All too often when mixing genres, the results – like that Mountain Dew left over from last night – fall flat. However, one enterprising forum-goer has has defied convention (and warmed our hearts), successfully marrying classic LucasArts adventure games with our wall's longstanding desire to be covered in nostalgia.

The results consist of several beautiful posters, most based on original artwork lifted from an era when LucasArts wasn't afraid to point and click, including Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman masterpieces, The Secret of Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle. Designed to be printed and hung, we can't think of a better way to hide that unsightly crack above your bed.

Add this to the list of must-sees at this year's Game Developers Conference: The Game Developers Choice Awards (held during the conference) will be honoring Harmonix co-founders Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy with the Pioneer Award, and handing the Ambassador Award to The Pied Piper of Points, Tommy Tallarico. Oh, and the whole thing is presided over by Timothy F.* Schafer.

Right, so, just to recap: Tim Schafer sharing a stage with the guys who made up the most rock 'n' roll game of all time and Steven Tyler's cousin? Note to everyone in attendance: Bring a backup, non-melted face.

*That's "Freaking".

We don't know exactly but there are really strong indications that EA will come to Brütal Legend's rescue. Most notably, www.brutallegend.com points to a non-existent EA domain, as noted by fan-site Brutal!. And if you tweak the address and plug in brutallegend.ea.com, you'll spot the above image. Seriously, try it for yourself, it'll do your spirit good after all the waiting.

We're likely to hear something more official later today as Double Fine mastermind (and perennial Joystiq crush) Tim Schafer wrote on the company's blog that "Santa may be putting some sort of publisher news in our stocking during the night."

For those about to rock ... well, you know.

[Update: We just got the confirmation in our mailbox. The game is coming in fall of 2009 to 360 and PS3.]

Tim Schafer is a man who needs no introduction.

So, anyway, in celebration of adventure classic Grim Fandango's tenth birthday, he's magnanimously released the game's puzzle design document to the teeming TL;DR masses online. Not only is it a fascinating and often amusing read (be wary of nonlinearity's "repulsive, yet fascinating head"), but it's full of valuable guidance for those fledgling adventure designers still struggling to solve the classic "talking walrus in a trench coat" dilemma. We struggled with that one for weeks.

And in case you're one of the sad types currently shrugging their shoulders and asking, "Grim Fanwhatnow?," know that it's one awesome adventure pie rhinoceros the meaning of life neo-classical breakfast cereal did I turn the stove off this morning blathering typhoon wrench flinging submarine spectacular.
neato.

Ever since the corporate Activision blizzard left Double Fine's Brütal Legend without a sturdy home, we've been engaged in an agonizing guessing game -- which publisher is brave enough to tackle the God of GWAR epic? If not MTV, how about the new, debatably less evil EA?

"I have seen it," EA CEO John Riccitiello told Gamasutra. "I am well aware of what the game is. It's a very significant creative risk." Oh, what are you talking about, John? You know what's really popular right now? Guitar Hero. That, and outrageous ultra-violence, as seen in your company's very own Dead Space. Surely a combination of both would yield a powerful, nigh-undodgeable bullet point on the back of Brütal Legend's box?

Mind you, Riccitiello isn't completely averse to "significant creative risks." He added that games described as such could "end up being some of the world's best products." Examples? "Spore was also a significant creative risk. So was The Sims. Portal, BioShock." But before you start reading between the lines, consider his next example: "But so was Grim Fandango."

Ugh, we really dropped the ball on that one, world.

With its rock 'n' roll aesthetic and Jack Black-connection, currently publisher-less Brütal Legend seemed like a natural fit to be picked up by MTV Games, the way Variety saw it. But, the publisher denied the hunch saying, "We are big fans of [Double Fine chief] Tim Schafer. We hope the game finds a good home."

Well, that's just great. So, who'll pick it up? We can rule out Activision and MTV ... and almost certainly Majesco. While we don't know who the most likely candidate is now, we'd like to humbly offer the services of Joystiq's publishing arm. Here's what we can promise.

