Sam and Max Hit the Road

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Posted by ryuzaki0 on Tuesday October 17, 2006 @07:31AM from the c'mon-little-buddy dept.

Gamasutra reports on the unveiling of the 'GameTap Originals' publishing label, a brand led by the anticipated episodic revival of Sam and Max. The game is now available both via the GameTap service, and at the TellTale site. From the article: "Sam & Max: Episode 1, which launches today exclusively on GameTap, as well as the upcoming Myst Online: Uru Live, are two examples of franchises that GameTap has co-published and helped bring back to life. While nothing specific was announced regarding upcoming franchises set to debut as part of the new GameTap Original label, representatives did note that it will be used to identify soon to be announced episodic games based on renowned TV and film franchises. Finally, supporting its new GameTap Original label, GameTap will be the premiere sponsor of the 9th Annual Independent Games Festival, held in conjunction with the 2007 Game Developers Conference to celebrate the innovation and creativity of independent game developers." Chris Kohler, over at Game|Life, has a short review of the first three hours of content.

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Eurogamer review by Jboost · 2006-10-17 07:41 · Score: 5, Interesting

Eurogamer reviewed it.

Culture Shock is the loving update we dreamed of. It's the kind of game you want to be playing when your friends and family walk in the room, if only to demonstrate that there are videogames out there that aren't just about killing things and smashing cars (even if, yes, you can actually do both in this, albeit in typically slapstick fashion). Even the jazz licks of the soundtrack make you want to turn up the volume in celebration. You want the whole world to know that people still make games like this - ones that not only make you laugh, but everyone else too.

Can't wait to play it!
1. Re:Eurogamer review by Kazzahdrane · 2006-10-17 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  No mod points so I'll just add my weight to the Eurogamer review-loving. The review impressed me enough that I plan to pay for the full season one package once it's available on Telltale's website. You save some money and Telltale get all the cash now and can use it to fund more episodes.
2. Re:Eurogamer review by toriver · 2006-10-17 09:29 · Score: 1
  
  Not to mention that the Gametap "exclusive" early release is USELESS to us Europeans anyway. It's Telltale or Steam for the purchase come Nobember 1st.
WalletTap? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 07:51 · Score: 0

Turner Broadcasting System has announced that it has formed a new label for its GameTap subscription PC 'all you can eat' gaming service, which currently offers over 700 licensed video games for download and play on demand.

I'm guessing they meant to type "pay on demand".

What's with this interest in companies trying to rent games to people instead of selling them? How many more reasons is the gaming industry going to come up with to push gamers to piracy?
1. Re:WalletTap? by TychoCelchuuu · 2006-10-17 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  It's more like they're renting their entire library. When they add new games, you get them automatically. It's not like you have to rent individual games on a month-by-month basis (although MMORPGs do that and nobody seems to mind).
  
  --
  Against stupidity the Gods themselves contend in vain.
2. Re:WalletTap? by westlake · 2006-10-17 09:39 · Score: 1
  
  What's with this interest in companies trying to rent games to people instead of selling them? How many more reasons is the gaming industry going to come up with to push gamers to piracy?
  The rental model looks good when you tire of spending hours trolling the P2P nets for files that would be a one-click download from a legit, trusted source.
  ---and all the better, if it means a painless install, updated graphics and sound, and perhaps other enhancements to a classic game.
3. Re:WalletTap? by LesFerg · 2006-10-17 11:20 · Score: 1
  
  If I may quote from their site, after clicking on the "Play Now" link...
  
  "Sorry, GameTap is only available in the United States."
  
  The rest of us are not important... or are not considered to be as wealthy... or something.
  
  --
  If I had a DeLorean... I would probably only drive it from time to time.
4. Re:WalletTap? by proverbialcow · 2006-10-17 15:28 · Score: 1
  
  I think it has more to do with market size.
  
  Pay license fee to whoever owns the US distribution rights, get access to the US market and a decent chance of making back your investment and then some. Pay license fees to each of the companies that own distribution rights throughout the EU, and still not reach as many gamers as in the US. Not a tough choice when you're not an international megacorp.
  
  --
  The only surefire protection against Microsoft infections is abstinence. - The Onion
5. Re:WalletTap? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 19:55 · Score: 0
  
  GameTap just opened in Canada, and according to this article:
  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/s tory.html?id=100f2948-199b-41a5-ae4a-3adcc724e6b4 ... is coming to UK, Australia, and NZ in early 2007. More countries will follow.
  
  They are expanding, you just need a little patience. It's a tricky business when you consider that some of the games GameTap offers could have different licenses domestically in the US and internationally, and GameTap has to ensure that they've got the appropriate licenses before they can offer the content.
6. Re:WalletTap? by servognome · 2006-10-17 22:24 · Score: 1
  
  What's with this interest in companies trying to rent games to people instead of selling them?
  
  Because many people prefer renting over buying. Personally, most games I would prefer to rent than buy. There are very few games that I expect to play for many years, for the most part I will play through a game, then sell it on ebay. Renting makes more sense for games that you will play through only a few times.
  
  How many more reasons is the gaming industry going to come up with to push gamers to piracy?
  
  How many more reasons will copyright infringers cite to rationalize piracy. If a game is not available the way you want it, how about just skipping it? What urgent need is there to play a game no matter what?
  
  --
  D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
FYI For Non-US Folk by jhembruff · 2006-10-17 07:54 · Score: 4, Informative

Not sure how old this news is... but it appears that people not living in the US can finally start using Gametap.
1. Re:FYI For Non-US Folk by Fr33z0r · 2006-10-17 09:36 · Score: 1
  
  Are you sure? I loved the first game and went to check this out just now, but all I got on the site was a "Sorry, GameTap is only available in the United States" :/
2. Re:FYI For Non-US Folk by fov · 2006-10-17 16:14 · Score: 1
  
  They expanded the service into Canada starting today. It's not available anywhere else yet.
I'd rather own, thanks by spyrochaete · 2006-10-17 07:59 · Score: 3, Interesting

I used to have trepidations about online distribution schemes like Steam because I feared I would never really own the product. I've since warmed up to Steam but Gametap is where I draw the line. I can't wrap my head around the idea (yet) of playing games only while paying a subscription fee. Sure, lots of people do this in MMOGs like WoW but those aren't my cup of tea either. Even Guild Wars, which is a MMORPG with no monthly fee, will feel like a bargain in terms of bucks per playtime by the time it dries up.

I love Sam and Max enough to buy Season 1 for $35 as soon as it's released retail.
1. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by Raynor · 2006-10-17 08:10 · Score: 0
  
  I can agree entirely with that.
  
  With steam it's more of buying the download, and it is nice to be able to log into steam from a new computer and download the games without hassling about it...
  
  But pay to play for retail games?
  
  I'd only ever take a service like this as a alternative to renting games via Blockbuster-esque stores.
  
  --
  "Dictator Flakes. They WILL be delicious."
2. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by Rob+T+Firefly · 2006-10-17 08:13 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Same here. Not only is it the principle of the thing, but to continue to use Sam and Max as an example, I still have my copy of the first game. I loved it then, and I still play it now. Assuming this game is as good as it should be, I want to be sure that I'll be able to play it in 15 years on whatever the future equivalent to ScummVM is.
  
  --
  Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
3. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by SimDarth · 2006-10-17 08:24 · Score: 1
  
  I agree. I do pay a monthly fee for WoW, but even though I have only played the game for two months I find it harder and harder to justify the cost. I also have owned Guild Wars since its release and while I don't play it regularly, I am comfortable with having it on my hard drive as I pay no monthly fees. Besides, Gametap seems to have a bunch of older games. Most of which I can get in anthologies for my PSP. Only about $30-$40 a pop and I don't have to worry about a subscription. I miss games like Sam and Max and Grim Fandango and would be happy to pay $35-$40 for the joy of playing them. Just not $10 a month.
4. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by Jugalator · 2006-10-17 19:11 · Score: 1
  
  Gametap
  
  Or given their business model, is it perhaps "Gametrap"? ;-)
  
  --
  Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
5. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by elmegil · 2006-10-18 00:47 · Score: 1
  
  So wait and buy the DVD once it's available. Or can't you be bothered to read the telltale games faq (scroll down most of the way)?
  
  --
  7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
6. Re:I'd rather own, thanks by spyrochaete · 2006-10-18 01:13 · Score: 1
  
  Doy? I said I was going to buy the entire season when it is available retail. I've been following this game for years and I know very well when and where it will be sold. Can't you be bothered to read what you just replied to?
Nice... by curecollector · 2006-10-17 08:02 · Score: 2, Interesting

This is great news. It's good to see that people are still making games like this. After the death (hiatus, I still hope) of series such as King's Quest, Maniac Mansion, Monkey Island and the like, I had pretty much given up on PC games...

Now for another Grim Fandango game...
1. Re:Nice... by Jugalator · 2006-10-17 19:15 · Score: 1
  
  I agree Grim Fandango was awesome, but I think it was wrapped up with "Manny" Calavera and "Meche" Colomar on the Number Nine. :-)
  Actually, as great as the game was, equally great was the ending. I'm not sure I'd like to see a sequel of that game.
  
  --
  Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
2. Re:Nice... by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-18 02:13 · Score: 0
  
  You should check out Psychonauts, the latest game by Tim Schafer (the guy behind Grim Fandango, Full Throttle, Day of the Tentacle and others).
Gametap and Canada by Raynor · 2006-10-17 08:04 · Score: 0

Goto their website and check... dozens of good games have a nice little asterisk next to them and below it explains: * Not available in Canada ... Anyone care to elaborate?

--
"Dictator Flakes. They WILL be delicious."
1. Re:Gametap and Canada by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 08:22 · Score: 0
  
  Sure, it means those games are not available in Canada. You'll find that there are several (or more!) of these "countries" scattered about the world and each has its own laws and licensing regarding things like intellectual property. Parochial, I know, but such is life.
2. Re:Gametap and Canada by SScorpio · 2006-10-17 08:31 · Score: 1
  
  Gametap just launched service in Canada today. I'm sure they are still working on licensing deals for many of the games. People in Europe have been successful in using a US proxy to sign up and even correct billing to a Europe address. After you are signed up you can use the software without a proxy.
But...... by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 08:15 · Score: 0

Lucasarts owns rights to grim fandago.

Don't expect to see a new adventure game from lucasarts unless it's starwars.
1. Re:But...... by curecollector · 2006-10-17 08:25 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, I know... My point was that if this does well, perhaps this style of interactive (albeit usually pretty linear) adventure game may see a revival. But yes, your point about LA ever making another non-Star Wars game is well taken.
2. Re:But...... by DeadChobi · 2006-10-17 08:32 · Score: 1
  
  Speaking of Lucas Arts and games that were totally awesome, does anyone remember The Dig? Man, I remember how much fun the puzzles were to solve, and how well the ambience carried through the music. It's too bad I'll never see another game like that without paying a subscription fee. I'd actually pay $50 for a new adventure game if it's done in the same style as the old-school ones. Another series I want to play again is the Legend of Kyrandia series. Oh, and Torin's Passage. Hooray Tangent!
  
  --
  SRSLY.
3. Re:But...... by nephridium · 2006-10-17 09:06 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Yea, I remember the Dig, it had Robert Patrick, the T1000, voicing the protagonist and he'd done a magnificent job. The great atmosphere was underlined by a beautiful soundtrack by Michael Land and stunning visuals, not to mention the epic story. "Full Throttle" was also a cool game and the "X-Wing/TIE Fighter" simulator franchise just begs for a revival (maybe one that resembles the movies' dynamics better, i.e. short fast bursts instead of the slow endless "phat phat phat phat.."). A game with the Death Star trench run in full 3D high res textures shader model 3 splendor (and in which Han shoots first) - now that would be a game that would do the Lucasarts legacy justice.
  
  --
  
  And when you gaze long enough into the code, the code will also gaze into you.
4. Re:But...... by Hitto · 2006-10-17 10:22 · Score: 1
  
  If you want some death star trench, most games from the rogue squadron series feature one. My personal favorite is rogue leader on the gamecube. You can get it for like five bucks used, and that trench is the very first level of the game.
5. Re:But...... by swordgeek · 2006-10-17 16:08 · Score: 1
  
  Depending on just what you mean by 'in the same style...', you may be in luck.
  Adventure games haven't died--they've just moved to Europe. Syberia was gorgeous, and a pretty good game. The Longest Journey was an excellent game--in the same category as Grim Fandango, if not _quite_ up there. I'm playing Runaway right now, which is also quite good, and very much in the old LucasArts vein.
  
  They're out there. You just have to look harder.
  
  --
  
  "People who do stupid things with hazardous materials often die." -- Jim Davidson on alt.folklore.urban
6. Re:But...... by nephridium · 2006-10-17 18:23 · Score: 1
  
  Indeed the Rogue Squadron series looks pretty good (for Gamecube games), definitely better than the original "X-Wing" (which had a very "crude" Death Star trench run, but that was way back somewhere in the 1800s).
  
  Now, the greatest thing with the technology nowadays would be to port it back to the PC, and create something like a MMORPFS (..flight simulator) where real human squadrons could (virtually) sit together and define the objectives and strategies before the battle and then when in battle do some cool team-based maneuvers etc. Just picture a battle with dozens (hundreds?) of fighters and huge spaceships piloted by other humans that can talk to you through the comm link. Now add a nice AI with its own squadron tactics and we have something that really recreates the epic battles we've seen in the movies.
  
  --
  
  And when you gaze long enough into the code, the code will also gaze into you.
Uru Live..? by necro2607 · 2006-10-17 08:33 · Score: 1

Er, wasn't Uru Live cancelled before the game was even released? I beta tested Uru but IIRC the retail release was offline only....
1. Re:Uru Live..? by necro2607 · 2006-10-17 08:35 · Score: 1
  
  Oh snap, now I see.. brought *back* to life...!!
2. Re:Uru Live..? by SScorpio · 2006-10-17 11:42 · Score: 1
  
  Uru is currently on Gametap, and the online portion is being released "by the holidays". A way to access Uru Live without Gametap will also be released, but it will likely be cheaper to sign up for the $5/month plan Gametap is currently offering, as I don't see Uru Live standalone being any cheaper.
3. Re:Uru Live..? by Aladrin · 2006-10-17 22:28 · Score: 1
  
  Correct. In fact, they have said that the Uru Live 'alternate entry method' will cost as much as a Gametap subscription. Why would you pay that? Because Gametap is only US and CA, and if you want to play from another country, you're stuck for it.
  
  Personally, if Uru Live couldn't make it with Ubi and Cyan at $15/month, I don't see how it can survive at $10/mo (or $5/mo if you take the special) under any company at all. Unless they plan to have an initial launch and then never update it... Would suck if that's true.
  
  --
  "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
4. Re:Uru Live..? by SScorpio · 2006-10-18 01:56 · Score: 1
  
  Gametap is run by the Turner companies and they have a lot of money to throw around. If you really wanted to play Uru Live the current special that is good until Sunday is the way to go. You'll pay $60 for the year which would have brought you 4 months of gameplay from the Ubisoft/Cyan price point. It's true that the game might not launch until December but that's still 10 months of play and you get access to all of the other Gametap titles which has a decent, not awesome, but decent selection of Adventure games.
5. Re:Uru Live..? by Aladrin · 2006-10-18 05:11 · Score: 1
  
  Thank you for noting that Uru Live may not start for a couple months... Somehow, that had slipped by me. I have been considering paying the reduced fee as I would have paid the $15/mo for Uru Live, if they were going to keep up regular content.
  
  I'm still very shakey on how much 'new' content will be released and on what schedule, but with all the other titles to mess with also, it's a pretty good deal. Especially with the new (also questionable) Sam & Max episodes... Gotta try it and see.
  
  --
  "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-17 08:52 · Score: 4, Interesting

Another game we'll have to skip, I guess.

Aside from the office, Windows lock-in is all about games. Am I the only one who thinks it's insane to keep a 2nd computer with a different OS only to play some games? Even if you dual-boot, that means you have to pay 200$US (or whatever the price is) to buy and install a different OS only to play games? How about the maintenance of that OS, given that it's Windows we're talking about?

We need some kind of "Universal Game engine" that runs on any platform, kinda like Java (in spirit) but that doesn't suck. Most of the older AGI/SCI games from Sierra and SCUMM games from LucasArts, for exemple, can run on any platform, all you need is an interpreter/engine program. There's even people making such engines for the GBA and PDAs these days.
1. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-17 08:56 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Well, there is this small note at the bottom of the requirements page:
  "GameTap is also currently unavailable for download on Apple Macintosh systems but will be available at a later date so please be sure to check back often."
  
  I guess there's hope after all.
2. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 09:17 · Score: 0
  
  In addition to that, the first Bone episode is available for Mac since last week!
3. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by franksands · 2006-10-17 09:33 · Score: 1
  
  How about using parallels?...
4. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-17 10:23 · Score: 1
  
  That still means no native support and I have to buy Parallels too. Not to mention that I'm on a Mac mini G4, on which Parallels won't work. Given the price of OS X vs the price of a Mac mini, I will only upgrade once Leopard is released.
5. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by brkello · 2006-10-17 12:01 · Score: 1
  
  Uhh, I would hope you are the only one to think it was insane. Listen, if you want to have the most access to games, you run Windows. Dual-booting isn't a big deal and you can probably find a friend to "lend" you a copy. I admire that you haven't gone down that route and actually buy your products, though. But what you are complaining about is about like complaining that you can't stick your PSP discs in a DS. If you want PSP games, get a PSP. If you want DS games, get a DS.
  
  Can these things be ported to Linux? Sure. But the cost of it generally won't cover the increase in sales. Stop being disappointed and surprised this. If you want a gaming platform, get a copy of Windows.
  
  --
  Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
6. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Cadallin · 2006-10-17 14:02 · Score: 1
  
  This was a huge conundrum to me as well, however, there has been a huge movement, with Telltale also involved to get their games on the Wii. It was fairly recently announced (3-4 weeks ago) that Nintendo took notice, and agreed to give Telltale a complete Wii dev kit. I'd say the odds are now very good that the new Sam&Max will show up on the Wii. This solved my problem completely.
  I know this isn't the answer you are looking for, and I understand. But my compromise since switching to a Mac recently has been to rely on game consoles for my gaming needs. The Wii is launching for only $250, which I realize is a significant fraction of the cost of an Intel Mini (as opposed to a PS3, the price of which WILL buy you a Mini on sale), but you don't have to worry about Windows (ditto on the "Yuck!" to that) and its not like a Wii is some monstrously huge box anyway. If you have any interest in classic Nintendo games, or TG-16 games (they made a deal to get these on Virtual console as well), or potentially in any of the upcoming Wii titles, this option is definately worth some consideration.
7. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by swordgeek · 2006-10-17 16:05 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  "Am I the only one who thinks it's insane to keep a 2nd computer with a different OS only to play some games?"
  
  Maybe, maybe not.
  
  The reality of the market is that games are written for Windows. If games are that important to you, then you run Windows. If Linux or MacOS or Solaris are that important to you, then you run that instead. If they're both important, then you run both. Your decision to make, not anybody else's.
  
  --
  
  "People who do stupid things with hazardous materials often die." -- Jim Davidson on alt.folklore.urban
8. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Jugalator · 2006-10-17 19:43 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe a OS X / Linux interpreter for this game will also be released after a while. It's not like a cross platform SCUMM interpreter to run LucasArts game existed from the start anywyay.
  
  --
  Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
9. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 23:00 · Score: 0
  
  Tell you what -- I'll start feeling sorry for game-deprived Mac users as soon as Apple lets me play iTunes songs on a Zune.
  
  You chose to be locked into Apple's proprietary walled garden. It's your problem if you don't like the consequences.
10. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Lex-Man82 · 2006-10-18 00:24 · Score: 1
  
  I may be wrong but didn't I hear that Apple was going to start to focus more of games. I also think I heard that they may create some kind of native direct X support allowing mac users to play windows games natively. It would be initially possible with the shift to Intel based computers.
11. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by nule.org · 2006-10-18 01:08 · Score: 1
  
  I can't let the java slam slide. :)
  Check out the lightweight java game library (LWJGL) - it powers pretty impressive commercial games like Tribal Trouble and Bang Howdy. They work great on the three OSes you mention, have attractive 3d interfaces and are fast and more stable than many windows games I've played (CC:Generals comes to mind - same genre, but for me crashed about 50% of the games I played). Maybe they're not as gorgeous as something like Source can provide, but I think they show that Java can be a wonderful platform for many types of games.
12. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-18 02:21 · Score: 1
  
  I do already have a Wii on pre-order (funny how a lot of Mac users are also Nintendo gamers... quality above quantity?), and it's nice to know we'll have Sam & Max on the Wii too.
  
  As for the PS3 price being the same as a Mac mini on sale, you're close enough. In Canada, the 20GB PS3 will be 500$CAD and the 60GB will be 600$CAD. The Mac mini is 600$CAD here. Except that the 20GB PS3 is usable, unlike the core model of the Xbox 360 (can't install FF XI on it, for example).
  
  One month and one day until the Revolution, Wii iiiiiiii!
13. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-18 02:31 · Score: 1
  
  Except we're not talking about Microsoft here. I'm not asking an OS X port of Microsoft Flight Simulator. We're talking about 3rd party titles.
  
  I can understand that Zelda and Metroid are Nintendo titles, Halo is pretty much locked to Xbox (and Windows).... and I can't find a Sony-only title for my analogy... and no, Final Fantasy isn't made by Sony.
  
  What I find strange is that a "business OS" also became a "gaming OS". Apple isn't a proprietary walled garden. My OS can use GIFs, JPEGs, PNGs, PSDs and PDFs directly. It can also write PDF files directly via "print to PDF". iTunes can rip to MP3 instead of DRM-less AAC. My OS also came with Apache and PHP (and mySQL, I think) all pre-installed and pre-configured. The whole GUI runs with the help of OpenGL. How is that for a proprietary OS, mister BMP, XPS, WMA, IIS and Direct X?
  
  Hey, I can troll too if needed. Too bad what I wrote above is all true and contains zero FUD, unlike your post.
  
  As for your (brown) Zune, simply burn your iTS-bought tunes to a CD, then rip again in feel-good-happy WMA for additionnal vendor lock-in goodness.
14. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-18 05:15 · Score: 0
  
  A very similar title (Out from Boneville) from Telltale games has in fact been ported to the Mac. See their blog entry:
  http://www.telltalegames.com/blogs/telltale/?perma link=6F934CD8B1A3C874FBB0C9F47FAAEF4E.txt&smm=y
  
  keep your fingers crossed.
15. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Cadallin · 2006-10-18 08:03 · Score: 1
  
  Of course we haven't really heard anything on how Sam & Max will show up on the Wii. It may be released as the "Season" on Disc later on, but I'm still hoping for it to be released on VC for Download to SD cards.
  I'd definately agree on the quality over quantity. Zelda: TP all the way.
16. Re:No luck yet again for us OS X or Linux users by Yvan256 · 2006-10-18 08:22 · Score: 1
  
  While I'll most probably get Zelda: TP myself, I'm more of a Metroid fan. Can't wait for Prime 3! Finally a good ("natural"?) way to control the movements and the aiming!
  
  A bit off-topic of our discussion, but Metroid Prime 2 in progressive mode is 480p right? Well, if the Wii has the same resolution in pixels but the graphics are 3 times better in quality (without dropping the framerate) then I'll be more than happy.
  
  On a last note, I find it funny that the Xbox 360 was supposedly made for 480p but now Microsoft is asking developpers to push it to 720p at the price of a good framerate. Good graphics means nothing if you have to watch them under 30 fps. If the 480p story is true, that means the Wii isn't that far behind the Xbox 360 as far as graphics go. Not to mention that we supposedly haven't seen the real Wii graphics yet (or so I've heard).
Play it for free? by friedmud · 2006-10-17 08:57 · Score: 1

In looking at GameTap's website it looks like they have a free trial... does that cover playing Sam and Max? I can't check right now because I'm using Linux...

Also... to anyone out there that subscribes.... is there set number of months that you have to subscribe for? Or can you just get the first month for $10 and play Sam and Max and then cancel? Again... they won't even let me look at the subscription plans while in Linux... sigh.

Friedmud
1. Re:Play it for free? by cjb909 · 2006-10-17 09:16 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  While you have an active subscription (through a free trial, or just a one month deal), you have access to all of their games. So yes, you could play Sam and Max, and then ditch the free trial, or cancel your subscription.
2. Re:Play it for free? by jared9900 · 2006-10-17 10:15 · Score: 1
  
  The subscription is something like most MMO's out there (at least the ones I've played) where you can buy 1 month at a time and cancel anytime (presumably you'd keep access until the end of the month you cancel in). The rate is $9.95/month and goes down to $6.95/month if you buy for a whole year (+/- $1.00), you can buy it in smaller increments as well. Also another nice thing, and my sister's birthday present, is that you can create additionaly logins for family and friends, which can be logged in at the same time as you and play multiplayer games with you (haven't tried that part, been told it works). These don't cost anything extra, so one way to reduce the cost if a movie ticket + popcorn is too much to pay for access to 700+ games a month is to get a friend to give you a couple bucks to add an account for them.
  
  I should also note that as one article pointed out there is a buy one get one free deal right now, 2 months for $9.95.
too bad its gametap exclusive by grapeape · 2006-10-17 09:04 · Score: 1

I would love to play this next to Grim Fandango, Sam & Max was the best thing to come out of Lucas Games. I see no point in gametap though, $20 a month to maybe spend an hour getting nostalgic is not worth it IMHO. I kept all my old consoles and most of my games anyway so if I'm really feeling old school I plug one of them in. Anyone know if they plan on releasing an actual purchasable version once the episodes are all available?
1. Re:too bad its gametap exclusive by TychoCelchuuu · 2006-10-17 09:31 · Score: 1
  
  It's a GameTap exclusive for a limited time, I believe. After that, you can buy it standalone (online, I think, although maybe also in stores).
  
  --
  Against stupidity the Gods themselves contend in vain.
2. Re:too bad its gametap exclusive by grapeape · 2006-10-17 10:07 · Score: 1
  
  Ah sorry, missed the line about the first episode being available on the developers site later.
  I just hope they package the whole thing together when its done.
3. Re:too bad its gametap exclusive by SScorpio · 2006-10-17 11:49 · Score: 1
  
  Telltale Games (the developer) is releasing each chapter on either site 2 weeks after it launches on Gametap. They are charging $8 per episode or you can buy the complete season (all 6 episodes) for $35 and download them as they are released and then you can pay just s/h for a CD of all of them together after episode 6 is released.
4. Re:too bad its gametap exclusive by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 15:51 · Score: 0
  
  The normal GameTap cost is $9.95 a month, not $20. What hole in the ground did you pull that number out of?
  
  Between now and October 22, there's a special running: Buy a full year of GameTap in advance for only $4.95 a month. So if you subscribe to GameTap, you get your episodes of Sam & Max for just under $5 a month... and there's an episode each month, plus you get the rest of GameTap's content (including the animated Sam & Max cartoon series on GameTap TV).
  
  Outside of GameTap, you can get the episodes direct from the developer, but at double the price, and no other content.
5. Re:too bad its gametap exclusive by Haeleth · 2006-10-17 23:07 · Score: 1
  
  Outside of GameTap, you can get the episodes direct from the developer, but at double the price, and no other content.
  
  Let's do some arithmetic.
  
  GameTap subscription, according to you: 1 year at $4.95/mo = $59.40
  Full Sam & Max (6 episodes), direct from the developers = $35.00
  
  Looks to me like buying direct from the developer is HALF the price, not double. If you want the GameTap extras, or if you want to get each episode two weeks earlier, then GameTap is clearly the way to go, but if all you want is the Sam & Max game, buying direct will save you a lot of money.
  
  Even if you buy the episodes individually from the developers ($8.00 each), you still wind up only paying $48.00, i.e. you save $11.40 compared to a GameTap subscription.
Guild Wars is not a MMORPG. by Generic+Player · 2006-10-17 09:34 · Score: 1

I know alot of people do call it one, but guildwars isn't a mmorpg. Its not massively multiplayer, you play with fewer people than in counterstrike. Its just like diablo 2, its certainly online, but you are just playing little 8 player instanced missions.

From the official site:
"Rather than labeling Guild Wars an MMORPG, we prefer to call it a CORPG"
Game or Life? Both please? by Anonymous Coward · 2006-10-17 16:26 · Score: 0

"Game|Life" is a funny programmer poem, don't you think?
Please don't listen to this advice Telltale... by PhoenixOne · 2006-10-18 05:48 · Score: 1

"Make it longer. I know -- nine bucks for three hours of gameplay isn't that bad of a deal. But I couldn't help feeling disappointed at watching the credits roll on the same night that I started the game. At any rate, you don't necessarily need to add more content to lengthen the experience."

If you can add more, fun, content then please do but never force us to do shit we don't want to do just to get to the next level (where the game *might* get fun again).
A short, well thought out, fun game is sometimes exactly what I want to play. If I want a timesink, I'll load up a MMO or free-cell.

This game sounds almost exactly what I want. I can't wait to play it. :)

--
Spell cheek you've failed me four the last thyme!