Ron Gilbert at PAX 30 Jun, 2009, 09:21 / 4 comments
A TMI kombo 29 Jun, 2009, 14:56 / 0 comments
I mean, really, stop reading this, and go listen!
LucasArts celebrate Star Wars by refusing to release games in chronological order 28 Jun, 2009, 13:59 / 9 comments
Well, at least if this is to be believed. Thanks to Nickelstein over on our forum for pointing this out.
As many of you have mentioned, releasing the Special Edition after TMI seems like a bad move on LucasArts' part. The game is clearly ready to roll, and it's a digital distribution so... what's the wait?
But LucasArts are experts on the adventure game marketplace, and I can't even figure out what time the sun sets on Melee Island. So we'll wait and see on this one, I suppose...
But yeah, let's not end this on a sour note: the preliminary report is that MI:SE will be available from the 15th of July, and that is awesome.
Adventure Game Plug 27 Jun, 2009, 21:30 / 4 comments
Igor would sure love some feedback, so if the game takes your fancy and you have a play with it, be sure to let him know what you think. Igor would also like some play-testers for the main game, so get in touch through his web-site or the comments here, if that interests you.
Brütal Thoughts With Jack Black: Episode Three 26 Jun, 2009, 09:00 / 4 comments
In related news: Schafer and crew say "Hi, thanks for joining the awesome Facebook group."
In unrelated news: If you browse the Mojo forums you'll notice that some of you awesome readers are posting the Monkey Island Q&A's Telltale are doing on their special Monkey Island forums/Facebook. I'd link but I can't find them right now, but either way you should check them out.
MI:SE appears on Xbox Live UK 25 Jun, 2009, 19:30 / 11 comments
You weren't expecting the actual game, were you? Still plenty of time for Marketplace Realities yet...
Of note is the fact that they chose to use an image made by LucasForums member parabolee, rather than any official artwork. The Mojo lawyers are considering the legal impact of sending an ironic 'cease and desist' letter to LucasArts as we speak.
Check it all out here.
Monkey Island RetroPerspective 25 Jun, 2009, 05:15 / 1 comment
It’s a gorgeous looking game, though. Not just for something that’s almost 18 years old – it is genuinely stunning. I’m glad they never released it in EGA form, and really, it’s quite possible that they weren’t able to technically – the level of detail probably relies on things like, you know, more than 16 colours.If you're looking for that second link that's identical to the first link that we at Mojo tend to post after the quote, here it is.
A Tim Schafer Game 24 Jun, 2009, 00:09 / 16 comments
Quite brütal, if I may be so bold. Let's just hope that Double Fine's second consecutive lack of explosions doesn't hurt them again.
Vooju Preevu 23 Jun, 2009, 20:22 / 6 comments
the idea of Ghost Pirates came from an idea we bandied about at LucasArts to play three different Monkey Island characters in one game, to see the adventure through their eyes.Go read it.
Dam-dam-dam-dam 23 Jun, 2009, 20:21 / 5 comments
Spoil ahead then!
And don't tell me you didn't hum the chapter tune too.
Now let's all tell Jake to clean his desk. (I assume it's his desk.)
A Grand Review 23 Jun, 2009, 18:36 / 11 comments
In. Your. Face.
Tales Q&A with Telltale's Mark Darin, Eurogamer interview 22 Jun, 2009, 21:59 / 23 comments
Tingler Updates: To save making another similar post, Eurogamer have an interview with Dave Grossman about the game, with a few new screenshots!
Of particular note is why Tim Schafer's not involved (apparently Ron's involvement caused some legal problems) and Dave's surprised "no comment" when asked if they would be doing an Indiana Jones game...
Sam & Max 360 22 Jun, 2009, 16:59 / 13 comments
Oh just read it.
Just when you thought it was all over... 21 Jun, 2009, 14:08 / 9 comments
In this last one, Jeff Moeller tells us about Lego Indy 2 and the usual line of Star Wars games, which you may or may not care about. Also included are some fairly awesome Monkey Island t-shirts.
