PC Hopes and Worries about the Telltale Closure and Future of Console Edition

[Silezia]

Could they come and please one side of the people and say sorry we are still working on things sure. But at the same time once they do many will start asking questions.

The above is the exact reason to "sometimes" keep people in the dark. You dont want to tell half a story, as most people want to have the remaider of the story or know how it's going to end.. an assumption as I don't know if this is true but it could be that TFP can't or are uncertain if they are able to tell the rest of the story for console "At this moment in time"

The information will come when the time is right sadly for every one, that time is not right now.

 

[meganoth]

They can't get our hopes up and then ghost us. This is actually made worse because most of us had already given up on seeing any update at all. Even before TTG shutdown it was clear that chances were all but none. Then TFP comes riding in on their white horse and says "we got you. If it is at all in our power we can, nay, we will save the day!" Paraphrasing of course, but you get the point.

So you are arguing that TFP should have kept their mouth shut from the beginning and not even say that they want to ride in as the white knight?

See, they can only lose whatever they do. Say nothing and people will demand their rights as customers (even though they are technically only customers to Telltale, not TFP, but every post here makes a point of being a customer at least twice). Say something and again people will demand not to get their hopes up.

Really, are you so delicate that you can't endure a little hope? Is patience a lost art of the 20th century?

My advice: Don't give TFP credit for that announcement a few months ago, whether you believe them or mistrust them. Words are cheap. If they really get a deal together THEN it is time to applaud. Whether they got the rights or not is really not important for you, it is just another bit of information some will get hyped over and then later tilt if nothing comes of it.

 

[Dernagon]

Yes that was basically my point. Would've been better to not say anything at all and certainly not to make promises for continued console support. Unless they really intend to. Which they very well may have the best intentions to fulfill that promise.

The lack of information since then, after getting people hyped that the platform just might not die, is why you see people angry. As I showed in my previous examples there is a lot of information that could've been shared. Shared without any commitments one way or the other toward the future.

People would likely still ask questions that can't be answered easily. Perhaps legal ones. Perhaps TFP is still deciding whether console support is economically feasible to continue investing in. Perhaps they are in negotiations. All things I pointed out in the previous thread in defense of TFP. All things that they don't necessarily need to disclose.

I'm a realist and can respect those type of decisions. It won't break my heart if the game remains as is. That's life. Speaking just for myself. Others might take the news far worse.

As I said I'm fairly neutral on the issue. My comments collectively have displayed both sides of the argument.

 

[SylenThunder]

Knowing half the truth is worse than being lied to.

TFP is simply waiting until all the eggs are in one basket before letting us know what's going on.

I mean, just imagine the reaction from the user base in the following situations.

• TFP lost the auction. They're still trying to find out who bought it.
  
• TFP Lost the auction. They're working with the purchaser.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're seeking another publishing company.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're working on a deal with Sony to publish, and IG for continuing development.
  

That's just 4 possibilities off the top of my head.

Now look at those again, and realize that the recipient of the information is an un-educated console player. They aren't familiar with how the world works. They aren't aware of the realities of the legal system, and the amount of effort that has to be put in to keep the ball rolling.

In each of those scenarios, the best-effort time to getting things rolling again is several months. Assuming that everything works out in the end, you're still looking at at least a few months of development time by IG. More if the purchaser sources to another company, that could take a year.

Now TFP gives you the little tidbits of news, and those same console players are out here screaming "where's the damn update" again.

This is all assuming that it's deemed financially viable to continue. It may not be.

In which case, we're stuck with what we bought. A finished product of the PC version at Alpha 14.7. Everything after that is cake.

The updates with a15 features were a bonus we weren't entitled to.

The huge amounts of money spent to continue developing the console version to keep updating it an adding things wasn't something anyone had to do. (And to be fair, Telltale probably spent that money, not TFP.)

TFP promising to continue to aid console users wasn't required either. It wasn't their idea to do the console port in the first place, TellTale approached them on that.

 

[Freestyle604]

Knowing half the truth is worse than being lied to.
TFP is simply waiting until all the eggs are in one basket before letting us know what's going on.

I mean, just imagine the reaction from the user base in the following situations.

• TFP lost the auction. They're still trying to find out who bought it.
  
• TFP Lost the auction. They're working with the purchaser.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're seeking another publishing company.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're working on a deal with Sony to publish, and IG for continuing development.
  

That's just 4 possibilities off the top of my head.

Now look at those again, and realize that the recipient of the information is an un-educated console player. They aren't familiar with how the world works. They aren't aware of the realities of the legal system, and the amount of effort that has to be put in to keep the ball rolling.

In each of those scenarios, the best-effort time to getting things rolling again is several months. Assuming that everything works out in the end, you're still looking at at least a few months of development time by IG. More if the purchaser sources to another company, that could take a year.

Now TFP gives you the little tidbits of news, and those same console players are out here screaming "where's the damn update" again.

This is all assuming that it's deemed financially viable to continue. It may not be.

In which case, we're stuck with what we bought. A finished product of the PC version at Alpha 14.7. Everything after that is cake.

The updates with a15 features were a bonus we weren't entitled to.

The huge amounts of money spent to continue developing the console version to keep updating it an adding things wasn't something anyone had to do. (And to be fair, Telltale probably spent that money, not TFP.)

TFP promising to continue to aid console users wasn't required either. It wasn't their idea to do the console port in the first place, TellTale approached them on that.

I agree with about 50% of your post. But when you start throwing out names as “un-educated console player” I think you are causing part of the anger coming from the console player, educated or un-educated. That being said I wasn’t the person who posted the TellTale Update and said I was working on getting the rights back to a game after terminating the agreement between TFP and TTG, or continuing aid to console players.

The continuing aid to the console player part is part of the half truth I think you are talking about. I do believe TFP want every version to succeed and be the best it can be, but I also understand how the real world works, and like to educate people on things rather then insult because they don’t know how businesses stay in business or what causes them to file for assignment. Spending resources (money) on something we both agree was never likely the plan (making it for console) will not accomplish the goal of finishing up the PC version.

I agree there are countless scenarios to where this can go. The fact is no matter what happens, it will happen in a logical order, that could be easily shared. There has to be a plan in place and understandably that plan can change. The interesting thing is Stranded Deep the game like 7D2D in alpha on steam was going to be released by TTG and got bit by the same issue, except it wasn’t an update, but the release of the game. They posted in May (on twitter) they got their rights back and are moving forward with the port to console. So I think we all know that the auction of the source code for console is owned by someone. I do not believe TFP are not trying to find out who bought it for two logical reasons. 1) They own it, or 2)Why go seek out who bought the rights to it as there is no real smart business reason to spend money on as you already said it a completed game, the agreement with TTG being terminated meant no updates/sequels which i can only assume passed on to the next owner. So why not come out and let that shoe drop? Without seeing the original contract TFP might have missed a big paycheck if they didn’t think the console game would sell over 3 million copies.

I really hope they did get it, and plan on re-releasing it for ps4, and put me on the pre-order list.

As for the console players screaming “where’s the damn update”. I will help you educate them and tell them TFP never promised us the update. TTG was the one who promised that, and likely promised to pay IG for doing the actual work. I do believe Roland at one point posted it was close to being done. Please call me out on that and I will go find the quote as I did ask how he knew that. Doesn’t take much to put in news and announcements a new thread that is closed and you won’t have to hear anyone complain.

So the only real reason I come to the console section to see what is going on, and is to see what the game plan is, or heck maybe even an idea of a time frame of when we might hear something. Once again even if that game plan is sorry guys we tried but it didn’t work out. Unfortunately for us console players the TTG update in early 2018 that discussion turned into silence. Then mid 2018 things were on track and the update would be out at the end, followed by silence. Until the TellTale Games update from TFP which brings us to this point right here. IMHO TTG did the cowardice thing and just left the building. I get no one likes bad news, but I don’t believe this is the fault of TFP so man up and at least acknowledge the source code was sold, and if TFP own it or not. Anything beyond that I would totally understand is beyond your control and I wouldn’t say much after that either. Well unless I did own the code, at which point I would put it on kickstarter to not risk any additional resources until the PC is gold.

The logical idea is to communicate so both sides understand where each side is. We don’t have to agree, but we do have to respect that we might disagree. If TFP posted tomorrow or the next day, or the next month, or the next year with any information do you really think you are not going to have unhappy people either way?????

For the record TFP never posted the 7D2D official T-shirt that is for sale in the console section, or the twitter contest for a free steam key. I know console isn’t steam based but they could have offered a free console version. I own both versions, but I have friends who for financial reasons like the console over the PC. I love both and understand the pros and cons of both sides. I am the educated person who gets to do all the hard work in keeping up the console version because the window is still open.

 

[Acidspittingemu]

I own both versions, but I have friends who for financial reasons like the console over the PC.

