Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert imagines a new, independent Monkey Island game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/ron-gilbert-imagines-a-new-independent-monkey-island-game/#comments Gilbert I'm not making another Monkey Island, but if I didRon Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game - we repeat, Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game - but if he did, he has a few ideas for what it would look, feel and play like. In his latest Grumpy Gamer blog post, Gilbert lists upgrades and changes he'd want in a new Monkey Island game, including "enhanced low-res" visuals, hardcore adventure mechanics with minimal hand-holding, a huge inventory and dialogue puzzles.

Gilbert would want to rebuild the SCUMM language, in terms of its ability to rapidly iterate new ideas: "SCUMM lived and breathed adventure games. I'd build an engine and a language where funny ideas can be laughed about at lunch and be in the game that afternoon. SCUMM did that. It's something that is getting lost today."

Gilbert's wish list includes a team of 10 people or fewer, a boxed game, full voice acting, and a title of Monkey Island 3a, since "all the games after Monkey Island 2 don't exist" in his universe. He's even envisioned a Kickstarter free of frills or fancy videos, one that doesn't attempt to break any money-making records. Gilbert would need to own and control every aspect of the IP, meaning he wouldn't look for a publisher, and Kickstarter would indeed be an option.

Most shocking, though, is number 14 on Gilbert's list: "The press won't get advanced copies." Why do you tease so good, Gilbert?

JoystiqRon Gilbert imagines a new, independent Monkey Island game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Monkey-IslandRon-GilbertSCUMMThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandTue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inside the mind of Ron Gilbert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/inside-the-mind-of-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/inside-the-mind-of-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/inside-the-mind-of-ron-gilbert/#comments Inside the mind of Ron GilbertSega's booth was as loud and vibrant as the rest at E3 2012, humming with the frantic energy of a beehive that had just been kicked. Lacking a quiet corner, it was in the middle of Sega's bustling booth that I struck up an impromptu conversation with legendary adventure game designer Ron Gilbert.

I told the Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion designer that I wanted to get inside his head, to find out where he gleans his inspiration from when starting new projects.

"You don't want to be in this head," Gilbert promised.

Gallery: The Cave

Continue reading Inside the mind of Ron Gilbert

JoystiqInside the mind of Ron Gilbert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-finee3-2012maniac-mansionRon-Gilbertthe-caveThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[InstantAction streaming service launches: play Monkey Island in this post]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/instantaction-streaming-launches-play-monkey-island-in-this-pos/#comments InstantAction's new streaming service has debuted, allowing select games to be played not only in a browser window, but in an embeddable applet if desired (for those of you running Windows, anyway). The selection of games is currently limited to just one, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. The service allows the game to be played for 20 minutes for free, with the option to buy it for $9.99.

Does it work? See above. You know. The Monkey Island game running directly above this text. Did you realize when you opened Joystiq this evening that you'd be clicking your way into the future?

[Update: We mistakenly called the service "Gaikai-powered," which is inaccurate. Gaikai will provide some limited functionality in certain use cases; however, the embedded game above uses InstantAction's "chunking" technology to feed the actual executable to your computer. How and when will Gaikai be used? Look for our interview with InstantAction CEO Louis Castle later today.]

[Thanks, Matthew!]

JoystiqInstantAction streaming service launches: play Monkey Island in this post originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventurecasualinstantactionlucasartsMonkey-Islandstreamingthe-secret-of-monkey-islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionThu, 29 Apr 2010 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gaikai-and-instantaction-team-up-for-streaming-embeddable-games/#comments If InstantAction.com's CEO Lou Castle is to be believed, we're apparently going to be playing games pretty much wherever we want in the not-so-distant future. He's just revealed plans (via IndustryGamers) to relaunch his site with a new business/distribution model and a partnership with game streaming service Gaikai. In addition to the already existing model of a quick download (a claimed 4 - 5 minutes) that still somewhat relies on your computer power to process the game's graphics, IA will now offer a streaming option for those who'd prefer a quicker, less hardware reliant gaming experience. "It's the perfect implementation of a thin client solution because when it's available it's brilliant and when it's not available it's ok ... you only have to wait a couple minutes."

The aforementioned streaming option (employing Gaikai) will also be embedabble on the web, as demonstrated with Assassin's Creed (not to mention to us earlier today) "Now if people are reading a review of a game, they don't have to go find it ... they can play it right then and there in the browser."

