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LucasArts classics reach GOG.com on October 28
Six classic LucasArts games, including The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, will be re-released via GOG.com on October 28, according to a now-deleted forum post preserved in the digital amber of Google Cache. "We're proud to announce a new partnership with Disney that allows for the DRM-free release of about 30 classic titles from [LucasArts]," the leaked post read. "Today, to start with a bang, we are releasing a selection of 6 acclaimed titles from Lucas' most famous gaming franchises, so that the Disney/Lucasfilm catalog on GOG.com is made impressive from day one." Alongside the two mentioned above, the games coming to GOG include Star Wars: X-Wing Special Edition, Star Wars: Tie Fighter Special Edition, Sam & Max Hit The Road and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. There's currently no word on the price points the service will attach to these classic games. [Image: LucasArts]
Monkey Island 'I wanna be a pirate' scene done up in Source Filmmaker
When it comes to making movies with Valve's Source Filmmaker, there aren't many rules. If The Secret of Monkey Island taught us anything, however, it's that becoming a pirate involves involves an unusual number of rules. YouTuber Callegos Yavolitak decided to combine Source Filmmaker's anarchic ways with the classic "pirate rules" scene from The Secret of Monkey Island, now starring Team Fortress 2 characters.And hey, the universe didn't implode. See? We can all get along, you guys.
Monkey Island Special Editions to be bundled with extra content in Europe
LucasArts has revealed a new retail collection that bundles together both of the Monkey Island Special Edition titles. The collection will include both The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition and Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge and additional bonus content. The bonus content is set to feature concept art from the special editions, the re-recorded soundtrack for each game and concept art from a canceled Monkey Island movie that was to be produced by LucasArts' special effects house Industrial Light & Magic. The collection will be released at European retail on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC September 9. A North American release has yet to be announced.
iPhone Monkey Island Special Edition 1 & 2 on sale
Here's a riddle for ya: Even if a woodchuck could chuck wood, and even if a woodchuck would chuck wood, should a woodchuck spend a buck -- aww forget it! Both Special Edition remakes of Monkey Island 1 & 2 for iPhone are currently just $1 -- and the iPad sequel is on sale, too!
Xbox Live deal of the week: Monkey Island for $5
Here's another opportunity to find out The Secret of Monkey Island -- and at a discount before LeChuck has his high-def revenge this summer. The classic advent-arrr game is a mere 400 ($5) this week on the Xbox Marketplace -- that's less than a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle. A couple Monkey Island Avatar items are also on sale this week. The Cotton Swab is ready to clean 80 ($1) out of your account, while those on Team LeChuck can show it by picking up LeChuck Pirate Hat for 40 (50¢). To see the discounts, you'll have to be logged into an Xbox Live Gold account. Xbox.com: Add The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition to your Xbox 360 download queue ($5) %Gallery-64659%
Lucasarts president resigns, effect on TOR uncertain
Kotaku reports on the sudden resignation of Lucasarts president Darrell Rodriguez, along with several unnamed members of his executive team. Lucasfilm board of directors member Jerry Bowerman will be filling the void on a temporary basis while the company searches for a permanent replacement. Rodriguez spear-headed the reanimation of the classic Lucasarts title The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, and was also instrumental in the success of The Force Unleashed and Lego Indiana Jones. The company released a statement indicating business as usual. "Lucasfilm remains fully committed to making great games and we continue to invest in our business," the statement read. No word was available on if and how the shake-up will affect The Old Republic, Lucasarts' forthcoming MMORPG collaboration with BioWare. Stay with Massively for more on this story as it develops.
LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez resigns
LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez has resigned, prompting the company to begin a search for new leadership. Kotaku reports that several members of Rodriguez's executive team have also departed. A LucasArts representative confirmed the change to IGN, noting that Lucasfilm's Jerry Bowerman will lead while a replacement for Rodriguez is sought. "Darrell Rodriguez has resigned and we have initiated a search for a new leader," the statement read. "Jerry Bowerman - a member of the Lucasfilm Board of Directors and a games industry veteran - will be stepping in to lead the LucasArts executive team during this transition. Lucasfilm remains fully committed to making great games and we continue to invest in our business." Rodriguez once dubbed the revitalization of classic LucasArts games -- such as The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition - a "passion project." With a spruced-up sequel already on the way, it seems the publisher will continue carrying out his vision, at least within the near future.
Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more
You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month. In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean? Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.
Grab the Secret and Tales of Monkey Island games for $20
You know that phrase, "out with the old, in with the new?" Telltale recently put together a sweet little bundle that allows you to obtain the new while also obtaining (the renovated version of) the old, all for a reasonable price. Until this Friday, you can grab Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition and all five chapters of Tales of Monkey Island for $19.99. If only the bundle included something borrowed and something blue -- then you could easily use it to satisfy all of your nonsensical pre-wedding rituals. [Via Big Download]
InstantAction streaming service launches: play Monkey Island in this post
InstantAction's new streaming service has debuted, allowing select games to be played not only in a browser window, but in an embeddable applet if desired (for those of you running Windows, anyway). The selection of games is currently limited to just one, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. The service allows the game to be played for 20 minutes for free, with the option to buy it for $9.99. Does it work? See above. You know. The Monkey Island game running directly above this text. Did you realize when you opened Joystiq this evening that you'd be clicking your way into the future? [Update: We mistakenly called the service "Gaikai-powered," which is inaccurate. Gaikai will provide some limited functionality in certain use cases; however, the embedded game above uses InstantAction's "chunking" technology to feed the actual executable to your computer. How and when will Gaikai be used? Look for our interview with InstantAction CEO Louis Castle later today.] [Thanks, Matthew!]
Gaikai and InstantAction team up for streaming, embeddable games
If InstantAction.com's CEO Lou Castle is to be believed, we're apparently going to be playing games pretty much wherever we want in the not-so-distant future. He's just revealed plans (via IndustryGamers) to relaunch his site with a new business/distribution model and a partnership with game streaming service Gaikai. In addition to the already existing model of a quick download (a claimed 4 - 5 minutes) that still somewhat relies on your computer power to process the game's graphics, IA will now offer a streaming option for those who'd prefer a quicker, less hardware reliant gaming experience. "It's the perfect implementation of a thin client solution because when it's available it's brilliant and when it's not available it's ok ... you only have to wait a couple minutes." The aforementioned streaming option (employing Gaikai) will also be embedabble on the web, as demonstrated with Assassin's Creed (not to mention to us earlier today) "Now if people are reading a review of a game, they don't have to go find it ... they can play it right then and there in the browser." And that's just the beginning -- Castle clearly has an eye on digital distribution services when he talks about employing Facebook as "InstantAction's Xbox Live." IA's new distribution model essentially promises to developers/publishers the ability to release games with a variety of payment methods (pay as you go, free-to-play, one-time charge, etc.) while incorporating the aforementioned embed and streaming functionalities. So far, the company has inked one deal for distribution (with LucasArts for The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition) and Castle claims to be pursuing others right now. And apparently it won't be too long before we get to check out the new system ourselves, as the revamped digital platform is said to be "launching soon." %Gallery-88034%
Monkey Island Home costumes allow for Dread Pirate Quincy
Does your dead-eyed Home avatar lack a bit of that buccaneering spirit? LucasArts has a sure-fire way to fix your lack of nautical flair: During its pirate-themed party at GDC, the company announced that Monkey Island costumes (pictured above) would soon make their way to PlayStation Home. Now, we rarely get excited over virtual duds for our virtual manifestations -- but Stan's coat could really add a certain savoir-faire to our terrifying craft.
First Monkey Island SE coming to PSN, Mac, Telltale, InstantAction
At a GDC 2010 event, LucasArts announced that The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition is headed to a plethora of new platforms and services. First and foremost, it's been ported for both the PlayStation Network and Mac OS. Furthermore, the game is also making the jump to the Telltale games store as well as InstantAction.com. There are currently no details as to when the game will hit the services mentioned above, but rest assured we're following up with LucasArts right now. It's worth noting that InstantAction.com is currently down for "maintenance," with the site's blog mentioning some "exciting announcements" in the near future. Regardless of when the game does show up, it's definitely good news for adventure fans that have been deprived of the remake thus far.
