Daniel Johnston, a folk legend whose music and art mesmerized David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, and other luminaries, continues to inspire long after his passing. His idiosyncratic and emotionally raw works struck a chord with many, despite criticisms about their amateurishness. This fascination with Johnston led two game developers, Peter Franco and Stephen Broumley, to create an unusual and heartfelt tribute—a mobile game titled "Hi, How Are You" after Johnston's 1983 album.
In 2009, Franco and Broumley combined their admiration for Johnston and their desire to work on a more intimate project after leaving their jobs at Midway Studios. Franco's wife facilitated their connection to the Johnston family, becoming a bridge between the developers and their muse. The game incorporated Jeremiah the Innocent, a frog character from the album’s cover, in a quest involving defeating the devil and finding love, themes prevalent in Johnston's life and music.
Pulling from Johnston's vast collection of artwork, his brother Dick Johnston supplied the game developers with ample materials, while Daniel himself, only distantly familiar with gaming, expressed support upon seeing the game, remarking on how a game should be made out of it. The development process involved converting Johnston’s 2D drawings into 3D models using 3ds Max and creatively texturing them, a challenge met by Franco and Broumley's ingenuity and skill.
The game's audio component also proved to be a challenge due to licensing costs. To feature Johnston’s music without exhausting their budget, the developers cleverly used thirty-second samples looped to lasting effect, ensuring that his songs were a part of the experience, albeit in a reduced form.
Upon release in September 2009, "Hi, How Are You" quickly garnered attention and received positive nods from esteemed publications, including The New York Times and The AV Club. Although the game was not a financial success, it did achieve momentary stardom on the iPhone charts, reflecting its unique appeal sparked by the combination of gaming innovation and the skeptical folk spirit of Daniel Johnston.
Broumley and Franco continued to explore game development, releasing "Frantic Santa" soon after and commencing work on a sequel to "Hi, How Are You." Though "Hi, How Are You 2" made progress, with advanced gameplay levels and new characters from Johnston's world planned, life's demands curtailed its development, leaving it unreleased.
While the original game eventually vanished from the App Store due to the duo's inability to upkeep compatibility with new Apple operating systems, its legacy saw a revival. In 2019, Gameclub reached out and succeeded in bringing "Hi, How Are You" back to life on its subscription service, upgrading graphics and ensuring compatibility with modern devices.
Today, the possibility of revisiting the unfinished work of "Hi, How Are You 2" remains a tantalizing prospect for Broumley and Franco. They hope that, potentially with the support of crowdfunding, they might once again tap into the rich and eccentric world of Daniel Johnston, bringing new experiences to fans and gamers alike. The renewed interest underscores the enduring influence of Johnston’s raw and captivating artistry—a testament to the intersection of music, art, and a genuine adoration for the creative spirit in game development.
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