Check it.
Sam & Max hit Xbox Live 20 Jun, 2009, 17:46 / 12 comments
Sam & Max: Season 2 (now under the moniker Sam & Max Through Time and Space) will also make it to Xbox Live at some undisclosed time, and its retail releases for PC and Wii are still expected to be out by the year's end at the hands of Atari (taking over from Dreamcatcher/JoWood with Season 1).
Mata Hari coming to North America next month 20 Jun, 2009, 03:24 / 2 comments
It is unclear if this means a retail release or a digital one, although judging by the press release I'm guessing the former. The game is listed at a quite reasonable $19.99 price, so here's hoping those meh German reviews were being too harsh. Mojo itself will have a review up not obscenely long after the North American release.
Indiana Jones 5 a real possibility? 20 Jun, 2009, 01:39 / 21 comments
Steven [Spielberg] just said that he cracked the story on it before I left and I think they're gearing that up.Then there's another quote by producer Frank Marshall which states that while there is not yet a script (which of course means anything could happen), there is an active effort going on to get the project greenlit.
Personally, I would welcome Indiana Jones 5, and I was among the most deeply disappointed with the character's latest cinematic outing. It's just that these guys are all really old, and Ford probably only has one left in him, so why not? It's not like they can damage the series any more than they have, and I suspect after returning to Indy after such a long hiatus, Spielberg might actually be in the groove of fun summer escapism again and be able deliver a satisfying Indy flick that serves as a proper farewell to the iconic hero. We'll see, of course.
Ghost Pirates teaser site, concept art 20 Jun, 2009, 01:28 / 2 comments
There's also apparently some new concept art among this stash, hosted by GamersHell, most significantly a big image of the main cast. And as long as you're in a Tiller mood, you may appreciate a reminder about that AVS artbook that's for sale.
Just in: Monkey Island live on Justin.tv 19 Jun, 2009, 20:51 / 22 comments
In little under an hour people at LucasArts will play the special edition of The Secret of Monkey Island over at Justin.tv
More Tentacle adventures 'feasable' 19 Jun, 2009, 20:47 / 10 comments
When asked if Day of the Tentacle was feasible, Connors replied: “I would say feasible is a good word.”Neat!
“To me I always think of the big three as, and maybe it’s just because of when I was playing and when I was first starting at LucasArts, I always think of Sam & Max, Day of the Tentacle and Monkey Island as the big three franchises," Connors told us. "Having access to Steve and access to Dave Grossman and everything else… I really love Day of the Tentacle.
“Although I wanted to do, and my ideas always get shot down, but I wanted to see, like a 32-year-old Hoagie, or Bernard, Hoagie and Laverne all grown up with jobs and what not. But we’ll see if that gets any traction.”
Honest, it's just some dust in me eye (sniff) 19 Jun, 2009, 09:21 / 23 comments
What We Want To Hear 18 Jun, 2009, 08:41 / 33 comments
"If this sells, there's no one at this company who doesn't want to do these games. It's a matter of showing that there's interest and this market is alive and get people as excited as possible about Monkey Island Special Edition to show that these things can make it."So, simply put: if Monkey Island Special Edition sells, we get more special editions. Nothing is planned right now, but they do want to do it. If that "marketplace realities" thing is false, LucasArts will continue making adventure games.
Someone hold back Bad Asp.
Factor 5 owes LucasArts a game and a lot of money 18 Jun, 2009, 04:18 / 2 comments
You can read all the sordid details here on Nintendo World Report.
On Brütal Legend Facebook Legion, news updates, Tim Curry 17 Jun, 2009, 09:08 / 9 comments
There's also been a lot of awards-related news and community-related stuff over at Twitter, posted by the Official Brütal Legend Twitter Bird. They've recently asked you lot to get their Facebook fans up to 1000, which you should do as it makes the page official. Go forth and show the mighty numbers of Mixnmojo*!
