PlayStation LifeStyle » Blue Toad Murder Files

PSLS Presents – Relentless Software, Blue Toad Murder Files

Sebastian Moss — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:42:43 +0000

Blue Toad Murder Files follows a series of dastardly deeds that occur in the quintessentially English village of Little Riddle through a series of episodic games. Last year, PlayStation LifeStyle interviewed Jade Tidy, the producer of the title, about the episodes. Now, PSLS has caught up with the award winning Buzz! creators Relentless Software to talk to Jade Tidy, Paul Woodbridge, the design director, as well as the fantastic voiceover artist Tom Dussek in their most candid interview yet, to see how the game has progressed, learn of its impending US release date, plans for a second series, as well as news on their secret project.

PlayStation LifeStyle: One question a lot of our American readers would love to know is: What’s going on with the US Store?

Jade Tidy: Helen [Jones in PR and Marketing] will kill me for saying this. I think we should announce next week when it’s coming out in America. It’s coming really soon. Really, really soon. We just needed to make sure, we’ve been working basically with SCEA to get the right support to get Blue Toad out there, and getting ourselves ready to get it out there as well, which is why there has been a bit of a delay, but it should be out very, very soon, and hopefully people should find out next week. I’d like to say, because I know our dates were agreed today, but it’ll be out there really soon, they’ll be able to get hold of it soon.

PSLS: And have you been satisfied with the critical reception that the first two episodes have got so far?

JT: Yes, I’ve been really happy, we’ve had a great response generally, of course, you know, there’s always a few here and there of people you don’t please. You can’t please everyone; I think it’s something Paul said, that you’d actually prefer to have a love-hate game rather than just an average one.
Paul Woodbridge: Yeah, if you think that much about the games that some people really like and others don’t, that don’t appeal to everyone, they are often the best.
JT: Yeah, I think we’ve done something creatively that we’re all really proud of, and really happy, and I certainly can’t wait to get the next ones out there and see what people think of them.

PSLS: And have the sales met your expectations?

JT: Yeah, we actually beat our forecast at the beginning, and this is like, we haven’t done this before, and it’s a bit of an experiment for us. We didn’t really know what to expect, getting through those first sales. It’s something we’re really happy with, and we hope that everybody else enjoys the rest of the series.
PW: It’s definitely really encouraging. We could have released and not sold any copies and that would have been bad [laughter]. We had this forecast that was largely figures plucked from our heads, and our hopes and dreams, and we’ve managed to beat them so far, so no complaints on that.

PSLS: There are six different episodes planned–how do you make sure that consumers remain interested and intrigued by each title?

PW: Cliffhangers [chuckling].
JT: Well, it works well on TV.
PW: We have our format, and that format is locked into this first season now. It’s like each episode generally follows the same sort of progression. But obviously, it’s got quite a strong story, and the characters progress and events unfold over the course of the series. So hopefully we’ll keep people watching it, just like with an episode of 24 or Lost.
JT: Yeah, there’s things that you’ll find out in the later episodes which will explain things in the earlier ones that maybe you weren’t aware of at that time. So there is certainly a pay-off for people who watch every single episode, that play every one.
PW: I think that it’s certainly true that in the latter half of the series we do start trying to close off all the threads we started, and sort of work towards finding out who the big bad guy is and catching that person.
JT: Yeah, that’s what we’ve been building up for, and we do answer it, we don’t leave that.

PSLS: But you’ll still leave it open for a second series?

PW: Oh yeah, there are definitely one or two big questions left at the end of the first one, not in a way which detracts from what you’re doing in the first one, but we definitely leave a couple of strands open.
JT: I think everyone’s been trying to get their own little bit in so they can all ensure that they get another job [laughter]. I saw our scriptwriter was trying to hide a few things from us, and was like “Uh, I’ll tell you them when we get around to the next one.” Yeah, it’s something we’re all really keen on doing, since it’s been so fun making the first one.

PSLS: The third episode is absolutely free, when and why did you decide to do this rather risky promotion?

