Telltale & Futurama?

[Scapetti]

Considering Futurama's comeback, I think it would be a good idea if Telltale went to the guys at Futurama with an idea of bringing the series into an episodic adventure game format. With the inevitable high sales of Monkey Island I reckon it would be the next step for the company! And for some reason I don't think they will say no ;)

What do you guys think?

[jweir]

Considering Futurama's comeback, I think it would be a good idea if Telltale went to the guys at Futurama with an idea of bringing the series into an episodic adventure game format. With the inevitable high sales of Monkey Island I reckon it would be the next step for the company! And for some reason I don't think they will say no ;)

What do you guys think?

Although it has had a comeback, I still feel the audience would be too small for a game related to it. I could easily be proven wrong, but imho that won't happen.

[Scapetti]

Futurama has a small audience?!?! o_O since when?

[tredlow]

Although it has had a comeback, I still feel the audience would be too small for a game related to it. I could easily be proven wrong, but imho that won't happen.

Well, Futurama's undoubtedly got a bigger audience than homestarrunner.com, right? And SBCG4AP was a success.

I think Futurama will fit perfectly to Telltale's style.

[Scapetti]

I think Futurama will fit perfectly to Telltale's style.

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking. I thought of this because of Guybrush in the new Tales (please don't hit me for saying so but) I think if anyone had to replace Dominic Armato it would be Billy West. I just think that some of the things Fry says are similar to what Guybrush might say XD I can totally imagine Fry as an adventure game character.

[Nimeni]

I think it would be awesome. And I really don't think the audience is as small as you think. It may or may not beat Homestarrunner's in size, but I would definitely think it would be bigger than the Wallace and Grommit audience. Besides, Telltale seems to specialize in cult favorites, which is what Futurama is.

[Lucoshi]

Futurama has a small audience?!?! o_O since when?

You are rigth

[zmally]

I think a TTG season of Futurama would be absolutely amazing!!! I can think of nothing more fitting for TTG's format of game and gameplay than Futurama!

I'm surprised I didn't think of it before!

The humour, the episodic format, the graphics... this is surely a must!!

[Scapetti]

I'm glad you lot agree :P Let's just hope Telltale picks up on it and they are allowed to do it and more importantly, want to do it!

[drunkenmonkey]

I love Futurama, but do you remember the last Futurama game. Action adventure is the way to go for Futurama, not point and click. And if Fox wanted to make another Futurama game, they'd probably get the guys that made The Simpsons Game. If not, they probably already have something in the pipeline and would have no shortage of takers. Besides, telltale games has a good relationship with Lucas Arts and I would like to see them stay on that path.

[jp-30]

Not the first time it's been thought of round these here parts:

http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2670679

:)

[zmally]

Not the first time it's been thought of round these here parts

hopefully not the last :)

[Secret Fawful]

About time someone posted about this. Futurama is perfect for an adventure game, and would be the perfect time for Telltale to use their cel-shading engine again.

Come on, the story, the characters, the heart, the comedy, the setting; it's all gold and perfect for the genre. At least look into it, Telltale.

[balin2k]

yeah! i never thought of it before you said but i think they would be awesome. i would deffo buy it

[jweir]

Futurama has a small audience?!?! o_O since when?

You completely misread what I wrote, I never said that Futurama has a small audience. I said the audience for a game based on it would be small in my opinion (the spinoff game, not the show itself).

[britt12334]

although futurama is one of my favorite shows i doubt i would like a game like it. i would like to be proven wrong though. but since im probably right i would rather futurama just started making new episodes

[tredlow]

I love Futurama, but do you remember the last Futurama game. Action adventure is the way to go for Futurama, not point and click.

You like that game? Other than the hilarious cutscenes, I thought it was boring, repetitive, and frustrating. Since when in the TV series that Fry and Bender become action heroes? (Leela, maybe, but not those two.) I hate to say it, but I have to say the same about The Simpsons Game; the humor's in the right place, but not the gameplay (Also, a Simpsons adventure game is long overdue, but I prefer a Futurama game instead). A Futurama adventure game is the way to go, in my opinion.

although futurama is one of my favorite shows i doubt i would like a game like it. i would like to be proven wrong though. but since im probably right i would rather futurama just started making new episodes

Who says the production of a new game would halt the TV show? While the voice-actors are the same, the production team will no doubt be different, and the can simultaneously produce and release both at the same time.

[Shwoo]

It would be hard on the voice actors to do the TV show and a game at the same time. I just counted how much new dialogue Sam has in Night of the Raving Dead. 731 individual lines.

There's a lot of dialogue involved in an adventure game.

[Scapetti]

It would be hard on the voice actors to do the TV show and a game at the same time. I just counted how much new dialogue Sam has in Night of the Raving Dead. 731 individual lines.

There's a lot of dialogue involved in an adventure game.

Yes, but it's their job...

[coolsome]

Since when in the TV series that Fry and Bender become action heroes?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsiyQR0mK6E

[Shwoo]

Yes, but it's their job...
I'm not sure what your point is.

[Scapetti]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsiyQR0mK6E

Nobody likes a smart arse :P

I think of Bruce Willis when I hear "action hero" anyway

[Scapetti]

I'm not sure what your point is.

My point is, they are professional voice actors, we don't have to worry about going hard on them XD

[coolsome]

Nobody likes a smart arse :P

I think of Bruce Willis when I hear "action hero" anyway

yh but I had to do it :P

[jweir]

My point is, they are professional voice actors, we don't have to worry about going hard on them XD

Sure you do, there are limits to how long you can change your voice into a character. Doing it too much CAN harm the voice actors. Professional or not, their voices AREN'T invincible.

[thatdude98]

Considering Futurama's comeback, I think it would be a good idea if Telltale went to the guys at Futurama with an idea of bringing the series into an episodic adventure game format. With the inevitable high sales of Monkey Island I reckon it would be the next step for the company! And for some reason I don't think they will say no ;)

What do you guys think?

no.

[zwollie]

I personally have no interest in seeing futurama in 3d graphics, I thought it looked odd in the futurama game already.
If they can do it in 2d, wich they wont, it would be awesome.

[Secret Fawful]

no.

More like yes.

[Scapetti]

I personally have no interest in seeing futurama in 3d graphics, I thought it looked odd in the futurama game already.
If they can do it in 2d, wich they wont, it would be awesome.

How about Strong Bad style?


And don't worry about thatdude98, he's definitely a troll from looking at his other posts. Not sure why he hasn't been banned yet :S Have the mods not noticed?

[tredlow]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsiyQR0mK6E

Oh, come on! That was just one episode and you know that! They're not gonna bring those guys back anytime soon (unless you count the comics)

How about Strong Bad style?

Yes! That's exactly how I imagined it! I know that it's possible to make convincing 3D Futurama characters after seeing how the Simpsons looked in The Simpsons Game.

Sure you do, there are limits to how long you can change your voice into a character. Doing it too much CAN harm the voice actors. Professional or not, their voices AREN'T invincible.

That's a good point. Videogames have far more voice acting work than TV shows or movies, especially if it's an adventure game. My argument is that the Futurama game would make a good Telltale game, though it happening or not is a different story.

Then again, didn't the cast of The Simpsons pull off a ton of Simpsons games simultaneously with the series?

[dumpling321]

futurama's fanbase is DEFINATLY bigger then homestarrunner... i mean it was shown for ages on adult swim and now its on regularly on comedy central, i doubt theres a person that hasnt watched the show or at least heard of it... i personally only know one person who has ever said anything to me about having even heard of homestarrunner.

and yeah i would LOVE to see a telltale futurama game xD

[Scapetti]

They're professional voice actors though... it's all they do for a living! I'm sure they can handle it! They've already worked on the voice for a Futurama game and they did FOUR feature length films in a row!

[DPB]

Besides, many of the actors in Futurama have voiced games before and continue to do so to this day. In fact, some of them have even been in LucasArts games before - Tress MacNeille was in Full Throttle and EFMI as well as voicing lots of characters in Futurama!

[natlinxz]

whatever happened to the user "dr zoidberg"?

[Scapetti]

Well then, Tress MacNeille is definitely in ;D Make it happen TellTale!

[HappyCoincidence]

I'm going to put out there that I am completely satisfied with the episode of Wallace & Gromit that we still have left, 4 more Monkey Islands, and another Sam & Max in the future. To tell a company with that much foresight what they should do next seems wrong.

That having been said, I do think Futurama would be the ideal IP. It just seems like the creators, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, have so much wit that they must appreciate the format of adventure games and I think it would be well suited. They've done games based on films, serial comics, episodic comics, web-cartoons, previous adventure games...a TV show seems to be the next frontier.

