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Ron Gilbert Returns With DeathSpank

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the madre-de-dios-es-el-pollo-diablo dept.

KingofGnG writes to tell us that the genius behind games like Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion, and the SCUMM script engine has returned to bring you another action-adventure entitled "DeathSpank". Showcased at the recent Penny Arcade Expo, the game promises the same adventure-styled gameplay of Monkey Island with the RPG-style gameplay of Diablo. Now all you have to do is get the fish out of your pants and belly up to the SCUMM bar.

66 comments

  1. DethSpank? by maeka · · Score: 4, Informative

    Brutal.

    1. Re:DethSpank? by houstonbofh · · Score: 2, Funny

      I read the article. I watched the trailers. I have no clue what it is about. I want It! :)

    2. Re:DethSpank? by Halo1 · · Score: 1

      The last trailer reminded me a lot of Munchkin. A computerised Munchkin could be really cool :)

      --
      Donate free food here
  2. Theme? by barnyjr · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maniac?
    Monkey?
    Spank?

    Sounds like my late nights on teh interwebs...

    In all seriousness, I can't wait. I LOVED the MI games and recently went through them all again courtesy of SCUMMVM. Will be nice for something new from Ron.

    1. Re:Theme? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maniac?
      Monkey?
      Spank?

      I love MMSing!

    2. Re:Theme? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maniac spanking, fair enough. But monkey...?

  3. Heheheheh by duckInferno · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    He said Spank.

    You know, like, masturbation.

    --
    Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, watch it -- I'm huge!
    1. Re:Heheheheh by schon · · Score: 1

      He said Spank.

      You know, like, masturbation.

      Thank you for pointing that out - because none of the rest of the people here (with /.'ers being the sophisticated and mature people they are) would ever think of that.

    2. Re:Heheheheh by somersault · · Score: 1

      Even BEFORE they smell your breath?

      Oh wow! http://www.scummbar.com/community/games/swordfighting/ Great idea for a flash game :p

      --
      which is totally what she said
    3. Re:Heheheheh by somersault · · Score: 1

      Ah, it's not even flash. Good stuff

      --
      which is totally what she said
  4. Thongs of Justice... by Dannkape · · Score: 1

    (...got to keep all this stuff somewhere...)

    Please tell me they'll revert to EGA graphics whenever anything gets pulled out of that one... (Unless they are worn by a female of course.)

  5. All of the big industry publishers refused it... by Fred_A · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... so there's a fair chance it could be pretty good.

    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  6. Re:Hey, by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 3, Funny

    Probably because slashdot is targeted towards people with IQs above 90.

    You must be new here.

    --
    My blog
  7. Action Adventure by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

    I guess the whole action deal is why so many people consider adventures a dead genre.

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  8. Re:All of the big industry publishers refused it.. by MRe_nl · · Score: 5, Funny

    The creator(s)of the game seem to agree with you...
    Everyone hated it - says Gilbert - But the weird thing is the more publishers that turned it down, the more convinced I became that this was a great idea. Every rejection fueled me with excitement and the knowledge that I was right. Nothing says innovation and creativity like armed security showing up to escort you out of the building while saying 'Let's not have any trouble'
    LOL

    --
    "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
  9. Yeah, Spank All Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As in MONKEY.

  10. Platform? by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Ok, I just skimmed over TFA, but I didn't see any mention of the targeted platforms for this.

    Will a great game be once again limited to Microsoft Windows and/or Xbox 360 or will it also be available for Macs, possibly Linux and hopefully Wii, Nintendo DS, PS3, PSP?

    Heck, how about an iPhone/iPod touch version?

    1. Re:Platform? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I hope it IS limited to the Windows platform.. maybe a few others later. The worst thing for it would be to make a stupid new interface just so consoles idiots can play it.

    2. Re:Platform? by Yvan256 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Old SCUMM games could be played with a touch screen (Nintendo DS, iPhone/iPod touch), not sure about DeathSpank...

      Also, the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii all have USB ports and can support keyboard and mouse. I wish publisher would stop assuming that console = gamepad and make console games that require keyboard+mouse.

      These aren't exotic accessories that cost a fortune and are only available from a handful of manufacturers.

    3. Re:Platform? by carou · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Also, the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii all have USB ports and can support keyboard and mouse. I wish publisher would stop assuming that console = gamepad and make console games that require keyboard+mouse.

      These aren't exotic accessories that cost a fortune and are only available from a handful of manufacturers.

      I don't know about you, but I don't have a desk set up in my living room in front of the television. Any game which required mouse control would be absolutely no use to me.