JT: Quite recently–it wasn’t something we had planned before we brought out episodes one and two. It was something that we decided the beginning of this year, and sat down, because we’ve gone through all the feedback from reviews and from forums, and, as I said earlier, we’d got really good feedback on the game, which we were really happy with, but we did get people saying that it was quite a lot for the lack of replayability in the game. And it was something that we wanted to address, but we’ve made this game, we can’t change the structure of the game, its too late to do that, but as we are self published, we could change the cost of it, and I’m really pleased that we’ve been brave enough to actually do that, because we weren’t really met with resistance, but when we first started saying that we think we’re going to do this, there were a lot of people saying “What? Why on Earth would you want to do that?” You know, it’s a bit crazy, especially because the sales were so good, but yeah, I think for us, this was something we could do something about, and giving Episode Three away for free awards everybody who has already bought One and Two, and supported us from launch, which I think is an important thing to do.

PSLS: Will this offer extend to North America when it launches there?

JT: I think what we’ll probably do is release the triple pack straight away, because we haven’t launched anything over there. Effectively, what we are doing is giving you three episodes for £10 [in the UK], so I think we are doing something similar in America.

PSLS: Are there any plans to make the later titles free?

JT: [Grinning] Not at the moment. We have to make some money off this game, but we will be bringing out 3 episodes for £10, so you will be able to get 4-6 together for £10, which I think is a better deal for those who enjoyed it.
PW: Yeah, we saw a few people commenting that all six episodes would cost, I think someone worked it out as £38, which isn’t entirely truthful, because the first two episodes were released for £10 together. But, that is quite a bit of money for quite a short game, especially on a game where you can’t replay it too many times. So, by reducing the costs to £20 for all 6 episodes, it is quite a competitive price prospect.
JT: Yeah, I think it is really good.

PSLS: Would you ever consider releasing a disk based version of the series?

JT: I get asked this question loads. We don’t have, in our basement, anything to make up discs and package them and send them out, so it’s not something that we could do ourselves. So it’s not something we have planned at the moment.

PSLS: But with a publisher?

JT: Yeah, if we licensed it to someone else, but it’s not something we plan to do.

PSLS: Last time we talked, you mentioned how you would like to do a Home space, have you come further along with these plans?

JT: Yeah, we’ve been chatting actually to the Home Team about what things would be good to do, and looking at having something like an event in there, so it’s something that obviously we are really keen to do, but we are still working on these episodes at the moment. But I’m working with Helen, who’s our marketing manager at the moment, and with the Home team to see what’s the best thing we could do in there, because I’d like something that’s really fun and engaging. Like, there’s been talk of ‘murder in the dark’ or something like that–I’d really like to do that.

PSLS: Can you tell me anything about the Secret Project 2?

JT: The Secret Project? [laughs] No.

PSLS: Because last time you said that we would learn early in the New Year…

PW: What’s that? Really? She lied [laughing].
JT: I lied, yeah; I’m not actually working on the secret project, so I don’t actually know –
PW: – I know
JT: Shh, I know you do.
Tom Dussek enters: Which secret project?
PW: That’s true. Yeah, there is another one as well.

PSLS: [Turning to Tom] Will your voice be in it?

PW: Tom doesn’t know at this stage, either.
TD: They don’t tell me.
PW: Well, its quite a long way… We’re in such early stages–there are too many things that could happen between now and when we are going to want to announce it. Got to stop from saying too much though.
JT: Yeah.
PW: It is probably best to say, it’s a big project for us. It’s not just Blue Toad Season Two or anything, it’s a big project.
JT: It’s a new thing.
PW: It’s a new thing with quite a large scope…
JT: I think we should stop there [laughter]. I think, like I said before, there is actually a secret room, and it’s locked, and they’ve got all their windows frosted. When I say I don’t know anything about it, it’s actually true, I’m not allowed in that room. It’s a secret to most of us here as well…

Blue Toad’s American Release “Very, Very Soon”

Sebastian Moss — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:19:31 +0000

The first two episodes of the Blue Toad series have been a resounding success, with sales beating Relentless Software’s expectations and the games receiving mostly positive reviews, however the game has one, rather significant, problem – it still hasn’t been released in the US, despite being in the EU since last year. In a new interview with PlayStation LifeStyle, Jade Tidy, the producer of the title, revealed to us the reason behind the delay, and shed light on when the US should expect to see the title.

