Posted by MadMageMC at pcp559979pcs.rthfrd01.tn.comcast.net on January 26, 2003 at 11:08:03:
...pick your euphamism.
I've been reading through the archives, and do realize there was quite a bit of discussion two and three years ago regarding the possibilities of a Kevin Smith sponsored (obviously) Jay and Silent Bob, Clerks, whatever, type game. Most of the discussion I found in the archives pointed to either a side scrolling jumpy type game, of the Bart Simpson / Nintendo ilk, or perhaps a Sam and Max point and click adventure. While the humor and cartoonish antics of Jay and Silent Bob (especially re: Mallrats) lend themselves to those sorts of interpretations, I'm of a firm mind they'd be seriously shortchanged in the long run by sticking to those old conventions. Seems to me, Kevin has long been a proponent of not sticking to convention, so I would think he might be more inclined to conceptualize his favorite characters (yes, going beyond just Jay and Silent Bob) in a more graphically rich environment as could be found in either and Xbox, PS2, and / or GameCube title.
On the easy end, one could imagine replaying the adventure of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back as a game, however, I feel there exists already an overabundance of movie title game tie-ins, and would hate to see Kevin's work cheapened in such a way. Think back to such tie-ins as the Nintendo Back to the Future, Airwolf, Terminator, and 7up Spot games. While they may have been slightly entertaining, there was no real new ground covered there. In 'An Evening with Kevin Smith,' he mentioned we would never see Jay and Silent Bob in film again, because, after '...Strike Back', what else is there to do? I suppose the same question applies to the possibilities of a gaming tie-in, however, I could easily imagine a game ripe with new possibilities. I think the trick is to not just limit it to a Jay and Silent Bob title, but rather, involve as much of the 'Askewniverse' as possible, giving the player the option of playing different characters at different points in the story. One could also imagine the inclusion of new characters where applicable to proceed the story, or for humor's sake, whichever.
With Kevin's undying attention to detail with each of his movies, the options for backdrops is almost limitless. Giving players the option to more fully explore such places as the Quik Stop, the infamous Mall, the flea market with the triple-nipple fortune teller, or lord knows where else. The possibilities in today's gaming market are nigh limitless. I think its blatantly obvious the fanship is there, so concerns toward the viability of the product shouldn't even be a concern. Heck, I'd buy two copies!
And now for the obligatory fanboyishness:
I think, by simply knowing of this board and registering to post here, its a foregone conclusion I've seen all of the Kevin Smith movies. Further, I feel its also unnecessary to point out I own copies of all the Kevin Smith movies. (wait... I just pointed that out... oops.) What I do think I should point out is what an inspiration these movies have been at various times in my life. My brother first introduced me to Clerks some years ago, and had he not taken me to that fateful midnight showing of the best damn black & white movie I've ever seen, I might still be washing dishes for some loser of a boss. Specifically, the argument over title and job description dictating action was key in gaining proper perspective to my monkey-esque dish-dogging days. Along with such movies as Mike Judge's 'Office Space', (where I realized thumbing your nose at the boss is a good thing), Kevin Smith's films continue to be a fresh voice in modern entertainment. Yes, there exists a certain predilection towards vulgarity and dick & fart jokes, however, there also exists greater messages in his films. I'm not one to wax romantic, poetic, or any other -tic for that matter, so don't expect a long exposition (heh...) on what those messages may or may not be. Suffice it to say the man loves dialogue, and I feel, a love for the language. I eagerly anticipate his next film, and would much like to see the addition of a fine gaming product to his already impressive list of accomplishments.
and finally, the plugs section:
I have dutifully read all the provisos of joining this fine board, and so I do not ask anything, rather, I offer this link so some of you may follow it and enjoy the artwork therein. The artist is my brother, one Ian Christy, who just finished film school in Vancouver (could it be the same school Kevin Smith dropped out of, and Scott Mosier finished? We may never know.). He worked as lead artist on such gaming titles as Star Seige and Tribes for Sierra Dynamix, and is now working as a game designer for Vancouver's Radical Games. As I said earlier, I mention this only because both he and Kevin Smith have been huge influences in my life, and some of you may enjoy a look at his work.