How is this guide different from other Transmissionary walkthroughs? As people familiar with Dead Rising know, many of the achievements are challenging because of the seemingly random nature of events that occur or do not occur based on so many variables found throughout the game. This makes writing walkthroughs for Dead Rising very difficult as different players will experience different events at different times based on their timing, order of scoops, location in the mall, survivors escorted, and so forth. As such, I will include as many factors in the game that I have come across through my
own playthroughs of the game that have prevented me come getting the Transmission achievement, beyond just listing where and when the calls occur.

DISCLAIMER
I wrote this guide after tracking my own steps in the game and finally being successful. I believe this guide can help you if you've struggled to get the achievement; however, in such a seemingly random (and at times glitched) game, I'm sure there are more obstacles in the game than I have discovered. In other words, there might be other varibles that I didn't come across that may prevent you from getting all the calls. Follow my guide closely, but expect there to be variations in the timing and order of events in your playthrough. My goal is to inform you of the major interferences that I found with getting the Transmissionary achievement in Dead Rising.

BEFORE YOU START!
Keep in mind the following throughout this guide:

[1]
This guide assumes you are familiar with Dead Rising. I'm not here to tell you how to play the game. As far as scoops go, I assume that if you get a scoop for Paradise Plaza, for example, that you know where that is and what to do.

[2]
Times may vary, not only when you get the call, but perhaps in what case file as well. Pay more attention to the in-game time, rather than the order of case files. I will point out as many varibles in the guide as they occur.

[3]
YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE OTIS CALLS ON THE ROOFTOP OR IN THE SECURITY ROOM! The Rooftop does NOT count as being outside the Security Room, or outside any other area of the mall for that matter. For all Otis calls, be at the specified locations mentioned in this guide, but NEVER on the Rooftop or Security Room.

[4]
Save as many survivors as you can; however, you do NOT have to do the Saint achievement at the same time. I personally got the Transmissionary achievement without saving everybody. I will discuss how many to save in the
guide.

[5]
Save frequently if you are sure that you have completed the Otis calls up to that point. If you're not sure, don't save. Remember: miss one call and it's over.

[6]
All calls must be completed and not interrupted by zombies, loading screens, or cutscenes etc. Otis SHOULD call back just once if he is interrupted, but I wouldn't risk it. Do your best to make sure he completes the call the first time.

[7]
Specific survivors must be saved. I'll will note these in the guide as they occur.

[8]
Do all the case files and SCOOPS, even if a couple survivors die.

Let us begin...

I. Case Files 1-1 through 1-4
This is the toughest part of the Tranmissionary Achievement. Within the first four case files, there are 13 Otis calls, 11 survivors, and 6 scoops all within the first 18 hours of in-game time. While you do not need to get the Saint achievement, I would recommend SAVING EVERY SURVIVOR IN THESE FIRST FOUR CASE FILES! Having a great start will greatly improve your odds of getting the Transmissionary achievement.

[Otis Call #1]
Before the first case file, Otis will call the first time you enter the warehouse.
VARIABLE: There is a cutscene at the end of the warehouse hallway (leading into the mall proper) that will interrupt the call. Otis should call back a second time if he is interrupted with the cutscene, but play it safe and let the call finish before heading down the hallway.

--> Case 1-1 (When I mention the case number, this is when the picture of that case appears in your case file. If there are no Otis Calls, continue on to the next case.)

--> Case 1-2

--> Case 1-3

[Otis Call #2]
Occurs immediately after the 1-3 cutscene. Otis gives an introduction to Entrance Plaza.

[Otis Call #3]
2pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Paradise Plaza.
VARIABLE: You will never receive Otis calls on the rooftop of the warehouse nor in the Security Room. VARIABLE: Survivor Bill may interrupt this call with his conversation if you have him. Otis called back after Bill was done talking and should do the same for you.

[Otis Call #4]
Calls the first time you enter the Food Court without Brad.
VARIABLE: Otis will give an introduction to many of the main areas in game when you first go into that area. These calls may occur earlier or later depending on when you arrive for the first time. In this guide, these calls
are in the order that I received them and are generally based on a reasonable progression through the game. Again, you should receive all these area introduction calls at some point, regardless of order.

--> Case 1-4 (Lots of calls...good luck!)

