Help yourself.
Don your techno trousers - free W&G MP3s 31 Jul, 2009, 21:49 / 1 comment
Help yourself.
TMI now out on WiiWare 30 Jul, 2009, 23:23 / 28 comments
Monkey Island, Telltale's strongest performing title ever! 30 Jul, 2009, 17:18 / 4 comments
According to VideoGamer.com, Tales of Monkey Island has exceeded Telltale's expectations and become their strongest performing title yet.
Dan Connors on phone:
“Unfortunately I can’t get into the specific numbers, [...] but I would definitely say it’s our strongest performing franchise to date. We’re pretty excited. It was number one on Steam for a few days. It did really well. It’s been our best performing title from our side as well.”
The Bogey Man can 30 Jul, 2009, 10:57 / 2 comments
Mata Hari really out in North America now, FYI 30 Jul, 2009, 00:57 / 8 comments
Wallace & Gromit final episode out... tomorrow?! (+ ToMI Chapter 2 update) 28 Jul, 2009, 17:52 / 4 comments
Tomorrow!!
Hooray! Just, um, don't expect a review or anything just yet...
UPDATE by SurplusGamer: In other not-so-imminent release news, some guy called 'Jake' or something has stated on the Telltale forums that we can expect Chapter 2 of Tales of Monkey Island 'a bit further into the month than that (August 9th), for sure.' He later added:
It's the double-edged sword of game development and releasing. People say they'd like us to take a little more time to give the games a bit more love, and then are sad when we say it will be coming out a little later than they guessed it would.Fair 'nuff.
Rip it. Rip it good! 28 Jul, 2009, 14:47 / 4 comments
Legend tells of an unused MI1 theme somewhere in Tales too. Go explore!
Tales of MI, Ep 2 artwork 28 Jul, 2009, 01:51 / 6 comments
And while at Gamespot, you may like to see some footage from the Telltale booth (with Will Armstrong) at Comic-Con, where minor spoilers on the plot of "Spinner Cay" are revealed, plus a look at the 4th Wallace & Gromit episode.
Milking the Monkey Island cow, we are! 27 Jul, 2009, 19:22 / 4 comments
A video on Youtube showing off the upcoming avatar marketplace on Xbox Live, has revealed that fans with too much money to burn can buy 3D-ified objects from the game for their avatars. Every objects is sold separately so anyone who wants a full collection has to cough up many an MS point.
Hooray!
Mata Hari released... we guess 26 Jul, 2009, 11:43 / 8 comments
If you want it though, Direct2Drive may be your best bet as GamersGate have it for a frankly ridiculous price.
STFU. Sith running hot and cold. 25 Jul, 2009, 05:14 / 9 comments
Also, fans of Star Wars videogaming will be thrilled to learn that The Force Unleashed is soon to conform with every other Star Wars videogame ever made by including a Hoth level;
...the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.You can read the full press release here.
Update: From LucasArts Twitter feed; "...you PC and Mac people who won't stop writing? TFU is coming out for you guys now!"
More on the Double Fine countersuit 24 Jul, 2009, 14:31 / 7 comments
The Tim Schafer-led San Francisco developer's response includes the allegation that these delays were due to changes Vivendi itself requested prior to the publisher's merger with Activision, like securing vocal talent such as Jack Black and expanding the single-player mode.Additionally:
"Now that we've found a publisher and the game is getting sensational coverage, they want to stop its release," Double Fine COO Caroline Esmurdoc wrote in an official statement.That's from Gamasutra. And then there's a fascinating quote from Activision:
She added: "Double Fine's countersuit is a demonstration of our intention to fight for this game — Activision will not kill Brutal Legend.'"
Activision said in a statement that Double Fine's claims are "meritless and, in fact, Activision has every intention of exercising its legal right as Brutal Legend's publisher to release the game."That one from Washington Examiner. Make of all this what you will!
More Stirring by The Tingler: Apparently Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings developer A2M don't like Activision either. Don't blame them.
First Lucidity screenshot? 23 Jul, 2009, 23:12 / 9 comments

Interesting stuff, to say the least.
Monkey Island? There's an app for that! 23 Jul, 2009, 14:31 / 7 comments
While I haven't tried it yet, it comes with both the new music and voice over, as well as the "classic" edition. The interface is, obviously, a bit different, but hey... True point and click!
Now run out and be hip like Gabez, and play Monkey Island on your iPhone.