This describes me succinctly. My PC is a verifiable potato, and I can't afford $1,000 - $2,000 to build a good gaming PC, even though I'd love to own the game on PC. As such, I'm stuck playing this game on console, which I still do, albeit no longer daily like I used to. Because console is my only available source, I hope for the best for the console port, and pray for news on any future updates. As I have stated previously, I don't care about new content. I don't need the full "A17 experience", as I actually prefer my zombies lootable. Any new content that could come out would just be icing on the cake. I just want bug and crash fixes, as the current "completed" version that we've paid for is sometimes nearly unplayable due to the constant crashes. That's what keeps me coming back to the forums every few days, the hope and desire for any sort of news, be it good or bad. If I know that the version we currently have is the version we're stuck with, then so be it. I'll continue to play the game, and happily, despite its many issues, because I truly love this game, and feel that it is one of the best games to be released in it's genre since "survival crafting" became a thing. I just don't want to continue to place my hope in an update that may never come. Any info, at all, is all many of us are asking for. That being said, I do also understand the business side of things, in that during negotiations, information cannot always be provided to the consumer, due to legal obligations. I just hope for a quick end to the nonsense that TTG has put TFP, and by extension their customers, through, and any sort of news for those of us still loyal to the cause, sooner rather than later.

 

[skillz_over_9000]

Knowing half the truth is worse than being lied to.
TFP is simply waiting until all the eggs are in one basket before letting us know what's going on.

I mean, just imagine the reaction from the user base in the following situations.

• TFP lost the auction. They're still trying to find out who bought it.
  
• TFP Lost the auction. They're working with the purchaser.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're seeking another publishing company.
  
• TFP won the auction. They're working on a deal with Sony to publish, and IG for continuing development.
  

That's just 4 possibilities off the top of my head.

Now look at those again, and realize that the recipient of the information is an un-educated console player. They aren't familiar with how the world works. They aren't aware of the realities of the legal system, and the amount of effort that has to be put in to keep the ball rolling.

In each of those scenarios, the best-effort time to getting things rolling again is several months. Assuming that everything works out in the end, you're still looking at at least a few months of development time by IG. More if the purchaser sources to another company, that could take a year.

Now TFP gives you the little tidbits of news, and those same console players are out here screaming "where's the damn update" again.

This is all assuming that it's deemed financially viable to continue. It may not be.

In which case, we're stuck with what we bought. A finished product of the PC version at Alpha 14.7. Everything after that is cake.

The updates with a15 features were a bonus we weren't entitled to.

The huge amounts of money spent to continue developing the console version to keep updating it an adding things wasn't something anyone had to do. (And to be fair, Telltale probably spent that money, not TFP.)

TFP promising to continue to aid console users wasn't required either. It wasn't their idea to do the console port in the first place, TellTale approached them on that.

How are you a mod seriously every post you make is dumber than the last. Every post you insult console players and waive your idiotic pc player flag further proving you have 0 clue what the rest of us feel like. Every example you gave would have been better than what TFP are doing EVERY SINGLE ONE. Knowing half the truth is in no way better than knowing nothing while being promised everything. The console version should be pulled from the market at this point. TFP and everyone else involved should not get a cent off our backs over an unfinished, buggy game that has seen 0 support. To imagine that money is then being used to further the PC development is even worse. PC players can go pay for any and all content they get going further using their own money. In the meantime lets not make a hero of TFP who acted out of greed, kept their label on a game they had little involvement in now wants to "support us" so sales continue. Nope the worst outcome here is TFP get the rights back and we are back to same place 2-3 years ago sitting here with no info hoping someone will finish their abysmal port

 

[Dernagon]

I agree with Skillz. All four examples would be better and for all the reasons I've already stated multiple times.

I also really hope that "uneducated console players" was just poor wording and what you meant to say was "the less informed console players". As in you are referencing the players who don't keep up with the latest news as frequently.

 

[meganoth]

The interesting thing is Stranded Deep the game like 7D2D in alpha on steam was going to be released by TTG and got bit by the same issue, except it wasn’t an update, but the release of the game. They posted in May (on twitter) they got their rights back and are moving forward with the port to console.

So they posted in May when they knew they had the rights AND the development capacity, since they are developing it, right? TFP wants to do exactly the same it seems.

As for the console players screaming “where’s the damn update”. I will help you educate them and tell them TFP never promised us the update.

It seems skillz_over_9000 did make that assumption just 2 posts after yours. You can start right away :cocksure:

(Sorry, that was too good to pass up. You don't need to answer that)

 

[Dernagon]

I will break this down one more time and condense my opinions for the sake of brevity. If you want more, my previous posts expand on most of these.

