LucasArts classics could wind up on iPhone ... 'wink wink, nod nod'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jul 6th 2009 at 2:45PM } 
Wink wink, nod nod. Thanks to our remarkable journalistic acumen, we can only conclude that he's attempting to convey relevant information by verbally describing physical body language. Other drifts tossed into our cupped hands: Rodriguez has deemed LucasArts' new endeavor to release old, beloved titles a "passion project" -- and it's "just the beginning." He also said that out loud.
As for iPhone ports of point-and-poke classics (or even remakes like The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition), well, we think we would quite like that. If you know what we mean.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AtomicPlayboy @ Jul 6th 2009 2:54PM
Wouldn't this necessitate a port of the SCUMM engine to the iPhone hardware, which is a violation of Apple's policy on emulation software?
captainprotonx @ Jul 6th 2009 3:10PM
I would think that if the publisher of the original software is the source, it doesn't violate emulation rules.
id would be in the same boat with their ports if this were the case.
deanb @ Jul 6th 2009 3:18PM
Well they blocked the C64 app from emulation stuff even though the guy had full licence n rights to do it, so being the official publisher has nothing to do with it. Or else Flash would be on the iPhone already, cos it's Adobe wanting to do the port, but obvlusoily that breaks the emulator policy too.
I would guess that Doom doesn't run in an emulator and is done form the ground up, I would guess it's not too hard.
AtomicPlayboy @ Jul 6th 2009 3:41PM
@deadb: Yeah, it was my understanding that Apple was prohibiting emulation due to exposure to licensing issues, but the C64 thing seems to invalidate that assumption. Perhaps this isn't a problem with SCUMM if there are no rules against _software_ emulation only, since you don't need to emulate x86/AtariST/etc. _hardware_ to get the SCUMM games to work. We'll see.
Wehooo @ Jul 6th 2009 4:19PM
Apple doesnt allow apps to execute other code inside them. I dont see how that would be an issue in this case.
YMM @ Jul 6th 2009 10:51PM
SCUMM isn't an emulator. It's an interpreter for the SCUMM language.
Shmil @ Jul 6th 2009 2:59PM
Say no more say no more
Jem @ Jul 6th 2009 3:02PM
Know what I mean?
Misframed @ Jul 6th 2009 3:03PM
I'm not sure I'm following you...
deanb @ Jul 6th 2009 3:14PM
Say no more, say no more
Markusdragon @ Jul 6th 2009 3:32PM
A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat!
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 6th 2009 3:59PM
Shut up and....
DO A BARREL ROLL!!
Shmil @ Jul 6th 2009 5:49PM
Deany-B nice quote.
To those wondering what the "Do a Barrel Roll" is doing here you probably see one of the other avatars. I'll put in other quotes if you happen to see the others.
IGNORE ME!!
*menacing cackle*
pasta @ Jul 6th 2009 6:21PM
"He asked him knowingly..."
deanb @ Jul 6th 2009 7:14PM
Oh oops :D
I just got caught in the whirlwind of Monty Python :P
I'm a very naughty boy.
Shmil @ Jul 6th 2009 7:20PM
For this you shall be punished. Brrrrring out!....the comfy chair!
RudyHuxtable @ Jul 10th 2009 5:49PM
Whoah slow down there, you're jumpin' the gun.
First we poke him with the soft cushions, then 2) obtain a signed confession then 3) NOTHING. There is no third thing.
DBuck_Eye @ Jul 6th 2009 3:02PM
Isn't it supposed to be "wink wink, nudge nudge"... wink wink, nudge nudge?
MystileArmor @ Jul 6th 2009 3:03PM
I think that one only counts for sexual innuendo's. The rules of winking, nudging, blinking and nodding are very complicated, y'know.
Cody @ Jul 6th 2009 3:07PM
Where are all these games for my Storm?!?!
johnny @ Jul 6th 2009 3:14PM
stormm doesnt have the same user installed based as iphone. another reason to go with iphone, installed user base = more apps and games. plus what cell phone has the gaming power of the iphone too? iphone is from god himself, hence the name jesus phone. u didnt know that?
NaeemTHM @ Jul 6th 2009 3:21PM
Perhaps the Storm lacks the architecture to port games? It's certainly a valid point.
Cody @ Jul 6th 2009 3:50PM
LMAO @ johnny's reply
Nice!
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 6th 2009 4:08PM
Wait, what? Who's talking about me? I play games. I play all games!
ill trooper @ Jul 6th 2009 5:36PM
Maybe you need the Blackberry or something (no dis intended there), but if not, lose that thing and get down with the iPhone if you want games on your phone. Or an Android phone or Pre at least... Phones that devs are actually supporting.
scratch @ Jul 6th 2009 3:12PM
saweet! i love me ye olde lucas arts adventures, but don't have a viable PC nor a xbox to game on. iphone or ps3, whichever comes first will be getting my dolla dolla billz yall.