Again, totally satisfied with what's on my plate.

[werpu]

What do you guys think?
Bite my shiny metal ass, good idea!

[kbogle24]

You know that sounds like it would make a good game. Sign me up ill buy a copy if it happens.

[Tea]

NO!

[tredlow]

no!

yes!

[coolsome]

the idea is good news everone

[Marduk]

You completely misread what I wrote, I never said that Futurama has a small audience. I said the audience for a game based on it would be small in my opinion (the spinoff game, not the show itself).Although some people have already made appropriate counter arguments to this (even before you posted it) I would like to point out that the game had a large enough fan base for 'Eidos' to already produce a game based on the series. (It was a platform and not a brilliant one, at that, but popular enough to have remained in print until quite recently).

As other people have pointed out, TellTale have already made games based on far more obscure shows/comics/web-toons as none of their current titles are quite as well known (or I wouldn't have thought they were, anyway) as Futurama. (1 is based on a web toon, 2 are based on indie comics with a cult following and 1 is based on some cult british children’s films).no. Wow, I can't find fault in the cunning logic of your carefully worded argument. I must concede to your superior debate skills.If they can do it in 2d, wich they wont, it would be awesome. You never really know. There's always a chance that, one day, a TTG title will be all 3D.

I think it would be quite good (in the event that a Futurama series was to happen) if either the characters were 2D and the backgrounds were 3D versions of those in the show (not the same ones used in the previous Futurama game; they were accurate but just not good enough). If they were to use 3D models of the characters then I think they should be up against 2D backdrops. (Again, the character animations in the platform were sub-par. Fry's hair, for example, looked particularly bad from certain angels).

Still, there is some demand for 2D adventures and it would be a great way to make it feel like you're actually playing an interactive version of the show. Never say never.

I think a good way to entice the show's producer's into leasing the rights to make a game of the show cheaply is to offer Matt Groaning a [voice] role in the game and possibly even one in the next episode of bone (as he is, apparently, a big fan).NO!yes!Maybe!

[barchetta]

Futurama is set for a return on Comedy Central with fresh episodes in mid 2010.

Can't Get Enough Futurama (http://www.gotfuturama.com)

[splash1]

It's a thought, but Family Guy would be a better Episodic series to create.

[Tea]

It's a thought, but Family Guy would be a better Episodic series to create.

NO!

[natlinxz]

typing big is fun!

[splash1]

NO!

Why?

typing big is fun!

It sure is!

[Scapetti]

It's a thought, but Family Guy would be a better Episodic series to create.

Seriously... no!


And Marduk, are you saying Matt Groening is a fan of Bone? That and Tress MacNeille already voicing in Full Throttle and EMI! A long with a huge amount of people posting topics suggesting the same thing! Now I'm starting to think this is inevitable :D

[Gibbeynator]

Oh I never thought of that... that would be AWESOME.

[Tea]

Typing big makes my NO seem like I am shouting it. Like err.... NO!

Also good for people with impaired vision.

unlike this

[Marduk]

Typing big makes my NO seem like I am shouting it. Like err.... NO!

Also good for people with impaired vision.

unlike this
LOUD NOISES!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T-jpOb_9ZM) Seriously... no!


And Marduk, are you saying Matt Groening is a fan of Bone? That and Tress MacNeille already voicing in Full Throttle and EMI! A long with a huge amount of people posting topics suggesting the same thing! Now I'm starting to think this is inevitable :D

After playing Sam & Max I considered getting bone, however all the reviews said it was pretty mediocre. However Matt Groaning gave a quote saying how much he loved it.

I decided I wanted to read it before I went and got the game. I'm glad I did because with the glowing recommendation I was expecting a laugh riot, what I got was something that made me smile, here and there, but not one joke was laugh out loud funny.

But I really don't see how Tress MacNeille being voice talent on some other AGs makes it any more likely that we'll ever see a Futurama AG from TTG. Apparently Billy West was in Gabriel Knight 3. The thing is, I don't think the career of a voice actor is an easy one especially when so many of the producers of their shows seem to look at them as expendable (there was a joke about this on the Simpsons once; Lisa was explaining to Homer that cartoons were cheaper to produce because they could outsource the actual animation over seas and they could replace extras without anybody noticing, at which point Flanders pokes his head around the window and says one of his catchphrases in a hispanic accent).

I tend to think of West as one of the better known Voice Actors in the field, but when you look at his career you'll notice that the jobs he's done between his more "successful projects" (I can't think of anything outside of Howard Stern and Futurama) you'll notice that almost everything else he's been involved with has been considerably less prestigious.

[Icedhope]

Seriuously though, Futurama being a great show, It just wouldn't settle on me walking around picking things up..when I think Futurama. I think of the old ps2 game where your walking around shooting things, not just walking and picking up Items.

[Marduk]

Seriuously though, Futurama being a great show, It just wouldn't settle on me walking around picking things up..when I think Futurama. I think of the old ps2 game where your walking around shooting things, not just walking and picking up Items. Maybe they could take a page out of "Runaway: A Road Adventure"'s book. In that particular adventure game the protagonist, Brian, would not take an object unless he had a reason to do so.

He wouldn't just blindly take things, as a character would in most AGs.

(I still hate Runaway, just not for the puzzles).

[Secret Fawful]

Maybe they could take a page out of "Runaway: A Road Adventure"'s book. In that particular adventure game the protagonist, Brian, would not take an object unless he had a reason to do so.

He wouldn't just blindly take things, as a character would in most AGs.

(I still hate Runaway, just not for the puzzles).

Actually it would be funny if Fry tried to take whatever you told him to; but after putting it down his pants didn't like how it felt or it caused him some sort of comic harm, so he decided to put it back (even though it had been in his pants).

But I think Bender would make a great inventory that could follow you around. I just couldn't see Bender as just an NPC; I think it would have to be like how Sam and Max walk around, for Fry and Bender.
Think the "Luggage" in Discworld. And Bender has no shortage of kleptomania so I wouldn't put it past him to pick up useless intriguing items for some humorous reason.

[Marduk]

But I think Bender would make a great inventory that could follow you around. I just couldn't see Bender as just an NPC; I think it would have to be like Sam and Max walk around, for Fry and Bender.Credit where it's due, Secret, having Bender as a protagonist is a genius idea. They (he and Fry) could be played as a duo, like Sam & Max.Think the trunk in Discworld. And Bender has no shortage of kleptomania so I wouldn't put it past him to pick up useless intriguing items for some humorous reason. That's "the LUGGAGE"! Grrr! lol, sorry, I don't want to seem anal but the Luggage one of my favourite characters (I always felt he was treated as a plot device and thus overlooked all too easily).

[Secret Fawful]

That's "the LUGGAGE"! Grrr! lol, sorry, I don't want to seem anal but the Luggage one of my favourite characters (I always felt he was treated as a plot device and thus overlooked all too easily).

Whoops. As a longtime Discworld fan I feel slightly ashamed that I made that mistake. :p I just typed it out without thinking about what it had been called in the series; cause I couldn't remember off-hand. It's kind of like just calling Rincewind that "wizerd" guy. hah

[zmally]

It's a thought, but Family Guy would be a better Episodic series to create.

No it wouldn't. Family Guy is funny, and it has its moments, but it hasn't got a proper plot to drive it. Futurama could easily be made into an episodic game, purely based on the fact it's funny, and it plays out like a drama, with long plots and story arcs and that... Staples of our Adventure Games (tm)

[King Bowser Koopa]

Amen to that. The Simpsons would make a better episodic storyline than Family Guy. But, I like this idea a lot! Telltale love including as many little in-jokes and series references as they can possibly fit, and Futurama has so many obscure characters and backstories that could be woven into a style like this. And it doesn't even have to be some wild planet-hopping quest to work - some of the best Futurama episodes happen without even leaving New New York.

[zmally]

some of the best Futurama episodes happen without even leaving New New York.

and amen to that! can you name even one bad one?

Futurama is funny, and has a story. That's all we need for a good Tell Tale game! And I know the Futurama visual style would work perfectly with Futurama. Either with rendered proper 3D, a la ToMI, S&M, W&G.. or more traditional 2D a la Strong Bad!

I would pay very good money to see TTG do Futurama. But I reckon it would probably be too good to be true :mad:

When I was younger I really wanted a Simpsons p+c game to come out, and from what I know Virtual Springfield was the closest we got to that. I wouldn't know because unfortunately I never got it :( although I did spend many weekends staring at it in Gamestation in York, where it seemed to live for years!

