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It’s practically time to finish what has looks as if an eternity of time spent in anticipation of the subsequent, and doubtlessly remaining, chapter within the Monkey Island saga. Return to Monkey Island lastly has a launch date confirmed for September 19, a date that any self-respecting buccaneer will acknowledge as International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Easter eggs, teasers, and trailers have been dropping often since Ron Gilbert introduced earlier this yr that Guybrush and firm would return for an additional spherical of puzzle-solving, insult-sword combating motion. However, the current launch date trailer has brought on a stir on-line for a quite surprising cause.
Aside from really giving followers a definitive date for after they can anticipate to get ahold of Return to Monkey Island, the teaser has taken a comic book swipe at an business competitor and, in doing so, made a sly dig on the business as an entire. Ron Gilbert and group might have been in hibernation for some time, however their comedic and satirical talents clearly have not suffered because of their lengthy hiatus.
The trailer is narrated by acquainted shady salesman, Stan S. Stanman, imploring players to take a look at the brand new launch and promising “high quality leisure,” “escapism,” and “unique” areas. After disclosing the sport’s official launch date, Stan teases an unique preorder, which he reveals to be nothing greater than a cargo of “lovely horse armor” that can “look incredible in your stock.” As a part of Stan’s remaining authorized disclaimer, nonetheless, the infamous wheeler-dealer reveals that the armor may have “no sensible use in-game and under no circumstances will contribute to the gameplay, puzzles, or narrative of Return to Monkey Island.”
This completely ineffective merchandise is, in fact, a really particular and pointed reference to the now notorious Elder Scrolls: Oblivion horse armor DLC gaffe, wherein Bethesda provided players a so-called horse armor pack for round $2. Much like Monkey Island‘s teased set of equine safety, the pack was nothing however beauty and supplied no profit to gameplay in any way, merely serving as a way for the studio to squeeze one other couple of {dollars} out of gamers.
Despite being met with near-universal derision, the horse armor DLC bought in excessive sufficient portions for Bethesda to contemplate the thought a winner, serving to to start out a pattern of arbitrary and infrequently unnecessary beauty gadgets and DLC collectibles which can be presently in vogue within the market, particularly in mainstream video games comparable to Call of Duty and Fortnite. The Return trailer highlights the truth that paying for one thing that has no sensible profit is completely ludicrous, though that hasn’t stopped numerous studios trying to extract a bit of extra revenue from their audiences through what many take into account to be exploitative business practices.
Regardless of whether or not its satirical swipe may have any true influence on the follow as an entire, it is good to see there are nonetheless business creatives who really feel assured in talking out towards what are more and more shady exploits, be they microtransactions, pricey DLC, or the ever-controversial sale of loot containers. Not solely is it refreshing to see builders taking a shot on the subject wherein they function, but it surely additionally proves that none of that rapier-sharp wit that made the unique video games so particular has sunk to the underside of the Caribbean’s briny depths. With gags this good, it is arduous to not get enthusiastic about what Return to Monkey Island may have in retailer.
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