Ron Gilbert, the creator of the Monkey Island series, has unveiled his latest project, a roguelike RPG titled Death by Scrolling. The game was revealed at Gamescom: Opening Night Live and introduces a unique gameplay mechanic where players are relentlessly pursued by a constantly scrolling screen as they navigate Purgatory.
Death by Scrolling features a top-down perspective reminiscent of classic Zelda games, combined with a fast-paced combat system. Players must continuously move upwards to evade the encroaching bottom of the screen, battling enemies, collecting gold, and acquiring loot along the way. The ever-present threat of Death adds urgency to the gameplay, discouraging hesitation.
Gilbert revealed that the project has been in development since 2019 but was temporarily halted due to his involvement with Return to Monkey Island. Following the completion of Monkey Island, Gilbert initiated another RPG endeavor but ultimately deemed it overly ambitious, leading him to reallocate the two contractors working on that project to Death by Scrolling.
Players will have the option to select from a variety of playable characters, each possessing distinct perks that influence their gameplay experience. While the Gamescom trailer did not specify a precise release date, Gilbert has indicated that Death by Scrolling is slated for launch sometime in 2025.
The game puts a new spin on doomscrolling, according to IGN’s Rebekah Valentine, offering a unique blend of roguelike elements and constant pursuit within a purgatorial setting.
