Overview
No dead ends. No deaths (mostly). Lucasfilm Games redefined adventure gaming with the SCUMM engine and a design philosophy that respected players’ time. Under Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, and Dave Grossman, they created Maniac Mansion, Monkey Island, and Day of the Tentacle—games celebrated for wit, puzzle design, and production quality.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1982.
- Renamed: LucasArts (1990).
- Key technology: SCUMM engine.
- Closed: 2013 (by Disney).
SCUMM engine
| Feature |
Innovation |
| Verb interface |
Point-and-click interaction |
| Scripting |
Flexible game logic |
| Cross-platform |
Multiple systems |
| Iteration |
Evolved through titles |
Classic adventures
| Title |
Year |
Lead designer |
| Maniac Mansion |
1987 |
Ron Gilbert |
| Zak McKracken |
1988 |
David Fox |
| Indiana Jones: Last Crusade |
1989 |
Various |
| Loom |
1990 |
Brian Moriarty |
| Monkey Island |
1990 |
Ron Gilbert |
| Monkey Island 2 |
1991 |
Ron Gilbert |
| Day of the Tentacle |
1993 |
Tim Schafer |
| Sam & Max |
1993 |
Sean Clark |
| Full Throttle |
1995 |
Tim Schafer |
| Grim Fandango |
1998 |
Tim Schafer |
Design philosophy
| Principle |
Application |
| No dead ends |
Always completable |
| No unfair deaths |
Player-friendly |
| Humour |
Wit and wordplay |
| Polish |
High production values |
Key people
| Person |
Contribution |
| Ron Gilbert |
SCUMM, Maniac Mansion, Monkey Island |
| Tim Schafer |
Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle, Grim Fandango |
| Dave Grossman |
Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle |
Beyond adventures
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
| Rescue on Fractalus! |
1984 |
Flight action |
| Ballblazer |
1984 |
Sports |
| X-Wing |
1993 |
Space combat |
| TIE Fighter |
1994 |
Space combat |
See also