What's Next?
Okay, so there was a point where it seemed every couple of months a new announcement came out about a new series, and TT probably had three or four series they were working on. Now there's only one episode left of ToMI, the only project I've heard officially confirmed they're working on, and there's no news of what's up and coming. Anyone have any news about what they're working on next?
And am I the only one who is really, REALLY hoping its S&M3?
And am I the only one who is really, REALLY hoping its S&M3?
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Dictionary.com disagrees with me, but words change their meaning all the time. Shut up, dictionary.com. (I'm joking)
No, you're not.
S&M and Maniac Mansion would be perfect!
If Telltale is about to continue a series they've already started though, I think Sam and Max is probably the most likely one they'll go back to next. It certainly seems to be the most popular choice among the fans.
But first, let's see how Bosco is doing.
Here's my HUGELY optimistic forecast for TTG in 2010:
Jan - S&M3
Apr - MM
July - NEW IP
Oct - ToMI 2
All I really want is a new season of Sam and Max, as I have come to miss their esoteric brand of personalized criminal justice. But aside from that? I guess I don't have anything I want them to pick up, just things I really hope they don't. Things like Doctor Who, Maniac Mansion, other LucasArts franchises for at least a few more titles, or Sierra/Infocom titles if they insist on keeping a LucasArts approach to death in adventures. I'm pretty sure we'll see more LucasArts stuff from Telltale, though. If I'm lucky, they'll go with Loom, since that's the only LucasArts game that really warrants continuation. In fact, it really needs continuation.
What are your thoughts on ToMI btw?
Now, about Maniac Mansion:
I don't think it can be done. The visual styles, writing, humor, atmosphere, and gameplay styles are so radically different that the two cannot really be consolidated. The one thing I thought worked well in Day of the Tentacle was the idea of time travel puzzles, which honestly would be a gimmick that I don't think would stick for a whole season anymore. DotT did it, and Sam and Max's second season did it for one episode. Everything else is just not something I enjoy.
The time travel puzzles is also my favourite part of DoTT but I agree that they couldn't really use that idea again without it seeming gimmicky.
I see you joined in June 2009, so I can assume you showed up specifically due to the announcement of Tales, right? I knew Telltale fairly well from Sam and Max and their other games already, so I had a Telltale track record in mind when they announced Tales.
Looking over the LucasArts catalog, I just don't see anything that warrants a sequel. I also don't want Telltale to become essentially the LucasArts Adventure Game Division, near-exlusively rehashing old adventure game franchises for a company that is at this point only a name to the adventure game industry, a name that happens to own the rights to a number of classics.
Do I want a LucasArts adventure? Looking over their catalog, I'm not seeing anything that warrants it. Loom, maybe Indiana Jones because(as another poster stated) the episodic format really does lend itself well to the idea of a cinema serial. Even then, it seems like it may be beating a dead horse, especially if they went with Indiana Jones which has Staff of Kings and LEGO games so recently released.
I do agree with you that TTG should be more than just a LucasArts division and that most of the games don't warrant a sequel. For me though, DoTT holds as dear a place in my heart as MI and I think TTG could make a brilliant series from it.
I basically think very similarly to Dan Connors:
I’m sure that whatever license TTG go with, they will make great games; I’m just a little worried though that if they go with new IPs they won’t have the same critical and commercial success as they have had with MI.
I kinda like the idea of an episodic Indy series, now that you've mentioned it. Of course, with LucasArts still making Indy games I doubt TTG will anytime soon. Maybe LucasArts will try making some new adventure games? Never mind.
I do agree with this rather strongly. Of course, as much as I consider myself an old-school gamer, I didn't hit the LucasArts golden age. I played Sierra and somehow managed to miss hearing much about LucasArts pretty much until TT announced ToMI. And while I have gone back and played some of their old games since I don't have the nostalgic connection to the games that others do. I do, however, have said connection with some Sierra games, but I still don't think TT should go back and redo them. I just can't foresee a TT King's Quest turning out well.
Not to mention, I don't think that's how they work. Every franchise that TT has picked up comes with a ready made fanbase-- a new fanbase. Any rehashing of LucasArts games would touch upon the same fanbase as MI. I suspect they'll find some other cult classic that will bring new fans into the ranks, rather than just revisiting the old ones. They need to expand their market, not just keep it.
Although, I am really looking forward to the day that TT makes an all-original series. I think they could create something very interesting. But I doubt that will happen until they've expanded to reacher a wider crowd. Once they're happy with their market-size, I think we'll see more original series.
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Or perhaps PS3 editions of S&M, ToMI, W&G etc.
As far as the franchises go, I'm already a bit tired of Sam & Max. A third season would have to be similar in buildup as ToMI: one continuous story cut into genuine chapters, instead of somewhat standalone episodes tied together in the finale.
A new ToMI would be great but I fear it would diminish the epicness of the series. It's like TV shows that drag on for too long, after a while you just lose interest. They'll have to come up with some pretty good story for another sequel.
I'm hearing a lot about Maniac Mansion. Basically those games take place in a huge house. The second game had a much smaller house, but it was open to exploration in three different time frames. I think you could come up with some decent ideas for a new story in such a setting. I wouldn't touch the time travel again, though I see some possibilities with that shrink ray (but that might be too close to those old Disney movies). Perhaps some other scientific gadgets, I don't know. It's a cartoon world so almost anything is possible.
And the same goes for the fantasy world of Loom. We've only seen such a small part of that world, only a few of the guilds. But we've had so many fantasy games over the years, what would make it stand out?
I don't think anyone has an idea what their plans are for the Indy franchise, certainly not after Staff of Kings. Indy has had so many adventures already, in all kinds of formats (movies, games, books, comics). Even though I love the franchise, you have to draw the line somewhere if you don't want to lose credibility.
If they do start work on an original concept, something which isn't carried by a well known trademark, I doubt I'll play it if it's episodic, because there are so many "complete" new games coming out all over the place.
Okay, so here's the thing with Loom. And I'm only going to say this once, so listen up, kiddies. Loom not only had very imaginitive writing and an almost poetic story line, but it had a very unique interface that for those of us who have played it, is rather unforgettable. (Seriously, I spent like the first 20 minutes of the game trying to figure out how to get into my inventory only to discover that I didn't have one). Okay, so, obviously, I loved Loom. And it is in dire need of a sequel. There's nothing that quite chafes like a villain promising that you'll meet again only to have that never happen.
BUT, does that mean I think TT should make said sequel? Not particularly. I'd really rather see it come from LA. (I know, I'm not holding my breath on this one). I think it would give it more of a continuous feel and keep it truer to the original story.
What I do wish that TT would take from Loom is the idea that game interfaces can successfully step away from the general traditional lines. Heaven knows developing a good interface has constantly been the boon of game designers. And there have been some beasts out there. I think that maybe if they were to try some more unique interfaces it would open the doors up to further progress in more effective interfaces. (Preferrably ones that only take one hand to play. Does that make me lazy?
I also agree that it would be great if Telltale came up with a really unique interface for an adventure game (or episodic series), which is something that made Loom a particularly special game. I'm not saying they should copy the same interface, as that would not be original (in the same way it would be bad for a Maniac Mansion series to copy the time travel gameplay again - it worked once and was awesome, but wouldn't be impressive if it was copied all over again). But if Telltale can come up with some kind of gameplay that's truly original, they could have a very successful and memorable project on their hands.
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So whatever episodic stuff they put out next or after that, Telltale should also develop a more long-term adventure game that could be published in its majestic entirety in 2011/2012, for example. Actually, if they could bring all three Monkey Island legends together and create a big finale, that would be it. I'm not sure I want to see another "small scale" Monkey Island game.
I would also be happy if they could resurrect at least one old Sierra franchise.
Other IP that might be very interesting is indeed Loom and Full Throttle. There are quite some comics that could turn into nice adventure games say spongebob, cow and chicken, dexters laboratory, johny bravo I would be thrilled to play any of those
The serious path would also be good, say indiana jones it would be a chalenge for them to top fate of atlantis.
NOOOOooooooo!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I think TT could pull it off, but seriously? TT has made scripting skills that vividly tell stories. It seems like very silly cartoon network shows would be better made into games by companies that wouldn't be better used creating games that have more . . . depth. Yes, TT is funny, and so are some cartoon network shows, but TT is a lot more than that. I mean, look at all the intrigue and plot twists in ToMI. Do you really think that would work in Spongebob?
Pretty please with a sugar cube on top?
Pre-July, I'm not sure which I'd been watching and hoping for more: a new Monkey Island, or a new Broken Sword.
I don't mean in a sense of being profound, but in a sense of rich characters and plot that, while definitely touching upon the ridiculous still makes for very good story telling. Something you could picture being made into a book or a movie and still be entertaining to a wide populous. Perhaps I'm biased, but I don't feel that way about cartoon network programs. I think they're successful in the media they're in, but I really don't think they could have the same cliffhanging plot points and whatnot.
The only problem with broken sword is that it doesn't fit with telltales style. It has a serious plot, whereas most of telltales have been pretty fantastical/comical.
Which is presicely why I'd like to see them try their hands at something different. There's a lot of talented adventure game writers working at TTG, and I'm sure they could do a great adventure based on less comical or fantastical source material.
Of course, what I would really like to see is TTG starting to develop their own adventure game franchises.
Broken Sword is a mix of serious and funny, with a heavy emphasis on serious (I'd class it as a serious story with a wry flavour). Monkey Island could be looked at as a fairly serious story, just told in a humorous way (although it has many more "silly" elements than Broken Sword).
From Dave Grossman in this review:
Forum opinion seems to be split on whether or not they achieved that. For me personally, it worked - although I'll admit that I'm easily emotionally engaged, so I'm an easy win.
I think Tales shows glimmers of what a Broken Sword game should be, and I'd like to see what TTG could do with that series. I think they have the talent required to pull it off.