Jump to content

Back to the Future: The Game

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by WolfRisingSun (talk | contribs) at 22:19, 23 December 2010 (→Episodes). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Back to the Future: The Game
Developer(s)Telltale Games
Designer(s)Michael Stemmle
Andy Hartzell
Composer(s)Jared Emerson-Johnson
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, iPad
ReleaseWindows / Mac OS X
December 22, 2010
PlayStation 3 / iPad
TBA
Genre(s)Graphic adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Back to the Future: The Game is a graphic adventure video game based on the Back to the Future film franchise. The game is being developed by Telltale Games who has licensed the Back to the Future elements from Universal Studios. Bob Gale, the screenwriter for the three films, is assisting Telltale in developing the game's story, while both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd have allowed Telltale to use their likenesses within the game for the lead characters Marty McFly and Doc Brown, respectively. Lloyd will also be providing the voice work for Doc Brown's character while new talent AJ LoCascio will be the voice of Marty McFly. The game will be available in five episodes on multiple gaming platforms, the first episode appearing on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X platforms on December 22, 2010[1] with PlayStation 3 and iPad following shortly thereafter.[2]

Plot

Six months have passed since Marty McFly returned from 1885. McFly is adjusting to life without his best friend Doc Brown. As Doc left everything behind, the bank has foreclosed on his home and now his estate will be sold off, causing Marty to face the possibility that Doc will never come back. However, the DeLorean time machine mysteriously appears out of nowhere. Marty learns that Doc has once again found himself stranded in another time period and Marty must once again go back in time to rescue him.[3][4]

Episodes

Episode Writer
"It's About Time" December 22, 2010[5]

Six months since Marty last saw Doc, the DeLorean reappears and whisks Marty to the 1930s, during Prohibition, to save Doc from prison.

Notes:

"Get Tannen!" February, 2011
Notes:
"Citizen Brown" March, 2011
Notes:
"Double Visions" April, 2011
Notes:
"OUTATIME" 2011
Notes:

Cast and characters

  • A.J. LoCascio as Marty McFly
  • Christopher Lloyd as Doctor Emmett Brown
  • Kid Beyond as Biff Tannen
  • Mark Barbolak as Cop
  • Roger Jackson as Cue Ball / Judge Brown
  • Rebecca Schweitzer as Edna Strickland
  • Shannon Nicholson as Young Edna Strickland
  • James Arnold Taylor as Young Emmett Brown
  • Michael Sommers as George McFly / Arthur McFly
  • Owen Thomas as Kid Tannen
  • Aimee Miles as Lorraine McFly
  • Adam Harrington as Matches

Development

First news of the game appeared in early June 2010, following developer Telltale Games announcement of a multi-year deal with Universal Studios to produce games for both the Back to the Future and Jurassic Park licenses, with Back to the Future being the first project they would work on. At that time, the tentative release date was during the latter half of the year.[6][7] Telltale sought input from fans on various scenarios, characters, and story elements they would like to see within the game through an online survey shortly after the Universal deal announcement.[8]

An in-development screenshot showing the simple user interface and character designs for Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown to be used within the game. Both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd agreed to allow Telltale to use their likenesses within the game.

The game was formally announced on September 1, 2010. Telltale revealed the first piece of promotional art for the game, giving an idea of what the characters would look like. Both Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd allowed their likenesses to be used, while Lloyd would reprise his role as Dr. Emmett Brown. Mike Stemmle, co-designer for Telltale Games, said that their goal was not for realistic graphics, but instead "take a stylized approach – staying true to the essence of the source material".[9] The game is planned to take place over five episodes. The storyline would include Hill Valley, the DeLorean time machine, and other characters from the film.[9] Also it was stated trilogy screenwriter Bob Gale had been brought in as a consultant for the game's plot.[10][11]

With regard to Marty and Doc's likenesses, Telltale CEO Dan Connors said, "Creating cinematic adventures true to the source is a top mission for Telltale. Securing Marty and Doc for the games, and presenting the experience that fans know and love, has been top on our list since we initiated development".[12] Members of the production team appeared with a prop DeLorean at PAX Prime to promote the game and talk about the overall designing process. They said the most difficult part of developing the script was trying to integrate the established time periods. There were several ideas that were scrapped due to conflicts with important plot points in films which would cause "bad paradoxes" within the story. Also mentioned, was that the in game character designs revealed in the promotion image would be based on art by artist Ryan Jones.[13][14][15] On September 20, Christopher Lloyd began his first recording session for the game.[16][17]

In an interview, Bob Gale discussed his involvement with the game. He said some ideas he and Robert Zemeckis talked about during Part II's development would be utilized for the game. He did confirm certain rough draft ideas such as the Nevada nuclear test climax for Part I and the future sport Slamball would not be in the game. However, he did go on record as saying he could take Slamball into consideration if a sequel were proposed. Gale also voiced his views on the previous games based on the Back to the Future license. He said all the previous games "have all sucked eggs", and voiced his displeasure with the original 1989 game by LJN, calling it one of the worst games ever. He recalled at the time of that game's development, he was shown the final product by the development staff prior to its release and was outraged over the content that was present. When he asked them to make changes LJN declined on the grounds that the game was too far along in development to make changes. Gale would later do interviews insisting that people not buy LJN's game. He did, however, commend Telltale for bringing him in as consultant on their Back to the Future game and said they had the right idea. He was glad they were making a game that would finally respect the license.[3][18]

