I was12, I never had heared of it but funny enough the reason i bought it was because the box was quite heave so it thought it would have allot of content.
When i got home i was happy to see i wasnt wrong. It had the best manual i had ever seen included in a computer game and the game came on a total of 9 disks (if im not mistaken). Little did i know how awesome this game was and omg did it have tons of content indeed!
Very pleased that I found this interview. I did not even know the guy's name even though I really, really love Darklands. It's one of those games that are just still really impressive in what it manages to do, even though the tech is outdated nowadays. It's an unfortunate situation that there is very little recognition, and just general knowledge, of video-game history (even though it's a very young industry). Keep up the good work!
There is a Darklands gameplay video with 15,000 odd views on You Tube and yet this only has 18,000. If you're posting here, for God's sake, get the word out across the web! This set of video's should be getting at least 10,000 views per video, so we're just not talking about it enough on YT and the web generally!!!
I love the fact that he and developers of his caliber put so much research into the time periods and subjects their games are based on. Very impressive.
Excellent stuff, Matt - always love the rawness of your interviews as the genuine passion always comes across from the interviewee (and yourself, obviously ;) lol)
Great interview Matt and Arnold! Txs!! Incredibly interesting.... I love hearing the back stories and "bug issue' type of things. It was sad to hear that the Amiga was pretty much a non-consideration for them by the early 90's. And as for the stutter, didn't bother me at all. What is being said is WAY more important than how it's being said.
@desiv1 That's one great thing about the Matt Chat audience; I knew you guys would be sympathetic and respectful and told Mr. Hendrick as much. In my view, it only makes him more heroic and exemplary.
Wohoo, another Matt Chat! Very interesting interview, especially the inside information on game design. I'm too young to have played Darklands, but this is definitely a part of western game culture. Games are culture! ... or at least they used to be. Thanks Matt.
Good interview. It's very interesting to hear what mr Hendrick has to say. I always find it fascinating to hear the perspective of those who were in the middle of it all when it all happened. The people who made video game history, in short.
Matt, what a surprise that you managed to talk to Arnold Hendrick. Great interview and it was very fun listening to what mw Hendrick had to tell. Thanks to you both for doing this!
What an awesome guy. Looking at the games he has been involved with is like reading a list of some of my favourite strategy games. I sometimes forget just how good Microprose were!
@LKRaider Argh. Sony Vegas strikes again! Thank *GOD* I'm getting a new Mac with Final Cut Pro soon. Then, unless I really am cursed, it's goodbye to that POS forever.
WOW, this is super stuff. I was going to suggest doing this interview, but then didn't because I figured it probably wasn't even possible. So nice to be proven wrong!
I'd love to see interviews with other old MicroProse hands (Bill Stealy, Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds). Hopefully "Matt Chat" will continue to grow and grow and then they will all have to say "yes." :)
Awesome interview! Darklands was a truly special and unique RPG. I'm impressed how you can easily interview some of the most important game designers ever!
@RyuRanXII I only wish it was so easy. Most of them are very hard to find, at least for someone without professional media credentials. Still, so many of these geniuses haven't even been given the attention they deserve.
Fascinating, I've oft wondered about the individual behind Darklands. If only more game designers thought about game design in a way like him, pc gaming might not look so grim right now with rehash upon rehash of first person shooters and derivatives.
Matt, you continue to amaze me with all these people you've managed to interview. I bet they wouldn't at all feel comfortable being interviewed by those kids at IGN, gamespot or those other smug trendy type that don't know their history, but you've really managed to get an interview with these people and ask some really interesting questions.
I think - and this is the "vibe" I get from Matt himself - is that he has a true respect for the games he covers, and for those who developed them. It's conveyed in his enthusiasm for each game he discusses, and in the interviews he conducts.
While most similar channels these days are only interested in "who's hot right now", it's clearly not lost on Matt that these people he's interviewing laid the groundwork for the games we play today... even if they're unknown by most.
@lupine73 That's very astute. I have the advantage of not depending on this for money, so I don't need to chase after the stars of the moment. Indeed, I'd much rather talk to someone who truly deserves the attention, rather than just the latest darling of the gaming media. :)
@blacklily8 That's one of your many strengths, Matt. You offer historical analysis and insight into the industry in a way that I have not seen from any other video artist. You academic background strengthens this. We are all very lucky to have such a dedicated and selfless videographer as yourself to entertain and inform us each week.
And the result is some very interesting videos. Also, I'm sure those you're interviewing appreciate, well, being appreciated!
Would you interview Tom Hall? In my opinion, he's made significant contributions to gaming as well. Not least of which was his role in helping Id Software get off the ground. Commander Keen was basically his idea, after all.
There's also Rise of The Triad, his own project with Ion Storm, Anachronox.. and so on...
