Beyond the Point-and-Click: “Monkey Island” Creator Ron Gilbert is “Thinking About Adventure Games,” but Moving Past Nostalgia

For an entire generation of gamers, the name Ron Gilbert is synonymous with the golden age of point-and-click adventure games. From the iconic humor of the Monkey Island series to the surreal mystery of Thimbleweed Park, Gilbert has a legacy that is deeply intertwined with a genre he helped define. Now, as his latest project, a roguelike titled Death by Scrolling, nears release, the legendary game designer has given a powerful statement on his relationship with the adventure game genre. While he says he “never stop[s] thinking about adventure games,” he has made it clear that he will not return to the genre “for nostalgic reasons” and is more interested in exploring what’s next for storytelling in games.

“I Really Want to Do Something Different”

In a recent interview, Gilbert was asked about the possibility of him returning to the point-and-click genre after his work on Return to Monkey Island. His answer was a mix of respect for the genre and a clear desire to innovate. “I really want to do something different with adventure games,” he stated. This is a powerful and telling comment that speaks to a creator who is unwilling to rest on his laurels. For Gilbert, making another point-and-click game simply for the sake of nostalgia is a non-starter. He is clearly more interested in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, even if it means venturing into a new genre.

This is an important distinction, as the market for nostalgia-driven games is a lucrative one. The success of remasters, remakes, and spiritual successors is a testament to the fact that many players are hungry for a return to the games of their childhood. But for a creator like Gilbert, who has been a part of the industry for decades, the focus is on evolution, not stagnation.

• The “Adventure” is a Feeling, Not a Genre: Gilbert’s love for adventure games is not rooted in the mechanics of a point-and-click interface. Instead, it is rooted in the feeling of exploration, puzzle-solving, and storytelling. His new game, Death by Scrolling, a “chaotic rogue-like vertically scrolling RPG” is a testament to this, as it is a game that is a clear departure from his past work, but one that is still infused with his signature humor and design sensibility.
• The “Thimbleweed Park” Prequel: While Gilbert is not looking to make a new point-and-click game for “nostalgic reasons,” he has said that he has been sketching out an idea for a prequel to his previous game, Thimbleweed Park. This is a clear sign that while he is moving on from the genre, he is not done with the stories and characters he has created.
• A “New” Kind of Adventure Game: Gilbert did allude to a new kind of adventure game he would be interested in making, a 2D-style adventure title “in a real 3D environment.” This is a fascinating concept that would blend the best of both worlds, and it’s a clear sign that Gilbert is still thinking about how to innovate within the genre.

The Legacy of a Creator

The story of Ron Gilbert is a powerful reminder that true innovation comes from a place of passion and a willingness to take risks. He is a creator who has been a part of the gaming industry for decades, and he is still, to this day, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The release of Death by Scrolling is a clear signal that Gilbert is not done with his creative journey, and for fans of his work, that is the most exciting news of all. The high CPC keywords for these discussions, such as “Ron Gilbert next game,” “Death by Scrolling release date,” “point-and-click adventure games,” and “indie game designer news,” all point to a passionate and ongoing conversation about the future of a genre that, for so long, has been defined by a single, visionary creator.