I wish Telltale would make games I'm interested in again.

[Ripcord]

Until a few years ago, I had bought everything Telltale made. Sam&Max, TOMI, Homestar, Poker, Bone, Hector, etc.

But I didn't buy more than the first episode of Back to the Future.

I didn't buy Jurassic Park. I'm not buying the new Law&Order. I can't say for certain, but it seems very unlikely that I'll be buying The Walking Dead.

I'm assuming Telltale is making good money in their new market or they wouldn't continue to put out the Licensed Drama games. But I'd imagine there's a lot of people like me that want to give them my money, but aren't.

[Ripcord]

I notice, for example, there's always tremendously more people in the TOMI and Sam&Max forums, despite no game coming out in some years. That seems like it'd be an indicator of demand, but it may just be that those games are just more likely to attract the kind of people that hang out in forums :)

[Jennifer]

There's definitely demand for a new Monkey Island game, but unfortunately it's up to LucasArts, not Telltale, if there will be a new one since Telltale doesn't have a license to make more Monkey Island games.

It was LucasArts' last president who was open to licensing Monkey Island, but he left the company. The new president "is focused on building AAA titles internally (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=562002&postcount=23)" (based on the Lucasfilm movies) and isn't interested in licensing out their game properties.

[RAnthonyMahan]

There's never going to be a Monkey Island 6. It sucks, but that's how it is. LucasArts just doesn't care about Monkey Island, or any of its other adventure games. Really, the fact that we even got Tales is pretty amazing.

Anyway, I sort of both agree and disagree with you, if that makes sense. On one hand, yes, I miss Telltale's older, more humor-driven games. A big reason why I stuck as a Telltale fan was because they could make me laugh, and so it's harder to get into these more dramatic games.

At the same time, though, while I prefer my adventure games funny, I'm willing to enjoy a more serious game too so long as it's done well. Emphasis on that last part. Telltale's downhill slide isn't because their games are shifting away from comedy, it's because their games haven't been very good. I'd rather have a dramatic adventure game with well thought-out puzzles and exploration than a Sam and Max Season 4 that plays like Jurassic Park.

Also, maybe it's just because the games are newer and thus their forums are more active, but I do see a whole lot more people in the BttF and JP forums (quite a few of them new accounts that apparently haven't played any other Telltale games) than the Sam and Max and Tales ones. I'm not sure just how many fans Telltale's "casual adventure" plan is bringing in, but I don't think the demand for more Sam and Max is as strong as we think. :(

[puzzlebox]

Since this is a whole lot broader than The Walking Dead, I'm moving it to General Chat.

[DAISHI]

I think the only traditional adventure game they have easy access to is Sam and Max and, to be honest, I felt they needed to let that series rest for a bit.

[RAnthonyMahan]

I think the only traditional adventure game they have easy access to is Sam and Max and, to be honest, I felt they needed to let that series rest for a bit.

They are doing a new King's Quest game, you know.

But you don't have to revive an old IP to make a traditional adventure game. You can, you know...make something new and original that happens to play like a traditional adventure game. That's what Double Fine is doing, although for some reason Telltale flat-out refuses to do anything that's not a licensed game.

Even then, though, just because you have to work within a particular license doesn't mean you need to compromise the gameplay. In the Back to the Future movies, Doc and Marty always had to think their way out of their problems. You think that would've lent itself great to an adventure game, yet somehow, it didn't. Meanwhile, Indiana Jones is all about action, with a lot more fighting than thinking. It fits the adventure game concept a hell of a lot less than BttF does, yet LucasArts was able to make two classic adventure games out of it.

Hell, even Jurassic Park had a decent point-and-click adventure on the Sega CD. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucxiF3PYDU) I mean, I admire how Telltale always treats the licenses they use with respect, but that shouldn't come before making a good game. They wanted the Jurassic Park game to "be like Jurassic Park," so they made a movie.

[taumel]

Problem is that they aren't good at making movies as well, otherwise Ridley Scott, Woody Allen, Werner Herzog, the Cohen brothers, ... all would be in serious trouble. They also lack a little bit on the special effects side, comparing ILM to the render quality of TTG's JP.

[DAISHI]

They are doing a new King's Quest game, you know.

But you don't have to revive an old IP to make a traditional adventure game. You can, you know...make something new and original that happens to play like a traditional adventure game. That's what Double Fine is doing, although for some reason Telltale flat-out refuses to do anything that's not a licensed game.

Even then, though, just because you have to work within a particular license doesn't mean you need to compromise the gameplay. In the Back to the Future movies, Doc and Marty always had to think their way out of their problems. You think that would've lent itself great to an adventure game, yet somehow, it didn't. Meanwhile, Indiana Jones is all about action, with a lot more fighting than thinking. It fits the adventure game concept a hell of a lot less than BttF does, yet LucasArts was able to make two classic adventure games out of it.

Hell, even Jurassic Park had a decent point-and-click adventure on the Sega CD. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucxiF3PYDU) I mean, I admire how Telltale always treats the licenses they use with respect, but that shouldn't come before making a good game. They wanted the Jurassic Park game to "be like Jurassic Park," so they made a movie.

You do if the movie studio makes requests of the production.

[DAISHI]

Hey Telltale, fund my game, I'll help you kick ass.

;)

[GuybrushWilco]

The Walking Dead could be interesting, but it's really King's Quest that I'm excited about :)

[doodinthemood]

Agree OP. I thought Sam&Max, Monkey Island, and Wallace&Gromit were all pretty damn good. There seems to be slightly less innovation with time though, and, most disappointingly, less real gameplay.

[WarpSpeed]

Telltale could make a good, original game that would thrill all of the hard-core adventure gamers here. They're just too afraid to do it, thinking that if they don't have a good draw from using a well-known license, they won't recoup the cost of making the game. And if they use well-known non-adventure-game licenses, they're afraid that the non-adventure-game masses will be turned off if they make the puzzles too hard.

So King's Quest will be worth watching, as they may make it more adventure-game-like, considering the type of players it will attract. Also keep an eye out if they announce any more Hector-like releases, where someone else assumes most of the risk of whether it will be popular or not, and Telltale just touches it up a little and distributes it.

If Double Fine comes up with something truly groundbreaking, leading to a resurgence in interest in adventure games, maybe Telltale will get a little more brave and come up with something original. We'll see.

[DAISHI]

Is it sacrilege for me to say I think the Double Fine game will make more money from the kickstarter drive than from actual sales?

[adventureaddict]

Still have high hopes about Kings Quest. Only time will tell :)
Prematurely bought all of BTTF. Regretted it. Haven't preordered anything from Telltale since, and probably wont til my faith has been restored.

[gamer247]

Yeah I'm gonna be honest I don't think were gonna see something that isn't basically a bunch of cutscenes from Telltale for quite a while and until I learn anything about King Quest I remain skeptical at best and it doesn't seem like that project is making any progress, but what do I know maybe The Walking Dead game will surprise me.

[RAnthonyMahan]

Is it sacrilege for me to say I think the Double Fine game will make more money from the kickstarter drive than from actual sales?

Considering most of the people interested in the game have already pledged the $15 that lets them get the game for free (well, not for free, but you know what I mean), most likely.

[Irishmile]

Luckily for me TTG has picked franchises I am interested in... Fables and L&O are sort of unknowns for me though... But I look forward to seeing what they do with Fables anyway.

