I come from Norway, I live in Voss (it is a little town), and I’ve just seen your pages and I’m so sorry about the death of your greatest voice operator that has ever talked for the girls in your Larry games. I’ve also read that LSL 8 has been terminated by Sierra and I think that it is the biggest mistake Sierra has ever done.
I guss I’m a very big Larry fan since I’m writing this to you. I’ve bouth all your Larry games, and God did I enjoy them, so LSL 8 must be made because LSL7 ended lika a begining on LSL8, and I’ve just have to know if Larry get's some more babes or not.
I’ve seen the test movie on LSL8, and I think that 3D Larry looks too stupid becaus he isn’t the guy to be put in that 3D look. I like most Larry 6 and 7, because Larry looks best like that, that is just his graphic.
My favorit Larry game must be LSL1, LSL1VGA, LSL5, LSL6 and LSL7 because it’s something abouth them that I rally like. Before I stop writing I just must say that the music you are using in your games is just GREAT. And I was only wondering if you could mail me some letters, so I know what is going on in America, and if Sierra does change there mind about LSL 8.
Greatings,
Johnny Vicious (my artist name)
Great site. I know that Larry wil be back, sometime, but the only one who can really make him look good and make us all laugh again, is you!
Well, I bought all the Larry games, and I liked them all, especially Love for Sail! But I'm looking for the Cursors from LSL7, you know that condom. . . I've searched my whole life, but I can't find them. . .
Al, you ARE the GREATEST, really, you're the most funniest, dearest, adorable man! So: CAN I NOW HAVE THOSE CURSORS! PLEASE! You could put them on this site, so other fans can use them too.
Thanks, Maxx
I’m not a computer geek; hell, I’m only 18! But I have been playing Larry’s games for 4 years now, I know I know I was underaged but whose to say if I wasnt mature enough for it. Anyways, Its hard for an 18 year old with no job to save up enough to buy video games these days. . . . but the time spent trying to get the money to afford them is worth it. I am in college now studying to be an artist and I always saw myself doing the art for games like yours. The only games I have ever liked were sierra’s originals but now Sierra has become less than a waste of my time when I have enough to sit down and pop in a cd. I never liked Police Quest and they finished my beloved Quest for Glory series, I dont know what the hell they did to Kings Quest but after part 7 they sure havent done much with it. All that was left for me was Space Quest and Leisure suit larry, and both have been canceled. I admit im no fan of 3D graphics I prefef 2d animation but I would still spend twice the price of part 7 for a chance to keep the series alive. Im sorry abouthow they are treating you, they arent the company I used to admire anymore.
AlI I have left to say is I want Larry back Damit!
Dusty Pilgrim
AL: THANKS FOR LARRY!
Hi I have loved your larry games for years they are my favorite games. I hate Sierra for what they have done to you I have all the games and I thought the 8th one was coming out I waited and saw this web site so the game wont be made at all ever??? That makes me so mad I told about 20 to 25 people to buy your games and about 28 did and they want Leisure Suit Larry 8 I want it sooooo bad I wish there was something you could do I could help or couldnt there be some programmers out there that will help you I wish I could meet you in person I am seriously your biggest fan is there anyway I could ever meet you?If you made lust in space could it be the love for sail style not aniumated because it looked better?I can't get the LSL theme song out of my head I even learned it on the piano and I'm buying a sax to play it on it. If you get a chance please emamil me back I have ever Leisure Suit Larry game or book or anythiong almost ever made Well I have to go bye.
Your fan
Eric Lisogorski
Your site is great! I now know why the guy at Electronics Boutique keeps giving me the strange look when I ask where the heck LSL8 is coming out! This is really sad, I may need several doses of Fat Tire to console myself this evening. I have all the LSL s/w including the Casino. And as an avid gamer for more years than is necessry to lament( I'm 47), I must tell you that your game gave me most fun of any games Ive played. And I play just about all of them, including the Quakes and Star Craft, etc. Your series tops my list of favorite games, sitting above my favorite 'shooter' Duke Nukem! I sincerely hope you can find a way to continue writing LSL even if it's not for Sierra and not Larry. Perhaps Larry had a twin who was capture by Venusian Space Pirates(buxom of course) before Larry got famous and has returned to continue in Larry's hush puppies??? Hey, it could happen you know!
Gary Henson
With all all these games you have made (and I played) through all those years you have becommed like a grandpa' too me. A little pervert one also ! :- )
Yes, Sierra has gone cruel !! They have really laid Larry left to die in a basement !. . Too bad !!! I sugest : Since Sierra owe the rights of Larry, but never do anything with it, you should buy the rights !. . Anyhow expencive that will be, you will gonna' have your money back when another Company buy you the rights !! Plus : You will gonna' earn lots of money by making Larry 8 thanks to us customers !
If you haven't read the fan-letters you should really do that ! I bet I haven't said anything that all the fans have wroted before me !. . :- ) I "lowe" your site ! It was a good thing not to have a way too colourfull site !. . If you have made one that way, we would have been tired of it.
Cool humor you have !!! It's almost worse than the "American Home Videos" humor ! PS : not bad meant ! :- ) I am soooo sorry about what had happened to Mary Kate !!! It's almost so I won't see the South Park movie because of her death !. . :- ( And it's so that I almost won't play Larry 6 or 7 anymore eighter !! ( Larry 7 has dissappeared, so I CAN'T play it anyway !. . Too bad !!! ) Even though you are a good musican and have a band to waste time with and your family too think about, you should get back too the game industry. . . NOW !!! That's the place WE want to see you do a comeback !. . :- ) If any gamecharacter ( Larry ) have too "die", let us take a well-deserved "goodbye" with him ! Don't just let us see the person dissappear with a sucking ufo !!.
Well. . . Byebye, for now Al !. . Write me a e-mail if you have nothing better to do ( or plan a Larry 8 ) ? :- ) I come from Norway so therefore I'm not THAT good in english ! Pleace don't tease me for writing wrong. . .
Love,
runar
I love the LSL series! I originally played LSL in the Land of the Lounge Lizards about 10 years ago. I just recently purchased the LSL collection. LSL Love for Sail is fabulous. I find it incredible to believe that Sierra would even consider not doing LSL8. Is there anything I can do to convince Sierra to continue the LSL series?
Thanks for reading this and thanks for a lot of great hours on the computer!
Sincerely,
Bill Pong
I'm rather dismayed at the scraping of the LSL8 project. Not to say pretty peeved too as I waited intently for such a long time only to know results as such. The sixty bucks in my drawer still remains, and there it will stay till the revival of larry. I'm never gonna buy another sierra game and I'm gonna pelt them with threat mail till their server breaksdown.
al lowe you dont have to take it from those upsnoots in sierra. Why don't you strike it out on your own?I'll bet 80% of sierra fans are your fans.
with regards
The lad waiting to spend 60bucks
PS: The way everyone is rallying, I'm half if not completely sure that there will indeed be a LSL8 eventually.
You have blessed me with hours of enjoyment playing your addictive games (has Reverse Biaz been putting sumbliminal messages in the theme song?) Therefore as a loyal fan I feel it is my duty to write to Sierra demanding that you be allowed to produce LSL8. I was wondering if you could give my an e-mail address where I could contact Sierra? Larry shall never die he shall live on in all our hearts (and zippers!) Thanks for the years of enjoyment.
Chris Ehrhardt
Liesure Suit Larry Addict
P. S. do you know of any places that a guy can find a snazzy new liesure suit for sale?
I have been a fan of the Larry games for a few years now. I have all of your Larry game, as well as Torin Passage. I have been wondering a few things though. I know that in 1996-1997, Sierra allowed for the release of books based off King's Quest to be released, and that they also allowed Jane Jensen to publish the stories of Gabriel Knight. Do you think they would allow you to do something like that with Leisure Suit Larry. It may sound silly, but some of the Larry games sound almost like a humorous story if you phrase it right.
There is only one other thing I've been wondering, and it is mainly, when you put Larry on a game show in some of the Larry Games, was this at all based of a real life event for you. I remember once a few years ago, I can't remember what channel, but they air a rerun of the $100, 000 Name that Tune, and I could have sworn that you were on it, and mentioned by name. I was just wondering if this was the basis for some of the Larry on Game Show bits in the games.
I hope to hear from you.
Richard
I just wanted to thank you for all the great joy you gave me those years that you were working for Sierra. I have been scouring the net looking for ways to email the past employees of Oakhurst and let them know how much I appreciate their hard work and dedication. I havent had a whole lot of luck but I did manage to find your site and wanted to say thanks. Thanks for Larry and Freddy. Thanks for Torin and Boogle. Thanks for making me laugh and inspiring me. My goal is to someday be able to start my own game company and produce great adventure games like Sierra once did. I want to introduce a new generation of people to the magic of adventure games. Of course first I must finish high school (I'm a senior), go to college, and all that kind of stuff but it is a dream I will always have thanks to you guys. I also want to say that I love your website and hope you never take it down as it keeps me laughing and remembering the great times that will always be. I feel like you, Roberta, Ken, and all the rest of the Sierra team are my friends even though we have never spoken. I wish you the best for now and for the future. Take care friend.
From a true Leisure Suit Lover and Frontier Pharmacist Fan,
Joshua Janoski
Damn it damn it why Sierra can"t do it? Why why why this suffering, Larry is my brother, I have passed all the Larry games and now it ends? Noooo. . .
Well to the questions. . .
I can"t understand how do you have such an imagination? It inspires me! First time I played Larry when I was 10, and then it was really cool, and now I"m 13 and its still really cool to play. Oh by the way Please, if you could add to your site, when you play the larry 7 theme song with saxofon, alone! It sounds so cool, but I got waw where I can hear it only for few seconds. . . So if you could add it to your site Al Lowe.
I can"t understand how did you manage to do such cool games? Sometimes when I come from somewhere, and it"s late mayby 11. 00 p. m. And I start to play larry, it gets me to magical feeling. Its undiscribable, but Its like I"m larry, and adventuring in paradise. . .
Question: What are you going to do about larry 8 ?
Well I think thats it for this time, please if you could take some minutes from your valuable time, and send me a answer e-mail? Please I wish to you Al Lowe More wild imagination for larry games.
Your big fan
Alex
I am a dedicated Leisure Suit Larry fan. Ever since I played the first one at my grandpa's house when I was like 10 years old trying to sneak in and play it. I just recently bought the ultimate pleasure pack because I couldnt find it anywhere. but LSL is the best and I wish you would make another one. give me any information if you do. You are really cool and funny. bye
Daniel Fletcher
Hello, my name is ricardo and I'm from portugal. It's really a petty that sierra decided to stop the development of larry, with that attitude sierra only showed us that despite the fact that they can create fantastic games they can tthrow them away as easily. But is it possible for other company to acquire larrys rights?? would sierra sold them? I want you to know that like me there are thousands of people, not only here in portugal , but in other countries as well that are backing you up and praying for larry to return. Who knows, maybe he as to go to space to get laid. Best regards and luck for you and for larry.
Ricardo Carioca
After Love for Sail, I have waited impatiently for Larry 8. Even though I like all sorts of games, LSL is the best computer game I've ever played.
I just found out about Sierra's rejection and I'm very disapointed. What is the reason THEY give for not producing it? Did you have a fight with them? They'll surely make millions as so many people is asking for No. 8 What if we (the fans) bombarded Sierra with letters asking for Larry 8?
How about you producing a similar game with another company?
I hope to hear from you Al and. . . good luck!
Leonardo
Mexico City
Many months ago I participated in the e-mail save Leisure Suit Larry series at Sierra.
I really didn't believe that my e-mail would help save the fate of you and Larry but I figured I should at least try to get through to the Bill Gates wannabees oops I mean Sierra. Well obviously I was right and Sierra ignored the people who made them.
