A new site has popped up over on Telltale's domain, teased at the conclusion of the fifth and final Monkey Island episode. It's got Sam, Max and a prominent 2010 all over it, along with some concept art showing a heavy dose of sci-fi and just a hint of time travel, given Sam's rather dapper attire.

In addition to the visual clues, there's also some audio playing over the art, suggesting that Telltale's next Sam & Max may not be your average point-and-click adventure game, instead featuring gameplay where you're given a lot more direct control over events.

[Sam & Max 2010]

"Mainly I've used an x-acto knife and three tiny screwdrivers to do most of the carving," ceemdee said in an email. "I used some wood carving tools to scrap out the bigger areas on a few of the pumpkins and a needle is used to trace the image. They were all carved in the last four weeks. It's actually only four pumpkins (one a week) with three carvings on each. :)"

You can check out unlit views of the pumpkins here.

Got any more? Send pictures of 'em my way!

The 20th anniversary edition of the duo's Surfin' The Highway is one of four nominees in the running for this year's Best Graphic Album - Reprint award, so Sam, Max, all the best! We'd say you were a shoe-in for this, but then, you're up against the Hellboy reprints in the category. So you're probably not going to win it.

But still! As the saying goes, it's an honour just to be nominated.

Oh, while we're on the subject of Sam & Max, for clicking through, here's a painting of Max as Sinistar.

Telltale follows up their Wallace & Gromit Xbox Live Arcade debut with seasons one and two of the Sam & Max series of point and click adventure games. Originally released as digital downloads for the PC, the episodic adventure series has since been collected into two seasons, with the first already released on the Nintendo Wii and the second coming soon for both Wii and PC. Now Xbox 360 players will get a chance to unravel mysterious mysteries with the twisted twosome, with Telltale releasing two full-season bundles onto Xbox Live in the coming months.

Both seasons have been given more descriptive names in honor of the upcoming releases, with season one now called Sam & Max Save the World and season two newly dubbed Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space.

The announcement didn't contain any word of pricing or release date, but I'm sure they'll get around to letting us know before the games are released...hopefully.

Limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, it costs $75, and looks to be worth every penny/pound/euro/whatever. It's by Symbiote Studios, and in addition to the main attraction, they're also offering cute little deformed figures (below) for $20. So either way, Sam & Max fans, you're covered!

Sam & Max [Symbiote Studios, via Offworld]

For the other companies, Valve and Ritual, they made a lot of the mistakes we did early on. But we stuck to our guns and kept going, while they had so many other things going on at the same time. They bailed out a little earlier. We were all in it together then they dropped off.

I still find that when people bump into me at conventions, they saw the game before they ever saw a comic.

The GameTap client for Macintosh will rely on Cider, the "wrapper" that allows Windows-based games to play on Mac OSX. That means some of GameTap's offerings won't be immediately available to Mac gamers, including releases like Sam & Max, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Far Cry.

GameTap for Mac users will, however, have access to over 500 classic games, including titles released for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast when the full service is launched. Michael McWhertor

GameTap to bring classic gaming service for Mac [MacWorld]

Company reps told Shacknews earlier this year that they were pursuing development on the Wii, Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3.

Heartwarming press release, with the verb "dovetails", after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Telltale closes $6 million investment round

Funds will be used for new titles, expansion to additional hardware platforms, and additional staff

SAN RAFAEL, CA, June 12, 2007 - Interactive entertainment pioneer Telltale Inc. today announced that it has secured $6 million in Series B funding. Granite Ventures led the round, with IDG Ventures SF also participating. Telltale will use the financing to drive growth in existing and new episodic series, allowing the company to continue defining and refining new models for interactive entertainment and digital distribution. Multi-platform development and new staff additions are key elements in these strategic plans.

The announcement dovetails with the conclusion of Telltale's critically-acclaimed Sam & Max: Season 1, a six-episode game series that launched last fall and had monthly releases through May. As the first episodic series with releases on a regular schedule, Sam & Max: Season 1 has emerged as the first truly successful demonstration of episodic gaming for a mass audience—a major milestone for Telltale.

"Digital distribution is changing entertainment, and Telltale is helping define the new landscape," says Telltale's CEO and co-founder Dan Connors. "This funding will allow us to stay on the cutting edge of innovation by building out our team and our tools, and by taking on new licenses for the episodic treatment."