In an interview with GameTrailers, Christopher Lloyd and director Dennis Lenart revealed some of the details to the premise, confirming that the game would take place six months after the events in Part III, rather than simply retelling the trilogy. They also said the player would get to see what Marty's life is like without Doc, when suddenly Marty must go back in time to find Doc.[3] The game would also explore events surrounding Doc when he was a young adult, giving a look into what his past was like.[19] As Michael J. Fox was unavailable to reprise his role as Marty for the game, newcomer AJ LoCascio would voice the role instead. LoCascio was able to get the part due to his MP3 audition sample which impressed both Gale and Lloyd with how closely he resembled the sound of Fox's voice during the time the trilogy was being filmed. According to LoCascio, when he was going through puberty, people would tell him that he sounded like Marty, and he would sometimes do the voice as a joke. This would be his first professional role.[20]

Promotion

Telltale Games promoted the series at the 2010 Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle by bringing along a DeLorean decorated as the time machine from the movies.

To promote the title, Telltale brought a mockup of the DeLorean time machine as part of their booth display at the 2010 Penny Arcade Expo which occurred shortly after the game's announcement.[13][14] Prior to the game's release, Telltale Games published their first Facebook game, Back to the Future: Blitz Through Time, with mechanics similar to Bejeweled Blitz, to tie in with the episodic series.[21][22]

A voucher for a free copy of the first episode of the series was included in the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray release of the Back to the Future trilogy on October 26, 2010.[23] A promotional offer was made on Telltale's web site to download a free copy as well[24]. Via this promotion, however, the first episode will be distributed in February 2011.[25] As a pre-order bonus, Telltale offered buyers a free copy of Puzzle Agent, access to a pre-release insider forum on their web site, and stated that they would donate one dollar to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research for each pre-order.[26][27]

References

  1. ^ Alan (December 15, 2010). "Time Circuits On: Back to the Future Release Date and Details". Telltale Games. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  2. ^ de Matos, Xav (October 25, 2010). "Back to the Future Coming to PC, Mac in December; PS3 and iPad Versions 'Shortly' After". Shacknews. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Back to the Future Video Game, Exclusive Behind the Scenes Part I: The Adventure Continues" (Flash). GameTrailers. October 22, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  4. ^ "Back to the Future Video Game, Exclusive Debut Trailer" (Flash). GameTrailers. December 3, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  5. ^ "Back to the Future: Episode 1 is Now Available". Telltale Games. 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2010-12-23. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  6. ^ Reilly, Jim (June 9, 2010). "Telltale Going Back to the Future, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park games in development". IGN. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  7. ^ Fahey, Mike (June 9, 2010). "Telltale Takes Us Back To The Future". Kotaku. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  8. ^ Rudden, Dave (July 8, 2010). "Telltale Games asks fans for feedback on Back to the Future game ideas and BTTF fanboy Dave gives his". GamePro. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Onyett, Charles (2010-11-23). "Back to the Future: Your First Look". IGN. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
  10. ^ Snider, Mike (September 1, 2010). "Telltale Games times 'Back to the Future' project". USA Today. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  11. ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 1, 2010). "New Back to the Future Games Nab Original Film Talent". Kotaku. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  12. ^ Reilly, Jim (September 1, 2010). "McFly Returns in Back to the Future Game, Actor Christopher Lloyd to voice Doc Brown". IGN. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Devore, Jordan (September 27, 2010). "Telltale Games is bringing a DeLorean time machine to PAX". Destructoid. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  14. ^ a b Hickey, Matt (September 4, 2010). "PAX day 1: Torchlight II, Goldeneye 007, Tron". CNet. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  15. ^ Buchanan, Levi (September 4, 2010). "Doc Brown Speaks Up at PAX, Telltale Games is about to fire up the Flux Capacitor". IGN. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  16. ^ Johnson, Alan (September 21, 2010). "The Doctor Is In: Christopher Lloyd Begins Doc Brown Voice Work". Telltale. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  17. ^ Crecente, Brian (September 21, 2010). "Christopher "Doc Brown" Lloyd Hard at Work on New Back to the Future Game". Kotaku. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  18. ^ Johnson, Alan (October 18, 2010). "Bob Gale Answers Your Back to the Future Questions". Telltale. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  19. ^ "Back to the Future Video Game, Exclusive Behind the Scenes Part III: Building the Game" (Flash). GameTrailers. October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  20. ^ "Back to the Future Video Game, Exclusive Behind the Scenes Part II: Hey McFly!" (Flash). GameTrailers. October 23, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  21. ^ Rudden, Dave (2010-11-15). "Back to the Future puzzle game on Facebook". GamePro. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  22. ^ Schramm, Mike (Nov. 15, 2010). "Telltale releases free match-three Back to the Future puzzle game on Facebook". Joystiq. Retrieved Nov. 24, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  23. ^ Bailey, Kat (October 18, 2010). "Back to the Future Blu-ray Includes Voucher for Free Episode of Telltale Game". 1UP.com. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  24. ^ "Telltale Games". Telltale Games. October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  25. ^ "Telltale Games - Back to the Future: The Game - The Adventure Begins!". Telltale Games. December 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010. Free episodes distribution begins in February, as the second episode releases.
  26. ^ Griffin McElroy (October 25, 2010). "Where Back to the Future: The Game's going, we won't need Wiimotes". Joystiq. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  27. ^ "Telltale Games - Great Scott!". Telltale Games. October 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Back_to_the_Future:_The_Game&oldid=403938308"