Issue #33: A Workers Manifesto

Thrik is doubling down on Mojo doing more with less. Mojo answers by doing less with nothing.

The Editor Welcomes You

After a polite reminder that I might only get 98% of my multi-million dollar bonus if I don’t keep up with these newsletter editorials, I’ve wiped my slate clean today to get it done. I’ve been so busy with everything from Dishonored to Battlefield. It really has been non-stop. But you dear readers matter the most.

So, what’s been going on? Well, I gave the order to lighten up on our Twitter activity, given the slightly insane behaviour from one of my fellow billionnaires. In its place, a renewed focus on the website itself, which we mustn’t forget predates Twitter itself. I am wondering how we get the Elaine memes and such on there, but we’ll figure it out.

Out in the real world, the scorching heat I was complaining about mere months ago has been replaced with sub-zero temperatures and frozen pipes. Thankfully we have central heating, but I will probably be modestly increasing my salary next year to cover the ever-rising energy costs. On that note, I can confirm that the employee salary freeze will remain in effect until the various crises afflicting the world are over. Sorry, Remi.

Oh, yeah… LucasArts. Well, I’m playing Psychonauts 2, too! It looks impossibly gorgeous on the new Xbox, and every moment feels so hand-crafted and unique. Really good. Much better than that tentacles game I tried a few months ago

Christmas bonuses will NOT happen at Mojo this year. Meanwhile, Thrik was spotted in Qatar during the World Cup final.

Strike!

Yes, this newsletter was supposed to have gone out last Friday. But, as Thrik makes his cuts into Mojo’s workforce, we saw no other solution than to shut down the operation over the weekend. Rumors that the “bad boy” of Mojo, Jason, has been let go remain unconfirmed.

News for the People, from the People

I’m fairly certain NME—née New Musical Express—was my dad’s magazine of choice during the sixties, so it only makes sense that this grand old magazine sits down with the grand old game developer, which subsequently is being “reported” on by the grand old Mojo. That is to say, NME has a lengthy interview with Tim Schafer. There might not be a lot of new information to be found, but it is an interesting read nonetheless. Not least because of this:

On the subject of other games, Schafer says that he still finds the time to play plenty – this year, his favourites have included Ron Gilbert’s Return to Monkey Island, BlueTwelve’s feline adventure Stray, and Zelda-inspired adventure Tunic.

ReMI tops his list—that’s just heartwarming!

Doing a one-eighty, The Force Engine has hit 1.0. What is The Force Engine, you may ask? Have a gander at the trailer:

Those of us of “a certain age” may remember the original reviews of Dark Forces complained about the lack of lightsabers. Now, it feels downright refreshing.

Music to the Ears

I played through ReMI a handful of times—hey, it’s part of the job—before taking a break for various reasons. Having too much of a good thing isn’t always great in the long run, after all. After a month or so, I decided to put the soundtrack back on again, and man… The thing slaps, as maybe the kids say. And, having spent some time away from the game, I have a newfound appreciation for some tracks that might have gone somewhat unnoticed the first time around. Take Peter McConnell’s Brrr Muda suite:

Initially, it didn’t scream Monkey Island to me, but giving it a closer listen reveals something that is almost a deconstruction of Monkey Island which then is rebuilt into something more fitting for a colder climate. 👩‍🍳’s 😘

Full News Roundup

• 18 Dec: Zak McKracken infiltrates the Edison mansion in new fan game: A humble theme song cover gets elaborated upon in the coolest possible way.

• 16 Dec: Chuck Jordan composes paean to the anguished oink of BearPig: Saint BearPig not yet recognized by the Catholic Church.

Last Week’s Mojole Results

• 12 Dec: “toot#” – On Mastodon, one used to toot instead of tweet. @mixnmojo@idlethumbs.social

• 13 Dec: “harry” – Harry Moleman from the first two seasons of Sam & Max.

• 14 Dec: “magic” – There's a ton of magic in the Monkey Island games. And in Loom. Probably elsewhere, too.

• 15 Dec: “shock” – Culture Shock -- Sam & Max episode.

• 16 Dec: “moai#” – Moai Better Blues -- Sam & Max episode.

• 17 Dec: “soda#” – ... Poppers. Is it obvious I have the Sam & Max wiki open?

• 18 Dec: “flint” – ... Paper. Y'know.

Play Mojole, the game that sweeps the nation!

Become a Mojoer! (sponsored content)

Hey, kids, do you want to become one of us? Why not join our Patreon? One single dollar will make you a Friend of Mojo. And for the privileged few, there’s the $5 Diamond Club tier, which will earn you a special mention in The Adventurer. Join now! Our interns are hard at work finishing up the special mention section!