And that's just the beginning -- Castle clearly has an eye on digital distribution services when he talks about employing Facebook as "InstantAction's Xbox Live." IA's new distribution model essentially promises to developers/publishers the ability to release games with a variety of payment methods (pay as you go, free-to-play, one-time charge, etc.) while incorporating the aforementioned embed and streaming functionalities.

So far, the company has inked one deal for distribution (with LucasArts for The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition) and Castle claims to be pursuing others right now. And apparently it won't be too long before we get to check out the new system ourselves, as the revamped digital platform is said to be "launching soon."

Gallery: InstantAction (GDC 2010)

JoystiqGaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdigital-distributionfacebookfree-to-playgaikaiinstantactionlou-castlelucasartsmicrotransactionsMonkey-Islandstreamingthe-secret-of-monkey-islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionThu, 11 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Island Home costumes allow for Dread Pirate Quincy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/monkey-island-home-costumes-allow-for-dread-pirate-quincy/#comments Does your dead-eyed Home avatar lack a bit of that buccaneering spirit? LucasArts has a sure-fire way to fix your lack of nautical flair: During its pirate-themed party at GDC, the company announced that Monkey Island costumes (pictured above) would soon make their way to PlayStation Home.

Now, we rarely get excited over virtual duds for our virtual manifestations -- but Stan's coat could really add a certain savoir-faire to our terrifying craft.

JoystiqMonkey Island Home costumes allow for Dread Pirate Quincy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>costumedlcdownloadgdc-2010homelucasartsMonkey-Islandplaystation-homeThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 11 Mar 2010 01:20:00 EST<![CDATA[First Monkey Island SE coming to PSN, Mac, Telltale, InstantAction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/monkey-island-se-coming-to-psn-mac-telltale-instantaction/#comments At a GDC 2010 event, LucasArts announced that The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is headed to a plethora of new platforms and services. First and foremost, it's been ported for both the PlayStation Network and Mac OS. Furthermore, the game is also making the jump to the Telltale games store as well as InstantAction.com. There are currently no details as to when the game will hit the services mentioned above, but rest assured we're following up with LucasArts right now.

It's worth noting that InstantAction.com is currently down for "maintenance," with the site's blog mentioning some "exciting announcements" in the near future. Regardless of when the game does show up, it's definitely good news for adventure fans that have been deprived of the remake thus far.

JoystiqFirst Monkey Island SE coming to PSN, Mac, Telltale, InstantAction originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureInstantActionLucasArtsMonkey-IslandpsnSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionWed, 10 Mar 2010 22:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/#comments Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Upon release, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars immediately found its way on my top five games of 2009. With its style, humor and variety it's clear Rockstar was trying to shine a new light on the popular franchise. Not only that, Rockstar took chances in hopes to attract a similar audience to a handheld GTA as it has on consoles. From a new class of criminal, fighting for honor and turf in Liberty City to an addictive (albeit, mostly cloned from Drugwars) illegal narcotic mini-game, Chinatown Wars felt like a breath of fresh air. Sadly, the game was a commercial disaster, relative to its console-based siblings. Be that as it may, Chinatown Wars was not only my favorite on-the-go game of the year, it was easily one of the best games to release across any platform in 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebeneath-a-steel-skybeneath-a-steel-sky-remasteredbest-of-the-rest-2009chinatown-warsDSgta-chinatown-warsiPodleft-4-dead-2MicrosoftMonkey-IslandNHL-10NintendoThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandtorchlightWiixav-de-matosXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone Secret of Monkey Island half off, soundboard app free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/iphone-secret-of-monkey-island-half-off-soundboard-app-free/#comments We're delighted to report that the iPhone version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been discounted 50% for the holidays. It's available for just $3.99 from now through January 4. If you didn't get it at half-price on Xbox (or even if you did), now you can enjoy savings on this version!

Our delight comes only partially from being able to tell you about a great price for a wonderful portable adventure game, but mostly from what we learned when we went to verify the price on the App Store: There's been a free, official Monkey Island soundboard app (iTunes link) available since September! We would never have known had the game not gone on sale.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition ($3.99): The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition

JoystiqiPhone Secret of Monkey Island half off, soundboard app free originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureAppleiPodLucasArtsMonkey-IslandportremakeSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionsoundboardThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionTue, 29 Dec 2009 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's Xbox Live deal: 50% off Secret of Monkey Island: SE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/25/todays-xbox-live-deal-50-off-secret-of-monkey-island-se/#comments Yearning for a hearty adventure, but struggling to get by on the pathetic wages of a Caribbean flooring inspector? If so, today's advertised Xbox Live Deal of the Day (part of an ongoing promotion) should float your cup of tea -- right onto the shores of Monkey Island. The Xbox Live Arcade version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been marked down by 50 percent to 400 MS Points ($5).

