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Right then, flying around recently have been a lot of comments about the PS2’s large (allegedly) amount of sequels. In front of me I have the latest copy of the Official UK PlayStation 2 magazine. Inside it contains a list of every PS2 game launched yet, and release dates up to October (reliably). So, here’s my analysis:
Out of the 106 games out now there are:
59 original games
19 sequels
5 multi-format ports
23 tedious sports updates
And, of the 45 games coming out up to and including October there are:
22 original games
12 sequels
3 multi-format ports
8 tedious sports updates
So, is the PlayStation 2 a SequelStation too? Well, sequels are inevitable on all consoles, for reasons I will explain later. Now, let’s analyse the GameCube’s launch line up (provided by Reaper[oV]).
Of the 18 games set for launch, there are:
7 original games
4 sequels
0 multi format ports (I think)
7 tedious sports updates
So, while the 55% of the PS2’s games are original and 17% are sequels, the GameCube has only 38% original games and 22% sequels. In reality, everyone who says the PS2 is full of sequels should keep quiet in future, as the GameCube is even worse. Right then, I’ve finished my small dig at the GameCube now, but is it really a dig? Sequels are inevitable. Water’s wet, rocks are hard, consoles have sequels. It’s a fact of life. I don’t blame the GameCube for having sequels any more than I blame the sun for rising in the morning. Sequels are a developer’s best friend. How many people are willing to buy the exact same game every year with slightly update graphics, different players and a bigger number on the end? Millions! Just ask EA! Also, publishers are afraid of getting low review scores, but if your game is just a remake of last year’s hit, the suckers will buy it anyway. You can just keep repeating the same formula over and over again every year, and you’ll be raking it in.
Another thing is, sequels don’t just make good business sense, developers are required to release sequels. What do you think would happen if Kazunori Yamuchi announced there would be no more Gran Turismo games? There’s would be a public outcry! What do you think would happen if Shigeru Miamoto announced he wasn’t planning on a Zelda game for the GameCube? Well, Nintendo would lynch him for a start. I like sequels. If I finish a really great game, I want to keep playing on it. That’s where sequels come in. The sequel gets released, and hopefully it’s a better game as well. That way, I can keep playing my favourite game forever. GT3 is a sequel of GT2, although it’s bordering on update territory. Does this make it a worse game? I think not. GT3 is fantastic, despite its similarities.
So what do you think? Are sequels the creation of genius, or the spawn of Satan? Discuss.
Out of the 106 games out now there are:
59 original games
19 sequels
5 multi-format ports
23 tedious sports updates
And, of the 45 games coming out up to and including October there are:
22 original games
12 sequels
3 multi-format ports
8 tedious sports updates
So, is the PlayStation 2 a SequelStation too? Well, sequels are inevitable on all consoles, for reasons I will explain later. Now, let’s analyse the GameCube’s launch line up (provided by Reaper[oV]).
Of the 18 games set for launch, there are:
7 original games
4 sequels
0 multi format ports (I think)
7 tedious sports updates
So, while the 55% of the PS2’s games are original and 17% are sequels, the GameCube has only 38% original games and 22% sequels. In reality, everyone who says the PS2 is full of sequels should keep quiet in future, as the GameCube is even worse. Right then, I’ve finished my small dig at the GameCube now, but is it really a dig? Sequels are inevitable. Water’s wet, rocks are hard, consoles have sequels. It’s a fact of life. I don’t blame the GameCube for having sequels any more than I blame the sun for rising in the morning. Sequels are a developer’s best friend. How many people are willing to buy the exact same game every year with slightly update graphics, different players and a bigger number on the end? Millions! Just ask EA! Also, publishers are afraid of getting low review scores, but if your game is just a remake of last year’s hit, the suckers will buy it anyway. You can just keep repeating the same formula over and over again every year, and you’ll be raking it in.
Another thing is, sequels don’t just make good business sense, developers are required to release sequels. What do you think would happen if Kazunori Yamuchi announced there would be no more Gran Turismo games? There’s would be a public outcry! What do you think would happen if Shigeru Miamoto announced he wasn’t planning on a Zelda game for the GameCube? Well, Nintendo would lynch him for a start. I like sequels. If I finish a really great game, I want to keep playing on it. That’s where sequels come in. The sequel gets released, and hopefully it’s a better game as well. That way, I can keep playing my favourite game forever. GT3 is a sequel of GT2, although it’s bordering on update territory. Does this make it a worse game? I think not. GT3 is fantastic, despite its similarities.
So what do you think? Are sequels the creation of genius, or the spawn of Satan? Discuss.
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On the subject of sequels I'm split 50/50. Because I've been playing video games for a fair few years, I tend to view them with a cynical eye. Take GT3 for example - its almost old news to me. I've seen GT1 & GT2, so GT3 seems basically just more of the same - only with superior graphics. But if I'd just recently got into gaming, I'm sure GT3 would be a new experience and truly awesome (perhaps it is anyway).
Concerning sequels, we have to remember that more and more people are discovering the wonderful world of video games everyday. They look at the whole industry with 'fresh eyes'. Perhaps experienced more cynical gamers (like myself) should attempt to do likewise.
There's no doubt in my mind that the PS2 is becoming a great console. A year from now I suspect it wil have the best selection of quality titles ever seen on a home console. At this moment in time I haven't purchased one - I'm still clinging to my Dreamcast like a neglected dog. But there may come a time when the 'choice' and quality of the PS2 catalogue will be too difficult to resist.
Yet even tho' I say this, the xBox interests me. I feel like it could be a fresh start. No Mario, no Sonic, no sequels? For the xBox to succeed it must create its own brand games. Perhaps originality will rear its head on the xBox - then again, it probably won't.