Double Fine countersues Activision 22 Jul, 2009, 23:51 / 5 comments
While they may fight for a limited amount of shelf space and consumer dollars, the music-themed action game Brutal Legend and the rhythm game Guitar Hero don't compete in the same genre. However, Double Fine's suit says that Activision canceled the studio's game after an aborted attempt to convert it into a Guitar Hero sequel.According to the report, the hearing for Activision's motion to prevent Brutal Legend's release is scheduled for July 30. For their part, EA maintains that the scheduled released date (Rocktober 13th for North America and Rocktober 16th for all other territories) is still on.
Get yer trezzer hunt'n on in Tales of Monkey Island 22 Jul, 2009, 09:07 / 4 comments
Until the end of the season, we'll be releasing maps on various locations on the web, which can be used within Tales of Monkey Island to uncover some cool Monkey Island extras.Such prizes apparently may range from wallpapers to even discount codes and other, yet to be announced stuff. There have been hints on the forums that the treasure hunt will become more involved as time goes on, too, and that the fun has only just started.
Once you discover a new treasure map, open up the first chapter of Tales of Monkey Island--Launch of the Screaming Narwhal (it works on the demo, too!)--and select "Treasure Hunt" from the game menu. Guybrush will arrive in the jungles of Flotsam Island, where you can have him start searching for the X. Once you find it, you'll be awarded some swag back at telltalegames.com
Sounds like a pretty neat extra! Find out more here.
SoMI has built a head of Steam 21 Jul, 2009, 20:39 / 12 comments
This bodes well for Monkey Island 2: Special Edition!
Get Your Own Roadie 21 Jul, 2009, 09:25 / 4 comments
Only 1000 of these models are being made, and right now EA aren't revealing how you get one. They just say to keep an eye on the Twitter feed and the Brütal Legend website. Mysterious!
Control Yourself! 18 Jul, 2009, 22:45 / 71 comments
For those who don't know, some people are angry at Telltale for forgoing the hallowed point 'n' click control system in the latest Monkey Island game. These people, says Mr Gamer, are wrong.
Make Announcement at Comic-Con, They Will 17 Jul, 2009, 15:09 / 10 comments
Personally I'm betting on Star Wars Battlefront III, although if Imperial Commando turns up it'll blow my mind. Force Unleashed II is also a possibility.
They'll also be showing off Krome's Clone Wars: Republic Heroes, TT Games' Lego Indiana Jones II and Bioware's The Old Republic.
UPDATE: Apparently The Force Unleashed's just had some new mysterious achievements added, making it look like one of the announcements could be another downloadable map for the game in the form of Jabba's Palace.
It's like running a marathon, except you're sitting down 17 Jul, 2009, 07:10 / 0 comments
Anyway: Brütal Thoughts With Jack Black IV is out, involving some nice axe-related gameplay at the end. And if you go see the movie Brüno (and I hear it's good), you'll see a certain trailer play before the main feature starts.
Every Monday on Twitter is a Metal Monday (#metalmonday), and every Wednesday is a Not Metal Wednesday (#notmetalwednesday), that day of the week where you can make even Limp Bizkit look like Black Sabbath.
And finally, a discussion with Music Director Emily Ridgway on The Music of Brütal Legend.
CSI: Deadly Intent announced! 17 Jul, 2009, 01:37 / 4 comments
Monkey Island Cast... in Resin 16 Jul, 2009, 06:49 / 13 comments
Well in this case it actually worked. They are now producing a Monkey Island statue.

There's simply too much Monkey Island goodness going on right now, I fear I'm going to pop.
Full details here.
Update: It's now available to pre-order at starwarsshop.com.
Podcast heaven! 15 Jul, 2009, 19:52 / 24 comments
Mojo is again casting pods in your face! This time the participants are Jason, SurplusGamer, Tingler, and from time to time me as I may or may not have drunk too much wine to be able to keep up.
Additional note by Tingler: The topic is Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1, so if you haven't played that yet DO SO. Good, now you can listen without fear of spoilers. We also discuss the recent Steam releases and what we'd like to see.Oh, and I apologise for occasionally making your ears bleed.
Bigger! Better! Boba Fett! 15 Jul, 2009, 11:19 / 25 comments
Don't forget to buy the game. 1000 Mojo Cookie Pirate points to anyone who posts a photo of their copy of the game in the comments.
