I just finished watching Sessler's Soapbox where he discusses his thoughts on L.A. Noire and he raised a very good observation: In one of the earlier cases, Cole is searching a Hollywood studio and comes across a can of paint with the name "Pickman" on it. I just started reading H.P. Lovecraft late last year and I'm not familiar with the name, but Pickman is a painter in one of Lovecraft's stories who illustrates the horrible things he's seen in the alien realm that Cthulu and friends are from.  Adam describes that Lovecraft's stories are about exploration and discovering things that can lead to complete and utter madness, and that L.A. Noire is a great template to base Lovecraft games on because it's not action-intensive.
 
I think this is such a brilliant idea and wonder if Rockstar would ever pursue a Lovecraft game. There's the Pickman reference and lots of "Weird Tales" or "Mystery Tales" pulp mags scattered throughout L.A. Noire and Lovecraft published a lot of his works in these types of mags back in the day. Would anyone be interested in playing a L.A. Noire style Lovecraft game and who would be the best publisher/developer to do this?

Pickman is a painter in one of Lovecraft's stories who illustrates the horrible things he's seen in the alien realm that Cthulu and friends are from. 

 I would love for a game recreate the better atmospheric moments of the flawed but fun John Carpenter film "In the Mouth of Madness".  Sure it wasn't about Cthulu but it did share a lot of similar themes and was genuinely disturbing in parts.   A game using L.A. Noire technology about a detective hunting down a sect of Cthulu worshipers only to slowly be driven insane would be fucking awesome.
 
If you haven't seen In the Mouth of Madness rent it.  It has Sam Neil going insane and who doesn't love insane Sam Neil?

@bonorbitz said:

Pickman is a painter in one of Lovecraft's stories who illustrates the horrible things he's seen in the alien realm that Cthulu and friends are from. 

His paintings are mostly of werewolves. The story doesn't have to do with aliens at all. (I really recommend Pickman's Model if you haven't read it, it's some of his best work) But yes, that would be a perfect format for a Lovecraft game. That level of facial animation could do a lot for the creepy-looking Innsmouth people in particular.

@528seven said:

@bonorbitz said:

Pickman is a painter in one of Lovecraft's stories who illustrates the horrible things he's seen in the alien realm that Cthulu and friends are from. 

His paintings are mostly of werewolves. The story doesn't have to do with aliens at all. (I really recommend Pickman's Model if you haven't read it, it's some of his best work) But yes, that would be a perfect format for a Lovecraft game. That level of facial animation could do a lot for the creepy-looking Innsmouth people in particular.

I see. I guess I need to keep on reading his stuff. Sess just said something to the effect of "paintings of demons ripping people apart" or something. Anyway, I just figured all of Lovecraft's stories were about aliens.   That would explain all those different types of creatures in Arkham Horror...

Fuck no.
 
While I'd like another Lovecraft game, I'd hate it if they reduced his source material to a fucking interactive movie. L.A. Noire is clearly divisive in its gameplay, but I cannot see a solid argument for its brand of narrow leash-dragging being good for horror. While I don't think a Lovecraft game would require a great deal of action, I'd rather play one than watch one; robbing the player of freedom and challenge the way Noire does would castrate any element of suspense.

Fuck no.  While I'd like another Lovecraft game, I'd hate it if they reduced his source material to a fucking interactive movie. L.A. Noire is clearly divisive in its gameplay, but I cannot see a solid argument for its brand of narrow leash-dragging being good for horror. While I don't think a Lovecraft game would require a great deal of action, I'd rather play one than watch one; robbing the player of freedom and challenge the way Noire does would castrate any element of suspense.

I think the game would be a great template for a lot of different games. I never thought of Lovecraft being an option, but now that you mention it I would love to play that game.

@drbendo said:

Fuck no.  While I'd like another Lovecraft game, I'd hate it if they reduced his source material to a fucking interactive movie. L.A. Noire is clearly divisive in its gameplay, but I cannot see a solid argument for its brand of narrow leash-dragging being good for horror. While I don't think a Lovecraft game would require a great deal of action, I'd rather play one than watch one; robbing the player of freedom and challenge the way Noire does would castrate any element of suspense.

Do you think L.A. Noire is a great starting point at all? If so, what would you change about it to get it to what you want?

I think it would work better for like a twin peaks game or something. 

@bonorbitz said:

@drbendo said:

Fuck no.  While I'd like another Lovecraft game, I'd hate it if they reduced his source material to a fucking interactive movie. L.A. Noire is clearly divisive in its gameplay, but I cannot see a solid argument for its brand of narrow leash-dragging being good for horror. While I don't think a Lovecraft game would require a great deal of action, I'd rather play one than watch one; robbing the player of freedom and challenge the way Noire does would castrate any element of suspense.

Do you think L.A. Noire is a great starting point at all? If so, what would you change about it to get it to what you want?

Drbendo hates videogames advancement and hates the people that play them, I just recommend just ignoring him man. saves you lots of trouble considering how OCD the guy is.

Would a Lovecraft game even be possible? From the time I wasted on his shit, all I gathered was he gave pretty solid description of places and then ends it all with the protagonist saying he's too afraid to actually tell the horror he encountered; At He Mountains of Madness is a 100 page prick tease and the idea of that being stretched into a full game is so scary, I won't even tell you why.

If you like H.P. Lovecraft play Alan Wake and Call of Cthulhu. Both games are have elements of his mythos.