    4. Re:Platform? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Old SCUMM games, like Maniac Mansion, could be played on a NES. Directional pad, plus four buttons for those who didn't know (A, B, Select, Start). You would need a stupid new interface if you wanted to exclude consoles just for the sake of excluding them.

      Also, PCs have USB ports and can support gamepads. I wish publishers would stop assuming that PC = keyboard+mouse and make games that support whatever input the player wants to use.

    5. Re:Platform? by aliquis · · Score: 1

      I don't see the purpose in lots of ports either, just buy the best system or the one which can play the games you need. Why port to everything?

      And yes, Windows would probably be sufficient, though I'm on a mac without Windows but that's my choice.

    6. Re:Platform? by Firehed · · Score: 1

      Well there are SCUMM VM players for most "PC" platforms (which is to say, Win/Mac/Linux/others), but I agree that a new interface for consoles would be foolish. It could conceivably work on the iPhone (I played a bit of the SCUMM-based Day of the Tenticle on mine when I had it jailbroken) and other touch-based devices as well as point-and-click desktops, provided there's a lower-resolution version available or it scales nicely.

      Granted the interface to get into the game itself on the iPhone was quite clumsy (very much a bad desktop port), but that could be handled automatically by the whole app store thing. Truth be told, that's the kind of game that would be great on the device with only a little bit of interface tweaking (ex. landscape orientation for normal gameplay, flipping to portrait would put you into the savegame menu). As far as resources go, the old stuff runs fine, though obviously anything that requires a precise input gets to be very clunky very fast.

      --
      How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
    7. Re:Platform? by Svartalf · · Score: 1

      Considering that Hothead did it for Windows/Mac/Linux platforms on Penny Arcade Adventures, I have a feeling that it'll be on those selfsame platforms like PA:Adventures is, possibly using a similar UI with a differing storyline.

      --
      I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
    8. Re:Platform? by Legion_SB · · Score: 1

      I don't know about you, but I don't have a desk set up in my living room in front of the television.

      And unfolding a little TV tray is too complicated?

      --
      'a';DROP TABLE users; SELECT * FROM DATA WHERE name LIKE '%'... if you're reading this, it didn't work.
    9. Re:Platform? by LiquidFire_HK · · Score: 1

      Also, PCs have USB ports and can support gamepads. I wish publishers would stop assuming that PC = keyboard+mouse and make games that support whatever input the player wants to use.

      The thing is that they already do. I haven't played any game recently (that also has a console version) that doesn't have gamepad support in the PC version.

    10. Re:Platform? by Man+Eating+Duck · · Score: 1

      The thing is that they already do. I haven't played any game recently (that also has a console version) that doesn't have gamepad support in the PC version.

      I really don't like that. I have pretty good aim from far too many hours of CS, and I really enjoy getting those headshots in. In a game converted from console to asdw + mouse they often don't bother to change the mechanics. You still just point in the general direction and fire, Rambo style. No chance to take advantage of good aim, which is really frustrating if you've got the aim.

      Give me an exact crosshair and a reasonably exact weapon, and I'll get those guys in the style I like :)

      The revolver in HL2 was maybe a bit too much when it comes to accuracy, but enjoyable if you know what you're doing.

      --
      Are you a grammar Nazi? I'm trying to improve my English; please correct my errors! :)
    11. Re:Platform? by Man+Eating+Duck · · Score: 1

      an exact crosshair and a reasonably exact weapon

      Re my sig, I probably meant accurate, not exact...

      --
      Are you a grammar Nazi? I'm trying to improve my English; please correct my errors! :)
    12. Re:Platform? by suffe · · Score: 1

      Trackball. Seriously. It has all the advantages of a mouse and needs no hard surface. I use mine regularly while 'balanced' on the arm rest of my sofa or just plain on the seat next to me. Logitech TrackMan Wheel works like magic.

      --

      Karma: 2.71828182846 (Mostly due to small, fun pills)
    13. Re:Platform? by _2Karl · · Score: 1

      Also, the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii all have USB ports and can support keyboard and mouse. I wish publisher would stop assuming that console = gamepad and make console games that require keyboard+mouse.

      These aren't exotic accessories that cost a fortune and are only available from a handful of manufacturers.

      It's not as simple as that, unfortunately. When a console game is produced, it must be approved by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo before the publisher is granted permission to release the game on the associated hardware. One of the bare minimum requirements is that the game must be fully functional and playable using the standard game controller. Even Guitar Hero and DDR follow these rules.

    14. Re:Platform? by carou · · Score: 2, Funny

      I don't know about you, but I don't have a desk set up in my living room in front of the television.

      And unfolding a little TV tray is too complicated?

      Ergonomic nightmare!

