She's Got Game

So I think that everyone who plays games are familiar with "episodes." If not, it's essentially an addition to the game, usually you have the main game, then some sequels that are then called episodes.  They're usually shorter and not really a full game, and keep with the story of the original game. For example, the Half Life 2 series has a couple of episodes, and Fable II came out with episodes as well.  But what if an entire game came out in episodes?  Well that's what Fable III is planning on doing.



Now how do you release a game in all episodes?  Well from what I have read, they are planning on giving the first chapter for free, then once you get to the end of the chapter, it will ask you if you would like to purchase the next chapter, and so on and so on.  The "next" chapter was described as being "2 to 5 dollars."

They are still releasing the retail version of it, which I am assuming has the entire game on it as well.  While I think a lot of people are confusing this idea as though they are only planning on selling the game in episodes, it sounds like you can have an option of either episodes or buying the game in full.

I could be reading it wrong, but here is the quote from Peter Polyneux from Lionhead games,  

"Soon after the retail launch we're doing episodic. We break it down in chapters. We give away the first chapter entirely free, the first hour."

I would wonder if it would cost more to pay for the episodes, or if they would cost the same as the full game.

It is kind of an interesting concept, it's kind of like a "pay as you go" game.  A lot of people don't finish games - so why pay for it all, right?  What do you think?  Or do you think I am reading it wrong?  Hopefully more details will come out about it soon!  It could be an epic fail, or a pretty win concept.