[DAISHI]

SOOO Telltale. Let me propose you on this epic adventure game with traditional point and click action. It's set in a medieval fantasy world that has elements of steam punk, has crazy nemesis like the Black Lich and the master sorcerer Azazel, fantastical spirits like the Dragon God Valence and Wind Spirit Sylph, utilizes lovingly crafted hand drawn backgrounds, and combines puzzle solving and humor with a bit of drama. Put me in that pilot program thing you once talked about guys. You know you wanna ;)

[Alcoremortis]

I think that Telltale should adopt one of my horror mystery ideas and make a creepy game where the player is gaslighted through the entire thing.

[RAnthonyMahan]

I'll definitely will go and get Back to the Future!!! EPIC!

Do yourself a favor and get one of the Sam and Max games instead.

[RetroVortex]

Haha! If Telltale ever went with one of my crazy ideas, they might end up commiting Corporate Suicide!! XD

[Chyron8472]

i wish tellteal wud make more easyer games bttf was to hard

[taumel]

Maybe TTG should watch this video (http://uk.gamespot.com/events/gdc-2012/video.html?sid=6365133) too and think about it.

[Chyron8472]

Maybe TTG should watch this video (http://uk.gamespot.com/events/gdc-2012/video.html?sid=6365133) too and think about it.
I agree. Joy of discovery is especially important in adventure games.

[nikasaur]

Maybe TTG should watch this video (http://uk.gamespot.com/events/gdc-2012/video.html?sid=6365133) too and think about it.


I think Jonathan does not recognize the relative nature of the word "fun." Its connotation could be lighthearted, happy, simplistic... but it is different for each person, very much so. I consider challenging, serious games "fun". Others might not.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to The Walking Dead. I think the folks workin' on it are gonna give it everything they got, and I'm excited to see what they come up with. I can definitely relate with the quirky, cartoony feel of the TTG repertoire that is shifting in a more serious, dramatic direction, but if you were offered Fable and Walking Dead as IPs to work with, would you turn them down?

Oh. Hell. No. Thems be some stuff to WORK ON!

It may be a departure, but I think it will be a well-executed one, and we can always cross our fingers that the silly TTG style comes back too!

[taumel]

If i remember the video correctly, he gave his opinion about what he's interested in games as well as he relativised fun and the fact that others might be looking for something different than him.

Personally i'm looking forward to games which treat me like a intelligent human being with some life experience, feelings and curiosity. This might be in a humorous adventure as well as in a serious one. Obviously you prefer some nice changes throughout the years but the category isn't as important as how it is done. Being a bigger fan of The DIG than of Monkey island, i have zero problems with more serious adventures which treat me like an mature adult and get me emotionally involved like for instance Quantic Dreams is able to.

But what is the mature level TTG will be able to offer? Will it really be for adults or will it just try to be adult like or for younger adults? I have my problems with too young designers trying to write mature stories because it involves life experience of the designers/writers or a lot of imagination/talent. Can a young normal to good talented writer for instance describe in a convincing way how it feels like loosing a child if he never had one on his own? The number of so called adult like games which don't feel like a bad joke actually is very small. And this is something Blow was talking about again, it's about how a game treats you and takes you serious and less about the type of game.

I also remember that Jake once wrote here on the forum that he prefers easy games. Now i don't know how relevant this rather old statement is for TWD but i definately had enough of easy games from TTG. Secondly, and this isn't TTG's fault, i'm not into the comics and the few episodes i once gave a try were rather horrible and boring.

I won't ditch the game until it's done and maybe it will be a good one again but i doubt it will be something i'm really after. So if you ask me, i'm into different licences or into something new, new IP done by TTG or someone they work together with and who is capable. But whatever it is, i want it to be more challenging (and challenge can be interpreted in a number of ways), on a high quality level (which i'm also willing to pay for) and treating me in a reasonable way and not dealing with me like a fool, like the last couple of games from TTG tried, that's a different audience i do not belong to.

Btw. your name rings some bells. You are this beautiful woman, who looked very familiar to someone famous here in germany, once working for TTG, right?

[Farlander]

I think Jonathan does not recognize the relative nature of the word "fun." Its connotation could be lighthearted, happy, simplistic... but it is different for each person, very much so. I consider challenging, serious games "fun". Others might not.

Well, here I'm more on Jonathan's side. Are horror games 'fun'? No, they're scary as shit, but they're engaging. In a sense that it sucks you in, you know. And when somebody says that a game is fun, that person usually means that the game is engaging.

But you might say, 'well, you understand when I say fun that I do mean engaging because you said so yourself', and, yeah, that may be true... But... and now I'm starting to forget where I was going with that... basically, I think that because of the very confusing nature of the word 'fun', developers should not try to make games 'fun', they should try to make them 'engaging'..

[LuigiHann]

I basically feel the same as the OP. Moving away from comedy and moving away from the point and click interface are both huge steps away from what I'm interested in playing. If it was only one or the other I'd probably remain interested, but eh.

Is it sacrilege for me to say I think the Double Fine game will make more money from the kickstarter drive than from actual sales?

http://puu.sh/k9K4

Assume away.

[Irishmile]

I really am looking forward to the announced games.. and beyond... I welcome something different and look forward to a return to more familiar territory...

I probably am in TTG's most ideal target audience.

[Chyron8472]

I think Jonathan does not recognize the relative nature of the word "fun." Its connotation could be lighthearted, happy, simplistic... but it is different for each person, very much so. I consider challenging, serious games "fun". Others might not.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to The Walking Dead. I think the folks workin' on it are gonna give it everything they got, and I'm excited to see what they come up with.

[...]

It may be a departure, but I think it will be a well-executed one, and we can always cross our fingers that the silly TTG style comes back too!

I don't think you understand the major complaint we gamers have about Telltale as it relates to that video. We want challenge and also the freedom of choice regarding interaction.

Walking Dead is a QTE game, as was Jurassic Park. BTTF was closer to an actual adventure game, but it was insultingly easy and extremely light on available hotspots.

With Telltale, this is also compounded by the increasing presence of obvious bugs and glitches, but that speaks more to quality control problems than to design flaws.

[nomecopies]

i wish tellteal wud make more easyer games bttf was to hard

As hard as writing.

[RAnthonyMahan]

Walking Dead is a QTE game

Has that been confirmed? I'm going to be upset if it is.

The thing is, from what little Telltale's said about The Walking Dead (and I can't help but notice they've been dancing around the question for a year and never straight-up explaining how it'll play), it does sound like another "interactive movie." I mean, it seems like it'll be better than Jurassic Park, at least, but that's because you'd have a hard time making it worse.

[Macfly77]

Walking Dead is a QTE game, as was Jurassic Park

Has that been confirmed? I'm going to be upset if it is.

From the Walking Dead FAQ thread: (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28483)

Does this game use Quick Time Events as the major game-play dynamic and does it prevent the player from taking direct control of the player-character like Telltale’s Jurassic Park: The Game?

No. The Walking Dead offers a completely different game-play experience to Jurassic Park. QTEs do not form a major part of game-play and you will have full control over your character as you move through the game’s environments.

[Chyron8472]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX7QEACjj9E&t=2m50s

-"As far as [The Walking Dead's] gameplay, can you talk about that yet?" [...]

-- [...] "You guys have been looking at Jurassic Park, too. [...] Jurassic Park's kind of an evolution for us as a game, and you're going to see those continuing steps in the Walking Dead as well. So, we'll keep moving forward in a very new and interesting direction for Telltale."

- "So very like a Heavy Rain style of Quicktime events."

-- "That's an excellent example, yeah."

[Ribs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX7QEACjj9E&t=2m50s

Ah, the quote that is notably older then the far more specific, recent quote.

[Chyron8472]

So, you're saying that they were making it with QTEs and then changed their minds?


While I would hope for this (that TTG stops making QTE games), my expectations are not high. Besides that, I'm not really into the whole zombie thing so I wouldn't buy The Walking Dead anyway, no matter the gameplay choice.

edit: by "not into the whole zombie thing," I mean there has been a whole slew of zombie games in recent years and it's getting rather old.

[Ribs]

So, you're saying that they were making it with QTEs and then changed their minds?


While I would hope for this (that TTG stops making QTE games), my expectations are not high. Besides that, I'm not really into the whole zombie thing so I wouldn't buy The Walking Dead anyway, no matter the gameplay choice.

edit: by "not into the whole zombie thing," I mean there has been a whole slew of zombie games in recent years and it's getting rather old.

Yes. That's what I'm saying. That's why it's slipped from Fall to Winter to 'soon', they've needed to change the gameplay to make sure they don't get the same reaction they recieved when Jurassic Park released.

[taumel]

Sounds a little bit weird to me because also if you tend to ignore your user base you normally start one test ballon and wait for reactions instead of doing two in a row without evaluating some feedback first.

[Syd]

I also haven't had much interest in their licensed games as of late, though I'd love to see another season of Sam and Max, as well as some more Monkey Island (Though I'm not holding my breath on that one, since LucasArts would have to give them the go-ahead first).

King's Quest is pretty much the only upcoming title I'm keeping an eye on, though hopefully Telltale really learned from the Jurassic Park fiasco and makes some decent games out of their other licenses.

[DAISHI]

So, you're saying that they were making it with QTEs and then changed their minds?


While I would hope for this (that TTG stops making QTE games), my expectations are not high. Besides that, I'm not really into the whole zombie thing so I wouldn't buy The Walking Dead anyway, no matter the gameplay choice.

edit: by "not into the whole zombie thing," I mean there has been a whole slew of zombie games in recent years and it's getting rather old.

Very few of those zombie games have been good though, and Walking Dead is pretty good source material.

I don't want Telltale to stop using QTE. I just want them to integrate them naturally rather than make whole games out of them. I don't think they're as good at doing that as the makers of Heavy Rain, obviously.

[Nintendo Boy1]

edit: by "not into the whole zombie thing," I mean there has been a whole slew of zombie games in recent years and it's getting rather old.

It's not gonna be your average shoot-em-up, blood-festy, over-exzaterated zombie game, but something completely new.

[supmandude85]

I know, right?

[nikasaur]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX7QEACjj9E&t=2m50s

If it's anything like the prototype I heard of when I worked there, I don't think it will be QTE. But it has been 2 years. Maybe something changed.

What that interview said is that it's an evolution, a departure. It didn't directly comment on what type of departure it is. "Like" Jurassic Park - Heavy Rain - QTE, meaning very different from what they've done before.

Or I am wrong. I've had no insight into it for years. Last I recall, though it was pretty daaaaaamn cool.

[Chyron8472]

What that interview said is that it's an evolution, a departure. It didn't directly comment on what type of departure it is.
I've had no insight into [The Walking Dead game] for years. Last I recall, though it was pretty daaaaaamn cool.

You say "departure" and I hear "becoming a more 'interactive cinematic experience' and less of an adventure game."

Granted, they can do whatever they want with this. However, if it's not an adventure game, I'm not interested; as well such "departures" don't give me any hope for their King's Quest title.

Suffice it to say that I used to think Telltale Games was the foremost developer of new adventure game titles, but lately it seems that they aren't interested in making those kinds of games anymore in favor of increasingly "departing" from it.

[DAISHI]

Do you ONLY play adventure games?

[Chyron8472]

Do you ONLY play adventure games?

I meant that I'm not interested in Telltale's games that are not adventure games (with exception for Poker Night).

Case in point: I love Sierra's King's Quest series, but I can't stand Mask of Eternity because of the "departures" it makes from the genre.

[Jake]

I also remember that Jake once wrote here on the forum that he prefers easy games. Now i don't know how relevant this rather old statement is for TWD but i definately had enough of easy games from TTG. Secondly, and this isn't TTG's fault, i'm not into the comics and the few episodes i once gave a try were rather horrible and boring.

It sounds like you've oversimplified whatever I said. My favorite games are often the hard ones -- the big in scope old adventure games, or physically/emotionally destructive mechanical mastery focused stuff like Super Meat Boy. That said, I like many kinds of games. Games as a medium have a super wide breadth and I think limiting yourself is worthless. There are games I want to pour my life into, and there are games I want to burn through to relax and unwind after work and there are games which fall somewhere in between.

I don't know what you'll think of The Walking Dead. Given that you haven't liked Telltale's output in years and years, I don't expect you to like it and I'm not going to tell you you will, but like anything else in the world, you won't really know until you give it a try I guess?


If it's anything like the prototype I heard of when I worked there, I don't think it will be QTE. But it has been 2 years. Maybe something changed.


The game's pretty different than the rough ideas you heard about years ago, but Walking Dead is not QTE focused, either. There are a few action sequences in which a couple timed button presses matter, but they are few and far between. The game is also really not about skill as a puzzle solver, though there are puzzles, too. The game's about exploring the story, and about making choices which have an impact on the people close to you. That's not a very mechanically sound definition but like most adventure games, there aren't that many deep mechanics, there is the story and the world and the characters to explore and figure out how they work, and overcoming obstacles in the narrative to advance. The big difference here between WD and other Telltale games is that things can and do change across the season as you leave your mark on the game's world. It's the Walking Dead so you're never going to save the world or cure the zombie plague, and it's impossible to save everybody, but hopefully the mark you leave by the end will have some meaning/make some impact on the people you are with.

[Chyron8472]

The big difference here between WD and other Telltale games is that things can and do change across the season as you leave your mark on the game's world. It's the Walking Dead so you're never going to save the world or cure the zombie plague, and it's impossible to save everybody, but hopefully the mark you leave by the end will have some meaning/make some impact on the people you are with.

By "leaving your mark," do you mean that the player has some level of control over the outcome of the story and/or the fate of certain characters (eg. saving vs. killing little sisters in Bioshock); or does it just appear that you have a choice as to how to leave your mark when really the game is scripted to follow certain choices that the player is forced to make (eg. the ending of The Whispered World, wherein you appear to be given 2 choices but are prevented from making one of them)?

[taumel]

@Jake
I don't agree that i oversimplify things, in the worst case i might reduce complexity here and there from time to time in order to spare myself typing all the thoughts because articulating them this way can be tedious, talking to each other, especially face to face, is the preferable way of communication. I enjoy being lazy, sometimes, when i can afford it. :O)

In this case i just remembered a discussion years ago here on the forum were you favoured easier adventures also due to a more relaxing experience. I don't know if this is still the case in a more general sense or relevant for TWD. But i'm sure you agree with me that from a customer's point of view, knowing this and looking at what TTG has done lately, it's a valid point keeping in mind.

FWIW i didn't enjoy Super Meat Boy, i didn't like the music, the design and the overall atmosphere the game offered and disliking The Binding of Isaac as well it seems that Team Meat aren't my cup of tea so far but i for instance could relax with Sword&Sorcery or felt challenged in Braid.

So i kind of agree that you sometimes enjoy different type of games due to different needs&moods but when talking of adventures i simply do not enjoy a game being as simple and more important as poorly designed as for instance BTTF was because then i prefer watching a movie where i can switch completely into passive mode instead of getting interrupted by doing stupid or way to obvious things in between. Moreover when watching a film i can also choose one with a interesting story.

