There’s only two ways I can think for them to split AE up into episodes and have it make sense:
- Two episodes, with the split at the point where Abe leaves Necrum and travels to Feeco (so: each PS1 disc = one episode).
- Three episodes: as above, but with Soulstorm Brewery as its own third episode.
If they tried to split it any other way it would become too compartmentalized, or otherwise they would have to stretch each area out to make the episode length reasonable. Can you imagine an entire episode based around each area of AE being fun to play? I can’t.
I can see there being some technical issues with splitting the game up like this: as Varrok pointed out each episode would have to be individually configured to the player’s preference, which is annoying but not a big deal; but more importantly they would need to work out how to transfer the Mudokon rescue/kill count across episodes, and how to manage it if those counts change.
What I really don’t like about episodic games is being charged twice to get the full story. Unless the pricing is super-reasonable, this just feels like a cynical way to stretch development time and make more money in the process. I’d much rather buy a full experience for a single price, even if it takes longer to develop and costs more than buying an episode.
Basically: I don’t like the idea of making the AE remake episodic. I can see the thought process behind it from the developer’s point of view (they need more development time and more money to make it), but I think they need to find another way to fulfil those requirements.
I’m happy for them to take the same route they did for NnT and develop DLC side-stories and bonus content, but I wouldn’t want them to take out chunks of the original AE and sell them as DLC packages. I could see them selling DLC packs of extra levels set in each area (more Necrum vaults, extra Feeco terminals, more Slig Barracks) and I’d be fine with that.