*Don't embarrass us. Join up. Everyone likes a metal head.
Update: O.M.G.! Ronnie James Dio (the guy who did this) has been dropped from the game. But you shouldn't let that break your heart, because he has been replaced by noneother than Tim Curry. Yes, that Tim Curry. He's not always Metal, but goddamn it's Tim Curry (he makes a hell of an evil cardinal too). You shut your mouth. As Tim Schafer has said:
"Ronnie James Dio is an amazing singer and truly one of the great figures of Metal, but as the character of Doviculus evolved, we realized that Tim Curry was a better fit for the part. Anyone who has seen his amazing performance as the Lord of Darkness in the movie Legend knows why we cast him in the role of Doviculus, Emperor of the Tainted Coil."You listen to Tim Schafer, punk.
SOMI SE: Behind the Music 16 Jun, 2009, 20:46 / 26 comments
There's loads of insightful insights to be had, including a few references to this humble domain and its hosted sites.
Read all about it!
Muzzled! released! 16 Jun, 2009, 03:58 / 2 comments
Brütal Legend sets Guinness world record 15 Jun, 2009, 19:36 / 1 comment
VO sessions, pictured 15 Jun, 2009, 18:06 / 1 comment
Staff of Kings... Reviewed 14 Jun, 2009, 22:21 / 32 comments
Actually, I tell a lie: Staff of Kings is the main game, and apparently it's rather good.
The Monkeys are Listening 12 Jun, 2009, 20:33 / 12 comments
This time the pod cast is 100% less amateurish, but still retains all the fun and hi-jinx that you either love or hate.
A big thanks to Zaarin for mixing this up, and for everyone who contributed their voice.
Dom is official 12 Jun, 2009, 17:33 / 2 comments
But yeah, why are you still reading? Go!
Sam & Max Save Xbox Live 12 Jun, 2009, 11:08 / 4 comments
It's seems as if all six episodes are going to be released together, like they were on Wii. There will be added Achievements, HD support, and foreign language subtitles. And the world saw that it was good.
We knew about this yesterday, but for some reason we didn't get round to posting about it. So thanks to Glokidd for reminding us!
Tim talks new Monkeys 11 Jun, 2009, 15:22 / 5 comments
Well, in a nice long interview with Joystiq, he says...
I'm excited that you can play the original one again. Dave is doing the new episodes, Dave Grossman. Other than Ron, there's probably no one else that should really be doing that. I'm really happy about that.
So there you go, you are allowed to like the games now. Read the whole interview as it's pretty entertaining.
Wallace & Gromit: Muzzled release date 10 Jun, 2009, 12:46 / 3 comments
Telltale has announced that Muzzled, the third episode of Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, will be released next week on June 16th.
Monty Muzzle, a newcomer in town, is holding a grand fundraiser to rebuild the local dog shelter. Gromit soon realizes that Muzzle's intentions aren't exactly charitable and he must foil the huckster's plot to save the town's investment and rescue his canine friends.
MI:SE Q&A OMG 09 Jun, 2009, 18:07 / 10 comments
Update by Thrik: All over now. Check out Thunderpeel's transcript on the Mixmojo forum.
I knew that someday you'd come walking back through my door 09 Jun, 2009, 15:05 / 8 comments
To celebrate, the latest edition of LucasArts Insider (yes, it's still going) has been mailed out. I only presume LucasArts are mocking us, as this was the picture they used.
Unfortunately I promised not to mock LucasArts ever again after last Monday, so I'll stop for now.
Re: TARDIS 09 Jun, 2009, 01:44 / 21 comments
"We do get emails from people asking us to make a Doctor Who series," Connors says. "Maybe if we can get a channel into the UK with Wallace & Gromit we could talk business with the BBC, that would be really good for us."You can read the whole lovely article (at the start of the BETA section) online here.
Arr, 'tis Pirate Joke Monday 08 Jun, 2009, 15:01 / 7 comments
The first shot by Blackbeard's gunners took off Kidd's forward mast. The second shot splintered the center mast, and the third desintegrated the rear mast.
Panic stricken, one of Kidd's men asked what they should do.
"We have no choice but to surrender", replied the pirate. "He's using weapons of mast destruction!"
Tiller Blogs Monkey Island, Ghost Pirates 08 Jun, 2009, 01:37 / 8 comments
But the cool thing is the fans REALLY win here no matter how or why the MI games got made. Fans get Secret of MI with sound, voice and new take at the old graphics, they get an episodic down loadable game with real time environments from Tell Tale, and in January they’ll get a retail CD, full game, with hand painted backgrounds in the CMI style, but with a whole new story line and new characters, and you get to play ghosts and switch between three main characters. So as a huge MI fan I consider this a win, win, win! I hope other Monkey fans do too.Yes we do, Bill, yes we do. May you springboard your own marketing plan from the publicity wave that the LucasArts & Telltale Monkey Island games will generate!
For the full blog, click, click, click...
Staff of Kings early review 07 Jun, 2009, 23:34 / 3 comments
I'll go out on a limb and declare the following: This is the best Wii release of the year so far, and certainly the best game I personally have played on this system. It's entertaining, it's dynamic and it mixes Wii technology with a fantastic storyline. In the words of Indiana Jones, there is "fortune and glory" in this game.I'm sure the game is good, but, the best Wii game of all time? Possible hyperbole going on here. Staff of Kings hits American stores in two days, on June 6th. Look for Mojo's own, non-paid-off review not long after that.
New Mojo podcast - apologies in advance 07 Jun, 2009, 04:47 / 13 comments
After a semi-competent attempt to discuss Insecticide, Mojo makes another reckless venture into the realm of podcasting with this diamond of a listen (93.3 MB), recorded this past Sunday. Gabez, The Tingler, Zaarin and myself log onto Skype to discuss several Mojo topics as well as the then upcoming E3. Hilarious ironies include our relentless cynicism regarding the possibility of anything Monkey Island related being announced at the expo. Hindsight is 20/20, guys.
If you can get past the pervasive awkwardness, shoddy sound quality, and the fact that people (me) constantly talk over others because everyone else was just an extremely distant whisper before Zaarin cranked up the volume in the editing, we hope you enjoy the podcast. Do leave feedback below!
Update: MP3 version now available!
Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition previewed 07 Jun, 2009, 02:48 / 2 comments
A release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but they’re aiming for this summer, as close as possible to Tales of Monkey Island’s debut on July 7th. Despite my begging and pleading and deft use of “Maniac-Mansion-Special-Edition-Coming-Soon-Says-What?”, LucasArts wouldn’t confirm or deny any future updates of their key adventure franchises. On the other hand, they made it clear they love the old adventures as much as the rest of us, even going so far as to say they went to work for LucasArts because of games like Monkey Island, so if this first new revival proves to be financially and critically successful, they’d be happy to bring back even more.Off you go, then...
Update: Our own preview is now up!
Activision really does not want you to play Brutal Legend 05 Jun, 2009, 09:13 / 20 comments
Apparently Activision thinks it still has a valid contract to release the game -- which I'm pretty sure they said they had no plans on releasing -- and... It can be assumed they want some or all of the $15 million they claim to have invested in the game back, but really? Seriously?
What has the world come with, what with new Monkey Island games and EA looking to be the good guy?
Update: Tim Schafer: "Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it. Oh great, now Beyoncé is going to sue me too."
Jack and Kyle, naked and flying 05 Jun, 2009, 07:34 / 3 comments
I won't let you feel too down about the lawsuit, so here's a Flickr account Tim Schafer created for you ground-walkers, full of E3. Brütal Legend has also been nominated for a couple of Best of E3 awards, specifically from IGN and 1UP.