I mean an adventure needs to be an adventure and also challenging to some degree because otherwise it stops being an adventure as it removes an fundamental aspect of an adventure, the joy of tinkering about a problem with and without the game. Although i'm also fine with some easier adventures if you for instance can offer a constant puzzle quality level on DeSinge lab niveau or get me emotionally involved a lot more.

As for that i didn't like TTG's games since years. I always was honest with my critics and tried to give feedback which i thought might be valuable as i'm playing these games since Maniac Mansion. From the few titles, specific episodes, i really liked, i also gave you credits for and convinced friends giving them a try, especially Bone, but i'm sorry i can't lie and praise something which simply isn't good.

And looking at how things started, how much hope there was and the potential TTG had, well, it more and more turned into a rather frustrating process and believe me it wasn't only me who was thinking this way.

The final products never seemed to care about the important difference between being nice and being great and instead of getting better things got even worse. So what do you expect me to say and what do you think i would love to say?

Anyway going back to TWD, i already wrote that i'll obviously wait with my judgement until the product will be released. Btw. will there be a demo as well? Because if not, i probably won't have a chance to give it a try due to that TTG lost their credit being worth a no brainer preorder for me. So, a demo would be welcome, otherwise i'll wait for some playthrough videos first. When it's a very good game, i also wish you good luck with it. If it plays in the league of JP, why should i care?

[wellgolly]

Man, I love Telltale to death. They consistently pop out interesting, compelling, and often hilarious games.

I'm a huge fan of both Grickle and Jared Emerson-Johnson, and the fact that they work in the same game company is crazy exciting.
In my mind, they're tied with Valve as the most reliably great developer.

But ever since Back to The Future, I got a weird little sense of foreboding. Which is bizarre, really, because I absolutely adore the franchise. Yet the game just seemed kind of....unusually uninteresting, you know? Like, it was a good game. It really was, and I'm totally satisfied with it. But it didn't feel like it was up to the quality that still causes me to regularly check the Telltale site.

I dunno, to be honest, Puzzle Agent 2 and Hector were the only recentish games that caught my eye. Maybe it's me? Maybe my expectations are just set too high nowadays? Hell, that's almost definitely what's going on, but I still get the sense there's just something missing.


Edit:
Haha, actually now that I've typed this out and am lookin at it, I think I might know what the deal is.

It's their freedom!

What's the main difference between Sam & Max, and Back to the Future? I'd wager it's the fact that Telltale's pretty much made the former into their own characters. I mean, look how the Devil's Playhouse ended. There's no way that'd ever, ever happen in one of the comics.

But with bttf, things seemed kind of pained, since they had to work in an established and well-known, uh, universe, i guess? There was no doubt Biff would be a character, right? And consider all the needless acknowledgement of the films. Those were great for a geeky moment, but I bet if Telltale had the freedom to say something along the lines of, "Hey, what if Marty was actually secretly a dog?" the games would have been the great kind of crazy story this company's so good at telling.

Would Tales of Monkey Island have been as good as it was, if Telltale wouldn't have been able to ever consider killing Guybrush?
I think I'm feeling really optimistic about King's Quest all of a sudden.

[DAISHI]

Let that dang franchise rest for a while.

[lattsam]

I wonder if Purcell could bring Sam and Max to another company for future games since it seems that we wont be getting anymore from telltale

Well, I hope that happens! I think there are some people in the company that still don't even know who these two are.

[MusicallyInspired]

Maybe TTG should watch this video (http://uk.gamespot.com/events/gdc-2012/video.html?sid=6365133) too and think about it.

That was a great video. Thanks for that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX7QEACjj9E&t=2m50s

In my mind, they're tied with Valve as the most reliably great developer.

Wow. That's a huge statement to make. Not even close in my mind. Even if I enjoyed the latest TTG games. But everyone has their own opinion.

But ever since Back to The Future, I got a weird little sense of foreboding. Which is bizarre, really, because I absolutely adore the franchise. Yet the game just seemed kind of....unusually uninteresting, you know? Like, it was a good game. It really was, and I'm totally satisfied with it. But it didn't feel like it was up to the quality that still causes me to regularly check the Telltale site.

I agree there.

Haha, actually now that I've typed this out and am lookin at it, I think I might know what the deal is.

It's their freedom!

Maybe. But I don't think that's the only reason. Not by a long shot.

I think I'm feeling really optimistic about King's Quest all of a sudden

I've got a long way to go to get there. :)

[Syd]

To expand on what I wrote on the top of the page, Back to the Future was disappointingly easy and Jurassic Park left a extraordinarily sour taste in my mouth. To me, Telltale hasn't had a really solid major release since ToMI and Sam and Max: Season 3 so it's been pretty easy for those "they're losing their touch/they're abandoning the adventure genre" feelings to bubble up to the surface.

Yes, part of what's pecking at the back of my head is the fear is that they don't want to make adventure games anymore (at least, adventure games that still have a certain level of difficulty to them *cough*BTTF*cough*), though King's Quest (or maybe one of their other upcoming titles) certainly has the potential to prove me wrong, and I really hope it does.

Of course, there really isn't anything wrong with Telltale branching out into other genres, and if they have what it takes to make a great non-adventure game, more power to them, but speaking as a Telltale fan, as well as an adventure game fan, it would be tragic to no longer see great Telltale-made adventure games released in the future.

To sum it all up, I suppose that what I'd like to see is some form of reassurance that they're still willing and able to make the kind of games that made me fall in love with them in the first place.

[johnnyt471]

The game is also really not about skill as a puzzle solver, though there are puzzles, too. The game's about exploring the story, and about making choices which have an impact on the people close to you.

Ugh...another 'interactive movie' then? Count me out.

[RAnthonyMahan]

Of course, there really isn't anything wrong with Telltale branching out into other genres, and if they have what it takes to make a great non-adventure game, more power to them, but speaking as a Telltale fan, as well as an adventure game fan, it would be tragic to no longer see great Telltale-made adventure games released in the future.

You know, I am curious...I wonder just how versatile the Telltale Tool can be. Is it capable of doing some really out-of-left-field stuff you wouldn't expect from an adventure game engine? If they could make sports games with SCUMM, I'm sure the Telltale Tool is capable of some crazy stuff.

Judging by the Wolfenstein parody bit from SBCG4AP, you could probably make an FPS with the Tool. Probably not a good FPS, but still.

[Chyron8472]

Ugh...another 'interactive movie' then? Count me out.
agreed.

[SurplusGamer]

I think at one point Telltale had a real opportunity to carve out a brilliant niche for themselves. They could have sustained that niche and grown, but instead it seems like they've gone on a misguided grab for the mainstream.

I do like how Walking Dead is shaping up (though I'm not sure it's for me), but I can't help but feel this is just such a different company to the one that just had tons of good will in the bank when they started out. Meanwhile, Double Fine stroll in and without even having a game to show us somehow appear to be much more interested in appealing to the fans who WANT to love Telltale's output, and have managed to raise a tidy sum to make it happen.

We're here. We obviously have money. I know some of us even work at Telltale. And you guys have the talent when you really step up. But somehow it hasn't been happening.

[RAnthonyMahan]

I think at one point Telltale had a real opportunity to carve out a brilliant niche for themselves. They could have sustained that niche and grown, but instead it seems like they've gone on a misguided grab for the mainstream.

I do like how Walking Dead is shaping up (though I'm not sure it's for me), but I can't help but feel this is just such a different company to the one that just had tons of good will in the bank when they started out. Meanwhile, Double Fine stroll in and without even having a game to show us somehow appear to be much more interested in appealing to the fans who WANT to love Telltale's output, and have managed to raise a tidy sum to make it happen.

We're here. We obviously have money. I know some of us even work at Telltale. And you guys have the talent when you really step up. But somehow it hasn't been happening.

