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John Le Carré Missed Nothing
- mhh__ 6y agoI have a strong interest in cold war espionage history - I'd never actually read any Le Carre (I have piles and piles of books like the Mitrokhin Archive but no fiction), but now that I have, I have been inspired to try and make a (mostly text) driven game set inside MI5 in the early 1950s through to the early 80s. I decided on a game rather than a book because it seems easier for me to signpost the inherent fog and moral spuriousness of the subject matter. I'm fascinated by Peter Wright, so I'm aiming for a more scientific than personal approach to the meat and potatoes of the plot. It'll be still mostly dialogue, but with a similar approach to (say) what a Zachtronics game is to its subject matter.
- nefitty 6y agoDo you maintain a status page for this project? It sounds like it could be awesome.
- mhh__ 6y agoNot yet. I will do soon, but I have some things to wrap up first. When I have something to show I'll post it here.
- chordalkeyboard 6y agoI agree with the gp that your idea sounds awesome and I look forward to seeing it.
- mhh__ 6y agoRepo for anything to come https://github.com/raftergame/rafter https://github.com/raftergame/rafter
- reitzensteinm 6y agoPlease do. It's such a good idea.
- mhh__ 6y agoRepo for anything to come https://github.com/raftergame/rafter https://github.com/raftergame/rafter
- powvans 6y agoThere was a game called Floor 13 [1] that I played as a kid. Overall it was poorly executed, but the espionage and intrigue aspect of it was amazing. It really felt you were dropped into the middle of a cold war era conspiracy. I was fascinated by it and loved it despite the poor gameplay. Have you ever heard of or played Covert Action [2]? Not one of Sid Meier's best, but I enjoyed it. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floor_13_(video_game) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floor_13_(video_game) [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier%27s_Covert_Action https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier%27s_Covert_Action
- mhh__ 6y agoBoth a bit before my time although if I can get my hands on them I'll have a play
- kingaillas 6y agoCovert Action is on GoG. While you’re there I also recommend Spycraft the Great Game, also a great “spy adventure” game.
- the_af 6y agoThe setting of Floor 13 was pretty cool, but the game was almost impossible to actually win. It was a puzzle, in the sense that if you didn't get each situation exactly right, you got a "visit" by Mr Garcia and game over. Did you know they are making a remake?
- mhh__ 6y agoI've started a GitHub org to dump things to https://github.com/raftergame https://github.com/raftergame However, I should stress that my "game" is currently still a bunch of text files and some spectrum analyser output (That's the level of HN-bait I'm aiming for...)
- wolverine876 6y agoMight you consider a tabletop RPG game (TTRPG) rather than a computer game? Espionage, more than anything, is about human nature, unexpected situations, creative use of information, and matching wits with other people. The significant advantage of a TTRPG over a computer game is that the 'AI' for a TTRPG is human. No AI can come close for creativity, versatility, and of course human nature. To add an essential distinction: I mean OSR-style (Old School Renaissance) TTRPGs. For those familiar with 'modern' TTRPGs, like the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, OSR interactions are minimally defined by rules - powers, stats, skills, proficiencies, etc.- relatively few of those exist. Most of it is free-form improvisational interaction between the players and dungeon master (DM). For example, if you want to find something in a room, you don't roll something based on your perception score (you don't have one); it's up to the player, who can do anything at all. You tell the DM what you do ('I examine the bookshelves more closely - what condition are they in?'), and the DM tells you how the environment responds ('the old shelves don't sag at all while there's a thick layer of dust on them, except in a couple of places'); ('what books are in those spots? I stand to the side and nudge one gently with the tip of my walking stick, at arms length') ... There are plenty of guidelines for the DM to deal with all the different situations, but it's really up to help the DM to respond. The players, as I said, can do whatever they want without even knowing the rules for many purposes. Another way of conceiving of it is that it's a collaborative story where the player controls the protagonist and the DM controls the rest of the world, and they improvise together - both experience a lot of dramatic tension, not knowing what the other knows, plans or will do. Hopefully, I'm describing it well enough that you can see how it would play very well for an espionage setting.
