True Believers Speak Out!

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I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait. I'm still a believer :)

Thanks for the update, I truly hope fate is with you this time as that day will be perfect.

And please don't ever give up on ruining people's lives with your fiendish games.

As far as I'm concerned, this is like a savings bond that I purchased long ago, far from maturity, and once I'm able to cash it in, the enjoyment will be well worth the wait.

Probably more stable than the government, as well.

Thank you for the update. Best wishes in getting the game finished, I have every confidence it's going to be a great one (and will bring back many memories and frustrations of my college days from your previous games).

I feel like this e-mail is just telling us that we're not going to get any more newsletters!

Seriously man, it's good just to hear that you're alive and plugging away on what we all know is going to be a fantastic game.

Playing the original Fools Errand with my dad on our little Apple Plus is one of my first memories, and I can honestly say that your game is a key component of my dad and I's relationship to this day.

Keep at it Cliff, and don't follow the "no news is good news" adage, any news we hear from you is welcome, even if it is just a list of bad puns.

Thanks for the update, Cliff!

Worry not about how long it has taken for this to come out. I would rather wait longer for a great game, than not wait at all, and get a sub-par game.

I am truly looking forward to this game, as I loved The Fool's Errand. I still tell people about it, and have them try it! Definitely one of the best games I have ever played!

Take your time, no rush on our account, and looking forward to the next newsletter!!

Yeah yeah. Sure sure. You wont mind if I sort of yawn and say, Deja-vu all over again and again and again...

Me thinks its all about finally realizing it's just a waiting game.

Just hoping my health holds up...

I have tried to do the old puzzle where one has to carefully pull the moving square along a path without dropping it before getting to the end.... I can't do it any more -- fine motor skill not what it was. Hope your patience with us will provide a workaround for the likes of me! - - - - - (yes, it does.)

Maybe this is some meta-puzzle. Has anybody tried this:

What happens?

It's okay. Do take as much time as you need. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will rather wait for a polished game than play a half-finished one now. We are the true believers, after all.

In any case, good luck finishing the game; it must be maddening, after all these years. Thanks for not giving up.

Congrats on nearing the end. I had to search my mail archives to figure out that it was seven years ago that I pre-ordered. And though the wait has been long, your updates have entertained and I am confident the final product will be worth the wait.

Good luck this winter, and may the coding gods be at your back.

JAF (Just Another Fool),

Thanks and keep up the good work, Cliff. Although now you have some serious competition - Duke Nukem Forever is soon to be released after only 13 years in the making! Beat that record and you'll be just fine. ;)

great to know the game is coming along nicely.
no rush - you want it to be perfect, and i'm sure it will be exquisite. can't wait mind you, but the time
will fly by.
It was a lovely surprise to get your email - and to know that a very special product
will be coming mine and Ray#s way sometime early next yr.
take care and good luck with all the final work.

I wish you the best of luck in making the game just so, since given the time investment you have already made an extra 6 months seem justified.

I hope that in April 2011 you will be able to let go of your gargantuan project and let it loose in the wild. Bugs can be fixed. The physical package that you'll send to all us true believers, flaws and all, will be the manifestation and symbol of your labor of love. It will be perfect in and by itself.

8 (years) is the lucky number in most of Asia. It may be good for you too.

As a final note, even though you probably abhor the thought right now: say you would announce some time after The Fool's Gold that you're starting on a new digital product I would be in the true believers line just like in 2003 and patiently wait for the things to come.

Hi, Cliff: great news. Glad to hear that you are still in the land of the living and beating strong! So I will be an April one and waiting with bated breath! All the best.

<One thing>, thank you very much for the teaser!
<Another>, my answer stays the same: take your time. Just finish it some day.
<The third>, I have changed my address (again). Although I think you will let me know before.
<Fourth> I am really proud to be one of the true believers.

Thank you, Cliff for keeping us informed. BTW, the teaser was great. Congrats for the good job.

Thanks for the update Cliff, you keep working on that!

I hope we can see it on April 1, that’d be perfect and fitting!

Endeavor to persevere!

"Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Often found in women, but never found in man"

Cliff, you are beginning to prove this saying wrong..............I am a man and I still have patience!!!

Thanks, and stay with it

Please do the right thing and fulfill your desire for perfection. I am in favor of that and support your decision and effort 100%.

2011-04-01 sounds appropriate (and so does 2011-10-31).

Perfect!! Just in time to get over the tax-filing depression!!!

