In 2004, the LucasArts cancellation of Sam & Max: Freelance Police led a vocal response from gamer fans of the franchise. This outcry led many developers from LucasArts to leave the company and begin their own gaming corporation. Telltale Games was the result, a digital distribution system unlike any other. They brought with them the unique sense of style that had previously been the trademark of LucasArts videogames, providing the same atmosphere experienced in movies.

One of the most unique aspects of Telltale games is the episodic sense in which their games are developed. Rather than releasing a standalone game and then developing a sequel years later, most Telltale digital downloads are released in a series of episodes. This more closely resembles the movies and television shows that most of their games are based on. This has led them to acquire licenses for many popular film and television shows from media corporations that would like to preserve the unique atmosphere of their productions in the games that are developed for them. This also allows them to start their games off with a low initial release price, as they can easily charge an additional amount for successive episodes and expansions.

The webpage associated with each title from Telltale Games also features a different look from most other digital distributors. Rather than trying to squeeze a large amount of information, screenshots, videos, and more on a single page, each product listing leads to a basic page that provides a quick overview, pricing and purchasing information, and a list of similar merchandise. This allows the page to load quickly for users with slow Internet connections. However, a link is provided to give visitors more information for each title. Users that click this link will be led to a small website devoted to just that title. This new site features screenshots, videos, detailed information, and more.

Telltale Games is often praised for the unique atmosphere provided in its games. Many of its titles are graphic adventure games, a genre that seems to have slowly faded from other videogame developers. Their low prices have also won claim from Telltale users that buy online. Still, many users have also complained about issues that arise when attempting to play a game. Error messages frequently appear in place of the title, even after instructions have been followed and system requirements have been met or exceeded. These errors sometimes required the development of patches, which users would then have to spend more time downloading.