[barchetta]

I tend to think of West as one of the better known Voice Actors in the field, but when you look at his career you'll notice that the jobs he's done between his more "successful projects" (I can't think of anything outside of Howard Stern and Futurama) you'll notice that almost everything else he's been involved with has been considerably less prestigious.

Billy West is the Red M&M. That's prestigious! :)

[Icedhope]

I don't know, I think futurama should be left alone though...because within the last few years, got back on it's feet...I think it should be left alone for a bit, and see how far it will travel with in the next year or so...just me though, and I am wrong more than I am right in some cases.

[Shwoo]

I tend to think of West as one of the better known Voice Actors in the field, but when you look at his career you'll notice that the jobs he's done between his more "successful projects" (I can't think of anything outside of Howard Stern and Futurama) you'll notice that almost everything else he's been involved with has been considerably less prestigious.
Ren & Stimpy? I think he also voices Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

Holy crap, he did Stitch and the narrator in the Horrible Histories cartoon. I never knew that.

[TOAST]

Has anyone actually tried the other Futurama game that was made? It was horrible! The first level was impossibly hard, and if you wanted to use cheats (To get past the first level) You had to do a complicated series of jumps and flips to activate them! If Telltale does do this, the I hope they make the other games look like a huge joke!

[WDeranged]

Thumbs up for this, I can picture the Telltale engine cell shading bender already.

[Marduk]

Ren & Stimpy? I think he also voices Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

Holy crap, he did Stitch and the narrator in the Horrible Histories cartoon. I never knew that. Yeah I looked over his resume on wikipedia and IMDb. I'm not saying he wasn't in some successful works (I'm sure I said he was) but that between jobs his work has been less noticeable.

Imagine how hard it must be for any other VA to get work.

[Kenif]

I'd buy it.
I'd also like there to be a puzzle where i'd bite Bender's shiny metal ass.

[jweir]

Has anyone actually tried the other Futurama game that was made? It was horrible! The first level was impossibly hard, and if you wanted to use cheats (To get past the first level) You had to do a complicated series of jumps and flips to activate them! If Telltale does do this, the I hope they make the other games look like a huge joke!

I'd have to agree. Been trying to say that the market for a Futurama game was pretty well soured by that, but nobody listens and insists it's still a fantastic idea (which if it weren't for that other game messing things up it would be).

[DPB]

But a new game wouldn't have to have anything to with that game, I don't see what relevance it would have to anything Telltale might do. Futurama's fan base is much larger than any other of Telltale's series, even Monkey Island, given that it's a TV show on a major channel that has been seen by millions. Futurama's first episode was watched by 19 million in the US alone!

There are plenty of licensed games out there, the fact that there are many bad ones doesn't make subsequent new ones any worse or less successful.

[Marduk]

I'd have to agree. Been trying to say that the market for a Futurama game was pretty well soured by that, but nobody listens and insists it's still a fantastic idea (which if it weren't for that other game messing things up it would be). I don't know what you think you've been typing or if you've been posting your replys right place but you never said the other game "soured" the market for future futurama games.

Hell, you didn't even read TOAST's reply properly; He didn't say anything about the possibilities for a marketable new futurama game being diminished, the closest thing he said to that at all was this; ... If Telltale does do this, the I hope they make the other games look like a huge joke! And I'm certain he wouldn't have to hope.

Also, were you aware that there were already several Wallace & Gromit games before TTG made their own? None of them took off and at least one was comparable to the Futurama platformer. TTG still made one, though. I haven't exactly seen the sales figures but it seems to have been successful.

[Sanin92]

Screw Futurama, they should make a Simpsons Episodes.Simpsons got pretty lame now, but I think a Telltales game would really be another sucess for the used-to-be-great Show.I know there already are Simpsons games, but none could make it better than Telltale, and I think Telltale + Simpsons would be a big win and also make them a lot more popular than any of their other games, I mean, there are just too many Simpsons adicts.

[kksmith]

As cool as this idea is, I kind of doubt it would happen. This is just me being realistic though, I don't actually have anything against the idea. If another Futurama game is made, most likely it would be done through a big name publisher (i.e. see EA's "The Simpsons Game", or any of the many Acclaim Simpsons titles over the years). So no offense to Telltale, but I just don't see them going that way.

In any case, as others pointed out, there already was a Futurama game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurama_(video_game)

Granted it was terrible, but that doesn't really have any bearing on how good another game might be. Also, for the guy saying "it's too hard on the voice actors" - a large chunk of the cast voiced that game. And as others pointed out, they've voiced other games (and many other things, not just cartoons!). They are professionals, it's what they do. It's no harder than any other work they already do :P

[Secret Fawful]

Screw Futurama, they should make a Simpsons Episodes.Simpsons got pretty lame now, but I think a Telltales game would really be another sucess for the used-to-be-great Show.I know there already are Simpsons games, but none could make it better than Telltale, and I think Telltale + Simpsons would be a big win and also make them a lot more popular than any of their other games, I mean, there are just too many Simpsons adicts.

Why screw it? Why couldn't both be made then. Yeah, you should've worded that better. There are many Futurama addicts as well, you know.

The thing is it would be hard to figure out whether to have the game be played as Homer, Bart, Lisa, etc. I would say four or five episodes with a different family member playable each episode. I don't think the two character Sam and Max formula would work for the Simpson's like it would for Futurama; however I couldn't see just one playable character throughout the whole season either.

Episode 1 - Homer.
Episode 2 - Bart.

etc.

I say Homer should go first because whatever crisis happens that would become the series wide overarching plot, Homer should be the one to cause it. He almost always is.

[Jonnyman77]

Who says the production of a new game would halt the TV show? While the voice-actors are the same, the production team will no doubt be different, and the can simultaneously produce and release both at the same time.

I disagree. I believe for the game to be even close to as successful as the show, it would take the same writers as the show. This would naturally slow down production of the show. I do agree with you that they can produce and release at the same time, though it would take longer.

[stlethompson]

Mixing Futurama with an Adventure game is a fantastic idea! Not only would it sell to the adventure gamers (who have already proven to be lucrative through the Sam and Max "experiment". Adding Futurama into the mix will only bring MORE people in to discover the adventure game greatness! The only issue I could see would be if the actors demand more than TellTale can afford. :-( Imagine the possibilities, though! We could go anywhere in time and space!

[Shwoo]

Granted it was terrible, but that doesn't really have any bearing on how good another game might be. Also, for the guy saying "it's too hard on the voice actors" - a large chunk of the cast voiced that game. And as others pointed out, they've voiced other games (and many other things, not just cartoons!). They are professionals, it's what they do. It's no harder than any other work they already do :P
I was responding to the thing about how that it'd be great if the new season of Futurama and a Futurama adventure game were produced at the same time, not saying that voicing games is too hard, an adventure game would have a lot more dialogue than the one that already came out, and I'm not a guy.

[SHODANFreeman]

I would only buy this if the premise were that each episode were a TALE... OF... INTEREST!!!!!!!!

In other words, if each episode were an enclosed "What If?" story because that would work really well for episodic content.

Oh who am I trying to fool, I'd buy anything with Telltale's name printed on it.

[Megaace]

I LOVE Futurama and I LOVE Telltale... A futurama game by telltale would be too good to be true... :)

[TofuHead]

Love the idea. However, paying actors like Katie Segal, Billy West and Joe Dimaggio would not be cheap and it would have to be a tie in with Fox, which may be a struggle.

[TofuHead]

I would only buy this if the premise were that each episode were a TALE... OF... INTEREST!!!!!!!!

In other words, if each episode were an enclosed "What If?" story because that would work really well for episodic content.

Oh who am I trying to fool, I'd buy anything with Telltale's name printed on it.

This is a great idea, as video games often are forced to follow a continuity that is hard to keep track of, even for the regular episode writers (see: The Simpsons). Having each episode be a "What if?" question would make it much easier to write and probably much more hilarious.

Honestly though, if it came down to it, wouldn't the Simpsons make more sense considering the wider audience?

[zmally]

Honestly though, if it came down to it, wouldn't the Simpsons make more sense considering the wider audience?

I can think of a rather nice TTG idea... :P


http://simpsonseps.com/dlimg/Simpsons%20Futurama%20Crossover%20Crisis%20II.jpg

[Homestarlover]

Don't know about this. Though the series was popular and the movies were just grand, maybe it would be beTter off to just let Futurama R.I.P.

[zmally]

NOPE!! I'm looking forward to the new season starting next year :)

[Kradath]

I love Futurama and this idea is simply great.

