That Time Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee Saved a Man's Life

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Original Article:
www.factfiend.c...
Sources:
oddworld.fando...
magog-on-the-m...
arstechnica.co...
Clips:
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (1997)
www.imdb.com/t...
Men in Black (1997)
www.imdb.com/t...
E3 Interview With Lorne Lanning (2015)
• Lorne Lanning on Alfre...
Images:
Screenshot of Lorne Lanning,
• Lorne Lanning of Oddwo...
Box Art for Lemmings (1991)
www.imdb.com/t...
Box Art for Twisted Metal (1995)
www.imdb.com/t...
Music:
From filmmusic.io
"Two Finger Johnny" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (creativecommons...)

[@AceTrainerLiam]

Alfred Gamble was a legend! Glad to see his namesake looking swole in Soulstorm! Ha, Swolestorm.

[@brodyannm3369]

...buuuut liiiiiiaaaam

[@Dan-ud8hz]

"Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisioned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!" J.R.R. Tolkien

[@wesleywyndam-pryce5305]

1. a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility. "it's my duty to uphold the law" 2 a task or action that someone is required to perform. "the queen's official duties" so, no absolutely not. might be a goal. but maybe the goal is just survive until the war is over and you're released. wasn't he a veteran?

[@TheGriever2112]

I remember seeing the character of Alf, and he even had a tea shop.... oh my god, this is so sweet.

[@madmanarrivednow]

Alf's rehab an tea. Yes. Never knew Alf was "real". This makes the Alf's escape DLC to New'n'tasty much better. You only have to save one guy, Alf, and that's it. But it's much harder than the timed section of the base game. Still worth it.

[@predeterminedmeat5024]

​@@madmanarrivednowIt hits alot harder because before New'N'Tasty realeased Alfred died.

[@mill4318]

I can't even imagine how the developers must feel. Spending months, if not years on a project that you're putting your heart and soul into. And after you're done, not only did your hard work pay off, but your project was so good it actually helped someone have a more positive outlook on life, and not end it. I'd get emotional every time I tell that story too.

[@rafagd]

"Hello? Hello. Follow me? Ok." Almost literally the first english words I have ever learned.

[@jojotheswede8444]

"farts, laughs. i dunno"

[@Nex_Addo]

I literally forgot about these games till just now. Now Abe's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath are downloading. Gonna be a good day, started with a great video, which is so touching it literally brought tears to my eyes. God I love this channel.

[@kdeem93]

@taco trader yeah I was definitely gonna say they recently released a new one when the ps5 came out

[@NrettG]

@taco trader Soulstorm is really good as well. It feels like they ripped the game from Abe's Oddysee, gave it beautiful graphics, and just said "We still going, we ain't done with the game yet baby."

[@ZGKIV]

DONT FORGET MUNCHS ODDYSEE!!!

[@robertmarsh5322]

Just skip the remake of the original, the art direction is notably worse and less detailed.

[@bellyOfaTiger]

@@robertmarsh5322 Not gonna lie, being a lifelong Oddworld fan, I actually enjoyed New N' Tasty. I do agree with the art direction, but the controls felt so much more responsive than Oddyssey (I have a PS1 copy.) Plus, you get the privilege of playing "Alf's Escape," a DLC of New N' Tasty where the entire point is to save literally just one Mudoken. A Mudoken named Alf.

[@pupbenny]

I absolutely love this story, and I really appreciate and can not stress enough what Karl said about watching Lorne Lanning interviews! The guy has one of the most brilliant minds on the planet and is incredibly charismatic!

[@tarazzzs]

Agreed. Also love your videos on the Oddworld setting, dude!

[@deadringr]

Its not everyday a Fact Fiend video makes me cry, but this is that day one does.

[@naurrr]

I was a kid playing this game on PC and it was one of the best games I've ever played, so fun and innovative. the mature themes didn't even phase me then, and I've always loved dark humor, maybe influenced by media like this game. this story is so moving, absolutely wild.

[@poskeegget8043]

This is genuinely heartwarming, adorable, inspiring and have made this one of my all time favourite videos on KZbin. And I just love that he and I shared the same introduction to gaming on my own. . . Thank you Fact Fiend, for this video about someone I didn't even know was an inspiration of a character I adore. And for letting me know that while I was drawing creatures from the coverart as an early teenager, somewhere there was a 70 year old man that was doing the exact same thing. =D

[@Definitely_a_Fox]

Literally any video with Abe's face in the thumbnail is an instant watch for me. Probably helped that it's a Fact Fiend video as well!

