It has to do with getting more sales upfront of the full season. It's the same idea behind the pre-order bonuses, they want to know upfront how many people are going to be sticking around all season.
I have a feeling Telltale sees the pre-order bonuses are enough of an incentive to get people to pre-order. Bonuses would also create another possible point of confusion if single episodes were available from the start -- what if someone pre-orders only the first episode, but thinks they qualify for the bonuses given only to season pre-orders? More support headaches.
Yes, they did their homework in one regard: They realized that their release model was confusing. But they ended up hacking out a lot of what made it appealing in order to make it accessible, which I think defeats the purpose.
Why should they HAVE to, though? Especially when this wasn't the case with their Sam and Max seasons or their Strong Bad seasons? A change occurred. It's out of the norm not only for Telltale, but for episodic gaming releases as a whole. Why can't it be criticized? Why *should* people grin and bear it, especially if they think it's a bad idea at all?
If that is the case, I don't see why the consumer should advocate it. It may be a good change for them, who knows, but it's going to annoy a lot of people in the process. If that's the case, why exactly should other customers defend the decision?
What about it improves anything for us, the people buying the games?
Where the hell were you when I needed you earlier?
Yes, they did their homework in one regard: They realized that their release model was confusing. But they ended up hacking out a lot of what made it appealing in order to make it accessible, which I think defeats the purpose.
What about it improves anything for us, the people buying the games?
It helps keep Telltale in the black with minimal annoyance to (most) consumers, and thereby ensures more games will be made. That's an improvement in my book.
Bonuses would also create another possible point of confusion if single episodes were available from the start -- what if someone pre-orders only the first episode, but thinks they qualify for the bonuses given only to season pre-orders? More support headaches.
I'm ALMOST certain that you could never pre-order a single episode. I AM certain that you couldn't pre-order a single episode when it came to SBCG4AP. If you wanted one episode, you'd buy it when it comes out.
Better explanation in the promotional material, for one. Hell, throw some diagrams in there if you want.
It can be criticized, but if it costs Telltale money (both in lost orders and support time from confused customers), why should they not fix it?
Mostly because the way they've gone about it has taken out a set of options that endeared me to the service back when Sama and Max came out.
It helps keeps Telltale in the black with minimal annoyance to (most) consumers, and thereby ensures more games will be made. That's an improvement in my book.
I don't think you can claim to know the opinions of most customers, considering that you're not in possession of any sort of demographic polling data.
I'm ALMOST certain that you could never pre-order a single episode. I AM certain that you couldn't pre-order a single episode when it came to SBCG4AP. If you wanted one episode, you'd buy it when it comes out.
True, but there were no pre-order bonuses in those days, IIRC, so pre-ordering single episodes wouldn't make much sense anyway. The bonuses started with W&G, when they implemented their new system.
Better explanation in the promotional material, for one. Hell, throw some diagrams in there if you want.
Still too hard. I'm sure alternatives like that were considered.
Look, it's a business and customer service decision. Not everyone will like it. But it's rational, and it seems to be backed by their own market research data.
Mostly because the way they've gone about it has taken out a set of options that endeared me to the service back when Sama and Max came out.
So you don't see a problem with the way things were. You're a old-timer to Telltale. I think it's a valid guess that much of Telltale's business for ToMI will be from people who have no prior experience with the company. This is the biggest license they've snagged -- the forum couldn't handle the traffic on release day!
Why should they HAVE to, though? Especially when this wasn't the case with their Sam and Max seasons or their Strong Bad seasons? A change occurred. It's out of the norm not only for Telltale, but for episodic gaming releases as a whole. Why can't it be criticized? Why *should* people grin and bear it, especially if they think it's a bad idea at all?
Same thing can be said about them releasing single episodes from the beginning. Why should they HAVE to? Why should they just grin and give whatever the customer want, especially if they think it will make them less money?
If that is the case, I don't see why the consumer should advocate it. It may be a good change for them, who knows, but it's going to annoy a lot of people in the process. If that's the case, why exactly should other customers defend the decision?
What about it improves anything for us, the people buying the games?
If their decision makes them more money, they will continue releasing good games for us.
It's a business decision. They know it will make some people unhappy but they believe that decision will be of benefit to them. If they turn out to be wrong, then they will have to deal with the consequences.
Of course you can criticise their decision. Write in the forums! Sign petitions! Do whatever! I'm sure Telltale will take notice, especially if their financial results are not up to the expected figures. And I'm sure they will take your views into account when they decide on a release policy for their upcoming games.
Until then, we other customers that are satisfied with the quality of their games will continue to defend their decision because that decision enabled them (and hopefully continue to do so) to produce a good first episode for TOMI.
Show some understanding for the threadstarter, he has a point. Paying up Front is not how it should be done. Telltale got my money for Sam&Max Season 1 and 2, but i held it back until the full episodes were available.
For "Tales Of Monkey Island" however, i choose to pay up front and support Telltale, but i don´t wanna see this business model as a standard. It should really be Money for Effort.
Besides, charging per episode would be much more customer friendly. This model will only lead people into piracy. By pirating the Game they can play the episode now, and still buy it later if they enjoy what they get. Kinda ironic, isn´t it?
Obviously, for the consumer, choice is always a good thing. It's nice to be able to buy a product in different ways. However, the main point is that Telltale (nor anyone else for that matter) is not forcing anyone to buy the game, upfront or otherwise.
TMI is so obviously meant to be played from start to finish without missing episodes in between. For the most part, I could miss a couple of episodes of Sam and Max S1 (even S2 to a lesser extent), and catch the last episode and still know what was going on. The story arc is completely different in TMI, and it's meant that all episodes should be played in order.
On top of that, new customers (read: MI fans who've been away from the genre for a long time) come and want to buy in to the new game. I'm sure 99% of the people on here are tech-savvy gamers who know what they're doing and wouldn't get caught up accidentally, but some people don't get episodic games. A once-off price where they get emailed every month works a lot better, rather than "buy episode one, get the season pass".
Could it be handled better? Sure. I know if I didn't have the money to buy the whole thing, I probably would have been upset too. Is it worth complaning about? Perhaps, but the fact that it's going to change soon essentially makes this whole debate a moot point. Console gamers in particular get "exclusivity deals" that force them to wait months in order for them to be able to purchase the game in the format they want. Up until now, movies have often come out on DVD before Blu-Ray. Is it good? No, but it's the way things are, and for the sake of a couple of weeks, it's not worth the hassle.
As much as I want to sympathise, just save the money and wait a couple of weeks - it's not like it's the end of the world. I know I might be annoyed at first if I was in your position, but my next reaction would be "Ok, well at least I only have to wait this long".
@roberttitus: congratulations, that must have been the fastest "Add to ignore list" I've done in recent times.
For having an opinion? I honestly don't see what the guy has said wrong.
I really shouldn't be getting involved in this because the whole thing doesn't affect me in the slightest, but I do think roberttitus is right with what he's saying.
Most of the arguments against him seem to just be setting up strawmen ("I want a ferrari but I only have $1." I don't see how this is even relevant?).
He may be able to buy the single episode a month on, but so far this hasn't been made very clear officially, if at all. He could hold off, for it to turn out it's still not an option.
Like others have said, this does defeat the point of the game being released episodically. I like Telltale's games, but there seems to be a ridiculous mob mentality among the fans whenever anyone dares to disagree with an aspect of their games or operation.
Robert if you set $25 aside every month and have $9 now why not wait a month, find a loose dollar and buy the whole season. You will save money and in future get the episodes with everyone else.
For having an opinion? I honestly don't see what the guy has said wrong.
I really shouldn't be getting involved in this because the whole thing doesn't affect me in the slightest, but I do think roberttitus is right with what he's saying.
Most of the arguments against him seem to just be setting up strawmen ("I want a ferrari but I only have $1." I don't see how this is even relevant?).
He may be able to buy the single episode a month on, but so far this hasn't been made very clear officially, if at all. He could hold off, for it to turn out it's still not an option.
Like others have said, this does defeat the point of the game being released episodically. I like Telltale's games, but there seems to be a ridiculous mob mentality among the fans whenever anyone dares to disagree with an aspect of their games or operation.
Thanks for the backup. At least there are some people who see where I am coming from.
TMI is so obviously meant to be played from start to finish without missing episodes in between.
That´s right. If the episodes could be purchased each month however, you could still play it through. You´d just pay as soon as a new episode is out. As easy as that. For some people it´s easier to chuck off a small amount each month, instead of buying the whole thing up front. Even if Telltale will make this option available in the future, there is no reason why not doing it in the first place.
I´ll watch very closely how Telltale will use my money, and if for some reason "Tales of Monkey Island" doesnt live up to its expectations, it will be the last time i payed Telltale for smth. in advance. I have good faith in Telltale to deliver a good product however, but we will see.
@roberttitus: congratulations, that must have been the fastest "Add to ignore list" I've done in recent times.
(Potential) Customers should be allowed to voice their opinion, without landing one someones ignore list.
The first post of the thread was perfectly polite and reasonable.
I have tried everything & it only lets me buy the whole season.... I don't have the money for that.... just the first episode.
First response was dripping with unnecessary sarcasm.
No Monkey Island for you, poor you...
In fact I've just had a quick skim through the thread, and he continued being pretty reasonable until fairly far in, when I'm assuming he just gave up pussyfooting around, seeing as nearly every other post up until that point was either mocking him, or working off the "it doesn't affect me so there's no problem" logic.
I also agree that Telltale should make the chapters available as stand alone games. While purchasing just one chapter might leave a player feeling a bit confused about some plot elements, it's a risk that the player deliberately takes when diving into the middle of a series and if it's his choice then so be it.
I have a sneaky suspicion that the "don't wanna have players confused" excuse is just the tip of the iceberg. Sure, it is a valid excuse, but if someone is so dumb that they can't read and make the difference between two offers (9 $ for an episode VS. 35 for a season) that are CLEARLY presented on the site, then how can we expect that person to get past the first screen in the game?
My guess is that this is a marketing decision meant at taking more money from the customers upfron. It's like making a loan to Telltale. You pay for something that doesn't yet exist. They are afraid that if you had the option, you would only buy the first episode/chapter to test it out and then forget about the game or just not like it. This would only put 9 $ in their pockets, instead of 35. So if you just want to play the first chapter you are FORCED to pay for the full game. Not so nice.
Having said that, I don't see any reason why not to get the entire game, but I'd be much more comfortable getting the chapters as they come out, in small amounts of money each month.
Having said that, I don't see any reason why not to get the entire game, but I'd be much more comfortable getting the chapters as they come out, in small amounts of money each month.
Yep, either purchase the episodes seperately at a slightly higher price, or save money and purchase all at once. The customer should be able to choose.
I have alot of sympathy for this guy. I remember being young and broke. Unless your family is well off, nobody has any real money when they're young. I can understand his frustration.
Perhaps if they do so without hurling obscenities and insults at everyone who disagrees with them that may be true.
Oh you mean like what everybody on here did to me before I even started fighting back. Lets think of what happened shall we?
1. I was told my opinion essentially doesn't matter
2. I was told to get a job so I could afford it (because apparently I am just a bum)
3. I was told that I am condescending because I felt that the system wasn't equal
4. I was met with some idiot saying something about a Ferrari being $1 that had absolutely nothing to do with anything (I mean really... it had NO F****** POINT). Funny part is that he was using it as an example of how I (emphasis on the I) am a complete moron.
Next post I used my first instance of profanity, but I censored it out. Why? Because I still wasn't PISSED yet.
5. I was told that I was "poor" because I waste my money (which I don't)
6. I was called an unfit father (Which is a good way to get your ass beat in bar)
Then I used my second instance of profanity this time uncensored. Yet I still didn't see anything out of line with what a normal person would have did.
7. I was told that because I was voicing my opinion that I was being a loud obnoxious know it all who felt everything should just be handed to me. (That one I am still trying to figure out, because I very clearly stated that I don't intend on pirating the game & I had the money for the single episode. All I was doing was stating that the system is not fair to everybody.)
Then I tried to put an end to the pointless insults by essentially accepting the apologies of the people who went out of line (Something that alot of people wouldn't do... especially after they called you an unfit parent)
So maybe you need to go re-read this thread because apparently you've got your facts all mixed up. All I was doing was defending myself from people like YOU who were hurling insults at a person who disagreed with them like ME.
1) Do something about your current situation;
2) Do something about your freaking paranoia over the internet;
3) Wait until Telltale Games actually do decide to release individual episodes, because, seriously, patience is a virtue.
1) Do something about your current situation;
2) Do something about your freaking paranoia over the internet;
3) Wait until Telltale Games actually do decide to release individual episodes, because, seriously, patience is a virtue.
I highly suggest the latter. Good day.
Gotta love the Telltale fanboys. See, I actually have people on my side now... I didn't have that at first so I couldn't really prove that I am not the only person who feels this way. Now that I can, I think that this is as good of an opportunity as any...
See this guy's post? This is a perfect example of what I was talking about in my last post. Study it. Seriously, do not be like this man.
While I think the OP generally doesn't quite get their point across in the best way, it is a good point worth getting across. They made a change. It negatively affects some people. Why make it? Is it a good decision? Does the current plan do more bad than good?
I love Telltale. They make great games, they're staffed by great guys, and they do a lot of things right in terms of their releases. But they're also not without fault, and I think that they are small enough that customer feedback is a good idea.
I'm seeing a lot of threads from people who want to buy the first episode separately, and simply assume this is an option that they can't find the button for. I'm seeing confusion there. I'm also seeing we don't have as many options.
I see that if I'm iffy about a Telltale IP, I can't just make the minimal investment up-front. In fact, I have to miss out on the majority of the discussion for the first episode or two, for them to get around to the point that they give us the options that we were able to enjoy less than a year ago.
Even if it's a minor issue, it's NOT an improvement, and I think the question of whether or not it should have been changed should be given some more thought. I think it's being treated too lightly by some, and I also think that the "shut up, gtfo" attitude toward contrary opinions really is reflecting badly on the fanbase.
When I first heard about Telltale's Sam and Max Season 1 it was online and I was a bit skeptical about how I'd like an episodic game.
Then, when they released Episode 4 of Sam and Max Season 1 as free I got a chance to play it and I loved it. I immediately bought the season pass for both season 1 and the unreleased season 2 just on the excitement.
I think it's much better value to buy the entire season because obviously $8 x 5 is $40, but a full season pass is only $35. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to be buying them all eventually anyway so that's what I go for.
Also another cool thing I like about Telltale were the free episode offers I got just for buying something else. I got Strong Bad ep 4 (Dangeresque 3) as a freebie and like that too, so I upgraded using the cheaper upgrade season option. I think it's cool how they don't fleece their customers for the upgrades (unlike some other companies) and force them to pay more than others - e.g. more than a customer who bought all episodes at once.
I don't know what I feel about them offering the single payment options from the start... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have them along with the season sales. They will eventually release all the episdoes as single sales, so the only negative side of that is not getting it as early as the full season buyers. But it's only by a couple of weeks - so that's not a drastic difference!
If you compare that to movie releases - how come they aren't simultaneous around the world? How come the US get to see the latest blockbuster something like 3 months before the UK? It's not as though they need extra time to translate the language. It's probably to gauge the audience response.
The way Telltale are doing it now, it seems like a good way to get an idea of sales interest and get some definite figures for people who will be playing the game for the next 5 months, as they all will have bought a season pass. Plus it must go a long way to recouping the development costs.
Imagine if they released the game as single priced episdoes and only a couple of people bought it because they played the first one, didn't like it and didn't buy the rest? Then they probably wouldn't recoup the developement costs for the whole series and make a big loss.
So maybe that's a reason. But obviously whatever they do, there's always pros and cons. e.g. what if they stopped doing season passes and forced everyone to buy individual episodes only - they'd get $40 instead of $35 at the end of it all - seems better financially. But yet that doesn't happen.
So I'd just like to point out that Telltale does a lot of cool stuff with their upgrades, and cheaper full seasons and even freebies and extras thrown in all for the same price (like the Steve Purcell cover slips, etc.)
Oh and I forgot to mention that free DVD copy of the games too! That's one of the best things - if you buy it all, you're entitled to the DVD hard copy at the end. Compare that to EA Games. IF you buy one of their downloads, then want a hard copy on DVD, they force you to buy it again as the DVD and so you've paid twice for the same thing essentially. That sucks! I hope Telltale never go that bad...
So maybe you need to go re-read this thread because apparently you've got your facts all mixed up. All I was doing was defending myself from people like YOU who were hurling insults at a person who disagreed with them like ME.
I think you need to re-read the thread if you think that I insulted you at any point. All I've said the whole time is that I see no problem with the way the release system works.
The worst I said is that you're impatient, which you are.
I think it's pretty much what the Commissioner said, although I also think it comes into play that people are generally turned off by the feeling that you pay for each episode separately. By selling the series as one whole at the start it would give the buyer the assurance that you wouldn't have to pay for the other episodes later on and thus pay more, even though we all know it's otherwise. It's something psychological, people rather pay for a full pack than pay for each episode separately, and by having them choose between just one episode with the least risk of having to pay too much for something bad, or a full season with the most risk of paying for something you wouldn't like in the end but the assurance that you wouldn't have to pay extra later on, would put people off more into buying stuff.
Sure it sucks for the "die-hard" Telltale buyers or "hardcore" gamers, but Telltale is trying to gain the biggest audience possible.
Also, I'm pretty much sick of all the whining in general about this game. If it's not the lack of translations or 2D, it's this. Seriously, guys. It's not as if this game is your life or anything.
I have tried everything & it only lets me buy the whole season.... I don't have the money for that.... just the first episode.
I am new to this site and I was a little shocked when I couldnt download the first episode. I can understand them wanting to make sure that the other games sold too [more money for production] but by the same token they could have charged $10 to $20 more on the single game, for those of us not wanting to buy the whole game series. I can wait but it is a little disappointing, they must have there reasons for doing it this way.
I think you need to re-read the thread if you think that I insulted you at any point. All I've said the whole time is that I see no problem with the way the release system works.
The worst I said is that you're impatient, which you are.
Really... I seem to recall you spreading a lie... what was it? Oh yeah that I was hurling obscenities and insults at everyone who disagreed with me, when I very clearly didn't. I questioned Telltale & then everybody got butthurt over it & attacked me. So you need to get your facts straight. It is plain for anybody to see who started this shit.
Also, I'm pretty much sick of all the whining in general about this game. If it's not the lack of translations or 2D, it's this. Seriously, guys. It's not as if this game is your life or anything.
I think criticism helps improve things.
This release method worked for me for the past two games. For Wallace and Gromit, I enjoyed the claymation shorts and the feature film. For Monkey Island, well, it was freaking Monkey Island and I wasn't going to miss out.
But what if their next license is something I'm iffy about? Or if I'm short on cash that month and want to drop a "down payment" on the season? I don't want to miss out on the conversation for the first two episodes as punishment for my cautiousness.
When I first heard about Telltale's Sam and Max Season 1 it was online and I was a bit skeptical about how I'd like an episodic game.
Then, when they released Episode 4 of Sam and Max Season 1 as free I got a chance to play it and I loved it. I immediately bought the season pass for both season 1 and the unreleased season 2 just on the excitement.
The free Abe Lincoln Must Die was the turning point for me too, and after that it was just a matter of being able to afford the games.
I also looked at their model and thought it was amazing that any company operated this way. It was very much geared toward the customer. First of all, I've had some of my best customer service moments from Telltale. Second of all, the Season Pass was a great idea that hadn't come out in any other part of the episodic world. And finally, people could buy an episode and upgrade to that Season Pass, if that one episode stood on its own quality-wise enough to sway the cautious but interested consumer.
The whole set-up was built around service, options, and quality products. Telltale is likely the largest company that I can truly say I really *like* rather than merely *acquire services from*. That's why when they make a choice that goes against something that drew me to the company in the first place, I feel the need to say that it may be a pretty bad idea.
Imagine if they released the game as single priced episdoes and only a couple of people bought it because they played the first one, didn't like it and didn't buy the rest? Then they probably wouldn't recoup the developement costs for the whole series and make a big loss.
Yeah see, thats the risk the developer has to take. In the end this risk can only make the game better, as long as there is enough money available for the development in the first place. But if that´s not the case, they shouldnt have started to code and announce the game. In Fact, before episodic gaming we´ve seen countless games being developed up front, without the devs knowing how well it will sell.
Theoretically Telltale could relax and release minor improved episodes of Tales now, because they got our money already. Sure, they won´t do this, because there is a life after "Tales Of Monkey Island" and customers do remember very well, especially as "Monkey Island" being a beloved franchise, but still, they could do it.
Anyone actually gave it a thought that LucasArts themselves might have something to do with this? Although, playing the first episode alone is pointless, so buying the full game is the only SENSIBLE option... if you can afford it of course. And I don't understand why people would buy a full episode just to see if the game is for you or not when there's a demo available.
Well, first because the demo is too short in my opinion. Second, they could still play through the entire game. They´d just pay each episode as they arrive, instead of paying for all of em in advance.
Comments
Where the hell were you when I needed you earlier?
It can be criticized, but if it costs Telltale money (both in lost orders and support time from confused customers), why should they not fix it?
It helps keep Telltale in the black with minimal annoyance to (most) consumers, and thereby ensures more games will be made. That's an improvement in my book.
Better explanation in the promotional material, for one. Hell, throw some diagrams in there if you want.
Mostly because the way they've gone about it has taken out a set of options that endeared me to the service back when Sama and Max came out.
I don't think you can claim to know the opinions of most customers, considering that you're not in possession of any sort of demographic polling data.
Still too hard. I'm sure alternatives like that were considered.
Look, it's a business and customer service decision. Not everyone will like it. But it's rational, and it seems to be backed by their own market research data.
So you don't see a problem with the way things were. You're a old-timer to Telltale. I think it's a valid guess that much of Telltale's business for ToMI will be from people who have no prior experience with the company. This is the biggest license they've snagged -- the forum couldn't handle the traffic on release day!
No, but Telltale does, and their conclusions are perfectly valid in my book.
Same thing can be said about them releasing single episodes from the beginning. Why should they HAVE to? Why should they just grin and give whatever the customer want, especially if they think it will make them less money?
If their decision makes them more money, they will continue releasing good games for us.
It's a business decision. They know it will make some people unhappy but they believe that decision will be of benefit to them. If they turn out to be wrong, then they will have to deal with the consequences.
Of course you can criticise their decision. Write in the forums! Sign petitions! Do whatever! I'm sure Telltale will take notice, especially if their financial results are not up to the expected figures. And I'm sure they will take your views into account when they decide on a release policy for their upcoming games.
Until then, we other customers that are satisfied with the quality of their games will continue to defend their decision because that decision enabled them (and hopefully continue to do so) to produce a good first episode for TOMI.
I would go with the Chihuahua.
Best first post ever.
If he's an old-timer to Telltale, I must be ancient, check out my join date, heh.
@roberttitus: congratulations, that must have been the fastest "Add to ignore list" I've done in recent times.
np: Orbital - One Perfect Sunrise (Radio Edit) (2Orbital (Disc 1))
For "Tales Of Monkey Island" however, i choose to pay up front and support Telltale, but i don´t wanna see this business model as a standard. It should really be Money for Effort.
Besides, charging per episode would be much more customer friendly. This model will only lead people into piracy. By pirating the Game they can play the episode now, and still buy it later if they enjoy what they get. Kinda ironic, isn´t it?
TMI is so obviously meant to be played from start to finish without missing episodes in between. For the most part, I could miss a couple of episodes of Sam and Max S1 (even S2 to a lesser extent), and catch the last episode and still know what was going on. The story arc is completely different in TMI, and it's meant that all episodes should be played in order.
On top of that, new customers (read: MI fans who've been away from the genre for a long time) come and want to buy in to the new game. I'm sure 99% of the people on here are tech-savvy gamers who know what they're doing and wouldn't get caught up accidentally, but some people don't get episodic games. A once-off price where they get emailed every month works a lot better, rather than "buy episode one, get the season pass".
Could it be handled better? Sure. I know if I didn't have the money to buy the whole thing, I probably would have been upset too. Is it worth complaning about? Perhaps, but the fact that it's going to change soon essentially makes this whole debate a moot point. Console gamers in particular get "exclusivity deals" that force them to wait months in order for them to be able to purchase the game in the format they want. Up until now, movies have often come out on DVD before Blu-Ray. Is it good? No, but it's the way things are, and for the sake of a couple of weeks, it's not worth the hassle.
As much as I want to sympathise, just save the money and wait a couple of weeks - it's not like it's the end of the world. I know I might be annoyed at first if I was in your position, but my next reaction would be "Ok, well at least I only have to wait this long".
For having an opinion? I honestly don't see what the guy has said wrong.
I really shouldn't be getting involved in this because the whole thing doesn't affect me in the slightest, but I do think roberttitus is right with what he's saying.
Most of the arguments against him seem to just be setting up strawmen ("I want a ferrari but I only have $1." I don't see how this is even relevant?).
He may be able to buy the single episode a month on, but so far this hasn't been made very clear officially, if at all. He could hold off, for it to turn out it's still not an option.
Like others have said, this does defeat the point of the game being released episodically. I like Telltale's games, but there seems to be a ridiculous mob mentality among the fans whenever anyone dares to disagree with an aspect of their games or operation.
Thanks for the backup. At least there are some people who see where I am coming from.
*runs away*
That´s right. If the episodes could be purchased each month however, you could still play it through. You´d just pay as soon as a new episode is out. As easy as that. For some people it´s easier to chuck off a small amount each month, instead of buying the whole thing up front. Even if Telltale will make this option available in the future, there is no reason why not doing it in the first place.
I´ll watch very closely how Telltale will use my money, and if for some reason "Tales of Monkey Island" doesnt live up to its expectations, it will be the last time i payed Telltale for smth. in advance. I have good faith in Telltale to deliver a good product however, but we will see.
(Potential) Customers should be allowed to voice their opinion, without landing one someones ignore list.
Perhaps if they do so without hurling obscenities and insults at everyone who disagrees with them that may be true.
First response was dripping with unnecessary sarcasm.
In fact I've just had a quick skim through the thread, and he continued being pretty reasonable until fairly far in, when I'm assuming he just gave up pussyfooting around, seeing as nearly every other post up until that point was either mocking him, or working off the "it doesn't affect me so there's no problem" logic.
I have a sneaky suspicion that the "don't wanna have players confused" excuse is just the tip of the iceberg. Sure, it is a valid excuse, but if someone is so dumb that they can't read and make the difference between two offers (9 $ for an episode VS. 35 for a season) that are CLEARLY presented on the site, then how can we expect that person to get past the first screen in the game?
My guess is that this is a marketing decision meant at taking more money from the customers upfron. It's like making a loan to Telltale. You pay for something that doesn't yet exist. They are afraid that if you had the option, you would only buy the first episode/chapter to test it out and then forget about the game or just not like it. This would only put 9 $ in their pockets, instead of 35. So if you just want to play the first chapter you are FORCED to pay for the full game. Not so nice.
Having said that, I don't see any reason why not to get the entire game, but I'd be much more comfortable getting the chapters as they come out, in small amounts of money each month.
Yep, either purchase the episodes seperately at a slightly higher price, or save money and purchase all at once. The customer should be able to choose.
Oh you mean like what everybody on here did to me before I even started fighting back. Lets think of what happened shall we?
1. I was told my opinion essentially doesn't matter
2. I was told to get a job so I could afford it (because apparently I am just a bum)
3. I was told that I am condescending because I felt that the system wasn't equal
4. I was met with some idiot saying something about a Ferrari being $1 that had absolutely nothing to do with anything (I mean really... it had NO F****** POINT). Funny part is that he was using it as an example of how I (emphasis on the I) am a complete moron.
Next post I used my first instance of profanity, but I censored it out. Why? Because I still wasn't PISSED yet.
5. I was told that I was "poor" because I waste my money (which I don't)
6. I was called an unfit father (Which is a good way to get your ass beat in bar)
Then I used my second instance of profanity this time uncensored. Yet I still didn't see anything out of line with what a normal person would have did.
7. I was told that because I was voicing my opinion that I was being a loud obnoxious know it all who felt everything should just be handed to me. (That one I am still trying to figure out, because I very clearly stated that I don't intend on pirating the game & I had the money for the single episode. All I was doing was stating that the system is not fair to everybody.)
Then I tried to put an end to the pointless insults by essentially accepting the apologies of the people who went out of line (Something that alot of people wouldn't do... especially after they called you an unfit parent)
So maybe you need to go re-read this thread because apparently you've got your facts all mixed up. All I was doing was defending myself from people like YOU who were hurling insults at a person who disagreed with them like ME.
1) Do something about your current situation;
2) Do something about your freaking paranoia over the internet;
3) Wait until Telltale Games actually do decide to release individual episodes, because, seriously, patience is a virtue.
I highly suggest the latter. Good day.
Gotta love the Telltale fanboys. See, I actually have people on my side now... I didn't have that at first so I couldn't really prove that I am not the only person who feels this way. Now that I can, I think that this is as good of an opportunity as any...
See this guy's post? This is a perfect example of what I was talking about in my last post. Study it. Seriously, do not be like this man.
I love Telltale. They make great games, they're staffed by great guys, and they do a lot of things right in terms of their releases. But they're also not without fault, and I think that they are small enough that customer feedback is a good idea.
I'm seeing a lot of threads from people who want to buy the first episode separately, and simply assume this is an option that they can't find the button for. I'm seeing confusion there. I'm also seeing we don't have as many options.
I see that if I'm iffy about a Telltale IP, I can't just make the minimal investment up-front. In fact, I have to miss out on the majority of the discussion for the first episode or two, for them to get around to the point that they give us the options that we were able to enjoy less than a year ago.
Even if it's a minor issue, it's NOT an improvement, and I think the question of whether or not it should have been changed should be given some more thought. I think it's being treated too lightly by some, and I also think that the "shut up, gtfo" attitude toward contrary opinions really is reflecting badly on the fanbase.
Then, when they released Episode 4 of Sam and Max Season 1 as free I got a chance to play it and I loved it. I immediately bought the season pass for both season 1 and the unreleased season 2 just on the excitement.
I think it's much better value to buy the entire season because obviously $8 x 5 is $40, but a full season pass is only $35. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to be buying them all eventually anyway so that's what I go for.
Also another cool thing I like about Telltale were the free episode offers I got just for buying something else. I got Strong Bad ep 4 (Dangeresque 3) as a freebie and like that too, so I upgraded using the cheaper upgrade season option. I think it's cool how they don't fleece their customers for the upgrades (unlike some other companies) and force them to pay more than others - e.g. more than a customer who bought all episodes at once.
I don't know what I feel about them offering the single payment options from the start... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have them along with the season sales. They will eventually release all the episdoes as single sales, so the only negative side of that is not getting it as early as the full season buyers. But it's only by a couple of weeks - so that's not a drastic difference!
If you compare that to movie releases - how come they aren't simultaneous around the world? How come the US get to see the latest blockbuster something like 3 months before the UK? It's not as though they need extra time to translate the language. It's probably to gauge the audience response.
The way Telltale are doing it now, it seems like a good way to get an idea of sales interest and get some definite figures for people who will be playing the game for the next 5 months, as they all will have bought a season pass. Plus it must go a long way to recouping the development costs.
Imagine if they released the game as single priced episdoes and only a couple of people bought it because they played the first one, didn't like it and didn't buy the rest? Then they probably wouldn't recoup the developement costs for the whole series and make a big loss.
So maybe that's a reason. But obviously whatever they do, there's always pros and cons. e.g. what if they stopped doing season passes and forced everyone to buy individual episodes only - they'd get $40 instead of $35 at the end of it all - seems better financially. But yet that doesn't happen.
So I'd just like to point out that Telltale does a lot of cool stuff with their upgrades, and cheaper full seasons and even freebies and extras thrown in all for the same price (like the Steve Purcell cover slips, etc.)
Oh and I forgot to mention that free DVD copy of the games too! That's one of the best things - if you buy it all, you're entitled to the DVD hard copy at the end. Compare that to EA Games. IF you buy one of their downloads, then want a hard copy on DVD, they force you to buy it again as the DVD and so you've paid twice for the same thing essentially. That sucks! I hope Telltale never go that bad...
I think you need to re-read the thread if you think that I insulted you at any point. All I've said the whole time is that I see no problem with the way the release system works.
The worst I said is that you're impatient, which you are.
Sure it sucks for the "die-hard" Telltale buyers or "hardcore" gamers, but Telltale is trying to gain the biggest audience possible.
Also, I'm pretty much sick of all the whining in general about this game. If it's not the lack of translations or 2D, it's this. Seriously, guys. It's not as if this game is your life or anything.
I am new to this site and I was a little shocked when I couldnt download the first episode. I can understand them wanting to make sure that the other games sold too [more money for production] but by the same token they could have charged $10 to $20 more on the single game, for those of us not wanting to buy the whole game series. I can wait but it is a little disappointing, they must have there reasons for doing it this way.
Really... I seem to recall you spreading a lie... what was it? Oh yeah that I was hurling obscenities and insults at everyone who disagreed with me, when I very clearly didn't. I questioned Telltale & then everybody got butthurt over it & attacked me. So you need to get your facts straight. It is plain for anybody to see who started this shit.
This release method worked for me for the past two games. For Wallace and Gromit, I enjoyed the claymation shorts and the feature film. For Monkey Island, well, it was freaking Monkey Island and I wasn't going to miss out.
But what if their next license is something I'm iffy about? Or if I'm short on cash that month and want to drop a "down payment" on the season? I don't want to miss out on the conversation for the first two episodes as punishment for my cautiousness.
The free Abe Lincoln Must Die was the turning point for me too, and after that it was just a matter of being able to afford the games.
I also looked at their model and thought it was amazing that any company operated this way. It was very much geared toward the customer. First of all, I've had some of my best customer service moments from Telltale. Second of all, the Season Pass was a great idea that hadn't come out in any other part of the episodic world. And finally, people could buy an episode and upgrade to that Season Pass, if that one episode stood on its own quality-wise enough to sway the cautious but interested consumer.
The whole set-up was built around service, options, and quality products. Telltale is likely the largest company that I can truly say I really *like* rather than merely *acquire services from*. That's why when they make a choice that goes against something that drew me to the company in the first place, I feel the need to say that it may be a pretty bad idea.
Yeah see, thats the risk the developer has to take. In the end this risk can only make the game better, as long as there is enough money available for the development in the first place. But if that´s not the case, they shouldnt have started to code and announce the game. In Fact, before episodic gaming we´ve seen countless games being developed up front, without the devs knowing how well it will sell.
Theoretically Telltale could relax and release minor improved episodes of Tales now, because they got our money already. Sure, they won´t do this, because there is a life after "Tales Of Monkey Island" and customers do remember very well, especially as "Monkey Island" being a beloved franchise, but still, they could do it.