If you know the name Ron Gilbert, it’s probably for his decades of work on classic point-and-click adventure games like Maniac Mansion, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the Monkey Island series, and Thimbleweed Park. Given that pedigree, October’s release of the Gilbert-designed Death by Scrolling—a rogue-lite action-survival pseudo-shoot-em-up—might have come as a bit of a surprise.
In an interview from his New Zealand home, though, Gilbert noted that his catalog also includes some reflex-based games—Humungous Entertainment’s Backyard Sports titles and 2010’s Deathspank, for instance. And Gilbert said his return to action-oriented game design today stemmed from his love for modern classics like Binding of Isaac, Nuclear Throne, and Dead Cells.
“I mean, I’m certainly mostly known for adventure games, and I have done other stuff, [but] it probably is a little bit of a departure for me,” he told Ars. “While I do enjoy playing narrative games as well, it’s not the only thing I enjoy, and just the idea of making one of these kind of started out as a whim.”
It’s exciting to see how Ron Gilbert is evolving his creativity after so many years in adventure gaming. His ability to pivot and explore new themes, like outrunning Death, shows his innovative spirit. Looking forward to seeing how this new direction unfolds!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how he’s taking his storytelling to new heights by exploring themes like mortality and survival. This shift could really add depth to his already rich narrative style.
I completely agree! It’s exciting to see how Ron Gilbert is integrating the theme of mortality into his storytelling. This shift could really add depth to the gameplay and character development, making the experience even more engaging for players.