GDC Quest Quiz I: Ron Gilbert


The Player
Ron Gilbert, designer of The Secret of Monkey Island (amongst other LucasArts adventures), consultant on Penny Arcade Adventures and designer of Hothead's upcoming episodic series, Deathspank.

The Puzzle

The Inventory
  • (1) perforated parasol
  • (1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle
  • (1) sealed manila envelope
  • (1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue
Find Ron Gilbert's surprisingly direct solution after the break.

The Solution

Ron: This is a really stupid adventure game puzzle.

Joystiq: It's pretty traditional, actually.

Well, I'd probably try to feed the bear the macaroni Tim Schafer. That would probably be the first thing I'd try.

But it's a robot bear. Why would it need to eat macaroni?

You got me on that one. Okay ... is there anything above the cave?

It's whatever you imagine it to be. It's a pretty non-specific adventure game.

What's in the envelope? Can I open the envelope?

You can open the envelope.

Okay, I'm gonna open the envelope.

Alright, it's open.

What's inside of it?

Whatever you want.

Well, I thought you were giving me this thing.

I just gave you a sealed envelope, I don't know what's in it.

Then it's the "Off" instructions for the robot bear. I just say them and the robot bear shuts down and I go into the cave.

What about the other items? Why do you have them?

They're just red herrings to kind of screw up the player.

And you succeeded! That was too easy. Don't you think this puzzle needs a higher difficulty level?

Maybe, I was on easy mode.

This article was originally published on Joystiq.