Telltale Games - 'Burbs Episodic Game

[Barkelow]

Sorry if that title got anyone exicted

I know this is never going to happen, but how cool would it be if Telltale Games developed a game series based on The 'burbs franchise. This year they will be releasing a series of games based on Back To The Future and Jurassic Park and although many games based on movies are rubbish, I'm betting on Telltale Games doing a good job (based on their other games).

If they ever did produce a Burbs game, how would it go? How would you translate events from the film to an enjoyable game? Or would your Burbs game tell the story in a different way? Or perhaps it would be set before or after the events in the film?

 

[RayPeterson]

So would it be a game in the "point 'n click adventure genre"? Kind of like "Sam 'n max" or "Day of the tentacle"? I like the idea.

But it should definitely try something new, not just replay the old storyline. Probably with the same characters but not the Klopeks as the new weird neighbours but other neighbours. And it should also be considered that there are episodic games so we need a broader storyline. Probably you could play different Burbs characters on different locations (Carol at the Delvaney's lake house, Art in Mayfield place, Ricky Butler at High School...)? And finally all the different storylines on the different locations somehow flow together like pieces of a puzzle.

 

[Barkelow]

I think point 'n click would work.

In addition to the main story, you could have little side activities which don't affect your progress through the game. Like in the Sam and Max game where there were things to click on and you would get a humourous comment.

For example, if you are playing as Art, you could have the option to fill up the bird feeder or take a shot at the crows with your gun.

As Ray, you might click on your toolbox and comment on how Carol's father got them for you for Christmas.

 

[RayPeterson]

Adding numerous of these inside jokes would indeed be cool. As Rummy you could run up the flag while "Machine" is blaring out of Ricky's speakers and so on.

There also should be more locations in Hinkley Hills than just Mayfield place. Going to the deli to get one of these beef sandwiches or buying an electric garage door opener should be possible.

We could also add some "new" characters so that it would finally be possible to see Ricky's parents or the Barkelows.

 

[Rays_Yard]

I think we had a discussion about a 'Burbs game a while back. Possible the ultimate 'Burbs pinball machine!

 

[RayPeterson]

<span class="postlistquotedtext"><blockquote>quote:<center><hr width="100%"/></center>Rays Yard wrote:

I think we had a discussion about a 'Burbs game a while back. Possible the ultimate 'Burbs pinball machine!<center><hr width="100%"/></center></blockquote></span>

Yeah, our ultimate dream, the Burbs Pinball machine...*sigh*

But we didn't discuss computer games if I remember it correctly.

 

[Desperate_Suburbanite]

I always had an idea for a movie sequel that I think could suffice for a game. The idea that I had many years ago was that Art discovers there may be hidden treasure buried underneath the block and convinces Ray, Rumsfield and Ricky to go looking for it.

I had figured that for a sequel you have keep the spirit of the original while at the same time expanding the universe but keeping it in the neighbourhood. I figured the idea of treasure would provide enough fun for all those characters to go crazy again.

 

[JoOngle]

Speaking of which...


...what would someone be willing to pay for a real The Burbs Pinball machine?

....I'm a tech freak, possibly very able to build and program one, but it ain't gonna be cheap, because it will take a LOT of work, and it's literally a piece of art...

?

 

[RayPeterson]

I'm afraid I couldn't afford such an individual piece of art. What about building one for your own? This would ultimately propel you to Burbanite-stardom. I believe this would be indeed something that Joe Dante would sooner or later hear about.

 

[JoOngle]

Plus...the Copyright-Hounddogs would be after me for ever for using parts of the movie as art-decals for the machine...