Jonathan Howe

From Homestar Runner Wiki

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Programming: per video games commentary: "Jonathan Howe threw all these together")
(Footenote-itize the sources and add some final details.)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:JHDC05.JPG|thumb|Jonathan Howe at [[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005|DragonCon 2005]]]]
[[Image:JHDC05.JPG|thumb|Jonathan Howe at [[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005|DragonCon 2005]]]]
-
'''Jonathan Howe''' is a programmer. Working in [[Flash]], he programmed [[Scrolling Shooter Games Menu|the second wave]] of [[Games|games]] for [[homestarrunner.com]] between 2003 and 2008.
+
'''Jonathan Howe''' is a programmer. Working in [[Flash]], he programmed [[Scrolling Shooter Games Menu|the second wave]] of [[Homestar Runner (body of work)|Homestar Runner]] [[Games|games]] between 2003 and 2008.
-
Early [[Homestar Runner (body of work)|Homestar Runner]] games were very simple, [[Flashforward_2006_Seattle_-_28_Feb_2006#Games_-_4:30_p.m.|made by modifying basic Flash tutorials]]. Jonathan Howe [[email]]ed [[the Brothers Chaps]] and offered to collaborate with them, resulting in the development of [[TROGDOR!]] and several other [[Videlectrix]] games. Howe, who had been living in Boston, [[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005|by 2005 had moved]] to [[Georgia]] to collaborate in-person on Homestar Runner games (while continuing to work as a freelancer). [[Late Nite JengaJam Interview - 4 Oct 2007|By 2007, he had moved out of the Atlanta area]] which dramatically decreased the amount of time and effort he could contribute to the site. [[Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque]] (released December 1, 2008) is the last game he contributed to; later [[Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate|ports]] and [[Stinkoman_20X6_Walkthrough_Level_10#Credits|revivals]] of games he worked on were completed by other [[Contributors#Programming|programmers]].
+
[[Handheld Games Menu|Early games]] on [[homestarrunner.com]] were very simple, made by modifying basic Flash tutorials. Jonathan Howe, who at the time was living in Boston, [[email]]ed [[the Brothers Chaps]] and offered to lend his expertise to their game development.{{ref|1}} This discussion led to the production of [[TROGDOR!]],{{ref|1}}{{ref|2}} beginning their relationship. By 2005, Howe had moved to [[Georgia]] to collaborate in-person on Homestar Runner (as a freelancer, he continued to take on other work on the side).{{ref|2}} Howe co-created over a dozen [[Videlectrix]] games, primarily as a programmer but also contributing writing and music to some projects;{{ref|4}} the Brothers Chaps largely provided graphics and writing, leaving the programming to their partner;{{ref|3}} for some games, like [[Stinkoman 20X6]], Howe created an engine which allowed the Chaps to build levels without special programming knowledge.{{ref|1}}
 +
 
 +
By 2007, Howe had moved out of the Atlanta area which dramatically decreased the amount of time and effort he could contribute to the site.{{ref|3}} [[Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque]] (released December 1, 2008) was the last game he contributed to; later [[Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate|ports]] and [[Development of Stinkoman 20X6 Level 10|revivals]] of games he worked on were completed by other [[Contributors#Programming|programmers]].
==Credits==
==Credits==
[[File:Disgruntled worker.PNG|thumb|Howe labeled the photo of the Disgruntled Cleaning Guy as "me" in ''[[Thy Dungeonman III]]'''s game files.]]
[[File:Disgruntled worker.PNG|thumb|Howe labeled the photo of the Disgruntled Cleaning Guy as "me" in ''[[Thy Dungeonman III]]'''s game files.]]
 +
===Programming===
===Programming===
 +
Jonathan Howe's credit appears on the title screen or in the credits, unless otherwise specified.
 +
*[[Awexome Cross]]
*[[Awexome Cross]]
*[[TROGDOR!]]
*[[TROGDOR!]]
*[[Population: Tire]]
*[[Population: Tire]]
*[[Marshie's Malloween Mix-Up]]
*[[Marshie's Malloween Mix-Up]]
-
*[[Secret Collect.]]
+
*[[Secret Collect.]]{{ref|5}}
-
*[[StrongBadZone]]
+
*[[StrongBadZone]]{{ref|5}}
-
*[[RhinoFeeder]]
+
*[[RhinoFeeder]]{{ref|5}}
-
*[[Thy Dungeonman]]
+
*[[Thy Dungeonman]]{{ref|6}}
-
*[[Thy Dungeonman II]]
+
*[[Thy Dungeonman II]]{{ref|6}}
*[[Hallrunner]]
*[[Hallrunner]]
*[[Peasant's Quest]]
*[[Peasant's Quest]]
Line 22: Line 27:
*[[Stinkoman 20X6]] (levels 1{{-}}9)
*[[Stinkoman 20X6]] (levels 1{{-}}9)
*[[Halloween Potion-ma-jig]]
*[[Halloween Potion-ma-jig]]
-
*[[Thy Dungeonman III]]
+
*[[Thy Dungeonman III]]{{ref|7}}
-
*[[Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque]] (also [[Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate#Credits|credited]] for writing)
+
*[[Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque]]
 +
 
 +
===Writing===
 +
Jonathan Howe and [[Matt Chapman]] co-wrote [[Peasant's Quest]], with [[Mike Chapman]] helping them develop the overall story.{{ref|6}}
 +
 
 +
[[Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque]] was written by the trio as well.
===Music===
===Music===
-
Howe composed music for the [[Peasant's Quest movie trailer]], alongside [[Mike Chapman]].
+
Howe composed music for the [[Peasant's Quest movie trailer]], as did [[Mike Chapman]].
-
In addition to programming the first nine [[Stinkoman 20X6]] levels, Howe is also [[Stinkoman 20X6 Walkthrough Level 10#Credits|credited]] for composing the game's music.
+
In addition to programming the first nine [[Stinkoman 20X6]] levels, Howe also composed and performed the music for those portions of the game.{{ref|4}}
===Acting===
===Acting===
-
He played an unspecified character in the [[Peasant's Quest movie trailer]].
+
He is credited in an unspecified role in the [[Peasant's Quest movie trailer]].
In [[Thy Dungeonman 3]], a photograph of Howe is used to depict the [[Minor Thy Dungeonman Characters#Disgruntled Cleaning Guy|Disgruntled Cleaning Guy]].
In [[Thy Dungeonman 3]], a photograph of Howe is used to depict the [[Minor Thy Dungeonman Characters#Disgruntled Cleaning Guy|Disgruntled Cleaning Guy]].
==Fun Facts==
==Fun Facts==
-
*If one reaches or exceeds 2,000 points in [[TROGDOR!]], Jonathan Howe's name will [[:File:Togdor secret.png|appear in flashing colors]] at the bottom left side of the game over screen. [[Strong Bad]] calls this [[Easter egg]] "the coolest secret thing [he] ever found in a video game".
+
===Trivia===
-
*The signature "Love, jonathan ("nickname")" is hidden in the [[XML Source]] for the [[Weeklies]], suggesting Howe contributed to the programming of the [[Quote of the Week]], [[Weekly Fanstuff]], and/or [[Sketchbook]].
+
[[File:Togdor secret.png|thumb|High score!]]
 +
*[[TROGDOR!]] was the first game Howe worked on for the website, though [[Awexome Cross]] was the first to be released.
 +
*If one reaches or exceeds 2,000 points in [[TROGDOR!]], Jonathan Howe's name will appear in flashing colors at the bottom left side of the game over screen. [[Strong Bad]] calls this [[Easter egg]] "the coolest secret thing [he] ever found in a video game".
*Howe appeared on several [[strongbad_email.exe]] [[DVD Commentary Speakers|DVD commentaries]].
*Howe appeared on several [[strongbad_email.exe]] [[DVD Commentary Speakers|DVD commentaries]].
**He assisted with the animation on the [[Strong Bad Email]] [[rampage]].
**He assisted with the animation on the [[Strong Bad Email]] [[rampage]].
 +
===Remarks===
 +
*Several Videlectrix games were released during Howe's tenure that do not feature any real-world credits. As of late 2007, the Chaps were still stating that they "don't program [...] all we can do is graphics"{{ref|3}} so Howe likely had some involvement in their development:
 +
**[[Pigs on Head]]
 +
**[[Kid Speedy]]
 +
**[[Where's an Egg?]]
 +
**[[Make-O Your Own Stinko]]
 +
*The signature "Love, jonathan ("nickname")" is hidden in the [[XML Source]] for the [[Weeklies]], suggesting Howe contributed to the programming of the [[Quote of the Week]], [[Weekly Fanstuff]], and/or [[Sketchbook]].
 +
 +
==References==
 +
#{{note|1}} [[Flashforward 2006 Seattle - 28 Feb 2006#Games - 4:30 p.m.|Flashforward 2006 Seattle]]
 +
#{{note|2}} [[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005|''The Bobby Blackwolf Show'', 5 Sep 2005]]
 +
#{{note|3}} [[Late Nite JengaJam Interview - 4 Oct 2007|"The Brothers Chaps What Made The Homestar Runner", ''Late Nite JengaJam'', 4 Oct 2007]]
 +
#{{note|4}} [[NYU Talk - 1 Mar 2005#Stinkoman 20X6 preview|"A Date with Homestar Runner", New York University, 1 Mar 2005]], [[Stinkoman 20X6 Walkthrough Level 10#Credits|''Stinkoman 20X6'' credits]], {{Decemberweenvent Calendar|21}}, {{postref|1615184464963080192|16|Jan|2023}}
 +
#{{note|5}} {{dvdcom|video games}}
 +
#{{note|6}} [[Adventure Gamers Interview - 2 Sept 2004|"'Peasant's Quest' Interview", ''Adventure Gamers'', 2 Sept 2004]]
 +
#{{note|7}} Presumably built from the same text engine as the prior two series entries;{{ref|6}} also indicated by "me" comment on picture of character using Howe's likeness.
==See Also==
==See Also==
-
*[[Adventure Gamers Interview - 2 Sept 2004]] Interview about [[Peasant's Quest]] with [[Matt Chapman|Matt]], [[Mike Chapman|Mike]], and Jonathan
+
*[[Adventure Gamers Interview - 2 Sept 2004]] {{--}} Interview about ''[[Peasant's Quest]]'' with [[Matt Chapman|Matt]], [[Mike Chapman|Mike]], and Jonathan
-
*[[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005]] Interview at Dragon Con with Jonathan
+
*[[Bobby Blackwolf Interview - 5 Sep 2005]] {{--}} Interview at Dragon Con with Jonathan
[[Category:People|Howe, Jonathan]]
[[Category:People|Howe, Jonathan]]