1. Better late then never.
2. The wait makes it worth it.
3. All good things get better with age. Wine, cheese, family stories, and even games (the only problem with old games is getting them to run correctly without DOS).

Given those 3 things, and the fact that you have been honest and forthright with what is going on, I have no hard feelings about the delay. Here's hoping that the (April) fools day is smiling on you.

The pressure is on. -- I am with you.

You'll get the game done when it's done. I know it. You know it. Everything else is just status updates.

Make sure to get plenty of rest.

You may be a fool, but only for thinking we've suffered you. We'd be the fools not to wait for this!

April will come soon enough; probably sooner for you. ;)

You're the best! However long you need, I accept it with deep appreciation for the process.

I am salivating just like Pavlov’s Dawg in anticipation.

Thank You for the update, Cliff

I'm still busy with the "Teaser", and I've been re-torturing myself with the Timeless Classic . . . The Fool's Errand

Anxiously Awaiting . . . April Fool's Day

Thanks for the update, Cliff-you are a genius, and genius takes time. Be well.

Oh...this has been almost such a long wait...but knowing that your extension excuse letter is soon to appear keeps me going...you are a character---a very talented character. Keep working on it, I still believe. ( You have to prove my family wrong!)

Thank you for the update. I do hope that the next few months will be productive in bringing the project to life. I've been playing through the original on an emulator and look forward to the next chapter.

So funny I was just thinking about you. I'm sure it will be awesome!!

It will be ready, when it's ready and I'll look forward to playing it when you are satisfied it's ready!

Thanks for the update Cliff. I still believe and I think an appropriate date in April is, well,....really appropriate!

I feel like I paid for a series of emails, so I’ve gotten my money’s worth. The game is now a bonus.

Looking forward to it whenever it's ready! :D Hang in there.

I have been parted with my money, but I remain, I am sure, no Fool. Good luck to you!

Take your time, sir! It looks like Christmas comes in April next year!

Well, I placed my order in February of '04, and I've no reason to stop waiting with bated breath. Others have waited even longer; you've many fans.

A year ago, I lost 75 pounds. I did this to get in shape and stay healthy, true...but what was the ultimate reason? The thought of dying of a heart attack before I got to play your game was simply too much to bear.

And so, I hope you sleep better tonight knowing that your dramatic inability to hit a deadline has actually done something good for another human being.

I'm sure its worth the wait... what a testament to you in seeing this through to the end... indeed... a fool's reward awaits you for doing so!

Cliff, I have nothing but love for you, and I'm rooting for you. This is a horrible time for me to pick up a new addictive game (crunch time at work), so if anyone gives you grief at this point, tell them that you're working around my schedule, and that should shut them up.

You're welcome.

I remain your truest of True Believers.

Hahaha An early April Fool present? That sounds great!! I'm a very patient person, and your updates on your progress are most welcome.

I'm an MMO player, and with the raft of crappy (pardon the expression) games that have been released recently.. I'm more than willing to wait for a finished product!

Keep up the Good Work!

So happy to be a TB! Many thanks and keep up the great work!

Now I'll have to waste more time seeing if there is any secret or coded message in your pre-order message!

It feels right. Good luck, Cliff!

I randomly ran across your website while searching for the phrase "fool's errand", which I used when what I really meant was "fool's paradise." As your website was the first hit, I wondered whether this
was the same Fool's Errand from oh so long ago.

It was.

And not only that, but that you are working on a new game. I downloaded the teaser, played for a little bit, not enough to ruin the game, and thought about my history with your games.

Your games were a great source of refuge to me in college, and I'm sorry my floppy of At The Carnival gave out a long time ago. Too bad, because I always enjoyed the Laff In The Dark and the Loop-O-Puke. Both ATC and 3IT were great, but none as great as The Fool's Errand, over which I lost a bet with a friend that he couldn't finish it. Well he did and I bought him a wetsuit.

What always impressed me about your games is the fundamental understanding you had of human/computer interaction, and how to challenge the assumptions we all made back then as to what a mouse or key press would do. At a time when regular people were learning how to use a computer, you pulled the rug out by having our interface objects behave in mysterious and unpredictable ways. It was wonderful.

As I briefly played The Teaser, all those great college years came back in a torrent of nostalgia, and tears welled in my eyes as I recalled all those nights spent huddled around my Mac II with friends, trying desperately to solve all those infuriating puzzles.

They say you can't go home again. But sometimes, just for a few minutes, you can.

Thanks for doing what you do.

