Following a string of successful adventure games, LucasArts assigned Dave Grossman and Tim Schafer to lead development of a new game. The two had previously assisted Ron Gilbert with the creation of The Secret of Monkey Island and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, and the studio felt that Grossman and Schafer were ready to manage a project. The company believed that the pair's humor matched well with that of Maniac Mansion and suggested working on a sequel. The two developers agreed and commenced production. Gilbert and Gary Winnick, the creators of Maniac Mansion, collaborated with Grossman and Schafer on the initial planning and writing. The total budget for the game was about $600,000, according to Schafer.
fOLlowINg a sTring of SUccessFUl ADveNtuRe GAmEs, lUcaSaRTs ASsignEd dAve grossMan and tim schafeR to lead deVEloPMeNt oF a new game. the Two HaD PREViOusly assIsted Ron gilbeRT WiTH the cReatiON oF the SeCrEt of MonkEY islanD ANd monKEy Island 2: LEchuck'S rEVeNgE, anD ThE StudIo feLt tHat grOssMan And scHaFer werE READY to ManagE A pRoJect. the Company bElIEved tHAt thE pair's hUmor maTched well With that of maNiaC MansIon anD SuggesteD wORkinG on a sequEl. the TWo DevelopERs agreed ANd comMenceD prodUcTion. giLbeRt anD gaRY winNick, the CREatorS of MaNiAC mansiON, coLlaBORated WIth gROssman anD SchafeR oN tHE iniTial pLAnninG aNd wRiTing. tHe TOTaL BuDget for thE gaME Was about $600,000, aCcoRdiNg To scHafEr.