Shorah,
Do you regard works like Freddi Fish, Manhole ME, Cluefinders, & Spyfox as adventures? I always thought they were. They seemed to give my kids the same sort of "I soved it" thrill so at least they're good training for the "real thing"
yes? no?
games in boxes:)
I think its possible to come out of the "niche" and reach other folks.
I sincerely hope that MystOnline / URU manages to do just that.
My kids enjoyed "exploring" Myst long before they were able to understand how to play it. We've tried copies of Myst on all sorts of folks, usually with good results. Many adventure games demand you solve a puzzle before you can go very far. The Myst/Riven model allows you to simply wander good sized areas first, working on puzzles as you get around to them. IMHO, this is less intimidating to first timers, which may explain part of Myst's larger appeal.
I wonder how many adventure gamers began with Humongous or Cyan titles?
My kids are now cheerfully trying out some of our adventure games at their own pace. My 14 yr old refused to play Syberia wiht my Mother, my son, and myself because she didnt want to be "spoiled"
heh. She makes me proud
I hope there are many good games like it out there when she is older.
If Uru does very well, adventure game companies might suddenly find they were popular with the publishing companies again. Whether that would be a good or bad thing, I dont know. Gatorlaw makes good points on the topic.
just my two zorkmids,
Salar