MystileArmor @ Jul 6th 2009 3:22PM
I don't know about anyone else, but I downvoted just cause you said "dolla dolla billz yall"
Captain Planet @ Jul 6th 2009 3:37PM
I down voted because this guy needs a swift kick to the balla balla ballz ya'll.
Shmil @ Jul 6th 2009 3:48PM
I downvoted because others were downvoting. I just want to be part of the gang.
scratch @ Jul 6th 2009 3:55PM
lol! i just put that in to be silly. hilarity ensues!
MystileArmor @ Jul 6th 2009 5:08PM
Ok fine let me point out this then:
Besides the dolla dolla bill, "saweet" and "ye olde lucasarts adventures" in your post make it so I'd kind of wish you'd wrap your lips around the exhaust of a car while the engine is running.
Lonecow @ Jul 6th 2009 6:12PM
Has anyone ever down voted their own comment before?
I'm going to down vote this one.
deanb @ Jul 6th 2009 3:13PM
I have a very bad feeling about this.
Right now I got to use that to business, I think that it's a tad off that dev's just dump their games on the iPhone and expect it to sell well. What happens if they get in the habit of doing this n just realise they can sell us their old games on consoles n get away with it? Especially if they don't retool it at least. E.G square have been adding their old FF games to DS, but at least they've added some 3D updated the game play a bit etc.
johnny @ Jul 6th 2009 3:16PM
bad feeling? like the kind u get when a catholic priest caresses u?
MystileArmor @ Jul 6th 2009 3:21PM
I don't think I'm understanding everything you've typed, but what I think you are trying to say is that you shouldn't pay for old games?
A gem like Monkey Island is great for everyone who hasn't played it before, or for those who want to revisit it. (Not to mention achievements on the consoles).
And they reworked the whole thing, updated the graphics, full voice acting etc.
No one is MAKING you buy the game, so don't buy it if you don't want it.
NaeemTHM @ Jul 6th 2009 3:33PM
Dean have you seen the Virtual Console? It's more or less proof that people will buy old games all over again.
Shmil @ Jul 6th 2009 3:41PM
Devs have been reselling games for years man, the Iphone is just a new portable device they can port to. I mean hell there was A Mario NES collection for the SNES. Is this the first time you've seen an old game for sale on a new platform?
deanb @ Jul 6th 2009 5:07PM
I wan't meaning people shouldn't buy these games. I was saying that it would be nice if the dev's didn't just throw out their old stuff but put some work into remaking them. the iPhone and other hardware is quite capable of recreating and going beyond consoles upto 5/6th gen quality.
Hence the FFIV statement at end, Square have take n the time to remake sprites, sort out spellings(beyond Spoony Bard :P) and add 3D graphics n a touch screen mini-map.
Like that Sega Ultimate collection was horrendous, sure it was nice to have them games but considering they were made for the 360 and PS3, two HD consoles and the games ran in barely SD just showed the guys just expected the name of the game to sell it.
Team17 are another nice example, remaking Worms but with the HD-ness in mind.
Gipionocheiyort @ Jul 6th 2009 3:13PM
Son of a....
If this happens I may have to break down and get an iPhone :'(
NaeemTHM @ Jul 6th 2009 3:21PM
This is actually pretty damn awesome. The iPhone is PERFECT for point and click adventures. To hell with all these damn FPS games their trying to shoehorn on to the iPhone.
Eh @ Jul 6th 2009 3:31PM
Did Lucasarts come under new management a few years ago or something? They used to kick a lot of ass before they turned their focus on cheap crapware.
MystileArmor @ Jul 6th 2009 3:57PM
Monkey Island cheap crapware? Go fuck yourself.
Wehooo @ Jul 6th 2009 4:24PM
Huh? I would say that this is the first time in years Lucasarts is doing anything right.
Eh @ Jul 6th 2009 4:32PM
You guys have reading comprehension problems.
WhatIsThatThing @ Jul 6th 2009 5:37PM
I think he was saying that the Monkey Island games fell under the 'kick a lot of ass' category and all those crappy new Star Wars games fall under the 'cheap crapware' category.
Reading is hard.
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 6th 2009 3:58PM
Maybe said iPhone games will recognize "Wink, Wink" and "Nod, Nod" motions?
Wehooo @ Jul 6th 2009 4:28PM
Bad move. This makes me want to wait with my XLA purchase.
Ratfoot @ Jul 6th 2009 5:31PM
Full Throttle for the iPhone my God this could be the greatest thing in the history of ever.
Lonecow @ Jul 6th 2009 6:10PM
Did I die and go to heaven?
Christ, I have been sending them letters for years asking for all this stuff and in the last week they are making it all happen at once.
THANK YOU LUCASARTS! took you long enough, but THANK YOU!!
nudge @ Jul 6th 2009 10:28PM
If Apple doesn't allow emulation, explain Sonic the Hedgehog, Flashback and Flight of the Amazon Queen (which all use emulation) on the AppStore.
Flight of the Amazon Queen even mentions that it uses ScummVM.