After a few days went by I got a "Thank You" e-mail from you. I was honoured that my e-mail was acknowledge by you. What Happened next surprised the beejbees out of me. I got a personal e-mail from the Great Al Lowe the creator of the famous Leisure Suit Larry. I was honoured and told nearly every person I know that I made you laugh from my e-mail. By the way I am not a stalker. I am not sure if you would remember my e-mail, It contained the story about my wife being pregnant and if it was a girl we were going to name her Sierra Maris Dafoe. I went on to threaten Sierra (the company) that if you and Larry were not re-hired I was going to name her Electronic Arts Dafoe and boycott their products. Remember I am a sane non-stalker. Well what I said has stood up my daughter is named Electronic Arts Dafoe and I have bought every possible Sierra title ever released, Yea right. Fortunately I had a son Austin McGuire Dafoe but I still haven't bought a Sierra product. I still have not crossed that line on becoming a stalker either. Well you are probably wondering what the hell I want so here are a few questions regarding the lovable guy in the white jump suit.
1. Is there any chance you could purchase or obtain the legal rights to Larry and other products you have worked on in the past with sierra?
2. Would you be willing to continue the Larry series if you could?
3. Are you open to story lines for possible Larry games?
4. What colour are your silk underwear?
5. Is it possible for you to send a video clip of you saying hi to me?
6. Why did you delete this e-mail before you were finished?
Well if you still are reading this I am Not a stalker. . I mean I am glad good friend. I will try to explain some of the questions I asked you. Question 1 because I would like to see you make the money off your guy instead of them. I was disappointed at the $40 everything pack (seeing I bought every game individually)(did Sierra forget they did the same thing with Larry 1-5 and misc?). The reason I ask is I have an idea that may push the Larry series into the new mainstream audience. I guess that answers 2 and 3. Questions 4, well. . . ;-) (not a stalker). The 5th question is to verify that I am talking to you. Although I wouldn't care if some one gives you my ideas and takes credit for them as long as Larry continues to cut a rug. The 6th questions doesn't matter if this has become cyber-trash.
I truly believe that my idea is a solid one that could open up many possibilities for the Larry series. I hope you take my plea and begging seriously. (isn't that a stalker word?)
Please let me know if you are interested
Yours truly
Brian "Albinowolf" Dafoe
I am a great Leisure Suit Larry fan and I hate it that Leisure Suit Larry 8 is cancelled. Why can't Sierra think normal? Why can't they understand they are they breaking the hearts of so many Leisure Suit Larry fans. All the fun of the coming Leisure Suit Larry 8, bam, gone. It's a sad, sad, very sad day, Black Monday. I don't understand it. Why can't Sierra ask every LSL fan to give a few dollars, and if they do there maybe could be a LSL 8. It could give Sierra 10 million dollars if all LSL fan would give 10 dollar. That isn't much and I think there are over a million LSL fans. But no, is staff of Finance's amigination level so low that they can't think of a solution that 1 person thinks of?
Please Sierra, don't let Larry Laffer die.
Timothy Langstraat
the Netherlands
I have just taken my King's Quest Collection CD's out of their boxes and plan on going through all of them again, as I have done and will continue to do with both that and the Larry series. In one of those AVI's on the first CD, there you were! Don't quite remember what you said ofcourse. Upon listening to all Roberta and Ken said, I wonder what's left of those intentions five years later? And, all those people who were on those AVI's, were they all sacked together or are some of them still working there? Just some ponderings of mine, I don't suppose you know the answers to those questions and I don't plan to ask them to the new management either because I don't want to talk to them anymore. I have filed my complaint about Black Monday and that's all I want to have to do with them. Since I found out about Black Monday, I am boycotting every product they bring out, even compilation CD's. It probably won't hurt them but once I have my mind set on something, I intend to follow it through to the end.
I figured as much that none of the people on those Avi's were still there. I don't know the names of everyone who was on those files. Not all of them were subtitled with their names and I don't know EVERYONE who worked at Sierra :-).
I totally agree with you that Sierra (or is it Havas or something) has gone through a complete change. They used to make games I really liked and would buy the second they came out, even if the price would eventually come down a little. Not, as I said, because of those changes, I have made a vow to myself to never buy any game from them in the future, because I just KNOW I won't like them. And that's OFCOURSE because those people, and you, left or were laid off. And I think a lot of former Sierra fans totally agree with you too.
Bob
Just wanted to congratulate you for the Larry games you have invented. GENIUS. . . Pure Genius.
As soon as I got introduced to the game I have gone out and bought just about every copy, 1, 2, 3 and 5 I have finally bought the Leisure Suit Larry Ultimate Pleasure Pack. Now I have the full version. . .
I was just wondering whether you have a book with all the answers. . . . . . An Answer Book for each of the games to guide me through to get the points needed, plus, it would be good to run through the game. . . . I have tried to look for one but with no success.
I am in Australia - Brisbane and it seems that you can only buy the book in America. (I think) so I was wondering if I can get a copy of the answer book. (if that book ever exists - shrugs!!!) maybe you have not done one yet? I am not sure. If you do have one, could I please have a copy of it sent to me. I will pay if there is a price. . . . . just advise me
I am a fan of this game and have played only the first two but need a few hints. If there is a place in australia where I can purchase this, it would be grateful if you would let me know.
Many thanks
Roger
I'm Nelson from Amadora, Portugal. . . I'm 20 years old and I want to thank you the best gaming childhood a boy can have!!!
To start I'm going to do just that: THANKS!!!
As you might know by now, my favourite type of gaming genre is the adventure one, and my favourite "brand" is, or might I say was, Sierra. . . For you to know I have every single game in the Larry Series, Space Quest Series, King's Quest Series, Quest for Glory Series, Phantasmagoria Series, Gabriel Knight Series, and some other sierra games. . .
But what I'm trying to say is that all of you, specially you, the guys of Space Quest, the guys of King's Quest and the guys of Quest for Glory gave me the best times of my life (playing a game of course. . . eheheheh).
I can't express by writing what I feel when I play a game of yours, it's a feeling I don't get with anything else in my life, but I hope you get the picture because I'm sure you feel the exact same thing I do when you play/make a Larry game. . .
I'm really pissed off with Sierra for killing all the above mentioned series, because besides taking off my pleasure in buying a game, they now produce games that don't thrill me 1/1000000 as much as you and the others did. . . What can I do. . . I'm just a portuguese guy with a broken heart and a slashed soul that can do absolutely nothing but to thank you and the others for my past pleasure. . .
What I want to ask you is to answer my email, I know everybody must ask the same thing and you probably have zillions of emails to read, but please send me an email answering this one ok?
One of the things I wished the most was to visit the place where you and all the others made the series I so much love, and specially I would like to meet you in person, but I know that you must be a very busy man, and you probably don't feel like meeting me, and besides, it's a long journey. . . :)
Well, maybe this Christmas I will ask Santa to lend me his raindeers so I can go and meet you personally. . .
You know, in my house I only have original games of the series I mentioned above and some few other games of my 2nd favourite brand: Lucasarts. . . from them I have the Monkey Island Collection, Sam and Max Hit the Road, Loom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the Fate of Atlantis, The Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle, The Dig and a bit more recent Grim Fandango. . . all of them are excellent too, and the only games I buy or bought were the ones I mentioned from Sierra and Lucasarts, and as you may see, they are all adventure games, so you can see the importance of the genre in my life. . . and I may say that I don't want the genre to die!!!
Well, I won't take more of your time, so once again: THANKS AL LOWE!!!
Thoughtfully
Nelson Miguel
OH MY GOD ! I am choking on some candy while I am reading this . . . CANCEL Leisure Suit Larry : lust in space ? it cannot be true ? sorry for being upset , but while growing up ( actually I am still kinda growing up since I am 23 ) I have played ALL the Leisure Suit Larry games from start to finish . . . some more than once. I have followed larry's adventures and as soon as a new larry got out I went and bought it. always appreciating the incredibly good humor and playability that these games have. and when I heard of larry 8 I was more than happy to say the least. u can't just cancel larry forever ? larry is a part of my childhood , and brings back many memories for me . . . cancelling larry is like blowing up the world or worse . . . I cannot believe what I am reading. will I never lay eyes on passionate patti again or any of the other girls through the series that I have encountered ? well , the guys at sierra just HAVE TO continue doing larry games or I will stop buying their games in protest . . . I mean larry IS sierra . . . what on earth are they thinking ? I woul'd like to see larry 9 and 10 and more . . . for the love of GOD and all that is holy . . . DO SOMETHING ! don't let them kill larry please ? . . . and if it helps . . . send this letter to the person in charge . . . I want to talk to that man or woman personally . . . I wish I coul'd work on the larry games myself . . . well , thats it for now I guess . . . and by the way . . . are leisure suits out of fashion ?
How could anyone kill Larry! Or even just tie him up(heh-heh). I think Larry may have suffered the same fate as past silent movie stars. I intend to whine my ass off to those Sierra Larry killers. Good luck in all you do Al. Your great games have(and still) bring me great laughs. I have played them all, my favorites being the Larry series. Maybe you can do a Pin Striped Suit Lenny series. That'll teach em! Good Luck!
James Bollino
Hi, Al! I'm a girl and I find Larry so tender, I did enjoy Larry Love for Sail as the most funny and nice adventure I have ever played! I'm WAITING day by day since the end of that fun with Larry 7 the 8th episode. I CAN'T BELIEVE Sierra is so. . . . stupid to kill or stop a game with Larry. Is it possible that they consider the love of fans and change their strange minds? I hopo so. I know about a petition. Can you know the Web site to write to HAVE new and new Larry not only the 8? Thank you,
An Italian fan,
Anna
hello . . . I just received an email from Paul Walker . . . and he said that Larry is dead. . . for good. . I can't tell you how how. . . . I can't find the words. . . Well it may sound a little to desperate but I really wanted another Larry adventure. . . but that's life. . . still if there is another chance pleas let me know. . . thank you very much
Daniel, a big big fan
I've been a big fan of Leisure Suit Larry, and have played them all except number 7 (Maybe I'll go buy it tonight). I was very disappointed to here that Larry 8 has been canceled by Sierra, and am wondering if you'd considered going to another company or did you have a sign that right away in your contract. It's obvious that you couldn't call the game or it's character Larry, but Larry isn't what made the game fun. It was the whole character. Maybe there is someone who would be interested in making a not-quite-leisure-suit-larry. And with newer faster modems and more common high speed access you may even be able to resurect the idea of Larry 4. Hope the character doesnt die forever, even if he has to change his wardrobe and name.
Greg Gilbert
What can we fans do to try to cause Sierra to open their closed minds and revive Larry? Would mailings, protests or creative malicious acts help? Most of the people I know would be glad to assist in or commit such things to revive Larry Laffer.
Sir Brian Eric Porter
I recently found your personal site. I read through the site in disgust to see what Sierra is doing to Larry, but as I turned to the Larry section a smile came across my face, I learned that your not another "I make games for the money" guys. . . you actually enjoy making people happy. By providing us your humour through Larry (the real person behind most man), you have created a sort of cult. . . people worship you and your games. . . every were I go if adventure games are mentioned you and your sidekick (larry) are mentioned. Well im rambling now :) I just want to thank you for years of joy. Your article about getting Your first autograph brought a tear down my cheek. If the world were made of Al Lowe's. . . this would be a much enjoyable place to be. On another note, I was reading your Larry 4; The Online Adventure Game, and the story behind it never being made and how you think its impossible to do. Well I have come up with an idea. . . im sure you must get heaps of letters with people saying "I have an idea" but im not saying you must use it :) I would just like you to read it and if possible reply. Well my idea is that why not have it as a "Who Done It Adventure". For example The daugher of a Very Imprtant Individual (Mob Boss or something), has become pregnant. . . In his outrage he sends out people to find the father and brought before him. . . The characters could be Larry, Patti, Lefty etc etc. . . each player is given a task to do in the same arena (a huge city, resort (La Costa Lotta) etc. . . perhaps), trades with other players would have to be done ;), so you see my point. Please write back and tell me your thoughts about it.
Yours Faithfully
Ivan Amaro
Sydney, Australia
Dear Mr. Lowe,
Let me begin buy saying that your Leasure Suit Larry games are preverted and juvinile. Never have I seen such a out right display of demorilized and exploitively debacheristic behavior depicted in, of all things, the cartoon medium. If ever we were to meet face to face on the street the only word I would have to say to is. . . . .
THANKS!
