Writing on the wall for years
This isn't really meant as a bash to TT. Nor will I even attempt to address the culture at the studio. The following is my personal experiences and observations.
The first experience with telltale was at San Diego Comic-Con. A friend I was with approached the booth because she saw Sam And Max there. Saying she was a big fan. The guy at the booth started his spiel about the next game. When he mentioned it was episodic. She said she doesn't want to play an episodic game, turned on her heel and we walked away. Now this didn't stop me from playing, but to this day she never played a TT game. The episodic format didn't really deliver a lot, it allowed them to get chunks of the game out faster, but it also caused large lulls in interest.
The second things I noticed that caused trouble was during a walking dead game. I made a decision that was unpopular with a character, and he would remember, the game even said so. 5 minutes later he died. That was the point I really quit The Walking Dead games from TT. There had been instances like that prior, but in that setting, choices have to actually matter, not the illusion of choice.
Then they did minecraft. Which I rolled my eyes at and didn't bother. I realise I'm judging a game I never even played, but maybe that was the problem. minecraft had been out for so long at this point. I didn't want a TT scripted minecraft game. More on this later.
Jurassic Park probably most over all suffered from QTE's. They were never fun. They added nothing of substance. I'd rather experience the story then get annoyed with a QTE that i screwed up.
Now I said with minecraft I'd explain what I think was the big problem. And I think it was how they went after the big IP's. Was the Game of Thrones game fun? Sure. But I enjoyed The Wolf Among us and Borderlands far more. And I realise neither of those are unique IP's. But they are lesser known. And they could create really great stories with them, which they did. I don't care about the big IP's, or if they are voiced by the actors. I want the story to be engaging. And let's be honest, if your story is up against GoT's books or TV series, it's going to lose. They should have gone for the lesser known IP's, where they could have more control with the world. Because in that environment they really thrived.
If I'm honest I was surprised TT lasted this long. And devestated the wolf among us 2 won't be released. But I slowly over time stopped playing their games. Because there is no suspense when the outcome is the same regardless what you pick. But if you can write a good story, I can look past the non-choices. Despite my dislike for TT walking dead games. The ending of the first season was really well done. They shouldn't have tried so hard to impress people with the latest hit. And just made your own stories, the people would have bought them.
Comments
They were dead in the water Many months ago but they thought there deal with netflix could give them the boost to keep going so they stayed silent to all employes and customers in hopes this would some how work out with no one knowing thus not affecting there media or sales outlook but something happened were Netflix deal with stranger things got canceled and there gamble was off they just don't have any money now.