Alexander Angeltveit's Al Lowe Interview
Alex:
We know so much about you, would you tell us a little about the special people in your life, your family?
Al Lowe:
My family is the most important thing in my life. Unlike Leisure Suit Larry, I've been married to the same wonderful woman for over 31 years. Margaret and I have two great children, Brian, 23 and Megan, 16.
Alex:
Since you're not working at Sierra anymore, what are you up to now?
Al Lowe: I'm also working on Al Lowe's Humor Site which I invite all your readers
to visit at I also have many hobbies: reading, scuba diving, skiing, golf, humor, playing saxophone in a big band, managing my
daughter's fast-pitch softball team. In fact, it seems I'm busier now than when I was "working" full time.
Alex:
You have a new book for sale now, "You've Got Laughs." Would you mind telling us about this book and where you got the idea for it.
Al Lowe:
I first went on-line in 1986, back on CompuServe's old Gamers Forum, looking for beta testers for Leisure Suit Larry 1! And ever since, I've received and swapped humor with my electronic friends. I'd conservatively say I've seen many thousands! I've saved about 10% and of that fraction, I'm putting just the funniest in the book.
Alex:
On the Larry Collection CD there is a preview of a book where you talk with Larry. Would you tell us a bit about this book?
Al Lowe:
Sure. The book was called The Official Book of Leisure Suit Larry and was written by my friend, Ralph Robert's with a little help from Larry and me. It was available for many years, through at least 5 editions and is still available in the latest version of the Larry collection (the horizontal box, not the vertical box). You can tell if the book's inside—it's heavy!
Alex:
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Al Lowe:
Alex:
You play the sax and played some in Larry 7. Have you played any "gigs" or is it purely amateur music?
Al Lowe:
Actually, as I'm writing this, I'm getting ready to leave for a jazz club in Seattle where I'm
playing with a wonderful big band. Talk about longevity? This band has met every Tuesday night for over 30 years to sightread music. They never "practice," only "read." We take every arrangement
one time through and that's it. Miss too many notes and you won't get invited back. I'm proud to say I've been a regular for the past two years. With hundreds of arrangements, it's going to take a long time to get
through everything.
Alex:
Why is there no Larry4? What is the real reason that Larry4 never hit the shelves?
Al Lowe:
Alex:
Can we expect any more games from Al Lowe?
Al Lowe:
Besides, I create humor, and I just can't figure out how to make a funny First Person Shooter, RPG, or strategy game. Maybe someone else will show me the way, but right now, I love adventures, I'm good at them and I know I can create a good
one. If there was only enough buyers!
Alex:
There was once talk about a Larry movie. Why did it never get made?
Al Lowe:
Alex:
Has Larry ever been in any commercial or anything like that? If not, have there been offers?
Al Lowe:
Alex:
On Larry 7 there were a lot of "Easter eggs." Were they made with or without your knowledge?
Al Lowe:
Alex:
What is your favorite game not made by you?
Al Lowe:
In years? Backgammon. I played a freeware game created for the Macintosh in 1984 until I finally
gave up on Macs in 1995. 11 years is a long time for any game, but backgammon is like that. As far as "real" computer games go, I spent many months with F-19 Stealth
simulator from Microprose back in the Larry 3 development period. I'm sure we would have shipped that game a month earlier if F-19 hadn't come out! Lately, Mario 64 absolutely floored me.
Unreal. Half-life. Need for Speed. And many others.
Alex:
Last, but not least, is there anything you would like to say to all those Larry fans out there?
Al Lowe:
I just want to express my appreciation for all the support you've given me over these past 15 years. Not only through your purchase of my silly games, but
the great letters of support and the moving tributes you expressed on roboto, to Sierra, and to me on my web site. When we were making these games, we were just trying to create
something that we'd enjoy playing ourselves. I was always surprised and humbled by the fact that millions of other people would spend their hard-earned money buying my wacky sense of humor. I never realized that, in the process, we were
affecting the lives and careers of so many people Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I hope to find another way to make you laugh real soon now!
And that Concludes this interview, As Al Lowe said, Millions have bought his game, and still. he seems really down to earth and great :), no wonder people love his games!