Some readers reported having some difficulty obtaining yesterday's deal at the advertised price. If the reduced price doesn't reflect on the Xbox Live Marketplace yet, be sure to try again later today. And if you're the good sort that's already completed this classic bout of pirating, perhaps you should join us later today as we taste pies and assign numerical scores to them.

Add The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition to your Xbox 360 download queue

Gallery: Monkey Island Special Edition

JoystiqToday's Xbox Live deal: 50% off Secret of Monkey Island: SE originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureholidayslucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionXBLAxblmXbox-360xbox-liveFri, 25 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Direct2Drive slashes prices on LucasArts games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/direct2drive-slashes-prices-on-lucasarts-games/#comments Direct2Drive is offering some pretty good deals on LucasArts games this week. Three bundles are on offer, one catering to the adventure gamers out there, another for Star Wars afficionados, and a third that combines the first two into a massive LucasArts love fest. The bundles include the likes of Dark Forces, Indiana Jones, KOTOR, Jedi Knight, Monkey Island, Armed and Dangerous, and plenty more. The smaller bundles have been discounted from $49.99 to $24.49, while the massive bundle has been reduced from $99.87 to $39.95. Not bad for LucasArts fans. The sale ends November 23 at 10:00am PT.

See details of each bundle after the break.

Continue reading Direct2Drive slashes prices on LucasArts games

JoystiqDirect2Drive slashes prices on LucasArts games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealsdirect2driveindiana-joneskotorLucasArtsMonkey-Islandsalestar-warsThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionWed, 18 Nov 2009 05:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Island: Special Edition team unearths lost dialogue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/monkey-island-special-edition-team-unearths-lost-dialogue/#comments As designer Adam Bormann dug through old code and notes while making Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, he made a curious discovery. Along with notes from Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and crew, he also unearthed dialogue that didn't appear in the original game. Though the lines didn't make it into the special edition, Bormann, like a comedy archeologist, dusted off some of the best bits and collected them on the LucasArts Workshop blog.

Though we can see why some of it was left out, we can't help but feel a little wistful about how close we came to being able to ask Meathook for a sample of stump balm. And yes, now that you mention it, Meathook's Stump Balm would make a very good name for a band.

JoystiqMonkey Island: Special Edition team unearths lost dialogue originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureAppleiPodlucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandPSNron-gilbertSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-Editiontim-schaferXBLAXbox-360Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day with free and cheap Monkey Island games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/celebrate-talk-like-a-pirate-day-with-free-and-cheap-monkey-isla/#commentsTelltale Games and LucasArts are observing the September 19 not-quite-holiday Talk Like a Pirate Day in fine form. What do pirates talk about? All the games they got without paying, of course! On that great day, you'll be able to unlock the demo of the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island by gathering a code from the company's website. You'll also be able to get the full season for five bucks off. You can grab that demo now straight from Big Download so you're good and ready.

LucasArts is also dropping the price of the Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition on Steam and Direct2Drive to $5, as well as cutting down the iPhone version's price to $4. That offer is available right now through September 21. With savings like that, you'll be able to afford your own parrot!

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqCelebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day with free and cheap Monkey Island games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureAppledirect2driveiPodLucasArtsMonkey-Islandsteamtales-of-monkey-islandthe-secret-of-monkey-islandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Island shirts fail to capitalize on the obvious]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/monkey-island-shirts-fail-to-capitalize-on-the-obvious/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/monkey-island-shirts-fail-to-capitalize-on-the-obvious/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/monkey-island-shirts-fail-to-capitalize-on-the-obvious/#comments
Don't get us wrong, the Monkey Island shirt above is pretty boss (apart from the unnecessary game title on the sleeve). The Guybrush vs LeChuck shirt is pretty nice too. Hell, even the Monkey Island buttons are decent. But there are T-shirts just waiting to be made in the actual game. Where is the "I beat the Sword Master" T-shirt? What about the "I found the Treasure of Mêlée Island[TM] and all I got was this stupid T-shirt!" T-shirt?