Communication

All I've asked for is a little more communication from the TFP team. Something as simple as sharing public knowledge when its available. In the past this could've been Sherwood Partners role, auction date, auction completed, anonymous buyer, etc. Not looking for any further promises or predictions or hopes for the future from TFP necessarily. Even a bare minimum of the facts from TFP would have gone a long way toward continued goodwill.

Transparency

I'm not looking for full transparency. I don't need TFP to disclose their entire business plan. They don't need to drop their drawers and show me their dirty underwear. There are a lot of sound business reasons not to tell us all of their plans. The console future could have a lot of moving parts. I get that. I point this out to make the distinction between "some" communication and full "transparent" communication. A lot of people seem to think when we ask for a little news that we need to know everything. Communucation doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition.

Anonymous Buyer

As I said in the previous thread, this is a big red flag to me because there are only two possibilities. One the buyer was not TFP and they are either in negotiations with them or TFP doesn't know themselves who it is. Two the buyer was TFP and they've chosen to remain anonymous while they figure things out. Best case scenario is that they are shopping for a new publisher and can't talk further for legal reasons. Worst case scenario they will not continue console updates and just wanted their rights back and to collect residual sales. The reasons for not continuing support could be economics (totally understandable), lack of interest (its your IP I can understand that too), or fear of another fiasco like TTG. On that last one I can also totally understand. The TTG situation was/has probably been a nightmare and TFP simply doesn't want to go through the risk of another publisher soup sandwich. So its easier to just focus on the PC and maybe one day in the future re-enter the console market (or not).

Red Flag

Why do I say its a red flag that the buyer is anonymous? Well my personal opinion and gut feeling is that the buyer was TFP. Running all of the scenarios in my head that makes the most sense especially since they've been silent on the topic. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Dernagon]

In response to "TFP never promised a console update" (paraphrasing again)

Seems to me that they actually did promise or at the least heavily implied:

The Fun Pimps

"In the weeks following, we've been working in good faith with the remaining management at Telltale to regain control over the console versions and allow us to provide support and updates on those platforms. So far, these efforts have failed."

That is from the first post of the Telltale Update thread in the News section. Not sure how you guys are reading that statement differently. Sure we could break it down into semantics. Technically they didn't say that they ARE going to provide an update. Only that they want the ability back to provide one. That still implies some level of intention to continue support and updates. Otherwise why include any statement that references support and updates at all? Could've just said we want our console publishing rights back. Period. End of statement.

There are pages and pages of people happy to hear that TFP has (at a minimum) the desire to TRY to support and update the console version in the future. So either TFP misspoke at the time or they actualy do/did have the best intentions of updating the console versions.

I personally get the difference. That is why I don't ask "where is the update?" My questions still revolve around "who has the console publishing rights now?" After that is figured out, then I might ask the appropriate owner, "so do you intend to update the current console releases?" If they say yes, then after a reasonable amount of time, I will start asking, "where is the update?"

P.S. sorry for the lack of direct quotes and formatting. Using my phone for this post.

 

[crazywildfire]

I agree with Skillz. All four examples would be better and for all the reasons I've already stated multiple times.
I also really hope that "uneducated console players" was just poor wording and what you meant to say was "the less informed console players". As in you are referencing the players who don't keep up with the latest news as frequently.

Actually was probably pointed out to ones like skillz that you agree with. His or her comment shows he or she doesn't even know what he or she is talking about because only a few things he said is accurate the rest of it is not and if one took a few moments to do a little reading would know that and wouldn't of said 85% of it.

Is the game buggy well yes it is.

Is the game unfinished no it isn't. TT sold a finished console version of what PC had at the time. No where was promised to anymore updates after that. Nowhere did it say console would be the same as PC version. But would do what they could to make it as close as they could if possible.

Did TFP announce the last update that hasn't happened. No they didn't TT did and well they are no longer around so yeah. TFP wasn't saying an update was coming they said after things went down the way it did they would do what they could for console. But with them no having the console rights to publish for console they can't do nothing at the time. Show me where they have said they have gave up. What because they don't have any new news yet for whatever reasons that could be because of legal stuff that they just simply can't talk about at the time. But guess that means they are not trying I guess.

TT got the money for console version as they had the rights to it and now some one else does. Yes I'm sure TFP got/get a % of the cut. What the % is one can only guess and really isn't anyones priviledge to know but it isn't like they get 100% of the profits from the console version.

