I've been using GameBoomers walkthroughs for many, many years. I've always counted on them to be the best and most accurate. All of a sudden, I see that they have not been updated since November of 2018. I am wondering what is going on with WRITTEN walkthroughs on GameBoomers. Now I have to search the internet for written walkthroughs, and I find that they are few and far between; and when I find them, they are written by people whose ENGLISH is not their first language. There are many new adventure games out there with no GameBoomers walkthroughs.

GameBoomers' primary walkthrough writer was MaG, our former administrator, and she retired around the end of June 2017; she is still helping out GameBoomers a great deal behind the scenes but also is not physically able to keep up with writing walkthroughs anymore, which is an extremely demanding task. I doubt that anyone who has never tried to write a walkthrough has the faintest idea of how much time and effort is involved, but it is huge.

And this is why you don't see someone else stepping up and volunteering to do what MaG did for many, many years. We have received a few walkthroughs from a few other people since, for which we are grateful, but most people don't have the talent, the inclination, or the time.

People here seem to prefer written walkthroughs, but with the advent of video walkthroughs on YouTube, we are seeing less and less of the former. Folks would rather do a video walkthrough on YouTube with the possibility that they might earn some money doing so by receiving a lot of views of their video, whereas a lot of written walkthroughs are done with no monetary compensation.

MaG was a phenomenon when it comes to writing walkthroughs for games, and I feel quite confident in saying that we will never see anyone like her again. Fortunately her enormous output is available for everyone to use in the walkthrough section of GameBoomers.

bootskitty, why don't you try to write a text walkthrough?
I am writing walkthroughs about 3 to 4 years and I started because I couldn't find anything about Montague's Mount, not even an English one.

For a text walkthrough I play the game 3 times:
1: I play the game to find all the solutions
2: I write the walkthrough while I am playing the game( I have a pc and a laptop)
3: I play the game by the text walkthrough and make the screenshots for the walkthrough.

And after that the biggest job: edit the screenshots, not only putting signs and text on them but also resize them otherwise they take to much space on the website.

Writing the text is the smallest task: the text for the walkthrough for The five Cores Remastered is finished in Dutch.
I have taken the screenshots about 850, I don't use them all. I guess there will be about 300 screenshots in the walkthrough.

And the last proces is to translate the text, yes English is not my first languace.
I do that the best I can, I use Google translate but I read and correct every line after the translation.
And that can sometimes difficult, I think and write in Dutch and use the Dutch sayings and these translate not so good.

Then I send the walkthrough to Louis Koot and he places them on his website.

Louis is writing walkthrough for more than 25 years and made about 500 walkthroughs in Dutch, the last couple of years also in English.

We make only walkthroughs for the games we like, we don't like horror.
A little bit creepy and suspence is allright like the games of The Initiate.


We are both from an older generation and we are not used to speak and write in English.

bootskitty, try the walkthroughs that Lion and Louis Koot are writing. English may not be their first language, but they are just excellent text walkthroughs complete with my favorite, screenshots!

Thank you ... now how do I find their walkthroughs?

Oh my goodness, I've been using her walkthroughs since I discovered GameBoomers years and years ago. I guess all good things must come to an end; but I am heartbroken. My filing cabinet is FILLED with MaG walkthroughs. In fact, before I buy a game, I always checked to see if she had posted a walkthrough. I began playing adventure games in 1986, and I am playing them to this day although I am 33 years older. I've written one walkthrough that GB posted; and I do know how difficult it is; but mine was a very simple one without screenshots. MaG was amazing. She will be GREATLY missed.

Click on the yellow link Lion provided in his post above.

Lion posted a link in his post. Oops! I see you beat me to it, oldbroad!

I am glad you asked about this, bootskitty. MaG is greatly missed, for sure - and not just because of her walkthroughs but because she is a lovely person and helpful to all of us. She will always be much appreciated.

I don't want this discussion on this forum but I get no answer on my PM to bootskitty so I will ask the question here.