Revision as of 17:55, 23 June 2025

Jonathan Howe at DragonCon 2005

Jonathan Howe is a programmer. Working in Flash, he programmed the second wave of Homestar Runner games between 2003 and 2008.

Early games on homestarrunner.com were very simple, made by modifying basic Flash tutorials. Jonathan Howe, who at the time was living in Boston, emailed the Brothers Chaps and offered to lend his expertise to their game development.[1] This discussion led to the production of TROGDOR!,[1][2] beginning their relationship. By 2005, Howe had moved to Georgia to collaborate in-person on Homestar Runner (as a freelancer, he continued to take on other work on the side).[2] Howe co-created over a dozen Videlectrix games, primarily as a programmer but also contributing writing and music to some projects;[4] the Brothers Chaps largely provided graphics and writing, leaving the programming to their partner;[3] for some games, like Stinkoman 20X6, Howe created an engine which allowed the Chaps to build levels without special programming knowledge.[1]

By 2007, Howe had moved out of the Atlanta area which dramatically decreased the amount of time and effort he could contribute to the site.[3] Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque (released December 1, 2008) was the last game he contributed to; later ports and revivals of games he worked on were completed by other programmers.

Contents

Credits

Howe labeled the photo of the Disgruntled Cleaning Guy as "me" in Thy Dungeonman III's game files.

Programming

Jonathan Howe's credit appears on the title screen or in the credits, unless otherwise specified.

Writing

Jonathan Howe and Matt Chapman co-wrote Peasant's Quest, with Mike Chapman helping them develop the overall story.[6]

Dangeresque Roomisode 1: Behind the Dangerdesque was written by the trio as well.

Music

Howe composed music for the Peasant's Quest movie trailer, as did Mike Chapman.

In addition to programming the first nine Stinkoman 20X6 levels, Howe also composed and performed the music for those portions of the game.[4]

Acting

He is credited in an unspecified role in the Peasant's Quest movie trailer.

In Thy Dungeonman 3, a photograph of Howe is used to depict the Disgruntled Cleaning Guy.

Fun Facts

Trivia

High score!

Remarks

References

  1. ^  Flashforward 2006 Seattle
  2. ^  The Bobby Blackwolf Show, 5 Sep 2005
  3. ^  "The Brothers Chaps What Made The Homestar Runner", Late Nite JengaJam, 4 Oct 2007
  4. ^  "A Date with Homestar Runner", New York University, 1 Mar 2005, Stinkoman 20X6 credits, Decemberweenvent Calendar (Day 21), @StrongBadActual tweet (16 Jan 2023)
  5. ^  video games (DVD commentary)
  6. ^  "'Peasant's Quest' Interview", Adventure Gamers, 2 Sept 2004
  7. ^  Presumably built from the same text engine as the prior two series entries;[6] also indicated by "me" comment on picture of character using Howe's likeness.

See Also

Personal tools