Interesting guy, and a great interview, Matt! Great to hear about the pitfalls of over-ambitious game design. Perhaps that's why so many studios play it safe these days and release uninspired, formulaic titles instead of pushing the envelope.
@kwiksnax I think you're absolutely right. The risks are too great nowadays. Originality be damned; it's all about the cash-in. That's why you have to turn to independent developers if you want anything unique or even compelling.
@blacklily8 Well said, and one of many reasons I've been very dissatisfied with some of our games today. The originality and excitement just isn't there like it used to be. I find myself going back to the classics like Doom and titles offered on Good Old Games anymore. I wish it were like it used to be, with developers taking risks and giving us great new ideas and gameplay concepts on a constant basis.
microporose, best company ever
donjuanlagarto 1 month ago
Hopefully you can interview David Gaider and ask "what were you thinking!?"
ItIsTheInvisibleMan 2 months ago
I was12, I never had heared of it but funny enough the reason i bought it was because the box was quite heave so it thought it would have allot of content.
When i got home i was happy to see i wasnt wrong. It had the best manual i had ever seen included in a computer game and the game came on a total of 9 disks (if im not mistaken). Little did i know how awesome this game was and omg did it have tons of content indeed!
Capeau 5 months ago
Hey Matt, just wanted to let you know that this video is out of sink...
baj2235 6 months ago
Very pleased that I found this interview. I did not even know the guy's name even though I really, really love Darklands. It's one of those games that are just still really impressive in what it manages to do, even though the tech is outdated nowadays. It's an unfortunate situation that there is very little recognition, and just general knowledge, of video-game history (even though it's a very young industry). Keep up the good work!
Starwars83 1 year ago
I meant 1,800!!!
HardWarUK 1 year ago
There is a Darklands gameplay video with 15,000 odd views on You Tube and yet this only has 18,000. If you're posting here, for God's sake, get the word out across the web! This set of video's should be getting at least 10,000 views per video, so we're just not talking about it enough on YT and the web generally!!!
HardWarUK 1 year ago
Is it just me or is the audio/video sync royally screwed up on this?
swinepaste 1 year ago
Microprose was godly.
ecliptic66 1 year ago
I love the fact that he and developers of his caliber put so much research into the time periods and subjects their games are based on. Very impressive.
Soulgotha 1 year ago
Good move having your mug in the interviews Matt! Gives it more of sort of dialogue vibe. Like!
marcusmalone 1 year ago
Still one of my favorite games. Thanks Arnold and Matt.
ComCodex 1 year ago
Excellent stuff, Matt - always love the rawness of your interviews as the genuine passion always comes across from the interviewee (and yourself, obviously ;) lol)
bluetonic78 1 year ago
Microprose was the greatest games company in the world, until they were taken over! Like so many other companies.
HardWarUK 1 year ago
that was great to hear about the pirates development, what an amazing paring that turned out to be !.
ZXAmiga64 1 year ago
Great interview Matt and Arnold! Txs!! Incredibly interesting.... I love hearing the back stories and "bug issue' type of things. It was sad to hear that the Amiga was pretty much a non-consideration for them by the early 90's. And as for the stutter, didn't bother me at all. What is being said is WAY more important than how it's being said.
desiv1 1 year ago
@desiv1 Agree exactly!
HardWarUK 1 year ago
@desiv1 That's one great thing about the Matt Chat audience; I knew you guys would be sympathetic and respectful and told Mr. Hendrick as much. In my view, it only makes him more heroic and exemplary.
blacklily8 1 year ago
He seems to have problems with stuttering, poor guy.
BrokenMikrofone 1 year ago
Wohoo, another Matt Chat! Very interesting interview, especially the inside information on game design. I'm too young to have played Darklands, but this is definitely a part of western game culture. Games are culture! ... or at least they used to be. Thanks Matt.
Sinekyre14 1 year ago
Good interview. It's very interesting to hear what mr Hendrick has to say. I always find it fascinating to hear the perspective of those who were in the middle of it all when it all happened. The people who made video game history, in short.
herrkilman 1 year ago
cracking interview!
evildogheretic 1 year ago
Matt, what a surprise that you managed to talk to Arnold Hendrick. Great interview and it was very fun listening to what mw Hendrick had to tell. Thanks to you both for doing this!
markvergeer 1 year ago
What an awesome guy. Looking at the games he has been involved with is like reading a list of some of my favourite strategy games. I sometimes forget just how good Microprose were!
Great video Matt =)
CrazySandtrooper 1 year ago
@CrazySandtrooper It's funny how they get overlooked sometimes, despite all the classic titles.
blacklily8 1 year ago
great interview, shame about the audio synch issue. Also, seems there's a scene missing at around 10:30
LKRaider 1 year ago
@LKRaider Argh. Sony Vegas strikes again! Thank *GOD* I'm getting a new Mac with Final Cut Pro soon. Then, unless I really am cursed, it's goodbye to that POS forever.
blacklily8 1 year ago
Great interview
solnasonen 1 year ago
Yet another great interview, solid gold! Never tried several of the games mentioned, this has my interest quite piqued.
phreakindee 1 year ago
WOW, this is super stuff. I was going to suggest doing this interview, but then didn't because I figured it probably wasn't even possible. So nice to be proven wrong!
