From Space Quest to SpaceVenture: Ken Allen Talks Music

Composer Ken Allen shaped the soundscape of an entire Sierra era, from Space Quest to Kings Quest, and that unmistakable Sierra logo fanfare burned into every retro-gamer's brain. Now he’s back with a full new soundtrack for SpaceVenture, and we go deep into how it all came together. In this episode, Ken walks through the craft behind his new score, the evolution from MT-32 to modern orchestral libraries, the stories behind iconic Sierra tracks, the surprising inspirations for SpaceVenture’s music, and what it’s like to reunite with the Two Guys from Andromeda after decades. Expect anecdotes, technical insight, nostalgia, and plenty of behind-the-scenes lore from one of the genre’s defining composers. Mangia! Some corrections. - Beats Per Minute (not beats per second - that wouldbe crazy). - Composer for Silent Running was Peter Schickle, not Jerry Goldsmith. - Kazoo Orchestra is on the 2001 Theme and synth was used Blue Danube. Check out the SpaceVenture Soundtrack! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geek Plays Demos - Theropods, "An Adventure Lost In Time" OneShortEye's  Why (almost) No One Solves This Game Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower  

This week Anna and Paul sit down with legendary Sierra animator and artist, Al Eufrasio! They go behind the scenes at Sierra on what it was like to work there, how projects were conceptualized and executed, and they also chat a bit about animation, including where to find good, modern animation. It's an illuminating conversation so cozy up and Mangia!   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geek Plays Demos - Theropods, "An Adventure Lost In Time" OneShortEye's  Why (almost) No One Solves This Game Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

This week Anna and Paul played Quest For Glory 2: Trial By Fire and as per the rules of podcasting, they're going to talk into microphones, at you, for quite some time—largely staying on topic while occasionally wandering into a narrative side quest, as to create a more layered listening experience for you, the listener. I have no idea what I'm even saying at this point, Mangia! Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geek Plays Demos - Theropods, "An Adventure Lost In Time" OneShortEye's  Why (almost) No One Solves This Game Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

Anna hits the floor at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, or as she and her late friend Roberta always called it, the PGRE. It’s a weekend overflowing with nostalgia, laughter, and the kind of serendipity that only happens when you pack decades of gaming history under one roof. This episode brings you the voices and moments that defined the show: Al Lowe sharing stories from his Sierra days, Lori and Corey Cole reminiscing about Quest for Glory, George Sanger talking music and memory, and dozens of creators, collectors, and fans who keep the golden age of adventure games alive. From the FMV Museum and the Error 47 concert to spontaneous hallway interviews and late-night reflections, this is a trip through time and community. Whether you were there in person or living vicariously through your headphones, you’ll feel the hum of the crowd, the passion of the fans, and the unmistakable presence of Roberta woven throughout it all. Press play, step onto the show floor, and let the stories roll. Mangia!   Here's all the interviews in order, along with links!   Mike Pumphrey – Error 47 https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/319730/various-artists-kings-chill-vol-3    Sean Parker – Fogtown https://www.fogtownseries.com/    CanvasQuest – Tom https://www.canvasquestprints.com/    Al Eufrasio – Art http://www.eufrasio.com/    John Paul Sapsford https://linktr.ee/jonpaulsapsford    Erik Elsom – Magic Map Studio https://www.diggersfactory.com/artist/2389/magic-map-studio    Lori and Corey Cole https://www.hero-u.com/    Jeff Tripoli – Adventure Game Hotspot https://adventuregamehotspot.com/author/26/jeff-tripoli    George Sanger https://youtube.com/@georgeasanger?si=9IMgxjpY4MwWxsNA    Mark and Debbie Seibert, Ken Allen, and Al Eufrasio http://www.markseibert.com/Default.htm  https://www.kenallenmusic.com/    Al Lowe – Buy Him a Coffee https://allowe.com/    Fred and Troels https://error47.band/   Paul Morgan Stetler and Victoria Morsell – Conversations with Curtis / Tori Game https://youtube.com/@conversationswithcurtis?si=TVadhRaahmdEYW9D    Metal Jesus and Drunken Master Paul https://www.metaljesusrocks.com/metal-jesus-likes/drunken-master-paul-interview-behind-the-scenes-of-making-phantasmagoria-a-puzzle-of-flesh/  https://youtube.com/@metaljesusrocks?si=oyPJK3qO9YuHqV3-    John Riggs – YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@johnriggs?si=7WEEEd8eqE-ihCZo    Donald Fullilove – Mayor Goldie Wilson https://www.mayorgoldiebttf.com/goldie-s-store    Marcus Adams – Anova Prints https://www.etsy.com/shop/anovaprint    Jackie Stargrove https://www.instagram.com/jackie_stargrove?igsh=MXJyOTQ0ajV6aGVoNA==    Alex and Daniel Greensberg – Winterion https://winterion.com/    Kristopher Hipsher – Tattoo https://www.instagram.com/kristopher_hipsher?igsh=aWhkdTcwYzYxa204    Mick Counsell – Error 47 https://error47.bandcamp.com/album/soups-on-selections-from-staufs-infernal-jukebox   And live at The Get Down – Error 47! https://www.youtube.com/live/mH9fbABOPsg?si=n-fxgzEKcwO3RWoR     Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geek Plays Demos - Theropods, "An Adventure Lost In Time" OneShortEye's  Why (almost) No One Solves This Game Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower      