Come on, LucasArts! Get with the program.

[Update: Apparently LucasArts is more on the ball than we initially gave them credit for ... you see, they did hand out "I found the Treasure of Mêlée Island[TM] and all I got was this stupid T-shirt!" t-shirts at E3 this year though, perhaps conspiratorially, your old pals at Joystiq here didn't get one. Our old pal Snorre, from Norway's Dagbladet newspaper, sent us a pic of his tee which we've included for you after the break. Alright, LucasArts. We give up. Uncle. Just take our money and give us the E3 tee.]

Continue reading Monkey Island shirts fail to capitalize on the obvious

JoystiqMonkey Island shirts fail to capitalize on the obvious originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureApplecultureiPodlucasartsmerchandiseMicrosoftMonkey-IslandPSNSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionXBLAXbox-360Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[We're buying this Monkey Island statue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/were-buying-this-monkey-island-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/were-buying-this-monkey-island-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/were-buying-this-monkey-island-statue/#comments It's one of the defining struggles of our generation: Affable loser Guybrush Threepwood and his lifelong foe, the evil zombie/ghost pirate LeChuck, battling for the love of Elaine Marley. Now, it's been captured for all time in this gorgeous, 10-inch resin statue that you can pre-order right this moment.

Remember how, just the other day, you said you were looking for the perfect International Childbirth Education Awareness Day present to send us? And that you were looking to spend around $90? Hint, hint.

[Thanks, Drake]

JoystiqWe're buying this Monkey Island statue originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureAppleguybrush-threepwoodiPodlucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandPSNSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionstatuesSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionXBLAXbox-360Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Secret of Monkey Island: SE released for iPhone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/the-secret-of-monkey-island-se-released-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/the-secret-of-monkey-island-se-released-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/the-secret-of-monkey-island-se-released-for-iphone/#comments As was winked and nodded at by LucasArts CEO Darrell Rodriguez just over two weeks ago, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has sailed onto iPhone and iPod Touch [App Store link]. It'll set you back $7.99 (plus 351MB of space on your device) and sports the same fully voice-acted dialog and ability to swap between ye olde school and SE visuals on the fly as the PC and 360 versions. We're downloading it right now to put it through its paces. Have you grabbed it? If so, post your impressions in comments!

[Thanks, Kevin!]

JoystiqThe Secret of Monkey Island: SE released for iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adventureapp-storeAppleiphoneiPodlucasartsMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 23 Jul 2009 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Secret of Monkey Island has strong start on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/secret-of-monkey-island-has-strong-start-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/secret-of-monkey-island-has-strong-start-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/secret-of-monkey-island-has-strong-start-on-steam/#comments The popularity of one Mr. Threepwood and his pirating ways remain strong, as sister site Big Download reports the The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition remake has managed to be the top seller (based on revenue) on Steam last week. Guybrush and his gallivanting managed to best the likes of recently released Street Fighter IV, as well as Steam favorite Left 4 Dead.

Steam isn't the only platform the game has been a success on, though. After debuting on Xbox 360 last week, the game has managed to brighten the lives of at least 38,693 individuals (based on game leaderboard data at the time of this post). So, how about that LeChuck's Revenge remake, eh LucasArts?

Continue reading Secret of Monkey Island has strong start on Steam

JoystiqSecret of Monkey Island has strong start on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebusinesslucasartsMonkey-IslandsalesSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionsteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionvalveMon, 20 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts games also going Direct2Drive starting with Monkey Island SE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/lucasarts-games-also-going-direct2drive-starting-with-monkey-isl/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/lucasarts-games-also-going-direct2drive-starting-with-monkey-isl/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/lucasarts-games-also-going-direct2drive-starting-with-monkey-isl/#comments
If, for some reason, you should find yourself in need of an alternative to Steam but don't want to miss out on LucasArts's recent reissuing of back catalog titles, you're in luck. IGN has sealed a deal to distribute the publisher's titles via its Direct2Drive service, beginning today with The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition for $9.95.

Unfortunately, the announcement makes no mention of what other LucasArts games will be offered, saying only that there will be others. At some point. We've contacted IGN to find out if its lineup will mirror Steam's, or if there'll be any notable additions (or omissions).