Telltale's funding comes from Granite Ventures and IDG Ventures SF, two San Francisco-based venture firms that focus on early-stage media and technology companies. Andre Blanadet of the advisory firm avanceventures played a critical role in Telltale's funding success.

"We look for experienced teams that are pioneering new technologies and business models in huge markets," says Chris Hollenbeck, managing director at Granite Ventures, who has joined Telltale's Board of Directors. "Telltale has it all—a great group of people who are changing an industry while doing what they love. We look forward to helping them build the next major player in the gaming industry."

"Telltale has one of the best teams we have seen in the gaming market and we are excited to be associated with them," says Philip Sanderson of IDG Ventures SF. "Entertainment software has undergone a radical change over the past few years in terms of development, content and distribution, and Telltale is on its cutting edge."

Of Granite and IDG Ventures SF, Telltale's CTO and co-founder Kevin Bruner says, "We managed to bring together a fantastic set of investors who share our vision of transforming the way people experience games. We're extremely pleased."

About Telltale
Telltale is a new breed of interactive entertainment company pioneering high-caliber episodic game publishing and development. Founded in 2004 by industry veterans with decades of experience, the company has quickly become a leader in episodic gaming by delivering award-winning interactive experiences that emphasize engaging stories, strong characters, and rich worlds. Telltale has shipped 10 titles to date, using proprietary tools that streamline development of high-quality, cinematic experiences for multiple platforms and digital distribution. These releases include the monthly six-episode series Sam & Max: Season 1, episodes adapted from Jeff Smith's epic Bone graphic novel series, and games based on television's popular CSI program in partnership with Ubisoft. Telltale offers content development and custom publishing services for license-holders interested in interactive adaptations of their properties. Telltale's games are available at the company's website and through select partners such as Turner Broadcasting's GameTap subscription service. To learn more about Telltale, please visit www.telltalegames.com.

About Granite Ventures
Granite Ventures has been helping early-stage technology companies build solid foundations for success since 1992. They focus their investments in the communications and software sectors where their partners have deep domain expertise, broad industry knowledge, and significant investment experience. Granite has managed over $1 billion in venture capital and has invested in more than 90 private companies. They partner with promising and successful entrepreneurs to create businesses that have a competitive edge, and help those businesses achieve category leadership. More information can be found at www.granitevc.com.

About IDG Ventures SF
IDG Ventures SF is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on New Media Technology—the convergence of the media and information technology markets. IDG Ventures SF helps entrepreneurs grow innovative companies using the operational and technical expertise of its General Partners and the unmatched platform of International Data Group, the world's largest IT Media company. IDG Ventures SF is part of the IDG global family of venture funds which have approximately $1.5 billion under management, and have invested in roughly 300 portfolio companies spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.

About avanceventures
avanceventures, headquartered in San Rafael, California, is an advisory, valuation, and mergers and acquisition firm focused on helping privately held companies maximize their financial objectives. To learn more about avance, please visit www.avanceventures.com.

Picked by you the peanut gallery, here are the Sam & Max contest winners! Note: Votes that did not include three choices were disqualified, and the Kotaku editors also voted. Secretly. Anyway, onto the winners:

• Finalist Number 1
• Finalist Number 2
• Finalist Number 5

Winning people shoot us an email at kotakucontest@gmail.com to claim your loot. Brian Ashcraft

Okay, we've picked the finalists, and now it's up to you, the folks who

A). Didn't enter
B). Aren't finalists
C). Voting for yourself

to select the winner. Contest info: Telltale Games is giving away full digital versions of all six Sam & Max episodes from Season 1 to three (count 'em) separate Kotaku winners. There are six finalists, so write down which three you like in the comments section. The Finalists are...

