Ron Gilbert was recently interviewed by games™ where he revealed that he still wanted to do a proper Monkey Island 3 and was wondering how to go about prying the IP from LucasArts:
“I don’t know the backstory about how Al Lowe got the rights to do Leisure Suit Larry, or any of these other games.” says Gilbert, “but the problem with the Monkey Island stuff is that LucasFilm hoards intellectual property. And George does not need any more money, right? I think if I showed up at their doorstep with a briefcase full of ten million dollars, they would not sell me the license. I think it would have to be an obscenely absurd amount of money to pry that license away from them. So yeah, I don’t think Kickstarter would ever” he trails off before adding, “I mean, maybe I should start a Kickstarter for a hundred million dollars, to buy the Monkey Island license. You never know!”
Sounds good to us!
Source: games™
Fearless Flying Monkey
This is precisely the reason that CMI fails. Just reread that and is it not the most convoluted piece of rubbish that utterly fails to try to make sense of the end of a series in the worst way. It offers no real explanation for anything other than a basically saying "let's pretend none of this happened." It reminds me of the Yahtzee (Zero Punctuation) review of TMI where he mentions how Monkey Island 2 did it's best to finish the series off and that CMI is basically MI2's corpse pulled from a river, well with how they wrote CMI it's clear to see why.
I thought I was alone, now I'm starting to see a lot of people got disappointed by CMI. Feels better now.
Jennifer
LeChuck explains everything about the end of Monkey Island 2 at the Carnival of the Damned at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island. Big Whoop was really a gate to a demon underworld and it was how LeChuck got his powers. The amusement park at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island was the same as the one at the end of Monkey Island 2, built around Big Whoop so LeChuck could turn unsuspecting tourists into his skeleton army. LeChuck cursed Guybrush into being a child in order to trap him at the carnival at the end of Monkey Island 2 (and cursed Guybrush to think LeChuck was his younger brother even though he wasn't to further make Guybrush think he was really a child since sibling rivalry would explain the tension between Guybrush and LeChuck if they really were children), and tried to do the same to him at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island. Guybrush was floating in a bumper car at the beginning of The Curse of Monkey Island because he escaped the Carnival of the Damned and the curse was lifted (since the child curse was described as having symptoms like a hangover and was cured by a hangover cure to clear his head the second time, it most likely just wore off the first time after Guybrush's thoughts had cleared up. The symptoms of a hangover would also explain why Guybrush was unaware of what happened at the beginning of The Curse of Monkey Island).
This is precisely the reason that CMI fails. Just reread that and is it not the most convoluted piece of rubbish that utterly fails to try to make sense of the end of a series in the worst way. It offers no real explanation for anything other than a basically saying "let's pretend none of this happened." It reminds me of the Yahtzee (Zero Punctuation) review of TMI where he mentions how Monkey Island 2 did it's best to finish the series off and that CMI is basically MI2's corpse pulled from a river, well with how they wrote CMI it's clear to see why.
Rum Rogers
Listen mate, I didn't mean to offend or to be rude. And you should notice I'm on your side in a certain way, simply because I never accepted CMI as a proper MI3.
It's all good, I started it. ;) And my mistake, I was indeed proven wrong.
Thank you Jennifer, for the comprehensive summary of CMI's ending, I did not remember that at all, which tells just how long it's been since I last played it. The one thing I truly didn't like about that game was the ending, but now I hate it, it completely ruined the awesomeness of MI2's ending! (In the same fashion '2010' ruined all the great unexplained things in '2001: A Space Odyssey').
Anyways, I personally don't want a "replacement" of CMI. I'd be happy with Ron returning to the MI world in any way, and since he clearly has ideas for a continuation to his MI2, I'd love to see that. I also agree with licensing being the most likely chance of this happening.
valkian
Rum Rogers
It proves even more: first of all, LucasArts allowed them to present CMI as MI3 to the foreign public. The Monkey which holds the sign is the same in every box so it's clear it's been officially provided by LEC. Furthermore, the story began just where MI2 left.
Isn't this last point enough to make it MI3?
Listen, I wish you were right, I wish it wasn't officially MI3 but it unfortunately is. Saying it isn't just makes you look like you want to be right just for the mere pleasure of it. CMI is Monkey Island 3, LucasArts says it, Gilbert says it, everyone does. Surrender, man.
Haha, look, I'm not trying to argue for the sake of it, I'm just pointing out a very simple fact, and you are presenting information as if it proves something beyond doubt, but it doesn't. Sure, LEC might have provided that image (which is clearly an afterthought), so what? Germans and Italians chose to have a 3 on the box, for commercial reasons, and what good reason could LEC have not to allow that? It is the third Monkey Island game after all, I've always called it Monkey Island 3.
And please explain to me how exactly CMI picks up where MI2 left off, because as far as I remember MI2 left off in a bizarre sequence of Guybrush and LeChuck's childhood. CMI begins in a setting that is never explained with Guybrush floating about the ocean, and to my recollection there is no significant acknowledgment of MI2 events. I don't mean to be stubborn about this, it isn't really a relevant thing (even if there is no strong connection between the two games, that doesn't mean it couldn't be MI3), but I fail to see how this is an unquestionable fact.