JoystiqLucasArts games also going Direct2Drive starting with Monkey Island SE originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>direct2driveignlucasartsMonkey-IslandpiratesThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionThu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Look, an iPhone-sized Monkey Island: Special Edition wallpaper ('Wink wink nod nod')]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/look-an-iphone-sized-monkey-island-special-edition-wallpaper/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/look-an-iphone-sized-monkey-island-special-edition-wallpaper/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/look-an-iphone-sized-monkey-island-special-edition-wallpaper/#commentsYou can say a lot of things about LucasArts CEO Darrell Rodriguez (he's managed to get the Lucas Empire to acknowledge its adventure game heritage, for starters!) but you probably can't call him slick. When he told us that it "would make sense" for LucasArts games to come to the iPhone, "wink wink, nod nod" (he actually said that, out loud), we caught what he was throwing ... which was a boulder. On fire. Neon fire.

So now, when the 'droids responsible for maintaining the @lucasartsgames Twitter account dropped a curiously iPhone-sized Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition wallpaper with another "wink wink nod nod" we barely raised a boulder-singed eyebrow. Instead, we're wondering what the plan is for the iPhone market: "Special Edition" remakes only (ala Xbox Live Arcade), or another marketplace for the classics (see: Steam). Like most of the unanswered questions in LucasArt's journey into the vaults, we imagine it all depends on the success of this first foray.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (iPhone)


[Via @lucasartgames]

JoystiqLook, an iPhone-sized Monkey Island: Special Edition wallpaper ('Wink wink nod nod') originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventureAppleiPodLucasArtsMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionFri, 10 Jul 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover The Secret of Monkey Island (again) on July 15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/#commentsMighty pirates and lowly flooring inspectors alike are encouraged to sign up for a return trip to the shores of Monkey Island on July 15th, when a remastered version of the adventure classic arrives on Xbox Live Arcade and PC (via Steam and other online distribution channels). The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition sees that lovable display of ineptitude, Guybrush Threepwood, rendered in splendid HD graphics, surrounded by newly recorded voices and ... fired out of a cannon with a pot on his head. That part's still the same.

LucasArts has yet to announce a price for the point-and-clicker, but if there's anything our encounters with the dreaded ghost pirate LeChuck have taught us, it's that you should never pay more than $20 for a computer game.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC, XBLA)

JoystiqDiscover The Secret of Monkey Island (again) on July 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurelucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-Islandpcpoint-and-clickron-gilbertSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionxblaXbox-360Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Island SE might go to WiiWare, PSN, Monkey Island 2 a possibility]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/monkey-island-se-might-go-to-wiiware-psn-monkey-island-2-a-pos/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/monkey-island-se-might-go-to-wiiware-psn-monkey-island-2-a-pos/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/monkey-island-se-might-go-to-wiiware-psn-monkey-island-2-a-pos/#comments Speaking to the Guardian, Craig Derrick, producer of The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition, said that the game may make the jump from XBLA and PC to another platform as well. When asked about why LucasArts chose Xbox Live Arcade as the launch platform and not Wiiware or PSN, Derrick responded, "Well, we never said we wouldn't be on Wiiware or PSN now did we?" He added, "We may have another platform announcement to make very, very soon," though he failed to elaborate any further on the matter.

Derrick also seemed to share the sentiments of some other folks involved with both the Special Edition and the upcoming Tales of Monkey Island from Telltale, saying that he'd like to see a redone version of Monkey Island 2. He noted that Monkey Island Special Edition is an "experiment to see what interest there is for these types of games and if people are interested in playing them on a console." In other words, whether or not we see another revamped LucasArts adventure game depends on how well the Monkey Island sells.

We're sure the Joystiq staff will buy at least one copy, if that helps ....

JoystiqMonkey Island SE might go to WiiWare, PSN, Monkey Island 2 a possibility originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionxblaXbox-360Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Architect's Journal ranks top 10 gaming worlds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/architects-journal-ranks-top-10-gaming-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/architects-journal-ranks-top-10-gaming-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/architects-journal-ranks-top-10-gaming-worlds/#comments Before you start furiously clicking through the source link to see where on the list of Architect's Journal's "Top 10" gaming worlds Second Life falls, we're just going to tell you upfront that it's number seven. That's three full spots ahead of the (apparently) FAT-inspired Super Mario World! Outrageous, we know, we know.