The Fool's Errand was the single greatest game I have ever played. It was such a phenomenal experience, and the way that you constructed layer upon layer upon layer of game levels within it was truly exciting.

I hope The Fool and His Money lives up to the reputation of the original. But I also played 3 In Three and At The Carnival, so I have no doubt that you will succeed with this one as well.

Really, the purpose of this e-mail is that I think you should understand just what your games mean to some people. The experience of going through these worlds that you create is priceless.

It is my pleasure to pre-order the new game. Thank you for all that you have done for me.

Greetings from the Bayou State of Louisiana! I've willed my copy of the game to my grandchildren, so SOMEBODY will get to play it. :)

The Fool and His Money = True Labor of Love

Looking forward to it with enthusiasm. Good luck, and kind thoughts,

P.S. An estimated 396,179,238 people worldwide have already died since you started work on this game.

What's a few more months? Take all the time you need!

We'll all be around.

The Fool and His Money was originally a Christmas gift for our eldest son. It looks like it will still be a Christmas gift one year later! I wish you all the encouragement in completing the remaining tasks.

Take your time, Cliff. I will spend the hours until the release of The Fool and His Money by playing Duke Nukem Forever. :)

And something I always learned from contractors building houses - when they tell you "May"...the first question you need to ask is "What year?" <grin>

I was just noticing the printed announcement I gave in lieu of a Christmas gift in December of 2004, proudly announcing the release of this game on July 5, 2005.

If I had invested the money at 4% instead of sending it to you, I'd have $42.58 now... and still no game.

To be honest, I am indifferent to May vs October. I loved both Fools Errand and 3 in 3 on the Mac years ago, and I knew that the only way I'd see a game as sophisticated as Fool's Errand is if you wrote it. I've already pre-ordered - one copy for me and one for my sister (who was also a huge fan of both games). Thanks for your dedication. The fact that this takes longer than anticipated is unfortunate. The fact that you've produced such wonderful games already makes me happy you're finishing it. Yet one more thanks from an enthusiastic fan !

Crazy Me, Crazy you.

Hang in there, Cliff. Thanks for sticking with it, and for teaching us how to eat the words, "I can't wait!"

It looks like you are going to lose the race that you did not know you were in. My wife told me she was going to get her Ph.D. before she was 40. As the big 40th birthday raced toward her, she decided that she would get it while she was still 40, buying her an extra year. Upon missing the second deadline, she declared she would get it before you released your game. My 41 yr old wife defends her thesis on Wednesday.

I am glad you are not sane and have endeavored to continue with your project. I look forward to The Fool and his Money whenever it comes out whether that be October 2010 or beyond.

No problem. I spent 20 years making video games so I know about the perils of picking a ship date. I mostly wanted to see if you were still "above the sod!"

Thanks for the note. I'm a True Believer. I may not believe in OCTOBER, per se, but I do believe that you'll provide a game at some point. ;-)

Looking forward to another fine collection of jokes.

I just have to tell you,
the teaser was great!
But though it was clever,
It just didn't sate
My hunger for foolishness
Hiding the wise;
It's testing my patience
(you must empathize).
So on with the beta
And memory-bug smashing!
And on with the compliments -
No more tongue-lashing!
Prepare to be lauded
By those who berate you,
And pay you the ultimate
Honor: "We Hate You!"

Just to add to the accolades--the teaser is gorgeous, the puzzles wicked, and the final product will be worth waiting as long as it takes. Opening the very first puzzle was visually breathtaking. :) Well done, Mr. Johnson, well done!

It was wonderful to get your most recent newsletter and I am looking forward to the teaser! You're awesome! I hope things are going well for you and that your labors are exciting and fun as well as exhausting and challenging!!

Thank you for the teaser. I loved Fool's Errand and no other game has given me the pleasure that one did.

Even before I start the Teaser (sometime during the next week, when I can play hooky), I have to say how much I enjoy the newsletters. Some of the quotes are really smart. Do you make some of the (or all of them) up? If not, where do you find them? I seem to remember your mentioning Steven Wright as a source a long time ago - is he the fount?

In any event, I hope life is brightening for you, and I look forward to being annoyed by your latest invention.

Terrific preview. Thanks for that.

I’d always heard it, “What did the bra say to the hat?” “You go on ahead — I’ll give these two a lift.”

Thanks very much for the teaser, you have not lost your touch since The Fool’s Errand.

Nice to see your progress. The teaser makes me long for more. Good to know it won't take much longer.

