GOTY 2012 - The Walking Dead - The Bear and Badger

Tempy

beano wrote:

you ruled out transmedia. I am resolving the 'episodic' is teh future debate.

Episodic can work, a good story does not have to be episodic.

I played them in two sittings, would have been one if it wasn't for work/uni.

beano

But if all games were episodic, we'd waste less cash realising game is shit before paying for the whole game...?

dynamiteReady

Tempy wrote:

And I answered. Gnnngh. It is a success because it tells its own, involving story.

Wot? Like a book or the telly does? I like highly rated games to have like... A game in them!

hylian_elf

beano wrote:

In TWD thread did anyone discuss the transmedia of it or did it win solely on the game alone? I mean, is its success down to the narrative begun in the comics or is it testament to episodic gaming done right?

Never seen or read Walking Dead. Didn't play it in episodes either, got all of them during Xmas sale. For me, it was the sheer emotion of the great story and the great characterisation. There wasn't much else to it.Â

The interactive nature was just enough to make me feel it being a game made a difference. Watching it would have been good too, but I don't think I would've been as attached to Clem.

Nina

Kid deserved better...

I already have Dishonoured and Hotline Miami bought and installed, if I actually play them, that would mean I've played 6 of the top 10. Need to get Xcom and FarCry3, and according to that list, I'll be up to date with the best 2012 had to offer (don't care for Dark Souls if I still have Demon Souls untouched, and one Mass Effect was enough for me).

Tempy

beano wrote:

But if all games were episodic, we'd waste less cash realising game is shit before paying for the whole game...?

Nope, cos I bought all of them as a bundle. And I don't want all of my games episodic, it is silly idea.

dynamiteReady wrote:

And I answered. Gnnngh. It is a success because it tells its own, involving story.

Wot? Like a book or the telly does? I like highly rated games to have like... A game in them!

Really? Do you just argue points for the kick? Why watch a film, why watch TV, why read a book, why read a comic if they are all telling stories? What a swiz!

beano

I'd rather buy the first 4 hours of a game for a third or quarter the price and decide if I ever want the rest.

There's too much going on and frankly as much as I trust the opinion of others I'd rather make up my own mind.

Also I wouldn't pirate games for a go before ditching them. I'd prefer to throw some cash the devs way for a good go of a game.

Episodic should be the future.

edit: stuff.

optimark_prime

The only game in the top ten that I've played, is Journey.

I have Episode 1 of The Walking Dead, I really ought to give it a try.

Tempy

beano wrote:

I'd rather buy the first 4 hours of a game for a third or quarter the price and decide if I ever want the rest. There's too much going on and frankly as much as I trust the opinion of others I'd rather make up my own mind. Also I wouldn't pirate games for a go before ditching them. I'd prefer to throw some cash the devs way for a good go of a game. Episodic should be the future. edit: stuff.

It works in some ways, in others, it wouldn't. Episodic driving game, with the multiplayer as extra? DLC for a sneak preview of the next chapter? Your intentions are noble, EA, UBI and Activision are not.

Dark Soldier

Episodic eurgh. Fuck that. Get a demo, there you go.

Tempy

It clearly worked in TWD's favour, but I was happy buying all 5 of them in one go. I remember the hollerin' that was being done over the missed release dates etc.

Guess what, Portal 2 is in Chapters, but it was all released in one go

hylian_elf

dynamiteReady wrote:

Tempy wrote:

And I answered. Gnnngh. It is a success because it tells its own, involving story.

Wot? Like a book or the telly does? I like highly rated games to have like... A game in them!

That is easily overcome if you just don't consider it to be a proper video game. Why not just think of it as a highly rated interactive comic book? Problem sorted. Now enjoy it! It is great.

beano

The Walking Dead - Not got
Journey - Bought
Far Cry 3 - Pirated
XCom - Pirated
Trials Evo - Not got
Halo 4 - Not Got
Dishonored - Pirated
Mass Effect 3 - Pirated
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die - Pirated
Hotline Miami - Pirated

Am I bad? No I haven't even had a go of them.

beano

Dark Soldier wrote:

Episodic eurgh. Fuck that. Get a demo, there you go.

Not representative since 16bit era.

dynamiteReady

Tempy wrote:

Really? Do you just argue points for the kick?

How do I answer that?

From time to time, yes... Of course I will. It's a very good way to learn about stuff.

Tempy wrote:

Why watch a film, why watch TV, why read a book, why read a comic if they are all telling stories, what a swiz!

That's not convincing. To simplify my case, I'm arguing that a "great" game should have a strong ludological bias...

The Walking Dead does not.
That story could have been better served by a good novelist or film director...

Disclaimer - I haven't played all the episodes. Let me be clear on that. But fuck. Why should I... That's what I'm arguing about.

beano

Tempy wrote:

It clearly worked in TWD's favour, but I was happy buying all 5 of them in one go. I remember the hollerin' that was being done over the missed release dates etc. Guess what, Portal 2 is in Chapters, but it was all released in one go

Valve have fucked up episodic gaming though.

hylian_elf

beano wrote:

I'd rather buy the first 4 hours of a game for a third or quarter the price and decide if I ever want the rest.

Demos and Lovefilm. If the former doesn't convince, try renting or borrowing.

beano

Renting does not get money to DEVS. GET IT?

Mod74

Of course it does.

hylian_elf

No way?! If you like it, buy it. Money then goes to devs. GET IT?

beano

Mod74 wrote:

Of course it does.

20 ppl rent the same disc in succession. The devs get the cash once. You know what I meant.

dynamiteReady

hylian_elf wrote:

And I answered. Gnnngh. It is a success because it tells its own, involving story.

Wot? Like a book or the telly does? I like highly rated games to have like... A game in them!

That is easily overcome if you just don't consider it to be a proper video game. Why not just think of it as a highly rated interactive comic book? Problem sorted. Now enjoy it! It is great.

True...

Though it did start off with a black man in the back of a po-leece car*...

Das some shit...Â

*STOP. I'm joking...

Tempy

dynamiteReady wrote:

Really? Do you just argue points for the kick?

How do I answer that? From time to time, yes... Of course I will. It's a very good way to learn about stuff.

Why watch a film, why watch TV, why read a book, why read a comic if they are all telling stories, what a swiz!

That's not convincing. To simplify my case, I'm arguing that a "great" game should have a strong ludological bias... The Walking Dead does not. That story could have been better served by a good novelist or film director...

But it wasn't, it was in a game, and it involved people as they got to make choices (cannot be done in a book, or a film) and even though they were largely superficial, they allowed you to 'play a role' thus, GAME.

A great game needs many components IMO, or one true standout that puts it above others. Of course you then get a big messyÂ argumentÂ about 'what makes a game great'

If your 'ludological bias' is true, then Bioshock 2 should be a better game than the first, but it isn't viewed as that by many because lack of story impact, redone setting etc... but the core game is much stronger in 2.Â

Making it purely down to 'what plays better' or 'does it play well' removes all sorts of games from the running, andÂ emphasizesÂ certain genres over others. By this definition, Journey cannot compete as for all intents and purposes you push forward to win. It could be seen as less of a game than TWD, as at least you can die/make decisions.

Could TWD been better served by a good novelist of director? Maybe, but it wasn't, it was a game, and it grabbed people's imagination more than many other titles this year.

ChattinWithChet

I get soft if I find out something is not a game.

beano

hylian_elf wrote:

No way?! If you like it, buy it. Money then goes to devs. GET IT?

How do I know I like it? Say I hate it then it's in the second hand bin and the devs don't get that cash again.

Episodic so future.

Mod74

beano wrote:

Of course it does.

20 ppl rent the same disc in succession. The devs get the cash once. You know what I meant.

I'm going to assume that those Rental copies of games cost a lot more for Lovefilm to buy than the shop copies do. Like films.

Who knows, they may even have a per rental agreement.

hylian_elf

I can see episodic being annoying. Having to wait for the next instalment in a game that was really addictive and you want to get to the end of.Â

Might work for huge massive games like RPGs, but for shorter games?

Tempy

beano wrote:

hylian_elf wrote:

No way?! If you like it, buy it. Money then goes to devs. GET IT?

How do I know I like it? Say I hate it then it's in the second hand bin and the devs don't get that cash again. Episodic so future.

Do they deserve cash from you if you don't like your game? Cash is finite.

Chief

I'll be honest, I don't think TWD is a game in the truest sense, but I can see why people might enjoy it so much nonetheless. It's an interactive TV show, which appeals to a large number of people.

Regardless of opinion, at least Telltale has done the episodic thing right. Unlike Valve, Telltale actually finish what they start...

beano

Tempy wrote:

beano wrote:

hylian_elf wrote:

No way?! If you like it, buy it. Money then goes to devs. GET IT?

How do I know I like it? Say I hate it then it's in the second hand bin and the devs don't get that cash again. Episodic so future.

Do they deserve cash from you if you don't like your game? Cash is finite.

It is better to get 1million sales on part 1 + 250K sales on the rest than 1million with most traded back in...it's a better system all round.

And yes, DLC should be a stand alone 'episode' that would fuck off 'online passes'.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories