Telltale Games should be releasing The Walking Dead video game by the end of the month and we've noticed that many of our readers still have questions about what to expect. While we've covered much of this information in past news articles, Telltale Games has put together a nice FAQ to answer questions all in one place.
Is this a game about Rick Grimes, the hero of the comic books and TV show?
- No. Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead) and Telltale felt that it would be more interesting to tell a story about a new group of survivors.
When does this game take place in The Walking Dead timeline?
- Our first episode takes place at the outset of the zombie apocalypse when Rick Grimes is still in a coma.
Is this game based on the comic books or the TV show?
- The game is canon to the comic books.
So who do I play as?
- You play the game as Lee Everett, a man convicted of a crime, but who is offered a chance at redemption…albeit in a world overtaken by walkers. You’ll only ever play as Lee and will see the world from his point of view.
Will I see anything from the comic books or TV show in the game?
- Yes. You will meet some characters and visit locations seen in the comic books. You’ll learn about characters and events that have an impact on events seen in the comics. For example, how did Hershel’s son Shawn end up in the notorious barn? Find out in the game.
Does this game use Quick Time Events as the major game-play dynamic and does it prevent the player from taking direct control of the player-character like Telltale’s Jurassic Park: The Game?
- No. The Walking Dead offers a completely different game-play experience to Jurassic Park. QTEs do not provide the major part of game-play and you will have full control over your character as you move through the game’s environments.
Why is this game episodic? What does that mean?
- Telltale has a strong history of releasing episodic games but more importantly, we wanted this game to offer an experience analogous to the comic books and TV show, which are also episodic in nature. We have plans for 5 episodes, aiming to release one episode per month.
How long is each episode?
- Skilled players will get through an episode on about 2 hours. Having episodes of this length means that most people will be able to get through them and we want that to happen. The game is not designed to present super-hard barriers and will not force you to grind through it in any way. We want you to complete an episode so that you’ll experience the story and be ready for the next episode.
Where will I be able to buy the game?
- The game series is digital, meaning that you won’t be able to buy it from a retail store. The game is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, PC, Mac and soon after, to iOS. So, as long as you have an internet connection, it’s almost certain that you’ll have access to the game.
How much will the game cost?
- Each episode will cost 400 MS Points or US$4.99 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlsyStation Network respectively. The PC/Mac version has a normal price of US$24.99 for the full 5 episode season. However, it can be pre-ordered from the Telltale Online Store with a 10% discount, a chance to become a cast member in the game and an opportunity to by the Telltale "Almost Everything Pack" at a HUGE discount, exclusive to pre-order customers.
Where can I see what the game looks like?
- Check out our video section here on Facebook, or check out our YouTube channel (TelltaleGames).
When will episode one of the game be available?
- We're targeting late April.
What kind of game is this?
- It’s an Adventure Horror game. This game will offer a different experience compared to many other zombie-based games. You won’t be mowing down hordes of the undead as a super-powered killing machine with unlimited ammo; that would not be an accurate recreation of Robert Kirkman’s world. When you do tangle with the undead, it’s going to be harrowing. That walker could be someone you once knew…or were very close to. Also, gunfire (or loud noises in general) are not good in areas where walkers could be lurking.
- Check out The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman's thought on this in Episode 3 of "Playing Dead", which you can watch in our video section here on Facebook, or on our YouTube channel (TelltaleGames).
Does this game feature multiplayer?
- No. The Walking Dead is a single-player experience.
Why does the game look the way it does?
- We were inspired by the work of Charlie Adlard, artist for the comic books.
Is there anything unique about this game versus other Telltale games?
- Yes. For the first time, the decisions that the player makes will drive a “tailored” game-play experience. A decision that you make or something that you say will have repercussions not only in the episode that you’re playing, but also in future episodes of the game. Decisions will range from relatively innocuous (do I lie here and if so, how should I lie?) though to world-changing (I can only save one person here, who will it be?). Furthermore, you’ll come under pressure to make decisions quickly. You won’t be able to stand around deciding which option to choose during a conversation. The undead won’t stand by and politely let you figure out your next move.
Telltale’s previous games have featured puzzle elements. Is that something we’ll see in The Walking Dead?
- You’ll be challenged with problems for sure, but not classic ‘Adventure Game’ puzzles (like you'd find in our Tales of Monkey Island series). You’re a survivor in a zombie apocalypse…you can imagine the problems that you’ll have to deal with.
Will the game be available in languages other than English?
- Episode One will ship in English only, however, we are assessing localization options for updates post-release.
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For more information and videos from The Walking Dead video game, visit our recent coverage:
Daily Dead's Official Podcast!
