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GameTap Thursday: A new Sam & Max, what Moai could you ask for?
The dog detective and his rabbity-thing companion are back for "Moai" adventure in Sam & Max: Moai Better Blues. This time they hop over to Easter Island for some R&R, only to discover things are about to get explosive with a volcano eruption. That's the fine wine GameTap is serving up this week -- the service's other offering is a bit more vinegar. Sam & Max Season Two Episode 2 Moai Better Blues (Windows) - The second episode in the second season of Sam & Max's second coming. Jewelcraft (Windows) - You can find better color matching games on GameTap here, here, here, here and here. After the break we have GameTap's list of free games, including this week's addition, Black Tiger. Still haven't played any Sam & Max yet? Be sure to check out Episode 4 Abe Lincoln Must Die! in the free section to get your paws wet with punny humor.
GameTap Thursday: Sam & Max Season 2 begins
It's time for the dog detective and his rabbity-thing companion to start their second season of Telltale Games' Sam & Max. The second season, of the series that got episodic gaming right, starts with the duo taking on the vile Santa Claus in Ice Station Santa. New episodes will premiere monthly on GameTap with the conclusion in April; there will be five episodes this season instead of six.The new subscriber games this week are: Virtua Fighter (Saturn) - Any other week we would have found an awesome picture of the original blocky fighters and made it the featured game of the week. The Sega Saturn classic that changed fighters as we know them comes to the service. Shadow Watch (PC) - A secret security force must prevent a conspiracy seeking to stop humanity from exploring space. Sam & Max: Ice Station Santa (PC) - The boys survived their first season and return for more adventure game hijinks. This season promises to be tighter and more engaging than the first great season as Telltale gets a better feel and continues to write the book on how this whole episodic gaming concept works. American McGee better be taking notes for Grimm. After the break we have GameTap's list of free games. New free games are bolded for easy reference. Topping the list is the addition of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, which is part of GameTap's continuing Hitman promotion leading up to the film's debut in theaters. Also be sure to check out the Hitman retrospective premiering on the "watch" channel.
Joystiq interview: Telltale's Dan Connors tells tales
Sam & Max: Season One was one of the first real success stories of digital distribution, where folks could download episodes of the game from month to month, and then after everything had been released, pick up a DVD copy of all the episodes with some extra content. Season Two launches on November 8th (tomorrow, kids!), putting Sam & Max right back into the fray.We sat down with Telltale Games founder and CEO Dan Connors during E For All to talk about all things Sam & Max, Bone, and what's coming up for the young studio. We started off by waxing poetic about E for All or E3 possibly moving to Vegas, so we could have done this over drinks and then hit the tables. We'd like to think Sam & Max would have been proud.
New Sam and Max season starts Nov. 8 with 'Ice Station Santa'
If you could fight one person in history, who would it be? Abe Lincoln, of course. But if you're like animated crime-fighters Sam and Max then you've already beaten him. So who would you fight in the mythological world? Those of you who answered "Kris Kringle" will soon have your wishes granted, as Sam and Max Season Two kicks off on Nov. 8 when the first episode, "Ice Station Santa," arrives for GameTap subscribers.If you're not on the service, fix that! But also, take heart! You'll be able to download the episode for Telltale Games' site on the following day. Episodes will keep arriving monthly, all leading up to the season finale in April. This info did come with some sadness though, as Telltale revealed that this season will be shortened to five episodes from six. Here's hoping they make up for it with extra hilarity.
Sam and Max Season Two trailer online
Telltale Games has gotten around to putting up the Sam and Max Season Two trailer that some of our luckier staffers saw during PAX. What you'll find is plenty of nods to the first season with just a few hints as to where the crime fighters will be headed next. (Hint: The presidents are back. One's looking for his head, and one's doing just fine without a body.) There's some more information about changes in the second season too like NPCs who move around the stages and will occasionally offer advice, new mini-games in every episode, better driving, the ability to upgrade the DeSoto and widescreen support. We're sorry that you have to click on the link to see the trailer, like in the caveman days of the internet. But we'd be willing to bet that even with the Cro-Magnon tech you're about to start counting the days until fall.%Gallery-6517%
PAX 07: The Sam & Max panel (we made a scene!)
Despite being told we'd be creating an episode, it turns out games (even episodic ones!) take a little longer than an hour (but just barely we imagine). Improv comedy style, they take suggestions from the crowd for events in the game. First, a favorite fruit? Pomegrenates we yell out. A vacation destination? Someone yells "North Pole." A new career for Sybil? "Taxidermist" two blurt out over each other. The writing process has begun. Sam: Hiya Sybil!Max: What's your story lady? Sybil: I'm an orthopedic surgeon, baby!Sam: Holy heavenly horse radish in a Houston whorehouse!Max: Who cares, I'm running for re-election!Sam: More importantly we need a pastrami on rye to save the world!Sybil: Why do you think I have a pastrami on rye sandwich? Max: Orthopedic surgeons always have pastrami on rye sandwiches!Sam: They use them for lubrication!Max: It's science, Sybil. Sybil: The problem with science is you can't prove it. Also I need condiments. Sam: To Bosco's little buddy!
Sam & Max Season 2 starts this Fall
Telltale Games has officially announced the upcoming return of gaming's deadpan dog and hyper-kinetic rabbity thing, Sam & Max. The uniquely untrained detective duo is back this Fall in a second season of episodic entanglements, playfully putting the kibosh on crime and successfully solving brazenly bizarre, yet intensely intriguing mysteries through the obnoxious overuse of ludicrous lagomorphs and amazingly awful alliteration. Next paragraph! "We're keeping the general structure and gameplay, and focusing on telling farther-reaching, crazier stories," says Telltale's design director, Dave Grossman. He notes that there will be several changes in store, prompted by both the desire to "to make the most fun games anyone has ever played" and fan feedback obtained during Sam & Max's episodic debut. That should translate to more varied locations, longer episodes, tougher puzzles and more adorable cats -- if we're reading these message boards right. Sam & Max Season Two episodes will arrive on the GameTap subscription service first and become available for purchase on Telltale's website the next day. No pricing has been announced for the individual downloads yet, but more information on the season will be divulged at tomorrow's San Diego Comic-Con in a panel entitled "Episodic Games and Comics – Made for Each Other." Look for it in room 1AB from 11:30 to 12:30 if you're attending.
Sam & Max episodes now available on Steam
What did the folks at Telltale Games do today? We'll tell you! They turned a Valve and streamed their sparkling Sam & Max episodic series out of a GameTap and straight into a kettle. Then they, uh, boiled it. Because Sam & Max Season 1 is now available for purchase on Steam, you see. Also, we're terrible at this. Let's try again.Telltale Games and Valve have announced that the first episodic series to become available on Steam (yes, there was a joke there) is Sam & Max Season 1, with single episodes priced at $8.95 each. There's a 10% discount to be had during this first week of release, and those who balk at bit purchases can buy in bulk -- bundles of the first three (or last three) episodes go for $19.95 each. If you manage to miraculously avoid adventure's detective duo on Steam, GameTap and Telltale's website, you'll still have to deal with August's retail release from JoWood and The Adventure Company. You'll have nowhere to run, you lagomorph loather.
Telltale secures $6 million for multi-platform episodic content
Displaying a respectable level of business acumen, Telltale Games has announced that the $6 million in funding it recently secured will not go towards the procurement of the world's largest ball of twine, but rather the expansion of its episodic endeavors. Provided by San Francisco-based venture firms, Granite Ventures and IDG Ventures SF, the funding will allow Telltale to continue building upon their current franchises, such as Bone and Sam & Max, and pave the way for new episodic projects. "This funding will allow us to stay on the cutting edge of innovation by building out our team and our tools, and by taking on new licenses for the episodic treatment," says Telltale CEO and co-founder, Dan Connors. The Telltale team also plans to develop for multiple hardware platforms, a goal that seems right in line with its previous job listings and the success digital distribution has enjoyed on all current consoles. It's about time proper episodic content moved beyond the PC, wouldn't you say?
Sam & Max season finale released on Telltale's website
For the last seven months, the edges of our lives have been softened by the knowledge that a turn of the calendar page would bring with it a new episode of Sam & Max. With the sixth and final chapter becoming available for download on the Telltale Games website, however, the only thing left on the next page is a shocking reminder of just how boring calendars are. On the topic of the final episode, Sam & Max creator, Steve Purcell, has this to say: "With huge dollops of creative frenzy tossed into episode 6, the Telltale crew nicely tops off a great season. I'm really pleased." Telltale's design director, Dave Grossman adds, "Bright Side of the Moon is the snuggly-fitting cap on the Serious toothpaste of Season 1. I feel clean."Feel pleased and clean by grabbing the season finale from Telltale's Website for $8.95, or the full season for $34.95. The latter option will also net you a disc containing the episodes and a whole host of extras. Finally, if you flip your calendar to August, you'll see the series getting its retail release. %Gallery-2534%[Via Telltale Games press release]
First screens of Sam & Max season finale, 'Bright Side of the Moon'
Telltale Games has unveiled the first images and trailer of the inevitably ludicrous finale to its episodic Sam & Max series, Bright Side of the Moon. In their continued mission to save civilization from hypnotic enslavement, the highly untrained duo embarks on a mission to the Earth's only natural satellite (sans paper bags) and attempts to foil an unspeakably nefarious mastermind (what other kind is there?). The action, the adventure and the depravity will become available on Gametap April 26th, and will hit Telltale's website shortly afterwards on May 10th. The penultimate episode, Reality 2.0, is already available on the official site. %Gallery-2534%
Sam & Max Episode 5: Reality 2.0 released on GameTap
First they faced off against a deranged eye fitness guru, then a talk show host followed by the toy mafia and Abe Lincoln. Now Sam and Max have to overcome a foe of a different kind: the internet! The fifth installment of the episodic Sam & Max adventures is available today on GameTap. Reality 2.0 is filled with the signature Sam & Max humor wrapped in an adventure-lite game. This time around the jokes poke fun at everything geek-related. Expect some video game parodies as well, such as when Sam yells "Its-a me, Sam!" before leaping into the air to collect a coin.You can grab Reality 2.0 from GameTap starting today, or download it from Telltale Games on April 12th for $8.95.
Today's most episodic game video: Sam & Max trailer
We've picked the trailer for the fifth Sam & Max episode as the video of the day. Some of us haven't been playing the series too closely, while others have reviewed every single episode so far and eagerly await the game at the end of the month. This quirky trailer gets even us non-players interested. How have you Sam & Max gamers been liking the series?See the trailer after the break.
The Adventure Company sends Sam & Max back to retail
Those who haven't hopped on board the hilarious adventures of cop-dog and rabbit-thing will soon be out of excuses as Telltale Games, in cooperation with The Adventure Company, will be bringing Sam and Max: Season 1 to retail this August. With Season 2 confirmed and Telltale not flapping gums over their Wii or Xbox 360 possibilities, this is the first, solid move on their part to bring Sam and Max beyond the online realm. No price has been announced, though the first season will consist of six, hilarious episodes. For countries of a more European flavor, JoWooD will be handling distribution.
Joystiq interviews Sam & Max designer, Dave Grossman
Apparently, the streets of San Francisco are simply bustling with adventure game designers wandering about in search of inspiration and that one inventory item they callously overlooked. We were in possession of one microphone and one unbelievable obnoxious blogger, both vital items for an upcoming, uh, life puzzle. Look, we just needed an intro paragraph, alright?Above you'll see Telltale's game designer and dedicated poet, Dave Grossman, being interrogated about things like episodic content, the hiring of console programmers and, of course, Sam & Max Season 2. (SPOILER: It's is in the planning stages.)
Joystiq interviews Sam & Max creator, Steve Purcell
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Joystiq_interviews_Sam_Max_creator_Steve_Purcell'; Following the careful application of alcohol and a sufficient number of thinly-veiled threats, Joystiq managed to maneuver Sam & Max creator, Steve Purcell, in front of a camera to discuss his role in the deeply disturbed duo's episodic endeavors. As you might expect, ancient mysteries are unearthed, the very nature of humor is dissected and generally, hilarity ensues. Take heed: this will undoubtedly be the greatest Steve Purcell interview that deeply involves the Power Rangers you'll ever see.
Telltale has their Wii programmer
At the recently-concluded Wondercon, Sam and Max designer Dave Grossman revealed that Telltale's pursuit for a Wii Programmer had been successful and the company has since pulled the job listing down from their website. Of course, no other information was revealed by the company's many representatives on-hand at Wondercon. Hopefully, we'll learn something new, but until then keep your browser pointed at Wii Fanboy for news as it develops.
Telltale talks: Sam & Max on Live Arcade?
Last week, we reported that Telltale Games was looking for an Xbox 360 programmer with a love of adventure games. Speculation ran rampant (rampant, we say!) that Sam & Max was bound for Xbox Live Arcade. Eurogamer caught up with Telltale to see if they could round up any more info. Telltale didn't outright admit that a Sam & Max game is headed to the 360, but a spokesperson did note that Telltale is a proponent of digital distribution and that the company would "look closely" at a service like Xbox Live Arcade.So, Telltale is definitely looking to produce something for the Xbox 360, and if they do make something, they would seriously consider releasing it via Xbox Live Arcade. Do with that what you will (not something gross, please).[Via Joystiq]
Telltale Games talks Xbox Live Arcade and Sam & Max
A week ago, we brought word that Telltale Games, the folks behind Sam & Max, were looking for a Xbox 360 programmer for an unnamed project. Well, the position is still up in the air and what's more, they're talking about it.Eurogamer caught up with Telltale to ask about the ominous job listing and while they don't come right out and spill the beans (naturally), they do point out that it has to do with episodic content and Xbox Live Arcade.Aside from us clawing at our keyboards and screaming like cheerleaders when it comes to Sam & Max, this raises a few questions concerning Xbox Live Arcade. The main one being, Is episodic content even possible in its current state? If Microsoft is just getting by with the skin of their teeth every release, could ongoing content really be delivered in a timely manner?
Joystiq review: Sam & Max - Abe Lincoln Must Die!
By now, you should be quite accustomed to seeing clumps of random and completely senseless phrases appearing on Joystiq. However, the one pictured above might be unfamiliar to you, especially if you haven't been following our coverage of Telltale's episodic Sam & Max series. In my review of Episode 3: The Mole, the Mob and the Meatball, I mentioned my highly sophisticated Sam & Max laugh log. You're looking at the one I kept for the latest episode, Abe Lincoln Must Die! In order to gauge and compare each episode's humor in an unquestionably scientific way, I wrote down a shortened version of every line of dialogue in the game that made me guffaw unmistakably. Worth noting is that this process is entirely separate from jokes that made me giggle, snicker, smirk, snort, smile and titter. As you can see for yourself, my chosen scrap of paper (identical in size to the one I used previously) eventually became a riotous mess of words infringing on personal space and using broken bottles to threaten each other.The writing in Abe Lincoln Must Die! is by far the sharpest in the series, which automatically makes it the best episode released thus far. My silly scrap of paper is testament to that and it helped me realize that every time I wrote down a hilarious phrase, I was actually writing down one more reason to play the game.
