Karen Tobler

Jeff and Karen, I just want to take a minute and thank you for one of the best adventure games of all time. I have been an inveterate adventure gamer for many years, and the last few weeks have been some of the most exciting of that entire time.

I recently finished playing ROTS, originally because I am doing a review of it for an online Web site. (I’d be happy to pass that review along to you, if you’re interested.) Often, when I do these reviews, playing the game can be a tedious task, necessary only to get enough information for the review. In this particular case, however, I almost forgot entirely about doing the review!

The game is stunning! I won’t go into all of my reactions, because I’m sure that you’ve heard them all already. But I wanted to take a moment to thank the two of you for bringing such an incredible game to the rest of us. Needless to say, I gave it a 5-star rating in my review.

As you might suspect, I’m an avid Myst/Riven bigot. So I often find myself measuring other games in that light. And you have certainly accomplished quite a task — that is, allowing me to mentally put ROTS in the same category as those “legend” games.

I’d also like to tell you that I enjoyed the game for another reason. I played the entire game with my fiancée, over the telephone! We each played on our own computer, “walking” our way through the game, as if we were there. Then, as we would arrive in each new location, we would “split up” to begin exploring — which is exactly how we would have responded had we been there in person. I wish you could have heard the cries of “Hey, come over here — I just found something. Back in the corner, by the red wood chest!” And then the other person would go “running” over to see what it was. It was the most vivid, realistic experience I’ve ever had while playing an adventure game.

But I’d also like to thank you for one other thing — something that many people, I imagine, overlook. And that is your priorities, as exemplified in the Credits. I was in awe throughout the entire game that so much was done by only two people. And then, rather than taking all of the credit for yourselves, you gave the credit where it really IS due — to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! What an awesome tribute! To God be the glory! I didn’t think that there was anything that could make me feel BETTER about the game… until I read the Credits. I hope and pray that this testimony will have an effect on others, and that somehow, somewhere, someone might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, as they ponder just exactly why two intelligent, talented, and successful individuals would give Him their credit. Thank you!

Now, as I end, I have one question for you. The cut scene at the end game of ROTS hints strongly at a sequel — possibly even more than one. Is there ANYTHING that you can say about that at this time? As I said, I am a game reviewer — but also an inveterate player. And, along with my fiancée, we would LOVE to be “in the know” as to what is coming, down the road. Can you tell me anything at all about game sequels, or a timeframe in which to look for them? I’d certainly be indebted to you. (And I am already on the mailing list — I just was looking for some news “early on”.)

Once again, thank you for ROTS. Thank you for the excellence that you put into this game. And thank you for identifying where the credit is due. You two are EXTREMELY talented individuals. Keep up the good work. And God bless you both.

– Frank D. Nicodem, Jr.