I think you've found the root of the problem. Telltale seems to want to become a mainstream company. Not only have they been acquiring more recognizable licenses like BttF, Jurassic Park, and The Walking Dead, but they've also been trying to make their games more...accessible.

The thing is, most likely Telltale's never going to be a "big company." They're never going to be a game company everyone can name, in the same sense that Nintendo, EA, or even Valve is. I don't mean that as an insult, I'm simply stating a fact. In fact, that's arguably a good thing, since in the gaming industry being "big" usually means compromising yourself creatively. Activision and EA may make tons of money, but that's because they treat games like a product to be sold and nothing more.

I sort of feel like Telltale would be better if they just stuck to their niche instead of trying to go completely mainstream. The casual angle may work in the short term ("Jurassic Park! I loved that movie!"), but I don't think it's going to bring Telltale many long-time fans.

In fact, if I can do a quick poll of sorts to anyone reading this:

1. What was your first Telltale game?
2. How many of Telltale's other currently-released games have you played or want to play?
3. Do you have any interest in any of Telltale's upcoming projects (The Walking Dead, Fables, King's Quest) and if so, which?

I have a feeling most of the people who say BttF or JP to the first question will have pretty short answers for 2 and 3.

[Darth Marsden]

OK, I'll bite.

1) Sam & Max (Save the World, to be exact)
2) Played pretty much all of them except Poker Night, because I don't like Poker. (Or the CSI or Law & Order games, which I completely forgot Telltale did. Oops. Haven't played them due to lack of interest in the shows)
3) None. None of those properties interests me at all, though I will be curious about what they do with King's Quest.

[Syd]

Alright, then...

1. Sam and Max: Season 1
2. All Sam and Max seasons, Tales of Monkey Island, Back to the Future, Puzzle Agent 1/2.
3. I was never much of a Sierra person back in the day but I have a mild interest in King's Quest. The other projects will have to turn out to be more than just interactive movies for me to take any level of interest in.

[johnnyt471]

I've purchased pretty much all of the TTG games since Sam and Max season 1, except for the poker stuff, CSI (I hate CSI), law and order (I hate law and order), and Strong Bad (hm...i really should get around to playing it one of these days).

Something really bothered me about BttF because I could only get through two episodes before becoming bored to tears. I thought maybe it was because I was just getting tired of these kinds of games, but after signing up on this forum I found out I wasn't the only one, and that my reaction was a result of overly simple game design. Then when I saw that JP was basically one long QTE, I said forget it. Puzzle Agent 2 was disappointing, especially since I had been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the first one. We've now reached the point where I will only buy another TTG game if people here vouch for it.

I'm really not familiar with the Walking Dead comic or TV series, but I would have bought it if not for the fact that it's going to be another interactive movie. I know nothing about Fable, so I'll see what happens when it's released.

I was never a big fan of Sierra adventure games back in the day (I never liked how you could die so easily, or that there were ways to make the game unwinnable, although the death scenes were kind of amusing). I would still be interested in King's Quest though, because you would think that TTG would make the game full of difficult puzzles in order to appease the old KQ fans. Nothing is certain with TTG anymore, however.

[Jennifer]

1. My first Telltale game was Bone: Out from Boneville
2. I've played all of them except for the newest Law & Order: Legacies games, and I want to play those. I've also double dipped, and purchased Telltale's games for iPhone/iPad, Wii, and Xbox 360.
3. The Walking Dead looks very interesting to me, though I'm waiting for Monday when we can see what the gameplay is like before I get too excited. I'm also really interested in how Telltale handles King's Quest. I like the idea of the Fables comic (classic characters from fairy tales and folklore living in our world), but I haven't read the comics. So, I'm just mildly interested in that one.

[allaboardfilms]

1. I played an episode of SBCG4AP on the Wii, but my first full season was TOMI.
2. I've played all of Telltale's games except for the CSI games--I'm just not very interested in CSI.
3. Definitely! More so the Walking Dead than anything else--the choices idea is fascinating to me.

[SurplusGamer]

1) Been around since Out From Boneville
2) Pretty much all of them except CSI and Jurassic Park, but I've watched someone play a chunk of the latter
3) Kinda curious what they do with King's Quest, and The Walking Dead. But I wouldn't say 'excited.'

[der_ketzer]

In fact, if I can do a quick poll of sorts to anyone reading this:

1. What was your first Telltale game?
2. How many of Telltale's other currently-released games have you played or want to play?
3. Do you have any interest in any of Telltale's upcoming projects (The Walking Dead, Fables, King's Quest) and if so, which?

01 One of the CSI-titles

02 Played: All S&M, Bone 1+2, TTTH, PNatI, ToMI, SBCG4AP, W&G, Puzzle Agent 1+2, that one CSI game, Jurassic Dildo Episode 1 (haven't had any motivation to continue this game).
I do own Episode 1 of BTTF but I will not play it.

03 I am scared of what they will do to King's Quest. No interest in any of the other projects at all.

[FitzoliverJ]

1. What was your first Telltale game?
2. How many of Telltale's other currently-released games have you played or want to play?
3. Do you have any interest in any of Telltale's upcoming projects (The Walking Dead, Fables, King's Quest) and if so, which?

1) "Tales of Monkey Island"
2) The most recent Telltale games I played were "Back to the Future" (very disappointing), "Hector" (law of diminishing returns) and "Puzzle Agent 2" (come on, you left a hook for a sequel! And what about the Inventory?).
3) No. If only because the idea of playing an adventure game where you might get irrevocably killed and have to start over doesn't appeal.

[SHODANFreeman]

I just want games with puzzles more complex than "click everything on screen until the story continues"

[guitarsareboring]

1. Tales of Monkey Island, although if I'd known about Sam & Max it would've been that.
2. Played all of them aside from CSI (no interest) and Jurassic Park (poor reviews, waiting to see it cheap somewhere)
3. Interested in The Walking Dead and Fables. But it depends entirely on reviews now. Back to the Future was too disappointing for me to take the risk without at least playing a demo of any new titles.

[ryannumber1gamer]

1. Sam and Max Season 3
2. Telltale games i got for my pc. Sam and Max Seasons 1-3, Tales Of Monkey Island,Wallace & Gromit,Back to the Future,Hector,Puzzle Agent 1, and Poker Night at the Inventory.
Telltale games i got for my ps3. Back to the future,Sam and Max seasons 2 and 3, Puzzle Agent 1,Strong Bad,Jurassic Park, and Tales of Monkey Island.
Telltale games i got on my Nintendo Wii. Sam & Max Season 1, Tales Of Monkey Island Episode 1
3.None as im not interested in The Walking Dead, Kings Quest, Law and Order, and Fables.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Ok i got a question for everyone but has Telltale given up on comedy in their games? it seems to me that all the games after Jurrassic Park is just going to be serious games.

[Alcoremortis]

Ok i got a question for everyone but has Telltale given up on comedy in their games? it seems to me that all the games after Jurrassic Park is just going to be serious games.

I dunno, the King's Quest series could be pretty funny at times, albeit in the "Haha, you died in a really stupid way" sense.

