Sometimes an idea sounds fantastic in theory but fails to live up to expectations in execution. This is the case withThe Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, a video game that had many promising elements but ultimately disappointed both critics and fans. Robert Kirkman, creator ofThe Walking Dead,recently acknowledged that the game did not meet the high standards set by the rest of the franchise, despite its potential.
In a fan letter featured inThe Walking Dead Deluxe #111,a reader questioned the quality ofSurvival Instinct. Kirkman responded candidly, admitting that while the game had potential,it ultimately fell short of its true potential. In his response, he explained that AMC was primarily overseeing the game’s production.
“I think survival instinct had merits as a cool way of getting more Daryl, who is a popular character from the TV show, but in the end, I will admit that it fell short of hitting the mark.”
Kirkman did acknowledge the game’s merit in offering more content for Daryl, one ofThe Walking Dead’s best characters, but he didn’t shy away from the fact thatit wasn’t the experience fans had hoped for. This admission from the creator underscores the game’s lack of polish and the overall disappointment surrounding its release.
Kirkman’s Candid Callout
Why Survival Instinct Failed
InThe Walking Dead Deluxe #111, one fan wrote in asking whySurvival Instincteven happened in the first place. Kirkman responded by explaining that AMC had overseen the game’s production,while his team at Skybound focused on the Telltale Walking Dead series. He acknowledged that the execution was rushed, leaving behind nothing but shallow gameplay and a hollow story. The game clearly didn’t live up to the quality expected from theWalking Deadbrand.
The fan letter and Kirkman’s response shed light on how the production process forSurvival Instinctunfolded. Many fans fail to realize that, despite Daryl’s popularity,Kirkman doesn’t own the rights to the character, but AMC does. They had control over how he was used in spin-offs,including video games. Meanwhile, Kirkman and his team were busy focusing on the more successful Telltale series, which offered a much more polished narrative experience. This difference in oversight likely contributed to the disparity in quality betweenSurvival Instinctand otherWalking Deadadaptations.
Survival Instincts Backlash
The Dangers Of Rushed Cash Grabs
The downfall ofSurvival Instinctserves as a cautionary tale about the risks of rushing a game to market for a quick cash grab. Critics and players alike noted the game’s lack of polish and coherence, with some calling it a “lazy, cheap cash grab.” In the rush to capitalize on the success ofThe Walking DeadTV show, the game ended up ranking amongsome of the worst games of all time. The failure to deliver a compelling experience left both fans and creators disappointed, ultimately tarnishing the legacy of what could have been a great addition to the franchise.
Kirkman’s response serves as a reminder that, no matter how successful a property might be, the quality of its spin-offs matters. Rushed games or half-baked concepts can result in a tarnished reputation, even for the most beloved of characters.The creators are ultimately held responsible when a product fails to live up to its potential, as evidenced by the mixed reception ofSurvival Instinct. It stands as a reminder that the pressure to capitalize on a successful brand should never outweigh the need for careful planning and quality execution.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #111is available now at your local comic shop.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Deadis a massive multimedia franchise that began with a comic book series created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The franchise gained widespread popularity with the launch of the television seriesThe Walking Deadin 2010 on AMC, which chronicles the lives of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, referred to as “walkers.” The success of the original show has led to numerous spin-offs, web series, video games, novels, and other media. The franchise explores themes of survival, human nature, and the breakdown of society in the face of an existential threat, making it one of the most successful and influential horror series of the 21st century.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Cast
In a post-apocalyptic France, the series follows Daryl Dixon as he navigates the complexities of a new landscape. Separated from his familiar world, Daryl faces unexpected challenges and forges new alliances while confronting the lingering threats of a walker-infested reality.
