Telltale: The lack of interaction is troubling.

13

Comments

  • I bet the update will be: "Here is two pictures of the game, wait a month and we will have another update". :P

    I really don't want to sound like a douche but this silence is driving me insane.

    Hey!! Dont fret, because its the 5th of January, and Telltale specifically stated that their next update on TWAU would be in EARLY January. Woohoo!! i hope they offer discounted season pass to compensate for this wait......

  • No, telltale is better than that. 3 pics

    Itzahk posted: »

    I bet the update will be: "Here is two pictures of the game, wait a month and we will have another update". :P I really don't want to sound like a douche but this silence is driving me insane.

  • A reason why Telltale didn't release it in December could have been because of Twd 2. I understand how a company wouldn't want to release two games at the same time. However, I still think Telltale should give us more updates.

  • Four pics, then? :P

    SomGuye posted: »

    No, telltale is better than that. 3 pics

  • 5 pics of cats and things we know already and some words if we're lucky.

    Four pics, then? :P

  • Naw, 6 pics, another season pass reduction, and a "coming really really soon"

    5 pics of cats and things we know already and some words if we're lucky.

  • edited January 2014

    PB ignores request... fusedmass will remember that

    fusedmass posted: »

    With all due respect. I'm curious Puzzlebox, if it's delayed to a glitch, or some software. Why not just say that. If you did, we would openly

  • edited January 2014

    Soon = Sometime in the next century
    Really Soon = Sometime in the next decade
    Really Really Soon = Sometime in the next year.

    Naw, 6 pics, another season pass reduction, and a "coming really really soon"

  • edited January 2014

    Thanks for the update about an update puzzle...............................

    Is anyone else having a case of Deja Vu? .......

    puzzlebox posted: »

    Hi guys! Telltale community person here, just catching up after the holiday period. Please be assured that the team is hard at work on Epis

  • Isn't what where doing now feedback. This seems to be more of a fan community than developer to fan community. There not communicating with us (much) but perhaps they do listen.

    fusedmass posted: »

    One Question How do you build a game based on feedback from fans. If you don't even talk to them.

  • edited January 2014

    It isn't the word 'soon' that people hate on so much as the context in which the word 'soon' is used. 'Soon' is used as a way of interacting with the community in a way which is pretty much void of any actual content, offering no actual details and leaving everyone in the dark. It's generic PR stuff which comes across as more dismissive than comforting. I mean, with all due respect, in your post above you told us:

    1) The team is working hard on Episode 2

    2) Developers were working through the holidays

    3) There is no further news

    The first one isn't news; it's what people are probably expecting, and certainly no game developer is about to announce 'Sorry, guys, our developers are slacking off big time.' The second is kinda news, and I appreciate the dedication, but it still feels largely like filler interaction.

    What people are asking for is honesty and substantial interaction. The second episode has either been delayed or Telltale has a much longer development schedule now for episodes. We assume the first, but we the customers don't know because Telltale isn't saying anything beyond the generic 'soon' and synonyms for it. After having been told the next update will be in early january, we're now moving on to January 6th without so much as a word beyond the generic info you just gave us.

    Not blaming you for the situation, as I would expect you're operating under constraints as to what you can and can't say. But whoever over at Telltale has decided that the best way to treat your customers and soothe ill feelings from an obvious delay is to act like nothing is wrong and pretend your customers don't exist between episodes needs a crash course in basic public relations.

    puzzlebox posted: »

    People have been hating on use of the word "soon"... trying to use some alternatives.

  • They hired George R. R. Martin as their PR guy.

    Alt text
    ''Episode 2 is on it's way. It's coming, and it'll blow your minds. There's gonna be wieners-a-plenty. That's what you all want isn't it?''

    Soon = Sometime in the next century Really Soon = Sometime in the next decade Really Really Soon = Sometime in the next year.

  • Haha, awesome South park reference :D

    ViralType posted: »

    They hired George R. R. Martin as their PR guy. ''Episode 2 is on it's way. It's coming, and it'll blow your minds. There's gonna be wieners-a-plenty. That's what you all want isn't it?''

  • edited January 2014

    You hit the nail on the head with that one masamune. +1 - Big part of the problem right there.. Not all of it.. As there is also just a lack of professional foresight and forward planning.. Otherwise there wouldn't be a delay, or at least, very minor.. Especially if that one comment I read about when they actually started this is all true.. it was in another topic.. I think the episode info/discussion thread

    It isn't the word 'soon' that people hate on so much as the context in which the word 'soon' is used. 'Soon' is used as a way of interacting w

  • Telltale just doesn't interact with the community like this. It's nothing new, and not really that outrageous.

    Telltale doesn't want to give out information without having something 100% solid. Right now, we have information saying that there'll be an announcement sometime after the holidays (which just ended four days ago) and that the next episode will be out during Q1. There's simply nothing else to say that's certain.