[ryannumber1gamer]

yeah but still im worried about Telltale after Jurassic Park it seems Telltale has been going down hill. I mean conpare Old Teltale to New Telltale. Old Telltale. Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay,Is a long game,Fun. Now New Telltale. Jurassic Park = Serious,Hardly any Gameplay, is not that long because of quick time events,Easy,Not As Fun As Other Games. Telltale let me get one thing clear here. I think it's good your trying new things but guys you need to take our advice and start getting back to your roots. Telltale's games have gotten me into Adventure games Like Sam and Max, Monkey Island and Shown me Strong Bad. They Made a Game out of 2 of my favourite movie characters Wallace & Gromit. They made a good Back to the Future game which many people tried to do and failed. but now Telltale has me worried. They are making games which im completely not interested in. Telltale please Like i said its good your trying new things but you guys are known for Awesome Funny Adventure Games Not Serious games. Now Don't get me wrong i did enjoy Jurrassic Park but conpared to your other games its disapointing.

[Syd]

yeah but still im worried about Telltale after Jurassic Park it seems Telltale has been going down hill. I mean conpare Old Teltale to New Telltale. Old Telltale. Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay,Is a long game,Fun. Now New Telltale. Jurassic Park = Serious,Hardly any Gameplay, is not that long because of quick time events,Easy,Not As Fun As Other Games. Telltale let me get one thing clear here. I think it's good your trying new things but guys you need to take our advice and start getting back to your roots. Telltale's games have gotten me into Adventure games Like Sam and Max, Monkey Island and Shown me Strong Bad. They Made a Game out of 2 of my favourite movie characters Wallace & Gromit. They made a good Back to the Future game which many people tried to do and failed. but now Telltale has me worried. They are making games which im completely not interested in. Telltale please Like i said its good your trying new things but you guys are known for Awesome Funny Adventure Games Not Serious games. Now Don't get me wrong i did enjoy Jurrassic Park but conpared to your other games its disapointing.

They can't just inject humor into just anything, though. Jurassic Park isn't supposed to be funny, Walking Dead isn't supposed to be funny. Let's wait until they make a game where humorous writing would fit in well before we start to get worried about their ability to make a funny game as well.

[Darth Marsden]

yeah but still im worried about Telltale after Jurassic Park it seems Telltale has been going down hill. I mean conpare Old Teltale to New Telltale. Old Telltale. Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay,Is a long game,Fun. Now New Telltale. Jurassic Park = Serious,Hardly any Gameplay, is not that long because of quick time events,Easy,Not As Fun As Other Games. Telltale let me get one thing clear here. I think it's good your trying new things but guys you need to take our advice and start getting back to your roots. Telltale's games have gotten me into Adventure games Like Sam and Max, Monkey Island and Shown me Strong Bad. They Made a Game out of 2 of my favourite movie characters Wallace & Gromit. They made a good Back to the Future game which many people tried to do and failed. but now Telltale has me worried. They are making games which im completely not interested in. Telltale please Like i said its good your trying new things but you guys are known for Awesome Funny Adventure Games Not Serious games. Now Don't get me wrong i did enjoy Jurrassic Park but conpared to your other games its disapointing.I flat-out refuse to read that.

IT'S CALLED THE ENTER KEY. It is your friend.

[DAISHI]

Fund my game Telltale. These people will enjoy it.

[RetroVortex]

can't just inject humor into just anything,

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfp2hoS7xu1qc9f5v.jpg

[RAnthonyMahan]

Ok i got a question for everyone but has Telltale given up on comedy in their games? it seems to me that all the games after Jurrassic Park is just going to be serious games.

I don't think Telltale's given up on comedy. However, after three full seasons of Sam and Max, a Homestar Runner game, and bringing back Monkey Island, they probably want to take a break from silly stuff for a while.

Of course, serious isn't a bad thing, mind you. I prefer my adventure games to be funny myself, but there have been plenty of great serious ones (A Mind Forever Voyaging, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Blade Runner...). And as much as I despised Jurassic Park, the one good thing I can say about it is that Telltale showed they can do a decent dramatic storyline.

That said, I would like Telltale to do something silly again soon. Aside from them doing adventure games, a big reason why I got into Telltale in the first place is that their games made me laugh my ass off.

[SHODANFreeman]

I don't think Telltale's given up on comedy. However, after three full seasons of Sam and Max, a Homestar Runner game, and bringing back Monkey Island, they probably want to take a break from silly stuff for a while.

Of course, serious isn't a bad thing, mind you. I prefer my adventure games to be funny myself, but there have been plenty of great serious ones (A Mind Forever Voyaging, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Blade Runner...). And as much as I despised Jurassic Park, the one good thing I can say about it is that Telltale showed they can do a decent dramatic storyline.

That said, I would like Telltale to do something silly again soon. Aside from them doing adventure games, a big reason why I got into Telltale in the first place is that their games made me laugh my ass off.

I don't think there is anyone who is mad that Telltale is doing "dramatic" games vs comedic ones. The only people who are mad are the ones who expect a game to be included with their purchase of a game.

[RAnthonyMahan]

I don't think there is anyone who is mad that Telltale is doing "dramatic" games vs comedic ones. The only people who are mad are the ones who expect a game to be included with their purchase of a game.

I agree, I was just answering Ryan's question there.

I don't care what kind of tone Telltale gives their games so long as they make actual games.

[puzzlebox]

Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay
[...]
Jurassic Park = Serious,Hardly any Gameplay, is not that long

If games were men, there'd be no contest.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Look it's not just about comedy it's also about the gameplay. Look i like Jurassic Park The Game but as a Telltale game.
It's very disapointing look i know Telltale would like to move on to serious stuff but my point is that im not interested in any of their games coming out.
If The Walking Dead looks good and if it is coming out for ps3 ill get it.
Even Jurassic Park The Game was the first Jurassic Park thing i even played or watched because Telltale made it.
But i hear that Law & Order (which im really not interested in) is just asking people questions.
Everyone what i am saying is not just about comedy. I am talking about it seems that Telltale's Games have changed. Like i said in the older post conpare old Telltale To New Telltale.
We went from Sam & Max (Hard adventure game. i really enjoyed it) to Back to the Future (Easy Adventure game still really enjoyed) and finally Jurassic Park (Quick Time Events, I Enjoyed It but it disapointed me since it was made by Telltale)

[RAnthonyMahan]

I know what you mean. It's hard to get excited about any of Telltale's future games myself. Not because of the names attached (though that is admittedly a factor), but because after BttF and JP I pretty much have to approach everything Telltale does with skepticism from now on.

I mean, I am interested in King's Quest, if only because I'm a fan of the series, but the chances of Telltale messing things up are admittedly pretty high. Not that it matters, since KQ's about a year away and we probably won't hear anything about it until Fables is done.

The Walking Dead could be good, but then again, it could be terrible too. From what little has been said about the gameplay (a question they've been dancing around for over a year now), it seems like it's another "interactive movie." It sounds like it'll at least be better than Jurassic Park, but that's such a low bar that I might as well say it'll be better than Superman 64. Still, I'll reserve judgment for when they show gameplay. Which is half an hour from now. ;)

Fables...I'll keep an open mind on that one. I've never read the comics, but the premise is interesting. I definitely want to read them. I won't bother making hasty opinions on the game since Telltale's said nothing about it yet.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Another reason why i think Telltale is starting to go downhill is that they left cliffhangers in 3 of their games. Tales Of Monkey Island and Sam and Max Season 3 (it may not seem like a cliffhanger but the way the ending goes while they talk about their new adventure) and Back To The Future The Game

[coolsome]

Sam and Max Season 3 (it may not seem like a cliffhanger but the way the ending goes while they talk about their new adventure)

That was more of an open ending so It can be picked up but if it was the last one there isnt any gaping cliffhanger that needs to be filled.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Yes but still it can be consistered a Cliffhanger

[coolsome]

Yes but still it can be consistered a Cliffhanger

No it isn't a cliffhanger.

A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_device) in fiction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiction) which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is hoped to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.