- mhh__ 6y agoIf I knew anything about tabletop gaming maybe I'd consider it. The problem is that I'm aiming for you to actually twiddle the knobs on the radio yourself, for example.
- pseingatl 6y agoHe missed the fact that in Panama no one wears suits. And no one has a tailor. Colombia, yes; Panama, no.
- phs318u 6y agoWell, this guy may dispute your statement. https://www.facebook.com/william.donadio.7 https://www.facebook.com/william.donadio.7 "William Daniel Donadïo, a Panamanian tailor who was born in the City of Colon, Republic of Panama, explains how he became one of the leading Master Tailor and Designer of Panamá, a profession in which he has dedicated more than sixty-eight years of his life."
- namdnay 6y agoWhat I miss the most about JLC is the rage that seeps through the pages of his post-soviet works. The detached tone and third person narration can’t hide the fury he felt for the corruption, the hypocrisy, the evil. In a funny way, I always saw a parallel with Terry Pratchett on that front. Though different in nearly every conceivable way, both are capable of writing books that seem to be dripping with anger at the stupidity and evil of man.
- adamsea 6y agoHighly recommend the BBC 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' miniseries with Alec Guinness. I always liked Alec Guinness (Obi-wan!) but seeing this made me understand just what an incredible actor he was. BBC just knocks it out of the park here, and, it's way better than the Gary Oldman film (no disrespect). IMHO one of the best television shows ever made. Would totally put it up against The Wire, although it's an apples-to-oranges comparison for a variety of reasons. FYI said miniseries can often be found floating around on Youtbe.
- wlll 6y agoAgreed, the series was a masterpiece, though I am not sure I recommend watching the sequel series (I forget the name). I think I preferred the suspense of the first series as the ending. Also, watch the series not the film (if you must, watch the film second). The series is far better.
- mhh__ 6y agoThe film is pretty damn good considering it has to make do with about 2 hours, and has to keep the audience interested. It's also absolutely beautiful - fantastic cinematography and direction.
- andrewmutz 6y agoIt is called "Smileys People" and has Patrick Stewart playing soviet super spy Karla. It's not as good as TTSS, bit still worth watching in my opinion.
- W-Stool 6y ago"The Perfect Spy" - both in book form and UK mini series, are both exceptional and Le Carre's most autobiographical work. His father was a real con man, grifting people for a a living, as was the main character's father in the book. It really is an amazing read, I read it twice just to fully understand it, and the TV version makes things a little more understandable. Think about it - who could possibly be a more perfect double agent than the son of a con man?
- porknubbins 6y agoThis book hits painfully close to home if you had a certain kind of narcissistic parent and you learned to compensate by hiding things and trying to appear perfect, or just something you’re not. And I think this was the book that gave me the idea that all good spy fiction is really about the human drama of concealing truth from other people, and conversely the attempt to break through that and form real connection.
- harry8 6y agoGreenwald had some interesting points about what is and isn't mentioned about the views of le Carre in his obits. https://mobile.twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1338828164055896069 https://mobile.twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/133882816405589... https://mobile.twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1338825073399099392 https://mobile.twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/133882507339909... Edit: I really like the way, which is very modern, that you can make these points and directly link footage of the man himself making them so that the reader can assess whether bias exists in the reporting and they're quotes out of context. "Here's my point and here's the evidence so you can decide yourself whether you agree with the inference." It's a really powerful use of hyperlink tech. There should be more of it in political discourse.
- mhh__ 6y agoCraig Murray with an absolute barn Stormer of a take under the linked tweet. Is he trying to the guardian are warmongering agitators now?
- harry8 6y agoI don't know but i suspect he's more likely to be suggesting the guardian are playing down Blair's faults as part of their support of one faction over another in the power struggles of the labour party. Eg Starmer over Corbyn factions. I don't really follow uk leftist politics to be at all sure about that. So yeah the inference from it, dunno. The observation seems valid though. Amplifying the parts of le Carre's views that you like and support. Glossing over those that don't support your position.