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Telltale Games Kicks Off New Game Pilot Program to Foster Innovation
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – May 5, in the year of our Lord 2010 – Telltale Games, the leading independent digital publisher and developer of episodic interactive entertainment, announced today the creation of their new Pilot Program. With this program, Telltale can bring creative and innovative ideas to market more quickly through game “pilots,” similar to the entertainment industry’s television pilots. Through this program Telltale’s internal studios will explore new video game concepts, content and play patterns to complement the publisher’s current episodic projects. Successful pilots will be considered for migration to the company’s highly successful episodic gaming model.
“The Pilot Program is an excellent way to expand the boundaries of interactive entertainment and gaming by bringing audiences unique and interesting content they might not see otherwise,” said Telltale CEO, Dan Connors. “Our internal teams are filled with incredibly talented and creative people, and the Pilot Program will foster the exploration of ideas that will help us evolve Telltale’s product offerings.”
The first title in Telltale’s Pilot Program is Puzzle Agent. The title combines accessible Professor Layton-inspired puzzling with generous doses of Nordic folklore, enigmatic gnomes, and dark David Lynch and Coen brothers sensibilities. Puzzle Agent releases in June on PC, Apple Macintosh, iPhone/iPod touch, iPad and Nintendo Wii.
Telltale is creating Puzzle Agent in partnership with Graham Annable, the company’s first art director at the time of its founding. Players take on the role of Nelson Tethers, the lead (and only) agent in the US Department of Puzzle Investigation, sent on a rare field assignment to Scoggins, Minnesota to investigate why output at the town’s eraser factory has come to a screeching halt. The title combines brainteasers that include mazes, puzzles, logic and riddles, intertwined with an engrossing, twisted mystery story – all presented with Graham’s unique narrative and visual sensibilities and the distinctive Telltale style.
“It’s been great re-uniting with Telltale,” comments Annable. “It’s amazing to see how they’ve faithfully captured my art style and mood in the game. Working with the team to bring Nelson Tethers and Puzzle Agent to life has been amazing. Combining the original story and characters with one of my favorite gameplay styles is like a dream come true.”