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Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: arj0n on Mon 15/06/2009 22:19:20

Title: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Mon 15/06/2009 22:19:20
I'm a member of a webpage with adventure previews/reviews and interviews.
We now may ask some questions to the TellTale team who's responsible for Tales of Monkey Island.
It's pretty hard to make up good reasonable questions regarding this game so far.

Now I know there are quit some monkey island lovers around here, so are there any
AGS-ers who would have some good questions about TT's Tales of Monkey Island?

Thanx so far.

[Arj0n]
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Mon 15/06/2009 22:26:15
Are Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman writing the script for the story?

That's what I want to know, since it will probably be the difference between it being funny and being completely unfunny like their Sam and Max games.

Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Mon 15/06/2009 22:32:40
Quote from: ProgZmax on Mon 15/06/2009 22:26:15
since it will probably be the difference between it being funny and being completely unfunny like their Sam and Max games.
Totally agree, played S'n'M once for about ten minutes or so, doesn't work for me.
Thanx for the question you mentioned
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Secret Fawful on Tue 16/06/2009 01:13:54
Dave Grossman is the project leader(and is writing it), and Ron Gilbert has had creative input on the game(but is not writing it).

The game is confirmed to be harder and lengthier than Sam and Max or Wallace and Gromit, and is NOT a few separate stories with an overarching plot. The chapters are released episodically though.

Michael Land is composing the music, and all the original cast (except Earl Boen) is back.
Mike Stemmle confirmed the game would, however, not reveal the Secret of Monkey Island.

If you look, you can find all this out yourselves.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Tue 16/06/2009 09:13:28
Dave Grossman is not the only writer, there is also a co-writer
I know there is a lot to find on the net but there might be some questions left, maybe?
If so: fire them up here....
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: on Tue 16/06/2009 10:39:50
Where exactly are the games placed in the "MI timeline", and how do they deal with the ending of MI2- handwaving it or sticking to it? I must admit I actually liked the ending of MI2 and was more than a bit disappointed when they essentially pushed the reset button in CMI.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Igor Hardy on Tue 16/06/2009 11:48:53
Quote from: Ghost on Tue 16/06/2009 10:39:50
Where exactly are the games placed in the "MI timeline", and how do they deal with the ending of MI2- handwaving it or sticking to it? I must admit I actually liked the ending of MI2 and was more than a bit disappointed when they essentially pushed the reset button in CMI.

Grossman said at E3 that the series is set after Monkey Island 5.

I don't see how CMI pushed the reset button, it just played around with the idea that Elaine gave in the very last scene of MI2 that the Big Whoop fairground was some sort of evil curse that Guybrush has fallen under.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Tue 16/06/2009 12:17:31
Quote from: Ascovel on Tue 16/06/2009 11:48:53
Grossman said at E3 that the series is set after Monkey Island 5.
Tales of Monkey Island is set several years after Escape From Monkey Island [MI4],
following the elusive Monkey Island 5, so yes, set after MI5.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Layabout on Tue 16/06/2009 12:51:30
To be completly honest with you, I really doubt you would get any more information about these game than what has already been released. Look up the interview with Dave Grossman and the other designer (can't remember his name for the life of me) here: http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6211381/ (http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6211381/). That interview pretty much contains all the info they will release of the game at this time. It's pretty comprehensive and backed up by gameplay video.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Tue 16/06/2009 12:57:36
Layabout, that's what I'm also afraid of, there are almost no questions left.
But maybe some AGS-ers do have specific questions, I doubt but who knows...
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: jetxl on Tue 16/06/2009 17:53:28
I have a question.
MI4, WTF?
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: on Tue 16/06/2009 21:43:35
Quote from: [ Arj0n ] on Tue 16/06/2009 12:57:36
Layabout, that's what I'm also afraid of, there are almost no questions left.

Then let's frikking well MAKE ONE UP.

"What will be the second-to-last name in the endgame credits."
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Huw Dawson on Tue 16/06/2009 23:45:46
How did the project begin? Was it a case of LucasArts coming to you, or you going to them?

When the project did begin, how did you start? At what stage did you start drawing characters and outlining puzzles? Did you develop along a straight line - we want x done by y so we can start on z - or did you develop ad hoc?

What changes did you make to your engine on the game?

When writing and storyboarding, did you have puzzle ideas who you drew the plot around, or did you have a storyline you padded out with puzzles?

What was more important for early development, a working game so you could finish the coding or art assets?

- Huw
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: on Wed 17/06/2009 13:58:23
Q. Will their be subtle adult humour or are the games going to be squeaky clean and pre-teen orientated?

Q. Would you class this as "coming out of retirement".

Q. Is this an early bonding for perhaps a bigger, better full length game in the future - perhaps even an original title made by Grossman, Gilbert, Land and the rest of the team working on MI Tales?

Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Mr Flibble on Wed 17/06/2009 21:49:52
I've always wanted to ask a game designer what the biggest gameplay area/feature/puzzle that they ripped out of the game at a late stage was. I want to know about a whole area that was taken out cos it didn't work, or an imba weapon, or a bizarre puzzle that was deemed too weird after already being implemented.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Thu 18/06/2009 13:52:53
Quote from: Ghost on Tue 16/06/2009 21:43:35
"What will be the second-to-last name in the endgame credits."
Now that's the question of all questions! :D :P

Thanx all for placing questions so far!
(and keep posting them)
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Snarky on Thu 18/06/2009 14:28:28
In their opinion, do MI fans today look for the same things players did nearly 20 years ago? In other words, are they sticking as closely as possible to the original ("authentic") MI formula, or changing anything for modern sensibilities?

Each game in the series was somewhat different. Which of the unique aspects of TSOMI, MI2, CMI and EMI are they bringing back, if any?

What is it like to go back to one of the first titles you made (in Grossman's case, at least)?

Sam & Max, Monkey Island... Any chance of a series of Grim Fandango episodes?
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: veryweirdguy on Thu 18/06/2009 14:53:22
Quote from: Mr Flibble on Wed 17/06/2009 21:49:52
I've always wanted to ask a game designer what the biggest gameplay area/feature/puzzle that they ripped out of the game at a late stage was. I want to know about a whole area that was taken out cos it didn't work, or an imba weapon, or a bizarre puzzle that was deemed too weird after already being implemented.

This is definitely an interesting area, when designers are level headed enough to throw out any work they might have done for the greater good.

Quote from: Snarky on Thu 18/06/2009 14:28:28
Sam & Max, Monkey Island... Any chance of a series of Grim Fandango episodes?

Ick, I would never want that. Grim Fandango had a really good ending, it's not crying out for a sequel like those other two franchises.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Babar on Thu 18/06/2009 15:18:25
Quote from: Mods on Wed 17/06/2009 13:58:23
Q. Will their be subtle adult humour or are the games going to be squeaky clean and pre-teen orientated?
Expanding on that, would the tone of the game be a cartoony, childish romp through same old same old (with yet ANOTHER variation on the insult swordfighting), or will it be like some weird surreal half-then, half-now type subtle humour?
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Mr Flibble on Thu 18/06/2009 17:07:27
If someone DID make a Grim Fandango game, it'd have to be a completely new story making use of the same world. If they messed up the ending I'd be saddened.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Anian on Thu 18/06/2009 17:24:37
They better not touch Grim Fandango! It's great the way it is, it's like a movie, it has a definite ending. MI series basically doesn't have an end (I don't mean that in any bad way of course)...it sort of has boss fights.  ;D

They would have to make a brand new story and characters 'cause Manny's story ended, but characters are like 50% of the game. What they all should is get of their arses and make original fun games and instead milk old titles on rare occasions.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Igor Hardy on Thu 18/06/2009 18:29:53
Quote from: Mr Flibble on Thu 18/06/2009 17:07:27
If someone DID make a Grim Fandango game, it'd have to be a completely new story making use of the same world. If they messed up the ending I'd be saddened.

They could set the new Grim Fandango already in the Ninth Underworld (The Land of Eternal Rest) with a completely new visual style and problems for the new setting.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Anian on Thu 18/06/2009 19:34:40
Quote from: Ascovel on Thu 18/06/2009 18:29:53
They could set the new Grim Fandango already in the Ninth Underworld (The Land of Eternal Rest) with a completely new visual style and problems for the new setting.
It's "The Land of Eternal Rest" as in you rest, you don't have to worry about things and solve puzzles/problems, matter of fact I'd say there aren't any problems...just saying.
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Huw Dawson on Thu 18/06/2009 23:04:00
Quote from: Babar on Thu 18/06/2009 15:18:25
(with yet ANOTHER variation on the insult swordfighting)

No Insult Swordfighting in ToMI, I believe.  :)

- Huw
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Thu 18/06/2009 23:07:43
Quote from: Huw Dawson on Thu 18/06/2009 23:04:00
Quote from: Babar on Thu 18/06/2009 15:18:25
(with yet ANOTHER variation on the insult swordfighting)
No Insult Swordfighting in ToMI, I believe.  :)
- Huw
And no spitting contest either I guess
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: arj0n on Fri 19/06/2009 12:34:56
Guys 'n gals: no more questions left for TellTale's Monkey Island??
Title: Re: TellTale-Tales of Monkey Island - questions wanted
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Sat 20/06/2009 06:54:09
I'm sure there will be some variant of the insult swordfighting in one of the Tales episodes.  It's practically intrinsic to the Monkey Island franchise at this point, though I could've done without the Monkey Kombat bit in Escape  :).