The ending of S&M 3 is just an "and the adventure's continue" ending.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Well then they left 2 cliffhangers in their games

[RAnthonyMahan]

Tales' ending was more "the adventure continues" as well. I feel like Telltale left it that way in the unlikely impossible event LucasArts made a Monkey Island 6 to follow Tales.

I guess you could call BttF's ending a cliffhanger, but it was clearly meant more as a joke than anything else.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Tales' ending was more "the adventure continues" as well. I feel like Telltale left it that way in the unlikely impossible event LucasArts made a Monkey Island 6 to follow Tales.

I guess you could call BttF's ending a cliffhanger, but it was clearly meant more as a joke than anything else.

Thats one of my problems with Bttf is that while yes Bttf could get crazy sometimes. It never got as crazy as the ending

[Syd]

Thats one of my problems with Bttf is that while yes Bttf could get crazy sometimes. It never got as crazy as the ending

Even BttF's ending wasn't much of a cliffhanger. It's the same thing with ToMI's ending: The story was resolved but they left a bit at the end hinting at more to come just in case they got to make another season.

The things you're complaining about aren't cliffhangers, they're sequel hooks. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SequelHook)

[ryannumber1gamer]

I don't think so because the story was not resolved. It seems like one problem was fixed and a new problem comes the second the old problem is fixed...will Marty ever get a break? :D

[Syd]

It seems like one problem was fixed and a new problem comes the second the old problem is fixed

That's usually what sequel hooks are. The original conflict was resolved, but a new potential conflict is revealed for the sequel, if one is ever made, to work off of. A cliffhanger would have been if BttF, ToMI, or whatever ended on episode 4 and the story was never resolved.

[Chyron8472]

yeah but still im worried about Telltale after Jurassic Park it seems Telltale has been going down hill. I mean conpare Old Teltale to New Telltale. Old Telltale. Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay,Is a long game,Fun. Now New Telltale. Jurassic Park = Serious,Hardly any Gameplay, is not that long because of quick time events,Easy,Not As Fun As Other Games. Telltale let me get one thing clear here. I think it's good your trying new things but guys you need to take our advice and start getting back to your roots. Telltale's games have gotten me into Adventure games Like Sam and Max, Monkey Island and Shown me Strong Bad. They Made a Game out of 2 of my favourite movie characters Wallace & Gromit. They made a good Back to the Future game which many people tried to do and failed. but now Telltale has me worried. They are making games which im completely not interested in. Telltale please Like i said its good your trying new things but you guys are known for Awesome Funny Adventure Games Not Serious games. Now Don't get me wrong i did enjoy Jurrassic Park but conpared to your other games its disapointing.

...

I flat-out refuse to read that.

IT'S CALLED THE ENTER KEY. It is your friend.

this. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WallOfText)

[DAISHI]

http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/214644272_EZHX5-XL-2.jpg

[coolsome]

I think Mr Period is the one writing angry walls of texts.

[Farlander]

I don't think so because the story was not resolved. It seems like one problem was fixed and a new problem comes the second the old problem is fixed...will Marty ever get a break?

Well, it's the same thing as with the first Back to the Future movie... back in 1985, there were no sequels planned at all (the original BttF didn't have the 'To be continued' line). The bit with Doc, Jennifer and Marty at the end was there mostly because of the 'cool factor'. It's not even an INTENTIONAL sequel hook as far as I know, because Bob Gale/Zemeckis said that if they'd actually plan for a sequel, they wouldn't take Jeniffer to the future. Anyway...

BttF1 movie: main plot - Marty accidentally travels back in time and thwarts his parents meeting, he has to fix what he has done and get back to his own time. Resolved. The bit with kids at the last ten minutes? Sequel hook, some new plotline that doesn't really have anything to do with anything that happened before and just tells us that 'adventure continues'.

BttF game: main plot - Cluster%#$# with Edna (that's the only way I can explain the plot of the game in one sentence...). Resolved. Cluster$#$% with Marties at the end doesn't have anything to do with the main plot and wasn't even mentioned or hinted at before, ergo - sequel hook.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Ok it's not a cliffhanger but still it makes me feel like there is unfinished stuff to do with the Bttf characters

[Jake]

Ok i got a question for everyone but has Telltale given up on comedy in their games? it seems to me that all the games after Jurrassic Park is just going to be serious games.
Dramatic stuff just happens to be what we're working on at the moment. It's actually been super refreshing to work on things with dramatic consequence, trying to get some more dynamic performance out of our characters, and focusing on the human element of the story (both the characters inside the game, and what it means to be authoring an interactive story that is played by a thinking, feeling human ... assuming suspension of disbelief is present when they're engaged, will they have emotional responses to the content, will it impact what they choose to do? Will people just be pragmatic, empathetic, apathetic?). Walking Dead in particular is also a chance to scratch the "show gross stuff" itch that any horror fan has. That said, I personally can't wait to get back to doing more comedy. We all love doing it and I think we're pretty good at it. I'm especially excited to take on a comedy property now that we've made the leaps in presentation/style that are present in the Walking Dead. (Unrelated to that: I can't wait until some Fables materials start coming out... that game looks sweet.)

Old Telltale. Sam and Max = Funny, Hard, Full of Gameplay,Is a long game,Fun.
I at first thought this was sarcasm, because our forums since the day the studio put out Sam & Max Season One has had its share of complainers almost literally saying the opposite of what you just said -- "these games aren't funny, are easy, have no gameplay, are short, aren't fun." Hindsight does a lot, I guess! I love hearing every positive adjective you just wrote applied to Telltale's Sam & Max games, written on these forums! It actually warms my heart.


I think it was a naming mistake on anyone complicit's part to refer to today's Walking Dead trailer as a "gameplay trailer." We'd internally been calling it a teaser trailer or a launch trailer. The next Playing Dead episode (the one with Robert Kirkman on) will have more extended gameplay show. What will be shown is as much a mystery to me as it is to you, but I think we'll be showing more than a few quick trailer-cut snippets this time.

[ryannumber1gamer]

It just happens to be what we're working on. I can't wait to get back to doing some comedy stuff.


I at first thought this was sarcasm, because our forums since the day the studio put out Sam & Max Season One has had its share of complainers almost literally saying the opposite of what you just said -- "these games aren't funny, are easy, have no gameplay, are short, aren't fun." Hindsight does a lot, I guess! I love hearing every positive adjective you just wrote applied to Telltale's Sam & Max games, written on these forums! It actually warms my heart.


I think it was a naming mistake on anyone complicit's part to refer to today's Walking Dead trailer as a "gameplay trailer." We'd internally been calling it a teaser trailer or a launch trailer. The next Playing Dead episode (the one with Robert Kirkman on) will have more extended gameplay show. What will be shown is as much a mystery to me as it is to you, but I think we'll be showing more than a few quick trailer-cut snippets this time.

Ok im surprised that anyone would say that about Telltale's Sam & Max games because they are one of my favourite game series. i think all the Sam and Max episodes are great in their own way (but i think Moai Better Blues is the weakest episode it is still funny and i will still replay it during playthroughs of seasons. To tell everyone the truth i enjoyed all of Telltale's games but i think Jurassic Park was the weakest and most disappointing (but then again This was the first Jurrassic Park thing i ever played or watched and i got it just because Telltale made it. Anyway i might not be interested in The Walking Dead but if it looks good i will get it.

[Farlander]

I at first thought this was sarcasm, because our forums since the day the studio put out Sam & Max Season One has had its share of complainers almost literally saying the opposite of what you just said -- "these games aren't funny, are easy, have no gameplay, are short, aren't fun." Hindsight does a lot, I guess!

