GDC Quest Quiz IV: Erik Wolpaw

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Feb 26th 2008 at 5:55PM }

We did a terrible thing at last week's Game Developer's Conference. Aside from our usual barrage of photographs and "reporting," a select group of attendees had to endure a particularly inane and utterly pointless line of questioning -- just for laughs. This is what happens when you hunt down several adventure game connoisseurs and challenge them to solve a typically obnoxious adventure game puzzle.

The Player
Erik Wolpaw, co-author of the now-defunct Old Man Murray. He's written for games such as Psychonauts and Portal, and once accused the adventure genre of committing suicide.

The Puzzle
You're standing in front of a cave. The goal is to get inside the cave, taking care to foil the ferocious robot bear guarding the entrance first.

The Inventory

(1) perforated parasol
(1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle
(1) sealed manila envelope
(1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue

The Solution
"How is the pulley attached to the rubber chicken? See, this is why I hate adventure games. I think you're expecting a joke answer, and I'm actually trying to figure it out. OK, type 'quit.' That's what I would do. Go to the menu and type 'quit.'"

(Catch the rest of our interview with Wolpaw later this week!)

Tags: Erik-Wolpaw, GDC-Quest-Quiz, GDC08, Portal, Psychonauts, Valve

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ViagraFiend @ Feb 26th 2008 6:12PM

"Catch the rest of our interview with Wolpaw later this week!"

:0 You prickteasers!

Curtis the Claw Game Master V2 @ Feb 26th 2008 6:17PM

I'm sure these interviews seemed like a great idea on paper but the humor just really doesn't transfer over...

Intentless @ Feb 26th 2008 9:56PM

The reason for that is usually something like this would be used to gain insight on how an individual would approach a scenario.

This allows you to see if someone is a logical or creative thinker and can give insight as to who they are... Its been hijacked for a failed attempt at humor...

Mr Khan @ Feb 26th 2008 6:19PM

But what if it was, say, a Fucili Jerry Seinfeld statue, instead? I bet it would ruin all their plans.

Irresponible Robot @ Feb 26th 2008 6:23PM

Why does nobody see the simple solution to the puzzle?

Simply take the spartan laser out of the manila envelope, then blow the bear into the next time zone!

Simple!

evan @ Feb 26th 2008 6:39PM

I think I would probably use the perforated parasol to focus the sun's energy into a concentrated beam aimed straight at the bear's dome. pew! pew! I would then open the manila envelope to discover a copy of Hustler and proceed to choke the chicken with a miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue up my ass.