Jade Tidy explained:

“We just needed to make sure, we’ve been working basically with SCEA to get the right support to get Blue Toad out there, and getting ourselves ready to get it out there as well, which is why there has been a bit of a delay”

She teased:

“Helen [Jones PR and Marketing] will kill me for saying this, I think we should announce next week when it’s coming out in America, it’s coming really soon, really, really soon.”

Continuing:

“But it should be out very, very soon, and hopefully people should find out next week. I’d like to say, ‘cause I know our dates were agreed today, but it’ll be out there really soon, they’ll be able to get hold of it soon.”

Stay tuned to PlayStation LifeStyle for the entire, uncut interview later today.

Next Blue Toad Episode To Cost You…Nothing

Matt Baker — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:21:47 +0000

Relentless Software’s Blue Toad Murder Files was a hit with fans when it arrived exclusively for the PSN store last year. The developers have now announced Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode Three will cost you absolutely nothing.

Relentless has revealed via press release that the next episode of the Blue Toad Murder Files series will be introduced to the PlayStation Store on February 25.

To play the free episode, you’ll need Episode One, which is bundled with Episode Two of the murder mystery title for £9.99 (about $16 and €11) on the PS Store. Relentless also announced that the final episodes in the series, installments four to six, will be released on 8 April, 2010. That pack will set you back £9.99.

Jade Tidy, Blue Toad Murder Files producer is delighted to bring the news:

We’ve had great reviews and feedback for the content and quality of Blue Toad, but we would be arrogant to overlook peoples’ concerns about the cost and replayability of an episode.
We’ve made something we’re all very proud of, and knowing people have enjoyed our game enough to ask us when the next episode comes out makes us very happy

Be sure to check out PSLS’s interview with Jade Tidy. The PSN exclusive title released last December–check out our review of the first episode.

PSN Review – Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1

Sebastian Moss — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:02:02 +0000

Relentless Software’s Blue Toad Murder Files is a game which dares to try out an episodic structure, with different episodes set to be released consistently until all six are available on the store. This strategy failed to win over most gamers in Siren: Blood Curse and caused problems with the game’s length and plot, but can this light-hearted murder mystery title prove that the method can be successful, or does the game fail to break the mold?

You play as one of four characters from the Blue Toad Detective Agency who arrive at the quintessentially English village of Little Riddle, only to be confronted by a series of dastardly deeds that plague the populace. Immediately, you set about solving the first murder, and throughout Episode 1 you are given a cast of plausible suspects, as well as clues to the identity of the killer.

To learn who the murderer is, you must question several stereotypically English townsfolk, from the snobbish hotel manager to the reassuringly clichéd “h’officer” of the law. The process of interrogation is rather linear, with no choice or control available to the player, but this seems natural to the game, which styles itself like an episode of Poirot, and feels much like reading an Agatha Christe novel.

The voice acting for the game is superb; the characters are wonderfully brought to life, with each given a unique personality. Especially the narrator, who’s passionate voice gives a touch of humor to the generally boring aspects of games, such as menu navigation, while simultaneously managing to capture the manner of the Murder Mystery Radio dramas that dominated the first half of the 20th century. What is even more remarkable is that all the voice acting in the game is done by by one man, Tom Dussek, without any of the characters sounding the same.

While talking to the villagers you are tasked with puzzles and mini games of varying difficulty that tax the mind, but not your enjoyment. Solving the puzzles, which can be anything from math riddles to logical or verbal reasoning, can be rather difficult, but not so much as to frustrate the player, as most should be able to solve the puzzles given enough time. Fortunately, if there is an enigma which you just can’t crack, this doesn’t spell the end for your gaming session, as there is the option to ‘Give Up’, which allows you to continue, at the expense of any points. Points are given out depending on how fast you manage to find the solution, as well as how many times you make a mistake, with the reward being a gold, silver or bronze medal (unless you give up, and get nothing), all of which are then tallied up at the end and compared to your rival players.

First Teaser Video of Blue Toad Murder Files Released

Sebastian Moss — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:39:47 +0000

Blue Toad Murder Files follows a series of dastardly deeds that occur in the quintessentially English village of Little Riddle through a series of episodic games. Last month PlayStation LifeStyle interviewed Jade Tidy, the producer of the title, about the episodes, the first of which will release on December 17th. Now, Relentless Software has released the first teaser video of the game.