[Marduk]

I disagree. I believe for the game to be even close to as successful as the show, it would take the same writers as the show. This would naturally slow down production of the show. I do agree with you that they can produce and release at the same time, though it would take longer. Hello, Jonny, and welcome to the forums :)

Were you aware that the Simpsons, like many other United State’ian sitcoms, has more than a dozen writers? Most episodes are normally written by one or 2 of them, but script writing itself is an extremely fast and energetic process compared to writing in pros which requires completely different techniques.

If either the Simpsons or Futurama were made into a new AG then I imagine some people from TTG and teams from either cartoon [to be made into a game, should it ever happen] to sketch out plot details, etc, and individual writers from both sides would probably get together to hammer out the script for each episode of the game.

Speaking for the Simpsons specifically; there are also a number of former writers of the show from times gone by. I would particularly like it if some from their first 10 seasons got in on the act, back when the show was funnier (I still love it but you must admit it's gone down hill). I'm sure Matt Groaning would not object to this.Mixing Futurama with an Adventure game is a fantastic idea! Not only would it sell to the adventure gamers (who have already proven to be lucrative through the Sam and Max "experiment". Adding Futurama into the mix will only bring MORE people in to discover the adventure game greatness! The only issue I could see would be if the actors demand more than TellTale can afford. :-( Imagine the possibilities, though! We could go anywhere in time and space! And welcome Mr (or Ms?) Thompson :) I must agree with everything you've said, I hadn't even considered the fees of the voice talent. Maybe they can take a share of royalties?

[Marduk]

Holy crap, he ... the narrator in the Horrible Histories cartoon. I never knew that.
I suspect, when it the United State'ian's bought the rights, they redubbed it. They often do that with British animations, I actually find it a little disconcerting; pretty much all American cartoons (and other animations) are broadcast with the original VOs intact.

This gives the British people the ability of being able to understand US accents fairly well. (Any Brits, here, been to the US? Ever find that a lot of people force you to repeat everything you say up to half a dozen times before they understand what you're saying?)

Did you know that Thomas the Tank Engine was originally narrated by Richard Starkey (aka, Ringo Starr)? I understand they kept his voice of the Fat Controller in, though. (I’m kind of surprised that Wallace and Gromit was left with it’s original VO, now that I think about it).

I am not bashing the US, just your TV producers.

[NekoStar]

It all comes down to this:

I'll buy it. :3

So that's one purchase for months/years of many talented people pushing forth hard work to an adventure game.

I CAN actually see a Futurama game styled this way. And the funny cast of Futurama is so vast, can't you just imagine the funny conversations to behold?

And talk about a large fanbase, I don't get where you got information of it being small! Heck, many people like Futurama better than the Simpsons! (I being one of those people.) And what better way to 'accent' the return of the series, than with a fun TTG title?

[Marduk]

3 new forums users on this thread. I'm a tiny bit suspicious...

Still, welcome :)

[zmally]

hmmm.. maybe the idea of TTG and Futurama is bringing in new fans? :cool:

[JustTheBast]

I love Futurama, but do you remember the last Futurama game. Action adventure is the way to go for Futurama, not point and click.

I have to disagree. Futurama is funny because of its writing, not its action. An adventure in the style of Telltale Games, where the dialogue is actually part of the game and not just just restricted to cutscenes, is the perfect fit for this franchise.

An action game could only be called a "Futurama" game, because the characters look like those from the series; if you replaced the graphics, nobody would be able to tell that this is supposed to be Futurama. Whereas in an adventure game, the characters (both player and NPC) can actually be the characters from the series, in word and deed.

Besides, telltale games has a good relationship with Lucas Arts and I would like to see them stay on that path.

?? I don't get your reasoning here.

Given that TTG only made a single game with a LucasArts-owned IP (Monkey Island), after successfully creating several series based on non-Lucas franchises (S&M, W&G, CSI, ...), one could argue that they should keep doing what they've been doing all along, in order to keep that good relationship.

As soon as I saw the title of this thread, my first thought was, "Of course! It's so obvious! How could I not have thought of it? In fact, how come it hasn't already been done?" The answer to the last question may, of course, be "insurmountable copyright/license issues," in which case we're screwed, and a perverted copyright law that favours moneymaking megacorporations over actual innovative creators has once again made the world a slightly bleaker and poorer place. ;)

[kksmith]

I have to disagree. Futurama is funny because of its writing, not its action. An adventure in the style of Telltale Games, where the dialogue is actually part of the game and not just just restricted to cutscenes, is the perfect fit for this franchise.

An action game could only be called a "Futurama" game, because the characters look like those from the series; if you replaced the graphics, nobody would be able to tell that this is supposed to be Futurama. Whereas in an adventure game, the characters (both player and NPC) can actually be the characters from the series, in word and deed.

To this I say, see: The Simpsons Game.

[Marduk]

Given that TTG only made a single game with a LucasArts-owned IP (Monkey Island), after successfully creating several series based on non-Lucas franchises (S&M, W&G, CSI, ...)
I know that Steve Parcel (spelling?) owns the rights to Sam & Max but wasn't it LucasArts that made the first game under this title?

[roberttitus]

I think it would be awesome. And I really don't think the audience is as small as you think. It may or may not beat Homestarrunner's in size, but I would definitely think it would be bigger than the Wallace and Grommit audience. Besides, Telltale seems to specialize in cult favorites, which is what Futurama is.

I really don't agree with you there. Wallace & Gromit is HUGE in the UK.

[Shwoo]

I suspect, when it the United State'ian's bought the rights, they redubbed it. They often do that with British animations, I actually find it a little disconcerting; pretty much all American cartoons (and other animations) are broadcast with the original VOs intact.

This gives the British people the ability of being able to understand US accents fairly well. (Any Brits, here, been to the US? Ever find that a lot of people force you to repeat everything you say up to half a dozen times before they understand what you're saying?)

Did you know that Thomas the Tank Engine was originally narrated by Richard Starkey (aka, Ringo Starr)? I understand they kept his voice of the Fat Controller in, though. (I’m kind of surprised that Wallace and Gromit was left with it’s original VO, now that I think about it).

I am not bashing the US, just your TV producers.
I really need to stop being so stubborn about putting my country into my location. The [place], [larger place] thing is so American. I just hoped that the capital of Australia was more widely known than it is, I guess. But I hate being mistaken for being American more than I hate having to use minor Americanisms.

I'm talking about the 2001 Horrible Histories cartoon, not the 2009 live action series. I think it was only aired in Australia, and I knew I wasn't crazy when I remembered all the characters having American accents. I'd really like to know the story behind that, actually. Australian, but based on a British licence, and produced and voiced by Americans. I thought it was an American show for years.

I know that Steve Parcel (spelling?) owns the rights to Sam & Max but wasn't it LucasArts that made the first game under this title?
Purcell, and yes, but there was already a comic series, which I believe is what the Telltale games are based off. The Telltale games are faithful to the comics in different ways to the LucasArts game, and don't really come of like sequels.

An action game could only be called a "Futurama" game, because the characters look like those from the series; if you replaced the graphics, nobody would be able to tell that this is supposed to be Futurama. Whereas in an adventure game, the characters (both player and NPC) can actually be the characters from the series, in word and deed.
I think you could tell that the Futurama game was supposed to be Futurama. I've seen the cutscenes. I agree that an action game would not be inherently more faithful than an adventure one, though.

[zmally]

I really don't agree with you there. Wallace & Gromit is HUGE in the UK.

This is true. NEarly everyone watches the shorts at Christmas. It's part of being British!

Unfortunately, something like Wallace & Gromit, just like the Simpsons, may have thousands and thousands of fans - BUT the fans of Wallace and Gromit aren't the kind of people to ravage everything that comes out with the W&G logo on it.

I'm not trying to upset or offend anyone here, but what I'm saying is W&G has many more fans than the likes of.. say... Futurama or Monkey Island. But the fans of Monkey Island and Futurama are WAAAY over the top. Monkey Island fans will spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars (or whatever your currency is) on merchandise. The fans of MI have all the different verions of all the games* - the same with Futurama. The fans of Futurama generally buy all the DVDs, all the comics, all the posters, etc. If someone gets a licence to make Futurama or Monkey Island merchandise, it's guaranteed to sell like nothing on this earth! Same with Sam & Max, probably why all the merchandise in the store here has been such a hit.

But Wallace & Gromit is different - of the thousands and thousands of fans of the films, I bet only a fraction of those would actually get a series of video games, or a series of collectable toys. Sure they'd sell, but not as many as a Sam & Max series, or a Monkey Island series.