Was TFP pretty clear from day one that they was (and still are must I add) in development on the PC version and they will continue to do so. Yes they did. Let's not forget just because TT stuff went down for the console version doesn't have anything to do with PC version. So why should they stop working on the PC version that still in development. If you think PC version doesn't have enough support to keep going till they finish it then you highly mistaken if you think PC version is where it is today because of the console version. They said they had no desire to do console or at least while they was in development stages. So if it wasn't for TT coming to them because they seen at the time with what they had to call the game finished without TT I. The first place console version wouldn't be a thing or at least right now. Does it mean they don't care no it doesn't and because the way things went down once they are able if they even can they will do console how ever they feel will be the best way. But that is if they can.

Just because you feel half the truth is better than none is just your personal opinion. What if they say something if they legally can but a curve ball happens and that changes then they still just like now get called liers. What if they only have half information then they going to get question on why they don't know this or that then when they don't/can't answer they get what they are getting now rude and disrespectful comments. I mean the list goes on the point is just because one person feels one way doesn't make it right or wrong just TFP feel a different way and as it been said over and over again when they have new news to give they will share.

Would it be nice to see TFP just come around the console section and just chat things up some sure it would be but once they do some will start with the million questions so can see why they don't at the same time. With that said though one or two of them do come around and make some kind of post from time to time.

 

[Dernagon]

Actually was probably pointed out to ones like skillz that you agree with. His or her comment shows he or she doesn't even know what he or she is talking about because only a few things he said is accurate the rest of it is not and if one took a few moments to do a little reading would know that and wouldn't of said 85% of it.
Is the game buggy well yes it is.

Is the game unfinished no it isn't. TT sold a finished console version of what PC had at the time. No where was promised to anymore updates after that. Nowhere did it say console would be the same as PC version. But would do what they could to make it as close as they could if possible.

Did TFP announce the last update that hasn't happened. No they didn't TT did and well they are no longer around so yeah. TFP wasn't saying an update was coming they said after things went down the way it did they would do what they could for console. But with them no having the console rights to publish for console they can't do nothing at the time. Show me where they have said they have gave up. What because they don't have any new news yet for whatever reasons that could be because of legal stuff that they just simply can't talk about at the time. But guess that means they are not trying I guess.

TT got the money for console version as they had the rights to it and now some one else does. Yes I'm sure TFP got/get a % of the cut. What the % is one can only guess and really isn't anyones priviledge to know but it isn't like they get 100% of the profits from the console version.

Was TFP pretty clear from day one that they was (and still are must I add) in development on the PC version and they will continue to do so. Yes they did. Let's not forget just because TT stuff went down for the console version doesn't have anything to do with PC version. So why should they stop working on the PC version that still in development. If you think PC version doesn't have enough support to keep going till they finish it then you highly mistaken if you think PC version is where it is today because of the console version. They said they had no desire to do console or at least while they was in development stages. So if it wasn't for TT coming to them because they seen at the time with what they had to call the game finished without TT I. The first place console version wouldn't be a thing or at least right now. Does it mean they don't care no it doesn't and because the way things went down once they are able if they even can they will do console how ever they feel will be the best way. But that is if they can.

Just because you feel half the truth is better than none is just your personal opinion. What if they say something if they legally can but a curve ball happens and that changes then they still just like now get called liers. What if they only have half information then they going to get question on why they don't know this or that then when they don't/can't answer they get what they are getting now rude and disrespectful comments. I mean the list goes on the point is just because one person feels one way doesn't make it right or wrong just TFP feel a different way and as it been said over and over again when they have new news to give they will share.

Would it be nice to see TFP just come around the console section and just chat things up some sure it would be but once they do some will start with the million questions so can see why they don't at the same time. With that said though one or two of them do come around and make some kind of post from time to time.

Not sure why I was quoted for most of your reply. I only agreed with Skillz that in all four examples proposed by Sylen that it is still better than complete silence. Perhaps I didn't clarify which part of his post I agreed with specifically enough. My bad.

I hope I've cleared that up. Regardless.

Yes a game is usually sold as is and TTG was the publisher. Understood. That doesn't mean that buggy bad releases don't get updates or even massive overhauls post release. No Man's Sky, Sea of Thieves, and currently Fallout 76 all have or are working on improving the games (not condoning or endorsing any of those games just simply using them as examples).

Do they have to? No they could take the money and run. But it is usually better PR to try to fix things. I would say that they are not legally obligated, but that wouldn't be entirely true either. Depending on the circumstances consumers can and have pursued legal action.

