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[Synth_floyd]

I was just reading the Wikipedia articles on the Satellaview Zelda games for the SNES and they seem to basically have done "episodic gaming," something that still hasn't been reproduced on Xbox Live or PSN or anything. The Satellaview used a real time clock and at certain times various things would happen in the game or narration would play that would advance the story. Also with the Satellaview they would release different episodes to games. The Satellaview version of A Link to the Past had 4 episodes in it and it was fully "broadcast" 4 times in 1997. You could also upload your high scores, which is something that XBL does. It seems like there is so much potential using these elements that can be fully realized using modern services like XBL or PSN or the Wii.

Check out some of features:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BS_Zelda_no_Densetsu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BS_Zelda_no_Densetsu_Kodai_no_Sekiban

 

[Nemesis_]

I actually played the BS Zelda but unfortunately the versions I played were severely hindered since there were no more transmissions being made. It certainly was an interesting concept though - it seemed Nintendo did online before everyone else :lol :lol :lol

 

[Guybrush Threepwood]

it seemed Nintendo did online before everyone else :lol :lol :lol

Sega MegaNet

 

[Nemesis_]

Sega MegaNet

Oh right, I take it back =/

 

[CidHighwind89]

I still find it funny it was called BS Zelda.....

or maybe i am just too childish haha.

 

[morningbus]

Sega MegaNet

The NES had a modem too.

 

[Crushed]

Sega MegaNet

Famicom Network System.

 

[FightyF]

SEGA did everything before everyone.

Well, a lot of things...

Episodic content makes sense, especially from a financial POV.

Say I developed a 2D platformer, and I release a game with 8 levels for 800pts, and it has a cliffhanger ending. So I spent say, $300,000 creating that engine and all the artwork and sprites, physics and AI. Well, using my existing tools, I can make a sequel with another 8 levels for another 400pts. The costs for making those 8 new levels will be drastically less.

So you could milk that particular engine for a good 2-4 games, if the game is fun enough and the story is addictive enough. I don't have to break even on the first game, and that is how I can afford to sell it for 800pts and not 1200pts. Hopefully the cheaper price will result in a lot more volume. I suppose a price point of 400pts would mean more sales, but I think it would really undervalue the product and would be a bad price point.

I've been looking at XLBA sales and I am convinced that there is money to be made with it. To the point where I'd love to start my own company after graduating (realistically I should have a year or two experience in the industry at the very least before jumping in like that.).