Telltale Games Forums - View Single Post - Episodic Adventure Games are Pure Genius.

Thriftweed Fancy Pants · 11/25/2009, 01:28 pm

Just went back to read an article from the beginning of 2009 on Adventure Gamers and I have come to realize the pure genius of making adventure games episodic. Not only has it resurrected the genre, but I believe it will also save it from dying again.

Casual, hidden-object games have become competition for adventure games because they're cheaper and more satisfying to play since they're quick and easy. How can adventure games compete with that? Enter Telltale Games. Episodic games are also less expensive, and they're quick and easy to play (when compared to traditional adventure games), yet they're able to include rich, overarching story-lines, like Tales of Monkey Island has done. Genius.

Someone commented on the AG article that the relationship between casual games and adventure games is similar to the relationship between the Nintendo Wii and the rest of the console gaming market. Nintendo is aiming toward a new audience (casual gamers), whereas the Xbox and PS3 are primarily aiming toward the traditional "hardcore" gamers. I thought that was an interesting comparison. I think the success of the Wii has changed the landscape for everybody, and maybe blockbuster games aren't going to die, but I believe they have suffered some because it's difficult to compete with cheap, easy, and quick. Again, that's where I believe Telltale Games has achieved a successful compromise through episodic gaming.

And like I said before, I think this has made adventure games popular again, and I think will likely help them retain their popularity amongst all gamers. What do you think?

11/25/2009, 01:28 pm	#1
Thriftweed Fancy Pants Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 713	Episodic Adventure Games are Pure Genius. Just went back to read an article from the beginning of 2009 on Adventure Gamers and I have come to realize the pure genius of making adventure games episodic. Not only has it resurrected the genre, but I believe it will also save it from dying again. Casual, hidden-object games have become competition for adventure games because they're cheaper and more satisfying to play since they're quick and easy. How can adventure games compete with that? Enter Telltale Games. Episodic games are also less expensive, and they're quick and easy to play (when compared to traditional adventure games), yet they're able to include rich, overarching story-lines, like Tales of Monkey Island has done. Genius. Someone commented on the AG article that the relationship between casual games and adventure games is similar to the relationship between the Nintendo Wii and the rest of the console gaming market. Nintendo is aiming toward a new audience (casual gamers), whereas the Xbox and PS3 are primarily aiming toward the traditional "hardcore" gamers. I thought that was an interesting comparison. I think the success of the Wii has changed the landscape for everybody, and maybe blockbuster games aren't going to die, but I believe they have suffered some because it's difficult to compete with cheap, easy, and quick. Again, that's where I believe Telltale Games has achieved a successful compromise through episodic gaming. And like I said before, I think this has made adventure games popular again, and I think will likely help them retain their popularity amongst all gamers. What do you think?