Tales of Monkey Island contest begins; Internet tries to act funny 15 Jul, 2009, 08:38 / 15 comments
The rules are simple: just invent a line of dialogue accusing Guybrush of some sort of wrongdoing (like 'Yar! He shivered me timbers!') and submit it to this page here. Users will then vote on entries in four rounds across as many weeks, before a winner is finally announced.
You'd best gird yer mind and sharpen yer loins for this one; there's bound to be plenty of competition.
Telltale to develop CSI: Deadly Intent for Ubisoft 13 Jul, 2009, 23:29 / 6 comments
A formal announcement is unlikely to be far behind. It'll be interesting to note if Telltale is behind that DS port, as it would be the company's first foray on that platform.
Update: My bad. AG states that Other Ocean Interactive is developing the DS version.
Murray to return in ToMI; Internet tries to act surprised 13 Jul, 2009, 21:28 / 18 comments
Voice actor Denny Delk himself twet-- twot... did some sort of Twitter thing about it, and it was later confirmed by Telltale thusly:
Bwahahahahaha! Murray confirmed! RT @dennydelk Getting excited about reprising Murray for the new Monkey Island game.
So there you have it! Give us yer best Bwahahas to celebrate!
Monkey Island not on Wiiware Mon 13 July 13 Jul, 2009, 06:39 / 1 comment
Let's hope it's true and the PAL release follows quickly on Friday 17 July!
Hints of iPhone SMI:SE are off the scale 11 Jul, 2009, 16:43 / 12 comments
LucasArts had this to say on Twitter:
http://twitpic.com/9wgwq - For our Monkey fans - an iPhone sized wallpaper. No reason. Wink wink nod nod
This isn't the first time such things have been hinted at. Destructoid have the lowdown here.
The LEC twitter feed - a great place to steal from! (Updated with iPhone news) 10 Jul, 2009, 22:21 / 21 comments
- There's an excellent (and possibly the first?) official LucasArts podcast with the sound guys of MI:SE, including the legendary Darragh O'Farrell (voice director on The Dig, CMI and EMI, and the guy who cast Dom!). The discussion is great, and includes an amusing anecdote about snatching Earl Boen despite his retirement in Hawaii.
- Ron did a write-up about the general awesome insanity that's going on with LEC's old games.
- The Dig apparently made the cut of some list of great game locations.
JP Update: LucasArts don't want your money. They're giving away free codes for the SCUMM games on Steam via Twitter (and other channels). They've also provided an iPhone Monkey Island wallpaper, "No reason. Wink wink nod nod".
Guybrush's Treasure Hunt 10 Jul, 2009, 02:35 / 1 comment
Its existence first popped up at the end of the Screaming Narwhal demo, as evidenced in this thread on the Telltale Games forum.
Monkey Island: Special Edition date and pricing 09 Jul, 2009, 23:00 / 10 comments
Between this and the reasonable prices for the Steam heritage adventure releases, it's good to know that LEC is doing right by its customers. I imagine it will pay off for them.
ScummVM - good enough for Atari 09 Jul, 2009, 16:48 / 6 comments
As ScummVM is under GPL, it is actually free to use as Atari did, but they didn't even bother to credit the program's usage, leading to a legal situation between them and the ScummVM guys. The hilarity (well, I'm sure those two parties don't find it particularly funny) is documented here.
In other ScummVM news, some of you might have been wondering if the news Steam releases will be compatible with the emulator. Sev of ScummVM has addresed that in his blog as well. The short story is that it would be easy enough to make them compatible, but they're holding off in case LEC decides to develop their own ports for other platforms, and to nurture the possibility of cooperation between the two parties.
Hey Dave, Noah has something to tell you 08 Jul, 2009, 21:45 / 7 comments
Hey Dave, if you want to team up to tackle a Dig 1-A complete with your Citadel Beast, let me know.Just passing the message along, Dave.
Resource snooping yields evidence of SCUMM iPod releases? 08 Jul, 2009, 21:41 / 4 comments
c:HeritageSCUMMiPodSCUMMTechRetailIndyCrusadeIndyCrusade_Retail.pdb
Well now.
First batch of LEC oldies now on Steam 08 Jul, 2009, 17:35 / 35 comments
So if you were ever pissed at LEC for abandoning their old properties, you need to do your part to show them that it's a good thing that they're changing their ways. We're aware that most of you probably own most of the classic adventures, but if there are any that you don't, or any that you acquired through suspect channels, then don't be an idiot - now's the time to score that copy and show your support. Between these, TMI and the Special Edition, LEC is investing a lot in the possibility of reviving their classics - if they're disappointed in the result of testing the waters, you don't want to be the one to blame.