[@mrmonkeyjocks8044]

I dont even know how to feel. I love this story. This brought me back to playing halo with my brother when we were kids, working through the story together and refusimg to play solo until we got through it together. I mean, i know its not the same dynamic, but games have a funny way of bringing people together sometimes. Genuinely feel a little warmer after this one. Thanks 👍

[@otakutsukonko]

I wonder if Jim Caddick/Caddicarus has heard of or even met this guy? He's the reason I've heard of the Luscious Lorne Lanning! And dude was just as obsessed with that game that he's got tattoos of it as well.

[@HopeAuq]

I doubt Caddy has met him he would have been about 4 in 97

[@triviumhead1]

I fucking love the Legendary Limitless Luscious Lorne Lanning. He really is an extremely interesting person and I agree greatly with what you said about his interviews. Really glad you talked about him in that regard.

[@SantiaTK]

That's a really sweet thing, especially the part with the tattoo I think there isn't a more perfect reason to get one lol. this reminds me of a talk by an indie developer at GDC, David Wehle the creator of The First Tree. He finished his talk about making a game with no time or budget by saying something along the lines of "please finish your game, someone might need it" which was really inspiring to me as someone learning to become a full game dev.

[@lezlienewlands1337]

Me and my cousin would spend many hours playing Abe's Oddysee. We got through almost all of the game but couldn't crack the final bit. As much as we tried, we just kept dying and breaking our controllers more and more, but I never thought the game saved a life. Major brownie points there.

[@RhapsosProductions]

This is the most weirdly adorable and heartwarming story, and every creator would feel the same as the Oddworld team if they received a letter like that

[@KristopherBel]

There is another great story about Abe's Exodus where a blind man named Terry Garrett, Terry is entirely blind but can play and enjoy the Oddworld titles due to their excellent sound design. I don't think the games saved his life as Terry seems to be quite active with many things going on for him. But this story reminded me of Terry. I found one article on Kotaku about it but I remember reading a more complete interview with Terry years ago from one of the old gaming magazines, EGM or PC Gamer or some such. The design of these games has had multiple almost unbelievable effects on people's lives, reminds me that design and vision can be such an important and positive force for the world.

[@wabisabi3343]

Oddworld was a massive mindblower for me. At 12, I listened to this story and saw this world and discovered for the first time in my life that I wasn't the only one who saw the world this way.

[@eimme]

This made me cry, im so glad this brought him so much joy!

[@Version0111]

This story made me want to play Abe's Oddysee again so I paused the video and bought it.

[@Snickersnek]

Sad man booting up Abe's Oddysey: :( Abe in the main menu: "Hello!" Sad man: ... :)

[@werebilbyj4449]

You know what's funny? This story doesn't surprise me one single bit. The game was fantastic for it's time and is still awesome to play to this day. My parents even loved watching us play it. I was able to introduce my kids to it as well, who love it and now have it on their PC collections and it just never loses it's lustre. That is second generation playing this game collection. How many games can say that? Just such a lovely story about this man turning his life around because of Abe.

[@eldupont3095]

Karl you have the best T-shirts. I'm jealous.

[@scientistsquid5675]

I really hope if oddworld’s credits now have him in the special mentions

[@kjhunt-espino4724]

Man I needed this today, just this whole story

[@michaelklos739]

It was a fun game. At the time, I don't remember anything quite like it. I mean sidescrollers were a norm, but the concepts put into that game, slight challenge, but fun. Cool that it helped that man. Good ol days before dlc

[@cayenigma]

Abe's oddyssey is one of my all-time favorites. I even bought and played through the remastered version. It is SO DANG GOOD GAME!

[@juanmacias5922]

I'm not crying, you're crying! ;_;

[@TheSmookk]

Also have an Abe tattoo, my favourite all time game series

[@Ciretwo]

Ive always loved playing those games but hearing that just makes me love them and the studio so much more.

[@rafaellum]

Oh my god, this story is so fucking wholesome, I can't T^T

[@TheSoopanerd]

Oddworld video's get a thumbs up from me almost by default. This was a treat finding an Oddworld video on Fact Fiend. Oddworld is such an underrated IP.

[@eeveegee666]

Didn't know I was signing up for a cry this morning, but thanks anyway Karl and Nisha! This is a bit of a nostalgic game for me, so hearing this is fantastic.

