The mysterious countdown at Grumpy Gamer

[Hümmelgümpf]

http://grumpygamer.com/

What could it possibly mean? Did Ron find a publisher? Is he going to reveal the Secret? Post your mad suppositions here, so we could pass the time until the Wednesday.

 

[Noceur]

Intruiging... he does mention that he's hoping to have some info regarding publishers and stuff in that german interview (posted earlier in his blog).

Adventure/RPG comedy game?.. sounds interesting.

 

[flabbyjack]

0 -> Happy January 10th everybody!

 

[Hory]

Or the "I don't give a fuck what Ron Gilbert does today" day.

 

[Hümmelgümpf]

http://grumpygamer.com/8519854

Go ahead, pinch yourself. Now Pinch yourself a little harder. Now pinch yourself really hard, hard enough that it bleeds a little, because that's how hard you'll have to pinch yourself to realize you're not dreaming.

Now, before I get into making the actual announcement that I have publisher for my new RPG-Adventure game and production has begun, I have a little story to tell you all.

http://hotheadgames.com/news15.php

The Great White North (January 9, 2008) – In a move that may upset the balance of the universe (or at least that around the 49th parallel), Hothead Games announced plans to publish Ron Gilbert's long-awaited RPG-Adventure game, DeathSpank. Described as "Monkey Island meets Diablo", the game will be released in episodic format and feature Gilbert's unique style of humor and storytelling. In a related move, Ron Gilbert will be joining the company's Vancouver-based studio as Creative Director, effective immediately.

 

[asper]

That's awesome.. ! The look of the thing isn't really my style, and I dunno if combining adventure and hack n slash will work out, but hell, it's Ron Gilbert

 

[Kingston]

"Monkey Island meets Diablo"



Time will tell...

 

[Bluebottle]

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".

As for the game, I'm interested enough solely based on Gilberts rep and attitude. He certainly always seems to be talking the right talk. Of course it doesn't necessarily follow that he'll make good on his talk, but I've enough faith to give the first episode a try at least.

 

[Section8]

"Monkey Island meets Diablo"



Time will tell...

My thoughts exactly. If it's just another bog standard ARPG with a Gilbert-esque wrapper, I think I'll be passing on this one.

 

[Noceur]

Either way, it's great that he's got a job in game development again.

 

[Jason]

New Ron Gilbert interview

RPS: You say you’re planning to combine adventure gaming with the RPG in DeathSpank. I’ve often wondered if the RPG hasn’t simply replaced the area adventures once occupied in our lives. What properties of each are you aiming to bring to the mix?

RG: Adventure games are all about telling a good story with interesting and sexy puzzles. One aspect of the DeathSpank design I am very happy with are the puzzles and the puzzle flow. It’s very “Monkey Island”. For an adventure game, telling the story should be flawlessly woven into the puzzles, if it’s not, then the puzzles seem out of place and are just progress blockers. I like the way the two ended up complementing each other so well.

As for the RPG, let’s face it, there is something fun about whacking stuff with a sword and collecting items that make you stronger and more powerful, or just look cool. The real trick is going to make sure that those two aspects of the game complement, rather than fight with each other. Getting that right is going to be a fun challenge. Oh… there will be no grinding. That is one part of RPG/MMO that I do not like, and from a design standpoint, it can be replaced with the adventure play.

Also, early gameplay video

 

[peak]

He sure is very funny, and his comments about having the story woven into the puzzles is just right. Almost every big adventure game released in the latest years I feel have disconnected the puzzles from the story - they're just there to impede your progress, without any worth of their own. Off the top of my head: Tunguska, Dreamfall, Still Life, Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy), Hotel Dusk... of course I haven't played every recommended game these latest years but these games sure don't make me want to despite me loving the genre, not when they are often recommended by AG fans.

Now, if Gilbert can make something like his older games, or Scratches even, I'll be there.

I worry about the RPG aspect though - if it's bad (I'm feeling that it won't be mindblowing, though his comments about no grinding is good) it can take the rest of the game with it into the trash.

Here's for hoping.

 

[VonVentrue]

Either way, it's great that he's got a job in game development again.

Indeed.
I shall definitely keep an eye out for this, whether it turns out to be decent remains to be seen.

 

[Hazelnut]

Sounds great to me. It's an adventure game with combat and pc char progression & equipment added in. What's not to like if it's done well?