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[Wario64]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/28/news_6117445.html

Staffers at German startup developer Bad Brain entertainment Ltd. laughed their way through a brief phone conversation today, confirming they would be posting news of their first major game assignment on Monday.

What exactly is that game? According to reports, Bad Brain has signed an agreement with LucasArts to take over development Sam & Max Freelance Police. When presented with the story the staffer did not confirm or deny the news, simply saying, "We will post news on our Web site Monday."

The sequel to the 1993 cult favorite Sam & Max Hit the Road, Freelance was being internally developed at LucasArts until last March, when it was unceremoniously canceled. Fans of the whimsical original cried foul, and created online petitions calling for work to resume on the sequel. When contacted by GameSpot, LucasArts reps declined to comment on the game's status.

Today's news, while short on specifics, should be fleshed out with additional data from Bad Brain next week.

 

[explodet]

If this turns out to be false, or if the game dies again, I'll be heartbroken.

 

[Coin Return]

Same here, the original was such a great memory, I was so pissed when they canceled the sequel.

 

[Lyte Edge]

Can you still purchase the original game? (And does it run on Windows XP, or will it not matter with SCUMMVM?) I had it on my Mac, but never did play through the entire game.

 

[Gaspode]

http://www.aventuraycia.com/new.php

"Bad Brain Entertainment just announced, that negotiations with LucasArts about a yet unknown title have come to an end. Speculations are, that this title is the much anticipated Sam & Max 2 which was set on hold by Lucas Arts last year. Bad Brain Entertainment will announce details about the title and the negotiations later today. "


Bad Brain currently develops three titles: "A Vampyre Story", "I-Jet" and "The Orgastic Four".

 

[Kiriku]

I think it would be better to just leave the series be, at least until Lucasarts really feel it's worth making a sequel. I mean, who are Bad Brain anyway? What have they developed before? And I wasn't very impressed by the Lucasarts trailer anyway.
If they even develop the game it will probably be mediocre, people will be disappointed, sales will be low, the series will be tainted forever and we will see absolutely no more sequels EVER. Not worth it.

 

[Flynn]

The first thing I thought when I saw the thread title was, "Majesico."

 

[BuddyC]

If they even develop the game it will probably be mediocre, people will be disappointed, sales will be low, the series will be tainted forever and we will see absolutely no more sequels EVER. Not worth it.

Given LucasArt's recent track record of internally developed software, the same could be of the game's fate before they cancelled it.

 

[Kiriku]

Given LucasArt's recent track record of internally developed software, the same could be of the game's fate before they cancelled it.

I agree. What was the reason for them cancelling the game anyway? I enjoyed the first game myself, but looking how the genre is kind of dead and the series is probably unknown to many (aside from the hardcore fans), it would be interesting to know why they decided to start development. Along with the cancelled (?) Full Throttle sequel (which noone seems to care about?).

 

[epmode]

Can you still purchase the original game? (And does it run on Windows XP, or will it not matter with SCUMMVM?) I had it on my Mac, but never did play through the entire game.

sam and max runs perfectly through scummvm. play it, play it!

 

[BuddyC]

I agree. What was the reason for them cancelling the game anyway? I enjoyed the first game myself, but looking how the genre is kind of dead and the series is probably unknown to many (aside from the hardcore fans), it would be interesting to see why they decided to start development. Along with the cancelled (?) Full Throttle sequel (which noone seems to care about?).

They claimed it wouldn't perform well in today's market.

Apparently it was shaping up to be a a worthy successor, the team and dude behind the characters of Sam & Max were very happy with it.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

damn wario...you're killing them with the news. :lol are you just scowering the internet to be Teh NUMBER 1st Thread Maker?

 

[tahrikmili]

Can you still purchase the original game? (And does it run on Windows XP, or will it not matter with SCUMMVM?) I had it on my Mac, but never did play through the entire game.

Ayup!

There's a Lucasarts Classics game out there that has Sam & Max and Day of the Tentacle on the same CD with voiceovers and everything, and runs on XP. It's SRP is 20 GBP.

 

[Kiriku]

They claimed it wouldn't perform well in today's market.

Apparently it was shaping up to be a a worthy successor, the team and dude behind the characters of Sam & Max were very happy with it.

Sounds reasonable....but like people have been suggesting in a number of other threads, I think a good idea would be to make a 2D sequel for DS. At least that would keep it more faithful to the original and it could be a moderate success if the concept (in combination with the touchscreen) appeals to the handheld crowd. Even if the game doesn't sell much, it can't be that expensive to develop. It's a risk worth taking, I'd say, as it could spark some interest in the genre (on DS) meaning easy money for Lucasarts.

 

[BuddyC]

Sounds reasonable....but like people have been suggesting in a number of other threads, I think a good idea would be to make a 2D sequel for DS. At least that would keep it more faithful to the original and it could be a moderate success if the concept (in combination with the touchscreen) appeals to the handheld crowd. Even if the game doesn't sell much, it can't be that expensive to develop. It's a risk worth taking, I'd say, as it could spark some interest in the genre (on DS) meaning easy money for Lucasarts.

I dunno, there's a lot of risk there. Sales of DS adventure games are thus far unproven. I'd like to see it happen, but alienating the very audience who really want the game may not be the brightest move.

Back on topic, if I recall correctly, Sam & Max 2 was mostly done, 75% or 80%.

 

[xsarien]

Can you still purchase the original game? (And does it run on Windows XP, or will it not matter with SCUMMVM?) I had it on my Mac, but never did play through the entire game.

Also, an XP-ready version of the game (although it has a few sound issues) shipped as a pre-order bonus for Armed and Dangerous. What's great, though, is that you can probably still find the disc in some EBs. You'll probably need to buy A&D, though.

 

[Jotaro]

Bad Brain Entertainment? Aren't they the new studio formed by ex Lucasarts employees, Telltale studios?

Anyway, this is what they implyed since a long time. I want that game so bad! The vampire game looks good too. Point and click, and 2D, humm

 

[Funky Papa]

Bad Brain Entertainment? Aren't they the new studio formed by ex Lucasarts employees, Telltale studios?

No, it's a german studio based in Leverkusen.

http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,458

Rumor has it that Bad Brain is attempting to acquire the rights to Sam & Max: Freelance Police. What can you say about that?

No comment (I signed an NDA). All I can say is: yes, we are talking to LucasArts about a game that might involve animals, but that's all folks! I guess we will see what´s happening in March 2005 at the latest. Also check our website for more information about our games.

They are good people, nice and friendly but I don't understand why they should be involved with this project, their track record is quite suspicious and german's sense of homour is discutible :-/

If I were at Lucas I'd pursue Pendulo Studios to make the new S&M. They made a wonderful job with Runaway (which now should be on the bargain bin, go check it out!)

 

[Funky Papa]

AW CRAP

From the news section @ bad-brain.com

01/28/2005 It was so degrading!

We tried everything to bring you the game you all wanted. But it seems all hope has gone. They broke of negotiations. But you truly have to believe that it wasn't our fault and it sure wasn't the money. We just don't know and they don't tell.

But we don't give up that easy. There is still a glimpse of hope and Steve Purcell is the one who is in charge now. We are talking ... and we are hopeing ... again.

Here is what you can do: tell Steve P. to give us Sam & Max and we, at bad brain promise you the best and boldest Sam & Max 3D Point&Click-Adventure ever. Support us and we will give you what you want!

Enough said. I have to go and have a drink now. Kids: don't do this at home!

OK Lucas Farts, listen to me and get Pendulo to work on this, you damn f*ckers.

 

[Coop]

Give me a break. Runaway is garbage. The only good thing about that game was the graphics.

 

[Gaspode]

Give me a break. Runaway is garbage. The only good thing about that game was the graphics.

I loved the gameplay of Runaway. The story is too simple, though. Maybe Runaway 2 will turn out better (and longer) than the first.

 

[mediabiz]

S&M is cursed. They are the 5th company who is planning to resurrect the series. But I don't think it's possible. Not now and not in this dimension. Maybe after paradigm shift