The Routes of Time

An attraction sparks the pirate imagination

Pirates of the Caribbean opens at Disneyland. Its atmosphere will be one of the suggestions remembered by Gilbert: crossing the scenes will become, in the game, the possibility to stop and browse.

Tim Powers releases On Stranger Tides

Haunted Seas combines pirates, the supernatural and voodoo. Gilbert will indicate the novel among the readings that made him desire a pirate adventure.

SCUMM was born for Maniac Mansion

Before the Caribbean there is a mansion: tools for verbs, objects and conversations become a basis for many Lucasfilm adventures.

A pirate adventure begins to take shape

Ron Gilbert's first ideas precede the release by about two years.

The project restarts after Indiana Jones

Gilbert returns to the pirate project and reviews its approach.

Gilbert writes down a philosophy of adventure

Understandable objectives, coherent puzzles and attention to what the player can know: the essay Why Adventure Games Suck addresses the frustrations of the genre. It's not an absolute ban on any death in every game.

Before Guybrush: Mutiny on Monkey Island

The initial document preserves an adventure and characters different from those we know.

Lucasfilm Games presents The Secret of Monkey Island

A press release released in Chicago announces a pirate comedy adventure and predicts its arrival in the fall of 1990.

The disks that allow you to date the finish line

Gilbert dates the codex archive discs to this day; remember the masters sent to production in the days ahead.

The first Monkey Island reaches the shops

The initial 16-color edition goes into distribution. Gilbert places the arrival between the end of September and October, without indicating a single day.

A literary signature in insult duels

Orson Scott Card appears in the credits for dueling insults. The sword accompanies a challenge that is won by recognizing and choosing the answers.

The box also contains a pirate wheel

Dial-A-Pirate asks you to recompose a face and read a code on the physics wheel. A piece of cardboard enters the adventure's startup routine.

Grog goes from joke to inventory

The SCUMM Bar drink melts the containers and becomes part of an enigma. The name harks back to a real naval story, but Guybrush's blend belongs to the pirate caricature.

The second journey begins almost immediately

After the first game, the team is already working on the follow-up.

A document for LeChuck's Revenge

A first story of the sequel takes shape on paper.

Mêlée acquires a richer palette

The 256-color VGA edition arrives.

Disk 22 would have made the assistance ring

Port rumors · Anecdote to verify

It is said that the request for non-existent disks generated calls to support. Dinky's phone gag picks up on the theme, but does not document how many actual calls there were or evidence that they led to the prank being removed.

The sequel is shown at Summer CES

The new adventure meets the public before its release.

The adventure also runs on Amiga and Atari ST

The conversions bring the first chapter to other home computers.

The Adventurer tells the sequel

LucasArts magazine opens a window on the authors' work.

Interactive music leaves a patent trace

LucasArts files patent application US5315057A, registered to Michael Land and Peter McConnell.

Woodtick makes the world listen continuously

Michael Land and Peter McConnell's work on iMUSE allows for scene-related musical transitions. The compositions of Land, McConnell and Clint Bajakian give character to the different locations.

Dinky can be called outside the game

The telephone in the forest connects Guybrush to a parody of the LucasArts help line. Among the possible questions is the log joke: the Secret gag finds a new interlocutor.

LeChuck's Revenge is released

The second chapter arrives on PC.

Secret returns to CD-ROM

The CD-ROM edition modifies the interface and offers music on audio tracks.

The clues are read with a red filter

The official clue book for The Secret of Monkey Island allows you to search for the puzzle that is blocking the player and reveals the answers with a red stripe. It is one of the paper tools that accompanied the adventure.

The Amigas also set sail for Big Whoop

The second game is published on Amiga.

The clue book also accompanies LeChuck's Revenge

The official Monkey Island 2 guide divides the help into sections and explains how to use the red stripe to read the hints. The Dinky Island phone call was therefore a gag alongside a world of help also on paper.

TGM takes Guybrush into space: as a joke

In issue 52 of The Games Machine, on page 17, «A pirate in space» presents an imaginary Monkey Island 3. The title May the Monkey Be With You! and the Use the Force command mix pirates and Star Wars: it's the magazine's April Fool's joke, not a game announced by LucasArts.

The Secret of Monkey Island comes to Sega CD

The first chapter reaches the console with an edition for Sega CD distributed by JVC in North America. The manual explains how to use the controller to move the cursor and choose commands.

The dynamic music patent is published

The application filed in 1991 becomes patent US5315057A.

A proposal for The Pirate Curse of Monkey Island

Larry Ahern and Jonathan Ackley sign a preliminary draft of the third chapter.

