The Ghost Game that Isn't About Death

• Features by Adventure Game Hotspot staff
• Published:

As a speedrunner (and speedrun documentarian extraordinaire), normally OneShortEye rushes through classic adventure games. His latest video, however, slows down for a more personal, behind-the-scenes peek into a modern game (it only looks like classic Sierra!) and its creator.

The game is The Phantom Fellows, the developer Paul Korman, who is no stranger to these parts as a fellow Adventure Game Hotspot Network member and co-host of the long-running Classic Gamers Guild Podcast. The Phantom Fellows was one of 2024's most pleasant surprises – though really NOT a surprise for those who know Paul.

Along with providing insights into the game itself (everything is a hotspot with its own individual lines?!) and its four years of largely solo production, OneShortEye's video is a fascinating glimpse into one of the genre's more wonderfully unique personalities – a man who's equally amused by horse farts as he is easily engaged in deep philosophical discourse and wholeheartedly devoted to his son. 

With testimonials from Adventure Game Geek and long-time friend and CGG collaborator Anna Vigue, it's a delightfully intimate look at what makes Paul tick, where his big box game collection is stored, what he keeps in his bathtub, and what heart-warming motivation inspired him to make The Phantom Fellows in the first place. And speaking of what makes Paul tick, you'll never guess where he ended up on launch day, perhaps all too close to becoming a phantom fellow himself!

It's a different sort of video for OneShortEye, but if you haven't yet checked out The Phantom Fellows, you're sure to want to after this. You can find the game on Steam, GOG and itch.io for Windows, Mac and Linux.

OneShortEye and Paul Korman are part of the Adventure Game Hotspot Network, a collective of talented, dedicated content producers who work entirely independently but have joined forces to promote each other’s efforts. All opinions expressed belong solely to the original creators. 

Links

• AGH Network