I would call that one of the biggest ironies of the gamer/fan culture... For example, Max Payne 2 a long time ago has received a lot of flak from fans. Not everybody of course, but, you know, all the usual fan-division in the community. Now those same people LOVE both Max Payne and Max Payne 2 and now are bombarding Max Payne 3.

[Jake]

Ok im surprised that anyone would say that about Telltale's Sam & Max games because they are one of my favourite game series. i think all the Sam and Max episodes are great in their own way (but i think Moai Better Blues is the weakest episode it is still funny and i will still replay it during playthroughs of seasons. To tell everyone the truth i enjoyed all of Telltale's games but i think Jurassic Park was the weakest and most disappointing (but then again This was the first Jurrassic Park thing i ever played or watched and i got it just because Telltale made it. Anyway i might not be interested in The Walking Dead but if it looks good i will get it.

I would call that one of the biggest ironies of the gamer/fan culture... For example, Max Payne 2 a long time ago has received a lot of flak from fans. Not everybody of course, but, you know, all the usual fan-division in the community. Now those same people LOVE both Max Payne and Max Payne 2 and now are bombarding Max Payne 3.

Yeah people say crazy stuff. There was a "complaint megathread" on here at some point where someone listed out every single complaint they could remember from the history of the Telltale forums. It was very complete and very hilarious in its contradictions and general insanity. We have that post printed up in the kitchen on the bulletin board due to its quality.

[ryannumber1gamer]

I got to admit if there's 2 games i really want a new season for and those games are Sam and Max and Monkey Island but i want Sam & Max season 4 more

[ryannumber1gamer]

Yeah people say crazy stuff. There was a "complaint megathread" on here at some point where someone listed out every single complaint they could remember from the history of the Telltale forums. It was very complete and very hilarious in its contradictions and general insanity. We have that post printed up in the kitchen on the bulletin board due to its quality.

Is it like when people conplained that in Sam and Max season 3 in the ps3 version that you got a new toy after beating the episode that the pc version didnt get?

[Jake]

Is it like when people conplained that in Sam and Max season 3 in the ps3 version that you got a new toy after beating the episode that the pc version didnt get?

No I think that's a legit complaint. We really dropped the ball on PC nutrispecs.

[ryannumber1gamer]

I don't think it's that bad. Games should be about the main content in the game not just an extra.
I don't get why people conplain so much about that

[Gman5852]

No I think that's a legit complaint. We really dropped the ball on PC nutrispecs.

Always says something good when a company can openly admit mistakes they made.

[RAnthonyMahan]

I at first thought this was sarcasm, because our forums since the day the studio put out Sam & Max Season One has had its share of complainers almost literally saying the opposite of what you just said -- "these games aren't funny, are easy, have no gameplay, are short, aren't fun." Hindsight does a lot, I guess!

Nostalgia does that to you. Most people carry the mentality that old is always better than new (even when that's not the case). I think a big reason why Telltale's Sam and Max games were so criticized in the beginning was simply because it wasn't Hit the Road. Then, as time passed and Sam and Max started to enter "old" territory, they started being better-received. Hell, I'll admit that as time passes I've been softening up to Back to the Future.

[Farlander]

Hell, I'll admit that as time passes I've been softening up to Back to the Future.

For me it goes the other way around. Despite the gripes I had with the BttF episodes, I was super-hyped and super-excited, so generally I had a very positive impression. And time has passed, and I tried to replay the first episode. ... No. Just... no. I'm sorry. Without the hype, I'm turning into Rather Dashing.

But, at least I still love S&M and ToMI :D (And ToMI is actually my most favourite MI game, it stole the spot from MI2)

[Chyron8472]

We really dropped the ball on PC nutrispecs.

What about the Earl Boen-voiced ToMI:Ep.1 download?

I'm turning into Rather Dashing.

Nature abhors a vacuum. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it.

(ie. RD reportedly left after a ban, so feel free to fill the void. :p)

[Farlander]

Nature abhors a vacuum. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it.

The Dutchman must always have a captain, huh? ... Well, crud... :(

[SHODANFreeman]

Yeah people say crazy stuff. There was a "complaint megathread" on here at some point where someone listed out every single complaint they could remember from the history of the Telltale forums. It was very complete and very hilarious in its contradictions and general insanity. We have that post printed up in the kitchen on the bulletin board due to its quality.

Was the post written by me, or by Dashing? It had to have been one of us.

[flesk]

Was the post written by me, or by Dashing? It had to have been one of us.

He's probably referring to this thread (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17410) started by Secret Fawful.

[RAnthonyMahan]

He's probably referring to this thread (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17410) started by Secret Fawful.

There was apparently nothing to complain about in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. I can vouch for that. :cool:

[ryannumber1gamer]

Actally i think it could of been inproved in the forth episode when you got to track down Sultry Buttons. I hate that puzzle

[der_ketzer]

There was apparently nothing to complain about in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. I can vouch for that. :cool:

Nope. Best TTG-season ever.

[Scnew]

I don't really get why so many are talking like Telltale hasn't done anything comedic in ages. It's been less than a year since Back to the Future wrapped up. Complain all you want about how easy it is and all, but otherwise it plays pretty identically to Sam and Max and Tales of Monkey Island.

[ryannumber1gamer]

I don't really get why so many are talking like Telltale hasn't done anything comedic in ages. It's been less than a year since Back to the Future wrapped up. Complain all you want about how easy it is and all, but otherwise it plays pretty identically to Sam and Max and Tales of Monkey Island.

I think people are talking about how most of their games they have lined up has no comedy since the last 2 games they made have no comedy and The Walking Dead has no comedy and since i don't know any thing about Walking Dead, Fables or King's Quest so im guessing Fables and King's Quest is not comedy.

[Gman5852]

There was apparently nothing to complain about in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. I can vouch for that. :cool:

Nope. Best TTG-season ever.


Darn right it was.(Joined telltale because of it.)

I don't really get why so many are talking like Telltale hasn't done anything comedic in ages. It's been less than a year since Back to the Future wrapped up. Complain all you want about how easy it is and all, but otherwise it plays pretty identically to Sam and Max and Tales of Monkey Island.

I think people are talking about how most of their games they have lined up has no comedy since the last 2 games they made have no comedy and The Walking Dead has no comedy and since i don't know any thing about Walking Dead, Fables or King's Quest so im guessing Fables and King's Quest is not comedy.

Not even close. More like because the games have been pretty easy and tended for casual audiences for a while now, not at all because of comedy. And I have zero clue on whether Fables or King's Quest are comedies or not, but I'm not going to just guess either.

[ryannumber1gamer]

Darn right it was.(Joined telltale because of it.)





Not even close. More like because the games have been pretty easy and tended for casual audiences for a while now, not at all because of comedy. And I have zero clue on whether Fables or King's Quest are comedies or not, but I'm not going to just guess either.

I ment when he said he does not know why people are conplaining about there being no comedy in Telltale's games

[RAnthonyMahan]

And I have zero clue on whether Fables or King's Quest are comedies or not, but I'm not going to just guess either.

I'm not too familiar with Fables (I read...part of the first issue at Barnes and Noble once), but from what little I know it seems there are humorous moments, but of a more...subtle variety. I wouldn't call it a comedy, but there's enough.

King's Quest's humor is mostly "Haha! You died!"

[ryannumber1gamer]

Well....i don't know if thats ment to be funny or the game just making fun of you when you do something wrong

[RAnthonyMahan]

Well....i don't know if thats ment to be funny or the game just making fun of you when you do something wrong

It can be both. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn4dUhX_E_k)

[ryannumber1gamer]

lol