ron-gilbert posts

The co-creator of the very first LucasArts adventure game, Maniac Mansion, would like to see the publisher do a remake much like it did recently with the two Monkey Island special editions. Eurogamer reports that speaking at GDC 2011 Ron Gilbert states, "I think that would be really neat."

If he were to be in charge of such a remake, Gilbert has though about "fixing" what he feels were flaws in the original 1987 game. However he added, "Isn't that a little bit like George Lucas going back and fixing all those problems with Star Wars? Maybe the game really needs to be what it is back then."

The original game, released back in 1987 for the Commordore 64 PC, has the gamer controlling a teenager that is trying to rescue his girlfriend from a mad scientist inside a dark mansion. The game was the precursor to all of the great LucasArts adventure games that followed. Gilbert himself is currently working with another former LucasArts adventure game designer, Tim Schafer, on an unannounced game at Double Fine.

DeathSpank is a game that has been a long time coming. originally envisioned as an adventure game from the mind of Ron Gilbert, it's been floating around for a long time. Fortunately, the folk at Hothead snagged up both the idea and Gilbert, making the dream of Ron Gilbert fans come true. Unfortunately, it was done in such a way that, while not bad, is thoroughly deserving of the relatively low price it goes for. Despite being an amazingly well-presented game, DeathSpank never moves beyond the initially shallow beginning into the more entertaining, lasting part that most games include. Still, it's a game that most people should play, both because of its accessibility and because of its humor.

While PC gamers have had to wait a little longer to get their hands on DeathSpank, that wait will be over very soon. Publisher Electronic Arts and developer Hothead Games will be releasing the PC port of the humor-filled action-RPG game on Steam this week and there are plans to bring the game to the Mac as well in the future.

Big Download got a chance to ask some questions to the CEO of Hothead Games, Vlad Ceraldi, about the PC port of DeathSpank, including how the game was adapted to work on the PC, the influence of the game's originator Ron Gilbert and more.

Two of the main creators behind some of the classic PC adventure games of LucasArts are officially joining forces once again. Kotaku reports that Ron Gilbert has now joined the team at Double Fine, reuniting him with his former LucasArts teammate Tim Schafer. Gilbert previousy worked at Hothead Games and was the main developer behind its two DeathSpank action-RPG titles (which hopefully will be released for the PC and Mac soon as indicated by their ESRB listings).

Double Fine recently decided to switch from creating big retail games to small downloadable game titles. However so far the developer has been silent on any plans to bring these games to the PC or Mac platforms. Gilbert did say his first game for Double Fine will be an original title adding, "Fans of those old adventure games will like it."

DeathSpank is the baby of Ron Gilbert, and while the first game in the episodic hack-and-slash adventure series is still awaiting release on PC, the developers are hard at work on the second episode. Entitled thongs of virtue, it entitles rescuing the thongs from their corrupted owners, such as... Santa? The game certainly looks odd, but what can one expect from DeathSpank? Some of the new features shown in this trailer include futuristic weapons and alien enemies, alongside an improved presentation. We will be more interested once the first game finally makes it to PC, though.

Download HD DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue 'Story' Trailer
Check out all DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue downloads

Last month, developer Hothead Games and publisher Electronic Arts released DeathSpank as a downloadable game for consoles but so far a PC version of the action-RPG title has yet to be officially announced. The game's main creator Ron Gilbert has strongly hinted a PC version was in the works as he has refered to the "XBox and PS3 and [REDACTED] versions" of DeathSpank on his official blog site.

Now comes word via Kotaku that a sequel to DeathSpank is coming and in fact will be released next month for the Xbox 360 and PS3. The sequel, titled Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue, was developed at the same time as the original but will be 50 percent longer than the first game and will have new features such as the lead character using guns for the first time.. However when asked about a PC port, Hothead Games' producer Hamish Miller would only say that the developer is "seeing some demand" for a PC port but that the team is working just on the console versions.

Often remembered as the best game in the series, the second Monkey Island game will be getting major makeover this summer with the release of Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge. The classic adventure game will be upgraded with high-definition graphics, voice acting and a remastered soundtrack but that's not all... the game will also feature a host of extras including an original art showcase and commentary recorded by the original creators Ron Gilbert and Tim Schafer. This behind-the-scenes documentary video goes behind the scenes and provides a first look at the Special Edition process and what it takes to put an even Bigger Whoop into Monkey Island 2.

Download HD Monkey Island 2 Special Edition Documentary Video (249 MB)

Earlier this year when LucasArts announced their plans for a special edition version of their classic adventure game Monkey Island 2 they mentioned that there would also be in-game commentary from the game's original creators. Today LucasArts revealed more info about the feature and the people who will be involved when the Special Edition is released later this summer.

The game's original creators Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman will offer up their views on how they made the original version of Monkey Island 2 while player check out the new Special Edition with its revamped graphics, audio and more. Gilbert recently ended a stint working at Hothead Games creating the upcoming game Deathspank while Schafer went on to form Double Fine Studios. Grossman is currently working at Telltale Games where he helped to make last year's new episodic game Tales from Monkey Island.

[Via email press release]

In a bit of a surprise, game design legend Ron Gilbert has announced on his personal web site that he has left the developer Hothead Games. Gilbert came on board the Vancouver-based developer in 2008 as the company's Creative Director and has worked mostly on their upcoming and long awaited action-RPG game DeathSpank.

You may remember that DeathSpank got a publishing deal with Electronic Arts earlier this year but just for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. However in his blog post he seems to hint that a PC version is coming as well. He talks about the "XBox and PS3 and [REDACTED] versions." Gilbert is pretty vague on his reasons for departing Hothead itself, saying that the creative and production aspects DeathSpank are basically done, a statement that's confirmed over at Hothead's web site. He adds, " . . . it's looking quite amazing and is damn funny. So, to quote my childhood hero George W. Bush: Mission Accomplished." However he also says he still plans to help Hothead and EA with promoting DeathSpank.

[Via Joystiq]

While LucasArts is trying to work on more original games like the just revealed downloadable title Lucidity, that doesn't mean the company isn't abandoning their still popular Star Wars franchise. For the PC fans can expect Star Wars The Clone Wars Republic Heroes game to be released in a few weeks and of course BioWare is working on the long awaited MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic.

But in a chat with GameTrailersTV, LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez he said that's not all they are working on. He admitted that they have a number of internal but currently unannounced Star Wars games in development. In addition he said he has met with a number of former LucasArts game developers like Tim Schafer, Dave Grossman, Ron Gilbert and Larry Holland. He stated, "Wouldn't it be great to work with them on some new things?" Hmmmmm . . . sounds very promising.