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If gaming is ever going to have a future at all it will need to shake off it’s obsession with sequels and tie-ins. Just look at the games that have been released lately - Tomb Raider 4, Final Fantasy 8, all of them are really only an enhanced version of the game before it. The games industry has become so competitive that the developers who make the games which keep the industry going, are scared to put a large amount of money into making original games which may sound great on paper but don’t conform to a tried and tested formula which is guaranteed to be successful. They may have a great idea for a game but if it has never been tried before, getting the idea past the shareholders, who are only concerned with making a profit, may be tricky. Many original games are more popular than the latest Hollywood blockbuster and go on to sell millions of copies Just imagine if Mario was never created, we’d all be blasting tiny spaceships on pathetic consoles which wouldn’t have had to evolve to support more powerful games. If some people hadn’t looked to the future and tried to predict what games will be popular, the games industry would never move forward.. This is exactly what is happening mow. The games industry is at a standstill because very few innovative and truly unique games are being produced. Sure we have more powerful games systems on the horizon but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the games will get better, only better looking.
The funny thing is, when you look at companies who make unique games - Sega (Chu Chu Rocket), Nintendo (Super Smash Brothers) and Rare (Goldeneye) they are nearly always successful. Why don’t the other developers take note of the success of these companies and start making original games?
Because the customer is perfectly willing to buy the latest FIFA update whenever one comes along. This is a vicious cycle - customers buy sequels and updates so developers don’t bother making games which may be better but can be more expensive to make. Even Nintendo, who has always had a reputation for creating original games, has succumbed to the temptation of releasing unoriginal games like Kirby 64. Also, more companies seem to be releasing enhanced ‘retro’ games. This would be fine except, more often than not, they give the game 3D graphics, bolt on a load of fancy extras and release the game when it isn’t any good but, as it’s being released under a name people will recognise, it is guaranteed to sell well.
Although I’ve said this, I expect that gaming will eventually be forced to move forward as customers wise up to the fact that they are playing the same kind of game over and over again. Maybe this new trend isn’t such a bad thing as nobody minds seeing their favourite characters make a welcome return, and if the sequel is as good as the first game then that’s fine. However, if the game is just a cheap and nasty rehash of the original which was only created because the developer was so drunk on the success of the first game, then the public are in for a shock when they realise that they have essentially bought the same game twice.
The funny thing is, when you look at companies who make unique games - Sega (Chu Chu Rocket), Nintendo (Super Smash Brothers) and Rare (Goldeneye) they are nearly always successful. Why don’t the other developers take note of the success of these companies and start making original games?
Because the customer is perfectly willing to buy the latest FIFA update whenever one comes along. This is a vicious cycle - customers buy sequels and updates so developers don’t bother making games which may be better but can be more expensive to make. Even Nintendo, who has always had a reputation for creating original games, has succumbed to the temptation of releasing unoriginal games like Kirby 64. Also, more companies seem to be releasing enhanced ‘retro’ games. This would be fine except, more often than not, they give the game 3D graphics, bolt on a load of fancy extras and release the game when it isn’t any good but, as it’s being released under a name people will recognise, it is guaranteed to sell well.
Although I’ve said this, I expect that gaming will eventually be forced to move forward as customers wise up to the fact that they are playing the same kind of game over and over again. Maybe this new trend isn’t such a bad thing as nobody minds seeing their favourite characters make a welcome return, and if the sequel is as good as the first game then that’s fine. However, if the game is just a cheap and nasty rehash of the original which was only created because the developer was so drunk on the success of the first game, then the public are in for a shock when they realise that they have essentially bought the same game twice.
I don't think all sequels are a bad thing. Can't see too many people wanting MGS2 to be cancelled. Have to agree on titles like Fifa, where the only thing that changes are the stats and maybe the graphics as the years pass. But I think the Final Fantasy games are very good to play with they're stories and characters. I've never been a fan of Tomb Raider, I find the games boring and that really is another Fifa, except you just change the stat updates with bra sizes.
Sequels like Fifa, Street Fighter and Tomb Raider get stupid, but sequels like MGS, Final Fantasy and Shenmue are good because they either tell an ongoing story (as in one that isn't just added to as the series remains successful)or despite sharing the same name, are different games not trying to milk the same character over and over again. I think Street Fighter is just as guilty as Fifa for the saying same poo new wrapping (toned down of course but everyone knows the saying).