The first post in this thread: the part about MaG nothing wrong with that but that part about walkthrough writers whose English is not their first languace.
When I read that part my first reaction was that I will stop making English walkthroughs because that part sounded like that these walkthroughs are inferior and not accurate.

I was not the only one, you can read the reaction of Louis on his website.

I don't know yet what we are gonna do but I was certainly not amused when I read the second part of that post.

Lion, clearly you want the discussion here or you wouldn't be posting it. If it's private between you and bootskitty than you simply wait for a response or let it go. No offense, but you are constantly saying you won't write anymore or that you are shutting your website down or killing access to your links because someone posting a direct link to your walkthroughs like they do on 100% of all WT's on the internet including GB's. Either you write them and keep the website alive because it keeps you happy and it's what you want to do, or close it and just play for fun. To try and place blame and threaten to shut down and act hurt by the words of one of my member who never knew you even existed and wasn't talking about you before posting is really over the top and not appreciated in the least.

EDIT: I also DO NOT appreciate you linking to my website in a derogatory fashion. I just saw Louis's post on his website. You are publicly shaming someone who did not know you or your website and using it to gather sympathy and compliments. This is my home. Do not trash it. I will not tolerate it.

I will end this discussio right here and right now, you confuse me with Louis.
I never myself have threatened to close the website, the website is owned by Louis and I have no saying over the website.

Clearly people may offend us but if we say something about then we are the bad guys, and we will be removed from the site.
You don't have to remove me from the site, I will remove myself from gameboomers.
I will not make any English text walkthroughs anymore and probally Louis will remove all English walkthroughs from his website.

Are you happy now, lesser English text walkthroughs online?

If it means no longer having to tolerate such adolescent outbursts from Louis in regards to this website, then my answer to your question is a resounding yes. I graduated from high school a long time ago and have no desire to relive the experience.

Lion, you miss the distinct difference between Louis saying that Gameboomers allows disrespect to English as second language speakers - which is not true - and bootskitty indicating she has problems understanding ESL speakers.

I do not remove posts unless they are offensive. While you may have taken offense, she did not mean any.

You are free to do what you like with your walkthroughs. It's your website. It will not evoke any emotion in me, happy or sad because I've never used it. Do what makes you happy.

Have a great day!

Dear me .... What a very silly "lose, lose" affair

Seems to me a few apologies are needed here.....
I'm just a typical 'lurker', and a board member for quite a while (meaning I'm older than dirt). But bootskitty made some unfortunate choices of words in bemoaning what any of us who've been gaming a while have noticed: the lack of text-based walkthroughs. Yes, Mags was great, but Louis & Dick are still doing it, doing it well, and giving it their best effort. To denigrate that isn't necessary.
browneyedtigre, I know it's not easy being a Board moderator. Mostly a thankless job. But...it also calls for an evenhandedness and an ability to show restraint on things.

This escalated to the detriment of all concerned. And we're the poorer for it. We should be supporting one another-that's part of this site's long-standing credo, and what drew us to it. Just one guy's opinion, but it would be nice if a few words of kindness/apology"/gee, I wish I could've said that better" could be made.....In private, or as needs be. Because this little spat has resulted in a loss for all, and no one looking the better for it.

Murphy, while I respect your sentiments, things aren't always what they appear to be on the surface. It's been an ongoing on/off the board affair since 2017. I remained silent because our members used the WT's. I will not air our dirty laundry and I will not apologize. I have nothing to apologize for. Neither does bootskitty. Her comment was not in any way shape or form criticizing their WT's. I perfectly understood her comment. Have you ever googled a walkthrough and found a "google translated" English walkthrough? They make zero sense at times. It is not a critique of the writer, their WT's are likely awesome in their first language, but if not translated by an English speaking translator they are very hard to follow. That is a fact, not a criticism of the author. And she wasn't talking about Louis's website. She never knew it existed.

Also, don't know if you missed the statement regarding GameBoomers publicly posted on their main page. It has since been removed. I am not a moderator here, I am the admin. It is my home. If you trash it, I take it very personally. I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in keeping the website running the best I can.

We live in a society where someone takes offense at literally everything. I cannot, nor will I stress over pleasing all. It is impossible task. To those that may think I was harsh or unprofessional, I apologize, but as I said originally, things aren't always as they seem. I stand by comments.
Have a great day.

As someone who has been privy to the "ongoing on/off the board affair since 2017," I will only add that Ana's post above says it all, while being accurate and fair but also discreet. We are fortunate to have her as the administrator of GameBoomers.

Murphy: The statement that was posted on the referenced website re: GB that Ana spoke of was indeed highly critical and unfair. .I saw it before it was removed. It showed all I needed to know to agree that Ana has nothing for which to apologize. Otherwise the author would not have chosen to remove it so as to give the impression that Ana is the one who was out of line. Removing a statement when called on it is unfair and dishonest.

I also saw the statement about Gameboomers on the referenced website. My first reaction was, "... how whiny and immature." And I want to thank Ana for the way this was handled... fact based, fair and professional. The "behind the scenes" issues that Marian and Ana have faced would have caused most of us to react in a much less positive manner.

I wish to say that in my opinion both BrownEyedTigre and Marian have acted commendably - and totally in the interests of Gameboomers - during this issue AND from well before it.
Because the very childish behaviour of Louis and Lion has been noticeable from the time they first registered with GB.

Yes. The walkthroughs they provide between them are exceptional. But the world won't end if they decide not to offer English versions !! Good grief !!

And for Louis to try and discredit Gameboomer staff and members via a public website statement was just plain shocking.

So, as far as I'M concerned, thank you and well done, BrownEyedTigre and Marian

Thank you so very much Marian, Sparkle, Draclvr and Mad for your support. It truly means the world to me.

Louis has now posted this on his website (and when he says "follow the discussion here," there is a link to this thread on GameBoomers:



Again, when he refers to the "discussion," he is talking about this thread, and has provided a link to it.

Thanks Marian! Sounds like standard operating procedure from them. I expect no less and not surprised. It's fascinating to know how much power has been given to us to shut down an entire half of their website without trying. I was not aware we had that kind of pull!

I’d like to offer a bit of cheese with that whine. I believe gouda would be appropriate.

Me either. We will have to make sure that this does not give us an inflated sense of our own importance. We should be getting paid for this if our words carry that much weight.

Sparkle

I have to say if anyone is so moved to follow the link to this discussion, they will see first hand how these guys took an innocent remark that had ZERO to do with them and didn't slam anyone for being an ESL speaker. Had she done so, I know the admins and moderators here would have called her on it... I know I would have. I would welcome anyone to read the discussion and see for themselves how these guys react.

EXACTLY, Sparkle! I was looking for a cheese smilie to go with their whine! He indicates someone tried to tell him what he could and couldn't do on his own website. So add a bit of lying along with that whining!

Sparkle

Marian, I wish my opinion would weigh this much on my kids.

Drac, that is exactly what I was thinking! And there were zero off the board discussions regarding this with them, so not quite sure what he thinks was telling him what to do with his website. If anything, I said they are free to do as they please with it. And they did.

what on earth was that all about good grief.

We wonder too, Dianne.

Well my goodness!! Gameboomers has great people and I feel lucky to be a part of the group. I would be lost without this website. I appreciate everyone here and all they do to help with any problem you post. Stay just the way you are and keep Gameboomers just the same.

Thank you, kazzmo! I agree with you 200%.

I stand behind the Boomer Staff,
everything is fine with me as it is.

Robert

Thanks, Rob!

Thanks so much to all of you for your support! Very much appreciated!

Thank you, Rob! I agree!

I haven't read this thread until now. I thought it was a general thread about walkthroughs, and since I'm busy making a game at the moment instead of playing games, I'm not interested in walkthroughs right now (although I constantly peek in them while playing games, since a rarely complete a game without one).

Having read the thread now, it left me with an unpleasant feeling of déjà vu.