Hi Al, sorry about the big fake out, but I guess you have gotten your share of whinney bitchy responses before from people with nothing better to do (and no brains to do it with). Thanks again for providing some humor into the world. A world where kids flipping out and going on shooting sprees are a day to day concern. I think if the world would loosen it's "morality belt" a bit, quit being so damn PC about eveything, and learn to laugh a little we wight all be better off. Hats off to you Al.
On a second note, are you aware of any three dimentional representations of "Larry", figurines or models, that kind of thing? I'm an artist by trade, and I thought about sculpting a small figure of Larry for myself, and portfolio. I know that Sierra owns the rights to Larry, but who created his look? He's changed over the years, but his most recent incarnation is what I'm interested in. Was there ever a set of control art for Larry, that the animators would have used? If so who would have control of those copies? It's just a thought in the back of my head. Just something I thought would be a good example of a animated character, but not so run of the mill. Something people could look at and say, "oh, cool it's Larry".
Thanks again and let me know what you think,
Darrell
Only now. . I have seen the post on pyur site that larry is gone :( man, I can't belive it. . Larry I was my first PC game. . and today. . (my friend owns a copy of LSL7) We just set and finished it again. . I want Larry 8. . not just a stupid half life :(((( .
Larry brought me such a good mood. . I can't even tell you it in words. . I have almost cried when I have seen larry is gone. . If you could buy the rights from sierra. . + the LSL8 source code and continue developing it. . I would be so happy man. . if only I had a money - I would support you all the way. I dont know what to say - sierra really pissed me off for calnceling LSL8 and firing you. . :(
larry is the most humoristic character I had ever the plasure to play with, - I'm in a belive. . that another larry game will come one day. . and this day will come soon :(
Is any chance that Larry will live again in on eof the days? And why not to buy the LSL name and LSL8 Source code from sierra and start a new company? that woul'd be brilliant, I'm sure, that many fans, can help you in financial purposes. . money. . support etc etc etc. . or. . another idea, you can start a new game with a CLONE main character to larry - like Larry! :) would be really awesome. .
"If you don't enjoy it, keep your big mouth shut!" -Well said.
I'm in a big doubt that anyone had to keep his mouth shut because, in 1997's evenings me and other 2 friends met and broke our head with finishing Larry I at my place, then to my friend, finishing Larry 7.
May Larry's memory always be with us - 1 day he even may wake up from the never ending dream to the new life on uranus!
WBR,
A Larry series fan.
Al. . . Leisure Suit Larry must not die! We must save him! Forget SIERRA!
Your my hero man I played Larry since I was 3 and when my dad gave me my 1st XT my 1st computer and a helluva good one hehe LUXURY to the max at the time!
I miss your twisted humor and the "goodol" Sierra and now your gone :( LSL8 is dead :( and Space Quest 7 is never gonna happen Sierra has basically abandoned the whole "Adventure Game" concept and Robert and Ken seem not to be doing anything about it :( all of this is really depressing. . . .
if you and the Guys from Andomedia and all the other great game makers from Sierra could make a comeback and return Sierra to its former gloy "what would it cost" all Sierra has made lately is a couple of Stratagy and Sports games and Jacks I miss the old Sierra the one that revolved around Adventure Games now everything is 2nd rate and there is "no" adventure games COME BACK COME BACK COME BACK!
sorry I don't right letters worth flip hehe
if you have and ICQ # perhaps we can talk talk sometime ;) hehe *sigh* this is all so depressing sorry to whine I guess I'm just to stuck in the past. . .
Adam J. Watkins
Hey Al, just discovered your site. Nice to know the real reason for no Larry 4. Did your dog ever pass those floppies? So what exactly was the reason for getting rid of you? You seem nice enough. A smart ass and a perv for sure, but you seem nice enough. I really wanted a Larry 8 too. Not to mention that I looked forward to another Freddie Pharkas.
Well, I have almost all of the Larry games except for the the recent version of Larry's casino games. I've only finished the VGA version of Larry 1, Larry 5, and Larry 6 though. Navigating via parser sucks, so I've held off Larry 2 and 3. I just bought LSL7 and am currently working through it. Did you set it up where Larry can die like in all the other Larry games, or did you take the LucasArts route and make it to where you just have to explore? Just curious.
Well, good luck on corrupting the youth of America even moreso than you already have. It worked on me. Yes, I'm old enough to legally buy these titles, so don't let that rot on your non-existent conscience. I laughed at stuff on your site, so I fullfilled my requirement there. Hope you do well with your book. Later
Twitmare
Man, I've been playin Leisure suit larry games ever since I've been 5 years old and now I've collected and completed them all. And finding out that Leisure Suit Larry 8 has been cancelled really pisses me right off. You should tell those idiots at Sierra to get their heads out of their our asses and start making Leisure Suit Larry 8. Who cares if it has porn in it. My parents love it, and I love while I'm only 14.
Al even if it Larry doesn't continue, I would just like to say that Leisure Suit Larry is the best phenominon (in games) I have ever played. Thanks heeps for the experience
-Cody Savage
P. S. Congraulations to everybody who has ever helped out in making a Leisure Suit Larry game for making such a great trilogy of games!!! -see ya!!!
My man named Ian put me on to this game about a guy in a bright white suit. The game's interface was, get this, typing! Now, I'm sitting at home with my C64 (don't laugh) (okay, laugh), while all my friends were blasting away at these senseless Nintendo/Sega 8-bit pieces of crap. "You always have to wait for your games to load. " – said my friends, 1995. Now everybody's got a desktop. That Christmas, I pulled $500 together (and hit my family up for the rest) and bought those new 286's. All because I couldn't play this game about a guy in a white suit.
Several years later (and out of the loop), I embark on a mission to replace all my old copies (and get those that murdered my last computer) of popular Sierra games and throw them all on my AMD 650 speed computer (and my 386 which I kept for just such purposes). I (have receipts) got the SWAT collection and of course. . . LEISURE SUIT LARRY ULTIMATE COLLECTION
Al, I know I've probably bored the crap out of you but I tend to ramble at 2 in the morning (just finished LSL6). I just wanted to relate to you this story about a man in a white suit who got a kid interested in the ins and outs of the computer and gaming industry.
I know it's hard Al, I have the same problem with my movies, comics, etc. But all I ever want is a cult following. Fuck an award, it's all about the fans. And you're still with us. . .
. . . and I be there to help you. . .
-Zen
My name is Nathan Grell, a long time fan of your Leisure Suit Larry series. I've always thought my first larry experience was kind of interesting, so I want to tell you about it.
I was 13 years old when I used all of my paper route money to buy my first computer. I bought it used, so it came with lots of software that the previous owner had purchased and sold with the computer. The first night I used the computer, I went though all the games, and came across this one disk that said: Leisure Suit Larry in "The Land of the Lounge Lizards". I thought to myself, what in the world? So I put the disk in the computer, fired it up, and watched the opening screen for a few seconds.
My mom had just happened to walk in as Larry was running after the inflatable doll.
She said, what are you laughing at? and then came to see for herself. Her first words were God, why is that dork wearing a leisure suit??? Who comes up with this stuff??? Then, the game asked for the questions to be answered. Mom agreed to help me answer them so she could see what this was all about too. So, she did and I got in. I must've only been playing for 5 minutes, and already my mom and I were laughing our heads off at the nerdyness of this Larry guy.
When my dad came home, he checked it out and laughed so many times I couldn't keep count. He especially liked that part where the girl ties larry up and takes his money and runs.
Then, my 19 year old brother found out about the game, and thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. Every weekend for the next 2 months my brother and I would play Leisure Suit larry every chance we got until one day we finally beat the game. And that was my very first experience with Leisure Suit Larry.
Today, I'm 18 years old and I have played and own every larry game. (except for larry 4 of course, ) As you can see, Larry quickly became my favorite computer game character over these past 5 years. Don't worry about me playing larry at age 13, he hasn't corrupted me. I get B's in school, and I've never been arrested, so Larry certainly hasn't had a negative impact on my life! (Although I may have a computer addiction. . . ) By the way, I hope sierra let's you do a larry 8, because I need a fix!!!
I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Lowe, for making a game that the whole family can enjoy! I don't know where I would be today if it wasn't for larry teaching me about such great things as: the password "Ken Sent Me", how to order a drink at a pool, and the best lesson of all. . . . . How to sweet talk a lady!!!
Thanks for the best 5 years of my life Mr. Lowe!!!
Sincerely,
Nathan Grell
Hey Al, if you sent that huge page of fan mail you've been collecting to Sierra, concidering that they're now money-grubbing fools, they might change their minds about the future of our good pal Leisure Suit Larry. Most of those letters say that if you produced another Larry game, it would probably be one of the best selling Larry games yet. For the life of me, I can't find a reason why they wouldn't want to make another game once they've read those letters.
Jeff Green
Sound Beach, NY
Larry was one of my favorite games of all time. I completed 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. I hate to see it come to a stop. You should write a bootleg Larry game like Meisure Suit Gary or something and start it all over again.
A Fan
I was really bummed when I stumbled across your site a cpouple of weeks ago and found out there would be no more Leisure Suit Larry to brighten my hard drive. I really loved Love for Sail and was looking forward to #8, but alas, Sierra dashed my hopes thanks to black monday. but we all must go on with our lives. Which leads me to my next question, after the book, are you involved in any other games right now? Are you still employed by Sierra? Why does the toast land butter side down when you drop it? I am glad to see you still hanging in there. Keep up the site, I like it. Sincerely,
Daniel Stoltz
Al, my name is David and my sister and I are big fans of yours. my sister has bought about 5 copy's of Larry's complete set in Larry's greatest hits and misses we read your book an was wondering if sierra wont make any more LSL games (my sister tell me if they want to make a another LSL type game to buy the greatest hits and misses. by sierra)
I think that it would be a shame not to have any more Larry and was wondering why don't you run with your first idea leisure suit jerry. With your name and your background I know any company would take you on there team. blizzard or interplay edios. Just to name a few. and what ever happen to Freddy parkas?? that was a great game (except the names of the cem. are similar and the key bottle opener was a tuffy. I tried to use the store key and gave up on keys (and finding the key in the dresser drawer ) you would be glad to know that Larry's casino is going stronger than ever many people there and Larry is still making people smile
I will never again buy another Sierra product because they canned my poor Larry. I grew up sneaking on my dad's computer playing these games. I will e-mail Sierra every damn day until they bring back my Larry. The biggest Al Lowe fan,
Christina
I'm sure you probably know that it's not only men who enjoy Leisure Suit Larry. I first played Larry 3 when I was 12 (yeah, I know, that probably warped me) and it remains to this day one of my favorite games ever released by Sierra. I'll still go back and re-play it. I also think it's cool that you took the time to make this site. I visit every once in awhile, and I never leave without laughing.
There was a time in my life when I wanted to get into computer programming so I could work for Sierra. I've been playing their games since I was four, starting with King's Quest 1. During the time that I wanted to get into this business, I kept a quote of yours up on my wall that I had cut out of an old InterAction magazine. It said, "Don't study software. Don't learn anything about computers. Never take a course in programming and spend your time playing music in bars. . . "
Made me laugh every time I saw it. I love your games and all those oldies Sierra used to make. I think it's a shame that it's mostly all gone arcade now. Incidentally, after playing all the LSLs, I feel like I know Roger Hardy Jr. He's all over the place. It got to the point where I'd recognize him in each game.
Thanx for making me laugh. . .
Katie
P. S. Long before I ever played Larry, I worked hard to conquer The Black Cauldron!
Have wrote to you before regarding the death of Larry. You replied(it's an honour) and said that Sierra own the rights of Larry. How could that be??? I mean, you are the creator and designer of the game! Also heard that Sierra has dropped the plans of Space Quest 7 and also fired Ken&Roberta Williams, meaning that that was the final death stroke of all adventure game. Sierra, which once were the best gamecompany ever, have now abanded intelligent games to do violent shooters. . .
It's really tragic, now that Sierra is dead(spiritual), the only gamecompany left still willing to create adventuregames is Lucasarts. Sorry my dreaming here but wouldn't it be an idea to start working for them and release Larry(and other games) there? Don't that Sierra could hold on this rights of Larry if it would come to a serious matter.
Well, perhaps it's only me being nostalgic, remembering the good old times(Larry, King's Quest, Space Quest, Police Quest. . . )but it just can't end this way!