1. No interference from us, except when we occasionally but adamantly demand that our likenesses replace those of the lead characters.
2. No knowledge of how to actually publish a game, specifically in regards to marketing, manufacturing and distribution channels.
3. Lots of hugs.

So, how bout it, Tim? Can we work together?

In a way only they could, the mad minds at Double Fine have confirmed that Brütal Legend is not dead. (Unlike the weevils Tim Schafer found in his cereal and has been posting photos of to Double Fine Action News.)

In fact, it's via Schafer's latest snapshot of dead weevil-age that the famous designer of such games as Full Throttle and Psychonauts delivered a status report on Double Fine's next creation. Mousing over the photo (under "More Information") reveals pop-up text which reads "Brütal Legend is fine." Rawk. Of course, there's still the matter of who's going to publish the game, given Activision Blizzard's apparent (and, as many agree, unfathomable) lack of interest in it.

Due to the conference's inabilities to meet its exuberant demands (1,000 brown M&M to fill a Brandy glass), Double Fine's Brütal Legend will not be making an appearance at next week's E3 Media and Business Summit.

Designer Tim Schafer and co-conspirator Jack Black made the announcement yesterday while floating across the River Styx on a yacht made entirely from the bodies of those whose heart stopped when LucasArts ceased making adventure games. The duo then proceeded to fly off on black motorcycles so fast that they broke the sound barrier and permanently deafened every person within a 20 mile radius, with engines that sounded like a Schecter guitar plugged into a wall of Marshall amps cranked to 12 (yes, one louder than 11).

... Okay, so that's not really how it happened. Rather, Schafer told MTV Multiplayer via email that the game wouldn't be at E3, but he hopes to discuss it soon after, "as soon as the dust settles from this whole [Activision Blizzard] merger thing." We're not surprised, of course, given Activison won't be attending E3 at all, but it sounds like the game will be missing out on the publisher's non-E3 event set for next Tuesday.

At the MTV Movie Awards a few weeks back, Jack Black came wearing a huge gash across his neck. But you'll want to direct your attention below the wound -- no, not to the pantaloons -- to Black's slightly more subtle statement: a "Brütal Legend" tee. We're not sure how many casual viewers have attempted to google the term, only to be stifled by the key command for an umlaut, but those of us attuned to Black's sense of style certainly appreciate the nod to Tim Schafer's seemingly in limbo project, for which Black lends his vocals. When questioned about his getup, Black responded, "I just wanted to represent. I do this video game Brütal Legend. It's coming someday."

MTV Multiplayer followed up with Sierra on Black's impromptu plug, reporting that the publisher was, obviously, grateful for the nationally televised marketing. Still, Sierra declined to elaborate on Black's vague promise, saying only, "we are excited to reveal more details regarding our plans for Brütal Legend very soon."

From Joystiq reader Jon G: "Double Fine just announced this series of books and you guys haven't covered it yet! What's up with that?" Dear Jon: Is it can be hugs tiem now plees? (Double Fine Action Comics: Volume 1 ships August 2008) Check out the highlights for today:

Captivate 08
Captivate 2008 screenshot roundup
Joystiq hands-on: Bionic Commando (Xbox 360)
Joystiq impressions: Dark Void (Xbox 360)
Joystiq hands-on: Neopets Puzzle Adventure (PC)
Joystiq impressions: Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360)
Joystiq impressions: Spyborgs (Wii)
Overheard@Captivate 08: Of Puzzle Quest and bomb threats

Joystiquery
A History of Violence: A Ninja Gaiden Retrospective
All of Xbox Live Arcade's potential delisters revisited
Big Versus pits all three GRID versions against each other
Joyswag: Win The Bourne Conspiracy and a briefcase of gear
Meet the Team: Griffin McElroy
The best of WoW Insider: May 27-June 3, 2008

