This Week in Jackson on NeoGAF: Jul 28 - Aug 4

I decided we could use a review of some of the stuff that was posted on NeoGAF by Jackson. (AKA super important Scribblenauts Guide as seen in the Rooster Hat)

Jackson is very active in the Scribblenauts thread on NeoGAF, often correcting different misconceptions:

I have the info. People have misconceptions, I like fixing those misconceptions. Is that so wrong? :)

Kinda like I'm doing right now...? O_O lol

Source


Now then, let's take 'em on.
There was apparently a rumor that you would need to stay connected to WiFi in Scribblenauts constantly to play the game. This was quickly shot down by Jackson with some sarcasm.

We've changed Scribblenauts to now require you to first be in the range of the word.
If you want to type elephant you need to be within 15 feet of a real elephant. Don't worry we've hired 1000s of people called "Scribble Friends" to attached RFID chips to everything in the world.

Then there was of course the Joystiq video that was taken down. For a moment, rumors spread that it showed something "disappointing". However, Jackson clarified:

It was taken down because ******* showed too much straight footage which every other site (including *******) agreed to show much less than that. So it gave them something unfair over all other sites that got the preview build. So WB was trying to be fair and told them to take it down.

Conspiracy theorists ftl?

There has also been some recent rumblings about Scribblenauts not living up to it's hype (based on some of the previews complaining about the controls and the lack of some items). Jackson pointed out the source of all the hype

The thing is myself and 5TH Cell haven't really hyped the game, others have for us. We just said what the game is. And like any game, controls take awhile to get used to. It's not perfect, it's DS and we had a year to make it. It's just a really cool idea (ok I'm biased there ) that was done as best as it could be on a DS in a year's time. And most everyone comes back happy and impressed and every preview even the ones that point out flaws still say the game is the real deal and is worth buying.

One final point posted today, another fact that I didn't realize until Jackson said it

I'm not 100% certain, but I think she was holding it below his line of sight, behind the table. I could be wrong though... AI has line of sight though. So when it was standing upright, the bull noticed it immediately.

I didn't really realize, every time someone made an item for a person or animal, they always put it in front of the animal/person. I'm actually glad for this, you can try to hide from a bull, or something like that. It's not just people instinctively knowing an item is in play.

Watch as Jeremiah continues to own me

Jeremiah Slaczka has the habit of owning my sorry ass over at GAF. Basically the moment I voice even the most minor of concerns he's able to swoop right in and remind me why I should never doubt him or his company. Or his game.

You might remember a post I made about my concerns the game was too easy. Well, I'd hope so, given I made it only a couple of hours ago. I also voiced similar concerns over at GAF. Jackson was quick to respond...and respond he did...

No one has beaten the game, no one has come even close. No one has gotten to world 10. No one has experienced more than 20% of the levels. Period. Trust me on this if I say it.

Well then. He put me in my place, that's for sure. So for those worried the game might be easy...well...don't. Not even the previewers have been able to touch the final product, and even with only 20% of the levels in place (and none from the last world at least) they're still having a blast. That's huge.

So gone are my doubts...and then some.

Jackson does some rapid fire confirming

Creative Director Jeremiah Slaczka is unlike other gaming developers. He keeps tabs on his fans through online forums and every now and then actually answers questions people may have. I remember one memorable time during E3 when he was posting his reaction to Scribblenauts winning a whole bunch of awards...he was as pleasantly shocked as all of us.

Under the username Jackson over on GAF Jeremiah has been quick to answer any question you might have in this thread right here. Today Jackson decided to answer and clear up a bunch of things all at once. Take a look.

internet is in the game, plumbob is too, pretty sure usb stick is as well... maybe just as usb?

lolwut = epicness

There's 220 unique levels, the game is divided between action and puzzle.

also SHOOP DA WOOP ?? Seriously? You'd even test that? Awful.

So then! First, Jackson confirms Internet is still in the game (and we all raise our eyebrows at ONM for saying it isn't), as is plumbob (continuing eyebrow raising)...as is USB (please see a doctor if your eyebrow stays in this position for longer than 4 hours). Between believing the lead designer of a company with his repuation on the line and a gaming magazine...well, I'm going to go with Jeremiah. Because of this reveal that brings the list of "legit" failed words to 3.

DELTOID
ANTIMACASSAR
RUPEE

Wow.

Then Jackson goes on to confirm that lolwut (presumably the item in Scribblenauts) = epic.

No argument there! I do wonder what - if anything - this lovable doofus does.

Next he confirms the post I made last night before I went to bed. There are 220 unique levels in the game split down the middle between Puzzle and Action. Good to have official proof, even if it was kinda obvious.

And then finally he adomishes people for even attempting to see if SHOOP DA WHOOP is in the game.

...no argument there.

New news might not be that far off?

Jeremiah Slaczka, the Creative Director and Co-Founder of 5TH Cell, is a pretty big deal. He's the main idea machine of 5th Cell, coming up with the concepts for Drawn to Life, Lock's Quest, and yes, even Scribblenauts. You don't need me to tell you that all of their games have been great successes, selling over a million copies each. Well, except Scribblenauts, but a game that hasn't even been released yet can't really be faulted for not selling.

Though some game designers might prefer to sit in their houses made of platinum on the tallest mountain overlooking the bluest sea shunning the plebeians and common folk of the world, Slaczka is a man of he people. Namely, the NeoGAF people.

He keeps in touch with the "official" Scribblenauts thread over at GAF and tends to answer questions or dispel rumors people may have. The thread has been slow as of late, to which one poster asked, "JEREMIAH ARE YOU STILL THERE?". He was, and he had this purposefully-vague-yet-still-kinda-exciting-news to tell us:

More info will be coming :) Don't worry about that.

Perhaps we shouldn't be reading too much into this. But what would a blog be without over-speculation?

Maybe nothing will come from it, but if you ask me, we're long overdue for some new info. E3 was over a month ago and that's when we last got our news and impressions. If the game really is coming out in September that gives it just over 2 months to start the hype engine. I think it'd be in everyone's best interest to start it soon!