Ahern and Ackley develop story and puzzles

The third chapter moves from proposal to design.

Curse production begins

Programming shapes Guybrush's new journey.

The third Monkey Island is announced

LucasArts presents The Curse of Monkey Island at ECTS in London.

Curse on the cover of PC Zone

The June issue of the British magazine puts The Curse of Monkey Island on its cover, with Guybrush, Elaine turned into a statue, and LeChuck.

A demo arrives with PC Gamer

The magazine offers a playable taste of the new chapter.

The Curse of Monkey Island comes to the public

The third chapter adopts an animated language and acted dialogues.

Curse reaches the gold phase

The production of the third chapter reaches the master's finish line.

Guybrush finds Dominic Armato's voice

The Curse is the first chapter with spoken dialogue. Armato plays Guybrush; Earl Boen voices LeChuck and Denny Delk voices Murray. Acting changes the rhythm of the lines.

Gary Coleman behind Kenny's desk

In the English edition the lemonade boy is played by Gary Coleman. The character brings together the comedy of the small-time crook with a recognizable voice from television.

Even in Italian the Caribbean has a voice

The Italian edition of Curse includes dubbing: Giuseppe Calvetti plays Guybrush. Local voices become part of the memory of the saga, in addition to the original interpretations.

Murray threatens the world from a little support

The Demon Skull debuts in Curse. Between boundless ambitions and almost zero mobility, his presence creates a comedy that will return in subsequent chapters.

A book to consult when the enigma persists

Clue books also accompany the game off-screen. The cover of the Curse guide opens a path between paper suggestions, telephone assistance and Return's help book.

A new departure is being prepared

Mike Stemmle and Sean Clark lead the Escape project.

Monkey Island Site is born

Monkey Island Site was born on March 11, 1999, an Italian port dedicated to Guybrush and LucasArts adventures. Edited by Alfnet and Guybrush Threepwood, the site collects news, images, solutions and memories of the crew over time. The Museum allows you to rediscover its first pages and follow its evolution.

LucasArts announces Escape from Monkey Island

The fourth chapter is officially presented.

Escape meets the E3 audience

The fourth chapter is presented in its three-dimensional guise.

Another Guybrush takes shape for the cinema

The animated project developed at ILM, with David Carson, explores a different path from games. Sketches and storyboards preserve that unfinished attempt.

Escape arrives at the master

Development reaches the transition to duplication.

Guybrush enters the third dimension

Escape from Monkey Island brings the series to its fourth installment, featuring three-dimensional characters. In the game's credits, Wally Wingert appears as the English voice of Herman Toothrot and a pirate.

The site meets Massimo Antonio Rossi

Our interview with the Italian voice of Guybrush in Escape brings the actor's work to the site: building an interpretation, switching between characters and finding the rhythm on the microphone.

Escape reaches the Mac

The saga also continues on Apple computers.

Escape arrives on PlayStation 2

The saga reaches the Sony console with an edition of the fourth game.

Gilbert distinguishes a novel from an atmosphere

The author returns to On Stranger Tides and the Disney attraction: a useful distinction for describing the inspirations without confusing them with the films released after the games.

The missed film is a legend that continues to travel

Port Rumors · Disputed account

The idea has spread that the Monkey Island animated project was recycled in Pirates of the Caribbean. The authors involved contested this reconstruction: similarities, encounters and common imagination are not enough to prove the passage of a script.

Telltale imagines a pirate season

The project begins with ideas and comparisons about history.

Tales goes into production

An adventure is built that is destined to come out in episodes.

The wait precedes the name

A new episodic project is teased ahead of E3.

One announcement opens two routes at the same time

LucasArts and Telltale present Tales and the Special Edition of Secret: an episodic sequel and a rereading of the first chapter.

Tales, episode 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal

The season begins releasing on PC.

A Guybrush by Rex Crowle looks to the future

An illustration of the character anticipates a creative meeting destined to mature years later.

The Special Edition of Secret is available on Xbox 360

Xbox communication confirms the availability of the remake on Xbox Live Arcade. The remake also comes out on the same day for PC on Steam, with redesigned graphics and the possibility of returning to the classic version.

From enthusiast to voice of a character

Dominic Armato talks about his experience with Guybrush. His path connects his love for LucasArts adventures to acting in spoken chapters.

Tales, episode 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay

The second part of the PC season is released.

Tales, episode 3: Lair of the Leviathan

The episodic publication reaches the third chapter.

Tales, episode 4: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood

The fourth part of the season arrives.

Tales, episode 5: Rise of the Pirate God

The fifth episode completes the release of the PC season.