News
Cryptic Studios appoints former SOE exec as CEO
Breaking: Ninja Gaiden's Itagaki says 'Sayonara Tecmo, see you in court'
New Fallout 3 screens show Pip-Boy statuses, leg dismemberment
Sony introducing monthly 'Qore' episodes to US PSN on June 5
Puzzle Quest dev's next project: Neopets Puzzle Adventure
Capcom announces Wii exclusive 'Spyborgs'
No multiplayer in Dark Void
Resident Evil 5 devs 60 percent done, aim for more than 20 hours
Dark Void is still about a year away
The World Ends With You: new shipment coming mid-June
See tons of new Street Fighter IV videos
See first Bionic Commando multiplayer video
Crytek turns back on Crysis updates
Alfred Molina, Ben Kingsley join Prince of Persia film adaptation
Home coming this year as 'open, working beta'
Japan getting 'Metallic Blue' PSP, 'Cinnabar Red' PS2
Team Fortress 2 Pyro class next in line for upgrade
PlayStation boss: making PS3 non-exclusives more 'exclusive'
ESRB rates 'The Last Guy' for PS3
First 007: Quantum of Solace intel declassified
Ubisoft's Avatar game: '3D' mode optional, requires 'special' TV
Bruce Willis in talks to star in Kane and Lynch film adaptation
Age of Conan's incredible shrinking breasts
Rock out! Guitar Hero: On Tour DS bundle spotted

Rumors & Speculation
Analyst: THQ has internal problems

Culture & Community
ESA calls out GamePolitics for unfair coverage

We don't know what the title of Game of the Year 2031 is going to be, but we know the lead designer's name: Mary Schafer. How can we be so sure? Well, that's the name of Joystiq Favorite Living Human Tim Schafer's new daughter, born yesterday and sitting comfortably at 7lbs 10oz.

So, why are we suddenly in the baby business? It's not because our icy, black hearts have softened any (they haven't). But think about how big of a deal the announcement of a sequel to any Tim Schafer game would be. Huge, right? Well, we've done one better and announced the sequel to Tim Schafer. Hope Digg is well-stocked with shovels, because we're headed to China.

[Thanks, Danny]

Alright, Tim Schafer, you win. After targeting various industry folks with a typically contrived adventure game puzzle and then assembling their responses in our GDC Quest Quiz feature, we simply weren't prepared for your relentless response to our silly challenge. Not only did you trick us into doing all the hard work, but you successfully navigated through our made-up-as-we-went-along chicane of bizarre logic. But don't grow complacent in your victory -- we'll get you next time.

The Player
Double Fine's Tim Schafer, designer of Full Throttle, Grim Fandango, Psychonauts and upcoming god of gwar epic, Brütal Legend. Prior to the release of those games, he worked on The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island 2 and Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle.

The Puzzle
You're standing in front of a cave. The goal is to get inside the cave, taking care to foil the ferocious robot bear guarding the entrance first.

The Inventory

• (1) perforated parasol
• (1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle
• (1) sealed manila envelope
• (1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue

Make your way past the break to read our adventurous e-mail exchange.

We, like all good and wise people, love Tim Schafer. What we don't love is having to wait years between fresh infusions of Double Fine goodness. So it gave us no small amount of pleasure to hear that while speaking at the 2007 IGDA Leadership Forum, Schafer said he'd love to make a small XBLA game, even though he didn't have one in the works.

"We talk about making Xbox Live Arcade games all the time. Who doesn't want to make Xbox Live Arcade games?" he said. "It's like when you see a Great Dane taking a giant shit and then you see a poodle taking a little Tootsie Roll shit. The poodle is so cute, but at the end of the day you're still picking up shit. Seriously though, we'd love to make Xbox Live Arcade games, but we're really busy now." ... We're not exactly sure what you meant by that, Tim. But we're fairly sure we couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Don't worry: the designer and/or writer behind Psychonauts, Day of the Tentacle, and Secret of Monkey Island doesn't take his clothes off, but Tim Schafer does share some other interesting tidbits with Playboy, specifically concerning his entrance into the game industry, thoughts on sequelitis, and how getting turned down by Atari was one of the best things to ever happen to him.

The interview with Schafer is part of a series of talks with game designers, which also includes Dave Jaffe, Alex Rigoupolos of Harmonix, and Sony Europe EVP Phil Harrison (who isn't actually a game designer, but we'll forgive Playboy for the lapse because they're trying so damn hard).