Why not convincing Sierra to create a sistercompany(maybe named Sierra Adventure or something like that) and then take back the original logo. Sounds naive, but what would they have against it? It's not like the 5 millions that bought Larry is dead today(hopefully)!
As you can see, I'm a big fan of the "point and click" adventure game and would really like to watch a rebirth of it. These shooters today is just to much. . . there must be place for adventure as well!
Hope you had the strenght to read my desperations!
With devotion,
Henrik Johansson
hey whats up buddy, . . . . . . just wanted to thank you for all the laughs that your gmaes brought me. . . . when I first started playin them. . I was probably around the age of 10 . . . . shit. . amybe 13. . . who knows. . . . but. . . . these games along with the space quest series. . . . . actually brought me an my father together. . . . we never got along. . . but found something in common along side the humor of these series. . . . . . I think its unfortunate that both of these wonderfully humored series have died. . . an companies like sierra have jumped the first person game bandwagon. . . . . half life. . great game. . . . but. . where the humor. . . . I really think you sould one day go to sierra with some of these letters. . . an show them that these two games are still profittable. . . . even more so now cause they are unchallenged. . . . . no other companies are makin adventures anymore. . . . bring us back these two great series al. . . . an reunite families all around the world. . !!!. . . . or. . . make us laugh an show us some more boobies =p. . . . . lol. . . jus kiddin man. . . . hope you still want to make us some games. . . . .
Bill, a die hard fan
Hey! Al, I love your work! I play your games over and over. And it would mean so much to me if I could have your autograph. Like, if you had a picture of yourself on your computer or something, if you could sign it to brendan, it would mean so much to me. But if you can't get it, it's alright. But if you can just send it to me online. Thanks so much for your time and your great game! Take it easy.
Brendan
Hey Al. (Having played each and every one of your games, especially the brilliant Leisure Suit Larry Series, at least 100 times each, I feel as if I know you on a first name basis) My name's Louis. I've been a fan of your brilliant games ever since my older brother woke me up out of ben when I was 10 to show me a hilarious new game which he had just bought: Leisure Suit Larry 3. Although I was intrigued by the pixelized nudity and foul language, what really made me fall in love with your series was the incredible amount of fun that I experienced just by advancing through your (sometimes) subtle jokes and all-out outrageous sense of humor. Leisure Suit Larry 3 remains the greatest game I have ever played in the history of my more than 6 years of adventure game playing.
Your genius inspired me to buy each and every Sierra adventure game that I could find. I searched out and bought Larry #s 1, 2, and was the first person at egghead when 5 came out. I nearly went postal looking for 4. I now own every piece of software which you had a hand in, but nothing I have ever played or ever will play will ever match my unbridled enjoyment of your Leisure Suit Larry series. Your games have made me a life-long fun of computer games, enticing me to spend hundreds on them, while teaching me to live without food for weeks. Thanks.
I was just perusing your gut-busting hilarious website, when I noticed a little hyperlink with the title: "Is Larry Dead?"
I managed to fend off a heart attack long enough to read the article you wrote.
What followed was the saddest thing I have ever read.
I find it unbelievable that Sierra could follow the course of action it took. I see it as Microsoft firing Bill Gates. . . . it's appalling. Especially at the hand of Ken Williams. . . I just could not believe it. After playing Love for Sail, I was really looking forward to the next one, but I guess my dream will never be reality.
Al, you are without a single doubt, the greatest, most brilliant game architect ever to grace the screen with your vision. And I just count myself lucky that I am alive during a time where these games are available to me. You are a pioneer of your genre, Al. I consider myself a better man for playing your games, and I seem to be getting laid more as well. I hope you read this letter, as I am sure that you don't get enough fan mail letting you know just how great you truly are. It's been a pleasure writing this.
Louis. Louis Kosnett. Hee heh.
P. S. : My roomate's a high-priced lawyer who also happens to be a fan of your games. . . . . if you got any issues with Sierra. . . . . who knows?
Hi I'm Cristian , I'm from Argentina. I have all Leisure Suit Larry games and all of them are the bests games I ever played, I want to conglatulate you for all you did I´m a big fan of you, Al.
PS: sorry about my bad English
Let me start off first by saying that I've been an LSL fan since LSL1/EGA was the hottest thing on the market. . :) I've played all your games, and I'm waiting for MORE!!! I need more Al. . Where is LSL8 "Larry Explores Uranus" ???
What about all us Larry Addicts? Once we've found all the cheat codes, Easter Eggs, and hum the "Dumm dum dum dum da da dum dum da dum da da dum. . " (You know what I mean, you wrote it. ) while doing the dishes, and cyber-sexed with everyone in the Larry's Casino Online. (Even found the cheats in THAT. ) What more do we have, but the coming of LSL8!!
BTW, I'm also a woman. . . Very cute if I do say so myself. So, when I say I need more, GIVE IT TO ME AL!! wink (thought you'd appreciate that one. ) LOL
You probably won't see this, but your PR people should get a laugh out of it. Take it Easy,
Kristina MacKinnon
Hey Al. Just wanted to let you know that I am a die hard Larry fan. I can remember playing the first Larry game at my dad's old job. This was about 10 years ago. Ever since than I have waited for you to release another Larry title. What's the deal? Is there any hope for a guy like me to look forward to another hilarious journey with Larry? We need more of Larry in our lives. Help me out a little bit here. Hope to here good news.
I am a big fan of almost every Sierra ADVENTURE game that has been made. I've got Larry 1-7, Softporn, KQ 1-7, SQ 1, 2, 4, 6, and PQ 1. I have also completed all of them. I have come up with a great plan. Why don't you send an E-mail to Sierra, telling them to visit your Fan Letter page (which has been loading for about 5 minutes and still is). I'm pretty sure that they will both re-hire you, and the others. However, please note that people don't want 3D games like KQ 8. It ruins the adventure part of the game. You can also tell them to search for the sentence "save sierra" on AltaVista. I'd say there's about 100, 000 pages.
Sincerely,
Michael Madsen
Hello I am from greece (so try to understund my english) ! I am a real fun of larry !I have finished all larry exept larry 3 ! I want to ask u if u have any projects for larry 8 ! is it any news from sierra about larry 8 ? do u have permision from sierra to start a new larry with an other software company (may be lucas arts I think they like it)! and the last. . . plz pllllz can u send me any photo from unfinished larry 8 ? (I already download the movie)! wait for reply. goodbye
Kostas Adamopoulos
hi there - great page! I was (gee) I think 8 when dad brought home a shiny new work Toshiba laptop (NOT!!) in about 1988. Loaded was Larry, which was mighty racy for an 11 year old. Unfortunately living in Australia earned us a massive 'lag time' when it cam to new release computer games, but when they came boy were they worth waiting for. A belated cheers for making those games. I dont know if you answer questions or not, but were you a fan of the whole VGA remake thing - from what I can tell they didnt sell, AND were you frustrated at not being able to (say) improve plot/dialogue aspects dramatically?? Thanks for ALOT of fun - I still replay the things. hehehe now I think about it, at 11 I didnt konw what spanish fly or prophylactics were - but I still finished the thing hehehe
regards,
matt hall,
sydney
Dear allowe u r probably getting sick of all of us larry fans writing u telling u how much we love Leisure Suit Larry and are pissed at sierra. Well, hear comes anotther one of thoughs letters. 24 friends of mine including me have sent emails requesting sierra allow u to make more larry games. We know nothing will probably come of it, but we hope maybe just maybe sierra will reconsider. Thanx for your time
Another Larry Fan
I just love good old Leisure Suit Larry & all his games, all the jokes, the humor, for political incorrectness, boy thoses where the days, I only wished Sierra didn't stop development of LSL8. Any way, thanks for that little sex crazed, polyester wearing romeo :-)
Chris Jennings (an Australia Larry Fan)
I was just wondering. . . . . . Have you tried to pitch Larry to any other software companies? I can't imagine that Larry's pissed off that many people. Why don't you try EA? They did that shameless ripoff of Larry a couple years back (You know, that Les Manley crap). Maybe they would be interested in the real thing. Or you could try Origin, who knows? Larry must not die! The guy's such a loser, they probably wouldn't even bother to bury him. Also Al, are there any Larry secrets which you could send me, like a preview of what Larry 8 woulda been? Make my day amigo.
Louis Kosnett
You are one of the best game designers out there. I have every Larry game. I also have Freddy Pharkas:Frontier Pharmacist. I was wondering. Have you worked on any other games? What is the future of Freddy Pharkas. that game was really immersive and I found myself hungry for the sequel. What are your plans for this? Thanks for making such great games. Sincerely,
Josh
hello I plan to make a site and vote for larry 8 if we have many votes may be sierra like it and give the signal for the new larry adventure !write me plz if u have any news. . . any day. . . any year. . . (better at this life) I sing up for the dayly joke ! Bye
Hi Al. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your work. I have everything with Larry's name on it, Freddy Pharkas, and Torin's Passage. Just wondering if there was anywhere that I could write in order to tell Sierra that people are still interested in Larry, and would love to see 8 completed. You are a true genius of comedy, and your ideas should be shared with the world. Thanks,
Len Pizzillo
First and foremost: what happened? Of course I've grieved over the stories of "Black Monday" and the end of Sierra's heritage, but for the life of me can't figure out what happened or why? Did Ken and Roberta lose control?? I can't find anything about them on Sierra's website today, or much of anything about the internals of what happened.
Whatever the cause, the death of Sierra and most importantly all those incredible series of Adventure games creates a void forever yearning to be filled. To this day, I have my trusty-rusty old '386 and Tandy 1000 in the corner, with my beloved bankers' box of all my old games ready to entertain. It's unbelievable. . . I must have played Larry 3 twenty times, and each time I find some new little nugget hidden somewhere or re-read some joke that makes me hit the floor. People talk about the re-playability issue of adventure games, but with the classics that was never a problem.
I have a theory on why these classics began to decline, however. . at least it's why I started to lose interest in the newer games (although they were always enjoyable) : the icon interface. After 5+ years of having the remake of Hero's Quest 1 ("Quest for Glory" my ass!) on my 386 I finally played it today. No Comparison—where's my EGA 286? The VGA version just doesn't hold a candle. Now I've played just about every Sierra game made between '84 and '96, parser games, VGA remakes, and of course the icon originals. I'm sure you've heard this countless times before, playing remakes often seems like watching colorized movies. . . close but just not right. But even the original icon-based games didn't seem quite right—they missed something. Maybe they made things too easy. Maybe too few options. But something they definitely did was take away an ability to tinker with the game. . just see what would happen. Who among us hasn't told a parser game to "go f--- yourself" only to have it respond "Same to you, buddy". And, let's face it. . . real adventure gamers prefer 16-colors and a parser interface. Just look at all the people writing games in AGI. AGI for God's sake. . . wasn't it something like 240x100? And when I first started playing in the late 80s I only had a CGA in my XT. Four whopping colors. Grotesque as it was to look it, I couldn't quit playing.
Given these facts in mind, I think there could be a solution (of course Sierra would never do it). Go back to 16-color, SCI, parser games. Let's face it, these are the ones that made history. They are what people remember. What's cool is that by today's standards they'd be so cheap to make that they'd still make money just from the small percentage of us hard-core old-schoolers dying to type "open door" until the skin is gone from our fingers.
Alas, I know that will never happen. Sigh. If Sierra ever wants to make a good game again, let me know. . . I'll be the guy in the corner playing "King's Quest III" on my Tandy 1000.
Carl Boyd
Age 24
Livermore, CA
Hello I love your site its gr8 I live in London England and im a mad larry fan I have been 4 years please help!ive got so much to tell but dont know where to start!Where can I down leisue suit larry in the land of the lounge lizards!I started plying larry in the 80s larrys gr8! but I missed the collection packs bcoz they never came out in england I got a few 56&7 I recently went in search in london but only found the casino 6&7 ive been searchin 4 years I came across 2 on the amiga but its no good 2 me bcoz I havent got an amiga!I recently done a interveiw 4 pczone and mentioned larry!he rememberd it wots goin on with 8!u havent updated your site 4 a year all your links r dead!do u know tom who owns the larry channel!Lisen unforently larrys been discontined in the uk and I cant get hold of the first games anywhere I played when I woz younger but have no idea wot happend to them I woz only a kid and couldent even get past some of the questions on 1!but I did eventully and larry did it for me!I cant get it out of head I love larry I do!help!please put a good word 4 larry at pc said ive love to c more!wots happen with number8
Neil Vasco
Loved all your games, especially Larry 6 and 7. I'm old, so I need easy and the hints books. Oh, and come next July 24th. , I wish you a Happy Birthday. Hope you will make a Larry 8.