They've also posted photos of the real-life Tenacious D guitar, which has a little Jack Black doing a little Kyle Gass at the bottom there, the Tenacious D members pretending to be 2HB or the Tenacious D members flying naked through the sky. Depends on who you ask/what you want to see/your own personal sex fantasy (you can sing that sentence). The guitar is going to be given to a person chosen from the Brutal Legend mailing list, provided they live in America (as the official rules say).
PS: Good luck Double Fine!
TMI: Previewed 04 Jun, 2009, 23:02 / 8 comments
Jeff met up with David Grossman and Emily Morganti to ask all the pressing questions about
Look out for more hot e3 coverage coming soon!
(Note: it wouldn't be "Classic Mojo" without some technical errors at the same time as important news, and so, naturally, the gallery thumbnails have failed. Dan Pettit is thought to be the cause.)
Update: Jeff has written up his first impressions of the game, which you can now read in the article.
Purcell talks old and new Monkey Island covers 04 Jun, 2009, 18:32 / 4 comments
Go backstage at the Brütal Legend show 04 Jun, 2009, 09:29 / 0 comments
There's footage from Tim Schafer's E3 presentation, the new Brütal Thoughts with Jack Black, and of course the spanking new trailer. Unfortunately we missed reminding you about the Twitter Tim Schafer interview, but you can read a transcript.
Oh, it's Monkey Island all right 04 Jun, 2009, 09:12 / 13 comments
Personally I still would like it if they went in a more CMI-ish direction with the art style, but I have to admit the Telltale team have done a pretty good job with what they have. I've bought it. So should you.
Monkey Island Tattoos 04 Jun, 2009, 01:22 / 3 comments
I just hope he gets a talking tattoo on his chest in due course. And that he updates Guybrush's haircut to look more like the Special Edition version, or the kids probably won't recognise him.
Screenshots of Vooju Island 04 Jun, 2009, 00:58 / 10 comments
I say "new," when most if not all (I can't be bothered to check) of these screens come from the magazine scans from awhile back, but this is at least the first time they're available in any kind of reasonable resolution, so check them out!
The SCUMM Bar is back. For real! 03 Jun, 2009, 17:34 / 12 comments
Well, it's not quite 2015, but The SCUMM Bar is back. I mean, like, really back. Not just for pretend or April's Fools or wanting your money or anything like that. We have relaunched the longest running Monkey Island mainly as a Tales of Monkey Island and The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition resource site, but plan to expand it quite a bit in the future.
So, what's new? First, the news section. Instead of just posting the same news Mojo is posting, which is slightly redundant, we are now literally posting Mojo's news, by hooking into their news system. If you want to post a comment, you will be taken to Mojo and will have to sign up for an account there to post.
"But what's the point of reading The SCUMM Bar then?!" you may ask. There are plenty of reasons! First, we have put together some large, and ever growing, resource sites for Tales of Monkey Island and Special Edition. And look over on the right there (you're reading this at The SCUMM Bar, right?) -- you can see the latest updates from the Telltale blog, as well as the latest Google News updates for Monkey Island. Want a Monkey Island specific RSS feed? You got it! And... Well, we're keeping it small to start of with, but some fairly major features will be launched over the next week.
Anyway -- The SCUMM Bar is rocking it again. Just pretend like we never left!
And somewhere in the remote islands of Alaska, Jim Ward sits alone, crying bitter, Force-powered tears, realising we don't miss him 03 Jun, 2009, 15:44 / 3 comments
Knock yourself out.
Monkey Island previewed, Dave Grossman interviewed 03 Jun, 2009, 15:37 / 22 comments
Though I only saw a fraction of the first episode, I can confirm without hesitation that this is a Monkey Island game. The jokes are Monkey Island jokes. The situations are Monkey Island situations. I laughed more during this demo than I have in any single adventure game (or episode) I’ve played in the last few years.Update: Gamespot preview, with obligatory (somewhat minor) spoiler warning.
