Hothead Games has announced it will be publishing DeathSpank, the latest RPG-adventure effort from Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert.
The game, which will be released in episodic format, will follow the “thong-tastic” adventures of DeathSpank, a misguided hero who first appeared in a series of animated comics on Gilbert’s Grumpy Gamer website. “I’ve spent over four years trying to find the right publisher for this strange little game,” said Gilbert, whose unique brand of humor and storytelling will feature prominently in DeathSpank. “Now that I’ve done it, you just know that somewhere four horsemen are saddling up.”
Along with the game announcement, it was also revealed that Gilbert would be joining Hothead Games as the company’s Creative Director.
“We’re all huge fans of Monkey Island and we love Ron’s unique vision and sense of humor,” said Hothead games COO Joel DeYoung. “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,” added Gilbert. “I got to konw 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.”
Gilbert is best known for his work with groundbreaking LucasArts adventures, including Maniac Mansion, Zack McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders and the first two Monkey Island games, as well as being the creator of the company’s famed SCUMM engine. After leaving the company in 1992, Gilbert founded Humongous Entertainment, which developed the Putt-Putt and Freddi Fish games, as well as Cavedog Entertainment, and has also worked as an independent developer.
