Narrator Poll - Specific Feedback Requested!

[wilco64256]

Fairly straightforward here - we've gotten a lot of feedback that the narrator's general comments are overly sarcastic and get a bit frustrating for players, the question now is exactly which ones bug you guys the most?  We just want to get as specific of feedback as possible as we work on cleaning things up for the next episode.  Thanks!

UPDATE:  Bunch of votes in already, very nice, keep them coming!

[duke]

I actually don't have any problem with any of those lines, and I was amused by all of them when I first heard them. I think the issue (for me anyway) is just the frequency at which they occur. I wouldn't mind if they were reserved for when I actually did stupid or crazy things. It's just that the nature of adventure games is that you're constantly trying random things to make sure you don't miss anything, and being rewarded with one of the narrator's quips every time becomes a bit much.

[wilco64256]

That's exactly what we're looking at, adjusting it so the more sarcastic comments are reserved for specific interactions, while the the more mellow ones are the ones that play more globally.

[duke]

Sounds great!

[atec123]

That's exactly what we're looking at, adjusting it so the more sarcastic comments are reserved for specific interactions, while the the more mellow ones are the ones that play more globally.

that's as great idea.

I don't remember the KQ5 or 6 comments being irritating, but I don't really remember what they were like either.  I think there must not have been as much sarcasm. *goes to check*

[wilco64256]

That's exactly what we're looking at, adjusting it so the more sarcastic comments are reserved for specific interactions, while the the more mellow ones are the ones that play more globally.

that's as great idea.

I don't remember the KQ5 or 6 comments being irritating, but I don't really remember what they were like either.  I think there must not have been as much sarcasm. *goes to check*

KQ5's most global comment was that red "x."  Not particularly sarcastic, but I wasn't a big fan.

[waltzdancing]

I didn't mind the narrator. I usually answered her back. 

[Lambonius]

That's exactly what we're looking at, adjusting it so the more sarcastic comments are reserved for specific interactions, while the the more mellow ones are the ones that play more globally.

But that's the thing...ARE there any mellow ones?  I can't recall any narrator responses that WEREN'T sarcastic and annoying.     Even the ones that look like straight responses on paper, she read with a snarky and sarcastic inflection.  I would say that you'd need to get a straighter reading of a few of those lines before any of them will suffice for "straight" responses.

[wilco64256]

That's exactly what we're looking at, adjusting it so the more sarcastic comments are reserved for specific interactions, while the the more mellow ones are the ones that play more globally.

But that's the thing...ARE there any mellow ones?  I can't recall any narrator responses that WEREN'T sarcastic and annoying.  Even the ones that look like straight responses on paper, she read with a snarky and sarcastic inflection.  I would say that you'd need to get a straighter reading of a few of those lines before any of them will suffice for "straight" responses.

If the voice bugs you no matter what you can always turn that off and then just read them.  Re-recording anything isn't feasible at this point.

[Lambonius]

Re-recording anything isn't feasible at this point.

I don't see why.  I do audio recording regularly.  A vocal reading of a handful of lines would take no time at all.  It's not like we're talking about the entire script.  This is a volunteer project after all--surely your actors would be willing to take the small amount of time necessary to redo a line or two here and there if it was needed.  

And FYI, the narrator voice doesn't bother me at all.  I just don't understand why there were no straight-played failed-action responses put in the game.  Did you guys really think players would enjoy constantly being made fun of?

[wilco64256]

Unfortunately I don't do a very good Amy Kurylo impression, and she is quite busy with her own work these days, so we're sticking with what we have.

[rudy]

First off, I think the narrator did a great job on the level of voice acting. However, one should keep in mind that adventure games require a lot of exploration. The harder puzzles get (which I do enjoy), the more testing is required. Ok, it's "just a game", but when you have to over and over again listen to the mocking for every attempt you make, it does get annoying and for some people possibly insulting.

[wilco64256]

First off, I think the narrator did a great job on the level of voice acting. However, one should keep in mind that adventure games require a lot of exploration. The harder puzzles get (which I do enjoy), the more testing is required. Ok, it's "just a game", but when you have to over and over again listen to the mocking for every attempt you make, it does get annoying and for some people possibly insulting.

Yeah it's just come up enough times that we're making a significant effort to improve this functionality.  As Cez mentioned before, we know what we're supposed to be doing in the game so we don't run into these global "you're doing the wrong thing" messages extremely often and so we underestimate how annoying they can get.  Hence the poll and our effort to clean things up a bit.

[kindofdoon]

So you aren't going to record new lines...Does that mean you're just going to delete the most "bothersome lines" entirely and leave everything else?

[wilco64256]

So you aren't going to record new lines...Does that mean you're just going to delete the most "bothersome lines" entirely and leave everything else?

Not sure yet exactly how we're going to clean it up, maybe just save the more obnoxious things for some specific interactions that they match up with better or something, but we are going to make it so they're not constantly being thrown at people.

[OrangeShirt]

What I really hated about the narrator is how she grinds you down with rude, sarcastic remarks whenever you're doing what you should be doing in any adventure game -- EXPLORING. It's very disheartening, especially when the story already carries a gloomy mood. I'd vote for every option, but I am only allowed 2 and voting for all of them would completely null my vote anyhow.

That said, she has a great voice and can usually deliver her lines very well.

[daventry]

Well thats Silly to Vote for 2, since All 5 of them are Bothersome.  

[Lambonius]

Unfortunately I don't do a very good Amy Kurylo impression, and she is quite busy with her own work these days, so we're sticking with what we have.

Well considering both her album AND website are plugged numerous times across both episodes, you'd think she'd owe you for the free advertising. 

[Rick_Florez]

Actually Weldon is mistaken on this one.  We are going to try and get Amy to record some additional less sarcastic dialog.   However Amy is very busy these days so that may prove difficult.  We do have about 2-3 months to schedule something so hopefully we can make it happen.   Now that we've gotten some specific feedback on what the real issue with the Narrator is we can finally start trying to address it.

As for the shameless plug, if we're not offended, you should not be either.  Honestly I think we told her to do it and given the amount of dialog she actually recorded for us she deserves it.

[KQ5Fan]

I agree, the plug doesn't bother me that much. I just think that the sarcasm should be toned down intensely, to only being present in rare, specific occasions.