Anyway, none of that necessarily applies to TFP's situation. Except the fact that their name is attached to the product and well TTG left them holding the bag. It sucks for TFP, but I'm sure they care about their name so they do want to try their best to fix things. Whether they can or do or don't update the console. Lots of perfectly good reasons for however things play out, good or bad.

I've never made a comment one way or another on the PC version status.

Not sure why we are talking about half truths or what definition we are using for that term. The only statements from TFP that I said would be examples of good news updates to share with us (for example) are:

Sherwood Partners is handling the TTG asset liquidation. (Fact. Full truth.)

The auction will be on April XX date. (Fact. Full truth.)

The auction has been completed on XX date. (Fact. Full truth.)

The 7D2D console rights have been purchased by a buyer choosing to remain anonymous. (Fact. Full truth.)

So no, I personally am not asking for half truths nor would I be pleased to receive them. All I've said is the complete silence is less than desirable. Just a little communication, even just basic simple fact sharing statements, would have appeased most of the (more rational) console fans over the last 6 months.

 

[skillz_over_9000]

Actually was probably pointed out to ones like skillz that you agree with. His or her comment shows he or she doesn't even know what he or she is talking about because only a few things he said is accurate the rest of it is not and if one took a few moments to do a little reading would know that and wouldn't of said 85% of it.
Is the game buggy well yes it is.

Is the game unfinished no it isn't. TT sold a finished console version of what PC had at the time. No where was promised to anymore updates after that. Nowhere did it say console would be the same as PC version. But would do what they could to make it as close as they could if possible. - So your defense is well we bought an out of date game but its ok because they never said it would be up to date? When the console verison launched it was already behind the pc version and its only gotten worse you cant argue that. Also how is a game that crashes and deletes save files complete? For some people the console version isnt even playable

Did TFP announce the last update that hasn't happened. No they didn't TT did and well they are no longer around so yeah. TFP wasn't saying an update was coming they said after things went down the way it did they would do what they could for console. But with them no having the console rights to publish for console they can't do nothing at the time. Show me where they have said they have gave up. What because they don't have any new news yet for whatever reasons that could be because of legal stuff that they just simply can't talk about at the time. But guess that means they are not trying I guess. - Ignoring players for years and then dropping a very very vague we'll do what we can is not trying that's right. TFP was involved with the update as well so while TT declared the update TFP were involved in it

TT got the money for console version as they had the rights to it and now some one else does. Yes I'm sure TFP got/get a % of the cut. What the % is one can only guess and really isn't anyones priviledge to know but it isn't like they get 100% of the profits from the console version. - Never said TFP got 100% but they certainly shouldn't be getting any profit is they insist on having a hands off dont blame us attitude. If the game is dead then pull it off the shelves or repackage it declaring it to be years out of date, buggy and has no support

Was TFP pretty clear from day one that they was (and still are must I add) in development on the PC version and they will continue to do so. Yes they did. Let's not forget just because TT stuff went down for the console version doesn't have anything to do with PC version. So why should they stop working on the PC version that still in development. If you think PC version doesn't have enough support to keep going till they finish it then you highly mistaken if you think PC version is where it is today because of the console version. They said they had no desire to do console or at least while they was in development stages. So if it wasn't for TT coming to them because they seen at the time with what they had to call the game finished without TT I. The first place console version wouldn't be a thing or at least right now. Does it mean they don't care no it doesn't and because the way things went down once they are able if they even can they will do console how ever they feel will be the best way. But that is if they can. - it is obvious to everyone TFP has put all their focus into the pc that is the issue actually. If they never had intention to bring this to console or not at least till it was finished then they probably shouldnt have sold the rights. Of course by selling the rights though they got money to develop the pc version and console copy sales would again add to that. So for TFP it makes total sense they sold it and took whatever they could get to develop the pc version at the expense of console players

Just because you feel half the truth is better than none is just your personal opinion. What if they say something if they legally can but a curve ball happens and that changes then they still just like now get called liers. What if they only have half information then they going to get question on why they don't know this or that then when they don't/can't answer they get what they are getting now rude and disrespectful comments. I mean the list goes on the point is just because one person feels one way doesn't make it right or wrong just TFP feel a different way and as it been said over and over again when they have new news to give they will share. - Well if they said something and then a legal matter forced a change in action people would at least know what is happening. Again ignorance is not bliss

Would it be nice to see TFP just come around the console section and just chat things up some sure it would be but once they do some will start with the million questions so can see why they don't at the same time. With that said though one or two of them do come around and make some kind of post from time to time. -I don't know about you but i never seen TFP post in the consol version. I've seen dev diaries etc in the pc version but nothing for consol

So ya basically everything i said is correct assuming your not out to simply defend tfp

 

[Freestyle604]

So they posted in May when they knew they had the rights AND the development capacity, since they are developing it, right? TFP wants to do exactly the same it seems.