• Finalist Number 1
• Finalist Number 2
• Finalist Number 3
• Finalist Number 4
• Finalist Number 5
• Finalist Number 6

Voting closes tonight at midnight, EST. Brian Ashcraft

To bring everyone up to speed: Telltale Games is giving away full digital versions of all six Sam & Max episodes from Season 1 to three (count 'em) separate Kotaku winners. That means you actually have a chance of winning something. So, how can you win? Make a Sam & Max comic (info here) and send us the link. The deadline for entries is today, midnight PST. Send your links to kotakucontest@gmail.com. We'll pick finalists that make us giggle, and Kotaku-land will then pick the best three. Oh, and by entering our contest, you agree to our rules. So bring on the ha-ha! Brian Ashcraft

Easy contest! That is, if you're funny. Telltale Games is giving away full digital versions of all six Sam & Max episodes from Season 1 to three (count 'em) separate Kotaku winners. That means you actually have a chance of winning something. Go you! So, how can you win? Make a Sam & Max comic (info here) and send us the link. The deadline for entries is next Monday, midnight PST. Send your links to kotakucontest@gmail.com. We'll pick finalists that make us giggle, and Kotaku-land will then pick the best three. Oh, and by entering our contest, you agree to our rules. Brian Ashcraft

From Shacknews:

Shack: Much ado has been made of your job solicitations for Wii and Xbox 360 programmers. What can you say about your plans there?

Dan Connors: Well, we're hoping to get on to both consoles, with Live Arcade and Virtual Console—I'm sorry, on all three consoles! But we're starting with Wii and Xbox, on both of their online services and retail as well.

Good news for gamers and indie developers looking for a lower risk, non-traditional retail route. Having Xbox Live Arcade, the Virtual Console and the PlayStation Network is sweet EB-avoiding relief. Michael McWhertor

Telltale CEO Dan Connors on Sam & Max [Shacknews]

• Europa Universalis III (PC) Strategize your way through 300 years of nation building
• Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (DS)
  Film Noir meets "Take On Me" set in the 70's.
• The Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean (PSP)
  The popular RPG series returns to the PSP
• Inuyasha: Secret of the Divine Jewel (DS)
  Based on the TV show of the same name!
• Sid Meier's Pirates! (PSP)
  Arrrgh! Pirates are taking over the PSP. Prepare to be boarded!
• Alien Shooter: Vengeance (PC)
  Fend off an invading alien horde. The title sort of says it all.
• Sam & Max Episode 3: The Mole, the Mob and the Meatball (PC)
  More wacky adventures from the dog and rabbit detective duo.

I'll definitely picking up a copy of Hotel Dusk, it just looks too cool to pass up. Any of these look good to you? Flynn De Marco

Screens and videos of the new stuff is available at the official site. Michael McWhertor

Cue Situation: Comedy [the Telltale Blog]

Siliconera got to the recently-released Sam & Max via Gametap and are in the process of writing a comprehensive review, but a few key details made it out today:

I can happily tell you that the series' trademark brand of zany, dark humor is healthy and thriving in its new home. What's more is that all the hallmarks of the Adventure genre that are sorely missed these days are in tact along with it: amusing puzzles, excellent attention to detail in the level design, great voice acting etc. It's a Sam & Max game, no doubt, it's what you've been thirsting for all these years (or, if you've never played the original, what you didn't know you were thirsting for all these years), and it's...over way too fast.

Siliconera and I disagree on the quality of voice acting, if the trailer I posted a few weeks ago holds true to the game itself. But this glowing review bodes well. I don't mind a short game. I'll be picking this one up via non-Gametap channels, most likely. Eliza Gauger

It Lives! Sam & Max are back, and their blatant abuse of authority is as glorious as ever. [Siliconera]

According to Joystiq, the Sam & Max revival is more than just games. We're also getting the old show back, which I never saw when it aired. But after seeing the above clip, I'm TubeSocking every episode I can find, as fast as I can.

(hint: Joystiq links to a completel YouTube repository of the show in their post, but I'm not going to because the less attention it gets, the longer I'll have to harvest them before the Man yanks them all down.)

The Sam & Max show ran for 24 episodes. If GameTap keeps their promise of one episode per week, we'll have something to look forward to every week until March 22, 2007.

GameTap is giving me a hell of a lot of reasons to start using them, these days. Eliza Gauger

Sam & Max cartoon coming to GameTap [Joystiq]

Well, it's finally done and the newest trailer makes me even less excited than I have been. This nutless voice acting and subdued animation is just not up to the Sam and Max par, and frankly I'm just not looking forward to it anymore.

Here's hoping the actual gameplay will somewhat salvage what is really looking like a sequelitis-ridden mistake. Eliza Gauger

Sam and Max goes gold [Telltale Games, via Destructoid]