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dsosarod

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,354
- Goodwill for saving TWD S4 and TWAU S2
- Future income for all existing titles
- A recognizable brand name within the genre and industry
- Depending on the new owner, potentially a stronger bargaining position for licensing
- Easily improved efficiency by switching to Unreal 4 as the engine used

The issue on profitability doesn't seem to lie in the sales numbers, but rather mismanagement by rapidly expanding the studio to several times its original size and apparently expensive licensing.

But most of those things are more long term than sort or mid term, it would be expensive to do that, even more knowing that the games don't sell enough. If you want to spend that much money why not make a new studio and get rid of the bad image done by this?
 

flyinj

Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,961
- Goodwill for saving TWD S4 and TWAU S2
- Future income for all existing titles
- A recognizable brand name within the genre and industry
- Depending on the new owner, potentially a stronger bargaining position for licensing
- Easily improved efficiency by switching to Unreal 4 as the engine used

The issue on profitability doesn't seem to lie in the sales numbers, but rather mismanagement by rapidly expanding the studio to several times its original size and apparently expensive licensing.

Creating a pipeline to effeciently create multiple IPs using Unreal is a pretty big undertaking. You would need to invest a substantial amount of money to do it.

It's something Telltale should have done 5 years ago with the profits from TWD. Instead, the CEO insisted that the engine he created was too amazing to scrap. I believe if they created or adapted a modern engine when they obviously should have, the company would be in much better shape.
 

Luminish

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,508
Denver
Has there been any indication on what may happen with the physical versions of Telltale's games? I was thinking of picking up Batman on Switch, and if it's at risk of not being printed any more, I should probably go about finding a copy now.
I would assume some company will end up with the rights to print more if they want, and they might as well keep printing games until demand is met. Not like the actual process of printing the game and selling it is running at a loss.

But I don't know for sure. Might as well get it just in case if you really want it.
 

NinjaScooter

Member
Oct 25, 2017
54,164
I would assume some company will end up with the rights to print more if they want, and they might as well keep printing games until demand is met. Not like the actual process of printing the game and selling it is running at a loss.

But I don't know for sure. Might as well get it just in case if you really want it.

I don't know how that would work with the licensed stuff. I doubt the contracts they signed for stuff like TWD or Batman were in perpetuity. If they end up liquidating I don't know that those will be part of the deal.
 

Deleted member 47318

User requested account closure
Banned
Sep 1, 2018
994
But most of those things are more long term than sort or mid term, it would be expensive to do that, even more knowing that the games don't sell enough. If you want to spend that much money why not make a new studio and get rid of the bad image done by this?
Those not into following gaming news wouldn't mind, and those of us who do would recognise that the buyer clearly wasn't responsible for the mess that happened.

Chances are it won't cost that much to salvage what's left of TTG when all this is done either.

Then again, I do have to acknowledge any purchase wouldn't be worth it without a package deal that includes the TWD licensing, and the potential to continue that series on their own terms.
 

Luminish

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,508
Denver
I don't know how that would work with the licensed stuff. I doubt the contracts they signed for stuff like TWD or Batman were in perpetuity. If they end up liquidating I don't know that those will be part of the deal.
I'd think they'd be able to buy it with the same rights and restrictions Telltale had without too much trouble, but I can't say for sure. That stuff can definitely be complicated.
 

Deleted member 9100

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
3,076
I feel sorry for the people here who have answered this 20+ times yet keep seeing it.

I enjoyed many of their games, but it doesn't make sense to me why people in this thread constantly believe that Microsoft would want to spend a ton of money to buy a company whose employees have all been let go, that doesn't own their own IPs and has made a loss on all their recent games.
 

xrnzaaas

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
4,125
I frigging hope so

Anyone really to the rescue

Still shocked that S4 is cancelled, fuck. Was waiting for it to end before buying S3 and S4

Maybe the episodic model was a problem for sales... I know I only bought them after all episodes released.
The episodic model can work if it's done right. They hurt themselves by not always caring about the quality of their games (writing, illusionary choices, performance, less and less of actual gameplay), by making players wait too long for new episodes (people will lose patience and forget about the plot if it's like 3 months between eps) and by adding their games to sales too soon and therefore lowering their value and making the previous customers look like fools.
 

OldBoyGamer

Member
Dec 11, 2017
525
you would have to change all the uper management which will create (even more) problems.

In my experience it is almost exclusively upper management that are to blame for a studio collapsing. Removing them and giving autonomy to the more experienced and best suited people from the workforce would likely see at least some solution. Just by virtue of those people knowing the tools and being able to do the actual work.
 

OldBoyGamer

Member
Dec 11, 2017
525
The episodic model can work if it's done right. They hurt themselves by not always caring about the quality of their games (writing, illusionary choices, performance, less and less of actual gameplay), by making players wait too long for new episodes (people will lose patience and forget about the plot if it's like 3 months between eps) and by adding their games to sales too soon and therefore lowering their value and making the previous customers look like fools.

I agree. I really don't think it's the episodic nature of their games that caused this.

I'm pointing the finger at a combination of high licence costs, high production costs (I'm also going out on a limb and say they were likely costing more than they should), questionable suitability of licence and gameplay style and I'll also throw in niche genre and finish off with incompetent management.
 
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xrnzaaas

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
4,125
I agree. I really don't think it's the positive nature of their games that caused this.

I'm pointing the finger at a combination of high licence costs, high production costs (I'm also going out on a limb and say they were likely costing more than they should), questionable suitability of licence and gameplay style and I'll also throw in niche genre and finish off with incompetent management.
What I find interesting is that they never decided to move their studio elsewhere. Afaik the living costs in the Bay Area are insane and it's not like those 300-400 employees were making AAA games.
 

Openrob

Member
Nov 5, 2017
636
I don't think the game of thrones season 1 was particularly loved, but still - I really liked it and sad that another won't come out.


P s. THQ Nordic.... They like buying stuff right?
 

BBboy20

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
22,011
5-stages-of-grief-kubler-toolshero.jpg
 

Kartul7

Banned
Dec 25, 2017
173
Absolutely loved TWD1 and TWAU. This is one of the worst industry news for me, as I was very excited for TWAU2.
Good luck to all the employees, I thank you for the experiences.

My opinion on the reason of poor sales - over saturation. The games, while in different universes, are still at their core very similar.
 

Deleted member 41931

User requested account closure
Member
Apr 10, 2018
3,744
So I contacted xbox about a refund. They haven't given me a refund since the series is still supposed to be released with episode 2 coming the 25th. However they do seem to be aware of the situation and seem to be willing to offer a refund in the future.
w5xc6unm
 

dsosarod

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 26, 2017
2,354
In my experience it is almost exclusively upper management that are to blame for a studio collapsing. Removing them and giving autonomy to the more experienced and best suited people from the workforce would likely see at least some solution. Just by virtue of those people knowing the tools and being able to do the actual work.

Most if not all the blame in this case lies with upper management, that's why I said that they need to change it. But I say that this will create even more problems because the CEO is very egocentric and protective of the studio and he would fight for it, I assume. Also new management doesn't necessarily mean a better management or a smooth transition. It is something that must or should be done, but in this case is problem upon problems and I point it out as another reason for a company or studio to see the purchase of TTG as something that would bring more problems or debt than profits.

The "solution" to this is creating a new studio instead of carrying the heavy and not so good loking load of TTG.
 

Montresor

Member
Oct 27, 2017
4,235
The episodic model can work if it's done right. They hurt themselves by not always caring about the quality of their games (writing, illusionary choices, performance, less and less of actual gameplay), by making players wait too long for new episodes (people will lose patience and forget about the plot if it's like 3 months between eps) and by adding their games to sales too soon and therefore lowering their value and making the previous customers look like fools.

Do you have an example of an episodic game in which none of the above happens?

Even Dontnod's games do this. I'm not touching Life Is Strange 2 at launch, even though it's lonely to be my GOTY 2018/2019. Almost certainly Life Is Strange 2 won't release their episodes month over month or on a timely schedule. And almost certainly the season pass will go on sale before all episodes are complete.
 

Deleted member 41931

User requested account closure
Member
Apr 10, 2018
3,744
I wonder if it will be a partial refund.


Considering the game is $20?


2 eps = $10

So $10 refund?
I imagine it would be a refund for the season pass as that's technically its own listing even if its not sold separately. So $15 and revoking my episode 2 liscense. Maybe if they're feeling generous a full refund as it was sold for $20 as the complete season.
 

Milk

Prophet of Truth
Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
3,819
1. They wouldn't cancel the final season to the series that put them on the map, no way!

2. I can't believe they're cancelling the series! This is bullshit!

3. Maybe another studio could finish it?! Skybound just opened a game studio!

4. Episodes 3 and 4 are never coming... this is awful.

5. Episodes 3 and 4 are never coming.
 

Hey Please

Avenger
Oct 31, 2017
22,824
Not America

t26

Avenger
Oct 27, 2017
4,559
What I find interesting is that they never decided to move their studio elsewhere. Afaik the living costs in the Bay Area are insane and it's not like those 300-400 employees were making AAA games.
And if they do relocate, how many people will refuse to relocate? Many brought a house or have family and don't want to move. If you are moving to another major city the cost of living is still going to be high. If you move to middle of nowhere how you will have a hard time recruiting. Plus, you would be paying hundreds of people the cost of relocating.
 
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itchi

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
1,287
I hope stores offer refunds. You cant take pre order money and then sell a half finished product it should be a Sales of Goods Act violation in the UK at least I hope it would be.
 

ISOM

Banned
Nov 6, 2017
2,684
And if they do relocate, how many people will refuse to relocate? Many brought a house or have family and don't want to move. If you are moving to another major city the cost of living is still going to be high. If you move to middle of nowhere how you will have a hard time recruiting. Plus, you would be paying hundreds of people the cost of relocating.

Epic placed their studio in North Carolina I believe where the cost of living is at a decent level so that their employees don't have to live paycheck to paycheck. And they seem to be doing fine recruiting locally and internationally. SF is exorbitant compared to other places.