I like the new puzzles, they remind me of the old ones, but they seem more difficult. Which isn't a bad thing. After all, it took you so long to make them, it should take a while to solve them. ;-)

By the way, I even managed to run the Windows version on Linux using Wine without a problem, great!

Thanks for spoiling an hour of worktime. Total number of puzzles solved: nil.

What a great way to start the week. Crowd goes wild!

I have been working on THE TEASER and learning to hate you all over again . . . WOW ! ! !

Can't wait for the final product. Thanks So Much.

I started playing some of the teaser. It looks great. Really takes me back to the days when I'd stay late after work and play on a Mac Plus with external drive. I'm looking forward to the new game.

I started playing with your teasers. You are certainly one sick puppy. Just loved it and can't wait for the final to be ready. Thought the attacking pirates was an interesting touch although, until I read the help I wasn't sure what was happening. Take care.

Thank you for the Teaser. I was able to play (and frustratingly get nowhere) late last night.

It's just a teaser... it's just a teaser...? Just a teaser that kept me up until 2:30 in the morning! ARGH! I'm all the way to the third part of Thomas Foole's puzzle and I'm rather stuck. My school notes look like a crazy person got at them because I've been anagramming ABDEIPRUST all morning long. I can't tell you how many words I've made with these letters... if only three of them had the same ending!

My mind is BRUISED! I finished everything else, so I know my wordplay hasn't RUSTED... but this puzzle has made me STUPID! I feel like an ABUSED, BUSTED PAIR! I've ASPIRED to finish this PIRATE RUSE if it takes a thousand TRIES! I DESIRE it more than a TIRED SPIDER who SPIED a SPRITE! (Okay, maybe a bit more.) But until I can TRAIPSE to the PUREST words, I'll just DESPAIR! DRAT!

Thank you so much for the Teaser. Since upgrading to Windows Vista, I have been suffering withdrawal symptoms for the Fool's Errand. It is so nice to be able to play a decent game again, I can't wait for the final release.

Dude, I love it! Still struggling with one in the seventh house, got the rest. It will reverb in my brain for a long time. Hurry up and release the final!

Hello again the one and only Cliff Johnson! I've just finished the Teaser and WOW what marvelous and difficult puzzles. I loved every second struggling with them! Really looking forward to the New England summertime. Whenever that is. Best regards and thank you for being!

The pirate animations in "Ursula" are great!

I received the newsletter and I've been playing the teaser. I hate you. I had forgotten how fiendishly difficult those puzzles could be, I think I'll start playing "The Fool's Errand" again to get the practice.

Just wanted to say the game is beautiful. I love the colors and the graphics, and it is obvious the amount of effort you have put into this.

I just stayed up until 2:40am playing the TFaHM demo. I'm in trouble when the full game comes out.

Big whopping crazy-huge congratulations for making it to this stage. The finish line is in sight!

Thank you sooo much for the preview you posted on your home page. I've just downloaded it and began to play it. I've solved two of the minigames so far. I've been waiting for a Fool 2 ever since I bought The Fool's Errand to my Amiga way back in the late 1985, I think it was. And finally my dream has come TRUE!

You are the best, Cliff Johnson. I've played your Fool's Errand so many times, I wore out the Amiga version. Then I wore out the PC version. Then I finally found your home page and downloaded it from there and played it over and over again. Can't help myself.

I hope the BETA testing gets on alright and wish you all the best in life! You are a beautiful person with a beautiful imagination and an unusual gift for the enigmas of the English language.

An obligatory 'great job on the teaser'. It looks FANTASTIC. I have absolutely no doubt that this will be on or above par with TFE. Also, I'm confident that you're about to make lots of enemies all over again :) Best of luck on the final stretch of QA.

Congratulations on releasing a preview! It looks awesome.

Very nice teaser! I really like the visual aesthetic, which is like your website. :)

It looks like the game is really long -- a good thing! The puzzles are very Foolish, but with better graphics, which feels excitingly nostalgic and modern at the same time.

The teaser is great. The Fool's Errand still remains my favorite PC game ever, even after 20-odd years of trying to find something to supersede it.

Congratulations on finally having some playable content online! You may rest assured, I downloaded the teaser immediately, and tore through it like a ravenous beast. You may consider me adequately teased, and I can't wait for the rest; the teaser's quality and difficulty have me quite excited for the full game.

Stayed up way too late working on puzzles last night. At first, I was really excited to play Payne (my favorite type of puzzles) until the skulls came out. Oh… how mean can you be??? I’m sure I’m going to hate you even more than I did when I played all your other games (several times..)

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