“PLEASE, do your market research first,” Polish developer Adrian Chmielarz tells industry legend Ron Gilbert after the underwhelming release of Death by Scrolling

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Ron Gilbert is the creative force behind the beloved Monkey Island adventure games from the 1980s and 90s. He also helped create the SCUMM engine, which was used in many classic adventure titles. Known for his witty stories and long career in gaming, Gilbert founded the indie studio Terrible Toybox in 2014 and later released Return to Monkey Island. His newest game, Death by Scrolling, recently launched, and another game developer hasn’t hesitated to publicly share their disappointment with how it’s been received.

When a brilliant concept meets harsh reality

Death by Scrolling is a unique game where you move upwards through a digital version of Purgatory, battling enemies, collecting coins, and trying to escape death. It’s designed with the fun and unusual style of Ron Gilbert, which initially sounded promising. However, after it was released, many players left negative reviews.

Okay, so I really wanted to like this game – the idea was awesome! I jumped in and did two runs, but honestly, I was already getting bored. It’s not that it’s bad, it just didn’t click with me. I was expecting something a little more action-packed, you know? I pictured a slower, more strategic experience, kind of like Vampire Survivors, but with a wall of enemies slowly creeping up the screen. It just didn’t quite deliver on that vision for me.

– Buntkreuz

Most games hook you right away, but this one doesn’t. It feels sluggish to move around, and the weapons have limited ammo. Defeating enemies doesn’t offer any reward, you just waste bullets while a stronger enemy appears to finish you off.

– AB3NG3R

The game Death by Scrolling didn’t attract many players when it first launched, a fact that developer Adrian Chmielarz (known for games like Painkiller, Bulletstorm, and The Vanishing of Etan Carter) highlighted in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).

As a big fan, I really appreciated what Adrian Chmielarz said about leaving a well-known series. He pointed out that you can find success with something new, but seriously, do your homework first! Knowing who you’re making the game for and how they actually like to play is absolutely crucial. It’s not enough to just have a good idea; you need to understand your audience.

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2025-11-17 21:02