Telltale Games Batman

MiskyBoyy

Just announced & teased at the video game awards

MiskyBoyy

Telltale Games, with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment, today announced an interactive episodic game series based on DC Comics’ iconic Batman™ that is set to premiere in 2016. The official title for the Telltale series is yet to be revealed.

The episodic game series will premiere digitally on home consoles, PC/Mac, and mobile devices. Specific platform details are yet to be announced.

“At Telltale, we’ve been honored to bring our unique approach to interactive storytelling to some of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world, and we’re excited to announce that we’ll soon be exploring what it means to be Batman in an all-new series starting next year,” said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. “This iteration of Batman will give fans a first-hand opportunity to dive deeper into the complex life and mind of Bruce Wayne, the duality of his own identity, and the struggle of responsibility in saving a city overcome with corruption and villainy.”

“Telltale has an established track record of creating award-winning content for some of the best properties in the world,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to working with the team as they deliver a new interactive way for fans and gamers to experience the rich narrative world of Batman.”

Revealed on-stage at The Game Awards 2015 in Los Angeles, the full announcement teaser trailer will be available for online viewing later this week.

super_furry

Does anyone really want another Telltale game, regardless of the licence?

Kylo Ren

https://twitter.com/notaxation/status/672601767121575936

Links234

This could be fantastic

Links234

super_furry wrote: »

Does anyone really want another Telltale game, regardless of the licence?

Does anyone really want another Assassin's Creed? Or Call of Duty? Or Total War? Telltale certainly have a formula, but they do what they do well, and I keep hearing great things about their games. They have their niche well carved out.

Corholio

Links234 wrote: »

Does anyone really want another Assassin's Creed? Or Call of Duty? Or Total War? Telltale certainly have a formula, but they do what they do well, and I keep hearing great things about their games. They have their niche well carved out.

Lately......they really don't.

It's funny if I could pick some studios I wouldn't want to have a license like this, Telltale would be near the top.

mayordenis

super_furry wrote: »

Does anyone really want another Telltale game, regardless of the licence?

While I've only played bits and pieces of their other games TWD 1 and 2 were among the best games I've ever played, so abso-****ing-lutely I want them to take on another IP that I love.

Links234

Corholio wrote: »

Lately......they really don't.

It's funny if I could pick some studios I wouldn't want to have a license like this, Telltale would be near the top.

Haven't they? I'm very out of the loop because I haven't played anything since Walking Dead, but I've heard a lot of praise for their Borderlands and GoT games. I'm really looking forward to the Borderlands one once I get around to it too.

MiskyBoyy

I thoroughly enjoyed TWD1 & 2, GoT & Wolf Among Us. Have Borderland on my HDD but still haven't played it. Would definitely pick up Batman

SeantheMan

Corholio wrote: »

Lately......they really don't.

It's funny if I could pick some studios I wouldn't want to have a license like this, Telltale would be near the top.

This is your expert opinion on what grounds ?

Please enlighten us all as to which Telltale games you've played and why they aren't doing their thing well anymore.

Corholio

SeantheMan wrote: »

This is your expert opinion on what grounds ?

Please enlighten us all as to which Telltale games you've played and why they aren't doing their thing well anymore.

I think you misunderstood my point. I'm sure it'll be a decent game for what a decent game is, but with Telltale they have a formula that they use that was once rich but in my opinion not anymore. A lot of people like them and that's fair enough but I feel as if they could be pushing what they do a lot more. Game of Thrones is a very good game, and bringing that formula over to Batman I'm sure will result in a good game, but this series needed a different direction than a model like this in my opinion.

pablomakaveli

As much as i like them i agree the last couple of telltale games ive played havent been great. Walking Dead season 2 was a bit of a step down from the first season. GoT was a big disappointment too. They seem to be really stretching themselves too thin with all the different series theyre working on concurrently.

GoT took just under a year for all episodes to get released. There was a 3 month gap between episode 5 and 6 of GoT. As much as i like Batman and am intrigued by this prospect theres just no chance ill even consider buying it now till its completely released.

ERG89

MiskyBoyy wrote: »

I thoroughly enjoyed TWD1 & 2, GoT & Wolf Among Us. Have Borderland on my HDD but still haven't played it. Would definitely pick up Batman

Tales from the Borderlands is brilliant tbh especially if you avoid spoilers. Game of Thrones was a flat disappointment tbh. Wolf Among Us needs a second season more than GoT does.
Love Batman so I'm all over this.

Mitch Connor

Corholio wrote: »

bringing that formula over to Batman I'm sure will result in a good game, but this series needed a different direction than a model like this in my opinion.

I really don't understand what you mean.

Firstly, you don't know exactly what they will be doing with the Batman IP. It will likely be the same formula, in general, as their other games but maybe they will push the concept on a bit further, maybe things will be new/improved.

Secondly, I don't get what you mean by the series needed a different model. Are you saying Batman needs a different model than a telltale games formula (Like, I dunno, and open world beat-em-up/adventure... like Arkham?) or that Telltale need a different IP to Batman - which seems like an odd position to take.

Penn

Corholio wrote: »

I think you misunderstood my point. I'm sure it'll be a decent game for what a decent game is, but with Telltale they have a formula that they use that was once rich but in my opinion not anymore. A lot of people like them and that's fair enough but I feel as if they could be pushing what they do a lot more. Game of Thrones is a very good game, and bringing that formula over to Batman I'm sure will result in a good game, but this series needed a different direction than a model like this in my opinion.

Just because Telltale are doing a Batman game doesn't mean another studio won't be doing a proper action-type Batman game, same way Telltale have done The Walking Dead while other studios did other Walking Dead games, plus Borderlands & Minecraft being games from other studios too.

Telltale make a very specific type of game. The Batman license won't be tied exclusively to them. Besides which, we've had 4 action Batman games in about 6 years (not including the smaller handheld spin-offs of that same series). I'd be more than glad to play a different type of Batman game.

That being said, where's The Wolf Among Us 2?!!!

J. Marston

On one hand, I love Batman and even though I'm suffering from serious Telltale fatigue, I'm excited for this.

On the other hand, I love Game Of Thrones and Telltale made a balls of that so I should be wary.

Robert ninja

There's nothing they won't keep their paws off these days, is there?

Well, at least Batman actually has proper story potential... unlike fecking Borderlands and Minecraft. That said, I'd rather not see batman animated worse than the original cartoons and have to solve a crime mystery by pressing X.

Links234

Links234 wrote: »

Does anyone really want another Assassin's Creed? Or Call of Duty? Or Total War? Telltale certainly have a formula, but they do what they do well, and I keep hearing great things about their games. They have their niche well carved out.

At least those games actually improve or have different features with new releases. The Telltale games haven't changed at all. I loved the first Walking Dead, but once you see that none of your decisions matter at all and that it was just an illusion of choice, the game loses all weight. You are barely playing a game at all. GoT was like an extremely poor episode of the show.

I don't think they do what they do well anymore. It seems like a cash cow. They pick an IP, throw together an average game using their cookie cutter formula and the fanboys of said IP will have to buy it.

Mr Freeze

Can't see the trailer here at work, but please be a new Engine for this...

I'm stick of the current stuttery one.

pasta-solo

How great would it be if this was in the visual style of The Animated Series and had Kevin Conroy as Batman?

Mr Freeze

pasta-solo wrote: »

How great would it be if this was in the visual style of The Animated Series and had Kevin Conroy as Batman?

Oh that would be perfection! (with a new engine)

TheZPPanda

They badly need to rework their engine. Played the finale of Game of Thrones recently on PS4 and it was a glitchy stuttery mess. Takes away from the otherwise great experience

titan18

Tbh, even though I still buy the games (albeit once they go on sale), they have had a good bit of disappointing games. TWD 2 and GoT in particular were very poor. Tales of the Borderlands is good (albeit haven't finished it yet), as was TWD Season 1 and Wolf Among Us. They're stretching themselves too thin aswell and is a long wait between episodes

Telltale fatigue is the phrase I'd use for myself too.

Game of thrones was terrible , fatigue or not. Nowhere was the illusion of choice more exposed in their games either. I've heard Mincecraft is pretty poor also.

The Batman IP could be great in their hands. How thin are they spreading themselves now though ? A new 3 episode walking dead arc was also announced last night. The gaps between releases is also a major issue for me with them now.

Skerries

I'd say it would be based more on the detective side of Batman like in TWAU

Mr Freeze

TheZPPanda wrote: »

They badly need to rework their engine. Played the finale of Game of Thrones recently on PS4 and it was a glitchy stuttery mess. Takes away from the otherwise great experience

GoT finale was bad, stuttery wise, but it was a poor series also.

Borderlands was better, it was quite fun and had a good story but performance wise I thought it was unacceptable how stuttery it was, especially in the last episode. I had still images on my screen and sound playing and then watching the visuals catch up for most of the episode.

After Borderlands, I said thats it, not getting another TellTale game until they have a new engine and now they have to announce Batman. :pac: so I hope its a new engine, I don't want to end up being a hypocrite and buying it on Day 1.

Generic Dreadhead

Robert ninja wrote: »

There's nothing they won't keep their paws off these days, is there?

Well, at least Batman actually has proper story potential... unlike fecking Borderlands and Minecraft. That said, I'd rather not see batman animated worse than the original cartoons and have to solve a crime mystery by pressing X.

Spoken like someone who is truly in the minority, Tales from the Borderlands had one of the best stories of all the Telltale games and was overall one of their best entries by a country mile.

Did you even play it?

Deleted User wrote: »

At least those games actually improve or have different features with new releases.

But not really, I mean, come on now

maximoose

pasta-solo wrote: »

How great would it be if this was in the visual style of The Animated Series and had Kevin Conroy as Batman?

That would be incredible

Really looking forward to this. A bit worn out of Telltale games, aside from TFTB which was incredible, but I have high hopes for this!

Please for the love of god get a new engine.

Robert ninja

Cormac... wrote: »

Spoken like someone who is truly in the minority

Yeah I'm used to that. There's two kinds of gamers. Those who give a hoot about the Borderland's story and those that don't. Borderland's story is based around its ability to help in telling a bunch of jokes and memes... which in its self does not mean its not entertaining... Wayne's World of example is the exact same thing... except I'd watch it any day of the week but you'd probably need to pay me to play a borderlands story-only game.

pasta-solo wrote: »

How great would it be if this was in the visual style of The Animated Series and had Kevin Conroy as Batman?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESJEAQGRQes

Need to go all the way back. Have it 2D. Type your responses and choices :pac:

Generic Dreadhead

Robert ninja wrote: »

Yeah I'm used to that. There's two kinds of gamers. Those who give a hoot about the Borderland's story and those that don't. Borderland's story is based around its ability to help in telling a bunch of jokes and memes

While it was hardly a work of Shakespeare, it's story (or at least the vehicle for it's characters to make said comments) was Executed far better than a lot of the Other Telltale games.

Penn

Robert ninja wrote: »

Yeah I'm used to that. There's two kinds of gamers. Those who give a hoot about the Borderland's story and those that don't. Borderland's story is based around its ability to help in telling a bunch of jokes and memes... which in its self does not mean its not entertaining... Wayne's World of example is the exact same thing... except I'd watch it any day of the week but you'd probably need to pay me to play a borderlands story-only game.

Tales From The Borderlands made me laugh harder than I've laughed at a game since South Park Stick of Truth. Yeah, the overall story was nothing special, but it was executed brilliantly with great humour and characters throughout.

And there were parts of Borderlands 2, particularly Tiny Tina's DLC, where the story was absolutely magnificent, in between the jokes & memes.

It doesn't have to be story vs gameplay. Games can have both or favour one over the other, while still delivering an enjoyable experience.

I'd be absolutely up for another Telltale game, but they absolutely need to fix their release procedures. Think most would be willing to wait an extra few months or a year, if we get a full release or episodes a week to a month apart. Tales from the Borderlands took over a year for a 5 episode game. A year.

TetraxShard

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd be absolutely up for another Telltale game, but they absolutely need to fix their release procedures. Think most would be willing to wait an extra few months or a year, if we get a full release or episodes a week to a month apart. Tales from the Borderlands took over a year for a 5 episode game. A year.

Maybe they are, we've already had three episodes of Minecraft and that game's less than two months old.

I'm really excited for this. It's a game I never knew I wanted, but now need badly.

TetraxShard

TetraxShard wrote: »

Maybe they are, we've already had three episodes of Minecraft and that game's less than two months old.

I'm really excited for this. It's a game I never knew I wanted, but now need badly.

Oh really? That's fantastic. Have no interest in the Minecraft one so wasn't paying attention.

Generic Dreadhead

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd be absolutely up for another Telltale game, but they absolutely need to fix their release procedures. Think most would be willing to wait an extra few months or a year, if we get a full release or episodes a week to a month apart. Tales from the Borderlands took over a year for a 5 episode game. A year.

I might be losing my mind here but looking at the install dates for Game of Thrones, it seems like there was about 4 months between episode 5 and 6

Penn

Cormac... wrote: »

I might be losing my mind here but looking at the install dates for Game of Thrones, it seems like there was about 4 months between episode 5 and 6

Felt like it anyway. Same with TFTB. They were alternating releases, so every 4-6 weeks they'd release one episode from one of them.

Star Lord

If this is executed anywhere near as well as The Wolf Among Us, then I'd be well pleased with it. (Speaking of TWAU, we need a second season!!!)

BlitzKrieg

steve_r

Interesting to see where they go with this. Got a Telltale humble bundle ages ago (great value tbf) and the fatigue is strong with this one!

I really enjoyed TWAO and TWD but sometimes you feel like you aren't playing a game at all - just clicking buttons to hear different dialogue.

TWAO is a great story well told - but there's zero challenge. Look at thread on here for it and it's like a thread for people watching a show.

If there is a Batman game, I want the challenges to be hard, and the consequences real. The difficulty level shouldn't be stupid high, but it still shouldn't feel as if we're on rails for the whole experience.

steve_r

Also would recommend Hector: Badge of Courage as a fun little game I got with the Telltale bundle. Make by a different studio (Nordies I think) who were subsequently bought by Telltale.

Kirby

The Wolf among us was brilliant. If they can reach those heights again with Batman, they will have another hit.

Batman is a huge seller as well so it will get the mainstream into point and click games which can only be good for the genre.

Rorok

I don't like the story games, for example

in TWD episode save Carley/Doug, you get one conversation at the end of episode 1, 2/3 in episode 2 cause they stay at the motor in, then episode 3 another 2 conversations and either die anyway

Somnus

I enjoyed TWD 1&2 and The Wolf Among Us, but one thing I notice the more I play, is that there are a lot of choices that don't affect the game at all. For example you might choose to do one thing, and the opposite will happen anyway. And I know that's true to life in a way, but I think they give the allusion of more choice than there actually is.

That said I'm kinda excited by this. I think they could do a really good job with the atmosphere and story. I just hope they don't spread themselves too thin over other projects and have ridiculous waits between episodes.

MiskyBoyy

It’s still too soon to show any scenes from the game, but the team was happy to confirm that players can expect to see it closer to its upcoming premiere which is slated for THIS SUMMER! Additional details gathered from the panel were as follows:

- Batman is the perfect character for the studio to explore in a Telltale series, giving the team the opportunity to dive deeper into the mind of the man behind the mask. Each night, Bruce Wayne chooses to change Gotham for the better. The team wants to explore what the consequences are of the player’s actions when decisions made as Bruce have a critical impact on his nightly crusade as Batman, and vice versa. Certain key situations will give the player the decision to approach a scene as Bruce or Batman, with consequences for both sides.

- Fresh interpretation of the universe set in current times, not tied to any existing iteration of Batman in games, film, or comics. Story will focus on Bruce and Batman, not an examination of the extended 'Bat-family,' (Robin, Nightwing, etc.) Fans can expect certain series staples such as Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale, James Gordon, and Renee Montoya. Telltale is looking to keep the villains more tightly under wraps until closer to the premiere.

- Certain characters will have a deeply personal relationship with Bruce in his private life, and decisions made as Bruce or Batman will affect their paths towards corruption or redemption.

- The player's actions will help shape the Gotham that Bruce deals with during the day, as well as the criminals that Batman faces at night.

- Team is committing to a non-photorealistic interpretation of the universe, enhancing engine and technology to deliver a more seamless living comic book art direction. Taking inspiration from the works of over 75 years of artists such as Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, and Neal Adams.

- Like some other Telltale series, the game will be landing at M (Mature 17+) rating, and the cinematic approach will feel more akin to an R-rated film.

First Details on Telltale's Batman Series Discussed

MiskyBoyy

Info on Batman:

Why make a Batman game? There are plenty of games where you feel like Batman - this gives you insight on Bruce.

What is the split between Bruce and Batman in the story? They are pushing for more Bruce than typical games (compared to movies; fair share of both)

How will the game handle playing as Bruce/Batman? Sometimes, you get to directly choose playing as either Bruce or Batman in a scene.

When does the game release? This Summer

What choices do you make? As Batman, you can decide between violence or mercy when confronting someone. As both Bruce/Batman, you have lots of power in being able to shape what the city looks like, your friendships, etc.

What will the style of the game be like? Telltale will embrace their own style/identity. They are aiming for an M rating. It won't be photorealistic - it will use a comic art style. Expect something similar to Wolf.

How will the Telltale engine be? "Very upgraded" from past Telltale games. More significant step up from past games on a technical/creative level than previous ttg games. Premiering lots of "new" TTG stuff in Batman.

What villains are in the game? No comment from Telltale for now.

How Telltale responds to criticisms from lots of work: They have grown a lot, currently have 350 people. Had 70 people around Season 1. Built to have four full projects at once, growing quick is hard but they reached end goal, you will see Telltale settling in this year. You will see "episodes coming out on time," new technology will "finally blossom." They aim to make Telltale feel more like a movie studio than a game company - they look to Netflix, HBO, etc

How many episodes? Typical five episode series.

J. Marston

Focusing more on the Bruce side of things is an interesting angle to approach it from but I'm struggling to get excited about it.

I am a huge fan of all things Game Of Thrones/A Song of Ice & Fire-related and Telltale's take on that was a bit crap and barely held my interest, to be honest. I have a similar love for all things Batman, so I'm hoping they get it right this time.

Hopefully new engine means no more stuttering etc.

MiskyBoyy

New info posted ahead of E3 for Telltale's Batman: https://www.telltalegames.com/blog/106859/batman-the-telltale-series-unveiled-in-first-look-ahead-of-summer-2016-premiere

"Our CEO and Co-Founder Kevin Bruner had this to say about the upcoming series: "We've been hard at work at Telltale creating an all-new iteration of the iconic Batman story that puts players in the suit of billionaire Bruce Wayne, just as much as it will put them behind the mask, deciding how to carefully navigate a complex drama, rich with action, crime, corruption, and villainy lurking around every corner of Gotham City. The complex life and fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne has lent itself to becoming a bold evolution of the signature 'Telltale' role-playing experience, and we couldn't be more excited as we prepare to debut the series to players across the world this summer."

Cast:

Rendered to look like a living, breathing comic book, Telltale's vision of Batman will feature an award-winning cast of talent, including Troy Baker in the role of Bruce Wayne, Travis Willingham as Harvey Dent, Erin Yvette as Vicki Vale, Enn Reitel as Alfred Pennyworth, Murphy Guyer as Lieutenant James Gordon, Richard McGonagle as Carmine Falcone, and Laura Bailey as Selina Kyle. We'll be able to reveal additional cast and characters as the season progresses.

Sephiroth_dude

Meh...walking dead and the wolf among us was great but everything was rubbish imo.

ERG89

Sephiroth_dude wrote: »

Meh...walking dead and the wolf among us was great but everything was rubbish imo.

Tales from the Borderlands was great. Far from rubbish.