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Dan Connors on Episodic Gaming 10 Apr, 2008, 04:48 / 16 comments

By Kroms


Dan Connors has had a good talk with Gamespot on the nature of episodic games and how tricky they can be. The interview has this beautiful piece of info:

"However, Telltale has seen its share of struggles, most notably in the aborted precursor to the Sam & Max series, Bone. After releasing two episodes of Bone in seven months, Telltale suspended development on the series because it simply wasn't getting traction."

Interesting.

Source: Gamespot

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16 Comments

  • hierohero on 10 Apr, 2008, 11:06…
    I have no desire for another bone game..it just didn't work in the episodic model..was too linear..and aimed at too young an audience that won't be buying games on the internet
  • Kolzig on 10 Apr, 2008, 09:33…
    I really, really hope that Telltale will pick up the Bone development again someday, the franchise needs it's later parts to be made.

    Bone is a great comic and was a very good game. It would be even better now that Telltale has got the show running on full speed with Sam&Max.
  • Gabez on 10 Apr, 2008, 09:19…
    Man, I love Bone so much. I still prefer it to Sam & Max -- nothing to do with how Telltale are making the episodes; I just like the source material better (personal taste).

    I'm looking forward to playing season two for my birthday, but I'd have to play a new Bone game as soon as it came out!
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:07…
    He could be counting Sam & Max seasons 3 & 4? Or Sam & Max season 1 for the Wii.

    But most likely you're right and there's more CSI in the pipeline.
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:07…
    Meant as a reply to Udvarnocky... :(
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:12…
    Ahem *Udvarnoky*
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 04:51…
    Let's hope the forthcoming movie kickstarts the franchise again and Telltale can pick up where they left off...
  • Udvarnoky on 10 Apr, 2008, 04:59…
    Yes, please.

    I'm hoping that Bone does get continued and completed, even if it ends up happening very gradually. As I've said before, it has the potential to be one of the greatest cult adventure games ever. I'm hoping the sales of the game weren't so bad that picking up isn't an option. Surely that's what the whole point of episodic/low budgets is?
  • Udvarnoky on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:03…
    Also, "four series in development?" I count Sam & Max, those two unannounced series, and what else? Maybe they've got a third CSI cooking?
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 22:04…
    Kevin on TTG forums when queried whether teh 4th propery in development is another CSI responded "CSI wouldn't be "all new", now would it?"

    So, still 2 new licenses to be announced.

    :)
  • Kroms on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:15…
    Original IP?

    About Bone: I really think they should celshade it, like Penny Arcade Adventures. This game could be a HIT if the movie and game are done properly, and we won't get needless sequel after sequel because Telltale hold the rights and Telltale are awesome.
  • Udvarnoky on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:24…
    I don't think there's anything wrong with the way the Bone games, especially Cow Race, look except for maybe something of a lack of detail, but the style is right. Regarding endless sequels, I would assume that if Telltale would continue the series they'd stop when the story does. (Which is why I hold out hope that they do continue it someday - it has a finite end.)
  • Kroms on 11 Apr, 2008, 02:04…
    I always thought a little change in art would be good; to aim it at children, basically.
  • Gabez on 10 Apr, 2008, 09:17…
    Yeah, they might as well end it there, though a few spin off games would be good as well, that worked around the material in the books (like a prequel that was about them getting kicked out of Boneville)
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 09:54…
    Isn't there a spin-off comic or two outside the main storyline? Or am I misremembering something...
  • jp-30 on 10 Apr, 2008, 05:16…
    Very recently on the forums, Telltale staff have said that there is no original IP in the works at present.

    One day, though, hopefully...