The Walking Dead Game - FAQ and open discussion!
Here's a few of the most common questions we've seen from the community. We think of communication with our fans as an open discussion, so if you have any specific questions about the game, drop them into this thread and a member of the development team will try their best to answer as many as possible, whenever they're available. Please keep in mind that the team is super busy finishing the game right now, but they will definitely pop in as often as they can.
The Walking Dead FAQ:
Is this a game about Rick Grimes, the hero of the comic books and TV show?
No. Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead) and Telltale felt that it would be more interesting to tell a story of a new group of survivors.
When does this game take place in The Walking Dead timeline?
Our first episode takes place at the outset of the zombie apocalypse when Rick Grimes is still in a coma.
Is this game based on the comic books or the TV show?
We see the comic books as canon.
So who do I play as?
You play the game as Lee Everett, a man convicted of a crime, but who is offered a chance at redemption…albeit in a world overtaken by walkers. You’ll only ever play as Lee and will see the world from his point of view.
Will I see anything from the comic books or TV show in the game?
Yes. You will meet some characters and visit locations seen in the comic books. You’ll learn about characters and events that have an impact on events seen in the comics. For example, how did Hershel’s son Shawn end up in the barn? Find out in the game.
Does this game use Quick Time Events as the major game-play dynamic and does it prevent the player from taking direct control of the player-character like Telltale’s Jurassic Park: The Game?
No. The Walking Dead offers a completely different game-play experience to Jurassic Park. QTEs do not form a major part of game-play and you will have full control over your character as you move through the game’s environments.
Why is this game episodic? What does that mean?
Telltale has a strong history of releasing episodic games but more importantly, we wanted this game to offer an experience analogous to the comic books and TV show, which are also episodic in nature. We have plans for 5 episodes, releasing once per month.
How long is each episode?
Skilled players will get through an episode on about 2 hours. Having episodes of this length means that most people will be able to get through them and we want that to happen. The game is not designed to present super-hard barriers and will not force you to grind through it in any way. We want you to complete an episode so that you’ll experience the story and be ready for the next episode.
Where will I be able to buy the game?
The game series is digital, meaning that you won’t be able to buy it from a retail store. The game is coming to all major gaming platforms, so, as long as you have an internet connection, it’s almost certain that you’ll have access to the game.
When will I see more screens and more importantly, when will I see the game in action?
Stay tuned for regular releases of screenshots and artwork. Every time an episode of Playing Dead goes out, you’ll see more new stuff (including the first ever look at Game-play!). Sign up on the website to be the first to find out about new episodes of Playing Dead and to get inside information on the game.
When will episode one of the game be available?
We’re saying ‘Spring’, however, episode one is right around the corner. This thing is coming fast!
What kind of game is this?
It’s an Adventure Horror game. This game will offer a different experience compared to many other zombie-based games. You won’t be mowing down hordes of the undead as a super-powered killing machine with unlimited ammo; that would not be an accurate recreation of Robert Kirkman’s world. When you do tangle with the undead, it’s going to be harrowing. That walker could be someone you once knew…or were very close to. Also, gunfire (or loud noises in general) are not good in areas where walkers could be lurking.
Does this game feature multiplayer?
No. The Walking Dead is a single-player experience.
Why does the game look the way it does?
We were inspired by the work of Charlie Adlard, artist for the comic books.
Is there anything unique about this game versus other Telltale games?
Yes. For the first time, the decisions that the player makes will drive a “tailored” game-play experience. A decision that you make or something that you say will have repercussions not only in the episode that you’re playing, but also in future episodes of the game. Decisions will range from relatively innocuous (do I lie here and if so, how should I lie?) though to world-changing (I can only save one person here, who will it be?). Furthermore, you’ll come under pressure to make decisions quickly. You won’t be able to stand around deciding which option to choose during a conversation. The undead won’t stand by and politely let you figure out your next move.
Telltale’s previous games have featured puzzle elements. Is that something we’ll see in The Walking Dead?
You’ll be challenged with problems for sure, but not classic ‘Adventure Game’ puzzles. You’re a survivor in a zombie apocalypse… you can imagine the problems that you’ll have to deal with.
The Walking Dead FAQ:
Is this a game about Rick Grimes, the hero of the comic books and TV show?
No. Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead) and Telltale felt that it would be more interesting to tell a story of a new group of survivors.
When does this game take place in The Walking Dead timeline?
Our first episode takes place at the outset of the zombie apocalypse when Rick Grimes is still in a coma.
Is this game based on the comic books or the TV show?
We see the comic books as canon.
So who do I play as?
You play the game as Lee Everett, a man convicted of a crime, but who is offered a chance at redemption…albeit in a world overtaken by walkers. You’ll only ever play as Lee and will see the world from his point of view.
Will I see anything from the comic books or TV show in the game?
Yes. You will meet some characters and visit locations seen in the comic books. You’ll learn about characters and events that have an impact on events seen in the comics. For example, how did Hershel’s son Shawn end up in the barn? Find out in the game.
Does this game use Quick Time Events as the major game-play dynamic and does it prevent the player from taking direct control of the player-character like Telltale’s Jurassic Park: The Game?
No. The Walking Dead offers a completely different game-play experience to Jurassic Park. QTEs do not form a major part of game-play and you will have full control over your character as you move through the game’s environments.
Why is this game episodic? What does that mean?
Telltale has a strong history of releasing episodic games but more importantly, we wanted this game to offer an experience analogous to the comic books and TV show, which are also episodic in nature. We have plans for 5 episodes, releasing once per month.
How long is each episode?
Skilled players will get through an episode on about 2 hours. Having episodes of this length means that most people will be able to get through them and we want that to happen. The game is not designed to present super-hard barriers and will not force you to grind through it in any way. We want you to complete an episode so that you’ll experience the story and be ready for the next episode.
Where will I be able to buy the game?
The game series is digital, meaning that you won’t be able to buy it from a retail store. The game is coming to all major gaming platforms, so, as long as you have an internet connection, it’s almost certain that you’ll have access to the game.
When will I see more screens and more importantly, when will I see the game in action?
Stay tuned for regular releases of screenshots and artwork. Every time an episode of Playing Dead goes out, you’ll see more new stuff (including the first ever look at Game-play!). Sign up on the website to be the first to find out about new episodes of Playing Dead and to get inside information on the game.
When will episode one of the game be available?
We’re saying ‘Spring’, however, episode one is right around the corner. This thing is coming fast!
What kind of game is this?
It’s an Adventure Horror game. This game will offer a different experience compared to many other zombie-based games. You won’t be mowing down hordes of the undead as a super-powered killing machine with unlimited ammo; that would not be an accurate recreation of Robert Kirkman’s world. When you do tangle with the undead, it’s going to be harrowing. That walker could be someone you once knew…or were very close to. Also, gunfire (or loud noises in general) are not good in areas where walkers could be lurking.
Does this game feature multiplayer?
No. The Walking Dead is a single-player experience.
Why does the game look the way it does?
We were inspired by the work of Charlie Adlard, artist for the comic books.
Is there anything unique about this game versus other Telltale games?
Yes. For the first time, the decisions that the player makes will drive a “tailored” game-play experience. A decision that you make or something that you say will have repercussions not only in the episode that you’re playing, but also in future episodes of the game. Decisions will range from relatively innocuous (do I lie here and if so, how should I lie?) though to world-changing (I can only save one person here, who will it be?). Furthermore, you’ll come under pressure to make decisions quickly. You won’t be able to stand around deciding which option to choose during a conversation. The undead won’t stand by and politely let you figure out your next move.
Telltale’s previous games have featured puzzle elements. Is that something we’ll see in The Walking Dead?
You’ll be challenged with problems for sure, but not classic ‘Adventure Game’ puzzles. You’re a survivor in a zombie apocalypse… you can imagine the problems that you’ll have to deal with.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
PD: And also when will you be ready to take my money?
Does that sentence seem odd to anyone else?
I'm guessing that means sometime in Spring it will start to fully roll out, but with Episode One "right around the corner" that there may be a gap of a couple of months between episode 1 & 2?
EDIT: Also - one Q&A says 5 episodes, and the other says 9 - which is it?
I'm with most of the previous posters here:
- still no release schedule?
- will there be a collector's DVD with the regular release?
I'm really exited to hear that QTEs are right out less present and direct control is in. Good start, waiting eagerly to see the next revelations.
Actually, he wrote "QTEs do not form a major part of game-play".
Better now?
Gotcha - misread that part in the other topic.
Just for the record, this is NOT a weapons based game.
Right. Like Sean V said in Playing Dead, this game is not about the fantasy of the apocalypse; it's about the reality. So, weapons and ammo are limited commodities and as we all know, firing loud weapons tends to attract attention you don't want - it's a last resort.
This game is not trying to be like most other zombie games (first or third person shooters); it's trying to recreate Kirkman's world and if you're familiar with the comic books, you know that it's nothing like fantasy apocalypse games. That kind of game can be great, but they offer a very different experience to The Walking Dead.
While I am upset about Telltale seemingly straying further away from conventional adventure games, survival horror is a genre that's arguably hit even harder times lately than point-and-click adventures. It'd be interesting if they made a comeback.
Wow 2 questions that the answers are obvious on if you payed attention.
1. Its a story game and YOU are the leader, it would be pointless to be the other guys.
2. It isn't a shooting game, its a story game based off the walking game which is more about the story.
My question to you. Are you a troll or did you just not research the game and stupidly think that due to the name, its a shooter?
Sorry, when I hear Spring, I think September/October/November... so I guess it's actually going to be ready well before that! Stupid hemispheres.
It's a lot closer to an adventure than that. It's tonally very very different than something like Sam & Max, but the game is very much about exploring the spaces you're in, talking to the people around you, and figuring out what to do, like you do in a classic Telltale game. Big differences: Sometimes there are also zombies around, ruining everything, and you have to kill them or otherwise deal with their existence, and the tone of the game is a lot more about drama, and tension -- the situations in which you're talking to people, exploring places, and fituring out what to do trend towards the tense, scary, and bleak more than the wacky.
I wish I had the final line count for the first Walking Dead episode, but (weirdly much like Poker Night) I think we're well above average lines of dialog for a Telltale game, not because the runtime is longer (Walking Dead episodes are intended to be played in just a sitting or two, like our other games or like a TV episode), but because your opportunity to explore the dialog and situations have more paths and detail than the average Telltale title.
Across the game we want you to feel a direct connection to Lee and his actions, and we don't think QTEs are the way to do that. In the exploratory and dialog parts of the game, we want you to feel like there's a lot to do, and like you can contribute to the conversations in a more finely grained and frequent way than you might normally in a Telltale game, and we want that feeling of fine grained interaction and tight feedback to carry over into the moments where action matters, too. Walking Dead is not an action game, but when action happens, we want it to feel very connected to you, and very kinetic. When Lee does stab or axe or kick a zombie, or do any real fine-tuned action you wouldn't normally do in a video game (but is common place to a more intimite, character-focused story) we want action, every hit, every touch, to directly correlate to a button you press, and not be abstracted a step away like it can feel when you're experiencing it through a QTE. Also, like some other zombie games, if you get into a situation where you're struggling with a zombie, you may be tapping a button or shaking a stick to break yourself free. So, that's probably what that means.
Whoa epic long over-explaining going on there, sorry.
I have now come to expect somewhat of an adventure game indeed! You abstain from the word "puzzle" and I think I can see why, because it suggests artificial, unrealistic and misplaced mechanics in such a grave atmosphere. Crucial info that still misses, I think, is whether the protagonist will collect items or even combine them! I have always felt that this possibility seriously enhanced the "sense of place" and the feeling of interactivity.
Second, will you actually provide an "action-adventury" close combat feel (where direct control/walking/running remains possible during fighting sequences), and if not, where is the actual difference to a QTE that just lets you strike when you push some button?
So basically you want us to feel more connected with the character and this is why you arent including QTEs, but when you get the license to a multi-billion dollar franchise (Jurassic Park) you dont care how we feel about the characters. You say that you dont think QTE's can help us connect to Lee and his actions yet with JP it didnt matter to you. Each new game that comes from you guys that I care about has a different story why it is going to be better than the last and so far I've only seen them getting worse. I think Telltale should show us how its going to be better by actually making a game like they say, and stop making promises because when the game comes out and its missing a lot of the things that are promised, it makes people not want to buy it.
Also, does the game have an inventory system or inventory combination? (I know Vainamoinen already asked this, but I'm repeating for emphasis or something.)
What a stupid, rude, useless post. The Walking Dead's core creative team is primarily very different from Jurassic Park's team, who clearly had different views regarding gameplay and characters. The idea that Telltale has gradually gotten worse over time is insane, as that would imply Telltale Texas Hold 'Em was their best game.
They will show us the gameplay prior to launch; just not yet. There's no reason to be so demanding about the fact that the developers haven't quite let the cat out of the bag yet. If you're expecting them to tell you everything and the kitchen sink multiple months before launch, you are sadly mistaken.
Noooo, that's not the way to put it. Jurassic Park was not about the connection to a single character, but about the connection to an entire group of characters. JP tried to put us into the shoes of six characters "at once". I don't really support the kind of game Jurassic Park was, because it was just not my kind of game, but I felt like it had far more of a concrete game "vision" than the indecisive adventure-or-rather-not gameplay of Back to the Future. JP:TG knew where it wanted to go and what it wanted to achieve. It was not my kind of challenge, but it did present a challenge. Also, the style of game was openly communicated in advance, so although I understand every disappointed player, the accusation of having been "cheated" just won't stand.
Different franchises, different games, different designers, different philosophies. I'm still convinced that a little pluralism in a gaming company's think tank will work out in favor of the eventual customer.
The only remaining fear to add from my side is: A game needs challenges, big ones hopefully. I just hope "barrier-free" doesn't mean brain off works fine. I just don't want to keep "playing along" any more.
There aren't a lot of brain-rending puzzles in Walking Dead. There is a light inventory and you use objects you find in other places. There is more to look at and do than is necessary to streamline you through the story, but the game is by no means '90s adventure game level of brain stomping.
That said, we hope at least that when playing through The Walking Dead you will be taking some time to pause and contemplate what your actions will mean to other characters, and what they say about Lee. Your mileage will vary on that of course -- I think some people will really be into it and some people will just be playing through the game for the story, scenarios, crit-path experiences -- but we're trying to put you in situations where there's at least some feeling that your presence in the game actually matters and you're not just filling in a labyrinthine path of lock and ley blanks.
Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was a very relevant point considering Telltale may be wasting the time of fans of another popular franchise that is still going on on TV and comic books, although they could make an awesome game since the graphics work for the franchise. All that I'm saying is that they managed to make a franchise based on realistic graphics look like a cartoon and made the same franchise that remained extremely popular for 20 years look bad. Some people say Telltale did a bad job advertising for JPTG and that is why it sold badly, but I think they did a good job, everybody I mentioned the game to in person knew about JPTG, although the bad side of that is that they all referred to it as the button pushing game basically, with no care that it was based on such a popular franchise, so is this what Jurassic Park will become? I believe that Telltale will do a really good job with Walking Dead considering that the graphics work with a comic unlike with Jurassic Park. Also, they have probably learned from their mistakes, but like others have said, its just too bad that they experimented with a way larger franchise that is way more popular and has a way larger fan community that was disappointed. As I've stated before, Ill be buying the Walking Dead game, the first few screenshots look pretty good, like they could fit in with the comics (which I haven't read). I still have respect for Telltale and their games, but I am just expressing my disappointment in them on the Jurassic Park game.
Also, if you took the time to read my post you would see that I wasn't asking for all of the info on the game at once, because then what would be the point of playing the game? All I was saying is that it would benefit Telltale Games more if they modeled their advertising and announcements after other companies and gave a release date months before the release, put out a few more advertisements for their big games (maybe a commercial for WD during the show tonight!
Another thing I think you're talking about is the timing of Telltale's release of information about a game in that they tend to leave it until later in the process. Personally I don't see the problem with this as it shouldn't matter when the information is given as long as it's before the release of the game or around the time the game is available to order/pre-order, which ever the case may be whether it be months, weeks or even just a few days before hand. Any decision a person needs to make about buying a game only needs to happen when the game is actually available to buy or just before.
You know, I for one even got some answers here.
You're getting me happy now!
Damn, I wanna play this game!!!!
I don't think Jared listened to the score of the show before he started, as he didn't want to be directly influenced before he started finding a sound for the game. The music in the Walking Dead game is an original score unique to the game and doesn't use themes from the TV series. I think it feels appropriately Walking Dead, though, as its own musical take on the world.
I figured that would be the case. I'm very interested to see (well hear anyway) his ideas of what this world should sound like and, by extension, feel like. Thanks for answering my question.
The Music in "Playing Dead;" did Jared compose that, and will that be the music "theme" for the game?
That's exactly what I am trying to say. They need to advertise better, and of course it would be expensive but they would make WAY more money and sell WAY more copies if more people knew about the games because they are good games despite the problems that people find.
And for the timing, that isn't for my benefit because if I'm interested in a game from Telltale I can wait for it with or without pictures or other info, but others cant. For example, if a huge Walking Dead fan saw that there was a game coming when it was announced months ago, do you really think that this fan would still be checking Telltale's site daily for info? Of course not, people have busy lives and they forget about all of the games they have on their wishlist that are coming out in a year, especially ones with little to no info out on them. Sure a few of those fans would stick around, but 99% of them would forget about the game, now if more info or screenshots were out earlier with the game or a few screenshots or a little info was released per week, that would keep all of those fans' attention on Telltale.
Anyway, they have my attention and I am looking forward to the Walking Dead game. I just played Jurassic Park: The Game again earlier today with a friend and I was too hard on Telltale. I just let myself start agreeing with reviews and others who were saying that the game was horrible, but once I played it again I remembered all of the great things that came out of that game and noticed a lot of other things that were done well. Sure a lot of the things I mentioned about the game were bad, and it wasn't as good as the original screenshots or info suggested it would be but it was still a great game and had many strong points. I'm not sure whether I want a sequel, but I am definitely looking forward to The Walking Dead game, and I'm sure tonight's episode will make me want it more. Anyway though, back to the main point of this thread: questions for the Telltale team!
Jared wrote that just for Playing Dead. The game's music is moodier and less in your face than that, which was written specifically as the opener to a quick paced community-focused video series.
Could you tell us about the PC/Mac controls? Mouse and Keyboard? Gamepad? Is there Gamepad support for Mac???
Ask questions about an upcoming video game you plan on playing. Complain about the people who answer them having no life. :cool:
Anyway, Jake, thanks so much for everything you've been sharing in this thread. After a year of almost complete silence regarding this game, it's nice to finally get some information. After all you've said I'm definitely interested in this game. I'm still a bit skeptical after BttF and JP, but it sounds like The Walking Dead will be at least better than those were. You're very close to making a sale.
While you're answering questions, I've got one more. It's only semi-related to The Walking Dead, but I may as well ask.
I've noticed that ever since Tales of Monkey Island, Telltale's gradually been inching towards more serious titles. It's kind of funny to think of the same people who gave us Sam and Max and Homestar Runner games doing The Walking Dead. Is this increasing seriousness meant to be a permanent trend for Telltale, or do you plan on doing some lighter stuff in the future as well? I do think it's a bit of a shame that Telltale's now known more for Back to the Future than Sam and Max, but that's just me.
Ok that's confusing so let me reilerate, (did I spell that right?) when we finish an episode of S&M or BTTF we can talk about what happen in that epiosde more easily because we all have the same things happening in our game. Though with TWD will people still be able to understand and discuss with each other what has happen or might happen in the game even though they might all be playing different "versions' of the game depedning on the choice you made, or will people talking about what has happened in their games be hwt makes conversation about the game be so engrossing? Hmm, I hope someone who is able to answer this understands this
Oh and thank you very much for all your hard work answering questions, I really appreciate. no matter what happens in the coming weeks, you DEFINATELY got a sale from me.