iPhone Secret of Monkey Island half off, soundboard app free
We're delighted to report that the iPhone version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been discounted 50% for the holidays. It's available for just $3.99 from now through January 4. If you didn't get it at half-price on Xbox (or even if you did), now you can enjoy savings on this version! Our delight comes only partially from being able to tell you about a great price for a wonderful portable adventure game, but mostly from what we learned when we went to verify the price on the App Store: There's been a free, official Monkey Island soundboard app (iTunes link) available since September! We would never have known had the game not gone on sale. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition ($3.99):
Today's Xbox Live deal: 50% off Secret of Monkey Island: SE
Yearning for a hearty adventure, but struggling to get by on the pathetic wages of a Caribbean flooring inspector? If so, today's advertised Xbox Live Deal of the Day (part of an ongoing promotion) should float your cup of tea -- right onto the shores of Monkey Island. The Xbox Live Arcade version of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition has been marked down by 50 percent to 400 MS Points ($5). Some readers reported having some difficulty obtaining yesterday's deal at the advertised price. If the reduced price doesn't reflect on the Xbox Live Marketplace yet, be sure to try again later today. And if you're the good sort that's already completed this classic bout of pirating, perhaps you should join us later today as we taste pies and assign numerical scores to them. Add The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition to your Xbox 360 download queue %Gallery-64664%
Direct2Drive slashes prices on LucasArts games
Direct2Drive is offering some pretty good deals on LucasArts games this week. Three bundles are on offer, one catering to the adventure gamers out there, another for Star Wars afficionados, and a third that combines the first two into a massive LucasArts love fest. The bundles include the likes of Dark Forces, Indiana Jones, KOTOR, Jedi Knight, Monkey Island, Armed and Dangerous, and plenty more. The smaller bundles have been discounted from $49.99 to $24.49, while the massive bundle has been reduced from $99.87 to $39.95. Not bad for LucasArts fans. The sale ends November 23 at 10:00am PT. See details of each bundle after the break.
Monkey Island: Special Edition team unearths lost dialogue
As designer Adam Bormann dug through old code and notes while making Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, he made a curious discovery. Along with notes from Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer and crew, he also unearthed dialogue that didn't appear in the original game. Though the lines didn't make it into the special edition, Bormann, like a comedy archeologist, dusted off some of the best bits and collected them on the LucasArts Workshop blog. Though we can see why some of it was left out, we can't help but feel a little wistful about how close we came to being able to ask Meathook for a sample of stump balm. And yes, now that you mention it, Meathook's Stump Balm would make a very good name for a band.
Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day with free and cheap Monkey Island games
Telltale Games and LucasArts are observing the September 19 not-quite-holiday Talk Like a Pirate Day in fine form. What do pirates talk about? All the games they got without paying, of course! On that great day, you'll be able to unlock the demo of the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island by gathering a code from the company's website. You'll also be able to get the full season for five bucks off. You can grab that demo now straight from Big Download so you're good and ready. LucasArts is also dropping the price of the Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition on Steam and Direct2Drive to $5, as well as cutting down the iPhone version's price to $4. That offer is available right now through September 21. With savings like that, you'll be able to afford your own parrot! [Via Big Download]
Monkey Island shirts fail to capitalize on the obvious
Don't get us wrong, the Monkey Island shirt above is pretty boss (apart from the unnecessary game title on the sleeve). The Guybrush vs LeChuck shirt is pretty nice too. Hell, even the Monkey Island buttons are decent. But there are T-shirts just waiting to be made in the actual game. Where is the "I beat the Sword Master" T-shirt? What about the "I found the Treasure of Mêlée Island™ and all I got was this stupid T-shirt!" T-shirt? Come on, LucasArts! Get with the program. [Update: Apparently LucasArts is more on the ball than we initially gave them credit for ... you see, they did hand out "I found the Treasure of Mêlée Island™ and all I got was this stupid T-shirt!" t-shirts at E3 this year though, perhaps conspiratorially, your old pals at Joystiq here didn't get one. Our old pal Snorre, from Norway's Dagbladet newspaper, sent us a pic of his tee which we've included for you after the break. Alright, LucasArts. We give up. Uncle. Just take our money and give us the E3 tee.]
We're buying this Monkey Island statue
It's one of the defining struggles of our generation: Affable loser Guybrush Threepwood and his lifelong foe, the evil zombie/ghost pirate LeChuck, battling for the love of Elaine Marley. Now, it's been captured for all time in this gorgeous, 10-inch resin statue that you can pre-order right this moment. Remember how, just the other day, you said you were looking for the perfect International Childbirth Education Awareness Day present to send us? And that you were looking to spend around $90? Hint, hint. [Thanks, Drake]