It seems skillz_over_9000 did make that assumption just 2 posts after yours. You can start right away :cocksure:

(Sorry, that was too good to pass up. You don't need to answer that)

“Quick update from the Developers on the console release.“

Twitter post from November over a month after the post saying the console version was not going to be released. There is a link to a post from the dev team that does a good job of giving the console side an idea of what is going on, since the October post with the bad news of the game not being released. Caused by TTG.

“The devs are still committed to releasing Stranded Deep on console. Hopefully we have some good news soon and can get things moving again! Cheers”

This was the February post.

“GOOD NEWS! We have successfully retrieved the console publishing rights for Stranded Deep.”

This was the first post in May.

Seems to be lots of communication with the console side, through the whole process. Not just 0 to 100%.

My original point was really trying to reference the fact the source code is owned and that is the 1st and most important step if there is any chance of the update with the Unity engine upgrade, and the other really cool stuff that was in it, per posts I have read of happening. That really all depends on the important fact of did TFP get it.

Of course Stranded Deep hasn’t been released yet, and 7D2D would only be pushing out an update. So your comment on the development capacity is a nice touch, but we all know there is ZERO money to be made when doing an update and the potential for LOTS of money when a game is released or re-released. We also know that IG could likely be doing the work for the update, but that is going to cost money that is likley not going to be recouped.

When you are getting communication then both sides know where they stand. When you get no communication it generally ends like the TTG update did for 2018. So do you think TFP own the source code to consoles?? Would you not agree, that is the most important and 1st step for any chance at an update or re-release of 7D2D? We are now 7+ months from TFP post about the update. And 18+ months since TTG first give the idea of one more update.

I get there is a slim chance that TFP are working hard behind the scenes and could post tomorrow the exact same thing as Stranded Deep did on twitter. But yet, we still have had ZERO official communication. I get some mods might work at TFP, but a new post in news and announcements would have been nice. Free update - great, paid update - great, re-release 7D2D - great, Sorry console no update - great, silence - not great.

@skills, hey this isn’t TFP fault. They said they would do what they can, and they were PC from the start LONG before console. It was TTG who got us both into this mess. If TTG didn’t go out of business the update might have happened, but you cannot hold TFP accountable for what TTG said was going to happen.

 

[Freestyle604]

Not sure why I was quoted for most of your reply. I only agreed with Skillz that in all four examples proposed by Sylen that it is still better than complete silence. Perhaps I didn't clarify which part of his post I agreed with specifically enough. My bad. I hope I've cleared that up. Regardless.

Yes a game is usually sold as is and TTG was the publisher. Understood. That doesn't mean that buggy bad releases don't get updates or even massive overhauls post release. No Man's Sky, Sea of Thieves, and currently Fallout 76 all have or are working on improving the games (not condoning or endorsing any of those games just simply using them as examples).

Do they have to? No they could take the money and run. But it is usually better PR to try to fix things. I would say that they are not legally obligated, but that wouldn't be entirely true either. Depending on the circumstances consumers can and have pursued legal action.

Anyway, none of that necessarily applies to TFP's situation. Except the fact that their name is attached to the product and well TTG left them holding the bag. It sucks for TFP, but I'm sure they care about their name so they do want to try their best to fix things. Whether they can or do or don't update the console. Lots of perfectly good reasons for however things play out, good or bad.

I've never made a comment one way or another on the PC version status.

Not sure why we are talking about half truths or what definition we are using for that term. The only statements from TFP that I said would be examples of good news updates to share with us (for example) are:

Sherwood Partners is handling the TTG asset liquidation. (Fact. Full truth.)

The auction will be on April XX date. (Fact. Full truth.)

The auction has been completed on XX date. (Fact. Full truth.)

The 7D2D console rights have been purchased by a buyer choosing to remain anonymous. (Fact. Full truth.)

So no, I personally am not asking for half truths nor would I be pleased to receive them. All I've said is the complete silence is less than desirable. Just a little communication, even just basic simple fact sharing statements, would have appeased most of the (more rational) console fans over the last 6 months.

100% agree. All the fact and full truth statements - public knowledge. Simple posts from TFP like those would have made me feel warm and fuzzy.