    15. Re:Platform? by itsthebin · · Score: 1

      or the Logitech Edge - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

      wireless keyboard with touchpad

      been eyeing one off for a multimedia machine - but cannot justify the price at the moment , though that should decrease over time.

      --
      ...I obey the laws of physics....
    16. Re:Platform? by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      Which really is a good thing, the last thing anyone wants is having to read the back of a console game box to see if their console meets the requirements.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  11. Re:Hey, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why aren't there any black people on slashdot?

    How do you know there aren't?

  12. Police Quest type game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I miss the Police Quest games. There were some problems with the game being a bit simple, but I like the idea of being dectective trying to solve a case. The play mechanics today of story-based action/adventure games focus on shooting, sneaking and assassinating bad-guys. They're cool, fun games but lack a lot of brain power to complete.

    I was thinking the other day that using the Splinter Cell engine would make a great environment (shadows, lighting wise) for a setting. With the popularity of Dexter, making a case as complicated as this to solve would make a great game. The CSI games, I think, have sold pretty well. A well made genre of a police detective game would still have an appreciable market share, IMO.

    I love adventure games. There's a certain amount of replayability and generally a good story line. Heck, making weekly/monthly episodes ala Sam and Max would be cool too.

    1. Re:Police Quest type game by Negatyfus · · Score: 2, Informative

      You should try to find or torrent Black Dahlia. I don't feel like posting a full description when there are much better ways of getting that, but this old-school adventure game with FMV and REAL ACTORS (when did they stop doing that) puts you in a film noir detective role with an interesting story. The game is pretty hard and it's not exactly like Police Quest, but well worth it! (And not very well-known.)

    2. Re:Police Quest type game by somersault · · Score: 1

      I saw the movie - come to think of it, it's one of the few movies I ever saw that I had no idea what was going on half the time.. it's rather messed up in places.

      --
      which is totally what she said
    3. Re:Police Quest type game by Culture20 · · Score: 1

      Careful what you ask for. You may get a FPS: Gabriel Knight, Loot Patrol

    4. Re:Police Quest type game by Cryophallion · · Score: 2, Informative

      You should try to find or torrent Black Dahlia

      Or its predecessor, "Ripper", starring Walken, David Patrick Kelly, Paul Giamatti, etc. I loved this game, and had to buy the disks (it was a 6 disc game) again from ebay since the disks were so scratched up.

      Also, I should mention the Home of the Underdogs for anyone looking for some great classic games. It hasn't been updated in a while, but it has a ton of great games listed.

    5. Re:Police Quest type game by monkeySauce · · Score: 1

      You have a spare shield. You put it on...

  13. RPG style of what...?! by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 3, Funny

    RPG style of Diablo? Is that like the flight simulation style of Super Mario? Or maybe like the FPS style of Ultima 7?

    1. Re:RPG style of what...?! by TempeTerra · · Score: 1

      I know it's not what you meant, but you just reminded me that the FPS style of ultima 7 (i.e. ultima underworld II) was frickin' fantastic. That's all.

      --
      .evom ton seod gis eht
    2. Re:RPG style of what...?! by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 1

      Actually Ultima Underworld (the first one) was released before the first successful FPS (Wolfenstein 3D), and used superior technology, so in fact it was Wolfenstein (and Doom, etc.) that had a "FPRPG" look. :-)

      Ultima 7 (parts 1 and 2, plus the expansions) and the Underworlds were the golden age of RPGs.

    3. Re:RPG style of what...?! by raynet · · Score: 1

      Superior technology, hah I say. In Ultima Underworld you only had swords and bows, Wolf3D had pistols and submachines guns.

      --
      - Raynet --> .
    4. Re:RPG style of what...?! by Rui+del-Negro · · Score: 1

      Hey, in Underworld you could stop time, walk on water, and summon imps. Top that, Blazkowicz!

    5. Re:RPG style of what...?! by raynet · · Score: 1

      What? It had magic? I knew those runes could be used for something, but I didn't have a manual (pirated game) thus I didn't know any spells.

      --
      - Raynet --> .
    6. Re:RPG style of what...?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most spells were learned in the game (written on scrolls). BTW, the FBI would like a word with you.

    7. Re:RPG style of what...?! by raynet · · Score: 1

      I am pretty sure that the FBI doesn't want to have a word with me, I had a perfectly legal pirated copy, made from the original game that some friend of mine had.

      --
      - Raynet --> .
  14. Next in line by Meekuu · · Score: 1

    Gee, I wonder if next in line will be "Spank the Monkey" ?

  15. Get thee to the Wii by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have a hope that the Wii will bring about a revival of the adventure game. The Strong Bad game on WiiWare was a fun diversion, and the Sam & Max games are close to release on the console. The point and click format is perfect for the Wii.