Joan Hansen
I'm marcos ackerman I'm from caracas venezuela I'm not know verry english I'm a fan of Leisure Suit Larry this stupeds of sierra fired you and in his webpage theyhaven'tan e-mail because their desire for anyone send's e-mail's plesae find a company to make Leisure Suit Larry 8
(. . . Miscellaneous fan-praise, recollections of playing LSL day after day in middle school, thanks and accolades for a lot of great work and fun times. . . )
Anyway, the last time I remember playing a Leisure Suit Larry game was in high school. I never got to finish it because the computer I had owned at the time had a MAJOR crash. . . everything was wiped out, and it was a total loss.
Fast Forward to 2000 A. D.
I got a Stafford student loan not too long ago, one that was DEFINITELY going to go towards a computer. I have this nasty habit of cartooning, so I wanted to open up a website for my studio and see if I couldn't parlay my habits into some scratch. This goal was put on hold, however; yesterday, I journeyed to the local EB for a copy of MS Frontpage. My money most assuredly would've ended up in the considerably large pockets of Mr. Gates, if I hadn't accidently passed the game aisle. But I did. And there I saw them. . .
Leisure Suit Larry Ultimate Pleasure Pack and the Quest for Glory collection (another favorite in middle school, then I knew it as Hero's Quest)!!
So. . . I hope you and Sierra enjoy my eighty bucks!
I was glad that you included the pinball game and the Utilities also- I didn't see them on the package. Wow, how many times did I kicked out of class for passing around "Laffer" inspired paper jokes?
I had a question about the pack! There's a demo on one of the disks for a game called Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist. Is this game out yet? I haven't seen it anywhere (including your website-grr), and I really enjoyed what I saw so far! Any info?
I think that's about it. Just lemme say "Thanks for turning me into a shut-in!!" again, I look forward to seeing more of your games!
Corey
My name is Rene and I am writing to you from, hold your breath, South Africa (you know we don't even have electricity here, much less computers).
I see that you mention on your website that Sierra is not interested in Leisure Suit Larry 8. I really hope that this is not a permanent situation as all your fans are really looking forward to a new adventure. We miss not only Larry, but also the game. I am not sure how to explain it, it is just that the way the game was designed to explore and discover, and of course the fabulously interesting screens. Quite frankly I would rename him and go to another company.
You have done an amazing job in keeping thousands of people entertained. All you have to do is run a search on the internet and see just how many sites there are on Larry. In the meantime we will keep our thumbs cross.
Thanks for all the hours of fun.
René
PS: To all the Sierra bosses who think that only perverted men with one brain cell play Larry, I am of the female gender and I am currently completing my second degree!
This is just a quick e-mail to tell you there are thousands of people who want to see Leisure Suit Larry 8. We're trying as hard as we can to get them to see the error of their ways. I remember when I first played Leisure Suit Larry. . . I was 8 (er. . . I mean 18) years old, and the game made absolutely no sense whatsoever, so I went back to King's Quest and Space Quest for awhile. Once I was 15, however, I picked up a copy of Leisure Suit Larry 6, and had the time of my life beating that game. I had so much fun I immediately rushed off to find any other LSL's that I could. Even the old LSL games are still fun to me, in this age of Pentium X3000's and VooDoo 10Millions. What the tightwads at Sierra need to realize is that graphics don't make the game. I've got several original Nintendo games that I consider to be far better than a lot of the stuff that the gaming companies churn out nowadays. Computer games are the same way. The classic adventure games are far better than some of the crap that companies try to get us to buy. Anyway, I've taken up enough of your time, so I'll just leave you knowing that we'll do anything to get LSL back on the shelves. At your request we'll even overthrow Sierra's president and replace him with you. If you don't have time to e-mail me back I'll understand, but it would be kind of cool to get a response from one of my gaming guru idols. Long Live Leisure Suit Larry!
I had been wondering lately why I hadn't seen anything on another LSL game. Sadly, after finding you're site this evening, I have the spirit crushing answer! No more Larry? Say it ain't so Al! Tears stain my polyester as I type!
Is there no chance at all? No hope? No photos of Sierra Execs in compromising positions? Alas and alack!
Well, thanks all the laffs you did provide and count me in if there are any arms to be twisted, kneecaps to be broken or threats to be made (LOL).
It would've been great to see Larry and his ladies in 3-D.
Heartbrokenly yours,
Scott in Cincy
I was a videogame designer long ago (did early Intellivision work and other stuff), but I've never really been a gamer, just a computer guy. Somewhere along the line I discovered Larry, and it appealed to me the way the old Mad magazines did. So I bought them as they came out, and it pleased me to think that, whatever may come, Larry would be along to make me laugh every couple of years. I guess Sierra has to make some hard budget choices, but I regret that Larry isn't funded.
Gosh, I just flashed back to the opening scenes of LSL3. I guess that was prophetic, eh?
Anyway, if you ever do manage to launch Larry into space, I'll buy. And you can tell Sierra I said so.
Good luck.
Dave
P. S. I recall that somewhere in recent games you used the phrase "An Up-And-Coming Production". I'm sure this one must have occurred to you, but I don't recall ever seeing it: Why not "A Lowe Blow Production"?
my name's jordan, and I'm a real big fan of larry laffer. I've been pursuing my computing degree in new zealand for more than a year now, and only got wind of the news that sierra decided against continuing (perhaps momentarily) with the larry series.
its really sad that they decided to do something like that, but in another light, few games have met larry's success with so many sequels!
the exotic, yuppie-style environment has always captured my imagination, and the well rendered graphics have always gotten to me.
of course, I hope that larry 8 may somehow be released (something I admit to have taken for granted), but even if nothing comes out of it, its been a good life for our old polyester friend, and we can replay the previous versions!
cheers and thanks for all the fun!
jordan ko
christchurch
new zealand.
Hi. I'm a 19 year old girl and I've always loved Larry games, ever since my father -or whoever it was- made the mistake of starting to play one. Of course when I was younger I wouldn't play, I would always watch others play because I was afraid of getting Larry killed. But when I got past that trying age, I began playing your games quite a lot. Unfortunately I got up to 3, but now I have the opportunity to play numbers 4, 5, 6 and 7 because my uncle has bought them. However, when I asked him to lend them to me for the summer to play, he said ok for all the games except one, number 7, because he says it is too offensive and crude for an underage girl. Of course you understand my reaction to that, as I am not underage and I should definitely not be kept from playing this game for belonging to the opposite sex. He is being agist and sexist. He did say that he will lend it to me if my father gives his concent, but knowing my dad I decided not to wait for him to reply and send this to you. I thought that you'd be a person who could definitely help me, being the creator of this game, by telling my uncle that he should stop being silly and start copying all the games. I'm sure you did not create these games for men only and so I think I can count on your replying to this email -which is sent by cc to both my uncle and my father and saying that you agree 100% with me. I would very much appreciate that.
Anyway I'd also like to tell you that I was very sorry to hear about what Sierra did to you. In short, they suck and you rock. I hope you eventually get an opportunity one way or the other to develop this game because it sounds really great. Anyway I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you in advance
Theodora Papadopoulou
I just found this site only recently and I like many others are very upset that there will be no more Larry games. . . I also must say that it that you are without a doubt my idol! I have been playing Larry games since they first started when I was 7 (yup, you read it right SEVEN!). I played on my dad's old XT and that introduced me to the world of computers (I will be getting my Computer Systems Technician diploma next year). I used to open up my parents Trivial Pursuit game and encyclopedias to try and learn the age check questions. . . . I was a very BAD kid. . . but I turned out pretty ok. . . :)
If I had a production company with millions of dollars (it's in the works). . . I would hire Johnny C. and get the Larry Laffer name back to the person it belongs to. . . I also promised myself never to "buy" another Sierra product again. . . I'll be checking the shelves with anything carrying your name! Well it's been a pleasure writing this e-mail and I wish you much success in your future!
Sincerely,
Eric Bertrand
Ottawa, Canada
I love your website, it's very interesting. I find the way that Sierra had released you to be insulting, and they have paid for the lack of intelligence through the weak releases that have come in the last long while.
Also, I email you to ask a few questions. Why not attempt to work for another software company to release a game similar to that of the Larry Series (unfortunatly those "communist" Sierra "cronies" own the rights to him), by changing things a little you would be able to avoid copywrite infringement, and still be able to release a great game. I myself enjoyed the games that were released by Sierra (Space Quest, Kings Quest, Larry Series, Police Quest). I have stopped playing them since Larry 6 was released, and I completed it in due time. Also, is Sierra not willing to sell you the rights to the game? after 16 years of long hard work is that what is left of a great series? it is not finished it has been left to rot, jus as I see Sierra in the same state.
Please email me back with info, I am very interested, also if it is not too nosey, I was wondering the cost that was taken by Sierra to complete the first Leisure Suite Larry Game and Leisure Suite Larry 6. And what the prospective cost would be for a number 8. Thank you.
Pantelis Diakoloukas.
As Theodora's uncle I feel obliged to respond to her email to you and your subsequent reply.
First, please let me thank you for some things. Thank you for writing so many wonderful programs. Larry is part of my growing up too (even though I am a grown up!) and I've enjoyed every single one of Larry's episodes. Thank you also for taking the trouble to write to Theodora who, as you understand, is a great fan. For myself, I feel honoured to have been included in your reply albeit in the "cc" part!
Now, as regards Larry 7. I haven't yet played it through to the end, but so far I am enjoying it enormously. I really cannot see why Sierra decided to stop the Larry series. Could it have anything to do with Willy's comedy sequence? Perhaps you stepped on dangerous ground there. . . ? By the way, ALL the jokes that Willy says in that scene are making the rounds on the Internet.
Another reason for Sierra's decision may have been the profitability of Larry games sales. Given that MY Larry 7 CD (which by the way is original) was loaned to me by one of my nephews (from the other side of the family) and now Theodora wants me to lend it to her, you can realise that such a sort of affairs reflects rather badly on Sierra's sales.
As a bynote I should say that I had the misfortune not to use the patch for this game and after 20 or so saved games I had the dreaded error that forced me to restart the game. Oh. . . well. All the more to enjoy playing Larry. Since this seems to be the last of the series I should try and stretch it as much as possible.
I would like to end this email with a thought. Would there be an infringement of copyright should you decide to write a program about, say, Larry's "cousin", Arnie (or whatever other name you would christen him)?
With my best regards
Costas
LARRY LEISURE SUIT ES EL MEJOR JUEGO QUE HE JUGADO EN MUCHO TIEMPO, EL ÚNICO JUEGO QUE LE HA LLEGADO A LOS TALONES ES EL MONKEY ISLAND 3; ESPERO QUE USTED HAGA EL LARRY VIII PARA PODER DISFRUTAR DE UNA AVENTURA GRAFICA EN CONDICIONES, PORQUE EN ESTE TIEMPO NO HAY AVENTURAS BUENAS.
LUIS MIGUEL MARTÍNEZ BAREA
I don't know if this message will actually reach Al Lowe, but, if it does. . . You're the king man. I want to be just like you. I bought a video game programming starter kit, and though I've been stuck on day 2 for 2 weeks, I'm confident that when I have a clear shot, I can follow in your footsteps and make my dream come true. Thanks for giving me hope that oddballs have the best creative genius.
Have a nice day. YOU RULE!!!
Travis Short
Thanx for countless hours of playing Leisure Suit Larry. I hope sierra will continue with larry 8 lust in space. The title is very interesting and I wish it was ready. And by the way, I think it was your dog at larry 4. HAHA! Your site is great. Thanx a lot for everything. lets hope larry will be on the chase again soon!
My name is Daniel and I have been laughing my asss off at Leisure Suit Larry since his birth although (well he was around for a long time unbenownst to me I'm 16). When I heard about LSL8 I was impatiantly waiting for it to come out but then I was faced with Tradgedy when I was informed that there would be no LSL8 and that sierra dropped it (be sure they will get several e-mails about this. has Larry finally ben laid . . to rest. is it over or is there hope. by the way I have also persuaded my freinds to by the pleasure pack (I feel that I deserve a commision. ) by the way I Noticed that you have a daughter in your samples of your book how old is she and is she availible.
Hi, before I start I would like to say that you have done a good job with the Leisure Suit Larry games, and I would like to tell you that please release leisuer suit larry 8, I have every leisuer suit larry even the dos versions on my pc, I would like the honor to have the number 8 you have done such a great job, and I am one of your best fans, please releas the leisuer suit larry 8 !! we need more jokes! more entertainment! we need more fun! please !, I ask you most of all Al Lowe please release the leisuer suit larry 8, and thanks for reading my mail and once again keep with the good job, :) good luck!
Sincerely, Anthony Rivera
I feel that what happened to the once great, now legendary software giant that was Sierra is the greatest injustice ever to face the industry of electronic entertainment. Sierra litterally crumbled into a corporate scum, sellout company which doesn't even come close to the company that was once Sierra. It doesn't deserve to hold such a legendary name. Im sure I'm speaking for fellow gamers when I say that the games of King Graham, Roger Wilco, Sonny Bonds (and the police quest series), Gabriel Knight (for the most part) and of course, Leisure Suit Larry will never be forgotten.
But I have just a few questions. . . if the Corporate monster that is Sierra controls the rights to all these characters and they're just going to sit on them, how much money would it take to buy these rights? Also, do not be discouraged (not that I think you are) that you were asked to leave Sierra. The greatest software developers were all lost with you as well. Truly yourself, Scott Murphy, Mark Crowe, Roberta Williams and Jane Jensen are the pioneers of an entire format of gaming that is known as adventure, and even if we can never get another larry or another space quest created. . . your names will all go down in computer gaming history. Do not give up hope, though. Larry's seen himself through tougher adversaries than a corporate sell out company. Keep up the good work. A loyal Fan,
Scott Krischke
First off let me say how sorry I am that both you and Larry got laid on ice by another heartless computer company. And as I read on your page sierra holds all the copy rights to the larry games both present and future but what if the ledendary saga continued not with Larry but with his son?
Well while reading your page I got so annoyed that I came up with a few way of how to remake the game without haveing to bother sierra with the copyrights.
Well ok so I havent read the rights but im guessing on it´s only about "Larry Laffer, Leisure Suit" but they properly dont hold the rights for exampel "Robin Laffer" but then again I aint sure since I dont work anywhere near sierra (or in a law firm for that matter). Anyway I came up with two diffrent ways of intreducing the new member of the Laffer generation.
1) In a distant future people seach for a hero and look towards gene manipulation and turbo growth. They decide to make the perfect man but someone mixed up the genes samples with a certain "Laffer". And again the leisure suit is destained to walk the face of the earch, bad jokes will fly and hundreds of women will once again say "no".
2) Well what did you think that Larry and Passionate Patti did in a game that was so censored so that it never came out? And no they did not play minature golf no-stop. . . . .
Well I have only come up with how to intreduce the new Laffer and not really on a plot of the game but if you want me to I can work on it and mail you want I come up with. You are properly just gonner trash this mail the second you get it but I thught I would try and send it anyway. Well thanks for your time
By The Mad Nutter
ps. if ever this game does evolve into something could I get a exclusive demo for my games page (ha ha ha). . . .
I know, I know, maybe you never get to read this e-mail. You must be a busy man, and if not, you must get a whole lot of e-mails. I just hope I get the chance to say hi to a great man, Mr Al Lowe. My name is Ronald Flores; I am from Ponce, Puerto Rico, and am 22 years old. This mail could get long, I am not sure I am just starting it! But I sure hope you find a little bit of time to read it.
One afternoon my brother came home from college, I was about 13 or 12 at the time not sure. He arrived with a few friends, and they seemed all excited about this new game they got somewhere. The moment I got to the room where our mighty 8088 sat they all put weird faces and told me to leave. Didnt have a clue why they would tell me so, but I soon found out. They where all playing this new game, "Leisure Suit Larry". The instant I laid my eyes on it, something snapped. I was hooked. I was at that age playing a grown-ups game (hehehe); I remember my brother and his friends always spent a while figuring out the quiz at the beggining. English is not exactly our first language, rather much spanish. But the English was not the difficult part, it was the american living things that puzzled us big time, like the president Ford or Nixon questions. "Who the heck was Nixon?!?!" at the time none of us were all that much involved with american culture. One afternoon my brother was not home, and I quickly learned to step up and start up the program. But, since at that age I had no idea of english, let alone american trivia. So I spent that afternoon figuring out how to make the white guy appear on the screen, when I got tired of it. I didnt have an Idea on how to exit the program, when I remembered that some programs let you get out with the CTRL-X thing. So it did, only that it let me in! I told my brother and he was like "What?? no way!!" hehehe so we both were hooked. We finished the game that same week. After that, we were all hooked with Sierra. After LSL1 came Space Quest, and then Police Quest. These games were not sold in here at the time, so we kind of got pirated copies (sorry, if they sold them here we would buy them!). But here comes the emotional part, and you may think I am nuts but I am speaking sincerely. Those Sierra games really mean something to me. It was really the thing I always wanted to do. Since the games were in english, I had to learn english, and typing and reading really played a super important part on my fluency on the english language (that and Cable-TV of course hehehe).
Too bad computer games today are not like that. You just sit there, tweak and wobble a mouse, listen to the dialogue, and that's it. Sierra lost something beautiful with King's Quest 5. When I saw it, I said "What?? Mouse?? WHY???" hehehe. I guess I was kind of a parser nut. (by the way, I have my nephews playing old Sierra games, and wow they are really learning!). Sierra has since lost something precious. Nowadays games are so sophisticated they leave you little to imagine, little to wonder. Like in LSL, you imagine this guy doing that stuff and altough you see it on the screen, you kind of have an idea of how it goes.
I am about to graduate from computer information systems. Mr. Al Lowe, I have to thank you for your imagination, paralleled or exceeded of today's great minds like Steven Spielberg or even George Lucas. The only thing is that you went much deeper, and made many people dream and feel very wonderful things. Your games made me laugh, made me mad (when I got stuck), even sometimes made me cry (no Larry after LSL3. . . ). I even remember the days of the early InterAction magazine. I would send cartoons on the cartoons contest (I still have a great LSL - CFG cartoon I made, if you are interested I can send it to you). But the bottom line is I really really hope you read this e-mail cause there is much I wish to thank you; no movie or no book has touched my heart as you and the Sierra team has. I'll miss those parser-filled days deeply.
With all the years, new technologies, and new concepts, Those games are very deeply treasured in my heart. Like I sometimes think to myself—kids my age had GI Joes, Tyco Sets, hotwheels, Tonka trucks. . . I just had Larry, Rosella, Roger Wilco, and many wonderful imaginary places. I will miss them deeply.
I hope you get this e-mail, Mr. Al Lowe. I appreciate your work greatly. Thank you very much, I will forever remember your work.
Take care big guy. Sincerely,
Ronald Flores
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Sierra Fan
P. S. I remember something, you can correct me. But I remember jumping up and down seeing my hero in action in a show called "Name That Tune" if I dont mistake it. I remember shouting and screaming for my brother, saying "Man! Thats AL LOWE! THATS AL LOWE!" hehehe when we heard the Host say "Ok Al. . . " hahaha something snapped. You then said something very funny which I hope I could remember. I remember that you also mentioned that your wife's name was Margaret, so I was convinced. Hehehe hey, I was 14 or something! I dont remember much of that!
I remember the first time I played Leisure Suit Larry. I was at the tender age of 7 when my best friend at the time called me over to play this cool new game he got. I think the best time we had was trying to get past the damn questions at the beginning! But once we finally got in the game, we spent hours after hours playing it till we finally beat it. I'm now 20 years old and it's safe to say that thanks to you, I have some of the best game memories. I've been so inspired by you and the games that you've programmed that I've come this Fall I’ve enrolled in a computer programming course in College. I hope all the best for you and your family and also I would like to add that there hasn’t been a game worth buying since they stopped making classics like the Leisure Suit, Police Quest, King's Quest and Space Quest series.
Take Care,
Phil
Well, you must get letters with the subject "Larry 8" all the time, and they probably very quickly find themselves lying in your trash bin folder, so I'd just be quick and stick to the point and then cross my fingers and hope you get this one while in an exceptionally good mood :-)
My question is - can't you get any other software company to do Larry 8? Surely Sierra won't ask for too much money to sell the rights for Larry, seeing how they don't really care about adventure games anymore, and you could find some company that still believes in those games to make this game instead. . .
Before saying farewell, just a thought - how about joining Lucasarts, who recently announced they want to start making more original games (equals, hopefully, more adventure games), or joining Tim Schafer's still unnamed company?
-- Matan
First, I'm Frensh, I'd like to tell I'm no good in English! Your Larry series are exellent! But cann you explain me better how and why Sierra decided to stop Larry 8? I sign your guest book, and I tell you why the frensh version of Larry is so different than the American version!? And some cheats codes too. . . sniff, why? Can you explain me too the developpement of a game same Larry 7 (I'd like to be a developper when I'll be an adult)? I hope you write me, because I'm not a fan than same lots of fan who likes Larry and etc. . . I just find your carrer the best and Larry series too! Continue same that! Have a good journey,
Francois GESLIN.
With great sadness I read the news on the termination of the Larry 8-project. After Roger Wilco, the Hero from Spielburg and cutie Laura Bow, the guys have decided to pull the plug on one of the whackiest and most hughable computer-characters worldwide; Larry. Larry Laffer. Where's the company going? Are Ken and Roberta still in charge? (Yeah, that's a question that just screams for an answer. . . you know my address, ha ha)
Over the years I've gotten to know you. Well, I think I've gotten to anyway. I collected some of the books written on Larry. Books with interviews, books with solutions and books where Larry and you made fun of each other. Each and every single game you ever brought to life, I treasure. You were the guy that baldly went where no programmer had gone before, you were the guy that created the most dorkiest bachelor in the world. I never knew a computer-animation was able to boost your self-esteem the way the 'Laffster' did. Hell, through your games I even discovered the virtues of sex. . . . I even wore a lubber the first time, afraid I was going to pass out in the middle of the streets.
I'm sad to see Sierra gone totally berserk-o. As one of the emailers pointed out; Sierra used to have a heart. Sierra came out with a quarterly newsletter. The company embraced its costumers and -even if we never got to see each other- we felt like one big happy family. I don't know where it has gone wrong over the number of years. Somewhere along the way, numbers must have gotten more important than loyalty. And now, they've condamned Larry to his suit. Possibly never able to fully enjoy a normal life with a woman he deserves.
I know the decision to put Larry to rest must have hurt you also. I mean, why else would you come up with a site dedicated to the 'ld Laffer and call it allowe. com :-). It's a damn shame he had to go. Judging from the . avi file you've put away on your site, our Polyester Hero never has looked better.
Take care. Me and a couple of millions of others will never forget what you did for us,
Kind regards,
Perry Hendriks
Netherlands
I have been a dedicated fan of the Leisure Suit Larry series for some time. I was just wondering if you could just answer a couple questions for me. Do you plan on working and making more games or are you done or retired? Also do you know what Sierra is going to do with the rights to their games that they cancelled. Lastly, how did you feel when you were told you were fired or got your pink slip. if it was me I honestly would have wept. If you could be ever so kind as to answer these questions for me I would be eternally greatfull knowing that I got a response from one of the best game designers ever known. Sincerely,
Ryan Smallman
I just saw this homepage www. allowe. com, is that your page really? Are you the real Al Lowe, creator of Leisure Suite Larry series for Sierra? I grew up with computers around the time the Kings Quest series was released and Larry 1! I have played all games in your Larry series, and kinda well Larry 1 & Larry 2 are BOTH BIG games for me! Its kinda like a part of my childhood! I just have a few questions for you!. What are you doing these days when not working for Sierra? Are you retired?! Can you tell me the real reason there was no Larry 4? Have you got the email to Roberta Williams or Ken Williams, either of them?