Update: Dave Grossman is interviewed about Monkey Island 6 (that's what they're calling it). On a personal level, I do hope they make the (mentioned-in-passing) a Monkey Island 5 in the Curse of Monkey Island/Vampyre Story vein, but adjust the art style accordingly. I love Telltale's work, and am very excited for Monkey Island, but personally am not sure if the Telltale Engine is right for this particular franchise.
Brütal Legend conquers LA the universe
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Then sacrifice a virgin to the marketing gods who did this.
Finally, in continuing the day-old tradition of old favourites appearing on clothing: Manny Calavera shoes.
Update: You can now watch the whole thing, you bunch of ungrateful scallywags (except you jp-30, you're cool), minus Tim Schafer introducing it the way he did in the previous link. It's amazing, by the way, so you better be paying attention.
Update: Oh man. Watch Tim Schafer talk about the game, but be wary of a lot of spoilers, first fifteen minutes of the game actually. It's ridiculously awesome, by the way, and pretty hilarious. The game is apparently playable on the show floor, too.
Staff of Kings - cancelled 03 Jun, 2009, 00:15 / 6 comments
The book [written by Indy veteran Rob MacGregor] and the game were originally scheduled to come out in June of 2008, simultaneously with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Both were pushed back to the fall of '08, then June '09 as the Indy operation underwent a shake-up.What a debacle.
After that, the game and book were pushed back yet another year to June of '10. But then the ambitious plans for a new Indy game platform were dropped, and the new video game was moved back to June '09.
Old Republic New Trailer 02 Jun, 2009, 05:46 / 9 comments
It's pretty good, and now that we all love LucasArts again, you might like to take a look.
LucasArts to continue to do awesome things? 02 Jun, 2009, 01:11 / 14 comments
The answer can probably be found in LEC's Monkey Island press release, a document you should read if for no other reason than that you actually exist in a world where you can read a Monkey Island 5 press release. A paragraph of particular note:
These efforts are just the start of LucasArts' new mission to revitalize its deep portfolio of beloved gaming franchises. In addition to these Monkey Island projects, LucasArts recently revealed that the classic adventure game Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (originally released in 1992) is included as an unlockable bonus in the Wii version of Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, set to be released on June 9. Additional announcements are forthcoming.I know I should know better than to so quickly let LucasArts back into my life after all those betrayals, but damn if she isn't looking smoking hot in that lingerie.
More Monkey Merchandise Mania 01 Jun, 2009, 19:57 / 9 comments
T-shirts, a poster, and buttons... Did somebody fast forward to 2015?
Go buy!
Remastered Monkey Island and new Monkey Island (Update: Ron comments, and Dominic Armato!) 01 Jun, 2009, 16:19 / 113 comments
Even more exciting though is the button on the bottom right of the page 'Telltale continues the adventure'. It looks like the other rumours were true and Telltale's new game is...Monkey Island. Telltale's site is down right now, so expect confirmation and updates in a bit.
Update by Remi: Some more info on the remake: will be this summer, with updated graphics, re-recorded music, and voice overs. (Although you can also play the original version, and seamlessly swap versions during gameplay.)
There are some videos and screenshots on the official web site, and apparently some old names are involved, including Dominic Armato as the voice of Guybrush.
More news will probably be updated here as we get it. For now check out the official site.
Tales of Monkey Island: Telltale will apparently be behind the brand spanking new Monkey Island series: Tales of Monkey Island, which will be released for the Wii and PC. Sorry, I think I just peed my pants.
Also, there's brand new TMI trailer. And Ron Gilbert has posted his thoughts on the original SMI, and has revealed he was involved in the brainstorming. Oh, and Dominic Armato is doing the voice. Grab a behind-the-scenes look!
Latest Brutal Legend coverage puts the "video" in "video game" 01 Jun, 2009, 03:39 / 3 comments
Then there was this video premiere for the game that appeared on SpikeTV a few nights ago. It turns out this exclusive, which is now up on GameTrailers, is actually a portion from one of the game's early cutscenes. View at your own risk.