Lorne you money grubbing freak!
 

The intelect, the raw unbridled talent...the love...squandered in a worthless sack of flesh. I had such respect for him and his work. I watched the G4 "violence in video games" special twice just to hear his amazingly thought out commentary...and to see that look of total pwnage on his face like he knew his statement obliterated anything anyone had to say. I've loved each and every one of his games since Abe's Odyssey. I bought the Xbox JUST to have the continuation of Oddworld at hand. I feel betrayed...and more so afraid. Afraid to see that this man, who could've been at the forefront of a video game industry revolution, back down. I couldn't believe it when I read the news...(no I didn't read it just now, I found this little Oddworld fan site just now...) The point is, he should have set the example. Tim Shaeffer didn't give up when Microsoft backed out of publishing Psychonauts (thank you Majesco for publishing psychonauts and every other beautiful work of art that filthy mega corporations don't have the balls to publish). The man worked TWICE as hard on account of being screwed. Shaeffer's been in the business longer than Lanning...and he's been in the same boat. His crown jewel "Grim Fandango" didn't sell squat due to poor marketting. That was many years ago (97 i think...or 99). He puts out another jem that gets no marketting and I'm sure he's going to continue in the same fashion. Microsoft made Psychonauts backwards compatible for the Xbox 360...that must've been embarassing considering they turned down publishing it. Of course they had little recourse considering the thousands of fans requesting that it be made backwards compatible. Did Lorne think of his fans? I guess the difference is...Tim makes game for people...Lorne...as much as I don't want to admit it seems to be in it for Gold, Odd, and Glory (hold the applause). I always found it amazing that you could be intellectually endowed yet morally bankrupt at the same time. Let us all weep for the oddly smouldering corpse of our beloved franchise. Goodbye Abe, Munch, and Steve...woops I meant Steef. Goodbye Lorne...traitor to the people and the dream.

What a waste of forum space.

Hey...buddy...maybe instead of wasting space in MY thread, you can be more constructive. For example, you could opt to say you disagree and give a full explanation of why. Or...better yet, you could stitch your virtual mouth shut and maybe your eyes while you're at it. Then I'll be all like: Hi [Cullen Heath]. and then you say: hello... then I say: Follow Me after which you either A) fall of a cliff or B) walk into a meat grinder/mine/muzzle of a slig's assault rifle...is there anything better than oddworld themed humour? But all jokes aside...it's better if you give me a constructive response instead of TRULY wasting space.

Why should he? We honestly couldn't care less about your bitching about how Lorne "betrayed" you. It's not as if your senseless rant is going to make him rethink what he's done in the past. So, as Cullen said, this is a waste of forum space. Stop making such a big deal about it already.

And what's more, you're about as humorous as Anna Nicole Smith's corpse.

I think it best to wait, and see what Lorne has up his sleeves before we jump to conclusions.

The Iconoclast, obviously these are the Oddworld Forums, so I'm sure you could agree that you'd be met with less-than-nice comments concerning your lack of faith in Lorne :p Lorne is sort of a Demi-God around here after all (second to me, of course).

Alcar...

Okay, well, first of all you didn't even really say why you are mad in the first place... you kind of just went on rambling about how you dislike Lorne, which is not okay with me. At all.
Are you angry about Citizen Siege, the fact that they are working on films right now? What?

Oh, yeah, definitely not a good idea.

:p, you are full god;)

He has not left gaming at all. He has changed Oddworld Inhabitants into an IP machine, that writes storied and creates characters. By keeping the product development external (under strict supervision and direction by Lorne and others) they can now work on multiple products simultaneously, games and films, perhaps other media. For a single, small company that specialised in non-mainstream games, they always ran huge risks, and those risks were revealed with both Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath. They poured three years of their lives into each of those games, and a lot of money. The direction game development is taking now did not support that business model. It costs millions to make a game that utilises modern technology and machine specifications, and longer, with a much larger team. Coupled with the fact that many publishers have utilised a no-risk policy (thank Wright for Spore!) it just was not feasible for Oddworld Inhabitants to continue on its path. So Lorne closed down the development studio and turned Oddworld into a venue that creates what is important to Oddworld: the stories, the characters, the environments, the style, art, humour and message. Working with companies and teams that can bring those stories to life, such as Vanguard, is the direction Lorne chose to go. And we will see Oddworld games again, but they will be released along with the films, films and games written for both media, so each will be an entity in their own right, not tie-ins or licences of one or the other.

Please research this sort of thing more thoroughly, and talk to the people who have religiously documented and explained these events already, rather than make such an antagonising debut.

Whoa, there big guy. I know. I am aware of these things, and was meaning to say 'currently'. There it's fixed.

Uh, that was directed to The Iconoclast...

Uhhh, I was speaking for him?

I feel stupid.:p Sorry, man.

