The Walking Dead has now joined the 8.5 million seller club, not normally an achievement associated with licensed adventure games. The game’s multiplatform and episodic nature makes it hard to track financial specifics, but Telltale’s Dan Connors says average customer spend reached $16, so about three or four episodes’ worth.
Another season is already locked in, with Telltale investigating ways of importing user’s saves from the first game. But Telltale has even bigger plans for the future.
Expanding the Universe
“Right now we are just starting to form the concept for season two,” according to Connors. “This all remains to be seen but we are definitely figuring out how to carry the saves over.” This is a significant move as it allows players to continue their unique storylines, maintaining the emotional investment and continuity that are crucial to the game’s narrative-driven experience. The ability to import saves means that decisions made in the first season will have lasting impacts, adding layers of complexity and personalization to the gameplay.
Future Aspirations
Telltale Games is not just stopping at The Walking Dead. The company has ambitious plans to expand its portfolio and delve into other beloved franchises. “Coming from LucasArts we always felt we could do a great Star Wars story game. We also love the idea of building out a deeper story to a great game franchise, something like Half Life Stories or Halo Stories,” Connors revealed. This statement opens up a world of possibilities for fans of narrative-driven games. Imagine a Star Wars game where your choices shape the fate of the galaxy, or a Half-Life story that delves deeper into the enigmatic world of Gordon Freeman.
The success of The Walking Dead has proven that there is a substantial market for episodic, story-driven games. This format allows for more detailed storytelling and character development, which are often lacking in traditional, linear games. By releasing episodes periodically, Telltale keeps players engaged over a longer period, creating a more sustained and immersive experience.
Moreover, the game’s success has shown that licensed games can be more than just cash grabs. They can offer rich, compelling narratives that stand on their own merits. This is a significant shift in the gaming industry, where licensed games have often been seen as inferior to original IPs. Telltale’s approach has set a new standard, proving that with the right care and attention, licensed games can achieve both critical and commercial success.
In addition to exploring new franchises, Telltale is also looking at ways to innovate within the episodic format. This could include more interactive elements, branching storylines, and even multiplayer options. The goal is to create a more dynamic and engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more.
The Walking Dead’s success is a testament to the power of storytelling in games. It has shown that players are hungry for more than just action and graphics; they want stories that resonate with them on an emotional level. As Telltale continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in narrative-driven games, the future looks incredibly bright for fans of this genre.
Via Joystiq
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