I really miss Sierra, in the "old days" Sierra was the best top notch gaming company around! Now it really is sucky, sorry, but Sierra is no good anymore at all! Sierra invented the computer gaming scene with their writing, graphical based, adventure games! Damn I miss those times really!
Please reply. . (If you had that email to ken or Roberta please share it with me, you worked with both of them didn't you)??
Chriss Sorensen
Lately I have been rereading the Pyrdain chronicles, namely the Castle of Llyr and The Black Cauldron, and a few days ago I watched the Disney version of The Black Cauldron, and this prompted me to play the old Sierra game The Black Cauldron. The last time I had played that was well over 5 years ago, and I remember the game actually being fairly short, but this time around when I played the game, I was amazed at the flexibility of the game and the amount of replayability which is offered. I completed the game several times last night to see the various endings, and I even found various new things about the game I didn't know about before. In your article "Is Adventure Dead?" it mentions : Lack of replayability, "Once you've finished an adventure, you know how the story ends. There's no motivation to play it again. "
I found that this was not true with The Black Cauldron, and I'll be determined to play the game again, except this time I'll let the pig Hen Wen get captured and see how the game progresses from there. Congratulations to you and the rest of the team who worked on this game. Replayability was an excellent key element in this game which I'd like to see in more games, especially any future adventure games. One thing I liked about earlier Sierra games was more freedom in how things were ordered. While there was some direction in KQ3, (I. e. prepare all the spells before getting on the boat), the game wasn't horribly strict in how things were done (I. e. not all of the spells and their components needed to be picked up and prepared in some particular order), whereas with a game like Grim Fandango, it jumps from point A to B to C to D, and if you are stuck, you are stuck. There is no going off elsewhere to try and solve another puzzle. Even with games from the Quest For Glory series, if I couldn't figure out what to do next, I could go out and fight some monsters for awhile, and then come back to the problem.
Another thing I found as an intersting point about your "Is Adventure Dead?" article was how adventure games were used as 'bragware', and I didn't consider that idea too heavily before, but now that I think about it, it was that type of mentality that got Sierra really going with KQ1 showing off the capabilities the PCjr, and then later on with games like KQ4 or KQ5 displaying superior sound and graphics. Unfortunately, the days of creating a computer game in 6-12 months is over, and if adventure games are ever to make something of a come back, this idea of Bigger, Better, Faster, More is going to have to slow down. The latest adventure game can look as great as the next shoot-everything-that-moves game, but the sad fact is it probably isn't going to sell as many copies as the next Diablo or Doom clone. Computer Science instructors like to harp on the subject of this odd little concept called 'code reuse', which was quite prevalent with Sierra in the 80's. Part of the nostalgic trip I got from playing The Black Cauldron was watching the KQ3 type graphics and animations. Instead of having to keep rewriting a new game engine for each new game that comes out, it would be good to see some games reusing old engines more often to cut down on production costs and time. A 2-3 year production time and a multi-million budget is ridiculous. I would be quite happy if a company would start putting out some good games, perhaps not the top of the crop type games, but decent games that perhaps even sold for less than $50 if this could be affordable.
Thank you and good job with all the games you've made over the years, and best wishes to your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Chad Armstrong
dear mr lowe why exactly did sierra cancel production on the Leisure Suit Larry game?? was it because of mary bergman's death?? was it becuase the game was raunchy?? if you could please give me the whole story I'd really appreciate it thankyou very much
ryan gauthier
p. s. Leisure Suit Larry rocks
I had a question I wanted to ask of you. I know that long ago, Sierra had mentioned a CD set of all of it's music themes, and songs used in their games. I was wondering if that was ever released, and if so, do you know how I can get a copy. I enjoy soundtracks like that and own a few from computer and video games. I've noticed that good music helps define the area and theme for a game, like the standard them in all the Quest for Glory games, and I will admit that the soundtrack for number 5 is one of the best ones I've heard.
If you could send me info on how to get these cd's, I would greatly appreciate it. I also hope that in time, Sierra will ask you to got Leisure Suit Larry 8. I would have loved to see what you had planned for Larry in outer space.
A fan of your work,
Richard
My name is Terry Glenn. I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed all your games for many years. Freddy Pharkas was the first game that I ever played on a computer with sound! I thought that was a really great game! I have also bought all the Leisure Suit Larry games too. I even bought a collection a long time ago so that I could have all the games on a cd rather than disks. From time to time I like to start at 1 and go all though them again! I would really love to see 8 made! (and Freddy Pharkas 2!!)
Thank you for all the laughs! Sincerely,
Terry Glenn
First of all I want to thank you for making such a game. I first played larry 1 original when I was 11 with a friend of mine and we had loved the game. I remember struggling the game in order to finish it. I`m writing this to you from Turkey, I said this because I want you to know there are larry and al lowe fans all around the world. I would be very happy if I know a new larry game is going to be released and I think Sierra`s recent strategy is wrong. They forgot they`d come to this point by adventures. I`ve seen the LSL8 video just a minute ago adn I started to download it immediatly. If you send me a very short reply, I would be grateful Yours sincerely,
Cem Türkeş
I know that you've addressed the matter on your website, but I was just wondering if Sierra has asked for you to make another Larry game. I love the Larry Series, and really miss the type of games with wit, and charm. Currently, from what I see on their site, Sierra has no plans of making a new Adventure game anytime soon. The only thing that comes close is an RPG that's in the making, but it doesn't come close to an adventure game. I only like to buy adventure games from Sierra, because I know they'll be top quality, but they haven't made any since Gabriel Knight 3 - one of the best, if not THE best I've ever played. Anyway, if you have any influence at Sierra, let them know how many fans want a new Larry game, or at least a new adventure game, and if it has your humor in it, the more the better. Thanks for listening.
I just want to say that I love Larry 7. I have not yet gotten to play all the others but I think im going to buy the "collectors" thing. I just want to say that I think you're a very talented man, and you entertained me for days with Larry. After I visited you sight, I realized that I had played other gameds that you had made. (Kings Quest 3, Police Quest) I think it really sucks that there will not be a Larry 8. I could write so much more but I know you're a busy man and probably won't read all of this anyway. A devoted fan,
Jordon
Hi ! Congratulations for Larry series, they are very good games for me... Many hours of play and of laugh... I'm looking for Larry 1, 2 and 3 in french format... Do they exist?
Thank you for your answer and good luck for Larry 8 (that I wait with impatiently) if Sierra sold them (Sorry for my English)
Fabrice
Thanks for the help, but I don’t understand the notes to the Theme song. So I wonder if you cud write the notes to me PLEEASE :-) Are you wrily Al Lowe??? If you are, cud I get your autograph to????? Cud you write the theme song and your autograph to me???
Signed: Lennart Jensen
Hi, My name is Daniel, I'm 14, and I was going through some old 5 ¼" disks, when I came accross Leisure Suit Larry 3. I got into playing it (great game) but I came accross the part where u need to enter in some number. I have the legal version, and hint book, but not the manuel. So I fired up my browser and found your website. MAN U GOT SOME FUNNY S**T HERE!!!!!!! I couldn't help downloading all the stuff in the humour section. U got a GREAT site! Please keep adding humour to the site, 'cos I luv a good laugh! Thanx a LOT,
Daniel :)
I am a college student at Oberlin College in Ohio I was wondering whether or not you still create games for Sierra and I was also wondering what types of people SIerra looks for to hire on I mean, I realize you aren't a SIerra scout or anything and I apologize that I don't have anything more interesting to say but I have always loved your games since I was a little kid (my parents didn't realize the full extent of their content when I was 9 years old!) and I have begun to think about this line of work as a possibility I have been using computers since I was very young but I have only what is consisdered a basic knowledge nowadays also, I am a musician, possiibily graduating in the music field so this may not be all that usefull to Sierra but tell me what you think I hope this doesn't annoy you Thanks
Gregg Davenport
I can't believe Sierra would let such a Classic series of games die like this. I have been a huge fan of Larry's games the Land of the Lounge Lizzards came out. Larry provided me with hours upon hours of quality interactive entertainment, and even those friends I have that arent "into computer games" found playing Larry games highly addictive. Is there anything we as "Gamers" can do to sway Sierra's opinion on this matter? Best of Luck in future endevours old friend.
Sincerely,
Chris Gunderson
Hi, I've been a big fan of yours since way back, even though I'm only 21 this year. After reading through your page, I couldn't help but wonder if you played any part in the theme for Larry 7, since you're a saxaphonist yourself? I'm just curious because I've just started showing an interest in the jazzier side of music.
Secondly, I would like to express my sorrow that you've been taken off the Larry Team and that Larry would be 'killed' as far as they can predict.
So what are your plans for the future? Will you be working on any other projects besides your book? I would look forward to another one of your hilarious games!
Jerral
This is Michael Awad from Melbourne, Australia. I know a lot of people probably say this to you, but I'm probably the BIGGEST Larry fan out there! I especially love the theme song, I walk around humming it all day wherever I go and I get annoyed with people who haven't played a Larry game in their lives. Anyway I just wanted to ask a favour from you. Would it be possible if you autographed something, anything, and sent it to me?! That would be really great!
Thanks for giving me all those hours of laughter and entertainment!
Michael Awad.
PS. Your site is really great! Keep up the good work and I wouldn't mind picking up a copy of your new book too!
I just wanna say, good luck in life. I just started surfing your web page today and found out that Larry is biting the lust, er, dust. I don't believe that Sierra has stopped their adventure games! it is horrible that they are canning everything and firing every memory of Online Systems.
Lemme just start off with my story... I remember first using a computer. King's Quest 6. I loved that game; it was fun to play something that made you be careful around every corner. Yes. I've gone from computer gaming to computer programmer. I'm so fed up with the loss of Roger and Larry, I've been trying to study hard to make a traditional adventure. I've gotten my hands on every collection; the KQ, SQ, PQ, and QFG collections. Very soon, I'm purchasing the LSL Ultimate Pleasure Pack. I've got Freddy Pharkas on both disk and CD, Torin's Passage, all sorts of Sierra games.
But that one day.... I wandered onto a Sierra fan site earlier this year. as I was exploring the limited sites on it (this was a brand new site), I noticed the 'sierra graveyard', a small portion of the site. As I read it, I noticed the words "Chainsaw Monday", which, I believe, was what Scott Murphy called that day when sierra had a hissy fit and got rid of Yosemite, adventures, and you, for that matter. Lemme just say I was f!$#ing angry. it'd been a year or so, and I hadn't known!
Oh well.... Larry was the greatest swinging single there ever was.... too bad he'll never be a swinging couple, as we'll never see Larry 8. But maybe, in the spirit of high hopes, someday we can all make a joke of this, and keep Sierra's word: there'll never be a Larry 8. What am I saying? Perhaps it'll be Leisure Suit Larry 9: Lust in Space. (hey, it worked skipping Larry 4, right? lol...)
Tanks for great memories, and thanks in advance for the great times that are to come with my Larry Pleasure Pack!
~reno6
After I beat the LSL7 and saw the coming attraction for LSL8, I was sooooo excited. A Leisure Suit Larry game where you could explore a whole planet looking for women. It blew my mind. So I waited and waited to hear about a release date for the game. Growing impatient, I started looking on-line to hear some news about the game. Then I found your site and discovered it was cancelled. I was so upset. The same exact thing happened with me and the terrific Space Quest series. I used to have respect for sierra. Now they are cancelling all their good product lines. It would be so great if you could fight Sierra on this and make another LSL game. I'll help. I know plenty of people who would be happy to help bring back the LSL series. Maybe you could try going to a new company also. I'm sure their are plenty of companies who would love to make a new LSL game. Please, if you have time, send me back an E-mail on your thoughts on the subject. I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Middleton
Dear Al, I hope you don't mind me calling you by your first name? Because Mr. Lowe sounds rather a bit impersonal!
I know Larry for many years now. (BTW; could you tell him that I said HI? Thnks!) Larry is a good man (his looks and luck with women are worse). I don't see why doesn't get a second chance! He deserves it, so do you! You delivered us TOP games... Which al were successes and sold many copies worldwide! I don't understand why Sierra closed the door on Larry, the Yosemite building, your co-workers and especially you!!! This kind of things make me angry. Why do Sierra stop with a succesfull formula? They earn money with it! You don't see Coca-Cola stop producing Cola, just because they want to?
Also I wanted to say that I learned my English through games like which you created! I've still got all the oldies; I've got all the KQ-series, SQ-series, PQ-series (Btw PQ4 was dull and SWAT sucks!) QFG-series, Codename Iceman, Manhunter (both 1&2), Mother Goose, Ecco the Dolphin, Willy Beamish, Goldrush (This is one of my favourites, because the gameplay was so different, you could end the game in 3 ways!!) And off course LSL-series, except for LSL4...! :) Btw I've read the article on you webpage about LSL4... Multiplayer!?! Larry AND friends! You've got very unique thoughts about gameplay!
I'm so sorry for you, that all this came to an end! I wish, someone with your potential, you could resume your work, maybe somewhere else! I think it's a shame, that Sierra turned their backs towards Larry, your co-workers and you!! All of you people didn't deserve this!
But I wish you the best of luck and good health (same to Larry), and I hope we hear something of you (and hopefully Larry also) in the near future concerning new games, or hopefully Leisure Suit Larry 8!!
Btw: One final question (I hope you don't mind); I noticed that there are many, many, I mean really many fans of the LSL-series. So can't we just collect money to buy the LSL back from Sierra? If every "true"-fan made a deposit, we might just buy our Larry back?
Okay Al, I hope to hear something for you, although you might be busy... I would aprecciate it!
But for now; good luck & good health for the future!
Sincerly,
Michel van der Lingen (21 years)
Dinteloord, The Netherlands
Hi Al I am a Your Greates Fan from South Africa. Some food for thought. If you want to develop LSL8 u can do but although sierra own the right all you have to do is create the game and don't call it lesuire suit larry but something else Thanks,
Ebrahim
Ever since I played Love for Sail a few years ago, I have looked for a new edition of Leisure Suit Larry every single time I go to the computer store. Today is the first I've heard that there are no plans to bring him back! I am 32 years old and my brother is 27 years old. We had so much fun playing Love for Sail together. You are such a great talent. I hope you decide to develop something else (but along the same lines as Larry) someday soon. It truly was the very best leisuretime I have ever spent on the computer. Just thought I'd let you know you have another, yet very disappointed, fan!
Douglas
Why did Sierra cancel Liesure Suit Larry 8? They canceled Space Quest 7 because sales on the Space Quest Collection were low and their marketing said Space Quest popularity was at an all-time low. But that doesn't explain why they canceled Larry 8. Why did they decide to release the Liesure Suit Larry Ultimate Pleasure Pack? After they canceled LSL8, you'd think they'd abandon Larry completely. Do you think Sierra might ever reconsider about Liesure Suit Larry and Space Quest? Those two series were my all-time favorites and I would love to LSL8 and SQ7 in the near future. I have another question, What are you doing now after Sierra wrongfully layed you off? I'd like to know. Thanks,
your loyal fan,
Nathaniel
I know I'm probably one of the millions of people that have tried this, but I need to ask. What's going on with Larry 8 man? Just WHAT is going on? You still employed? You need to keep up the good work! Sincerely
Andrew Romero
I stumbled across your site today by total accident and I have to say that it brought back a lot of wonderful memories. Back in 1987, my family was one of the first in our neighborhood to purchase a home computer. I spent countless evenings playing through all the original Sierra adventures. For a good while, I probably owned every title that Sierra had ever produced. I was even one of the original subscribers to the Sierra Network, paying $12.95/ month for unlimited usage (plus $5 extra for Larryland), which was quite a deal at the time. Of course, now I've grown up and the industry has changed so much. Just thought I'd let you know that your site brought back some great memories. Thanks alot!
Steve Perreault
PS: I loved Phreddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist! I wonder how many people remember that one? :)
I am saddened by the "apparent" demise of Larry. I have fond memory of him as the first game (LSL 5) I got for my first PC, and cheering me up (LSL 7) as a X-mas gift at the first christmas after my mother died. I am happy to have been reunited with Larry with the new Sierra collection. I just wish that if sales are good enough they will give the go with the LSL 8 game.
The site is a very interesting source of information about Larry, especially about the famous Larry 4 game. Very interesting reason on why the number don't follow. I also liked the copy protection page, very nice. Will a LSL easter egg section be up one day?
I cannot wait to read your new book coming out. I will be checking the website to see when it will be released.
Matt
Hi! I'm CAGRI in turkey.. ı like all larry series.. I hate SErrie because their games are not good :)) withour larry, USM 98 (usm was going to mad aftrer 7 years :))) sorry about english grammer :)) my english isn't as good as yours :))))
Cagri
I wish Sierra would reconsider making a Larry 8... I send Sierra an Email everyday threatening them that if they don't make a LSL8, I'll send more threats threatening to send them more threats. One of these days I'll have to fly down to Seattle to the Sierra/Havas HQ and throw peanuts at the Sierra building. If that doesn't work, I'll upgrade to pecans, and if that's unsuccessful, I'll throw the even more dreaded walnuts. I hope that these actions will annoy Sierra enough to make a Larry 8, either that or I'll get arrested... But to avoid that, I plan to tie myself to a nearby Sierra employee chanting "We shall overcome!"
viva la resistance...
-James Jenkins
In the event that someone actually accesses this e-mail address, I would like to offer a suggestion. I happened to look up info on "LSL" today because my sister mentioned that it's about time for the next installment, and needless to say, I was disappointed to hear about the break with Sierra. Bummer they own the rights. But all is not lost, at least not in my opinion. For me, personally, I had as much fun playing "Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist" as I did playing all the "LSL" games. Can he be revived? Any chance there'll be another "Freddy" game? I'd love to know. Best regards,
Shannon Marcelin
5 years ago I bought myself a computer. Didn't have any game yet so got on my bike and went to the store. And there it was Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape up or slip out (Talking version). I didn't take me 1 second to think should I take it or not. Threw it in my cd-drive and played day and night, night and day until I finnaly finished it. And I tought I want more larry. And then I played the Leisure Suit Larry 7 demo and bought the full version next. I played it for one week. At that point my monitor blew up (It wasn't larry's mistake). After 3 boring long... I mean very very very very boring painful weeks! (not being able to play larry) I got a new monitor. No one could get me away from the computer any more. After finnishing larry 7 I bought the Leisure Suit Larry: Collector's Edition. The best adventure pack I ever bought. From this days I still play larry games. When larry 7 ends it says that larry 8 is coming next. I waited 3 years with the idea that 8 is going to be released. Until I went to your homepage.
I cried my eyes out.
Why why why can Sierra take the best adventure ever and put it where no one can find it? Why do they want him to die! Taking larry away from computer games is like taking the sun out of the sky. Watching TV without sound. Riding a horse without a horse. Let me put it this way:
You can't breath without air.
And you can't play without Larry!
The biggest Dutch Larry fan ever.
The Stinger
P.S. I saw the test AVI. Damn, Larry looks good!
I know you probably get thousends of E-Mail like this, but it would be graet if you would read this nad maybe respond back to me. First of all I want to thank you for creating the LSL series, it has been an insperation to me (not sure if thats good). I can remember the days of when I was a little boy sneaking into my parents bedroom and watching them play LSL and when I got older sneaking in to play it while they were at work. It really hurts me to see that you no longer work for sierra, I own just about every game you had something to do with. And I can actually say you are my hero in some ways. Even though I have a 600MHZ processor I still play LSL 1 and Black couldrin at least once every 3 months.
Now I do have a question for you. I know Sierra carries the rights to LSL but have you ever though about starting you own company and making a spin off game just like LSL, for instance the main charector could be Larry's long lost son and instead of wearing cheap disco cloathing he could be into crappy pastel 80's cloathing and all the real fans of LSL would know what was going on, but since its a diffrent games sierra cant do anything about it....
Another idea I had was what if you did a female version of LSL? I think that would be preatty funny. And you could change the name and (once again) sierra couldnt do anything about it. Well I guess thats all Ihave to say for right now. I ask you please dont just erase this E-Mail, at least respond in some way so that I know this E-Mail wasnt a waste of time. Sincerely,
Mike Marecek
Hi, Al. It seems strange to be writing to you after playing nearly everything that you ever created. I, like probably thousands of others, am pining the "death" of adventure games. I have been scouring the net lately trying to find something reminiscent of the old world. At this point, I would settle for an AGI engine with text parser so long as the game had an actual plot line.
Which brings me to my point. Admitedly, adventure games are too expensive to produce at the current time, at least ones with the "cutting edge" technology that is required to sell a game. As King's Quest:MOE and GK3 made quite clear, "cutting edge" does not sell neccesarily sell adventure games. Today's fans want blood and gore and endless masscares with the blandest of plots. And that leaves us old timers with nothing.
For the sake of old world gamers, why not create adventure games using the old engines that we loved and posting them on the net for downloading? I, personally, would be willing to pay for these games. You started out as a programmer for Sierra, so I know that you have knowledge of the AGI engine, at the least. Why not use this talent and create what we true adenturers crave? The old engine used for KQV-KQVI, for example, was wonderful. I feel so badly for people like you and Roberta Williams who have so much talent and now cannot use it in the ways that you want. This would be a way of releasing your creative strengths and at the same time satisfying your fans. Of course, I understand that it would probably cost money even now to create games using the engine used in KQV and VI, but AGI is being done now by programmers on the web.
Anyway, just an idea from an old fan who is sick to death of hack and slash and demon-possession in today's games. Keep your chin up; someday, adventure will reign again. It was first, and it will never truly die.
Evan Harper
Im a guy from sweden who practically grew up with Larry Laffer. Now, recently grown up, I am a programmer. Ive always wanted to write my own game, like the ones you used to do.
Now, the only problem is, I have no clue to how you made Larry.. For instance, the graphics, is it pictures or programmed graphics? What language did you use?
I would be very greatful for this information and any other useful information!
Thanx in advance!
A fan / Daniel M
I hope you don't mind emailing you... :) You're really a good person. It never crossed my mind that you would reply my email personally!
One of my first graphics adventures I ever had, was indeed the Black Cauldron, I remember that I found this game scary at first, escpecially the music, which scared sometimes... :) But hey, I was only a kid back then... :) We even had a cartoon about this game, called "Taran en de Toverketel"(Dutch, which means "Taran and the Magic Cauldron")... I liked the game very much...
It's good to hear, that you find yourself a job which you enjoy "as much" as your former Sierra job!
I always dreamed of being a game designer, or at least be involved in developing games... But over in Holland, it's rather difficult, because we don't have big company's who create games. It's a shame.. Because why isn't there a game, adventure style, which is set in a prison, and try to escape or something like that. I think a game like this is very refreshing and exciting...
Also do you really think, that this is the end for all the sierra adventures? Including the 3 top genres; Leisure Suit Larry, Space Quest and Police Quest (this serie was stopped earlier). Also I found Kings quest 8: Mask of Eternity, a big disappointmen (for adventure standards) KQ-series was also known for it's adventure elements. It was very different comparing it to previous episodes of Kings Quest...
My last question, why don't you start a new serie, with a new company, because there are enough companies who could use your expertise and skills. Then you could create a new adventure game with all your jokes and humor... A new kind of Larry Laffer... Okay it would be hard to get used to it at first... But with your name behind the game, I think that the game will still be a good succes... And with the money you earn with the game, you might even have a chance to buy Larry back from Sierra... It's just an idea, so I don't get my hopes high...
I hope you don't mind me emailing you, I like talking to you about games and their backgrounds... :) Greetings,
Michel
I just thought you'd like to know that I grew up with your Leisure Suit Larry games. Me and my friends thought they were the coolest thing back when we were around fifteen. Whenever one of our friends bought a new "Larry" game we'd all rush over and play it for weeks until we beat it. I miss that.. I hope Sierra changes their minds about all of this and they continue with LSL8. I still think that the Leisure Suit Pleasure Pack is being sold for way less than it should be. Thank you so much for all the memories -=) A Larry fan forever,
Andrew
Helo! I,m a big fan of larry and I think what u did is great