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The Jane Jensen Appreciation Thread

Started by Bludshot, July 25, 2010, 02:06:33 PM

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Bludshot

I have seen a lot of well deserved praise for Roberta Williams in these forums and in TSL itself, and I feel it is necessary to recognize King's Quest VI co-writer Jane Jensen's contributions to the series and TSL as well.

Though having only worked on one KQ game, her efforts made KQVI a gold standard of the series and adventure gaming as a genre.  In addition to helping Roberta write the game she also wrote the clever dialogue and the wonderfully detailed Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles. 

It is no coincidence that TSL starts it's adventure in the realm she created following the reference she made to a "Black Cloak Society" near the end of the game.

If anyone wishes to express their gratitude please post.  Thanks!
Deep Thoughts with Connor Mac Lyrr
"Alack! The heads do not die!"

Enchantermon

Thank you, Ms. Jensen! Not only for your work in KQ6, but also EcoQuest, which was another of my favorite games as a kid (and still is) and Gabriel Knight, which I have not yet played but I own and hopefully will delve into soon! You rock! You and Roberta together certainly proved to be a force to be reckoned with!
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

Allronix

Jensen was also the sultry and sarcastic Mae Bot, the sales robot in the Galaxy Galleria who snarkily helps Roger dress down in drag.  ;D

She and Roberta may not have intended the Black Cloak to be anything other than a throwaway line in an incriminating letter of Alhazred's...

But it made too much sense. In retrospect, it tied at least Alhazred, Mordak, Mannanan, and Hagatha together. Arguably, Dahlia (from the first game) could be included if you see the Companion, as her scheme to steal the Treasures was a classic Black Cloak Xanatos Gambit. It gave a plausible mytharc and framing to the series.
Old Adventure Gamers never die - they've always saved first.

Enchantermon

Quote from: Allronix on July 25, 2010, 02:33:21 PMJensen was also the sultry and sarcastic Mae Bot, the sales robot in the Galaxy Galleria who snarkily helps Roger dress down in drag.  ;D
Nice! I didn't know that.
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

kindofdoon

She wrote the Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles as well, from KQVI, which is awesome.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Fierce Deity

Even though she only worked on one King's Quest, I have to say, it was hands-down the best King's Quest. Roberta Williams and Jane Jensen created an epic adventure. Not to mention that Jane Jensen was genius for introducing the Black Cloak Society. Linking the villains of the series made the concept all the more interesting. Jane Jensen also made another favorite of mine: Gabriel Knight.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

kindofdoon

I've never played GK, but I agree strongly about KQVI. It's just awesome.

I just realized: Cez will be all over this thread when he finds out about it. I'm pretty sure he's a Jensen fanboy!

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Fierce Deity

Also, Jane Jensen is working on a title called "Gray Matter" that's coming out for the 360 and (of course) the PC. It's supposed to be a point-and-click adventure as well. The story sounds interesting, and I like the art style. I do want to see how it will play though.

http://www.graymatter-game.com/
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

B'rrr

Don't mention gray matter on these forums or César goes beserk again  ;)

In a 'good' way though
~Mary Jane supporter~
~Legend~

kindofdoon


Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

snabbott

Yay for Jane Jensen! I had been thinking she wasn't getting enough attention on the forums.

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

Haids1987

Jane Jensen had a tremedous effect on the way that the rest of the KQ games developed, TSL especially.  Her wit and knowledge made the sixth game what it is, and I have all kinds of respect for her.  Rock on, chica!
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

kindofdoon

Why hasn't Cez commented on this yet? I had been looking forward to an outpouring of JJ fanboyism!

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Haids1987

Has Cez been around at all recently?  I haven't seen him posting lately...GASP!  Is he lost?!  :o
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

KuroShiro

Jane Jensen was directly involved in what were (arguably I suppose) the two best games Sierra made in KQ6 and Gabriel Knight, so she deserves all the appreciation she gets. Although I know that this place is going to have a lot of Roberta Williams love, I actually think that Jensen and Scott Murphy were the best designers/writers who worked at Sierra.

And anyone who hasn't played the Gabriel Knight games, you owe it to yourself to do so. They're on GoG, no reason not to.

KatieHal

Haha, no, Cez has been taking a step back from the forums intentionally lately. He's rather busy with other things anyways! :)

And yes, all hail Jane Jensen!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

Haids1987

Quote from: KatieHal on July 27, 2010, 12:50:36 PM
Haha, no, Cez has been taking a step back from the forums intentionally lately.
Why come?!
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

Bludshot

Quote from: KuroShiro on July 27, 2010, 12:49:40 PMAnd anyone who hasn't played the Gabriel Knight games, you owe it to yourself to do so. They're on GoG, no reason not to.

I've always wanted to but I'm concerned that they won't run with my 64-bit Windows 7. :(
Deep Thoughts with Connor Mac Lyrr
"Alack! The heads do not die!"

crayauchtin

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY JANE JENSEN!

...that's all.
"If your translation is correct, that was 'May a sleepy hippopotamus lie down on your house keys,' but you're not sure. Unfortunately, your fluency in griffin-speak is too low."

We're roleplaying in the King's Quest world: come join in the fun!

KatieHal

Quote from: Haids1987 on July 27, 2010, 12:52:12 PM
Why come?!

It's hard to not get defensive and into heated debates/arguments when it feels like a lot of people are attacking what you've spent a lot of time and effort on--he decided to step back from the forums while a lot of the narrator discussions were happening and in full swing.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!