The list is rounded out by some rather ... interesting choices -- from Jet Set Willy's house to Halo's ring world, and everything in between, which are all discussed in highfalutin terms that we simply can't wrap our heads around. "Gemutlich?" "Miminalism" (note: not "minimalism")? We're sticking with the video games, thank you very much.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqArchitect's Journal ranks top 10 gaming worlds originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architects-journalarchitecturehalojet-set-willyMonkey-Islandsecond-lifesim-citysuper-mario-worldtetrisThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Islandwolfensteinworld-of-warcraftThu, 25 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Taking a stroll back through The Secret of Monkey Island]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/taking-a-stroll-back-through-the-secret-of-monkey-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/taking-a-stroll-back-through-the-secret-of-monkey-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/taking-a-stroll-back-through-the-secret-of-monkey-island/#comments With an HD remix of The Secret of Monkey Island and a full-on episodic assault in Tales of Monkey Island on the way, many might find themselves wondering what all of the fuss is about. Those individuals have likely been stomping around the Earth for no more than 12 years or so, and thankfully GameSetWatch has come to the rescue with an incredibly lengthy retrospective (like, 5,000 words long) on the series.

We must warn you that the piece is filled with various spoilers, so if you've never played any of these games before, don't say we didn't warn you. But, for the rest of us, it's a great primer for the bounty of content ahead.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC, XBLA)

JoystiqTaking a stroll back through The Secret of Monkey Island originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventurelucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamtelltale-gamesThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionXBLAXbox-360Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts developers play Monkey Island on Justin.tv tomorrow, June 19, at 3PM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-developers-play-monkey-island-on-justin-tv-tomorrow-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-developers-play-monkey-island-on-justin-tv-tomorrow-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-developers-play-monkey-island-on-justin-tv-tomorrow-j/#comments Be ye ready for a ... sorry, we can do better pirate than that! Noy jitat, arrrrrrrrre ye ready to watch some LucasArts developers play Monkey Island and answer your barnacle infested questions? Then head on over to Justin.tv/lucasartsgames tomorrow at 3PM Pacific.

LucasArts devs will play through the early part of the game for approximately an hour and answer viewer questions. The event will not be recorded, so you'll have to make a date if the event interests you. Or, you know, someone out there in the stormy seas of the internets can record the event and then maybe slide a link where people can watch it later. You know, in the comments here or something. Too right, now ye be thinkin' like pirates!

JoystiqLucasArts developers play Monkey Island on Justin.tv tomorrow, June 19, at 3PM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>justintvlucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Islandthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editionXbox-360Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts wants to re-release classic adventure games (if you want to buy them)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/#comments If the words Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandango and Full Throttle bring pangs of joy to your heart of hearts, you'll want to hear this -- several LucasArts higher-ups have stated the desire to bring more of their catalog of classic adventure titles back to life, provided that people show interest in purchasing them. For starters, you could drop a few bucks on the upcoming XBLA and PC remake of The Secret of Monkey Island as a good faith offering.

This sentiment was mentioned to Australian news outlet WAToday by LucasArts community manager Brooks Brown, who said, "if this sells, there's no one at this company who doesn't want to do these games." One fan of the company's beloved point-and-clickers is LucasArts CEO Darrell Rodriguez, who spoke with Joystiq on the possibility of more classic revamps just before E3, and explained that he "couldn't do anything but release more of these titles" if sales for Monkey Island and desire from the gaming populous were strong.

Long story short, if you don't buy Monkey Island, and they don't re-release Grim Fandango because of your non-purchase, we're going to find you and punch you repeatedly in your most delicate places.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC, XBLA)

JoystiqLucasArts wants to re-release classic adventure games (if you want to buy them) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure-gamesday-of-the-tentaclefull-throttlegrim-fandangolucasartsMonkey-Islandpoint-and-clickThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 18 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Gilbert to give keynote speech at PAX 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/ron-gilbert-to-give-keynote-speech-at-pax-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/ron-gilbert-to-give-keynote-speech-at-pax-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/ron-gilbert-to-give-keynote-speech-at-pax-2009/#comments We consider the creation of the SCUMM engine to be a historic event that's on par with the invention of the light bulb or the discovery of fire, so forgive any and all typos you may find within this post -- it's tough to type while squealing and flailing your arms about. A press release just landed in our inbox which revealed the keynote speaker for the 2009 Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, WA -- it's Ron Gilbert, inventor of SCUMM and creator of Maniac Mansion and the first two Monkey Island games.

A collaboration between this adventure game luminary and the pair of comic-producing philanthropists isn't too surprising -- after all, Gilbert did consulting work on Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Surprising or no, we're still buying two passes to show how awesome we think this is. (No, you can't have the other one. It's symbolic.)

