Lifeline extended to LucasArts classic adventure franchises?

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 02:25 PM

Dan Conners of Telltale Games quoted from this Game Informer article;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Game Informer

GI: A lot of those LucasArts franchises are still very popular – you spoke about Day of the Tentacle. Is there a chance you’ll be able to wrangle a few more of those away for more episodes? Are you working on that at all?

Connors: It’s definitely on our minds and it’s definitely something we think about. Maybe I can give you more information a while from now. It’s definitely something that makes good sense to everybody. For them it’s the same thing. For them it’s "What’s the business model? What’s the retail model?" It’s not their type of game – it’s not Star Wars, it’s not with the movie, with the lightsaber – an action game. When trying to do the two things at the same time it makes it challenging. They’ve been trying to figure out the right solution, and hopefully Telltale is part of it.

Monkey Island 5a, 5b, 5c...etc ahoy!

(Of course the article actually namechecks Day of the Tentacle, and the co-writer / designer of that title, Dave Grossman, works at Telltale these days).

Roll on 2015!

Boneho Chane · 07-25-2006, 02:39 PM

Another Day of the Tentacle would be mindblowing! I never thought the day would come...that is, if they decide to do it.

bysmitty · 07-25-2006, 02:39 PM

I think your conclusion might just be a little far fetched.

It is a nice dream though.

...bysmitty

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 02:42 PM

I don't think the conclusion of more Monkey or Mansion games is far fetched at all if what Conners is saying pans out.

Sounds to me like LucasArts are interested in exploring ways to use their existing IP. And Telltale are presenting them with some (viable) options.

Edit: This is really 'out there' in the wishful thinking stakes, but if Telltale did somehow manage to license some of the old LucasArts IP in the future, maybe they could consult with Gilbert and Shafer on those franchises that those guys originally (co-)developed? Those two could have similar roles to Purcell's in Sam & Max and give input on the storyline etc. I'm sure having their names associated with the projects would be a huge marketing coup and lend a real air of authenticity to the episodes. And Gilbert's made no secret lately that he'd love to work on a new Monkey game.

*Melanie68* · 07-25-2006, 03:21 PM

Do you think there is more story to tell? Maybe in the case of Monkey Island, there may be a different story to tell because Ron Gilbert obviously didn't work on 3 and 4 but with the characters in DOTT for example, can you flesh out another interestin g story or are you hoping for more of the same?

When book writers try to stretch out a franchise too long, it gets stale. I wouldn't want to see the same thing happen with some of these games because of nostalgia factor.

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 03:29 PM

I would say given the huge cast in Maniac Mansion that there are a lot more stories to tell in the DOTT world. You could take on different lead characters every episode, not just Bernie, Laverne or Hogie. Maybe Green Tentacle (which could make for some great puzzles given his lack of arms).

Anyway, I have complete confidence in Dave Grossman's (and the others working there!) story-telling ability.

But I wouldn't be looking for more of the same (Time travel etc), though being caught up in Edison's crazy inventions again as a plot device, sure.

But yes, I'm also really looking forward to Telltale's first adventure foray using entirely original IP. No boundaries, no pre-conceived ideas. But I guess they're wanting to make a name for themselves first and become a trusted developer with the Adventure fanbase before inventing a brand new IP and taking on all the risks and extra marketing costs associated with it.

Scoville · 07-25-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie68

Do you think there is more story to tell? Maybe in the case of Monkey Island, there may be a different story to tell because Ron Gilbert obviously didn't work on 3 and 4 but with the characters in DOTT for example, can you flesh out another interestin g story or are you hoping for more of the same?

When book writers try to stretch out a franchise too long, it gets stale. I wouldn't want to see the same thing happen with some of these games because of nostalgia factor.

Generally I'm against gratuitous sequels, but Maniac Mansion is a series that could easily be stretched out. Day of the Tentacle showed how to do it. You don't have to worry about getting more material out of the characters because you don't need to use the same cast. Only one of the three main characters in DoTT came from Maniac Mansion, and there's no reason a third title couldn't do something similar.

Tramboi · 07-25-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoville

Generally I'm against gratuitous sequels, but Maniac Mansion is a series that could easily be stretched out. Day of the Tentacle showed how to do it. You don't have to worry about getting more material out of the characters because you don't need to use the same cast. Only one of the three main characters in DoTT came from Maniac Mansion, and there's no reason a third title couldn't do something similar.

Yes but reusing the mansion and the Edison's might be too much, no?

*Melanie68* · 07-25-2006, 03:50 PM

Hmm. Good point. Where could the story be set then?

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie68

Hmm. Good point. Where could the story be set then?

There was quite a vast tract of land covered in the DOTT opening sequence, if I recall correctly.

Tramboi · 07-25-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie68

Hmm. Good point. Where could the story be set then?

I don't know but I'd like to play The Meteor and the tentacles!

RLacey · 07-25-2006, 03:52 PM

I dunno. It seems to me that any Maniac Mansion sequel is just going to attract negative comparisons with DOTT...

*Melanie68* · 07-25-2006, 03:53 PM

^ Cynic™

RLacey · 07-25-2006, 03:54 PM

But seriously? Why make a sequel to the adventure game that comes closest to being perfect?

[/fanboy]

Tramboi · 07-25-2006, 03:56 PM

I agree we don't really need a follow-up to DOTT.
Well we need it more that we needed Escape From Monkey Island

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLacey

I dunno. It seems to me that any Maniac Mansion sequel is just going to attract negative comparisons with DOTT...

Yes, DOTT was the pinnacle of adventure gaming (for me), so will probably be very tough to top. But I don't need a new game featuring the same IP to be "better" per se. Just be fun and true to the spirit of the original.

And given the episodic nature of TTG's business model, it would be quite a different style of gameplay by necessity.

But of course some people would moan about the transition to 3D, the episodic nature, the voices etc. No avoiding that, unfortunately.

Boneho Chane · 07-25-2006, 04:06 PM

Yeah, DOTT was practically flawless, so a sequel would obviously have a lot to live up to, and possibly let some down. So without one, I would still be happy.

But with one, MAN. Think of the possibilities! Wasn't the mansion redesigned for DOTT? Well they could keep redesigning it again and again for each sequel to keep the series fresh. Or maybe the mansion will just burn down and the characters have to figure out what happened.

I don't know, but there's obviously a lot to work with there.

And wasn't there a fan-made sequel somewhere on the horizon? I heard it was German though.

Udvarnoky · 07-25-2006, 04:09 PM

Not that I'm putting too much faith in Dan's dream to come true just yet, but it's interesting to think about how MI or DOTT could be made episodic successfully. Sam & Max works, but DOTT?

What Maniac Mansion and DOTT seem to be all about is throwing this one huge setting at you: a large house (this wasn't quite true in DOTT), that's filled with tons of puzzles, many of which can be solved in a non-linear fashion. This, and the existence of a team of multiple playable characters that trade inventory and that are all necessary for certain puzzles (in MM because of a kid's individual talent and in DOTT because of their location in the timeline), are the two core things that make a Maniac Mansion game to me. I know I'm sounding suspiciously like the early Sam & Max nay-sayers when I say this, but how could that work episodically since part one of the above pretty much necessitates a large chunk of game?

On the other hand, the other awesome thing about those two games is how completely original they are from each other. Other than those two main things I stated, NOTHING else needs to be preserved from its predecessor if one was to develop a new Maniac Mansion game. Day of the Tentacle is a sequel in little more than name. Yes, Bernard is back, and the Edisons are back, but they didn't have to be...the Edisons are nothing like they were in the first game, and seem to exist as a nod the original more than anything. The games have vastly different art styles. The games aren't even parodying the same genre - Maniac Mansion made fun of horror and scifi B-movies, whereas Day of the Tentacle's inspiration was the world of a Chuck Jones cartoon. There's no storyline that has to be continued. The characters were great but there's no backstory that needs to be filled. There are absolutely no limitations on what they could do with a hypothetical Maniac Mansion 3 in terms of the direction they take it. It's so brilliant that the first (and so far only) sequel set that pattern of not having a pattern, because now there's no real set tone or style that you can attribute to the series that you have to stick with or respect (not that I would mind it following in DOTT's footsteps). If Dave Grossman thinks another installment could be told, in whatever format: woot.

jp-30 · 07-25-2006, 04:19 PM

And while we're all discussing the dream situation which an all likelihood will never eventuate, which of LucasArts old IP do you think is possible to reuse in an episodic way?

I'd say YES to;

Monkey Island
Zak McKraken
Maniac Mansion
Indiana Jones

Full Throttle

MAYBE to

Loom

And NO to

Grim Fandango
The Dig

Concur?

Udvarnoky · 07-25-2006, 04:25 PM

I'd say once you get the original creator(s) involved and they find some way to do it, anything's possible. Personally though I wouldn't want a Grim Fandango 2, period. And even in this ideal situation where LucasArts and Telltale exist in harmony in an adventure game publisher/developer relationship I still see Indiana Jones stuck in the action genre.

I think anything could probably conceivably work, though, even if it's not preferable for some (or a lot of) people, and even if I don't think some of those titles are exactly crying for a sequel in any format. I don't see why The Dig would be any less possible.

07-25-2006, 02:39 PM	#3
bysmitty Bad command or file name Last Online: 04-24-2007 02:08 PM Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 932	I think your conclusion might just be a little far fetched. It is a nice dream though. ...bysmitty __________________ Things I need to do today: -change out of pajamas -~~come up with witty yet sophisticated signature~~ -sober up -~~watch simpsons at 6pm~~ -UPDATE MY WEBSITE!!!

07-25-2006, 02:42 PM	#4
jp-30 Senior Member Last Online: 06-03-2009 05:29 PM Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 413	I don't think the conclusion of more Monkey or Mansion games is far fetched at all if what Conners is saying pans out. Sounds to me like LucasArts are interested in exploring ways to use their existing IP. And Telltale are presenting them with some (viable) options. Edit: This is really 'out there' in the wishful thinking stakes, but if Telltale did somehow manage to license some of the old LucasArts IP in the future, maybe they could consult with Gilbert and Shafer on those franchises that those guys originally (co-)developed? Those two could have similar roles to Purcell's in Sam & Max and give input on the storyline etc. I'm sure having their names associated with the projects would be a huge marketing coup and lend a real air of authenticity to the episodes. And Gilbert's made no secret lately that he'd love to work on a new Monkey game. Last edited by jp-30; 07-25-2006 at 03:08 PM..

07-25-2006, 03:52 PM	#12
RLacey The Thread™ will die. Last Online: 07-11-2012 11:25 PM Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 22,542	I dunno. It seems to me that any Maniac Mansion sequel is just going to attract negative comparisons with DOTT... __________________ RLacey \| Killer of the Thread™ I do not change to be perfect. Perfect changes to be me.

07-25-2006, 03:54 PM	#14
RLacey The Thread™ will die. Last Online: 07-11-2012 11:25 PM Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 22,542	But seriously? Why make a sequel to the adventure game that comes closest to being perfect? [/fanboy] __________________ RLacey \| Killer of the Thread™ I do not change to be perfect. Perfect changes to be me.

07-25-2006, 03:56 PM	#15
Tramboi Barroom hero Last Online: 12-26-2012 05:31 AM Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Paris, France Posts: 525	I agree we don't really need a follow-up to DOTT. Well we need it more that we needed Escape From Monkey Island __________________ Where are they now?

07-25-2006, 02:39 PM	#2
Boneho Chane Adventure Lover Last Online: 05-02-2012 10:19 PM Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Another Day of the Tentacle would be mindblowing! I never thought the day would come...that is, if they decide to do it.

07-25-2006, 03:21 PM	#5
Melanie68 Super Moderator Last Online: 05-19-2012 11:09 AM Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,907	Do you think there is more story to tell? Maybe in the case of Monkey Island, there may be a different story to tell because Ron Gilbert obviously didn't work on 3 and 4 but with the characters in DOTT for example, can you flesh out another interestin g story or are you hoping for more of the same? When book writers try to stretch out a franchise too long, it gets stale. I wouldn't want to see the same thing happen with some of these games because of nostalgia factor.

07-25-2006, 03:29 PM	#6
jp-30 Senior Member Last Online: 06-03-2009 05:29 PM Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 413	I would say given the huge cast in Maniac Mansion that there are a lot more stories to tell in the DOTT world. You could take on different lead characters every episode, not just Bernie, Laverne or Hogie. Maybe Green Tentacle (which could make for some great puzzles given his lack of arms). Anyway, I have complete confidence in Dave Grossman's (and the others working there!) story-telling ability. But I wouldn't be looking for more of the same (Time travel etc), though being caught up in Edison's crazy inventions again as a plot device, sure. But yes, I'm also really looking forward to Telltale's first adventure foray using entirely original IP. No boundaries, no pre-conceived ideas. But I guess they're wanting to make a name for themselves first and become a trusted developer with the Adventure fanbase before inventing a brand new IP and taking on all the risks and extra marketing costs associated with it.

07-25-2006, 03:50 PM	#9
Melanie68 Super Moderator Last Online: 05-19-2012 11:09 AM Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,907	Hmm. Good point. Where could the story be set then?

07-25-2006, 03:53 PM	#13
Melanie68 Super Moderator Last Online: 05-19-2012 11:09 AM Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,907	^ Cynic™

07-25-2006, 04:06 PM	#17
Boneho Chane Adventure Lover Last Online: 05-02-2012 10:19 PM Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Yeah, DOTT was practically flawless, so a sequel would obviously have a lot to live up to, and possibly let some down. So without one, I would still be happy. But with one, MAN. Think of the possibilities! Wasn't the mansion redesigned for DOTT? Well they could keep redesigning it again and again for each sequel to keep the series fresh. Or maybe the mansion will just burn down and the characters have to figure out what happened. I don't know, but there's obviously a lot to work with there. And wasn't there a fan-made sequel somewhere on the horizon? I heard it was German though.

07-25-2006, 04:09 PM	#18
Udvarnoky Senior Member Last Online: 05-11-2019 01:44 PM Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 632	Not that I'm putting too much faith in Dan's dream to come true just yet, but it's interesting to think about how MI or DOTT could be made episodic successfully. Sam & Max works, but DOTT? What Maniac Mansion and DOTT seem to be all about is throwing this one huge setting at you: a large house (this wasn't quite true in DOTT), that's filled with tons of puzzles, many of which can be solved in a non-linear fashion. This, and the existence of a team of multiple playable characters that trade inventory and that are all necessary for certain puzzles (in MM because of a kid's individual talent and in DOTT because of their location in the timeline), are the two core things that make a Maniac Mansion game to me. I know I'm sounding suspiciously like the early Sam & Max nay-sayers when I say this, but how could that work episodically since part one of the above pretty much necessitates a large chunk of game? On the other hand, the other awesome thing about those two games is how completely original they are from each other. Other than those two main things I stated, NOTHING else needs to be preserved from its predecessor if one was to develop a new Maniac Mansion game. Day of the Tentacle is a sequel in little more than name. Yes, Bernard is back, and the Edisons are back, but they didn't have to be...the Edisons are nothing like they were in the first game, and seem to exist as a nod the original more than anything. The games have vastly different art styles. The games aren't even parodying the same genre - Maniac Mansion made fun of horror and scifi B-movies, whereas Day of the Tentacle's inspiration was the world of a Chuck Jones cartoon. There's no storyline that has to be continued. The characters were great but there's no backstory that needs to be filled. There are absolutely no limitations on what they could do with a hypothetical Maniac Mansion 3 in terms of the direction they take it. It's so brilliant that the first (and so far only) sequel set that pattern of not having a pattern, because now there's no real set tone or style that you can attribute to the series that you have to stick with or respect (not that I would mind it following in DOTT's footsteps). If Dave Grossman thinks another installment could be told, in whatever format: woot.

07-25-2006, 04:19 PM	#19
jp-30 Senior Member Last Online: 06-03-2009 05:29 PM Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 413	And while we're all discussing the dream situation which an all likelihood will never eventuate, which of LucasArts old IP do you think is possible to reuse in an episodic way? I'd say YES to; Monkey Island Zak McKraken Maniac Mansion Indiana Jones Full Throttle MAYBE to Loom And NO to Grim Fandango The Dig Concur? Last edited by jp-30; 07-25-2006 at 04:28 PM..

07-25-2006, 04:25 PM	#20
Udvarnoky Senior Member Last Online: 05-11-2019 01:44 PM Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 632	I'd say once you get the original creator(s) involved and they find some way to do it, anything's possible. Personally though I wouldn't want a Grim Fandango 2, period. And even in this ideal situation where LucasArts and Telltale exist in harmony in an adventure game publisher/developer relationship I still see Indiana Jones stuck in the action genre. I think anything could probably conceivably work, though, even if it's not preferable for some (or a lot of) people, and even if I don't think some of those titles are exactly crying for a sequel in any format. I don't see why The Dig would be any less possible.