Traveler -

Fiction referencing other fiction is hardly a new phenomenon. Jenson herself has done it before and it has been done by many others. Dan Brown has made a very successful career of it:-) It also happens in films.

Becky, I love Phantom, too.

Mj2c, that is definitely true, and I've seen other game designers do the same thing as well. Grim Fandango, for example, uses many scenes/characters from Casablanca and other old movies, which is part of what makes it great.

As I said, I'm not crazy about the cut scenes, but So Blonde used the same style, and I loved the game itself. I've no doubt it will be the same for Gray Matter, and I'm pretty certain I'll enjoy this game even more.

Traveler, I actually would be interested in the game if I didn't know who the writer was, as the story sounds really interesting, and I like the screen shots. I didn't much care for The Whispered World's trailer, either, but I enjoyed the game itself quite a bit. I agree that it may not attract new gamers as it is, though, which is a shame. Hopefully word of the game's greatness will do the trick.

You would mention my all-time favorite game. <g> Check out the Grim Fandango trailer if you want to see what a trailer should be. That is, after all, what we're talking about. The second Manny rips open the shroud and says "Buenas dias!" you are well on your way to being caught. The music, the graphics, the brief and pithy intro to the story and the main characters via the scenes, the dialogue and even the explanatory text, all combine to make this a terrific trailer.

Contrast that with the trailer for Grey Matter. If you really do know what this game is about from watching either of those trailers, you are definitely one up on me, venus.

You talk about the game's greatness. I'm not dishing the game, I hope it will be as good as we expect. The problem is, we don't know that it's a great game. We may believe we'll get one from Jane Jensen but as I recall, even Roberta Williams made some that weren't...er, very well received.

Here I'll agree with you: whoever made these trailers wasn't doing her any favors. People who know her name will be drawn to the game anyway but if they expect to lure in people who've never heard of Jane Jensen and aren't already addicted to adventure games, they're not going to do it with trailers like this.

Gil.

Yes, I've always loved that trailer, as well as this one, which is my personal favorite - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTt6Tu-4KDk.

No, I agree with you about the Gray Matter trailer. If you are asking me based on the trailer whether or not I would be interested in this game without knowing anything about it . . . I'm not sure. Based on the in game shots, it's possible, but I would do more research on it first. Based on the cut scenes alone, maybe not. Then again, I don't usually look to trailers to decide whether or not I'm interested in a game. I always go to forums/websites first and check out their trailers afterward, so it is hard for me to get into the mindset of knowing nothing about the game.

I may have dismissed it at first, but then, after reading more about it, become much more interested and anticipated it. I had a similar experience with Edna and Harvey. I was turned off by its screen shots at first, but after having read more about its storyline and game play as well as what people are saying about it, it is one of my more anticipated games. I realize that not everyone does this, however.

When I mentioned I would be interested in the game based on its story, I meant based on what I had read in previews and on forums. You're right; the trailer doesn't tell us anything about the story.

Referring to Roberta Williams, if you mean King's Quest 8, I'm with you there. Then again, I don't think she was nearly as involved in that game as she was in her other games, and I have loved everything else she's done. Well, maybe not Phantasmagoria, but I think the game itself was fine. It was just a little too gory for me personally.

On the other hand, I have loved every Jane Jensen game I have ever played - they are all among my favorites, in fact - and I have no reason to doubt that this one will be an exception.

Yes, unfortunately, the trailer doesn't do the game any favors and probably won't lure new people in. I'm just hoping that reviews and word of mouth will help, as I really would like to see the game do well.

Of course we dont know it's a great game because we havent played it. A trailer could never tell us that anyway. There have been many trailers for games and other things like Films and TV shows were all of the best bits were in the trailer itself and the full thing has turned out to be junk.

Clearly I dont give a "trailer" the importance you seem to:-) And I certainly dont consider it gives you any guarentees about the quality of the product it is promoting.

As for would we give the same attention as a game written by an unknown, I would suggest not - it would have had to succeed or fail on its own merits like any other newcomer. Jane Jenson had a first game once:-) She has however a good track record and so people will be eagerly anticipating anything new from her but there will also be a higher expectation that a new game from a new creator doesnt have.

The comic style stills that are in the trailer (is that what people are not liking) are similar in style to her other games arent they? GK1? GK3? cant remember if GK2 did or not.

Mj2c, yes, it was Gabriel Knight 1 that used this style of cut scene. However, I think it worked better in VGA than it does here. I think that with such beautiful and realistic in game graphics, more cinematic cut scenes would compliment Gray Matter more. (Not that the VGA games weren't also beautiful!) Then again, different people have different tastes, and it doesn't mean one opinion is better than another.

Besides, most people don't really play a game for its cut scenes anyway.

Yes, I know what you mean about movies sometimes having the best bits in their trailers! Very true.

That's why I also never look to a trailer to determine whether or not I will like a game.

"I don't usually look to trailers to decide whether or not I'm interested in a game. I always go to forums/websites first...."

Me, too, venus. Me, too.

"I may have dismissed it at first, but then, after reading more about it, become much more interested and anticipated it. I had a similar experience with Edna and Harvey."

Since you mentioned it, I googled Edna and Harvey. It looks like a hoot! I'm not sure if the upcoming English language game can be played on a PC, though. PC/Stylus? Well, if it isn't, you'll have to let me know what I missed once you've played it. (My stuffed bunny wants to know, too. <g>)

I'm with you; I'd like to see Grey Matter do well. I'd like to see all adventure games do well. (Whether or not they're all worth it is another story.) That's one of my gripes with trailers like this, they're not likely to help revive interest in (or sales for) point and click adventure games by drawing in new gamers who might at least like to know what the game is all about. IMO, anyway.

Gil.

I very rarely watch a trailer or play a demo.
They don't really "do" anything for me

Unless a game gets absolutely slated by all and sundry I much prefer to risk my pennies and actually play it before forming an opinion

Traveler, yes I understand that. I wish the trailer was better, too. It didn't turn me off to the game personally, though it probably won't attract newcomers. I did notice that the game seems to be selling well on Amazon UK, though, compared to other adventure games. I'm hoping that's a good sign.

Mad, I wish I could avoid demos, too. I always get too curious/impatient to try the game I'm interested in, and then I end up having to replay that section once I get the actual game.

"Mad, I wish I could avoid demos, too. I always get too curious/impatient to try the game I'm interested in, and then I end up having to replay that section once I get the actual game."

I always look at screenshots as I find them quite good indicators but that's usually as far as I go

I noticed that some of the music in the new trailer sounds like Gabriel Knight 2 music.

Cathy1 - same composer

Hi everybody,
Can anyone tell me where to download the playable DEMO of Gray Matter? I already downloaded the movie trailer from Gamershell, but once downloaded and opened up in a zip file, the movie would not start. Thanks,
Sandy
P.S. I have already pre-ordered the full game from it's original site. I sure hope it "works" ok once I install it.

Who said there's a demo released? I'm not aware of one at least...

sanford, we have all the links to demos here. I am sorry to say there is no Gray Matter demo at this time.

Ana