The other games include Star Wars Starfighter, Star Wars Republic Commando, LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, Armed & Dangerous, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Thrillville: Off the Rails. Additional Steam releases of this sort are forthcoming and will be announced on LEC's twitter feed, so keep an eye on it.
Update: Look at the good example benny has set for you, observed by elTee.
LucasArts rumoured to be developing new XBLA puzzle game!? 08 Jul, 2009, 10:24 / 6 comments
Early details sound intriguing. The game is called Lucidity starring a character called Sofi. It seems it's all about manipulating the side-scrolling environment so that Sofi (who the player doesn't directly control) can successfully move around it.
Apart from that, we don't know anything - Joystiq broke the story and the source seems reliable but official word on this is yet to appear. Thanks to Destructoid for the heads-up!
Tales of Monkey Island: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal released! 08 Jul, 2009, 01:56 / 16 comments
But such details are boring now, as the game is out, and it is the time for rejoicing. Oh, and for your convenience, on the off chance that The SCUMM Bar's and our own reviews aren't sufficient for you, I've compiled a large (but by no means complete) list of reviews, in no particular order of importance or credibility. The critical response has been quite positive overall:
- guardian.co.uk - 4/5
- Joystiq - Positive (no score)
- Team Teabag - 10/10
- gamezine.co.uk - 9/10 (and probably just The Tingler reviewing for another site ¬¬)
- bit-tech.net - 8/10
- DarkZero - 9/10
- 4 color rebellion - 8/10
- VideoGamer.com - 6/10
- Strategy Informer - 8.5/10
- TopTenReviews - Positive (no score)
- Endsights - 9/10
- N-Philes - Positive (no score)
- WindDamage - Positive (no score)
- Adventure Classic Gaming - Positive (no score)
- IncGamers - 7.6/10
- Koku Gamer - 8/10
- Vooks - 9/10
- Loading Reality - 8/10
- PerezStart - 8.5/10
- Total Gaming Network - 8.5/10
- PAL Gaming Network - 8/10
- LucasNews - 4/5
- Digital Spy - Positive (no score)
- Infendo - Positive (no score)
- GameOctane - Positive (no score)
- NowGamer - 9/10
- The Geeky Rewind - Positive (no score)
- Shacknews - Reserved (no score)
- Adventure Gamers - 3.5/5
- The Next Level - 4.5/5
- Talesofmi.net - 5/5
Remo vs. Grossman 07 Jul, 2009, 18:03 / 16 comments
TSB continues the TMI lovefest (plus Mike Stemmle Q&A) 07 Jul, 2009, 14:19 / 10 comments
But screw reading this, go read the review!
UPDATE by Chris: Elsewhere Deep in the Internet, occasional Mojo podcaster and long-time IRC stalker MrCoulomb/SurplusGamer has a nice Q&A session with Mike Stemmle about the game.
UPDATE by SurplusGamer: Gee, thanks. Only about a million weeks late, there ;)
(You could've told us! - Chris)
(I can't believe how late the mail passed at my house day. Ridiculous. - Jason)
TMI Chapter One: Reviewed 07 Jul, 2009, 08:22 / 38 comments
I decided not to give this review a score because scores are silly. Mojo has, for the moment, assumed a 5/5 score, which should hopefully be edited out providing our technology enables us to do so.
Unreleased version of Last Crusade part of the Steam line-up? 07 Jul, 2009, 02:56 / 9 comments
LucasArts tells us that the version of The Last Crusade that will be put on Steam is a "previously unreleased version" with "even more bugfixes" than the original CD-ROM re-release, along with a "Tandy 1000 sound engine."The implication I get is that this is not some spruced up version LEC just threw together, but is rather an unreleased port from back in the day. (There were a couple of those, though I'm hazy on exactly what they all were.) Could this be a "vaporware" American equivalent of the in-all-ways-superior FM-Towns version? ATMachine, I'm looking at you.
The article also confirms that the version of Loom will be the Talkie version (yay for the voicework and better graphics, nay for the truncated dialog and the scrapped character close-ups from the EGA original), and that the Book of Patterns and Grail Diary (physical documents that were packaged with Loom and Last Crusade respectively) will be included in PDF form. Although it's easy enough to find online, I wonder if they'll include Loom's wonderful audio prologue as well?