Listen mate, I didn't mean to offend or to be rude.
And you should notice I'm on your side in a certain way, simply because I never accepted CMI as a proper MI3.
But, leaving the foreign versions and their caption, why would Ron joke speaking of "Monkey 3a" if Cmi wasn't MI3? Really, I'm pretty sure he and everyone else consider Cmi to be Monkey Island 3.
Following your logic, Monkey1 isn't Monkey1 because the title won't mention it... C'mon! :)
Regarding their failure on properly beginning the third chapter where the second left, I couldn't agree with you more: I was pretty puzzled too, but as Jennifer said LeChuck explained everything in a way that I never liked but that's good enough to let you know why CMI started up like it did. So, when you say it's not MI3 I have to disagree, but if you say it's not a proper MI3 then I can put my signature beneath. Hope I've been clear. Cheers
valkian
And please explain to me how exactly CMI picks up where MI2 left off, because as far as I remember MI2 left off in a bizarre sequence of Guybrush and LeChuck's childhood. CMI begins in a setting that is never explained with Guybrush floating about the ocean, and to my recollection there is no significant acknowledgment of MI2 events. I don't mean to be stubborn about this, it isn't really a relevant thing (even if there is no strong connection between the two games, that doesn't mean it couldn't be MI3), but I fail to see how this is an unquestionable fact.
LeChuck explains everything about the end of Monkey Island 2 at the Carnival of the Damned at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island. Big Whoop was really a gate to a demon underworld and it was how LeChuck got his powers. The amusement park at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island was the same as the one at the end of Monkey Island 2, built around Big Whoop so LeChuck could turn unsuspecting tourists into his skeleton army. LeChuck cursed Guybrush into being a child in order to trap him at the carnival at the end of Monkey Island 2 (and cursed Guybrush to think LeChuck was his younger brother even though he wasn't to further make Guybrush think he was really a child since sibling rivalry would explain the tension between Guybrush and LeChuck if they really were children), and tried to do the same to him at the end of The Curse of Monkey Island. Guybrush was floating in a bumper car at the beginning of The Curse of Monkey Island because he escaped the Carnival of the Damned and the curse was lifted (since the child curse was described as having symptoms like a hangover and was cured by a hangover cure to clear his head the second time, it most likely just wore off the first time after Guybrush's thoughts had cleared up. The symptoms of a hangover would also explain why Guybrush was unaware of what happened at the beginning of The Curse of Monkey Island).
Rum Rogers
It proves even more: first of all, LucasArts allowed them to present CMI as MI3 to the foreign public. The Monkey which holds the sign is the same in every box so it's clear it's been officially provided by LEC. Furthermore, the story began just where MI2 left.
Isn't this last point enough to make it MI3?
Listen, I wish you were right, I wish it wasn't officially MI3 but it unfortunately is. Saying it isn't just makes you look like you want to be right just for the mere pleasure of it. CMI is Monkey Island 3, LucasArts says it, Gilbert says it, everyone does. Surrender, man.
Haha, look, I'm not trying to argue for the sake of it, I'm just pointing out a very simple fact, and you are presenting information as if it proves something beyond doubt, but it doesn't. Sure, LEC might have provided that image (which is clearly an afterthought), so what? Germans and Italians chose to have a 3 on the box, for commercial reasons, and what good reason could LEC have not to allow that? It is the third Monkey Island game after all, I've always called it Monkey Island 3.
And please explain to me how exactly CMI picks up where MI2 left off, because as far as I remember MI2 left off in a bizarre sequence of Guybrush and LeChuck's childhood. CMI begins in a setting that is never explained with Guybrush floating about the ocean, and to my recollection there is no significant acknowledgment of MI2 events. I don't mean to be stubborn about this, it isn't really a relevant thing (even if there is no strong connection between the two games, that doesn't mean it couldn't be MI3), but I fail to see how this is an unquestionable fact.
valkian
Rum Rogers
valkian
Alas, there is no 3 in the title, so it's not MI3.
Wrong. The german and italian versions of CMI have the "Monkey Island 3" caption on the box. Here they are: http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=1371#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=324#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
That proves what exactly? That each distributor in each of those countries chose to put a 3 on the box. The monkey hanging in there (or rather, standing still in the air) is obviously not part of the original cover art.
It proves even more: first of all, LucasArts allowed them to present CMI as MI3 to the foreign public. The Monkey which holds the sign is the same in every box so it's clear it's been officially provided by LEC. Furthermore, the story began just where MI2 left.
Isn't this last point enough to make it MI3?
Listen, I wish you were right, I wish it wasn't officially MI3 but it unfortunately is. Saying it isn't just makes you look like you want to be right just for the mere pleasure of it. CMI is Monkey Island 3, LucasArts says it, Gilbert says it, everyone does. Surrender, man.
