A landmark chapter of video game history is set to receive the documentary treatment with the announcement of Passport To Adventure: The SCUMM Story.
This in-depth film charts the extraordinary impact of the Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion (SCUMM)—the iconic game engine developed by Lucasfilm Games that redefined the landscape of point-and-click adventure games during the late 1980s and 1990s. Spearheaded by the experienced team behind Terrorbytes: The Evolution of Video Game Horror, including writer-director Richard Moss and producer Daniel Richardson, Passport To Adventure promises an immersive three-hour exploration into the creation, technical innovation, and legacy of SCUMM.
The engine famously powered some of the most beloved adventure games in gaming history, such as Maniac Mansion, The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, Day of the Tentacle, and Sam & Max: Hit the Road—all classics that laid the groundwork for interactive storytelling long before modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts like the eShop democratized game access. Confirmed participants for this project underscore the documentary’s authenticity and depth.
SCUMM and Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert is already on board, joined by David Fox, creator of Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Fans can also look forward to insights from Tami Borowick, a SCUMM University alumnus who programmed for Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge; Mark Ferrari, celebrated for his EGA background art on Monkey Island; and Aric Wilmunder, who earned the nickname "SCUMM Lord" for his key programming contributions.
Additional luminaries from the Lucasfilm Games era are expected to be announced as production progresses, further enriching the project’s perspective on game development and creative collaboration at a pivotal studio. While the enduring popularity of titles like Monkey Island means much of their development history has been recounted in various articles and documentaries—including projects by onaretrotip and NoClip—director Richard Moss has emphasized in interviews the team’s intent to break new ground.
Speaking with BBC journalist Laura Cressup, Moss noted that exploring obscure platform ports and alterations required to run SCUMM on various hardware, including legacy consoles and computers, remains an underreported aspect of the engine’s legacy.
This investigative angle is poised to offer audiences fresh insights into the adaptability and technical prowess of Lucasfilm’s development teams. Interested viewers can subscribe to the project’s waiting list and find ongoing updates on the official Passport To Adventure: The SCUMM Story website.
As new contributors join the effort and more behind-the-scenes stories come to light, anticipation is building within the adventure game community and among fans of renowned developers like LucasArts.
Stay tuned to industry news outlets and the documentary’s channels for the latest on this thorough chronicle of one of gaming’s most influential technologies.
This in-depth film charts the extraordinary impact of the Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion (SCUMM)—the iconic game engine developed by Lucasfilm Games that redefined the landscape of point-and-click adventure games during the late 1980s and 1990s. Spearheaded by the experienced team behind Terrorbytes: The Evolution of Video Game Horror, including writer-director Richard Moss and producer Daniel Richardson, Passport To Adventure promises an immersive three-hour exploration into the creation, technical innovation, and legacy of SCUMM.
The engine famously powered some of the most beloved adventure games in gaming history, such as Maniac Mansion, The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge, Day of the Tentacle, and Sam & Max: Hit the Road—all classics that laid the groundwork for interactive storytelling long before modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts like the eShop democratized game access. Confirmed participants for this project underscore the documentary’s authenticity and depth.
SCUMM and Monkey Island co-creator Ron Gilbert is already on board, joined by David Fox, creator of Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders.
Fans can also look forward to insights from Tami Borowick, a SCUMM University alumnus who programmed for Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge; Mark Ferrari, celebrated for his EGA background art on Monkey Island; and Aric Wilmunder, who earned the nickname "SCUMM Lord" for his key programming contributions.
Additional luminaries from the Lucasfilm Games era are expected to be announced as production progresses, further enriching the project’s perspective on game development and creative collaboration at a pivotal studio. While the enduring popularity of titles like Monkey Island means much of their development history has been recounted in various articles and documentaries—including projects by onaretrotip and NoClip—director Richard Moss has emphasized in interviews the team’s intent to break new ground.
Speaking with BBC journalist Laura Cressup, Moss noted that exploring obscure platform ports and alterations required to run SCUMM on various hardware, including legacy consoles and computers, remains an underreported aspect of the engine’s legacy.
This investigative angle is poised to offer audiences fresh insights into the adaptability and technical prowess of Lucasfilm’s development teams. Interested viewers can subscribe to the project’s waiting list and find ongoing updates on the official Passport To Adventure: The SCUMM Story website.
As new contributors join the effort and more behind-the-scenes stories come to light, anticipation is building within the adventure game community and among fans of renowned developers like LucasArts.
Stay tuned to industry news outlets and the documentary’s channels for the latest on this thorough chronicle of one of gaming’s most influential technologies.