    I love my hard core games, but pointing and clicking through something fun and puzzley can be relaxing. A man needs variety.

    1. Re:Get thee to the Wii by houstonbofh · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I have a hope that the Wii will bring about a revival of the adventure game. The Strong Bad game on WiiWare was a fun diversion, and the Sam & Max games are close to release on the console. The point and click format is perfect for the Wii.

      I love my hard core games, but pointing and clicking through something fun and puzzley can be relaxing. A man needs variety.

      One thing I miss that the Wii is bringing back is social gaming. I remember 5 of us sitting in a room playing 7th Guest figuring out puzzles together. I also remember playing doom with us against the monsters, just clearing the levels. Now it is you alone, or kill your friends only. Not very social, until the Wii came along.

    2. Re:Get thee to the Wii by Tomun · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Just so you know, if you install the Homebrew Channel on your Wii, you can play SCUMMVM games from it. I recently played through Day of the Tentacle on the Wii and it was glorious.

    3. Re:Get thee to the Wii by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Ah, so THAT's why there are multiple fleshlights and not just the-best-one(TM.)

    4. Re:Get thee to the Wii by Acer500 · · Score: 1

      There are enough of us old-time Adventure players that there is a niche for this :) as long as they market it right...

      Retro Gaming is huge for some people... last Saturday night a friend of mine popped his Nintendo and we played some Contra :P

      --
      There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
    5. Re:Get thee to the Wii by Firehed · · Score: 1

      I always thought anything that required a point-and-click interface was extremely clumsy on the Wii, prior to selling mine. Maybe it was more of an issue with early games, but I found that you'd tire your arm pretty quickly unless you were just resting your hand on your crotch and aiming from there. [insert 'joystick' remark] Even the bow and arrow in Zelda felt much less natural than it should have as compared to swinging around the controller for swordplay.

      --
      How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
    6. Re:Get thee to the Wii by Acer500 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well actually Nintendo has always had better than average multiplayer games... we had lots of fun with the Mario Party series (N64 and Gamecube) and 4-player Smash Brothers Melee .

      But yeah, I remember a bunch of us trying to solve the Monkey Island puzzles and yelling at the guy who had the control... not really multiplayer but still fun :)

      International Superstar Soccer was also a great multiplayer game... for playing 4-player games we had to buy a multitap for the PS2 and even then it's mostly used for sports game.

      --
      There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
  16. Re:Hey, by meringuoid · · Score: 4, Funny
    Why aren't there any black people on slashdot?

    How do you know there aren't?

    I heard there was actually a dedicated association for black Slashdotters. But I gather that you also have to be American, and gay, which seems to me to be a bit exclusive all things considered.

    --
    Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
  17. Me and my monkey, with a dream and a gun... by smittyoneeach · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    A cleverly hidden reference to 'Manque' is found in a song by the British artist Robbie Williams from the 2003 album Escapology (album). A song called 'Me and my Monkey' referrs to 'Manque' or 'Monkey' as a slightly disturbed and dangerous companion in which the 'Monkey' is acting independently of the singer. In fact, they are one person, and 'Monkey' is the dark, 'failed' side of his character.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manque
    Absolutely brilliant track. Here on YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylyc61vS4kQ

    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  18. But Mobile Racoon Suit: Mario rox! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    > Is that like the flight simulation style of Super Mario?

    Hey! Mobile Raccoon Suit: Mario hasn't even come out yet! Don't be a hater!

  19. Oh yes! Mr Gilbert is teh awesome! by SendBot · · Score: 1

    My introduction to R.Gilbert's work was monkey island 1 (ega 16-color version) when I was 8 I think. The box art drew me in, and the details upon the back sold me. Ron, if you read this - Thanks so much for the lifelong influence and I'm glad to see you making new games!

  20. an interesting topic by Trepidity · · Score: 1

    Well I obviously didn't read the link and I know nothing about this game, but from the title I assume it's an innovative new game with a genre-creating videogame take on BDSM snuff porn.

    --
    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  21. Zack and Wiki by PlatyPaul · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you don't mind a bit of silly in your point-and-click adventuring, then Zack and Wiki works well for the Wii.

    Difficulty goes from "intuitive and easy" to "avoid thrown Wiimotes".

    --
    Misery loves company. Online misery loves unsuspecting random strangers.
  22. Did someone actually believe that joke!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Insightful? ACs don't need karma, use the Funny mod!

    On the other hand, it's all to believable that there could be a Mario flight sim. I mean, they have platform games, 3-D games, RPGs, puzzles, tennis, racing, etc. with Mario in them. And I don't even know WHAT to call Mario Paint.

    Oh well. Nintendo can have the idea if they want it. Just so long as they don't patent it or something.