If Tim Schafer is involved too, all for the best. Dave Grossman too would be wonderful, but less probable of course.
But even if they can get the band back together, and even if they could pull it off... even then I'm not sure how comfortable I am with essentially retconning three whole entries in the series, 2 of which most people liked a whole lot. Time to move on; I'm much more interested in seeing what new stuff Ron can come up with.
Rum Rogers
valkian
Alas, there is no 3 in the title, so it's not MI3.
Wrong. The german and italian versions of CMI have the "Monkey Island 3" caption on the box. Here they are: http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=1371#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=324#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
That proves what exactly? That each distributor in each of those countries chose to put a 3 on the box. The monkey hanging in there (or rather, standing still in the air) is obviously not part of the original cover art.
valkian
Alas, there is no 3 in the title, so it's not MI3.
Wrong. The german and italian versions of CMI have the "Monkey Island 3" caption on the box. Here they are: http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=1371#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
http://lucasarts.vintagegaming.org/image.php?imageid=324#The Curse of Monkey Island Front
Fearless Flying Monkey
I agree with pretty much all of this, except the arguably bit. It was the best non-Gilbert game.
It is indeed what I was saying, CMI is probably the best Gilbert-less Monkey Island, but definitely NOT the best Monkey Island.
Rum Rogers
AstronautDown
Hmm... As far as I'm concerned, CMI is pretty much the best MI3 we could have (also, arguably, the best game in the series). I think talk about the "real" MI3 is more based on the godification of Ron Gilbert than anything else..
I disagree. While I admit it's a very good game in the series (and probably the best MI game without Ron) and I loved every second of it, there have been a lot of changes with the deformed cartoon style and personality of the character, not to mention some doubtful narrative choices which fit the overall story but completely ignore some unresolved matters like Guybrush's parents and his brotherhood with Chuckie. Explaining everything with "it was a spell" didn't do well for me. And couldn't they go for a less deformed style, as in Broken Sword? It's a matter of taste I think, like saying CMI was the best in the series. MI2 was the best imo, oh well.
I agree with pretty much all of this, except the arguably bit. It was the best non-Gilbert game. But MI2 changed what SMI was into something much better and darker. The whole game was tenser and more atmospheric than any other game in the series, sadly CMI couldn't follow it's shining example.
AstronautDown
Hmm... As far as I'm concerned, CMI is pretty much the best MI3 we could have (also, arguably, the best game in the series). I think talk about the "real" MI3 is more based on the godification of Ron Gilbert than anything else..
I disagree. While I admit it's a very good game in the series (and probably the best MI game without Ron) and I loved every second of it, there have been a lot of changes with the deformed cartoon style and personality of the character, not to mention some doubtful narrative choices which fit the overall story but completely ignore some unresolved matters like Guybrush's parents and his brotherhood with Chuckie. Explaining everything with "it was a spell" didn't do well for me. And couldn't they go for a less deformed style, as in Broken Sword? It's a matter of taste I think, like saying CMI was the best in the series. MI2 was the best imo, oh well.
I'd much rather see a "real" MI6 in a non-episodic format made by Gilbert than messing up things with reboots and alternate timelines...
And yeah, I'll be happy the day the CMI team earns the succor of not being routinely slapped in the face and people stop referring to a hypothetical Gilbert continuation of the series as the "real" Monkey Island 3.
koosjebig
Indeed, a license should be cheaper, maybe something like 500 k :)
I'm curious to know why Telltale decided not to continue Tales of Monkey island with a season 2? A money issues?
Dan Connors confirmed in some forum post that I'm too lazy to look for now (some topic where he answered a bunch of fan questions after the Jurassic Park meltdown) that they always wanted to continue with Monkey Island, but the new management at LucasArts wasn't interested. Conversations between Telltale and Lucasarts have died down now (or at least at the time of the Jurassic Park-release). Also, Bill Tiller mentioned that the Monkey Island 2 Special Edition failed to sell enough to satisfy LucasArts, but that was more about a possible Curse Special Edition, not a Telltale season. So right now we're back to the familiar old 'we'll never see another Monkey Island ever again", until one day, unexpectedly, we suddenly do. Maybe Lucasarts starts seeing possibilities again if Double Fine manages to deliver with their adventure game.
But yeah, I'd rather see Telltale continue the series. I'm very curious to see where they were going with that story. Put Jake and Sean in charge and let Double Fine continue with what they're best at - original IP. I'm one of those godless heathens who doesn't give a crap about what Ron Gilbert wants to do with it (although some Tim Schafer involvement would be pretty sweet).
koosjebig
I'm curious to know why Telltale decided not to continue Tales of Monkey island with a season 2? A money issues?
As a guess probably this
SurplusGamer
And there I was thinking the Monkey Island 3 we have already seemed pretty real.
You have to have Gilbert to have a proper Monkey Island game, the rest are just imitations :P
I'm curious to know why Telltale decided not to continue Tales of Monkey island with a season 2? A money issues?