I'd love to see interviews with other old MicroProse hands (Bill Stealy, Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds). Hopefully "Matt Chat" will continue to grow and grow and then they will all have to say "yes." :)
PCGamer77 1 year ago 3
Awesome interview! Darklands was a truly special and unique RPG. I'm impressed how you can easily interview some of the most important game designers ever!
RyuRanXII 1 year ago
@RyuRanXII I only wish it was so easy. Most of them are very hard to find, at least for someone without professional media credentials. Still, so many of these geniuses haven't even been given the attention they deserve.
blacklily8 1 year ago
Fascinating, I've oft wondered about the individual behind Darklands. If only more game designers thought about game design in a way like him, pc gaming might not look so grim right now with rehash upon rehash of first person shooters and derivatives.
Zaxth 1 year ago
Great interview; can't wait for part two!
FlyingMcDavids 1 year ago
Is it just me, or does your abstract at the beginning seem out of sync? Anyways, another great episode!
CoolKabbage 1 year ago
@CoolKabbage Not just you, out of sync a bit for me as well.
phreakindee 1 year ago
@phreakindee Hm. Not sure how that happened.
blacklily8 1 year ago
@phreakindee Hm. It looks fine on this end. I guess something must have happened on YouTube's end.
blacklily8 1 year ago
@phreakindee Me too. I'm using Firefox.
vintagevideogamegeek 1 year ago
Interesting. Thanks. MicroProse games often had deeper gameplay than titles from their contemporaries.
Matt - how did you record this? (I mean two feeds at the same time.)
endofthelinejoel 1 year ago
@endofthelinejoel I'm using a program called SuperTinTin. It does the job (barely), but sadly missing some much-needed options.
blacklily8 1 year ago
Matt, you continue to amaze me with all these people you've managed to interview. I bet they wouldn't at all feel comfortable being interviewed by those kids at IGN, gamespot or those other smug trendy type that don't know their history, but you've really managed to get an interview with these people and ask some really interesting questions.
amig90 1 year ago
@amig90
I think - and this is the "vibe" I get from Matt himself - is that he has a true respect for the games he covers, and for those who developed them. It's conveyed in his enthusiasm for each game he discusses, and in the interviews he conducts.
While most similar channels these days are only interested in "who's hot right now", it's clearly not lost on Matt that these people he's interviewing laid the groundwork for the games we play today... even if they're unknown by most.
lupine73 1 year ago
@lupine73 Totally agree!
HardWarUK 1 year ago
@lupine73 That's very astute. I have the advantage of not depending on this for money, so I don't need to chase after the stars of the moment. Indeed, I'd much rather talk to someone who truly deserves the attention, rather than just the latest darling of the gaming media. :)
blacklily8 1 year ago
@blacklily8 That's one of your many strengths, Matt. You offer historical analysis and insight into the industry in a way that I have not seen from any other video artist. You academic background strengthens this. We are all very lucky to have such a dedicated and selfless videographer as yourself to entertain and inform us each week.
kwiksnax 1 year ago 8
@blacklily8
And the result is some very interesting videos. Also, I'm sure those you're interviewing appreciate, well, being appreciated!
Would you interview Tom Hall? In my opinion, he's made significant contributions to gaming as well. Not least of which was his role in helping Id Software get off the ground. Commander Keen was basically his idea, after all.
There's also Rise of The Triad, his own project with Ion Storm, Anachronox.. and so on...
I think he'd have a lot to talk about.
lupine73 1 year ago
@lupine73 : I also enjoy the breadth of coverage, everything is treated equally, from the very first forays into gaming to some pretty recent titles.
Reorte 1 year ago
Interesting guy, and a great interview, Matt! Great to hear about the pitfalls of over-ambitious game design. Perhaps that's why so many studios play it safe these days and release uninspired, formulaic titles instead of pushing the envelope.
kwiksnax 1 year ago
@kwiksnax I think you're absolutely right. The risks are too great nowadays. Originality be damned; it's all about the cash-in. That's why you have to turn to independent developers if you want anything unique or even compelling.
blacklily8 1 year ago
@blacklily8 Well said, and one of many reasons I've been very dissatisfied with some of our games today. The originality and excitement just isn't there like it used to be. I find myself going back to the classics like Doom and titles offered on Good Old Games anymore. I wish it were like it used to be, with developers taking risks and giving us great new ideas and gameplay concepts on a constant basis.
Chubzdoomer 1 year ago
@blacklily8 So true.
tasteoftea000 1 year ago