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Westwood’s 1997 ‘Blade Runner’ is playable again on PC
For years it seemed Westwood's Blade Runner might be lost for good. The 1997 adventure game that meticulously recreated the film's universe has becoming increasingly difficult to play on modern PCs. In 2003, the game's source code was lost, and it seemed like Blade Runner would never get the face lift that other retro-games have received. Now, it appears Blade Runner's fate might be changing.
Ron Gilbert imagines a new, independent Monkey Island game
Ron Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game – we repeat, Gilbert is not making another Monkey Island game – but if he did, he has a few ideas for what it would look, feel and play like. In his latest Grumpy Gamer blog post, Gilbert lists upgrades and changes he'd want in a new Monkey Island game, including "enhanced low-res" visuals, hardcore adventure mechanics with minimal hand-holding, a huge inventory and dialogue puzzles.Gilbert would want to rebuild the SCUMM language, in terms of its ability to rapidly iterate new ideas: "SCUMM lived and breathed adventure games. I'd build an engine and a language where funny ideas can be laughed about at lunch and be in the game that afternoon. SCUMM did that. It's something that is getting lost today."Gilbert's wish list includes a team of 10 people or fewer, a boxed game, full voice acting, and a title of Monkey Island 3a, since "all the games after Monkey Island 2 don't exist" in his universe. He's even envisioned a Kickstarter free of frills or fancy videos, one that doesn't attempt to break any money-making records. Gilbert would need to own and control every aspect of the IP, meaning he wouldn't look for a publisher, and Kickstarter would indeed be an option.Most shocking, though, is number 14 on Gilbert's list: "The press won't get advanced copies." Why do you tease so good, Gilbert?
LucasArts' Steam debut includes previously unreleased version of The Last Crusade
The purists amongst you might be curious to learn precisely which versions of LucasArts' classic adventure games are making their way to Steam this Wednesday ... after all, LOOM was released in both a 16-color EGA floppy disk version, as well as a 256-color CD-ROM version with full voiceover (so-called "talkie" support); Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis was released on both floppy disk and then CD-ROM a year later; and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure was released on both floppy and CD as well ... ... but the Steam version of The Last Crusade isn't the CD-ROM version that was released in 1992! 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." As for LOOM and Atlantis, you'll be seeing the CD-ROM "talkie" versions for both on Steam.The Dig was CD-ROM only, and the other six titles being released on Wednesday only had one version. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is a special case – the remastered version is obviously new, but you can switch back and forth between the "Special Edition" and the original. That "original" release is in fact the CD-ROM version of the game, not the floppy disk version, in case you were wondering.Also of note: the copy protection system for both LOOM and The Last Crusade was to include an add-in – the "Book of Patterns" and "Grail Diary" respectively – that would have to be referenced while playing the game (take that, pirates!). LucasArts tells us they'll have PDF versions of both, so fret not, Adventure Gamer. It's your week!
Ron Gilbert to give keynote speech at PAX 2009
We consider the creation of the SCUMM engine to be a historic event that's on par with the invention of the light bulb or the discovery of fire, so forgive any and all typos you may find within this post -- it's tough to type while squealing and flailing your arms about. A press release just landed in our inbox which revealed the keynote speaker for the 2009 Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, WA -- it's Ron Gilbert, inventor of SCUMM and creator of Maniac Mansion and the first two Monkey Island games. A collaboration between this adventure game luminary and the pair of comic-producing philanthropists isn't too surprising -- after all, Gilbert did consulting work on Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. Surprising or no, we're still buying two passes to show how awesome we think this is. (No, you can't have the other one. It's symbolic.)
Classic LucasArts artwork turned into movie posters
All too often when mixing genres, the results – like that Mountain Dew left over from last night – fall flat. However, one enterprising forum-goer has has defied convention (and warmed our hearts), successfully marrying classic LucasArts adventure games with our wall's longstanding desire to be covered in nostalgia. The results consist of several beautiful posters, most based on original artwork lifted from an era when LucasArts wasn't afraid to point and click, including Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman masterpieces, The Secret of Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. Designed to be printed and hung, we can't think of a better way to hide that unsightly crack above your bed.
Emulating the gaming world on DS
One of the first things homebrewers do when they gain the ability to run unsigned code on a game console is to see what other console's games they can get running. Although the use of commercial ROMs varies from legally ambiguous (in the case of backup copies of your own software) to unambiguously illegal (in the case of just downloading stuff), emulator programs are perfectly legal -- and capable of running legal homebrew software designed for the consoles. We don't really want to get into the legal and ethical issues. We think that programs designed to run like old hardware are just cool.Just like every other console, the advent of DS flash cards has brought with it a booming emulation scene. And since homebrew is so easy to run on the DS, and MicroSD cards so copious, it's easy to turn the humble DS into a classic gaming Swiss Army System.We've outlined some of the most important DS-based console emulators below, along with a ton of lower-profile emulators.
Adventure gaming to Wii: "Help me!"
Do you ever miss the old days of King's Quest, Space Quest, Gabriel Knight, Full Throttle, Monkey Island, and other adventure gaming series? No? Well, you should. Because while Microsoft is bringing sexy back, the Wii can hopefully bring adventure back, in a big way. The point and click interface of these PC games is perfect for use with the Wii-mote. If you've ever played any LucasArts title that uses SCUMM, then it should be pretty obvious how well it would translate over. If not, then go download ScummVM and try it out. You'll thank us later.Gaming Target has posted an article that'll refresh your memory (or inform you for the first time) about some of these games and how it could work. We would truly love to see Sam & Max on the Wii, hopefully it won't be a GameTap exclusive forever. Now if someone would just publish a one-disc collection of all the Infocom games, then we'd be in business. Heck, since they're text-based, make 'em a download. Plug in a USB keyboard and bingo. Ahhh, the nostalgia.What old adventure games would you see come back on a console?[Thanks, John (for the article) & Anubikai (for the sweet image)]
ScummVM update improves point n' click emulation
It's been four months since the last update for ScummVM, the multiplatform point-and-click emulator. Just released v0.9.1 adds official support for DS and GP2X, with a GP32 port promised soon, but bug-fixes for existing versions (e.g., Dreamcast, PS2, PSP) are not be overlooked. Highlights include: Fixes for Humongous Entertainment games, including better support for international versions Improved detection for the FM-TOWNS version of Indy3 Fixes for The Feeble Files (more non-English versions are supported) Parts of the Kyrandia engine have been rewritten (requires less CPU power) PSP, PS2, and WinCE ports have been "greatly improved" PalmOS port is up-to-date; features separate build for Tapwave Zodiac WinCE port supports 2002 devices again Is this new version gonna keep you from updating your PSP's firmware for the holiday flood of titles? Are you running ScummVM on a different portable?
Ron Gilbert talks up his new game, a lite RPG
When he isn't busy dressing us down for bullying up on student plays, Ron Gilbert -- the lead designer behind adventure-game classics like Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island -- apparently has lengthy chats with outlets like Gamasutra on what's missing in gaming today (the stories, stupid) and how to fix it (make his game). Yup, he talks a bit about that secret project he keeps going on about ... but, first the stories! "I think there are a lot of people out there who are just not willing to play games that involve a lot of twitching and a lot of action. But if there was more of a slower-paced game like an adventure game, or a kind of light role-playing game, I think these people would be a lot more interested ..." A light role-playing game, eh? Wonder what he meant by that ... we may never know. Or maybe he'll spill the beans on the next page. "The thing I'm trying to do with the game right now is kind of meld it with an RPG. So what you've got is the kind of large world exploration that you have in an RPG that you don't really have with an adventure game. You've got the action, some light combat, you know, Diablo-style combat going on with it, but it is also infused with really good adventure-game-style puzzles and adventure-style sensibilities to the storytelling." Diablo Lite with a funny adventure-game story and goofy adventure-game puzzles? We are so there.
Indy returns in indie adventure game, Fountain of Youth
Alright adventure gamers: while we're busy waiting for LucasArts-leftovers, Sam & Max, to make their triumphant return to the small screen, check out the demo for the fanmade Indiana Jones adventure, Indiana Jones and the Fountain of Youth. Built using Adventure Game Studio, the screenshots look remarkably SCUMM-y; the artwork, animation, sound, and writing, all recall the golden age of LucasArts excellent point-and-click adventure games. What makes us nervous: LucasArts team of highly-trained ninja lawyers who only get paid if they send x amount of cease and desist letters to obsessively loyal fans of their various properties. C'mon, look at their URL! Barnettcollege.com ... brilliant. (Note: Mac users can download a beta of the AGS game engine here)See also: Use your BRAINS in zombified adventure game[Via digg]