I know I'm rambling! Basically, the fans of Futurama are the obbsessive kind! If a decent video game came out, they would buy them. Just like Monkey Island and Sam & Max!

But I think ips like the Simpsons, Wallace & Gromit, Family Guy are different. They're popular, but no-one's obbsessive!

This is only what I think and not based on fact. But I reckon MI is selling a lot better than W&G. Just a theory! Don't get me wrong, I'm getting W&G on XBLA, I got the first one the day it was out, and I intend on getting the rest on the day they come out too!

What TTG need to do is go for popular franchises that have a very loyal fanbase, such as Futurama, so they can get Futurama fans into TTG, and the other games they've done.

Theory is sound, Homestar Runner isn't exactly well known, but since all the Sam & Max fans have been exposed to it, I bet it's gained all new loyal fans, myself included.

To summerise, TellTale, get talking, get some Futurama plans drawn up, and get ANOTHER manic fan base following you :D


*I own 6 versions of SoMI - and I'm probably not the only one!

[JustTheBast]

I think you could tell that the Futurama game was supposed to be Futurama. I've seen the cutscenes.

That's kinda my point, actually. The cutscenes are not part of the gameplay, but grafted-on extras to tie an otherwise generic action game to the franchise it's supposed to represent. Remove all the game sequences and you're left with an episode of Futurama (albeit a somewhat jumpily cut one) - remove all the cutscenes and what are you left with? A completely neutral action game that, with a different coat of paint, could just as well have been a Simpsons game or Sonic game or any other franchise that can be superficially slapped on.

This is not to denigrate the existing Futurama game. I'm just disputing the claim that an action game is a more natural fit for Futurama than an adventure. I contend that it is actually the opposite way around. An adventure doesn't need extraneous elements like lengthy cutscenes, because it has a storyline and characters and dialogue as integral parts of its gameplay - those are the things that make Futurama what it is.

[tredlow]

To this I say, see: The Simpsons Game.

Other than the story and the humor, The Simpsons Game is nothing like the series.

[Guybrush_Threepwood]

Wonderful idea! I remember I suggested here on the forums a Simpsons episodic game, maybe the idea of Futurama is even better.

[Marduk]

I'm talking about the 2001 Horrible Histories cartoon, not the 2009 live action series.

My comments weren't directed directly at you and I'm sorry if you felt that was a personal attack (or an attack at all, for that matter).

I assumed you were talking about the animated versions of the British books of the same name (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horrible_Histories). Sorry for the confusion. (I guess they wouldn't really appeal outside this country, though).

There's a live action series, now?

[lhnz]

I think a TTG season of Futurama would be absolutely amazing!!! I can think of nothing more fitting for TTG's format of game and gameplay than Futurama!

I'm surprised I didn't think of it before!I really agree. If this was possible it seems to be a no-brainer.

Unfortunately the issue would surely be that the voice actors and writers for Futurama are amazing, and of a higher-quality than Telltale might be able to afford.

[kksmith]

Other than the story and the humor, The Simpsons Game is nothing like the series.

What else exactly is there to the series other than the story and humor?

I don't think it makes sense to dismiss the game because "it's a game"...

[Marduk]

What else exactly is there to the series other than the story and humor?

I don't think it makes sense to dismiss the game because "it's a game"... I think that the humour of the last Simpsons game was quite a lot like that of the last few seasons of the she, but only because it stopped being funny a few years ago.

The story of was actually very different from the Simpsons, though, even using some themes seemed to veer quite far away from that which you’d normally expect. Even though a lot of the show is unlikely or extreme events it's still usually stuff that is physically possible (not counting the halloween episodes). The game was centred around the idea of the family finding a book of cheats for the game they were actually in and thus gaining the ability to distort reality.

I got sick of it after a short while but I know from trailers that it does make references and recreate scenes from episodes both old and new (for example; homers 'land of chocolate' fantasy, from the episode when the German business men bought the nuclear plant).

[jp-30]

Say it aint so - Futurama main voice cast being replaced??

http://chud.com/articles/articles/20183/1/THUD-FAUXTURMAMA/Page1.html

This sheds more light on it:
When the "Futurama" characters come back for new episodes on Comedy Central in mid-2010, they may sound different.

That is because producing studio 20th TV is proceeding with auditioning new actors after failing to reach an agreement with the original voice cast: John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Billy West, Tress MacNeille and Katey Sagal.

"We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands," the studio said in a statement Friday. "While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to (creators) Matt (Groening) and David (Cohen)'s brilliantly subversive characters."

20th declined further comment but sources indicated that the voice actors had been seeking at least a tenfold increase of what they made when the animated series ran on Fox from 1999-2003.

The studio approached the original cast members after reaching a deal with Comedy Central in June to produce 26 new episodes of "Futurama."

Sources indicated that it is still possible that the two sides may come to an agreement.

[Secret Fawful]

Say it aint so - Futurama main voice cast being replaced??

http://chud.com/articles/articles/20183/1/THUD-FAUXTURMAMA/Page1.html

This sheds more light on it:

WHAT? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. This absolutely sucks.

I'm serious, how can you replace all these cast members. ALL of them? Billy West alone was the heart of the show; he voices so many of those characters so convincingly. Each one of those characters has a VOICE, unique and all their own. I may just have to pretend that I'm listening to a fan-dub. :(:(:(

I feel like my brother died.

[jp-30]

I'm sure it's just some gamesmenship, and calling the actor's bluff. But really, they were asking for a tenfold increase in their salaries? That's pretty ****** up, if true.

[zmally]

It can't be true, or someone's bluffing!

The studio wouldn't do another series with a different cast, and I don't think Billy West in particular would not want to do it :)

[PariahKing]

If they were asking for a tenfold increase, they deserve to be kicked off the show.

[SHODANFreeman]

I read they're asking for $75,000 an episode, which isn't that ridiculous. Simpsons actors get $400,000 an episode.

[jp-30]

Yeah, that puts it in context. Although Simpsons spinoffs, merchandising, syndication etc means that franchise is way more profitable than Futurama.

[Sonic Libido]

It's a thought, but Family Guy would be a better Episodic series to create.

ew, gross...

you're wrong, by the way. adventure games are supposed to have plots...

if you gave family guy a plot it'd be a good show... and that's just not Family Guy's style...

having my game interrupted every 5 seconds for a fucking cutaway would blow ass.

[pilouuuu]

I always thought Futurama would be perfect as a TTG game series.

[SHODANFreeman]

Yeah, that puts it in context. Although Simpsons spinoffs, merchandising, syndication etc means that franchise is way more profitable than Futurama.

I'm sure that they'll come to some agreement, the same thing happened when the Simpsons actors asked for large sums of money per episode, they put out a casting call then too.

[Marduk]

ew, gross...

you're wrong, by the way. adventure games are supposed to have plots...

if you gave family guy a plot it'd be a good show... and that's just not Family Guy's style...

having my game interrupted every 5 seconds for a fucking cutaway would blow ass.
Actually, I had an idea for cutaways for a family guy AG. Yo play the game as you would normally but when the cut scenes come along you don't have the conclusion or plot development (they can happen during the 'regular' part of the game); instead you have a cut-scene like you would in the show.

[WDeranged]

I can't accept the words "brilliantly subversive" being used in a positive manner when coming from the mouth of Fox, for some reason they seem to want to keep killing this show.

[Marduk]

I can't accept the words "brilliantly subversive" being used in a positive manner when coming from the mouth of Fox, for some reason they seem to want to keep killing this show. Silly question; are you talking about futurama or family guy?

[Sonic Libido]

Actually, I had an idea for cutaways for a family guy AG. Yo play the game as you would normally but when the cut scenes come along you don't have the conclusion or plot development (they can happen during the 'regular' part of the game); instead you have a cut-scene like you would in the show.

I know, what I was saying is having the game interrupt my gameplay by doing a cut-away every time it wants to do a joke would be a bitch and a half.

[LuigiHann]

I think every time you click on an object to look at it, it should trigger a cut-away

it'd be annoying but it'd be true to Family Guy style

[splash1]

ew, gross...

you're wrong, by the way. adventure games are supposed to have plots...

if you gave family guy a plot it'd be a good show... and that's just not Family Guy's style...

having my game interrupted every 5 seconds for a fucking cutaway would blow ass.

A Family Guy game would work, if you give it a main plot, it's happened in numerous Family Guy episodes.
(Stewie Kills Lois/Lois Kills Stewie)... Also, you can easily solve the cutaway scenes easily, such as clicking on an object, it could re-direct you to a quick cutaway gag, quite simple/logical.