[Otis Call #5]
4pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Al Fresca Plaza (note: there is not an introduction call for Al Fresca Plaza).
VARIABLE: I received the call upon entering the warhouse at 4:10pm because I was in the Security Room/Rooftop at 4pm. Otis should call even if it is a little after 4pm.

[Otis Call #6]
Calls the first time you enter the Maintenance Tunnels.
VARIABLE: Can occur earlier or later depending upon your arrival for the first time. I snuck in the visit here, but there is good chunk of time to get this call (and the Maintenance Key if you want) later on after 11pm.

[Otis Call #7]
5pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Al Fresca Plaza.
VARIABLE: There is a cutscene at 7pm about the nighttime zombies. Avoid going into new areas where Otis will give you an introduction call at this time.

[Otis Call #8]
9pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.
VARIABLE: Again, you will not receive calls in the Security Room or on the Rooftop. This will be the last time I type this. You've been warned.

[Otis Call #9]
10pm SCOOP: Anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.

[Otis Call #10]
Calls the first time you enter Wonderland Plaza.
VARIABLE: Can occur earlier or later depending upon your arrival for the first
time.

[Otis Call #11]
11pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except North Plaza.
HINT: The next SCOOP call won't be until 6am. This is the largest chunk of down time so far in this first case that you can use to catch up on objectives you may need to do (i.e. Maintenance Tunnels if you haven't been there yet).

[Otis Call #12]
Calls the first time you enter North Plaza.
VARIABLE: Can occur earlier or later depending upon your arrival for the first
time.

[Otis Call #13]
6am: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.
VARIABLE: Alright fine, one more time: do not be on the Rooftop.

II. Case Files 2-1 through 2-3
--> Case 2-1

[Otis Call #14]
Receive this call upon entering the warehouse after Case 2-1. Otis informs you that the gate between Entrance Plaza and Paradise Plaza is now open.

--> Case 2-2

[Otis Call #15]
7am SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.

[Otis Call #16]
8am SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except North Plaza.

[Otis Call #17]
Calls when you enter Seon's Food Market as a part of the "Medicine Run" case file.
VARIABLE: Otis will only call with the Food Market introduction when you are doing the Medicine Run case file. If you have entered the Market before now, that's fine, but you won't actually get the call until this case.

[Otis Call #18]
9am SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Al Fresca Plaza.

--> Case 2-3

[Otis Call #19]
11am: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.

[Otis Call #20]
MUST SAVE SURVIVOR RONALD ("Restaurant Man" SCOOP)!
11am SCOOP: Receive anywhere but Paradise Plaza.
VARIABLE: Ronald must survive.
VARIABLE: Make sure there are at least 4 survivors in the Security Room with Ronald before Otis Call #26. Ronald is one of two reasons you need to save as many people as possible. If there are less than 4, you will not receive Otis Call #26 (one of two mutiny calls). Upon getting Otis Call #26, I had Heather, Pamela, Sophie, Burt, Bill, and Aaron in the same room as Ronald. You may have different survivors in the room; quantity counts.

III. Case File 3-1
--> Case 3-1 (A good time to save. Awkward call timing coming up.)

[Otis Call #21]
12pm SCOOP: Anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.
VARIABLE: I received this call around 12:15 after I met with Kent the camera guy. I was on the rooftop at noon and the call didn't come through till after I followed up with Kent. There is a chance you may receive this call upon entering the warehouse or Paradise Plaza, but if you don't, try completing the meeting with Kent. Prepare to reload if no call comes through by 3pm.

[Otis Call #22]
3pm: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.

IV. Case Files 4-1 and 4-2
--> Case 4-1 (Recommend saving if you got all calls up till now.)

Note: I received the first cultist cut scene upon entering Paradise Plaza. Play it safe and save Jennifer, just to make sure you get the "Strange Group" Otis Call later (although you should get the call later regardless).

--> Case 4-2

[Otis Calls #23, #24, and #25]
MUST SAVE SURVIVOR FLOYD ("Antique Lover" SCOOP)!
5pm SCOOP: Get anywhere except Entrance Plaza.
VARIABLE: Floyd must survive (Antique Lover SCOOP).
VARIABLE: I have received Otis Call #25 as late as 6:45pm upon entering the warehouse. This may be because I was already escorting several survivors from Wonderland Plaza. I received the 3rd call after dropping them off and entering the warehouse. However, in other playthroughs, I have gotten all 3 calls at once. If you do not receive all 3 calls, try dropping off any survivors you have in tow. If you do not get all 3 SCOOP calls by 7pm, reload.