This week Anna and Paul are joined by Michael aka YakWaxLips! We're discussing the new Adventure Game Merch Store, the state of modern adventure games, how to market adventure games and support devs, the legacy of LucasArts in modern adventure games, and his opinion of Gabriel Knight, as a LucasArts mega fan. Mangia!   Shek out YakWaxLips on Youtube Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geek Plays Demos - Theropods, "An Adventure Lost In Time" OneShortEye's  Why (almost) No One Solves This Game Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

This week Anna and Paul are joined by OneShortEye and they go on the deepest of dives into The Dagger Of Amon Ra! OneShortEye has just concluded a proper digital archeological dig on the game for his upcoming documentary and he brought all of the weird and wonderful finds to share with us. Mangia!   Shek out OneShortEye's Youtube Channel   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Neyyah, "The Sequel to Riven"? PC Game Review OneShortEye's  How Speedrunners Destroyed Quest for Glory II Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

This week Anna and Paul played say it with me, Echo Quest! Paul enjoyed it whereas Anna didn't appreciate the message citing "our flat earth is clean enough!". Okay fine she didn't. But she does say other things MANGIA! Grab a Phantom Fellows shirt or mug at AdventureGameMerch.com !   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Neyyah, "The Sequel to Riven"? PC Game Review OneShortEye's  How Speedrunners Destroyed Quest for Glory II Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

This week Anna and Paul are reunited and they kick things off with some story time about where Paul has been, thennn they get into the 1991 Jim Wall's adventure "Blue Force". It's one of those games a lot of us flagged as "one day I'll play that" knowing very well that day will never come, so press play and let them walk you through it instead. Mangia!   Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest!   The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)     Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's 6 Adventure Game Puzzles That Can Go F Themselves (feat. Paul) Adventure Game Geek's Geeking Out Over General Horse and the Package of Doom OneShortEye's  How Speedrunners Destroyed Quest for Glory II Adventure Game Hotspot's Point and Click Adventure Game Stories You'll Relate To (feat. Anna & Paul)     Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  & Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast   Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria!   Say hi I guess! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote Intro greeting (usually) by (and thank you to) Hope Kodman VonStarnes   The Phantom Fellows is available on: GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower                      

This three-part BONUS episode honors our friend Roberta Vaughan and celebrates the upcoming live debut of Error 47—a tribute band performing all together for the first time this fall. Part One features Jackie, Sarah, Jon Paul, Erik, and Mick, some of the members of the band, as they reflect on Roberta’s legacy, how the project came together, and what it’s like preparing for a live show as a group of longtime friends, collaborators, and fans. This is the first time they’ll share a stage as one lineup. Part Two brings in producer Sean Parker and Error 47 member Troels Pleimert, along with a return from Mick. This half dives deep into the creative and logistical work behind the Kickstarter campaign, the emotion of translating a digital legacy into a live experience, and how the band’s shared love of FMV and community drives the whole effort. Part Three closes with a personal segment featuring Roberta’s sibling, Ames, who shares their perspective on the concert, the campaign, and the legacy their sister leaves behind. This episode spans memories, music, and momentum, celebrating the past while building something new in Roberta’s name. SUPPORT THE KICKSTARTER  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/seanparkerfilms/error-47-live-in-portland/rewards Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest! The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's I played 4 more games that devs sent to me for free Adventure Game Geek's Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 1 - Carol's Apartment -Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 2 - Location Hunting -Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 3 - The Industrial Park OneShortEye's  This Police Simulator is BROKEN (Police Quest II Glitches) Adventure Game Hotspot's Why Tex Murphy is one of the BEST adventure game series EVER Adventure Game Hotspot Networks Roberta Vaughan memorial playthrough of The Dagger of Amon Ra Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  -Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast -Anna Vigue Plays The 7th Guest with Daniel Albu PART 7 Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria! Say hi! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote "Stalker" off Duke Duke Dance Party (Remastered) by Error 47 Get it here!

This week on the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast, we step into the afterlife, but not the peaceful kind. Anna, one half of the CGG Podcast, sits down with Rubén López, one half of Aruma Studios, to talk about their upcoming point-and-click adventure Shadows of the Afterland. If their debut Intruder in Antiquonia was about memory and resisting modernity, this one’s about being dead before you’re even born, and trying to change your destiny. Rubén pulls back the curtain on designing a supernatural murder mystery set in 1960s Madrid, building an afterlife where bureaucracy still reigns, and giving players control of so many unique characters through a tactical possession mechanic. We dig into how Galician folklore seeps into the game’s design, what it takes to rebuild an entire custom engine from scratch, and why full voice acting is now part of the plan. From puzzle design philosophy to the realities of running a two-person studio, this conversation is a deep dive into ambitious indie development, ghostly storytelling, and the fine art of making possession both strategic and fun. Plus, hear about the game’s brand-new demo update, massive performance boosts, and plans for release on PC and Nintendo Switch. Play our adventure game! The Phantom Fellows is out now! GOG  Steam  itch.io Fireflower   Mac App Store   The Phantom Fellows Pin/Magnet by CanvasQuest! The Phantom Fellows Players Companion (Guide to Must-See Moments!)   Shek out our friends in the Adventure Game Hotspot Network: Space Quest Historian's I played 4 more games that devs sent to me for free Adventure Game Geek's Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 1 - Carol's Apartment -Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 2 - Location Hunting -Carol Reed Mystery Tour - Part 3 - The Industrial Park OneShortEye's  This Police Simulator is BROKEN (Police Quest II Glitches) Adventure Game Hotspot's Why Tex Murphy is one of the BEST adventure game series EVER Adventure Game Hotspot Networks Roberta Vaughan memorial playthrough of The Dagger of Amon Ra Conversations with Curtis' Paul Korman & Daniel play The Phantom Fellows!  -Daniel plays Return to Monkey Island with Anna & Paul from the Classic Gamers Guild Podcast -Anna Vigue Plays The 7th Guest with Daniel Albu PART 7 Tech Talk with Daniel Albu's Mark Seibert: The Sound of Sierra On-Line 🎵 From Police Quest, to King's Quest, to Phantasmagoria! Say hi! Twitter (Anna) - @CGGpodcast Twitter (Paul) - @PhantomFellows Bluesky ThePhantomFellows.com Send us your words! E-mail:  [email protected] Become a Patreon to support the show? www.patreon.com/ClassicGamersGuild Join the group and talk about neat stuff! Facebook Page Facebook Group We're also on Instagram & YouTube  "CGG Theme" and "A Minor Concussion" by The Volume Remote