JoystiqRon Gilbert to give keynote speech at PAX 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurekeynotemaniac-mansionpaxpax-2009pcpenny-arcaderon-gilbertscummThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandWed, 03 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Island won't hold any secrets after these videos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/monkey-island-wont-hold-any-secrets-after-these-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/monkey-island-wont-hold-any-secrets-after-these-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/monkey-island-wont-hold-any-secrets-after-these-videos/#commentsIf you're new to adventure games and have yet to see The Secret of Monkey Island, check the videos after the break for a pretty good idea of what the game's like. If you love Monkey Island, check the videos for a look at the beautiful HD upgrade that has been lavished upon it. There's really something here for everyone. And by "something" we mean "eight videos."

Is it cool for us to say that one of the best new games of E3 is an old game? Because it totally is. Along with the actually new Monkey Island game.

Continue reading Monkey Island won't hold any secrets after these videos

JoystiqMonkey Island won't hold any secrets after these videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdventurelucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-IslandSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionxblaXbox-360Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Secret of Monkey Island coming to XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/rumor-secret-of-monkey-island-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/rumor-secret-of-monkey-island-coming-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/rumor-secret-of-monkey-island-coming-to-xbla/#comments Listen, we know you want to freak out after reading that headline, we do too. But let's work through this together, OK? GamerBytes says it spotted Secret of Monkey Island, the first in Ron Gilbert's revered adventure series, listed for Xbox 360 (likely XBLA) on the website of the German USK ratings board. The listing -- which actually called the game a "Special Edition" -- shows Activision as having some involvement, but likely because it handles European publishing duties for LucasArts.

However, the only evidence we have of the game now is GamerBytes' screengrab, as the listing's apparently been pulled. We're hoping against hope it was removed not because the listing was in error, but because it popped up a bit earlier than the companies behind it would have liked. You may now commence the freakout.

JoystiqRumor: Secret of Monkey Island coming to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionadventureMicrosoftMonkey-Islandron-gilbertThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionxblaXbox-360Wed, 20 May 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Classic LucasArts artwork turned into movie posters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/classic-lucasarts-artwork-turned-into-movie-posters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/classic-lucasarts-artwork-turned-into-movie-posters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/classic-lucasarts-artwork-turned-into-movie-posters/#comments All too often when mixing genres, the results - like that Mountain Dew left over from last night - fall flat. However, one enterprising forum-goer has has defied convention (and warmed our hearts), successfully marrying classic LucasArts adventure games with our wall's longstanding desire to be covered in nostalgia.

The results consist of several beautiful posters, most based on original artwork lifted from an era when LucasArts wasn't afraid to point and click, including Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman masterpieces, The Secret of Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. Designed to be printed and hung, we can't think of a better way to hide that unsightly crack above your bed.

JoystiqClassic LucasArts artwork turned into movie posters originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure-gamesclassicdave-grossmanday-of-the-tentaclefan-artindiana-joneslucasartsmaniac-mansionMonkey-Islandpeter-chanpostersretroscummsteve-purcellThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Islandtim-schaferWed, 04 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: July 22, 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/today-in-joystiq-july-22-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/today-in-joystiq-july-22-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/22/today-in-joystiq-july-22-2008/#commentsFiled under:

This random sighting of Zombie Le Chuck is part of an awesome Flickr collection from Paul The Wine Guy dubbed IT Everywhere that answers the question, "What happens if some IT comes into our real life?" It reminds us of those virtual/real hybrids for Starcraft and The Sims. (Thanks, Kjell S) Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
The best of WoW Insider: July 15-22, 2008
Joystiq E3 hands-on: Dead Space
Joystiq E3 Hands-on: Novint's Falcon controller
Joystiq E3 sticks-on: Ion premium drum set
Joystiq E3 Q&A: Spore detailed
JoystiQ&A on Xbox Live Community Games
Mahalo Daily talks arcade games with Wiebe, Walter Day, Joystiq

