Telltale announces Xbox 360 publishing agreement
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Telltale Games, the San Rafael-based purveyor of episodic adventure games, has struck an accord with Microsoft, the studio announced today. Exact details on the length and nature of the licensing agreement are forthcoming, but it pertains to publishing games on the Xbox 360 (presumably through Xbox Live Arcade), specifically, with no mention of Windows Phone 7 in the deal. The Xbox 360 hasn't seen a Telltale release since Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventure, due to Microsoft's stringent development restrictions. With this new agreement, we could potentially see episodic seasons pre-sold, a la PlayStation Network.
"Adding console support to our acknowledged expertise in digital downloads is another positive step in our long-term growth strategy," said Telltale co-founder and CEO Dan Connors in the announcement. "We are pleased to expand the size of our potential audience by encompassing the Xbox 360 console consumer and bring our vision of video gaming to them."
Telltale currently publishes on PC, Mac, iOS and PSN. The studio has a ridiculous number of projects in the pipeline, offering some compelling possibilities for hopeful Xbox 360 users.
"Adding console support to our acknowledged expertise in digital downloads is another positive step in our long-term growth strategy," said Telltale co-founder and CEO Dan Connors in the announcement. "We are pleased to expand the size of our potential audience by encompassing the Xbox 360 console consumer and bring our vision of video gaming to them."
Telltale currently publishes on PC, Mac, iOS and PSN. The studio has a ridiculous number of projects in the pipeline, offering some compelling possibilities for hopeful Xbox 360 users.
Reader Comments (38)
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:37PM RatedRVD said
Please bring BTTF to the 360.
I own it on PC, but i'll rebuy it on the 360.
I own it on PC, but i'll rebuy it on the 360.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:45PM Gooblechev said
Do they not publish on the Wii anymore? I mean formally, that is. :P SBCG4AP was Wiiware at first, and Sam and Max got a retail release.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:56PM MintagedVortex said
@Gooblechev Don't forget the Tales From Monkey Island series!
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Posted: Apr 27th 2011 10:03PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said
@MintagedVortex
Which was originally a PC game.
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Which was originally a PC game.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:50PM PR0F3TA said
Halo Adventure game confirmed!!
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:46PM Tachyonic Cargo said
@PR0F3TA
I hope that turns out to be true. Honestly, I would have just been happy to get Jurassic Park. But if they throw in a Halo adventure game as part of the deal, a round of beer for everyone on LIVE, is on me!!!
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I hope that turns out to be true. Honestly, I would have just been happy to get Jurassic Park. But if they throw in a Halo adventure game as part of the deal, a round of beer for everyone on LIVE, is on me!!!
Posted: Apr 28th 2011 12:29PM Tachyonic Cargo said
@Tachyonic Cargo http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/jurassic-park-coming-to-xbox-360-on-disc-this-fall-simultaneo/
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Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:50PM Cartman86 said
I bet you this agreement is so Telltale can actually release games on the 360 when the PC versions are out. Right now it's up to Microsoft to approve and figure out dates isn't it?
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:54PM (Unverified) said
Sam and Max, as well as Wallace and Gromit, were already released on the 360 by Telltale. What's new about this deal?
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:47PM Drakkenfyre said
Exactly what I want to know.
"Adding console support to our acknowledged expertise in digital downloads"
You guys have done releases on all three consoles, what the hell?
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"Adding console support to our acknowledged expertise in digital downloads"
You guys have done releases on all three consoles, what the hell?
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 3:52PM Gibbeynator said
@(Unverified) If I recall, bringing out Sam & Max and Wallace and Gromit were complete and total nightmares to get out on Xbox...
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Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:54PM Prboi said
Wait, doesn't Talltale already make games for the 360? Am I missing something?
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:00PM baby sea tuna said
@Prboi
They did a Sam and Max and Wallace and Gromit game for XBLA, yes.
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They did a Sam and Max and Wallace and Gromit game for XBLA, yes.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:03PM louiedog said
@Prboi Telltale releases episodic games. Both Sam & Max 360 games were released as one package. They released the first Wallace & Gromit episode and then months later the last 3 came out in one day. They haven't released anything since. Apparently Microsoft's cert process or something hasn't allowed Telltale to release games the way they want to and while games have been coming out on the PS3, iOS, etc. the Xbox has been left behind. My guess is this agreement will allow Telltale to put their games out on the 360 with the regularity that they're available on other platforms.
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Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:56PM Hunter141072 said
Great news for Xbox users, as i always said go multiplatform that the way to go, great to hear that telltale is doing the right thing.......
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:09PM Funkmaster General said
@PR0F3TA
I'm fairly certain that he means the right thing by gamers. Having releases be multi-platform benefits everyone.
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I'm fairly certain that he means the right thing by gamers. Having releases be multi-platform benefits everyone.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:21PM darkinchworm said
@PR0F3TA
You do a good job of making me consistently lol
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You do a good job of making me consistently lol
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:34PM Hunter141072 said
@PR0F3TA
and you agree that the right thing for a business is to make money? and the only way to make good money is to develop for as many platforms that exist?? so they are doing the RIGHT THING right???
darkinchworm is right, you are always good for a laugh.....:D
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and you agree that the right thing for a business is to make money? and the only way to make good money is to develop for as many platforms that exist?? so they are doing the RIGHT THING right???
darkinchworm is right, you are always good for a laugh.....:D
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:37PM Hunter141072 said
@Funkmaster General
thanks man, good to see that some people are still able to read before barking. As i said this is right for everybody, why an xbox user is not going to be able to play a title just because they want you to " force you" to buy a title that is only available on one platform??? as i said this is the right thing for everybody, more money for the companies, more options for the players, it´s a win-win situation for everybody.
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thanks man, good to see that some people are still able to read before barking. As i said this is right for everybody, why an xbox user is not going to be able to play a title just because they want you to " force you" to buy a title that is only available on one platform??? as i said this is the right thing for everybody, more money for the companies, more options for the players, it´s a win-win situation for everybody.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 1:58PM louiedog said
So yesterday they announced that they're delaying the PC/Mac Jurassic Park release to coincide with the other platform releases later this year. Today they announce a publishing deal with Microsoft. That's just coincidence, right?
Don't get me wrong, I love Telltale and I would rather play Jurassic Park on my 360. I haven't kept up my computer for gaming in years and the Telltale games don't play particularly well on my PC. I see this as good news, but come on... Telltale has had problems in the past releasing things episodically on the Xbox and Microsoft would have an interest in the PC version being delayed until the console version came out.
Don't get me wrong, I love Telltale and I would rather play Jurassic Park on my 360. I haven't kept up my computer for gaming in years and the Telltale games don't play particularly well on my PC. I see this as good news, but come on... Telltale has had problems in the past releasing things episodically on the Xbox and Microsoft would have an interest in the PC version being delayed until the console version came out.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:01PM baby sea tuna said
Holding my breath for Fables starting...
now.
now.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 3:26PM GMUHistorian said
IMO this agreement between Microsoft and Telltale probably gives Telltale some more control over the release of their games. According to people on the Telltale forums the reason BTTF hasn't been released on XBL is that Telltale wasn't happy with how Microsoft treated the Wallace and Gromit release.
I really, really hope this agreement doesn't just cover new games and will include a release of all of the BTTF episodes. I would buy that in an instant.
I really, really hope this agreement doesn't just cover new games and will include a release of all of the BTTF episodes. I would buy that in an instant.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:09PM KillerC said
Telltale already was publishing to the 360 but not evertying, was sad when no back to the future for 360 was announced, maybe this will bring that and the other titles us 360 owners are missing that are already out on PC and PS3.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:09PM TheShaper said
I'm happy!
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:09PM Truant said
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:10PM TheShaper said
Dammit.
It was supposed to say "insert every BBTF reused joke here" before I announce my state of mind.
It was supposed to say "insert every BBTF reused joke here" before I announce my state of mind.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:13PM GMUHistorian said
Like RatedRVD said, I really hope this agreement covers BTTF. I was very disappointed when I found out that BTTF wasn't coming to XBL. If they do release it as a full game when they're done with the last episode I'll buy that on XBL in an instant.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:16PM thatdude21601 said
I'd like to see the third Sam & Max set show up soon.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:28PM Warshade said
Sweet beans I hope the back to the future games are the first they start uploading via this agreement. Games which I had just bought on my ps3... so lame....
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:29PM Faceless Troll said
Sam & Max Season 3 would be nice. Also Tales From Monkey Island.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:34PM The Cole Train said
Damn, Telltale is really growing and exploding! Good for them for all their awesome games!
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 2:42PM Banksyliveraa said
Telltale should make a game about their own history.
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 3:24PM Gary200 said
I hope this means we can now get the Back to the Future games?:! :D
Posted: Apr 27th 2011 3:53PM Runch said
Please bring Strong Bad, Tales of Monkey Island, and Sam & Max 3 to XBLA, Telltale! I will gladly give you my money for these games on my Xbox.