[@wynnright4538]

I'm not crying, I'm sweating through my eyes.

[@persomiissleepy]

I've been replying these games with my mom recently. I never knew this story too, and that makes it all the more sweeter.

[@rebeccagibbs4128]

Those sound effects and soundtrack has taken me all the way back. So good.

[@AmyDentata]

I was thinking "What if he had picked up something like Twisted Metal instead" and then that's what Karl said next

[@stephaniec9539]

i am going to quote this whenever that meme "kids need more tackleboxes and less xboxes!"

[@antonironstag5085]

I wonder did Alfred get to play Abes Exoddus and notice a Mudokon named after him?

[@allisonbergh4429]

My brother met his wife on an Oddworld fan forum back in the day. They’ve been together like 20 years now 🥰

[@PapaVilhjalmr]

Just what the doctor ordered. Friendly neighborhood ninjas cutting onions.

[@tampenismall2195]

Super ultra wholesome moment

[@josephdefaira6425]

I had an similar experience although for different reasons hearing this it truly hit deep but it was my dog Thor instead of video games that saved my life changed my entire view of life and I have and will forever cherish the short six best years of my life before cancer took him from me

[@danielwarren3138]

Quite literally the best game ever made

[@stachehenry8901]

Another game that had real world possitivity. Final fantasy 14. When tsunami hit japan and destroyed phone lines. People still had internet access and logged into the mmo game to tell friends and family they were safe

[@AuraNova26]

A very heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing this story!

[@psykolikwid]

I love this game series and this story was amazing! Thanks so much for posting this. R.I.P. Mr. Gamble.

[@0Apes0]

I’m not crying. It’s just the rain 😭

[@dizzykriket]

i wonder if he ever went into the game menu to make abe fart. that always cracked me up. still got my copy of the game ive had for years and im 40 now

[@jacencaedus]

Abes oddyssey was one of, if not the first, games that I ever played on my own console way back when, the memories of playing through it with my Dad will always have a special place in my heart

[@katietaylor8314]

I had this game on PC as a kid! I played it for hours upon hours, until I practically knew it off by heart. Back then I had a friend called Alexander, who was a hardcore gamer. He had ALL the games, and he was good at them. Every time I visited he'd invite me to have a go of his latest game, and then two minutes later: "You're doing it wrong! Here, let me." He was sweet, but constantly unimpressed by my gaming skills. Then one day I showed him Abe's Oddysee. He stared and said "Wow, you're REALLY good at this game!", and it was the first time I'd ever seen him genuinely impressed. Alex was killed in a road accident in 2016, but every time I play the game I remember him. It really has meant so much to so many people.

[@weejas]

Time can heal all wounds. Stand or walk long enough, and time wounds all heels, too.

[@lucyrosemartino9502]

God, I love that shirt.

[@itscs1175]

Alfred Gamble is a permanent reminder that I will always be Oddworld's #2 fan. I may have started playing Munch's Oddysee when I was 3, and holding a duke controller for the Xbox, I may have a shoebox full of oddworld fanart, but Oddworld didn't save my life from the brink. From a fan to a legend, shine on, Alf.

[@guillermopena8412]

Awwww, that's probably the sweetest video game-related story I've heard!

[@robertkillingsworth7149]

Same, dude. Sometimes just whatever videogames or movies are on the horizon are what keep me going when I'm feeling super low. Rest in Peace Alfred

[@fuzzbombxx-1213]

literally 1 of my most loved childhood game series. Lanning is a hero of mine for his works. i didnt know quite a bit of this. Great vid guys!

[@vicentefernandez9084]

Man, that's amazing. If you made a game, and you get one, just one person to get this much out of it, that's it. Your game won. Fuck sales figures, fuck ratings, your game won.

[@Shadamyfan-rs8xc]

Legendary Limitless Luscious Lon Lanning.

[@skibbydibby1365]

Genuinely made me cry, thank you for sharing this story. I hope everyone who had a hand in that game feels a sense of pride in what they've done

[@FZMStudio]

This made my day! Oddworld Abe's oddysee and Exodus are my favourite games of all time. Anybody who's played them will know it's the 🐐 and this is another reason for me to add why it is! Such an incredible story 💯💯💯 Love it!

