May 10, 2007

Climactic Sam & Max: Season 1 finale released to customers worldwide

"Bright Side of the Moon" draws the groundbreaking episodic series to a triumphant close
 

Gamers' favorite deadpan dog and slightly psychotic rabbity-thing are going where no team (or game series) has gone before… to the moon, little buddy! The final chapter of Sam & Max: Season 1, "Bright Side of the Moon," has just been released to customers worldwide at www.telltalegames.com,  marking the culmination of a landmark series considered by many to be the first truly successful demonstration of episodic gaming.

"The episodic model was one of those often talked about concepts that had yet to be fully realized," says Dan Connors, Telltale's CEO. "With Sam & Max: Season 1, we not only built and shipped six games in seven months, but we did it in a way that took advantage of everything the episodic model has to offer. We created a completely unique and enjoyable gaming experience, and the beauty is, we're just getting started."

Since the series' debut last October, the overarching storyline in Sam & Max: Season 1 has revolved around an increasingly insidious mind control plot. In "Bright Side of the Moon," Sam & Max must blast into outer space to infiltrate a utopian lunar retreat and confront the mastermind behind the scheme. But when the crime-fighting duo's special brand of chaos intersects with a disturbingly toxic tranquility, have these freelance police finally met their match?

"With huge dollops of creative frenzy tossed into episode 6, the Telltale crew nicely tops off a great season,” says Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell. "I'm really pleased." Telltale's Design Director Dave Grossman adds, "Bright Side of the Moon is the snuggly-fitting cap on the Serious toothpaste of Season 1. I feel clean."

Sam & Max Episode 6: Bright Side of the Moon Demo

Downloadable versions of all six episodes are now available at www.telltalegames.com.  Individual episodes may be purchased for $8.95, while the full season of six episodes sells for $34.95 (a savings of almost $20 over the individual episode price). Anyone who has already purchased an individual episode can upgrade to the full season for $26, as described at www.telltalegames.com/store/samandmax-season1-upgrade. 

Customers who purchase the complete season of downloads from Telltale (either for $34.95 or via the $26 upgrade path) are eligible to receive the season on DVD for just shipping and handling. This disc, which will be packaged in a slipcase with a new original cover by Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell, will start shipping in June. Additional details and ordering instructions can be found at www.telltalegames.com/store/samandmax-season1-disc.