[The Iconoclast]

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.