In your fanatical and blind devotion, you [Cullen] failed to read anything I said. If you think I didn't say WHY I lost faith in Lorne, then you should consider investing in some Phonics books. As for the rest. I love(d) Lorne. Still do I guess. My loyalty lies with oddworld and therefore with lorne (that is until he said, boo hoo my publisher is an idiot so I'm gonna quit). But I think my Tim Shaeffer example speaks for itself. Another thing...I read the whole Hollywood Reporter interview. I understood where he was coming from, but something just didn't sit right with me. He made it SOUND like he was just taking a different approach to same old stuff we know and love...but every time the reporter asked him about an upcoming oddworld game, he kept saying something to the effect of: yeah, maybe once we come out with a movie we'll do a game. Essentially it gave the vibe that he was focusing much more on everything BUT games. Oddworld themed tv shows? All I can say is...In Odd We Trust. And I really want to put emphasis on Tim Shaeffer who is and was in the same boat as Lorne. As a guy who wants to open up a game company...this doesn't give me much reassurance. In fact, it makes me even more nervous about my decision to go into game development.

Oh and Alcar...thanks for being the voice of reason and understanding. Nice to see that some don't wander in too far and lose sight of everything else...

and snuzi...if mankind adopted YOUR attitude...we wouldn't get anywhere ever. Why rant about Nazis or the environment? it's not gonna change anything. Lets accept hell and what's more, roll out the red carpet for it.

You know, Oddworld was originally conceived as a series of movies... So gaming is the deviation here.

I think I take my stand with Bullet Magnet here. the games were fun, but originally, he planned on movies so I'm going to hold faith until they release Citizen Seige. I see where you are coming from, I was a bit dissapointed when he said they were no longer focusing on games, but I've learned in my short 14 years of life that if you can be patient, and hope for the best, something generally good can happen.
For me, hopefully, this is going to be Citizen Seige. And then more Oddworld Movies.

You guys are an interesting bunch...and yes I know it was supposed to be a series of movies...but that's hardly the topic. It stopped being a series of movies after Abe's Odyseey...and definetely in the period where three more games came out (not counting gameboy titles). But anyway. I came here because I've never encountered anyone who had a similar passion for Oddworld. Passion of course is the wrong word in my case as I still don't know what Khazamers are...or w/e (pardon my ignorance). But clearly you guys are a die hard D and D type operation. I just thought it was nice that someone else saw the beauty in Oddworld and Lorne's talent/brilliance. Ha! i'm sitting here looking at my cd case for abe's exodus. Good god i think i beat it 6 times. Anyway. the point is, it doesn't seem I quite belong here. So lets just wrap up this thread and I'll be on my merry way, back to searching for some kindred soul.

Man, I missed this! :p Okay, that was weird... Why sign up to an Oddworld forum when you have this to say? It's just not right...

Oh, no, no. You are in the right place.
We surely want you here, of course we do, it's just not good to bash Oddworld on a forum for Oddworld.
Stay, man. I am sure that all of the members here would love to have you as a part of our community. Sorry you had to have kind of a harsh welcome.;)

You sound like a soul without feelings for your self or anyone else.

Moxco? Don't be retarded.
He just got a harsh welcome. And he/she probably misunderstood our love of Oddworld.

Please, if everyone adopted my attitude, the world would think realistically. What the hell is the point of ranting and complaining about something that doesn't go your way? It's childish. As I've stated before, it's not as if Lorne will come in here, read you post, and say "Oh my God, I hurt this overzealous individual by making decisions to keep my company running! Boy, I sure should rethink my life!". We understand that you're very interested in Oddworld, as most of us are, but honestly, just deal with what's happened. It's a part of maturity.

If ranting and raving doesn't do a goddamn thing, then why did you do it?

And you act like a soul who has absolutely nothing of importance to say. Honestly, if you have nothing to add, don't add anything at all. Sheesh.

it was something else similar to this a few years ago, that made me realize that i needed to grow up and get a life. stop caring so much about where the future of your beloved games lies, and just have fun with the games you enjoy.

when MO came out, i was pissed off about the fact that it was on the Xbox and the fact that it was 3D. i bashed the game simply for those things without even playing it. years later, after i stopped worrying about it, i gave the game a chance and loved every minute of it.

if you dont like where the games are going; dont play the new ones. if you dont like the fact that theyr making movies; dont watch them. and if you feel the need to type out a pseudo intellegent rant about something nobody else is worked up about; go do it someplace else.

if you want to stay and share your love for the current oddworld games and discuss oddworld related things, welcome to the forum. im glad to see more members, considering the community isnt too big here right now, and im pretty new myself. but if your just here to complain, please find someplace else to do it.

My point being is, this Oddworld forum not lets dis Lorne and oddworld forum.

Wow, one of the least inane topics to grace GD in some time, and you’re all telling the guy to go away. This is just too predictable for a board as insular as ours. Get off your high horses and accept other people have different opinions: and, more to the point, that they want to share them and talk about them. OWF is the place to discuss this topic.

Iconoclast: I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t think Lorne has given up with video games as a story‐telling medium. Citizen Siege will, after all, hopefully have simultaneous film and game releases. Lorne still wants to narrow the gap between these two media, and obviously he still wants to keep telling the stories his conceives. Those remain his motives.

Wait now im starting to realise Iconclast has a point, not that I agree.

It isn't an opinion as much as it is a complaint. The way I see it is, he was frustrated and decided to dump his frustration here. And I don't know about you, Max, but I find that insulting.

You honestly bring nothing to the table. If you believe that he has a point, explain why you think he does. Don't post some vague response that you think we'll all somehow telekinetically understand just to up your post count, damn it.

[QUOTE=Max the Mug;290372]Wow, one of the least inane topics to grace GD in some time, and you’re all telling the guy to go away. ...
[QUOTE]

I wasn't telling him to go away, I was stating my opinion on the matter. I wish he would stay too. Afterall, he does sound like an interesting character. And yes, OWF is supposed to be a place to talk about Oddworld, but we just took it the wrong way I suppose.
Well, if the iconoclast wishes to stay after he has said he's leaving the forums, I hope he and we can see eachother's stand points and discuss the matter a bit more openly.
Um... no hard feelings? :)

Everyone needs to stop and realize people DO have different oppinions other than ours. These forums used to be rampant with debate and thats what gave it life, aswell as what made if fun to be a part of. We don't need to jump on his case just because its an "Oddworld" forum; Iconoclast obviously cares just as much about Oddworld as we do if he/she takes the time to join up, create a topic, and write an intricate read on why he/she has lost faith in Lorne.

Its ok to stick up for Oddworld but I agree with Max in the fact that this is a place for debate and for gods sake after MO this forum has been losing its life blood slowly. Im hoping that in the near future we get a rensurgence of life back here, maybe once Citizen Siege is released...

Woot! And I was just about to start feeling stupid. Of course this hardly counts as a victory...sounds more like you guys are simply vying for a tolerant alternative because it suits the needs of your dying forums. Even though in all likelihood that's the case...it's fine. I understand how much we all care for this beautifully odd universe. I forgot who it was that said something about hope...but it gave me an idea. We'll see how Citizen Siege comes out. It will prove if Lorne has stayed...or strayed! *canned laughter* To adress my previous concern once more...I'm just glad to have found other people with a similar appreciation for what Lorne made. Oh and Satch...if we stopped worrying about the future of content oriented art...it would soon wither and die. This isn't a matter of maturity. Like I said to snuzi...I don't tolerate acceptance. Accepting something seems too much like giving up. Anyway. So I was just about to say that though I care deeply for Oddworld, it is more because it fits into the general scheme of my concerns. I care for art, thought, and beauty in this drab existence. Fortunately, this is not limited to Oddworld. Max is right...you guys ARE insular. What about amazing stuff put out by Tim Caine such as Fallout or Arcanum? Confining myself to Oddworld doesn't seem like such an appealing idea. What about the open ended glory of Morrowind? I think we should make a Maximalist move towards perhaps...an artistically inspired game site featuring stuff about games worth mentioning. Oddworld is temporarily dead...but we don't have to die with it. In fact...we should take this oppurtunity to expand. Eh? I'm probably barking up the wrong tree though so if anyone feels offended at this proposal...don't be. it's just what it is...a proposal. I'm not here to threaten Oddworld...I perhaps like Lorne if his motives remain pure want to save what we have here. We're art appreciators damnit! Insular artistry is cosmically ironic and oxymoronic on so many levels it'd make your head spin. So...anyone with me? Max? Xavier? How 'bout a new site...for art...unless of course I got you guys totally wrong and you all are perfectly satisfied sitting by the decaying carcass of Oddworld's former glory in which case don't start flaming me again. Just say I'm wrong and I'm in the wrong place and that you're all happy smelling the foul natural gasses that said carcass is now emitting...

And good odd Moxco...have a little f-ing dignity! Last time I saw this much back pedalling, Rush Limbaugh was still headline news!
[Moxco]-Iconoclast, you're an incosiderate soulless bastard and the Oddworld forum is no place to discuss blatantly oddworld related stuff!
[Oddly Moderator]-You know guys, The Iconoclast has snapped us out of our sick sad forest-green colored forum world. Thanks to him, we no longer have to respond to threads asking for slig sound bites in wma format. He's a breath of fresh air and an all around decent son of a fleech.
[Moxco]-Um...yeah! What he said!
[Iconoclast]-*deep exasperated sigh at finally achieving acknowledgement*

One last thing...
Notice how in my dramatized reenactment of Moxco's hypocricy I refer to myself as a guy...hopefully that'll stem any further reference to myself in the arbitrary form of he/she.