Overall, I think if a game has not significantly 'changed' by the 3rd installment, then it's a 'cash in' and should be boycotted. If there is a Satan in the games' industry, it has to be EA Sports.
Concerning sequels, we have to remember that more and more people are discovering the wonderful world of video games everyday. They look at the whole industry with 'fresh eyes'. Perhaps experienced more cynical gamers (like myself) should attempt to do likewise.
There's no doubt in my mind that the PS2 is becoming a great console. A year from now I suspect it wil have the best selection of quality titles ever seen on a home console. At this moment in time I haven't purchased one - I'm still clinging to my Dreamcast like a neglected dog. But there may come a time when the 'choice' and quality of the PS2 catalogue will be too difficult to resist.
Yet even tho' I say this, the xBox interests me. I feel like it could be a fresh start. No Mario, no Sonic, no sequels? For the xBox to succeed it must create its own brand games. Perhaps originality will rear its head on the xBox - then again, it probably won't.
Overall, I think if a game has not significantly 'changed' by the 3rd installment, then it's a 'cash in' and should be boycotted. If there is a Satan in the games' industry, it has to be EA Sports.
Right then, flying around recently have been a lot of comments about the PS2’s large (allegedly) amount of sequels. In front of me I have the latest copy of the Official UK PlayStation 2 magazine. Inside it contains a list of every PS2 game launched yet, and release dates up to October (reliably). So, here’s my analysis:
Out of the 106 games out now there are:
59 original games
19 sequels
5 multi-format ports
23 tedious sports updates
And, of the 45 games coming out up to and including October there are:
22 original games
12 sequels
3 multi-format ports
8 tedious sports updates
So, is the PlayStation 2 a SequelStation too? Well, sequels are inevitable on all consoles, for reasons I will explain later. Now, let’s analyse the GameCube’s launch line up (provided by Reaper[oV]).
Of the 18 games set for launch, there are:
7 original games
4 sequels
0 multi format ports (I think)
7 tedious sports updates
So, while the 55% of the PS2’s games are original and 17% are sequels, the GameCube has only 38% original games and 22% sequels. In reality, everyone who says the PS2 is full of sequels should keep quiet in future, as the GameCube is even worse. Right then, I’ve finished my small dig at the GameCube now, but is it really a dig? Sequels are inevitable. Water’s wet, rocks are hard, consoles have sequels. It’s a fact of life. I don’t blame the GameCube for having sequels any more than I blame the sun for rising in the morning. Sequels are a developer’s best friend. How many people are willing to buy the exact same game every year with slightly update graphics, different players and a bigger number on the end? Millions! Just ask EA! Also, publishers are afraid of getting low review scores, but if your game is just a remake of last year’s hit, the suckers will buy it anyway. You can just keep repeating the same formula over and over again every year, and you’ll be raking it in.
Another thing is, sequels don’t just make good business sense, developers are required to release sequels. What do you think would happen if Kazunori Yamuchi announced there would be no more Gran Turismo games? There’s would be a public outcry! What do you think would happen if Shigeru Miamoto announced he wasn’t planning on a Zelda game for the GameCube? Well, Nintendo would lynch him for a start. I like sequels. If I finish a really great game, I want to keep playing on it. That’s where sequels come in. The sequel gets released, and hopefully it’s a better game as well. That way, I can keep playing my favourite game forever. GT3 is a sequel of GT2, although it’s bordering on update territory. Does this make it a worse game? I think not. GT3 is fantastic, despite its similarities.
So what do you think? Are sequels the creation of genius, or the spawn of Satan? Discuss.
Out of the 106 games out now there are:
59 original games
19 sequels
5 multi-format ports
23 tedious sports updates
And, of the 45 games coming out up to and including October there are:
22 original games
12 sequels
3 multi-format ports
8 tedious sports updates
So, is the PlayStation 2 a SequelStation too? Well, sequels are inevitable on all consoles, for reasons I will explain later. Now, let’s analyse the GameCube’s launch line up (provided by Reaper[oV]).
Of the 18 games set for launch, there are:
7 original games
4 sequels
0 multi format ports (I think)
7 tedious sports updates
So, while the 55% of the PS2’s games are original and 17% are sequels, the GameCube has only 38% original games and 22% sequels. In reality, everyone who says the PS2 is full of sequels should keep quiet in future, as the GameCube is even worse. Right then, I’ve finished my small dig at the GameCube now, but is it really a dig? Sequels are inevitable. Water’s wet, rocks are hard, consoles have sequels. It’s a fact of life. I don’t blame the GameCube for having sequels any more than I blame the sun for rising in the morning. Sequels are a developer’s best friend. How many people are willing to buy the exact same game every year with slightly update graphics, different players and a bigger number on the end? Millions! Just ask EA! Also, publishers are afraid of getting low review scores, but if your game is just a remake of last year’s hit, the suckers will buy it anyway. You can just keep repeating the same formula over and over again every year, and you’ll be raking it in.
Another thing is, sequels don’t just make good business sense, developers are required to release sequels. What do you think would happen if Kazunori Yamuchi announced there would be no more Gran Turismo games? There’s would be a public outcry! What do you think would happen if Shigeru Miamoto announced he wasn’t planning on a Zelda game for the GameCube? Well, Nintendo would lynch him for a start. I like sequels. If I finish a really great game, I want to keep playing on it. That’s where sequels come in. The sequel gets released, and hopefully it’s a better game as well. That way, I can keep playing my favourite game forever. GT3 is a sequel of GT2, although it’s bordering on update territory. Does this make it a worse game? I think not. GT3 is fantastic, despite its similarities.
So what do you think? Are sequels the creation of genius, or the spawn of Satan? Discuss.
Page: