Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

As of writing this article, I am on the cusp of finishing Sam and Max Episode 3: The Mole, The Mob and the Meatball. And I am having a good time of it. But the thing that really rings true in my brain is that Telltale is the first company out there to capitalize and bring us what would be considered true episodic content and not just lip service.

So why am I rambling on about episodic content? Because for once I did not get burned by purchasing a game that still has not had another part introduced. Let’s look back at the first mention of episodic content. It came from Gabe Newell and his feeling that gamers could get more out of their games while waiting for the next major release. It would reduce game development costs and allow the gamer to get little pieces of the game every six to nine months, instead of every two to four years. This was hailed as the new wave of gaming distribution. Costs would go down and great games would come at you faster than normal.

After a delay, Half Life 2: Episode One came out and it was good. A bit short, but three to four hours of game play is good for the price. And it set you up for the next part of the game. Only one problem – it is ten months later and we have yet to see Episode Two. I know that they are trying to make sure it is a great game, and they have added extra features like Portal and Team Fortress 2. But it does not excuse the fact that they have not fulfilled on the promise of their episodic content. While this is bad, at least we know the second episode is coming.

SiN Episodes: Emergence was another game that was hailed for using episodic content. It revived a game franchise that was good, but was overshadowed by a little game called Half Life back in 1997. It was a good game and gave us four hours of a single player experience along with some great stat collection. After about a year with no follow up, the shoe finally dropped. The president had left the company and it was bought out by Mumbo Jumbo, and for all intents and purposes, the SiN franchise died a forgotten death. So we are left with a semi-cliffhanger ending and no resolution to the story.

So far I have ranted about the bad and ugly of episodic content, but let’s get to Telltale Games and their Sam and Max franchise. Telltale has given us the return of two characters that are beloved by all, released new episodes almost every month since November and made them a lot of fun to play. This is what episodic content is supposed to be about – A small price, with a game every month to couple of months. They have made each part enjoyable and filled with a lot of humor. Someone needs to point Gabe Newell and Ritual (now Mumbo Jumbo) in the direction of Telltale.

I hope that this can change, because in the long run, I am a supporter of episodic content. When it is done right, it gives you a good bang for the buck and you don’t have to wait for years for the next part. But that is only when it is done right.