Just watched episode 3 but will rematch just to catch graffiti on wall.

OK: some notes on the reprised Knightmare.

Google didn't want us to show them what a new show would look like, and although they wanted the players to be adult geeks, they were hooked on nostalgia, They also wanted me to take full advantage of two new members of cast who were brought in by them at no small expense. Actually I thought both new girls were excellent.

When it became clear that we had neither the time nor cash to rebuild the live set, I opted for a virtual one as the only choice. We had no time in which to build anything more than basic, so to conceal its deficiencies I packed the opening with a few special effects (like Treguard's transformation) to 'busy' things up. Unfortunately this had the side-effect of slowing things down, and the front of the programme lacked pace. For those of you who remember the Knighmares of the 80s with the aid of 19 years worth of rose-tinted glasses, I would remind you that those programmes often had less pace than a tortoise.

Setting the game difficulty level for a team of highly intelligent adults (no matter what some of you thought of them - they were just that), was also problematic. And I thought we got that about right. Few of the best children's teams would have survived the 18 odd minutes of game-play we threw at them, let alone the scenes you did not see. They coped faultlessly with most of the logic puzzles, and were cruising towards a point when we were planning to freeze time and give them an honourable draw, when they suddenly did something quite silly and killed off their dungeoneer. The credit for this goes to 'Slice Me Dice Me' simply one of the best puzzles we've ever used in Knightmare, and one which also offers immense flexibility and genuine threat.

This team of adults were so intimidated by the giant blades that they neglected to 'shuffle' Stuart to the edge of his 'safe' pallet, from which point the jump to the next causeway was practical.

Given the unexpected bonus of a dramatic ending to the show, I then had to chop seven minutes from the adventure scenario in order to accommodate it, and I don't regret doing so, even if some of the edits did inevitable telegraph themselves even to an inexpert audience. Losing a couple of strategic cut-aways to a software glitz when encoding, didn't help either.

It was interesting and intriguing pitching game at adults, the more so because there is little chance in today's market for Knightmare re-emerging as a children’s show. Neither is it likely to re-appear in a half hour format, because today even game-show formats eschew this, and a dramatised adventure game of any ambition will need more time and space to breath.

The short form also renders them financially prohibitive.

I understand why some of you felt moved to criticise, but believe me when I claim pre-eminence in the matter of criticism. Although I’m saddened that some of you didn’t like the new show, it doesn’t particularly surprise me. It wasn’t made only for you, but to address the demands of a commercial client who had their own legitimate agenda, and no vested interest in the future or otherwise of the format.

TC

Great to hear from the legend and the brains behind Knightmare! Apart from first few minutes, and considering the constraints you have mentioned, I thought it was a great effort for one episode and first since 1994 and thanks a million!

Hi guys. Long time Knightmare fan here, just joined the boards and made a first post in the newbies section! I have a lot to say about this new episode and do agree with some of the things you guys are saying, but I might be a different type of fan since I preferred the later series of the show (controversial maybe?) But I will get into that tomorrow when I get home from work and draught a better response.

For now though just let me join you in rejoicing in the fact that I just watched a NEW Knightmare episode for the first time in over 15 years!!

Welcome, you are not alone mate. I also prefer the later series of Knightmare! Well apart from the first few minutes was a good episode, my only gripe is the fact it felt a bit too much based on the early series but still loved it and would love the show to be back!

Smashing news like Malefact been away for a few years (though signed up as new member back in 2010 after the forums suppposed heyday and posted for a few months before disapearring), but with it back on Challenge and now this youtube show, I am excited and honoured to be back here!

I think simply 'watchers' as Treguard always refered us as that!

This time I will def do Tulleys Farm! I should have no problems as not skint! Must do it as only a few miles down the road. lol

[quote="Redthir"]

Simon - Series 4, Team 4

Funny enough for me to create a parody song based on this death. And a Facebook group as well.

That is the ultimate classic!

Apart from that one four others that would make my top 5

Neil Series 2

Their hilarious death by Cedric the silly team that were generally useless at spellcasting Spade instead of Shovel!

Series 5 Richard and the Magic Orn!

Akash Series 2 Everything about the short quest and death is hilarious

Series 6 January and The Magic Rope of Sly Hands!

Congratulations good to hear a new convert in the world!

Great video saw it a few months ago, and was impressed, sums up how the ghost effects of Knightmare live on in the children that were Watchers/ Dungeoneers/ Advisors.

I still like to imagine when I leave home to go out I am entering dwarf tunnels series 6/7 before arriving at destination!

January series 6 'magic rope' Hands only victim, always been a fan since I first saw it way back in 1992

Simon 'sidestep to your left' series 4

Series 5 the Gillingham lot when they tried in vain advertising the 'magic ORN' in front of Skarkill

Team 1 Series 8 Richards team argue and pick wrong items in level 1 clue room and leads to premature exit with Bhal-Shebah

Series 2 Neal gets clobbered by Cedric and rightly so.

If only I had not accepted a match ticket to see Brighton win and go six clear at top.

Sorry guys, hope it was still fun. Financial constraints stopped me going at last minute.

Who is still thinking of attending Shocktoberfest? As still possible for me!

Welcome to the board I have been here since late summer holidays and find this site interesting. Nice to still see the odd newcomer on this site!

Welcome to the forum Rick!

Sophias was one of the best teams that never won, very bright intelligent and brave for what looked a very young team of 11 year olds! It was just one error when answering Hordriss's Diploma questions that cost them with that cliffhanger end of episode on the Great Causeway. High praise for calling Elita a Faceache! lol

This sounds good will drop you an email and ask some friends if they fancy maybe taking part!

Well said they had a slightly sloppy start, but got better as the game went well, good interaction, did Adrianes layer well, and that Great Causeway scene is just pure classic.

Could anyoone email me a version of this as well please?

thanks!

charlesball86@hotmail.com

Yes I am still up for it, you still doing Saturday still?

Good find I will have to check that out sometime! Thanks for pointing it out!