Episodic Games Deliver Fun In Spurts

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Editor's Note: Scott Steinberg is the CEO of TechSavvy Global, a video game and technology consulting firm, as well as the founder of GameExec Magazine and Game Industry TV. He frequently appears on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CNN as an on-air technology analyst. This is his latest book "Get rich while playing."

(CNN) – While video games are starting to challenge television as a traditional entertainment medium, the industry is still grappling with the streaming programming model that many consider binge-watching.

But a new series of episodic games, designed to be played in short sequential sessions, is poised to make its mark on home entertainment, one downloadable piece at a time.

The Silver Lining is a free-to-play remake of Phoenix Online Studios' classic fantasy adventure Sierra King's Quest, releasing July 10 for PC. This classic point-and-click puzzle-solving story gives players their first chance to return to 1998's Mask of Eternity, with hero King Graham at its center.

Further episodes will be additional and are expected to be released in 2010. during. But as a labor of love that single-handedly revives a dormant cult classic, the title is also important for a few reasons.

They represent growing signs of life in the once-popular adventure genre, which fell on hard times in the mid-1990s with the rise of first-person shooters and action-based games. Released under licensee Activision, the game demonstrates the ability of home gaming to spark public interest in even older series.

But more importantly, in the wake of the other successes of Sam and Max and Tales from Monkey Island (other adventure classics enjoying a surprise revival), it signals the growing vitality of episodic games in the digital world.

“Every platform is now looking for episodic content and we are seeing it on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, WiiWare and even iPhone and iPad,” said César Bittar, producer and designer of Silver Linings Playbook.

“Like a TV show, it keeps you coming back. In each episode we introduce a new setting with new characters, new mysteries and new adventures, all while continuing with the main plot that ties everything together.

The company is also doing well. Legendo Entertainment CEO Björn Larsson is bringing the Pearl Harbor trilogy episodic arcade battle series to WiiWare starting July 5 for $7.

“The episodic model allows us to do fewer pads, focus on the highest quality of each game, and be more responsive to player feedback between releases,” he says. “With packaged products it's either go big or go home, there's no room for risk. Episodic lowers the barriers to entry for both developers and customers, allowing game creators access to more opportunities.

But aside from a few success stories like Half-Life 2. Episode 1, the episodic game publishing industry is still unknown. Several notable previous releases, including Grimm and American McGee's Majestic, failed to attract large audiences despite support from Turner Broadcasting and Electronic Arts, respectively.

But I would argue that these games preceded the rise of game streaming and the economic downturn that pushed high net worth consumers to buy smaller, cheaper games online.

With high-profile releases like Sonic the Hedgehog 4 planned in multiple installments and online multiplayer games already appeasing fans with frequent updates, this approach may not be sustainable just yet.

“Even very repetitive games are becoming more and more episodic,” Larson says. “We accidentally release updates for games like Grand Theft Auto IV and Alan Wake downloadable content (DLC).

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