News
Quake Arena trailer shakes up web games
Tilted Mill shows off first Hinterland images
BioShock PS3 receiving trophies, some details given
Capcom patching SSFIITHDR 'open beta' after all
Splash Damage hires four industry vets for multiplatform mystery
Dragon Age: Origins screenshots and gameplay footage
Nintendo: Hardcore gamers 'critically important to us'
BioShock's PS3 graphics identical to Xbox 360
Zelnick: GTA isn't Take-Two's only moneymaker
User-created Xbox Live games to cost as low as $2.50, devs get up to 70% revenue
Microsoft makes Games For Windows Live free for all
DirectX 11 detailed; Vista and DX 10 / 10.1 hardware supported
Certain Nintendo controllers face retail ban
New York governor signs 'unnecessary' game law
THQ games joining GameTap this summer
Fallout irradiates GameTap this Thursday
BioWare has 'never confirmed any plans' for Mass Effect 360 exclusivity
Rumor: WipEout HD held up by epilepsy tests
Nyko FrontMan guitar compatibility chart
First real, tiny screen of Sony's 'Massive Action Game'

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: PSP-3000 adds built-in mic, PS button
Not so fast! Alan Wake may not be at TGS 2008 after all
Rumor: Oldman confirms Dark Knight game, G4 pulls video

Culture & Community
Star Wars Retrospective: Episode VII visits the Empire's shadows, the old republic
Bethesda defends E3, says it needs to change
The 'ultimate proof' that PS3 is winning
So it begins: Feminist gamers decry Sony's Fat Princess

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: July 22, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dailyrecaplechuckMonkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandTue, 22 Jul 2008 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts' PC adventures possible on DS, stalled by size limitations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/lucasarts-pc-adventures-possible-on-ds-stalled-by-size-limitat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/lucasarts-pc-adventures-possible-on-ds-stalled-by-size-limitat/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/lucasarts-pc-adventures-possible-on-ds-stalled-by-size-limitat/#commentsFiled under: ,

To this day, it baffles us that LucasArts still hasn't re-released its library of adventure titles, if only so our non-gaming friends can believe us when we tell them the developer "doesn't just make Star Wars games." Speaking to Eurogamer, Fracture assistant producer Jeffrey Gullett said it's something they've looked into it but that there's an issue of size limitations for a DS version.

Said Gullet, "The cart size of the DS makes it impossible to put out ports of any of our old graphic adventures ... There's literally not enough room on those carts to put the games out." The standard DS cart supports up to 256MB (but with slower data transfer speeds), while the DS version of ScummVM is just over 7MB. We're not sure if Gullet meant the entire LucasArts adventure library wouldn't fit on a cart, but we're willing to bet you could at least get the first three Monkey Islands under 128MB.

JoystiqLucasArts' PC adventures possible on DS, stalled by size limitations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuresDSlucasartsmaniac-mansionMonkey-Islandsam-and-maxThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 02 Jun 2008 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/03/joystiq-interviews-deathspanks-ron-gilbert/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Described as "the perfect melding of a Monkey Island style adventure game with the wicked RPG gameplay of Diablo," Ron Gilbert's episodic endeavor also formed part of our recent GDC interview with Hothead Games. Though the Orphans of Justice still have quite a bit of growing up to do, we quickly quizzed designer Ron about Deathspank's upcoming lampooning of adventure game heroes, as well as the series' inevitable downward spiral in quality after the, uh, 600,000th episode.

Continue reading Joystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert

JoystiqJoystiq interviews DeathSpank's Ron Gilbert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankDiabloEpisodicGDCGDC08HotheadHothead-GamesJoel-DeYoungMonkey-IslandOrphans-of-JusticeRon-GilbertThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/gdc-quest-quiz-i-ron-gilbert/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We did a terrible thing at last week's Game Developer's Conference. Aside from our usual barrage of photographs and "reporting," a select group of attendees had to endure a particularly inane and utterly pointless line of questioning -- just for laughs. This is what happens when you hunt down several adventure game connoisseurs and challenge them to solve a typically obnoxious adventure game puzzle.

The Player
Ron Gilbert, designer of The Secret of Monkey Island (amongst other LucasArts adventures), consultant on Penny Arcade Adventures and designer of Hothead's upcoming episodic series, Deathspank.

The Puzzle
You're standing in front of a cave. The goal is to get inside the cave, taking care to foil the ferocious robot bear guarding the entrance first.

The Inventory
  • (1) perforated parasol
  • (1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle
  • (1) sealed manila envelope
  • (1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue
Find Ron Gilbert's surprisingly direct solution after the break.

Continue reading GDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert

JoystiqGDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeathspankGDCGDC-Quest-QuizGDC08HotheadMonkey-IslandPenny-Arcade-AdventuresRon-GilbertThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandMon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST