Telltale Games has proven itself over time to be the unrivaled master of developing episodic video games, but now that the developer is operating under a different company name, will it be able to deliver the same quality in the upcoming sci-fi adventure, The Expanse: A Telltale Series?
Set as a prequel to the acclaimed sci-fi series of the same name from Syfy and Amazon, the episodic game is scheduled to release the first episode on July 27. Subsequent episodes will arrive every fortnight until September 21, when the fifth and final episode concludes the story.
Starting June 1, eager gamers can pre-order either the Standard or Deluxe edition of the The Expanse. Those who choose the Deluxe edition will also gain access to the game's DLC, although the specific contents of the DLC are yet to be revealed.
In the game, players will assume the role of Camina Drummer, the XO of The Artemis, who will be played by Cara Gee, the same talented actress from the show. Guiding her crew of scavengers, Camina embarks on a quest for a hidden treasure on the outer reaches of the Belt. In keeping with the show's spirit, players will grapple with mutinies, difficult personalities, the perils of space exploration, and the weighty decisions that come with being the Bosmang.
Many gamers will be eagerly anticipating the resurgence of Telltale Games following their past troubles, and it seems there's reason to be optimistic. Deck Nine, the studio behind the Life is Strange series, has partnered with Telltale Games to create the upcoming game. Given Deck Nine's expertise in episodic games, we can confidently hold onto the hope that the game will match the quality of its acclaimed TV show counterpart.
For those unfamiliar with Telltale Games recent history, the prominent developer fell from glory towards the end of the last decade after its emphasis on prioritizing quantity over quality resulted in the company seeking bankruptcy protection. Then, a newly formed company named LCG Entertainment stepped in and acquired the majority of the original Telltale IPs in 2018 and announced that they would continue operating under the Telltale Games name.
However, this decision was met with strong opposition within the gaming industry, as numerous people advocated for the boycott of any games released by the company. Many people believed that LCG Entertainment had a responsibility to settle the debts owed to former Telltale Games employees, either through financial compensation or by providing employment opportunities within the new company.
Although it's highly unlikely that LCG Entertainment will directly address these concerns, CEO Jamie Ottilie has promised a change in the development of episodic games, asserting:
If we do release the game in episodes, all of them will be ready before the first one hits the store.
If this is true, developers in the company will no longer have to endure the pervasive crunch culture that has plagued the gaming industry for years. Crunch time is characterized by working excessively long hours, often reaching 80–100 hour weeks with unpaid overtime.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series is scheduled for launch on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Gamers who pre-order the game on PlayStation or via the Epic Games Store will be rewarded with exclusive 24-hour early access.
