Full Throttle | Why I Love

gamesindustry.biz:

Why I Love is a series of guest editorials on GamesIndustry.biz intended to showcase the ways in which game developers appreciate each other's work. This entry was contributed by Christopher Mathes, the developer behind 'Agatha Christie in space' point-and-click murder mystery, Murder On Space Station 52.

Growing up in the early '90s, we weren't a PC kind of family. We had an old DOS machine with its tiny monitor that sat neglected most of the time. With no older sibling or relative to show me the ways of DOS, my knowledge of the system was cursory at best. The only game system we owned at the time was a Super Nintendo. So I often spent time in the PC game aisle at the local store, coveting all the large glossy boxes and the shiny CD treasures inside.

Then one day, that all changed. In place of the old DOS machine was a flashy new Windows PC, which included a CD-ROM drive. I booted up the pristine machine, which took no small amount of time, and began clicking away. I soon grew tired of Minesweeper and Solitaire and longed for something more.

A few days passed before I was able to make it to the store and that same aisle of tall glossy boxes. The only thing in my inventory was a few hard-earned dollars and a youthful enthusiasm. While some of the more mature-looking titles were enticing to my young eyes. I knew the box art and labels warning of the violence within them would scare my mother away from the purchase.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, a piece of cover art caught my attention. A goggle and leather-clad man jumping his motorcycle away from an explosion roaring behind him. The words 'Full Throttle' emblazoned the cover.

So I combined my hard-earned cash, youthful enthusiasm, and glossy game box and brought home my first CD-ROM game. I placed the disc carefully into the disc tray and watched it slowly slide into the guts of the PC. I should tell you I had no idea what adventure games were or really what to expect, but my young mind was ready for anything.