This is not just an insult, but slander against the whole Gameboomer community. Even though I'm just a member here, I take it personally. And several posts in this thread confirm that I'm not the only one who feels that way.

To quote Marian, this has been an "ongoing on/off the board affair since 2017". And said affair is an endless repetition of threats, gratuitous whining, and totally uncalled-for personal accusations.

We could do without this. The visitors on Louis's website can do without it. Text walkthroughs are scarce nowadays (due to YouTube walkthroughs obviously). This is a pity, since many of us (or most?) prefer the old text format. But if it comes at this price, I'd take a YouTube walkthrough any day. In low-res.

Thank you, Mikael. I know the others will also appreciate your support. I agree that it is such a pity because these text walkthroughs are well done and complete with screenshots. But some things are just not worth it.

Thanks, Mikael! This was one of those things that just leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. I greatly appreciate the support. And I'm really happy you have been busy on the game! Looking forward to it!

Just read this thread. Sorry to come in so late, but am totally supportive of BET and Marian.
I don't post very often, but always check this site for opinions and news about games I am
interested in. This site has always felt like home to me since I first started playing adventure games
many years ago.
Thanks, BET and Marian!

Thank you, Mikael and Jeanne. Much appreciated!

Thanks, Jeanne! It really does mean a lot to me and the rest of us to have your support!

Ana

It is very sad to see that strange misunderstanding with Dick and Louis, but it seems that the English walkthroughs are still available on their site? http://www.pcgameswalkthroughs.nl/English/index.html

They put them back up two days after their hissy fit. With multiple messages that kept changing. They love the drama and attention. I will give them no more attention nor free advertising by linking to their website. I am done with them.

Hey, I just want to say a couple of things - I've written a few text walkthroughs myself & the ones that Louis & 'Lion' have done are superb!
I'm so disappointed that GB chose to side with a poster who was so obviously discriminatory - I don't blame Lion for his post.

You are entitled to your opinion, Chrissie but I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree.

As do I.

I followed this discussion”live” and also disagree with you chrissie. The o/p merely mentioned that some walkthroughs written by those for whom English is a second language are not always easily understood. This is truth, not an insult. Lion decided to take it personally, despite the fact that it was a general observation. Louis then chose to post an insulting, childish rant about GB on his website which he eventually removed. Some of us saw this rant before it was deleted. There are two sides to the story. The one who really started the trouble decided to play the victim and it wasn’t the o/p.

No need to relitigate, but Sparkle has it exactly right. There was also a lot of "behind the scenes" history here that is not known on the public forum.

Yes, a lot has been going on "behind the scenes", but there is sufficient information in this thread, and other threads, to grasp the situation. The language in the walkthroughs in question do receive some criticism in the beginning of this thread, but they have also been appreciated in other threads in this forum. But, more importantly, no one has "taken sides" with anyone due to the quality of the walkthorughs. That is simply not the question here.

I just want to say I love Gameboomers and everyone here! Anyone who has been a member here knows that those working in the background at GB are good kind people and would never intentionally offend anyone. Any statement can be wrongly interpreted.

I believe in all of you here at GB who work so hard to keep this community the best on the internet!

Thank you all!

Gerry

I just want to say thank you to the moderator who shared some info with me - it's given me a much better understanding of the issues that have prevailed in this thread.

Good, chrissie! I was hoping someone would fill you in!

Being a member for 18 years,it saddens me to see this discussion on Gameboomers.This site is like family to me and I don't want to see anything negative about it.Please continue your excellent work.The best to all of you!

Chrissie, glad you understand better and not sure who filled you in, but if it helped, great.

I am however closing this thread to leave it to die. If the info here doesn't speak for itself, I have nothing further to add. I thank you all for your support, it means a lot to all of us that strive to maintain a friendly environment. No matter how hard we try, we can't please everyone. If anyone has anything to say please PM me. If a new thread is started it will be deleted. Thank you for understanding....and if you still don't understand, thank you for your trust that we did our best.

Ana