Press Kit
Press contact: russell@falsevacuum.com
WHAT IS THIS?
Linda & Joan is a narrative adventure game by Russell Quinn, based on the worst year of his life, when his mother and grandmother, the two remaining members of his immediate family, died within a month of each other.
You play as Russell, Linda, and Joan — son, mother, and grandmother — switching between them to help the family cope with a series of traumatic events.
[Read the true story behind the game]
It will be released in two parts:
Linda & Joan Prologue: “Four Months Earlier” — July 14th, 2020 (available now!)
Linda & Joan (main game) — currently in development
There are two additional side projects:
Linda & Joan Zine Club — ten handcrafted zines mailed to subscribers to build backstory — started Feb 2021 and completed in May 2024.
“The Candle” — a bonus scene released exclusively to members of the Linda & Joan Mailing List in Jan 2021.
Linda & Joan Prologue: “Four Months Earlier”
A free, standalone prologue, “Four Months Earlier”, was released on July 14th, 2020 for Windows, macOS, iOS.
It is set four months before the events of the main game, when Linda visited Russell in Los Angeles.
www.lindajoan.com/four-months-earlier
RESOURCES
Download a zip file of screenshots, logos, etc.
Release trailer:
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/431280245
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKwfslycric
Walkthrough videos: (for review purposes only, not for sharing)
Read some player reviews
LINDA & JOAN (main game)
The main game is currently in development and will be a narrative adventure game.
RESOURCES
Download a zip file of screenshots, logos, etc.
April 2024 development reel:
Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/938320038
YouTube: www.youtu.be/NWjprdBlNo4
Email Russell to receive the Game Concept Document
About Russell
Russell Quinn is an artist, designer, and programmer. He works independently as False Vacuum.
He was previously employed as McSweeney’s Digital Media Director where he developed and implemented their e-book strategy, and relaunched their popular humor website and store. Before that, he cofounded multinational digital agency Spoiled Milk, and made tools for games consoles at Sony.
In 2009, he invented the first subscription-based iPhone app in the publishing industry. In 2012, he cocreated The Silent History, a Webby Award-winning digital novel for iOS. In 2015, he cocreated The Pickle Index, a story told via a fictional recipe-sharing app. His work has been recognized by the Los Angeles Times, Apple, Sundance, SXSW, Wired, Time, Core77, Creative Review, and the BBC.
Russell left the UK in 2005 and has lived in Denmark, Switzerland, and rural California. He is currently based in Los Angeles and working on Linda & Joan, a narrative video game about the worst year of his life.
ABOUT FALSE VACUUM GAMES
“False Vacuum” is the name of Russell’s consulting and production company. “False Vacuum Games” is the games division. Please attribute either to “Russell Quinn” or “False Vacuum Games.”
Links
Please include something like “Follow the progress at: www.lindajoan.com”
General
Project homepage: www.lindajoan.com
Social media:
Twitter: @FalseVacGames
Instagram: @FalseVacuumGames
Linda & Joan Prologue: “Four Months Earlier”
Homepage: www.lindajoan.com/four-months-earlier
Game stores:
Linda & Joan (main game)
Homepage: www.lindajoan.com/main-game
Game stores:
Linda & Joan Zine Club
Homepage: www.lindajoan.com/zine-club
Linda & Joan Bonus: “The Candle”
Homepage: www.lindajoan.com/the-candle
Russell Quinn