http://www.gamespot.com/news/6188738.htmlAlthough episodic game development makes all the sense in the world theoretically, things seem to get problematic in practice. The SiN: Episodes series turned out to be poorly named, given that Ritual Entertainment managed to release only a single episode before suspending the project and being acquired by casual-game publisher MumboJumbo. Meanwhile, Valve's episodic treatment of Half-Life has been well-received, but annualized franchises were able to launch multiple full-fledged sequels in the 16-month gap between the first two Half-Life episodes.
Those missteps aside, one episodic series has delivered on the theoretical promise. Next week, Telltale Games is set to release the 11th episode in its Sam & Max series, the adventure-game successor to the 1993 cult PC classic Sam & Max Hit the Road. The episode concludes the reborn franchise's second "season," which, along with the first, was released in a little less than 18 months. The relaunched series has rekindled interest in the anthropomorphic dog and rabbit-like detective duo, as evidenced by a republishing of the pair's original comic adventures in compendium form, as well as a DVD release for the short-lived 1997 Fox TV cartoon.
Telltale Games is hoping to stoke the Sam and Max resurgence even further. Today, the developer confirmed for GameSpot long-standing rumors that it would be bringing its episodic series to consoles, and specifically to the Nintendo Wii. The canine-lagomorph combo's debut on Nintendo's console will come in the form of a port of the PC first-season compilation, from pilot episode "Culture Shock" through to "Bright Side of the Moon."
Telltale representatives said the game's release on the Wii is due in large part to fan demand, in particular an e-mail campaign launched prior to the debut of the Sam & Max episodic series on the PC. Rumors and speculation of a Wii port helped spark publisher interest in bringing the series to Nintendo's platform. THIS IS US DUDES
Sam & Max: Season One is set to be published in the US by Dreamcatcher and The Adventure Company, whereas publishing duties on the European version (which adds in French and German voice-overs, as well as Italian and Spanish subtitles) will be handled by JoWood. Gamers in both regions should expect the game to arrive on store shelves this fall.
will buy
Wii am next-gen best complete (Sam&Max FTMFW)
(random nonsense? yes... am I excited? fuck yes)
(I have a gifted S1 box sitting here on my desk, mocking me.)
day 1
been looking forward to this since the FoxKids cartoon and finding the Sam&Max icon in Shadows of the Empire
I'm actually more interested in their new episodic series for WiiWare, hope they reveal it soon.
Anyway.
:: snicker ::Originally Posted by Falagard
Hrm. Maybe I'll hang onto my Wii after all.
:lolOriginally Posted by xsarien
:: snicker ::
Yes... It finally makes sense!Originally Posted by AlternativeUlster
THIS IS (NEOGAF) DUDES
I don't recall ever playing a Sam and Max game.
I hope it does well and expands the market for traditional graphic adventure games. That Dreamcatcher was willing to pull the trigger on another Wii game I guess speaks well of how their Agatha Christie game did.
Remember, Telltale is also working on some seemingly Wii-exclusive series.Originally Posted by Falagard
Hrm. Maybe I'll hang onto my Wii after all.
Absolutely nothing, I don't think any sane individual would refer to the Sam & Max episodic stuff as "great". It's good, but a faaar cry from the classics, including the original S&M.Originally Posted by _PM
I finally get to experiment what makes this games so great...
Freeloader here I come (I have Japanese Wii).
This is a godsend. This is in my top 3 titles for Fall, for sure!
I would. The puzzles don't tend to be as mind-bendingly esoteric as they were fifteen years ago, but everything else about them is top notch, especially after the first few when they started mixing the formula up more.Originally Posted by Sinatar
Absolutely nothing, I don't think any sane individual would refer to the Sam & Max episodic stuff as "great". It's good, but a faaar cry from the classics, including the original S&M.
Anyway, good news for Wii owners who don't use Windows, but the rest of you don't have any excuse for not owning this already.
does this mean that original Wii Ware series is dead/never existed? If so, this news is kinda crappy for those who already have Sam and Max.Originally Posted by wsippel
Remember, Telltale is also working on some seemingly Wii-exclusive series.
... *looks at Crysis* ... *looks again*Originally Posted by devildog820
I am cautiously excited. I almost dropped cash on Psychonauts for the PS2 before realizing that the PC version looked better. I want to see some screenshots or hear about some of the features before I decide.
you are entirely missing the point of consoles sir...
Telltale has multiple teams working on various projects. This has nothing to do with their Wiiware series.Originally Posted by eznark
does this mean that original Wii Ware series is dead/never existed? If so, this news is kinda crappy for those who already have Sam and Max.
When Telltale has their game on, it is really high quality stuff (Reality 2.0 and Chariot of the Dogs were incredible, for example).Originally Posted by Sinatar
Absolutely nothing, I don't think any sane individual would refer to the Sam & Max episodic stuff as "great". It's good, but a faaar cry from the classics, including the original S&M.
When they are off, well, it's pretty mediocre. Uneven quality of episodes is the only thing I've got issue with both S&M seasons, and for that reason I'm glad they are taking a bit of a break from it for a while after this season ends next week.
Originally Posted by Sciz
Telltale has multiple teams working on various projects. This has nothing to do with their Wiiware series.
awesome, because I am pretty pumped for that! This is fantastic news then, the Wii seems perfect for adventure games and the success of these could convince others to follow suit. Indiana Jones adventure games re-released with the new movie!
You won't ruin anything by jumping into the middle of the season. If you want to know what the game is about, check it out.
If you don't want to use Steam, here's a direct link.
They've got a video of it running on Wii at gamespot there from today and the guy from TT mentions that next week they're announcing their Wii exclusive WiiWare episodic series thats not Sam and Max. He also said that they will do Sam and Max Season 2 for Wii as well.Originally Posted by eznark
does this mean that original Wii Ware series is dead/never existed? If so, this news is kinda crappy for those who already have Sam and Max.
You sir are a credit to GAF ^-^ downloading Episode 4 now (but waiting for Wii version, not much of a double-dip person)Originally Posted by dLMN8R
If you want to try the game out for yourself, Season 1, Episode 4 is absolutely free.
You won't ruin anything by jumping into the middle of the season. If you want to know what the game is about, check it out.
If you don't want to use Steam, here's a direct link.
Oh, I am sure they might not be as great as a game that TIM SCHAFFER would make but hey, at least I heard it is better than nothing, am I right SINATAR?Originally Posted by Sinatar
Absolutely nothing, I don't think any sane individual would refer to the Sam & Max episodic stuff as "great". It's good, but a faaar cry from the classics, including the original S&M.
*laughs* This is a great announcement, and there are many other great ones...Originally Posted by Innotech
The Wii is really starting to pick up some steam in its library. Excellent news.
but some of the best games I have played in a LONG time are on the Wii (and keeping my interest down in other consoles since I am so busy with it)
Zack & Wiki, No More Heroes, Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Galaxy
Unless you require 10+ games a month (I am the "only buy the best" gamer now if you read my thread history) the Wii is perfect :)
Not coming until Spring? :(