NOTE: This may happen at different times during your playthrough. Otis may not call if you are escorting too many survivors. If this happens, try dropping them off and see if you get the call you are missing).

[Otis Call #26]
Ronald mutiny call.
7pm SCOOP: Anywhere except the Security Room. Bring food.
VARIABLE: This call only happens if you saved Ronald (Restaurant Man SCOOP).
VARIABLE: This call only happens if you have AT LEAST 4 other survivors in the Security Room with Ronald. Again, you may have different survivors with Ronald, but I had Heather, Pamela, Sophie, Burt, Bill, and Aaron. Refer to Otis Call #20 for similar information.

[Otis Call #27]
12am: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.

[Otis Call #28]
MUST SAVE SURVIVOR CHERYL ("A Strange Group" SCOOP)!
12am SCOOP: Receive this call anywhere but Colby's Movie Land.
VARIABLE: Cheryl is locked in the closet of the same theater as the other survivors. She must be saved to receive an Otis Call later.

MUST SAVE SURVIVOR KENDALL! On your way to meeting Isabella, Kendall will be right outside the meeting point. Kendall must survive to receive an Otis Call later.

NOTE: Just like Ronald earlier, you will need to have enough people in the Security Room with Kendall to cause the 2nd mutiny. This one shouldn't be as much of an issue because it is so much later in the game. By now you should have more than enough survivors saved if you have been trying your best to save them. Continue saving survivors to be sure.

V. Case Files 5-1 and 5-2
--> Case 5-1 (Save Kendall while escorting Isabella!)

[Otis Call #29]
2am SCOOP: Anywhere except the Security Room. Bring wine.
VARIABLE: This call only happens if you saved Floyd (Antique Lover SCOOP).

--> Case 5-2

[Otis Call #30]
3am: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.

VI. Case File 6-1
--> Case 6-1 (Recommend saving. Awkward gameplay moment ahead.)

[Otis Call #31]
MUST SAVE SURVIVOR PAUL ("Long-Haired Punk" SCOOP)!
5am SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.
HINT: Aim for the crotch!

Ultimately, you must save Paul to get the Transmissionary achievement. Reload if he dies.
VARIABLE: I received this call around 6:30am during a playthrough because, as was the case with Otis Call #25, I was escorting a bunch of survivors and received the call after I dropped them off. If you do not receive the call at 5am, drop off any survivors, or load into new different areas (except Wonderland Plaza). Either way, if you do not receive the call by 8am, reload.

[Otis Call #32]
8am SCOOP: Get call anywhere except Wonderland Plaza.

[Otis Call #33]
11am: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.

VII. Case Files 7-1 and 7-2
--> Case 7-1
NOTE: Isabella will call in the warehouse as well as in other locations in the game. These calls do not count towards the Transmissionary achievement; only Otis Calls matter.

[Otis Call #34]
Kendall mutiny call.
12pm: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.
VARIABLE: You must have escorted Kendall to safety (around case 5-1).
VARIABLE: You must have enough survivors in the Security Room with Kendall or you will not get this call. As with before, I recommend 4 or more.

[Otis Call #35]
MUST SAVE SURVIVOR SIMONE ("A Woman In Despair" SCOOP)!
12pm SCOOP: Get this call anywhere except Paradise Plaza.
VARIABLE: Simone must survive.
VARIABLE: This call occurs at the same time as Kent's final photo challenge. I dealt with him and received the call when I loaded into another area (Entrance Plaza) around 12:15pm. Should you choose to deal with Kent as well, load into a different nearby area when you are done and you should get the call.

--> Case 7-2

[Otis Calls #36 and #37]
5pm: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.
VARIABLE: You will only receive Otis Call #37 if you saved Paul (Long-Haired Punk SCOOP).

VIII. Case Files 8-1 through 8-3
--> Case File 8-1

--> Case File 8-2

[Otis Call #38]
7pm: Anywhere except the security Room. Bring a handgun.
VARIABLE: You will only get this call if you saved Simone (A Woman In Despair SCOOP).

--> Case 8-3

[Otis Call #39]
8pm: Get this call anywhere except the Security Room.
VARIABLE: You will only get this call if you saved Cheryl (A Strange Group SCOOP).

Achievement Unlocked!
[I hope you were successful!]

- Headquarters -