    If they said they'd have solid information by a certain date and they weren't able to meet that date, people would freak out much more than this. We just have to accept that this is the way that Telltale communicates with their fan base - with long stretches of silence that they only break when they're absolutely certain about something.

  • And given the rampant cynicism and bitterness evident in this forum, how is that 'don't interact with your community' policy working out for them?

    You don't have to give concrete dates if you don't have them. But if your game is delayed, tell everyone 'the game is delayed', at minimum. What, do they think if they don't use the word 'delay' people won't notice how long its been? If anything, not using it leads to dangerous assumptions, such as that 3+ months is what we should expect as a gap for all future episodes.

    And if we have to accept without complaint that this is the way Telltale treats their fans, Telltale may in the near future just have to start wondering why they're losing fans.

    Telltale just doesn't interact with the community like this. It's nothing new, and not really that outrageous. Telltale doesn't want to gi

  • edited January 2014

    Compared to what they'd be getting if they gave out information that was merely expectant rumor and could be subject to pissing off the community? I'm not sure, to be honest. I've never seen them do it.

    How is "We'll have it out some time in Q1" not a report of a delay from the original time frame? What is it that you want them to say, exactly? Anyone who's dealt with Telltale knows there are sometimes delays in their episodic releases. It's something to be expected in situations like this. And when there was a delay, they let out information stating the release date in the nearest terms they could manage. When they have more information, I'm sure they'll pass it along.

    And idk, is Telltale really losing fans or having their sales drop? I'm sure they've got people who are in charge of telling them if they're seeing drop-offs in sales and whatnot. But they make amazing games, it's worth the wait, and there are plenty of folks who are happy to sign up for a season pass to anything that Telltale releases as long as the games remain high quality. As the word spreads, there are plenty of people who will continue to sign up happily, and the very vocal minority on these forums simply aren't that large of a slice of Telltale's fan base.

    And given the rampant cynicism and bitterness evident in this forum, how is that 'don't interact with your community' policy working out for t

  • Ha!

    It's definitely possible that some folks won't buy the next game, or will buy it later when it's on sale. I just don't see the argument where they're losing people that way faster than they're gaining people by word of mouth because they're developing some of the best stories in video gaming. :P

    OdanUrr posted: »

    Well, since they've already charged PC gamers beforehand for all five episodes it's not like they're going to lose those sales. XD

  • Well, since they've already charged PC gamers beforehand for all five episodes it's not like they're going to lose those sales. XD

    Compared to what they'd be getting if they gave out information that was merely expectant rumor and could be subject to pissing off the commun

  • I wouldn't know whether or not TTG are losing fans faster than they're gaining them, that's a numbers' game. As for the issue of communication, or lack thereof, I think it probably comes down to several factors. The first one (and arguably more important one) relates to how much you've invested in the game. Like I said before, PC gamers were only given the choice to buy all five episodes beforehand. As such, they're keen in seeing their investment bear fruit sooner rather than later. A similar case applies to people who bought the season pass on consoles (although it could be argued they had the better option of just buying the first episode). Another factor is the delivery of the content in the form of episodes what alludes to some form of schedule. Whether it's a TV show or a comic book series episodes tend to follow a tight (known) schedule. In the case of the former it could be argued that the content has already been developed and is simply being released to the public in stages. In the case of TTG, as I understand it, each episode is released to the public as it is developed but with no clear guidelines as to the development time. So, in essence, people have basically pre-ordered a product, for the most part sight unseen, with no known release date. When that happens the trust between consumers and producers becomes of paramount importance and can be easily broken by a lack of communication. Who determines what level of communication is adequate? Arguably the consumers since they're the ones buying your product. They may have even bought it already! How can this issue be resolved? In my opinion, TTG needs to decide whether they want to maintain their season-pass model or not. If the answer's yes, then they need to keep their community (shareholders after a fashion) apprised of the game's development on a regular basis (monthly at least). If not, if they choose a pay-per-episode model, then the degree of accountability diminishes somewhat. Of course, gamers could also simply wait until all episodes are released before buying the actual game. That works too.

    Ha! It's definitely possible that some folks won't buy the next game, or will buy it later when it's on sale. I just don't see the argumen

  • Shut up and get working on Winds of Winter! -Everyone.

    ViralType posted: »

    They hired George R. R. Martin as their PR guy. ''Episode 2 is on it's way. It's coming, and it'll blow your minds. There's gonna be wieners-a-plenty. That's what you all want isn't it?''

  • Isnt it funny how the first Episode is called faith? A lot of people have lost their faith in telltale. ^^

  • It's a bit ironical, but it'd be even more ironical if it'd been called "Trust."

    WalkerHH93 posted: »

    Isnt it funny how the first Episode is called faith? A lot of people have lost their faith in telltale. ^^

  • The last thing they can do to not lose my faith is to release the game this friday or next week. Without telling us - Like a punch in the face! :D

    OdanUrr posted: »

    It's a bit ironical, but it'd be even more ironical if it'd been called "Trust."

  • Would that be enough, I wonder?

    WalkerHH93 posted: »

    The last thing they can do to not lose my faith is to release the game this friday or next week. Without telling us - Like a punch in the face!

  • edited January 2014

    [removed]

    OdanUrr posted: »

    It's a bit ironical, but it'd be even more ironical if it'd been called "Trust."

  • edited January 2014

    I think TTG are going to cancel the remaining games. Just my feeling based on this radio silence and reports of poor sales.

  • JenniferJennifer Moderator
    edited January 2014

    The remaining episodes have not been cancelled. Telltale's PR person @puzzlebox already stated just four days ago in this thread that Telltale have been hard at work on episode two throughout the holiday season, and that they are still working on it now.

    @puzzlebox wrote:
    Please be assured that the team is hard at work on Episode 2 of The Wolf Among Us (devs were working through the holidays!), and we'll have further news as it becomes available. We know you're waiting eagerly, and really appreciate your patience as we work to get the next chapter to you!

    flymoefly posted: »

    I think TTG are going to cancel the remaining games. Just my feeling based on this radio silence and reports of poor sales.

  • "Reports of poor sales"?

    flymoefly posted: »

    I think TTG are going to cancel the remaining games. Just my feeling based on this radio silence and reports of poor sales.

  • I do agree that it would be neat to get more information about the delay but come on guys, give these developers some space and stop complaining about every little inconvenience. They are doing a fantastic job and they are not being paid to ease your impatience but to produce a great product.

    I also can't wait until they finally release the game but most of you guys sound like whiny, spoiled brats who need to be hold by Telltales hand -.-'.

    Be patient, guys =)

  • I might agree about the "whiny, spoiled brats" part if not for the fact that some (if not most) people have already paid for the game.

    mudi89 posted: »

    I do agree that it would be neat to get more information about the delay but come on guys, give these developers some space and stop complaini

  • Stop whining about the whiners then :p

    mudi89 posted: »

    I do agree that it would be neat to get more information about the delay but come on guys, give these developers some space and stop complaini

  • "Reports of poor sales"?

    Whoooyeah, let me see THAT kotaku article. ;)

    "Reports of poor sales"?

  • Like asked earlier, is a PR person going to say that the team has been slacking off over the holidays? TTG must believe the old axiom that silence is golden. When was it stated that Episode 2 was in the polishing stages? I appreciate the stress that PB must feel in not giving any info but what I don't understand is WHY she must feel that way. In what way is it good for anyone to not give some form of update unless it's an update of bad news? Do you believe that the people who bought this 3 months ago not have a valid complaint in wanting a little more firm info than the ever-present "soon"? Soon was a month ago. This is becoming glacial.

    Please don't construe anything here as any attack on you or anyone else. I just don't why they choose to keep everyone in the dark for so long? Do they feel that the supposed update from a week back with 2 screenshots was adequate to quell the frustration? As of this point, I have no faith that TTG is hard at work at anything other than storyboarding their new projects and milking TWD more than it already has been.

    Jennifer posted: »

    The remaining episodes have not been cancelled. Telltale's PR person @puzzlebox already stated just four days ago in this thread that Telltal

  • Bump since I feel that the more threads towards the top, the more likely some response will be given.

  • LUL Kotaku......

    Vainamoinen posted: »

    "Reports of poor sales"? Whoooyeah, let me see THAT kotaku article.

  • Alt text

    mudi89 posted: »

    I do agree that it would be neat to get more information about the delay but come on guys, give these developers some space and stop complaini

  • Hey look, news:

    http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/01/14/telltale-39-s-the-wolf-among-us-returns-in-february.aspx

    It is returning in February. Everyone can calm down now. :)

    While I do agree it has been quite a long time since the last episode and it would be nice to have more updates, I trust Telltale to deliver. They haven't let me down yet with quality and right now they've got a lot of projects going on - perhaps more time was needed. Maybe they need to learn to interact with their fans more, but we as so called "fans" should try to trust them. Hope this episode turns out to be worth this long wait!

  • we're downvoting you because you came off snotty with your reply.... the OP isn't being a troll or in any way saying anything that isn't a legitimate concern. If a company promises one thing, but doesn't deliver on said promise and then gives no reason as to why we'd all be upset. It doesn't make any difference that it's a videogame.

    skullzz posted: »

    It's fine. The down-votes mean they took the time to read it and disagreed, which I'm fine with. I just wanted to throw my point across. Hopefully, even if they disagreed with me; they'll calm down with the complaining.

  • Now that the games release info has been disclosed I could truly care less why you're down voting me. At least the whining will stop (for the most part). Keep it up.

    xcappax posted: »

    we're downvoting you because you came off snotty with your reply.... the OP isn't being a troll or in any way saying anything that isn't a leg

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