TIGSource: The Commonplace Book Project

The Commonplace Book Project

Derek Yu — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:19:00 +0000

Lovecraft’s “Commonplace Book” was a notebook in which he jotted down his various ideas, many of them disjointed and cryptic; most of these musings never became real stories. The Commonplace Book Project is a collection of text adventures (interactive fiction games) which are based on these notes. Great idea!

I’ve only tried out one so far: Ecdysis. It’s based on the note “insects or other entities from space attack and penetrate a man’s head.” Good one, right? Well, without spoiling anything, this game is a great mindfuck and does a more-than-competent job of capturing what’s great about Lovecraft’s stories: the feeling of overwhelming dread. It comes as a playable executable and is good for newcomers to IF.

I always thought it was funny that Bethesda made (correction: produced) an FPS out of H.P. Lovecraft. What’s next? Vin Diesel as Cthulhu, riding a motorcycle out of R’lyeh as it explodes behind him? Directed by Michael Bay? Okay, that actually does sound appealing in its own way.

(Source: The Random Gnome’s Lair)

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Tet

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 06:47:08 +0000

Is Ecdysis really this short? Seems like a nice game, but I can only find the 2 endings… :\

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Joe Joe

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:24:16 +0000

So, I screwed up The Cellar. After I was told the third part of the story, I was asked if I wanted to hear more, I said “Yes” and then I heard the second part of the story again. When I went on the fetch quest for a second time, the item I wanted wasn’t there, so the game became un-playable.

It’s a shame, I was really getting into it too.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Quiest

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:42:28 +0000

Yeah, Uwe Boll sucks.

But I still have to watch the Postal movie.

AITD is a Lovecraft game?! Sweet, I played through the first two back then, omg where they frickin hard.

Never watched the movie tho, but as its a Boll(ocks) movie, I guessed it kills people.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Derek

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:21:43 +0000

Chris, I haven’t played it, but I did hear it was pretty good! I’d love to play it.

I just find the idea inherently funny, somehow.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Melly

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:55:37 +0000

Golds: Alone in the Dark, directed by Uwe Boll, is certainly, without a doubt, the greatest crime against videogames of all time. It’s… it killed me inside. Don’t watch it. Just don’t.

I gotta lie down. And die.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Chris

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:01:45 +0000

Derek: Have you played Call of Cthulu?

"The Commonplace Book Project" by gnome

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:27:10 +0000

It’s lovely not being alone in appreciating such beautiful offering! Cheers!

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Advenith

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:19:17 +0000

Man, I liked the way Ecdysis was written, but it’s way too short. That, or I missed something. It doesn’t help that about five seconds from the “creepier” ending I immediately realized what it would be.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by EvilASh

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:41:18 +0000

Guys who did Simon the Sorceror as Adventuresoft & Elvira as horrorsoft did The Call of Chtulhu… And I think it’s the best Lovecraft game since Alone in the Dark. It kicks major ass!

"The Commonplace Book Project" by ugh

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:59:57 +0000

Bethesda didn’t make anything, they produced it…err err…financed it.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Pacian

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:27:37 +0000

I love how Ecdysis uses the TADS links so much. It initiates the unfamiliar, and also stops you from having to type the obvious. Open cabinet, take pills, eat pills: click, click click…

I’m surprised I’ve never seen a shortish IF game use them to this extent before.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Golds

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:56:01 +0000

what about Alone in the Dark!? http://youtube.com/watch?v=_m612wL1QOI

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Quiest

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 03:42:11 +0000

Why do people dislike Micheal Bay? He has made some pretty good movies.

Uwe Boll would be perfect to shoot a movie like you described :P

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Mike

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:25:49 +0000

“I always thought it was funny that Bethesda made a FPS out of H.P. Lovecraft.”

Actually, it was created and designed by a studio known as “Headfirst”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headfirst_Productions And was pretty good, but not really good enough. But I could complain about it all day… So I’ll stop now.

I’ll definately be giving The Commonplace Book Project a look. :)

"The Commonplace Book Project" by nullerator

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:56:18 +0000

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the World was a brilliant game, btw. It was a bit like Penumbra: Overture, an adventure game with a first person viewpoint. There was shooting (quite a lot at some points), but it still feels almost unfair to call it an FPS. I think it’s one of the most successful horror games of all time.

Anyway, on the topic of these games, I’ll probably give them a try. I used to be a big fan of IF, and know how some of these games can really mess with your head when you’re playing.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Advenith

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:52:36 +0000

Wow, H.P. Lovecraft-inspired games the original writer might have actually enjoyed. He hated games, for some reason.

"The Commonplace Book Project" by Lorne Whiting

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:00:45 +0000

No man, NO. Ron Perlman is THE guy, if you want someone wearing a heavy costume.