Line #21 Creator/JoshMandel


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/196_1.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:Making adventure games funny since 1990.]]
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4	Josh Mandel (born October 9, 1958) is an American computer programmer and writer best known for his work at [[Creator/{{Sierra}} Sierra Online]], including such games as ''VideoGame/FreddyPharkasFrontierPharmacist'' and ''VideoGame/SpaceQuestVIRogerWilcoInTheSpinalFrontier''. He's also known by many as the original voice of [[VideoGame/KingsQuest King Graham]].
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6	Originally a comedian from Queens, New York, he began writing articles and reviews for computer magazines as sort of a "day job", which led to working as a beta tester for both Sierra and Creator/{{Infocom}} before getting hired by Sierra. One of his first jobs was producing the DOS port of ''VideoGame/{{Zeliard}}'' (you can also thank him for fixing the infamous [[VideoGame/KingsQuestIQuestForTheCrown Rumpelstiltskin puzzle]]).
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8	Most of the games he worked on, especially those he was credited as a writer for, were known for their witty humor and {{pun}}-filled dialogue, and usually tends to reward players for examining everything.
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10	After working with Sierra for roughly six years, Mandel left Sierra in 1996, citing a contract dispute with the new management who [[WordOfGod "had no prior experience in the gaming industry at all, no particular love of games, [and] no respect for the history of the company."]]
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12	In his post-Sierra career, he's worked for various companies including Creator/LegendEntertainment, Creator/TakeTwoInteractive, and even Creator/{{SEGA}}. He has also lent his voice to various ''King's Quest'' fangames and remakes, usually reprising his role as King Graham.
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15	!!Body of work
16	* ''VideoGame/{{Zeliard}}'' (1990) - producer (English localization)
17	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIQuestForTheCrown'' [[EnhancedRemake SCI remake]] (1990) - producer
18	* ''VideoGame/MixedUpMotherGoose'' [[EnhancedRemake SCI remake]] (1990) - writer
19	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVAbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder'' (1990) - voice
20	* ''VideoGame/JonesInTheFastLane'' (1990) - actor
21	* ''[[VideoGame/EcoQuest EcoQuest: The Search for Cetus]]'' (1991) - voice
22	* ''VideoGame/PoliceQuest3TheKindred'' (1991) - actor
23	* ''VideoGame/SpaceQuestIVRogerWilcoAndTheTimeRippers'' (1991) - voice
24	* ''VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry5PassionatePattiDoesALittleUndercoverWork'' (1991) - writer
25	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVIHeirTodayGoneTomorrow'' (1992) - voice
26	* ''[[VideoGame/LauraBow The Dagger of Amon Ra: A Laura Bow Mystery]]'' (1992) - voice
27	* ''VideoGame/PeppersAdventuresInTime'' (1993) - designer
28	* ''VideoGame/FreddyPharkasFrontierPharmacist'' (1993) - designer, writer
29	* ''VideoGame/{{Phantasmagoria}}'' (1995) - actor
30	* ''VideoGame/SpaceQuestVIRogerWilcoInTheSpinalFrontier'' (1995) - designer, writer
31	* ''Literature/CallahansCrosstimeSaloon'' (1997) - designer, writer, voice
32	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIQuestForTheCrownAGDI'' (2001) - voice
33	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIIRomancingTheStones'' (2002) - voice
34	* ''VideoGame/{{Insecticide}}'' (2008) - writer
35	* ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIIIRedux'' (2011) - voice
36	* ''VideoGame/LeisureSuitLarry1InTheLandOfTheLoungeLizards Reloaded'' (2013) - designer, writer, voice
37	* ''VideoGame/HeroU'' (2018) - writer
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39	!!His works provide examples of the following:
40	* CreatorThumbprint: Puns. He loves his puns. Especially prominent in ''Literature/CallahansCrosstimeSaloon'', where many characters spew puns without batting an eye.
41	* ExecutiveMeddling: His ultimate reason for leaving Sierra. During Sierra's change in location, he decided to go from employee to contract designer, and move to Seattle along with all the other designers. The contract stated he would be working on a game with fellow employee Mark Hood, but the new management broke the contract ''a few days later'' and reassigned Hood elsewhere. When Mandel spoke to them about it, they simply shrugged him off, stating "That's business." He turned in his resignation form the very next day.
42	* OldShame
43	** Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), he wasn't very fond of his [[VideoGame/KingsQuestV first time]] playing King Graham, citing it as one of his worst voice acting roles. He was surprised when Creator/AGDInteractive asked him to voice Graham as he did in ''King's Quest V'' and not ''VI'', after he gained more experience.
44	** He was also unhappy with the puzzles he designed for ''VideoGame/SpaceQuestVIRogerWilcoInTheSpinalFrontier'', claiming he could've tweaked them a bit had he not left Sierra during the game's development.
45	* WorthyOpponent: Considered Creator/LucasArts to be one to Sierra, seeing them as a fellow game company who "had more money backing them".

Context Creator / JoshMandel