# Can we talk about the Thimbleweed Park Intro? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [April 9, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545 "2018-04-09T13:13:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/22 "2018-04-09T17:22:11Z")
Thanks! And yes, I don’t know if an American audience would have laughted this much. Definitely not if I gave the talk in certain parts of this country. This was in Helsinki, 14 years ago… ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/23 "2018-04-09T17:24:58Z")
Yeah, the moral panic kind of never ended in the states. Back then it was harder to notice what happened over there. But I was baffled when I heard how controversial Harry Potter initially was in the states (because witchcraft!) while in europe it made parents happy that it motivated children in the rising digital age to read books again. ---
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/24 "2018-04-09T18:57:52Z")
I’m sure it was only controversial in a small but vocal subset of this country, likely in the Southern states. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/25 "2018-04-09T19:26:56Z")
> [@David](#): > > My favorite fan letter (and I think my only fan letter I got while I still worked at Lucas). Ah, is it that one where the writer asks for your game to be banned on those grounds? ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/26 "2018-04-09T19:33:04Z")
> [@David](#): > > I’m sure it was only controversial in a small but vocal subset of this country, likely in the Southern states. The size of a large part of Europe. Larger than my country anyway, where for your info, in my language “Zak” is also a curse word… (short for a-hole). Our parents didn’t blink an eye though! ---
**Author:** ![PiecesOfKate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/piecesofkate/32/93_2.png) [@PiecesOfKate](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/PiecesOfKate)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/27 "2018-04-09T19:54:05Z")
> [@Sushi](#): > > in my language “Zak” is also a curse word… (short for a-hole). And in my language ‘crack’ means the crevice part of the bum. So that’s well covered 😆 ---
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/28 "2018-04-09T20:26:41Z")
Yes… bullet points are above, thanks to @milanfahrnholz. Here’s the complete letter: Dear Sir, I am returning this game, “Zak McKracken” because I find it quite unsuitable. The excellent game playability and graphics further compounds the real problem: the game is saturated with New Age/Satanism teachings and concepts. The following are a few that I and others have come across: - Eastern religions, meditation - African witchcraft, magic - A medium, a spiritual guru, a religious devotee - A person converts to an eastern religion - A superior guardian race of Ancient Ones - One religion over all of time, and all the world - Communication by aliens through dreams - Out of body experiences, mindlinking with animals - Changing of consciousness - Mind over matter, telepathy - Mental telepathy - Mind control by aliens I not only find these false teachings objectionable, but consider the immersing of them in humor and presenting them as a game very dangerous. Not any of this was mentioned in advertisements for the game. I implore you to at least make it clear to unaware buyers that this is a New Age game that deals with religion. As a computer consultant and part-time Youth Pastor I have an obligation to others in this regard. I will await your response before deciding how to further fulfill my responsibilities to warn others. Rev. Merwin Updyke Altoona, PA ---
**Author:** ![Gffp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/gffp/32/12183_2.png) [@Gffp](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Gffp)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/29 "2018-04-09T20:39:42Z")
> [@David](#): > > but consider the immersing of them in humor and presenting them as a game very dangerous Ha! That’s great! 😄 I believe it’s exactly the opposite! Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/30 "2018-04-09T20:43:13Z")
Pennsylvania? Ah, well the loud minorities… I guess the person wanted a warning sticker since those were the latest rage for music records back then. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/31 "2018-04-09T21:27:21Z")
> [@David](#): > > I will await your response before deciding how to further fulfill my responsibilities to warn others. So did you respond? ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/32 "2018-04-09T21:36:41Z")
I´d be interested if he fulfilled his responsiblities to warn others. Did he write a comic (an Updyke Tract?), have public burnings of Zak copies? Was he promised a slot on Geraldo? Why got people distracted by stuff like the crumbeling of the soviet union instead of focusing on important stuff like this! ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:41pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/33 "2018-04-09T21:41:12Z")
> [@David](#): > > The game is saturated with New Age/Satanism teachings and concepts. Satanism?! In Zak McKracken?! Hey David, did you hide an Easter egg in Zak McKracken that I have not discovered yet, after 30 years?? 😂 Well, I can’t imagine what he could say if he played Thimbleweed Park… ![IMG_20180409_234039](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/2/2e4f870c99c0826e0ee663ced1ef15690d428e0b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Someone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Someone](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Someone)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/34 "2018-04-09T21:49:55Z")
I leave @Calypso with the posts above 😉 and get back on-topic: > [@PiecesOfKate](#): > > But weren’t you watching what happened next? Yes, but just because the game forced me to do this. > [@PiecesOfKate](#): > > Were you literally sitting there thinking, oh crikey, where are the credits? 😉 Yes, indeed. I missed a “real” intro. I had the same “problem” in “Chuchel”, btw. Just to clarify: I don’t need the credits, but in this special case the intro sequence had a -hm- “odd” dramaturgy - in my(!) opinion. ---
**Author:** ![milanfahrnholz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@milanfahrnholz](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/milanfahrnholz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/35 "2018-04-09T21:50:20Z")
People used to think Elvis made “the devil´s music” so maybe it was the presence of the king. 🤷‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/36 "2018-04-09T22:14:50Z")
We published the letter in the Lucasfilm Games Fan Magazine! Probably thanked him for his concern. ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 5:31am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/37 "2018-04-10T05:31:42Z")
Aha, that’s where I read it! (Recently, because although being a big Lucasfilm games fan, I never owned a single one of these fan magazines, ironically) ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thimbleweedpark/original/2X/9/9a85024f086d9047c0a2c2db1c31e9da456ea56d.JPG) The answer was “But have you tried playing it bacwkards?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sushi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/sushi/32/163_2.png) [@Sushi](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/Sushi)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/38 "2018-04-10T05:46:02Z")
> [@dangerouslee](#): > > A lock and chain eerily swinging in the low wind Interesting… that’s a pretty heavy lock. And there is barely any wind (like you said). 👻 :franklin: ---
**Author:** ![ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/zakphoenixmckracken/32/41_2.png) [@ZakPhoenixMcKracken](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/ZakPhoenixMcKracken)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/39 "2018-04-10T07:09:31Z")
😂😂😂😂 That’s fantastic!! Good catch! ---
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:11am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/40 "2018-04-10T07:11:20Z")
Perfect! You found the original! I remember Googling the guy some time ago, and he was for real. And the answer to his letter was perfect. Let me know if you don’t know the reference. ---
**Author:** ![David](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forums.thimbleweedpark.com/david/32/11_2.png) [@David](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/u/David)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:11am UTC](https://forums.thimbleweedpark.com/t/can-we-talk-about-the-thimbleweed-park-intro/2545/41 "2018-04-10T07:11:51Z")
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