Ron Gilbert on Humongous Entertainment (PAX Australia 2013 Keynote)

This is an excerpt from the PAX Australia 2013 keynote speech by Ron Gilbert, former creative director at LucasArts and co-founder of Humongous Entertainment, Cavedog Entertainment, and Hulabee Entertainment. Here he discusses the origins of HE, his creative process, and how he and his team made the switch from pixel-based graphics to the hand-drawn aesthetic that made Humongous so successful.
Footage thanks to Gamespot. Full speech: • Storytime with Ron Gil...
(Link will bring you to the timestamp of this excerpt)

[@LeafRazorStorm]

Now I'll never see 480p as anything but "sexy pixels" anymore.

[@bootje99]

This man has no idea what HE games has done to so many children.

[@RaghuvirVarma]

And adults.

[@Lord_Baphomet_]

This man literally shaped my future

[@Lord_Baphomet_]

The voice of Pajama Sam is Pamela Adlon. She is a very famous actor and I feel connected to her because she helped shape my childhood.

[@skysamfreeman]

That reminds me of my first interactions with Grim Fandango. I had no idea how to solve the puzzles or what was going on in the story. But just exploring the world, listening to the music, and talking to all the characters was it’s own adventure in and of itself. My grandmother bought me Pajama Sam 2 for my 5th birthday and finally I had an adventure game that I could understand and finish on my own.

[@adamzanzie]

Freddie Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds was the first one I ever played, and yes, the hand-drawn animation was striking for its time. I went on to play Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo, Putt-Putt Travels Through Time and of course, Pajama Sam and SpyFox. When I found out there was another game called Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon, I asked my parents for it. What I didn't realize was that it was an older game with rougher, more pixelated graphics. Once I got over that jarring realization, however, I was able to enjoy it, even though the later Putt-Putt games are far more pleasant to look at.

[@myfriendbobby]

This is amazing to hear from Mr. Gilbert himself. I'm definitely going to watch the full speech via the link. Thanks Curator!

[@lookforcurator]

You're welcome!

[@Pingwn]

My favorite game designer❤

[@marlisamonther7869]

Ron Gilbert is my hero.

[@frogpaintartist]

Anyone else want to know what that game was?

[@lookforcurator]

According to Tami Borowick, longtime friend and colleague to Ron, it was "TuneLand: Starring Howie Mandel," by 7th Level. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZDTm6asopWVoas

[@adamzanzie]

@@lookforcurator Wow, yeah, that makes sense. Tuneland and The Great Word Adventure were two 7th Level games I played over and over in the 90's. I find it odd that Ron Gilbert couldn't remember what game it was (or even if it was ever released!), since 7th Level was a big competitor of Humongous'.