The video gives a few hints about the style, characters and storyline in the game, with two further trailers to be released before the game launches.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Stay connected to PSLS for more news on Blue Toad Murder Files and other PlayStation related news.

Decide What You Want In The Blue Toad Home Space

Sebastian Moss — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:26:26 +0000

PlayStation Home, the PlayStation 3‘s avatar based virtual community, has grown in leaps and bounds since it’s official launch nearly a year ago with a wide variety of Home spaces from various top games as well as the mysterious alternate reality game Xi. One of the most popular spaces on the online platform was the Buzz! Home space, based on Relentless Software‘s award winning franchise. At this year’s Eurogamer Expo PlayStation LifeStyle managed to ask Relentless Software‘s Producer, Jade Tidy, whether their newest game, Blue Toad Murder Files, would also be getting a Home space.

Tidy told PSLS that:

“I’d love to have one, the Buzz! one went down really really well, and I’d love to do something, like murder in the dark, or something like that. At the moment we just don’t have time, we just need to finish making the game first of all, because we are still working on the later episodes, but yeah, if we can do something like that in the future, I’d love to do it, I’d love to hear people’s suggestions of things that they like for it as well, so if you’ve got any come on to our forum and give them to us”.

Check out PlayStation LifeStyle’s entire video interview here.

PSLS Interview – Jade Tidy From Relentless Software

Sebastian Moss — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:12:01 +0000

At this year’s Eurogamer Expo PlayStation LifeStyle had a chance to interview Jade Tidy, producer of Blue Toad Murder Files, from the award winning Buzz! creators Relentless Software, covering everything from the game to Home spaces, motion control and much more.

Check out the full interview below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The first episode of Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle is due out in December on the PlayStation Network, exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

First Screens Revealed for Blue Toad Murder Files

Cameron Teague — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:48:41 +0000

Relentless Software, developers behind the widely popular Buzz! quiz games has released screenshots for its upcoming game Blue Toad Murder Files. This will be the companies first self-published game and is set to release on the PlayStation Network December 17th.

In the game 1 to 4 players will be given the task of Investigating murders and interrogating citizens in the town of Little Riddle. You will also be using your powers of observation and search for clues as you try to unravel the mystery. The game will be played across 6 episodes with over 90 puzzles to be solved and will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3.

If you would like to learn more about the game then check out the recently setup webpage at http://www.bluetoadmurderfiles.co.uk. Here you can check out Murder Files, Download Wallpapers and go behind the scenes.

[Source]

Buzz! Creator Launches Blue Toad Murder Files Website

Richard Allen — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:57:07 +0000

Screening Blue Murder

Relentless Software® reveals the dastardly deeds occurring in Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle with the launch of its website.

Relentless Software® today announced the launch of the Blue Toad Murder Files™ website which uncovers the strange goings on in the quintessential English village of Little Riddle, the setting for Relentless Software’s first self-published game.

Blue Toad Murder Files: The Mysteries of Little Riddle is a one to four player co-operative episodic download game published by Relentless Software, creators of the hugely popular Buzz!™, exclusively for PlayStation®3 (PS3®). Episode 1 will be available to download from the PlayStation®Network from Thursday 17th December 2009.

The Blue Toad Murder Files website features behind the scenes news, exclusive downloads, character biographies, competitions, forums, stories from the Relentless team behind the game and screenshots, artwork and trailers from the game.

David Amor, Executive Director at Relentless, commented: “People have been asking me for months, what Blue Toad Murder Files is really about, how many episodes we’re making, when the episodes will be available… Our website will give players the answers to these questions and many more. This is the first games we’ve self-published and we’re really excited to be able to talk to our customers about it direct.”

www.bluetoadmurderfiles.co.uk

Buzz Developer Reveals Follow-up

Richard Allen — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:29:26 +0000

Secret Project No.1 Revealed – Relentless Software announce their new PSN game, Blue Toad Murder Files.

Relentless Software have announced their new game, an episodic series called Blue Toad Murder Files. Exclusive to PlayStation®Network, the Murder Mystery game will be released later this year.

“We’re really excited to be self publishing this. The murder mystery genre has been a staple in TV, books and movies for years and we think we’ve come up with a great videogame interpretation.”
- David Amor, Executive Director

For updates register at www.bluetoadmurderfiles.co.uk.