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Monkey Island + Diablo = The greatest thing in the history of things? photo

Ron Gilbert, the creator of the Monkey Island series, has officially joined new developer Hothead Games as its Creative Director. Honestly, if there is any human being on Earth you want to assign as your Creative Director, it is Ron Gilbert. You win, Hothead Games. You win.

Hothead is also going to publish Gilbert’s much anticipated DeathSpank, which the lauded game designer describes as “Monkey Island meets Diablo.” And what I describe as “the greatest combination since the dolphin/Nomi Malone hybrid of ’03!”

DeathSpank is an episodic RPG that follows the adventures of unlikely hero DeathSpank as he ... well ... that is all that is known of the title so far. But it’s enough for me. I’m sold!

Hit the jump for the full details. What do you think? Does this news get you ridiculously excited? What other dream game combinations would you love to see?

[Via Kotaku]

HOTHEAD GAMES TO PUBLISH NEW RON GILBERT GAME DEATHSPANK

Gilbert joins the Vancouver crew as Creative Director

The Great White North, January 9, 2008 - In a move that may upset the balance of the universe (or at least that around the 49th parallel), Hothead Games announced plans to publish Ron Gilbert's long-awaited RPG-Adventure game, DeathSpank. Described as "Monkey Island meets Diablo", the game will be released in episodic format and feature Gilbert's unique style of humor and storytelling. In a related move, Ron Gilbert will be joining the company's Vancouver-based studio as Creative Director, effective immediately.

Speaking from his secret game design cave, Ron Gilbert said, "I've spent over four years trying to find the right publisher for this strange little game. Now that I've done it, you just know that somewhere four horsemen are saddling up."

The episodic game follows the thong-tastic adventures of a misguided hero named DeathSpank, a character that first appeared on Gilbert's Grumpy Gamer website in a series of animated comics he penned with long-time creative collaborator, Clayton Kauzlaric.

Hothead prepared for Gilbert's arrival by ordering the finest morsels of jellied moose meat and lager brewed with water from the nearest available glacier. "We're all huge fans of Monkey Island and we love Ron's unique vision and sense of humor," said Joel DeYoung, COO of Hothead Games. "Ron shares Hothead's goal of bringing much-needed humor and innovation into games, so having him here in Vancouver as our Creative Director is an excellent fit."

"I'm really excited to be working with Hothead Games not only on DeathSpank, but as their new Creative Director," said Gilbert. "I got to know everyone at Hothead while I was helping with On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness. They really understand humor and being creative like very few publishers do."

As Creative Director, Gilbert will work in the Vancouver-based studio on all of Hothead's games. He is also expected to improve his hockey skills substantially during his stay.

LAUNCH GALLERY (1 IMAGES)
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Chad Concelmo is Destructoid's features editor. He loves hanging out with awesome people. That's why Destructoid makes him so happy, since it is full of THE MOST AWESOME PEOPLE OF ALL TIME! Also, dolphins. Likes Chad enjoys punching old ladies in the face, Super Metroid, Zelda: A Link to the Past on the SNES (best system ever!), Final Fantasy VI, Day of the Tentacle, Shadow of the Colossus, Mother 3, Beyond Good & Evil, Contra III, Valkyria Chronicles, Punch-Out!!, Half-Life 2, and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Meet the rest of the team



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29 comments | showing # 1 to 29
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nagolttam's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:30
nagolttam
Monkey Island Rocks! This could be promising...
Chaosye's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:30
Chaosye
DeathSpank.

That is an awesome name.

And Ron Giilbeeert.
scrape's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:40
scrape
The only potential flaw is can see in this news is the word "episodic"
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:40
MrSadistic
Yeah, I was teeheeing all the way to the bank until I saw the word 'episodic'.
Colette Bennett's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:41
Colette Bennett
Chad, you did it. You mentioned Nomi Malone in a post.

I worship you forever.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:43
king3vbo
This is fucking epic
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:49
Chad Concelmo
@Colette,
I have waited so long ... :)
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:51
Chad Concelmo
I freaked out upon glancing the word "episodic" as well, but then I thought of Sam & Max. It seemed to work for that (awesome!) game, right? Right?
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:52
Jonathan Holmes
It's about damn time.

No one in gaming pays parody/tribute to genres like Ron Gilbert. Well, except maybe Tim Schafer. Regardless, this is totally hot news. I can't wait to learn more of the game.

If Ron Gilbert is reading this, please include the line "How appropriate, you fight like a cow" in this game.

Or just rename it that. Either way, I'll buy it.
Dastardly007's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:53
Dastardly007
This could be pure liquid win.

If it has deadly pirahna poodles.
Tiff's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 17:57
Tiff
I CAME
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 18:07
Spykron
o gawd please tell me itll be on 360 have have live co-op.

gotta support these creative guys. everyone go buy psychonaughts and then pre order brutal legend!
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 18:13
manasteel88
dear god...deathspank...


Brilliant!
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 18:19
Chad Concelmo
@Jonathan Holmes,
Or include: "That's the third biggest monkey head I've ever seen."
My head would explode. :)
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 18:28
Wedge
Those are the guys working on the Penny Arcade game too, which is supposed to be episodic. Then again, I haven't heard anything about that game in a while...
Paroxysm's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 18:37
Paroxysm
The only problem is the word "Diablo". Hopefully the mindless clickfest is kept to a minimum and the intelligent fun adventuring take priority.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 19:04
Jonathan Holmes
I'm hoping it's Diablo in terms of setting and not in game play.

And that Darth Vader and Yoda are in it, so it can get a lot of attention too.

Also, boobs.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 19:17
Dan CiTi
Yeah I agree with Paroxysm, Diablo's gameplay is some of the worst ever.
Chad Concelmo's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 19:54
Chad Concelmo
@Im OK,
Congratulations, you just won. :)
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 20:45
Cheeburga
Do want, now.
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 21:25
PrinceofCannedPeaches
How about ... hmm.... Monkey Island meets Diablo? That sounds like a cool combination.
WastelandTraveler's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/09/2008 23:18
WastelandTraveler
GAD DAMN THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SHIT ON BABIES! -angels

omg I just gasmed rocket ships into space.
loki d20's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 08:29
loki d20
I'd be happy if they just put out a graphically updated Monkey Island, but this sounds too good to be true... what's the catch, do I have to sacrifice some kittens or something to play the game?
Optimaximal's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 08:34
Optimaximal
I'm not sold... yet...

I'll require at least 2 instances of gameplay footage and a proper episodic release schedule before I buy. If they get me both and it isn't just some bad console-ish platform game, they get my money.

Simple :)
brad drac's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 08:51
brad drac
Diablo is awesome. Monkey island is awesome. Combined, they are a force the likes of which has NEVER BEEN SEEN.
9to5's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 09:33
9to5
An RPG with a cracking script and some funny jokes? Someone has been listening to my prayers.

Also Deathspank... best title ever.

I might officially change my name to that.
LKM's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 09:44
LKM
There's really no need for ads, press releases or anything at all. Ron, just tell me where to send the money. Thanks.
CaffeinePowered's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/10/2008 11:13
CaffeinePowered
Looks friggin sweet
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 01/17/2008 00:17
Fading Star
@Im OK

You win!
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