 

[Zombie_Leopard]

So what I've been reading for the last few hours/days/weeks/months is that the game isn't getting an update for probably a little while. (Months to a year) It desperately needs one for the state it's in currently. You can't play multiplayer and you can't play single player for an extended period of time. I'm tired of seeing everyone here say, "we got what we paid for, every update after was just icing to the cake." I strongly disagree about that. If the "icing" makes the game hardly run and unplayable then we didn't get what we payed for. Everyone is wanting new content and new things to play around with. Well, I simply want a game that runs and won't blue screen (close the game) on me after 1 hour of play during a single player world. Or 30 minutes for a multiplayer world. It's a great game and I love playing it, but the amount of progress lost and the amount of time wasted is too much to have to deal with.

If we ever receive an update it won't be at least for a few months to a year. I know that. You know that. We all know that. So why can't we just accept that and not fight about something we literally cannot control because we none work for the company that got the rights and we don't know who got the rights.

 

[irjvik]

So why can't we just accept that and not fight about something we literally cannot control because we none work for the company that got the rights and we don't know who got the rights.

Hello.

Just a personal thought on your sentence.

In video games, alas we customers control nothing. We bought a licence to use the software AS IS and nothing more.

Read any game EULA for proof.

That's why I call this "the dark side" of video games.

 

[meganoth]

In response to "TFP never promised a console update" (paraphrasing again)
Seems to me that they actually did promise or at the least heavily implied:

The Fun Pimps

"In the weeks following, we've been working in good faith with the remaining management at Telltale to regain control over the console versions and allow us to provide support and updates on those platforms. So far, these efforts have failed."

That is from the first post of the Telltale Update thread in the News section. Not sure how you guys are reading that statement differently. Sure we could break it down into semantics. Technically they didn't say that they ARE going to provide an update. Only that they want the ability back to provide one. That still implies some level of intention to continue support and updates. Otherwise why include any statement that references support and updates at all? Could've just said we want our console publishing rights back. Period. End of statement.

Well, we have to talk about semantics because I think only semantics divide us.

The thing is what exactly was promised ("promise" as in "an assurance that something will happen no matter what, otherwise my ancestors will rotate in their graves and lightning should strike me") ? It was promised that they would check the possibility of an update and expend effort and try to make one if feasable. Did they promise to do the update itself? No.

The former is a promise to make a reasonable effort for an update. They would have broken this promise for example if they hadn't either bid in the auction or brokered a deal that a "friendly" publisher (or developer) bid in the auction. They would break this promise if they didn't (after getting the rights) talk with potential developers or publishers about a deal to make an update.

They would NOT break this promise though if after some reasonable effort gave up on making an update. And yes, since this is all happening in the dark, we have no good way of controlling IF they made a reasonable effort.

The latter would be a promise to unconditionally do the update which I really can't see that TFP has made that. Such a promise would mean that after a long time with nothing happening console players could say "But you promised...?!?" and could be rightly enraged. I suspect this is not what you meant by what you said above.

I personally get the difference. That is why I don't ask "where is the update?" My questions still revolve around "who has the console publishing rights now?" After that is figured out, then I might ask the appropriate owner, "so do you intend to update the current console releases?" If they say yes, then after a reasonable amount of time, I will start asking, "where is the update?"

Agreed.

 

[meganoth]

“Quick update from the Developers on the console release.“
Twitter post from November over a month after the post saying the console version was not going to be released. There is a link to a post from the dev team that does a good job of giving the console side an idea of what is going on, since the October post with the bad news of the game not being released. Caused by TTG.

“The devs are still committed to releasing Stranded Deep on console. Hopefully we have some good news soon and can get things moving again! Cheers”

This was the February post.

“GOOD NEWS! We have successfully retrieved the console publishing rights for Stranded Deep.”

This was the first post in May.

Seems to be lots of communication with the console side, through the whole process. Not just 0 to 100%.

Nit-picking territory. Everyone else please ignore this if you don't want to get a headache :smile-new:

Yes, there is more communication. I'm just seeing that that "letter of intent" post in February corresponds nicely with the "letter of intent" of TFP in November (sorry I said October previously which is wrong).

After that SD developers didn't post anything about what they were doing, who they contacted, if they have a deal brokered that just needed to be signed, if they have secured the money to continue development... . Instead they posted when they finally could report success on all fronts.

Sure, most likely there was only one front (the publishing rights), not two like in TFP's case. But I don't see DS as a case where someone did better communication, just that circumstances made it impossible for DS to announce stage wins whereas TFP possibly could have announced one after the auction (IF....)

We don't really know what DS would have done if they needed two deals to work out. Maybe they even did and didn't tell you!