of said beliefs in a very rude and disrespectful way. As a huge EWJ fan that makes me sad.

[The Adventurer]

While I'm wholly unfamiliar with his work outside of games, I didn't get a sense of a Christian allegory from The Neverhood games, at least not one that I felt was overt (and I'm never actively looking for things like that).

Really. That's really weird, because the entire game is about creation myth. Like... at its core. Hoborg is god, Klogg is Adam/Eve, Hoborg's crown is the forbidden fruit, and Klayman is the Chirstlike savior of the world.'

Its very blatant.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I find it ironic that earthworms are hermaphrodites.

So what I've read so far is.. it isn't so much his personal beliefs that are the primary offense, it's his delivery of said beliefs in a very rude and disrespectful way. As a huge EWJ fan that makes me sad.

Similarly, I can't go back and watch Firefly, a series that I really enjoyed and that holds up to re-watching after seeing Adam Baldwin's abrasive, caustic and persistent right-wing rhetoric on the web during the last presidential election.

He literally ruined the show for me because I can't look at him, even him acting as a character - and not see somebody whose political views I sharply disagree with - views that I would have been more than capable of ignoring if he didn't make such a point of publicizing them at every opportunity.

Fuck that guy for ruining a great show for me.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Really. That's really weird, because the entire game is about creation myth. Like... at its core. Hoborg is god, Klogg is Adam/Eve, Hoborg's crown is the forbidden fruit, and Klayman is the Chirstlike savior of the world.'

Its very blatant.

I'm not saying it's not true, only that I was completely oblivious to it as it was happening.

[Greg2600]

Well there are far more full on liberal "agenda" titles, movies and I'd figure video games, to have been produced than conservative. In comics for sure, you don't get any more liberal than the great Stan Lee's work.

As for Adam Baldwin, I watched the Firefly 10 year anniversary special, and he was far and away the most complementary of the fans. Per his views, he was Animal Mother so I suppose he didn't veer that far off course for that role!

It doesn't bother me that much, I still love Jon Voight's work, and he's a right wing nut practically. But he and Baldwin do far more charity work for wounded veterans, for instance, than 3/4 of Hollywood.

I'm sure Doug isn't the sole creative voice on the project.

[Bojay1997]

Well there are far more full on liberal "agenda" titles, movies and I'd figure video games, to have been produced than conservative. In comics for sure, you don't get any more liberal than the great Stan Lee's work.

As for Adam Baldwin, I watched the Firefly 10 year anniversary special, and he was far and away the most complementary of the fans. Per his views, he was Animal Mother so I suppose he didn't veer that far off course for that role!

It doesn't bother me that much, I still love Jon Voight's work, and he's a right wing nut practically. But he and Baldwin do far more charity work for wounded veterans, for instance, than 3/4 of Hollywood.

I'm sure Doug isn't the sole creative voice on the project.

He's not the sole member of the team, but he is the one who created the characters and wrote the story and will be the overall creative director. As such, he is the major creative voice on the project.

[Gameguy]

I guess it depends on how you look at him. Just compare him to America's most loved biggot and you'll think he's funny. I doubt anyone takes what he says seriously except other nuts like himself.



http://i42.tinypic.com/34ozt41.jpghttp://i40.tinypic.com/dafb.png

[Kyle15]

I am of two minds about this.

One part of me says "I disagree with your view of the world, therefore I don't like you much."

The other says "there's nothing to do with those views in the games that I've played. If he's not trying to preach, why prevent myself from getting an enjoyable game which has nothing to do with those views I'm not keen on." The same part of me says that even though I don't agree with his views, he is perfectly entitled to have them, I'll just think he's an idiot and ignore him. It's got nothing to do with the game.

Of course, nothing says "I disagree" like not buying the product on the basis that he is involved. But if you start doing that where do you stop? He's more high profile than, say, the heads of Asda (or Wal-Mart), but I'm sure if you looked close enough you'd find something to dislike with someone up there.

EDIT: Perhaps scientology is a better example. I think it is dangerous and exploitative to those at the lower levels. Would I ever not go and see a Tom Cruise or John Travolta etc etc film just because they are proponents of Scientology? No.

Agree 100%.

[JakeM]

Well there are far more full on liberal "agenda" titles, movies and I'd figure video games, to have been produced than conservative.

Once I picked up a free music magazine. Then I started reading it and it was a Christian Music one, in the back was a column series called "The Christian and Art" where the author was pleading with his devout buddies to STOP MAKING HORRIBLE MUSIC! He went on about how Christian just never make good art work/music and him trying to figure that out. I agree, just like with C S Lewis after he became a Christian, they just lose that devil in them thats the creative force. SO yeah, people who are more creative tend to be 9 times out of 10 more liberal or at least anti-conformist/christian/religious.

[Daltone]

I'm not saying it's not true, only that I was completely oblivious to it as it was happening.

The borrowed structure was there, but I don't recall it being preachy (it has been some years though). I had no idea about this ratfist business.

[Greg2600]

http://i42.tinypic.com/34ozt41.jpg

He does look like a stooge, lol

[Aussie2B]

Once I picked up a free music magazine. Then I started reading it and it was a Christian Music one, in the back was a column series called "The Christian and Art" where the author was pleading with his devout buddies to STOP MAKING HORRIBLE MUSIC! He went on about how Christian just never make good art work/music and him trying to figure that out. I agree, just like with C S Lewis after he became a Christian, they just lose that devil in them thats the creative force. SO yeah, people who are more creative tend to be 9 times out of 10 more liberal or at least anti-conformist/christian/religious.

Uh, for the majority of art history, glorifying God/gods has played a central role. Whether it's pagan art from places like ancient Greece, Byzantine art, Renaissance art, Buddhist art, Shinto art, Hindu art, etc. etc., religion has traditionally been a driving force in creativity of all kinds.

[Rob2600]

He does look like a stooge, lol

https://graphicly.s3.amazonaws.com/images/creators/doug-tennapel.png

http://images.zap2it.com/images/tv-EP00002544/laverne-and-shirley-david-l-lander-1.jpg

[JakeM]

Uh, for the majority of art history, glorifying God/gods has played a central role. Whether it's pagan art from places like ancient Greece, Byzantine art, Renaissance art, Buddhist art, Shinto art, Hindu art, etc. etc., religion has traditionally been a driving force in creativity of all kinds.

I dont know why religious people lost their creativity, but back then you really had to be affiliated with religion for your work to be noticed. There were no big book stores for fiction. I dont want this to go into speculation of religion in general, but there far more things that have been lost over time than stayed with us.

[Robocop2]

If I consumed media based on whether I agree with a particular persons views; I wouldn't have very much to do.

[Gameguy]

Once I picked up a free music magazine. Then I started reading it and it was a Christian Music one, in the back was a column series called "The Christian and Art" where the author was pleading with his devout buddies to STOP MAKING HORRIBLE MUSIC! He went on about how Christian just never make good art work/music and him trying to figure that out. I agree, just like with C S Lewis after he became a Christian, they just lose that devil in them thats the creative force. SO yeah, people who are more creative tend to be 9 times out of 10 more liberal or at least anti-conformist/christian/religious.
Music is a bit different as the target market is different than what it used to be. It used to be that professional music was written for adults, when you look at famous operas or classical music it was all for upper class society, or the wealthy. A lot of these weren't strictly religious either.

Now with music what's considered to be modern is aimed at younger people. Younger people tend to like things that their parents don't, just to have something different or to be rebelious. Modern views tend to go against traditional ones so to sell albums modern artists have to go against traditional views which basically means to avoid religious subject matter. Christian rock bands mostly fail because they try to target younger audiences with the same style of music, but the subject matter doesn't match properly so it seems forced. It's usually the lyrics that ruin it. It's like watching safety videos from the 80's/90's with rap artists trying to make safety sound cool, which just comes across as cheesy and lame.


Just to briefly mention books or writing, there was a time when most people were illiterate and only the wealthy could afford books. The further back you go the more you can see that the wealthiest people were accociated with religion, the churches had extreme amounts of wealth compared to average people. People who studied religion from the churches were more likely to become literate compared to anyone else, so most texts were centred around religious material. Churches were more likely to commision art or projects compared to anyone else, which is why so much old art that's currently surviving is religious in nature. Most skilled artists didn't work for free, they made whatever they were paid to. Same with architecture, when appreciating old architecture it's mostly old surviving churches that show this off, they had the money to pay for this ornate work done.

[Bojay1997]

If I consumed media based on whether I agree with a particular persons views; I wouldn't have very much to do.

While that might be true, there are very few people who make it a habit to repeatedly spew hate and vicious attacks on others using their position of prominence as an artist and creative person to give them added credibility. That's why I personally take issue with this guy. If he simply was opposed to gay marriage and had different views about the role of women than I do and even just expressed those views, it wouldn't be an issue for me or many others. His level of outrageous hate spewing simply has gone to a whole other level as can be clearly seen in the link I posted and a simple Google search.

[Bubble_Man]

Over 800k on the last day, so meeting the funding goal with a surge of last-minute supporters is a possibility. As for the political stuff, I say screw it. I want to play a good game and don't care what any the creators' personal views are.

[Bubble_Man]

And the 900,000 has successfully been raised. Whoo-hoo!

[CDiablo]

And the 900,000 has successfully been raised. Whoo-hoo!
Too late......DOMA has been ruled unconstitutional, he couldnt raise the 900k to save it in time guess he will just have to make some game or something.