LucasArts to deliver old games via Steam 06 Jul, 2009, 17:29 / 48 comments
In this first round of releases, ten fan-favorite LucasArts PC games will be made available Wednesday, July 8 on Steam®, Valve Corporation's delivery and management platform for the PC. Scheduled for release are classic adventure titles like LOOM and The Dig and hit action games including Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars Republic Commando.
The complete list of games to be released on July 8 via Steam includes:
- Armed and Dangerous
- Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure
- LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure
- LOOM
- Star Wars Battlefront II
- Star Wars Republic Commando
- Star Wars Starfighter
- The Dig
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
Read the whole press release here, and keep updated on the details with LucasArt's twitter.
The press release also confirms the Special Edition will be released July 15th on XBLA and Steam.
Update: Darrell Rodriguez had had a few words with joystiq.
Tales of Monkey Island pre-order ends tomorrow 06 Jul, 2009, 15:50 / 2 comments
Grossman talks Tales of Monkey Island 05 Jul, 2009, 21:17 / 1 comment
There are a lot of logistics involved in episodic development, so in order to keep ourselves sane, we still prefer to lead on only one console for the initial run of a series (it's not uncommon for us to run it on another platform later on). They're all good channels, so we like to spread the joy around a little bit. Wii seems like a great platform for this; also we've already got two other series currently running on XBLA (Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures and Sam & Max Save the World), and our engine doesn't run on the Playstation yet, so the choice was easy.The full interview can be read here.
The Sounds of SOMI SE 04 Jul, 2009, 22:08 / 13 comments
We're hitting Monkey Mania here at Mojo Mansion!
Plottings At The Ranch of Skywalker 04 Jul, 2009, 20:50 / 13 comments
Amazing news coming Monday! Super excited! You have no idea how tough it is not to start yelling about it! But it's secret! Until Monday!They go on to say: "it is awesome news for our old school fans", "something I was asking for since before I worked at LucasArts", "It doesn't have to do with any specific intellectual property", "nothing to do with new IP", and "Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion 2?".
Not new IP, not any specific game or series, but something old-school fans will enjoy and is long overdue? Methinks re-release combo packs are coming soon... or maybe a full-scale assault on GOG perhaps?
Monkey Island Retrospecticus 04 Jul, 2009, 17:55 / 1 comment
Listen To Me, the place to go for inane rants, has put up their first part in a retrospecticus on the Monkey Island series.
Take an EXCLUSIVE look at the TMI cover 04 Jul, 2009, 07:18 / 4 comments
In sadder news, what has been (for me) the face of Telltale is leaving the company: Goodbye, Emily, and good luck in your writing career.
*to Telltale
Gabez in shocking rap scandal! 02 Jul, 2009, 14:53 / 9 comments
Mojo's spy network has just found out that Gabez has a secret, second identity as a black, Canadian rapper.
Why don't you interview Tim Schafer, since you're so damn good at it? (Update: We're live!) 02 Jul, 2009, 14:32 / 11 comments
It all goes down tomorrow, in this many hours (bookmark that site, it's incredibly useful). 100 Mojo Cookie Pirate points* to the first person who makes him laugh.
*points not actually worth anything, possibly non-existant.
Update: It's live! Don't forget to register and submit your questions! Go go go!
Move over, David Attenborough 02 Jul, 2009, 09:17 / 11 comments
Part One, Two.
Don't forget to submit your questions to Mr. Schafer in a few hours.
North American Mata Hari coming soon and coming cheap? 02 Jul, 2009, 02:12 / 5 comments
The price of this bundle is listed at the quite cheap $19.99, which makes one wonder how much Mata Hari (now with cover art that does not recall Leisure Suit Larry) will go for riding solo. Surely even an underwhelming Falstein/Barwood effort is worth such trifling change?
Three new screenshots probably don't constitute TMI 02 Jul, 2009, 02:05 / 4 comments
Brutal Legend Wii Cancelled, world surprised it even existed 01 Jul, 2009, 13:32 / 11 comments
This is all according to Destructoid. Apparently the port was in development at EA's own studios, but that's a big "was" now.
I don't really mind this... as long as there's a PC version coming. Yes, I'm still banging that drum and I'll be doing it waaaay past Rocktober I suspect.
Exclusive TMI gameplay video 01 Jul, 2009, 01:15 / 16 comments
Yarr!
Update: It's no longer quite so exclusive, with Telltale putting it up on their blog in handy Youtube form.