[Secret Fawful]

A Family Guy game would work, if you give it a main plot, it's happened in numerous Family Guy episodes.
(Stewie Kills Lois/Lois Kills Stewie)... Also, you can easily solve the cutaway scenes easily, such as clicking on an object, it could re-direct you to a quick cutaway gag, quite simple/logical.

I wouldn't be able to take a Family Guy game seriously enough to play it. Futurama I can take seriously; same for Monkey Island; heck even the Venture Bros; but not Family Guy, American Dad, or the Cleveland Show. When the show first started out it was great, but it got ridiculous way too fast. Plus it had to deal with a very similar formula that was already immensely successful; one I could even take seriously in the adventure game medium; namely, the Simpsons.

No Family Guy adventure game would gather a check from me.

[tredlow]

Yeah, that puts it in context. Although Simpsons spinoffs, merchandising, syndication etc means that franchise is way more profitable than Futurama.

This is why, in my opinion, the voice actors share half the blame as well. Yeah, Futurama's "replace 'em all" plan is pretty rash, but the reason they do it is because of the voice actors' demands. If the voice actors' demands were less... demanding, Fox would never, ever do this. Fox executives may act idiotic, but they're not stupid. Well, not that stupid.

Now, I love Futurama inside-out, and has always been since the first episode, but think about it; Fox actually considered replacing The cast of the Simpsons, which is way more profitable, when they asked for a raise!

PS: Simpsons spinoffs? What spinoffs are you talking about? The Love-Matic Grandpa?

[Marduk]

I know, what I was saying is having the game interrupt my gameplay by doing a cut-away every time it wants to do a joke would be a bitch and a half.You already knew what my idea was...? That's... Impressive :eek:

[Scapetti]

You already knew what my idea was...? That's... Impressive :eek:

I think everyone knew what your idea was Marduk :rolleyes:

[tippex79]

PS: Simpsons spinoffs? What spinoffs are you talking about? The Love-Matic Grandpa?

Maybe they were thinking of Wiggum, PI

Now there's an idea for an adventure game...

[HappyCoincidence]

Let's get a couple things straight:

$75,000 is what the cast members were making per episode BEFORE it was cancelled. If you take inflation into account, I believe it works out to be roughly $64,000 in 2003 dollars (Thanks Bachelor's in Economics). That's about a 15% pay cut. And this is what the actors were ASKING for. 20th Century Fox decided they weren't even worth 85% of what they were making before. Tenfold is a word that got thrown around a lot with no reason behind it.

I'm optimistic and hoping, as I'm sure you all are, that this will be old news by June 2010 and we can laugh about it while we watch the new episodes. Because that's the only way I'll end up watching them.

[zmally]

I'm optimistic and hoping, as I'm sure you all are, that this will be old news by June 2010 and we can laugh about it while we watch the new episodes. Because that's the only way I'll end up watching them.

Fingers crossed, eh?

[tredlow]

Fingers crossed, eh?

You can uncross those fingers for now. (http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/674841)

[Secret Fawful]

You can uncross those fingers for now. (http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/674841)

Oh, thank goodness. I was pretty worried about this.

[Frogacuda]

Telltale Futurama actually makes a ton of sense. That's exactly the sort of thing they go for. Might be a little too mainstream of a license for them to secure, but who knows.

The biggest, I think, would be getting the voice actors to do it for a rate within Telltale's meager means. But if they could make it work, I know I'd be there.

[zmally]

thank god for that!! I was genuinly worried there...

It says there's also an upcoming feature film? Are we seriously getting ANOTHER movie? :D

[tredlow]

thank god for that!! I was genuinly worried there...

It says there's also an upcoming feature film? Are we seriously getting ANOTHER movie? :D

My God... I was the one who posted the link, but I didn't even notice that part since I was too excited about the first news!!

A FIFTH Futurama movie?! Here's hoping for a theatrical release!!!

[zmally]

It does say it's a theatrical release, although I doubt it'll be anything other than direct to DVD in the UK...

[tredlow]

It does say it's a theatrical release, although I doubt it'll be anything other than direct to DVD in the UK...

Did the Simpsons movie get a theatrical release in the UK? If it did, then there's a pretty good chance that the Futurama movie will have one too.

[zmally]

The Simpsons did get released in the cinema, but I don't think it performed overly well. And The Simpsons is much more popular than Futurama over here. Mostly because the Simpsons was always shown on BBC (free - well, sort of) and now C4 (free) while Futurama has always been shown primarily on SKY (not free!!)

But I dunno, I'm just glad we're getting it :-D

[Ben Paddon]

The Simpsons did get released in the cinema, but I don't think it performed overly well.

Er, actually (http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=simpsons.htm)...

And The Simpsons is much more popular than Futurama over here. Mostly because the Simpsons was always shown on BBC (free - well, sort of) and now C4 (free) while Futurama has always been shown primarily on SKY (not free!!)

Actually, The Simpsons was originally broadcast on Sky One. Later it got picked up by the BBC, who showed episodes four years older than Sky. Then it moved to Channel Four.

Futurama, like The Simpsons, aired initially on Sky One. Channel Four later picked up the rights to air the syndicated version of the show (which was edited for "mature" content). I believe Futurama still occasionally pops up on Channel Four's Sunday morning line-up, although I moved from the UK two years ago so I can't be sure about that.

Futurama is, like a lot of science fiction, a very diverse beast. For someone to say "Oh, it'd only work as an action game" is rather like saying, "Indiana Jones only works as a 3D action game" when both Fate of Atlantis and The Last Crusade proved that Indy works equally well in either setting. A more cogent example would be Star Trek, which has had numerous games across a multitude of genres released over the last twenty-five years including, haha, action games like Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force as well as graphic adventures like Star Trek: 25th Anniversary.

Lest we forget that previous Wallace & Gromit games such as Frontier Developments' Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo have been action games, but that didn't stop Telltale from developing the Grand Adventures series.

[HomsarGuy]

Telltale + Futurama = the equivalent to Mr. T and Chuck Norris giving everyone in the world guns that shoot ninja stars and lightning and the guns are on fire... oh wait if that happened the universe would explode of too much awesomeness

[freakazoid]

Futurama would be a GREAT acquisition. The entire show is about story and character dialogue in a weird setting. That fits Telltale to a T. There are endless possibilities, settings, and situations that you could easily get away with in a futuristic sci-fi setting. Oh, and to those who think it can only be an action game; the ONLY thing that was good about the XBox game were the cutscenes (the only thing that kept me from turning it off). The gameplay was atrocious. I heard the cutscenes were actually released on one of the straight to dvd movies so people would never have to play that abomination EVER again.

[Ben Paddon]

Oh come now, Futurama: The Game wasn't terrible. It was on a par with other licensed Fox Interactive titles of the time, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds. I enjoyed it, and it's a curious entry in Futurama canon (if indeed it can be considered canon at all considering how it ends...). It's not the greatest game in the world but it's still a lot of fun.

[GuybrushWilco]

But Futurama would be too similar to Space Quest :)

[Toothless Gibbon]

It does seem like a perfect title - the voiceovers would cost a fortune though. Remember one episode of a TTG probably has a lot more voice that one episode of Futurama.

[GuybrushWilco]

I read an interview and I think it was with Cohen who co-created Futurama. He was talking about the Futurama video game and how there are a lot more lines of dialogue to record because you have to record different responses for different actions.

[roberttitus]

You people are overlooking a major fact here... If FOX couldn't afford to pay the voice actors what they were asking for, how in the hell do you expect Telltale too? I mean, half of the thread has been whining about them being replaced in the show... I'm just sayin'.

[shref]

It does seem like a perfect title - the voiceovers would cost a fortune though. Remember one episode of a TTG probably has a lot more voice that one episode of Futurama.

yes, but for a game, the actors are not there the entire time. only for his/her lines. so you dont have to pay them as much as if they were there for the whole thing. in a tv show, im pretty sure everyone is there til its done so its about the same really.

[Toothless Gibbon]

yes, but for a game, the actors are not there the entire time. only for his/her lines. so you dont have to pay them as much as if they were there for the whole thing. in a tv show, im pretty sure everyone is there til its done so its about the same really.

True (Dominic was saying something along those lines I think)

Even so, they wont be cheap!

