Maniac Mansion is one of my all-time favorite games (and favorite on the NES), so of course my interest perked when I heard that the renowned game developer Ron Gilbert was working on a new project.
First reported by Time Extension, Gilbert's new game is a captivating mashup of “Classic Zelda meets Diablo meets Thimbleweed Park,” slated for release either later this year or perhaps in 2025.
Gilbert, celebrated for his groundbreaking work at LucasArts where he developed the iconic SCUMM engine for adventure games such as Maniac Mansion and the Monkey Island series, began working on this ambitious title earlier this year.
He has been teasing its development on his Mastodon account, keeping fans eagerly anticipating more details. Recently, Gilbert formally unveiled the game, revealing that Elissa Black, co-founder of Flat Earth Games and co-creator of Objects in Space, has joined the team as a quest-designer.
Gilbert humorously noted that her addition:
"ups the chance by 37% that I’ll finish the game before becoming bored and disillusioned.”
The first glimpse of the in-development RPG showcases a new yet familiar pixel-art style. Kinda gives me some Earthbound-meets-Stardew Valley vibes from the screenshots shared. The characters depicted in the screenshot bear a resemblance to those from some of Gilbert’s previous works, particularly Thimbleweed Park, adding a layer of nostalgic charm to the new project.
For those who don't know, I was a voice actor in the fan-made 3D remake of Maniac Mansion called Metor Mess 3D. Check it out if you haven't already - it's awesome (yes, I'm very biased here). It's free and you can download it here.
Since his departure from LucasArts, Gilbert has continued to leave his mark on the gaming industry. He collaborated with Tim Schafer at Double Fine Entertainment in the early 2010s to develop the adventure game The Cave, before founding his own studio, Terrible Toybox. At Terrible Toybox, he worked on the retro-inspired point-and-click adventure Thimbleweed Park (fantastic game btw), which significantly influenced his latest game.
Following the release of Thimbleweed Park in 2017, Gilbert and his studio also surprised fans with the 2022 release of the acclaimed Return to Monkey Island. This game marked Gilbert’s first return to the beloved series he created since Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge in 1991.
As we await more details, the excitement surrounding Gilbert’s new game is gearing up! Combining elements from beloved genres and his own iconic titles, this upcoming release promises to be a thrilling addition to his storied career. I can't wait for this one! ~Smash
Ah, Monkey Island. Great games (despite the lackluster ending of LeChuck's Revenge). Gilbert's always a name that sparks interest. He has a unique sense of humor, plus he's old-school. Makes me feel like the industry isn't completely shot when he announces the development of a new game. Looking forward to it.