Hothead Games to publish Ron Gilbert's 'DeathSpank'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jan 9th 2008 at 1:33PM }
Described as -- and you'll want to sit down for this -- "the perfect melding of a Monkey Island style adventure game with the wicked RPG game play of Diablo," Ron Gilbert's latest creation has been revealed to be an episodic title dubbed "DeathSpank: Episode 1: Orphans of Justice." The adventure legend has joined Vancouver-based Hothead Games as Creative Director, noting that he's spent over four years searching for "the right publisher for this strange little game." He went on to quip, "Now that I've done it, you just know that somewhere four horsemen are saddling up."
Followers of Gilbert's grumpy ramblings may remember DeathSpank as a satirical game character mentioned in a series of Flash comics, created with the aid of Clayton Kauzlaric and offered on Gilbert's personal blog. They'll also recall that Gilbert is currently providing his expertise and surly demeanor to Penny Arcade's episodic endeavor, On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Expect to hear more on both titles... soonish.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris @ Jan 9th 2008 1:43PM
The king returns.....
Welcome back sir!
Oh, and look behind you... IT'S A THREE-HEADED MONKEY!
dvnt @ Jan 9th 2008 1:46PM
DeathSpank... Lame title. Like it's trying too hard to be goofy. Coming off as being more tired than hip. But who knows, behind the stupid name could be a fun game.
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jan 9th 2008 2:54PM
Ugh, this just made me want the PA game. Although, Diablo-like gameplay is enticing. It is like crack to me.
Steve @ Jan 9th 2008 2:59PM
I don't care about the RPG aspects, I just want a new episodic adventure game, especially with Gilbert involved. Sam & Max has got me addicted: I didn't realize how hard it was going without a new LucasArts adventure game for 8 years.
Strangely I still don't give a damn about Penny Arcade's game, Gilbert or not.
fco. @ Jan 9th 2008 3:15PM
First it was Sam & Max...
...then Brutal Legend...
...and now, Deathspank...
...OMG, IT'S THE RETURN OF THE LIVING FORMER LUCASARTS ADVENTURE GAME DESIGNERS!!!
craig @ Jan 9th 2008 3:16PM
I want this title immediately. Who cares about a name? Diablo + Monkey Island = a big win in my book.
whymog @ Jan 9th 2008 5:49PM
I never thought I'd see the day where Ron Gilbert and Tim Schafer were free to make the games they'd always wanted to without having to deal with LucasArts' bottom-line driven philosophy that gave way almost entirely to derivative Star Wars garbage.
Basically, words cannot describe how awesome this announcement is.
Maybe 'pappapishu.'
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Jan 9th 2008 6:11PM
But the announcement isn't painful in any way.
(PS. 10,000 bonus points for the reference, sir.)
chalito @ Jan 9th 2008 8:12PM
Except that pappapishu was from MI3, in which Gilbert wasn't involved ;)
Still, AWESOME news.