[@ThatOneDude1509]

This is fucking wholesome as all hell

[@danhectic5629]

i absolutely love the first two games- and this makes me appreciate them all the more. too bad the last two weren't great- but i don't think we've seen the last of Oddworld. Great episode!

[@Yithna]

All time favorite game! Hands down.

[@manupine]

That shirt is fantastic

[@weldrodson]

I remeber when my older sister and brother sold our n64 and games which were theirs to buy a ps1 with crash spyro, resident evil and abe's oddysee and those games shaped my videogame career.

[@GoldenChocobo]

Oh man, binging these videos at the moment and hearing this story for the first time just made me tear up, Fact Fiend humor and all.

[@robotortoise]

Despite the peppy music, I still teared up a bit at this story. Thank you for telling it, Karl! Always love your videos and charisma.

[@GiveMeYourEyes947]

I totally forgot about Abe's Odyssey until now! It was one of my favourite games to play as a kid. The game holds some of my happiest memories in a not so happy childhood and I'm glad to hear that it was like that for another person.

[@MordenKult]

That's one of the coolest fucking stories i've heard in some time.

[@ShinigamiSparda]

Oh god this is so wholesome I needed this.

[@Uroboros27]

Oddworld was one of my favorites

[@ashbridgeindustries380]

You covered my favourite game of all time! Gamble's story really shows that, despite what many people think, games CAN change people's lives for the better.

[@KleioChronicles]

Top 10 games of all time. Oddysee and Exodus are amazing. I still have the PS1 disks. The sound design, aesthetic, and gameplay are all top-notch.

[@thewarlord3547]

As someone who is still suffering from depression and has even thought of suicide, hearing this made me cry, I'm a massive fan of the Oddworld games and this is the first I have heard of this, even though I have had a rough week, seeing this did put a smile on my face.

[@BaldBlokeOnABoat]

and tomorrow you might even laugh! from depressed suicidal idiot to another, you've got this mate

[@perigonsr]

I remember finding this game at a sale of some sort around 5 years ago, losing it, and haven’t been able to remember what the name was. Thanks 😊

[@alexbarker975]

I always felt like oddworld was a very dark take on the lemmings game to begin with, so it might not have gone too badly.

[@bernadettemontembault665]

That's an amazing t-shirt Karl ! I couldn't be more on board with it !

[@BobTheBuilder294]

My first Oddworld game was Munch's Oddysee. Being a kid at the time i spent hours just hitting the fart and burp buttons in the main menu

[@filthiman]

I love this story. One of the best Fact Fiend videos.

[@haleysmith1327]

I'm not crying, you are.

[@amancalleddave.3547]

Stories like these are the best ones fella, cheers for your channel I may not be as bad as to need it to save my life but it certainly makes it all easier when you have a giggle.

[@danielbrown7077]

i loved this game, i had totally forgotten about it. good times. thanks you

[@ToddRodSkimmins]

You had me at Abe’s Odyssey!❤️

[@alexrichardson2500]

Such a wholesome story, that man's a legend

[@personneici2595]

Legend. It definitely helped me get through children/adolescent abuse.

[@jerome5021]

So much nostalgia

[@ShawnGamesDrunk]

Feel good gaming story of all time, hands down.

[@taniaboudreau6963]

One of my favorite games ever

[@HenshinHaro]

Was never much of a gamer myself but that was one of my favorite games back in the day. Very cool to find out this heartwarming story connected to it. Also that’s an awesome t-shirt Karl’s got on. I love She-Ra.

[@DarthCalculus]

I love that game! And what a wonderful story

[@bimbgusbomgus2861]

Absolutely love the shirt!

[@GizmoTheFFF]

Oh wow, Abes Oddysee is one of my favourite games of all time, I played it when it first came out as little kid, never knew this story! Awesome!

[@tohnokun]

I literally teared up hearing all this, woah!

[@Zekenator_77]

Man what a story, made me cry/laugh

[@Osiris470]

I was always very intrigued by oddword but wasn't allowed 2 play it as a kid even though my cousin owned it cuz quote "it's an adult game" until 7 years later when nobody cared or remembered what it was. I'm still bummed anytime ppl bring it up cuz I have no idea what this amazing series is about.

[@demonicmachina]

I love feel good stories like this ❤

[@denalozecon9074]

I played all the Oddworld games except the newest. I think I played most two times, and three for one. This vid is cool as I like the series and have been depressed. I intend to get newest Oddworld game when feasible.

[@laurabryan6938]

This is so wholesome I can't