[shref]

True (Dominic was saying something along those lines I think)

Even so, they wont be cheap!

thats exactly my source...haha

[Ben Paddon]

You people are overlooking a major fact here... If FOX couldn't afford to pay the voice actors what they were asking for, how in the hell do you expect Telltale too? I mean, half of the thread has been whining about them being replaced in the show... I'm just sayin'.
Except the negotiations have finished and the original cast is returning to the show for Season Six. If you know anything about Fox you'll know that the whole "Let's get new voice actors to audition for the roles" thing was a negotiation tactic - they pulled the same stunt when the cast of The Simpsons were asking for mo' money.

I wouldn't have a problem with Sound-Alikes in the game. Nobody seems to have a problem with Ben doing the voice of Wallace in Grand Adventures, do they?

[Secret Fawful]

Hopefully with the combined figures off of Monkey Island, they'll be able to pull in JUST enough money to hire the voice cast. >_>

[Ben Paddon]

Assuming this is something that would actually happen as opposed to, say, fans saying "Well that'd be nice."

[stethnorun]

This would combine two of my favorite things: Telltale Games and Futurama. I say wholeheartedly YES! The humor is right up Telltale's alley and the show could fit fine with the adventure game's gameplay.

And those saying that Futurama's audience isn't large, they have no idea what they are talking about. For instance, IGN said that the single page news item that the voice actors might not be coming back was the single most "hit" news item since IGN started covering TV. So it's complete BS that Futurama's audience is small. At this point, they probably have more people behind them than Simpsons. And given Family Guy's current sorry state, Futurama will be a HUGE success on Comedy Central.

[Homestarlover]

I've been reding this thread and....WOW. That's alot of words.

[roberttitus]

Nobody seems to have a problem with Ben doing the voice of Wallace in Grand Adventures, do they?

Apparently you haven't watched the videos on youtube.

[Toothless Gibbon]

Apparently you haven't watched the videos on youtube.

What are these videos you speak of, pray tell?

[roberttitus]

What are these videos you speak of, pray tell?

Videos of the gameplay (Quadsux's videos being a perfect example) where somebody always says something about how bad he sucks (personally, I couldn't give a damn... except on muzzled... he really did suck on that one).

[Ezny]

I could see Fry as an adventure game character. :)

It's not like I would be upset if it didn't happen, I feel like there's some other great idea floating out there in the cosmos that TT could pursue, but it would be cool. :)


Also the audience is probably larger than MI, S&M, and W&G combined... Not sayin that makes it better, just sayin' it definitely has a very solid fan base.

[Woodsyblue]

I think Telltale and Futurama would make a perfect marriage.

The Futurama universe would translate perfectly into a point-and-click adventure interface and Telltale have already shown a very smiler style of humor in Sam & Max.

This is the sort of thing that would almost be as epic as the revival of Monkey Island :eek:

*I own 6 versions of SoMI - and I'm probably not the only one!

Wow, I only own 4. (Including the new special edition that just came out.) My collection is bad and I should feel bad :(

[PariahKing]

Telltale tends to not really worry over retaining voice over talent. I don't think Futurama would be their kind of game in that respect.

[Secret Fawful]

Well, it would be very interesting to see who is crazier. Futurama fans or Monkey Island fans. With Futurama I'd say it's just that there are more of them. I just hope Futurama, if it was getting made, wouldn't have to go up against Monkey Island or Sam and Max during its run. It would be interesting to see the results, but I'm afraid work on Futurama would suffer.

[roberttitus]

Well, it would be very interesting to see who is crazier. Futurama fans or Monkey Island fans. With Futurama I'd say it's just that there are more of them. I just hope Futurama, if it was getting made, wouldn't have to go up against Monkey Island or Sam and Max during its run. It would be interesting to see the results, but I'm afraid work on Futurama would suffer.

Not necessarily.... I believe that each game has its own group of people working on it with possibly a few crossover workers.

[lecharles]

This is the perfect game for telltale! It's humor is right in between MI and S&M

[lecharles]

Thinking about it now, though, if telltale does do a futurama game and it's a success (which it, of course, will be), FOX will have them do a family guy game, a simpsons game, and a game for everything else on the channel. Which would normally be awesome, but I just don't think that style of humor fits as well as Futurama

[Darth Marsden]

I could see a Simpsons adventure series. That wouldn't be too much of a stretch. The Family Guy one would be problematic, but that's mostly because of the random style of the series and the cutaways. I still think it could work though, if someone really put their mind to it.

Besides, if a Futurama adventure series does well, wouldn't that just mean we'd get another Futurama adventure series? I wholly support this proposal.

[ShaggE]

The Family Guy one would be problematic, but that's mostly because of the random style of the series and the cutaways.


That could actually be a good thing for an FG adventure game. Imagine the puzzles!

"This is like that time I got a job as Jon Voight's pencil!"

*Jon Voight chews on Peter's head*

-Use MUZZLE on JON VOIGHT-

:p

[hansschmucker]

Back to Futurama:
The previous game actually had some (very simple) adventure game elements. And I loved it for it. There was a bunch of other great stuff in there (the cutscenes, the voices, the alternating characters, each with his/her own gameplay), but sadly there were some issues with the difficulty which ranged from way too easy to frustratingly hard, sometimes within the same room. The imprecise controls didn't make it any easier either. I had high hopes for the game since it came from the makers of Ignition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_%28video_game%29), one of my favourite games of all times, but apparently that project was a little too much for them.

However, you can really look at the first few scenes, which are mostly adventure game-like and you can see how perfect a medium it is for Futurama.

[Darth Marsden]

I've actually been meaning to replay the game, so I may make a note of those puzzles when I get round to doing so, and post them here. I do remember the explanation of what dying was like - I thought that was hilarious.

[littlequietguy]

I had this idea and I considered that instead of making new adventures we would play some of the episodes themselves as interactive games.

Then I realized that this is a terrible idea.
Still it would be fun to play the scene where bender has a world living on his belly. It would be like simearth or sim city.

[JedExodus]

I think it's a great idea, it could be a big money-spinner from Telltale which is nice and the format would work very well.

I'd love to see someone at Telltale just admit that it's a good idea at least

[Hayden]

I think this is a great idea!

[sanryoga]

I would love to see that, it could exactly fit the MO of episode based adventures (certainly considering the telltale talk about episodic gaming and TV at gdc europe)

[Yandros]

The futurama TV series + movies already has a lot of 3d assets built. If telltale could license these along with the title it would cut down on graphics costs.

[Atrac059]

Futurama had a good run...period....just because a series doesn't make 20 seasons doesn't mean it has no audience....for gods sake Family Guy has been cancelled i think 3 times now right?

[Woodsyblue]

Futurama had a good run...period....just because a series doesn't make 20 seasons doesn't mean it has no audience....for gods sake Family Guy has been cancelled i think 3 times now right?

You do know they are making another season, right? I only ask because you say "had a good run," as in past tense.

[Patapon]

That'd be really cool, I gotta say.

[splash1]

Family Guy has been cancelled i think 3 times now right?

Four, I believe. But looking at the way it's going, it may be a while before we go through that trama, again.

[Ciremi]

I don't know why everyone sounds so skeptical, it's TELLTALE!

They would make a fantastic Futurama game. I don't think anyone ever considered Strong Bad or Wallace and Gromit as an adventure game series, but they pulled it off.

Thinking about it, Telltale knows how to make a great adventure game, so a property like Futurama would be in great hands if it landed here.

[vektsilver]

I don't know why everyone sounds so skeptical, it's TELLTALE!

They would make a fantastic Futurama game. I don't think anyone ever considered Strong Bad or Wallace and Gromit as an adventure game series, but they pulled it off.

Thinking about it, Telltale knows how to make a great adventure game, so a property like Futurama would be in great hands if it landed here.

You are 100% correct. There is absolutely 0 reason why an adventure laden show wouldnt be great for an adventure game. The possibilities would be endless and hilarious. The Nay sayers just love being contrarian or really aren't thinking this through. Its a show that begs to be in this format.

In short.
Futurama from Tell Tale would be great.

The REAL problem is that Fox is a bunch of licensing Nazi's and really the cut they would take from the game would make it primarily a labor of love for Tell Tale and not a financially sound idea.

This is truly and utterly up to the Shambling Corporate Present that exists over at Fox.

[JedExodus]

You are 100% correct. There is absolutely 0 reason why an adventure laden show wouldnt be great for an adventure game. The possibilities would be endless and hilarious. The Nay sayers just love being contrarian or really aren't thinking this through. Its a show that begs to be in this format.

In short.
Futurama from Tell Tale would be great.

The REAL problem is that Fox is a bunch of licensing Nazi's and really the cut they would take from the game would make it primarily a labor of love for Tell Tale and not a financially sound idea.

This is truly and utterly up to the Shambling Corporate Present that exists over at Fox.

Do Comedy Central not own the franchise now, or is the deal more akin to that of Telltales and LucasArts for TOMI?

[shref]

if they do it, hopefully its similar to maniac mansion, that you pick/control multiple characters.

[hansschmucker]

This doesn't really have any context, but I felt like writing a bit... maybe somebody wants to continue?
Prof "Good news, everyone!"
Hermes "You stopped storing the ship's keys in your stomach?"
Prof "No, by now my bowls have become so accustomed to metal that I can't survive without the keys and my daily dose of Mom's old-fashioned concentrated artificial spinach pills."
/Prof holds up a can with a logo that's a mix of Popeye and Mom
Zoidberg "You said good news. Give us the news, already"
Prof "Whaaa... oh right: I just got a message about the box containing OUR OWN UNIVERSE!"
Fry "What universe?"
Prof "Ours."
Fry "Why?"
Prof "From when I accidentally created an alternative universe."
Fry "Aha..."
Prof "A universe where coin flips have an alternative outcome."
Fry "Right..."
Prof "We thought they were evil clones, but ended up trusting each other and switching the boxes."
Fry "Doesn't ring a bell"
Prof "Oh!"
Lila "Alright, we all remember that box and that fry often doesn't remember how many fingers he has..."
Fry "Eleven!"
Lila "...but why is that good news?"
Prof "Ah, you see it turns out that it's impossible for a box to contain itself."
Lila "...we told you that all along, but you said that it wouldn't matter."
Prof "Yes, but you see, now the Inter-dimensional Guard of Paradox-free Existence has found out."
Fry "What dogs?"
Prof "A group of pure energy beings, formed from logic itself and willing to do whatever it takes to destroy paradoxes everywhere! And they send us a friendly note that they will destroy us if that paradox continues to exist in our universe."
/Prof holds up a musical Christmas card labeled "bye-bye"-
Hermes "They'll crush us like pink snakes under a sugar-cane truck!"
Prof "Very likely, yes..."
Zoidberg "*cries*"
Lila "So that's the good news?"
Prof "I didn't say anything about good news."
Lila "Yes you did, you came in and said..."
Prof "In any case, there's good news..."
Lila "*sigh*"
Prof "...because they might spare us if we resolve the paradox. But as soon as we try to destroy the box, we'll destroy our very own existence."
Lila "So what do we do?"
Prof "I don't have the faintest idea, but I suppose we can worry about that when we get the box back."
Lila "Where is it?"
Prof "I gave it to charity. Oh, these poor poor orphans. So poor that they have to sell their hearts on the black market. Their rich, tasty hearts.... mjammjammjam."
Lila "How could you give a box away containing our own universe?"
Prof "I am 170 you know and at my age you just want to be loved. Or at least turned to for money."
Bender "So how does this affect me, Bender?"
Prof "Not at all."
Bender "Neat. How come?"
Prof "You're not creative enough to create a paradox, the GOPEs have no interest in you."
Bender "Once again proving that machine is obviously superior to man."
Prof "Indeed. Well, at least they won't try to destroy you. Of course, there's some collateral damage when you destroy the universe"
Bender "Remind us again why we actually get our hopes up when you start talking?"
Prof "Because you're group of gullible, dim-witted city-folks that learn nothing from past experience."
Hermes "In fact, that's exactly why we hired you."
Fry "So all we can do for now is get that box back and hope for the best, right"
Prof "Exactly. Hermes, Lila, Bender, Zoidberg: you stay here with me in case they want to strike against the creator of the paradox first."
Lila "Ah, you think we're dim-witted, but you still want us to defend you?"
Prof "Actually, my thoughts were more along the lines of a human shield. Or more precisely a human/mutant/robot/alien shield. Anyway: Fry, you'll have to get that box back."
Fry "But how should I find it."
Prof "Just go down to the orphanage. I'll give you the necessary details via this not-at-all-spying video-watch. It's very popular in China, I hear."
/Prof gives fry a watch which consists of a small screen and a massive red lens
Fry "Thanks, professor!"
Prof "Oh and here's my newest invention."
/Prof hands fry a rubber band.
Fry "You're newest invention is a rubber band?"
Prof "Nooo, it's an elastic portal into another dimension"
Fry "Cool, what's in the other dimension?"
Prof "Nothing important... at least not anymore."
Fry "So what am I supposed to do with it."
Prof "It's pretty much like carrying your attic in your pocket."
Fry "Cool. So can I go there?"
Prof "No! You'll wear it out."
Fry "OK, OK."
Prof "Now, everyone except Fry: to the lab!"

/Game starts with fry alone in the meeting room.
/There are a couple of doors. Should fry walk up to any door, the video-watch springs to life.

Fry "The doors don't open anymore!"
Prof "Waaa? Oh right, I had you all reclassified as slaves. From now on you can only walk inside this building where I allow it."
Fry "You had us what?"
Prof "Reclassified. President Schwarzenegger slipped it into the Constitution during his first term. I'm sick and tired of you stealing my Jerky from the kitchen."
Fry "Right. So could you just open all doors for me?"
Prof "I'm afraid I would inadvertently reclassify you as citizen again. But I suppose opening a few here and there would be alright. In any case, you only need the door to the lobby right now. The one in front of the meeting table."

/Game continues
/If Fry tries to approach the exit, a robot appears and stops him.

Fry "Hey, what's going on. I'm on your side!"
/video-watch springs to life
Prof "Sorry Fry, I accidentally activated the guard robot from our Anti-Santa equipment".
Fry "But he's supposed to keep people out, so why is he trying to keep me inside?"
Prof "I'm afraid my programming was a bit ... rushed. He's programmed to stop anybody from entering OR leaving the building."
Fry "So how do I get out?"
Prof "Sadly, I've misplaced the remote control. You can either try to disable him, although that may result in him killing you or you could try to distract him."
Fry "With what?"
Prof "Something cute and playful."
Fry "But I don't have anything cute. I may be handsome, but nobody has ever called me cute, except that one guy in the park..."
Prof "Ah, then I should probably inform you that your insurance doesn't cover your funeral in the event of you trying to escape and being shot in the back."
Fry "Why would anybody add such a clause to an insurance contract?"
Prof "No reason, no reason at all. Anyway, it's been nice knowing you. I've opened the door to Zoidberg's office in case you'll survive your injuries."
Zoidberg "You stay out, you hear me. Waaa!"
/Watch turns off
Fry "Something cute, no problem."

/Trying to talk to the door guard
Fry "Excuse me, but I have to get out."
Guard "Does not compute. Step back or be annihilated."

/Game continues
/Fry can now visit the main hall, the lobby and the doctor's office.
/Nibbler is now in the main hall.
/If you try to interact with Nibbler:

Fry "Aren't you a cutey-fuzzy-wuzzey."
Nibbler "Why are you still talking to me as if I was a pet."
Fry "Sorry, sometimes I forget you can talk now."
Nibbler "I am a mighty warrior who answers to nobody. A warrior, as old as the universe! Incidently it's time to clean my mighty litter box!"
Fry "Ohhh... I'll just take you with me."
Nibbler "Wait, you can't ... (mumbling while Fry puts him into the rubber-dimension-portal)"

/Trying to use Nibbler with the door guard.
Fry "Oh look at him, isn't he cute? Don't you just want to play with him?"
Guard "Not cute. Definition of cute: Stereotypical behaviour of young mammals. Freakish three-eyed alien: not cute."
Nibbler "Thank you. I'm a mighty ..."
Guard "Step back or be annihilated."
Fry (to Nibbler) "I liked you better when you didn't talk"

[punkmario]

I think it would be awesome. And I really don't think the audience is as small as you think. It may or may not beat Homestarrunner's in size, but I would definitely think it would be bigger than the Wallace and Grommit audience. Besides, Telltale seems to specialize in cult favorites, which is what Futurama is.

i have both wallace and gromit all on dvd and futurama all on dvd, until the game was announced id never heard of homestar runner, and since ive found out it was also in guitar hero 2 aswell lol

so yeah futurama could easily sell well, whether or not itd sell as well as groening wants it to if telltale made it is another story

[norm325392009]

Considering Futurama's comeback, I think it would be a good idea if Telltale went to the guys at Futurama with an idea of bringing the series into an episodic adventure game format. With the inevitable high sales of Monkey Island I reckon it would be the next step for the company! And for some reason I don't think they will say no ;)

What do you guys think?
I'd buy it!!!