Tales season arrives on Mac

The episodic journey reaches another platform.

The second Special Edition is announced

LeChuck's Revenge is also preparing to change its look.

Tales arrives on the American PlayStation Network

The five episodes are collected in a path for consoles.

LeChuck's Revenge returns in Special Edition on Xbox 360

Xbox announces the availability of the second remake on Live Arcade. The re-release is also released on PC, with updated graphics, dubbing and commentary from the developers.

The season reaches iPad

The adventure adapts to touch and a new screen.

The Special Edition Collection opens a window on the missed film

Materials from the film project appear among the extras in the collection. The sketches finally allow us to observe an alternative path for Guybrush.

Tales begins its journey on iPhone

The first episode opens distribution on Apple phones.

Gilbert tells how an adventure was sent

For the 25th anniversary of Monkey Island, its author publishes memories and photographs of the records.

A pirate with a monkey in his coat of arms in Uncharted 4

In Chapter 11, Nathan and Sam examine the damaged portrait of an unnamed pirate. The monkey crest and appearance are reminiscent of Guybrush Threepwood.

Mancomb challenges Geralt with words

In The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, Geralt can win the challenge with Mancomb by responding in rhyme. The name and the word duel recall the pirate of the SCUMM Bar and the insult duels of Monkey Island.

Devolver publicly expresses its desire for a new Monkey Island

A public message precedes the project that will become Return.

A conversation at PAX reopens the route

Devolver and Gilbert discuss the possibility of returning to the saga.

Gilbert contacts Dave Grossman

The new adventure begins to reunite its authors.

Gilbert and Grossman meet in Seattle

The first ideas of the return are discussed together.

Development of Return begins

The project moves to the production phase.

Thirty years of Monkey Island become a treasure chest

Limited Run presents the 30th Anniversary Anthology: the first five chapters and objects that recall the saga. Our photographic journey allows you to explore the box, book and accessories.

The Name Guybrush: Gilbert corrects a legend

The origin comes from the images of Steve Purcell and the brushes of Deluxe Paint. The file Gilbert remembers is guybrush.lbm: the popular guy.brush version tells a wrong detail.

The abandoned film is told by those who worked on it

The memories of the project illuminate authors, development and creative difficulties. The similarities with Pirates of the Caribbean are not enough to prove that the Disney film reused the script.

This time April Fools' Day tells the truth

Gilbert writes that he has decided to make another Monkey Island. The date makes a message ambiguous that precedes the official announcement of Return by three days.

Return to Monkey Island is officially presented

The return of the series with Ron Gilbert and Dave Grossman is announced.

Voice recording ends

The new comeback acquires his interpretations on the microphone.

Pre-orders for Return are starting

The wait for the release is accompanied by the horse armor gag.

The creative group talks about the new return

Lucasfilm publishes an interview with Gilbert, Grossman and the other creatives, shortly before the release. In 2022 Dave Grossman explained that in the first game the motionless pattern of Stan's jacket arose from a texture fill in the animation tools. To preserve the same effect in Return, the team used a shader.

Return to Monkey Island is released

Terrible Toybox, Devolver Digital and Lucasfilm Games bring Guybrush back in a new adventure.

A book of clues travels with Guybrush

Return integrates help into the adventure: the book follows the state of the journey and allows you to ask for progressive suggestions. The solution must not come before curiosity.

Return receives a native Linux version

The choice of systems to play on expands.

Return reaches PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series

The publisher's trailer announces the arrival on the two console families.

Mêlée opens up to Sea of Thieves pirates

The first Tall Tale of The Legend of Monkey Island takes players on an explorable reconstruction of the island. It's a Sea of ​​Thieves crossover, not a new numbered chapter in the saga.

The return continues on phones and tablets

Devolver announces Return for App Store and Google Play.

You complete The Legend of Monkey Island in Sea of Thieves

The third Tall Tale concludes the collaboration with the world of Sea of Thieves.

Steve Purcell brings the spirit of Monkey Island back to the stars

The illustration for Skeleton Crew accompanies a connection told by the creators of the series. The covers of the first Monkey Island become a meeting point between imaginaries.

Elijah Wood remembers LucasArts adventures

Responding to readers, the actor cites The Secret of Monkey Island together with Full Throttle and Sam & Max Hit the Road among the games for which he has a special affection. A testimony of a player, beyond his work in the cinema.

Elijah Wood returns to choose Monkey Island

In conversation with Josh Horowitz at Happy Sad Confused, the memory of the LucasArts classics still leads to Monkey Island. The passion for an adventure can continue to resurface decades after the first meeting.