A Shawn Noel Retrospective
I don't know how many of you remember Shawn Noel. He was a Game Maker developer, probably most well known for his Jetz series of games. He was known for incorporating a good deal of violence and dark humour into his games.
In late 2005, I conducted a short interview with him, which still haunts me to this day (I won't post a link because it has errors from a server change). He seemed to be on a downward spiral. His final project was Street Bike Fury, which was released early in 2006. I felt that this was his best work, underrated and a sign of big things for Shawn. He took his own life not long after this. He was still in highschool. It has been over two years.
Recently clysm of Seiklus fame posted a Shawn64 Retrospective over on the Game Maker Games website. Since clysm knew Shawn better than most, I thought it was a nice read, since it gave some insight into the kid that he was when he was actually happy developing games and brimming with ideas. It's a nice way to remember him.
Comments
I never heard about it when it happened, but I remember browsing the Vertigo gaming forums and seeing a topic about it. "Holy shit, the guy who made Jetz Rampage is dead?"
Posted by: PoisonedV | April 11, 2008 5:21 PM
Love his games...
Posted by: Gr.Viper | April 11, 2008 5:45 PM
I remember when it happened. Tragic.
Posted by: Tr00jg | April 11, 2008 7:19 PM
I remember playing an online game called Graal where he (supposedly) was on too. I've talked with him several times and he seemed liked a nice guy. I left the game, came back 8 months later, and someone told me he commited suicide. I went "damn that sucks".
Posted by: Koji Otaku | April 11, 2008 9:19 PM
There are almost always signs before something like that happens. The problem is that people don't notice or they don't think anything of it. Especially for teenagers.
Posted by: Dakaggo | April 11, 2008 9:23 PM
Heh... I think I still have the "In Memory of Shawn" signature on the GMC.
Posted by: Trotim | April 11, 2008 10:10 PM
I was reviewing games for Acid-Play back when this happened. I shit myself and checked if I'd done any of his games and if I'd said anything harsh about them.
I remember some of his games were reviewed, but weren't on the site at the time it happened. So they just sat in the queue while I decided if I should edit them or not post them at all.
I didn't know him. Had no connection with him outside of playing his games. But it was a heck of a shock.
Posted by: AdamB | April 11, 2008 11:17 PM
That's interesting AdamB.. I was also reviewing for Acid-Play when it happened.. in fact I posted it on the forums and wrote a review of Street Bike Fury, which got published almost right away in his honour I think. Which name were you using as a reviewer?
Posted by: mosh | April 11, 2008 11:47 PM
I was writing as Gohst. And yep, I remember you were the one who broke the news on the old forum there.
Speaking of the Internet (and Shawn64) bringing people together - you still Melbourne based? I've completely moved there now, with a family and everything.
Posted by: AdamB | April 12, 2008 1:04 AM
Ahh Gohst. You still review a lot I notice. Congrats on the family. Yep.. still Melbourne based. Best city in Australia if you ask me. :)
Posted by: mosh | April 12, 2008 1:24 AM
Yep. I usually aim for an average of one a day. Keeps things interesting between nappy changes.
You should send me an email some day. Try to get in touch. Maybe head to that Game On exhibit at the ACMI some day.
Posted by: AdamB | April 12, 2008 3:01 AM
Mini Golf Pro was by far my favorite game of his and I got to play it online with him a few times. Good stuff.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 12, 2008 1:05 PM
HEMMINGWAY NEVER SEEMED TO MIND THE BANALITY OF A NORMAL AND I FIND IT GETS HARDER EVERY TIME
SO HE AIMED A SHOTGUN INTO THE BLUE PLACED HIS FACE INBETWEEN THE TWO AND SIGHED "HERE'S TO LIIIIIIIIIIFFFEEE!!!"
Posted by: Troy RULES | April 12, 2008 6:40 PM
In the words of Street Bike Fury:
"I never meant to fade away."
It still gives me goosebumps.
Posted by: Watcher | April 12, 2008 8:50 PM
I remember hearing about it for the first time - as a developer it's an emotional hit... this shit shouldn't happen. He was destined for genuinely great things - he could've easily got a GREAT publishing deal just off the back of his demos... it's just such a shame and a waste.
I never knew the guy, only from comments he'd left on forums and from playing his games, but I'll never forget what he did for the industry.
Posted by: ubersheep | March 24, 2009 4:26 PM