Oh Monty Python, when will you ever stop being funny? When you are turned into casual and social games on multiple platforms, you say? Fair enough.
Zattikka, a UK company aiming to capitalize on the growing social games business, has announced that it has acquired the Monty Python license. Good thing? Bad thing? Since they also have upcoming hilarious games like Butt Scan and Mr Bean: Out of Control for the iPhone/iPad, my guess would be the latter.
To add to the potential for cringe-worthy jokes and puns, here’s something from their press release:
“Monty Python is one of the most iconic comedy licenses around, but there has been no new material for over 20 years. By acquiring these rights we will be transporting Monty Python into the 21st Century, with a totally new experience for their unique comedy that will delight old and new fans alike. Forget Web 2.0, this is Python two point one and three quarters.”
Yeah… good thing I don’t have any razors laying around my wrists. Read on for some more info.
Apparently some people of the original Monty Python team are working with Zattikka on this, most notably Terry Gilliam. I guess that means it will look really weird, won’t look very good in HD and will either never be finished or kind of a narrative mess. The first Monty Python game will be a Facebook game, with mobile games set to follow.
The only good thing I can see coming out of this is some added funding for Gilliam, so he can one day finally finish his cursed The Man Who Killed Don Quixote project. Or perhaps a half-decent joke here and there posted on your friends’ walls.
Excuse me for being cynical but if you’re going to make a Python game, then just make it an episodic point and click adventure? Something like that would at least be a genre to fit the iconic humor. If you absolutely must include Facebook social games’ viral elements to generate new players, then add achievements and game progression posts to spam walls with or something. Or hell, add a cross promotion where you reward players who finish your game with a code to watch a classic Monty Python movie on some digital streaming service. Crazy talk, I know.
