'I love this, I wish I could make this': Talking digital adventure games with Mark Yohalem. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klaehn, Jeffery
• Is Part Of: Journal of fandom studies. Volume 9:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Fans (Persons) -- Periodicals; Subculture -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 306.1
• DOI: 10.1386/jfs_00040_7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-6692

Abstract

A conversation with attorney and game developer Mark Yohalem about his passion for point-and-click adventure games, and how his experiences as a player and fan inspired him to pursue game writing, to co-found Wormwood Studios (with artist Victor Pflug and programmer James Spanos) and, in 2010, to develop Primordia, a classical point-and-click adventure game that has sold roughly a quarter-million copies. Additional topics discussed include the potential of digital games to encourage empathy and connection; gaming fan communities; suitability of games for storytelling; gaming journalism, reviews and analysis; and games and creative work in relation to connection, participation and engagement.