Even now, over 10 years on, we still get Street Fighter title after Street Fighter title and hiding behind the new graphics is still the same game you were playing on your SNES or MegaDrive. The insulting part of it is that Capcom think they can get away with it by throwing in a new fireball for a character.
No doubt about it, theres plenty of sequels that shouldn't be around, but there are also sequels that are good for various reasons. I'm looking forward to MGS2 and Gran Turismo 3 !
Sequels like Fifa, Street Fighter and Tomb Raider get stupid, but sequels like MGS, Final Fantasy and Shenmue are good because they either tell an ongoing story (as in one that isn't just added to as the series remains successful)or despite sharing the same name, are different games not trying to milk the same character over and over again. I think Street Fighter is just as guilty as Fifa for the saying same poo new wrapping (toned down of course but everyone knows the saying).
Even now, over 10 years on, we still get Street Fighter title after Street Fighter title and hiding behind the new graphics is still the same game you were playing on your SNES or MegaDrive. The insulting part of it is that Capcom think they can get away with it by throwing in a new fireball for a character.
No doubt about it, theres plenty of sequels that shouldn't be around, but there are also sequels that are good for various reasons. I'm looking forward to MGS2 and Gran Turismo 3 !
This must have won. Its quite good.
If gaming is ever going to have a future at all it will need to shake off it’s obsession with sequels and tie-ins. Just look at the games that have been released lately - Tomb Raider 4, Final Fantasy 8, all of them are really only an enhanced version of the game before it. The games industry has become so competitive that the developers who make the games which keep the industry going, are scared to put a large amount of money into making original games which may sound great on paper but don’t conform to a tried and tested formula which is guaranteed to be successful. They may have a great idea for a game but if it has never been tried before, getting the idea past the shareholders, who are only concerned with making a profit, may be tricky. Many original games are more popular than the latest Hollywood blockbuster and go on to sell millions of copies Just imagine if Mario was never created, we’d all be blasting tiny spaceships on pathetic consoles which wouldn’t have had to evolve to support more powerful games. If some people hadn’t looked to the future and tried to predict what games will be popular, the games industry would never move forward.. This is exactly what is happening mow. The games industry is at a standstill because very few innovative and truly unique games are being produced. Sure we have more powerful games systems on the horizon but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the games will get better, only better looking.
The funny thing is, when you look at companies who make unique games - Sega (Chu Chu Rocket), Nintendo (Super Smash Brothers) and Rare (Goldeneye) they are nearly always successful. Why don’t the other developers take note of the success of these companies and start making original games?
Because the customer is perfectly willing to buy the latest FIFA update whenever one comes along. This is a vicious cycle - customers buy sequels and updates so developers don’t bother making games which may be better but can be more expensive to make. Even Nintendo, who has always had a reputation for creating original games, has succumbed to the temptation of releasing unoriginal games like Kirby 64. Also, more companies seem to be releasing enhanced ‘retro’ games. This would be fine except, more often than not, they give the game 3D graphics, bolt on a load of fancy extras and release the game when it isn’t any good but, as it’s being released under a name people will recognise, it is guaranteed to sell well.
Although I’ve said this, I expect that gaming will eventually be forced to move forward as customers wise up to the fact that they are playing the same kind of game over and over again. Maybe this new trend isn’t such a bad thing as nobody minds seeing their favourite characters make a welcome return, and if the sequel is as good as the first game then that’s fine. However, if the game is just a cheap and nasty rehash of the original which was only created because the developer was so drunk on the success of the first game, then the public are in for a shock when they realise that they have essentially bought the same game twice.
The funny thing is, when you look at companies who make unique games - Sega (Chu Chu Rocket), Nintendo (Super Smash Brothers) and Rare (Goldeneye) they are nearly always successful. Why don’t the other developers take note of the success of these companies and start making original games?
Because the customer is perfectly willing to buy the latest FIFA update whenever one comes along. This is a vicious cycle - customers buy sequels and updates so developers don’t bother making games which may be better but can be more expensive to make. Even Nintendo, who has always had a reputation for creating original games, has succumbed to the temptation of releasing unoriginal games like Kirby 64. Also, more companies seem to be releasing enhanced ‘retro’ games. This would be fine except, more often than not, they give the game 3D graphics, bolt on a load of fancy extras and release the game when it isn’t any good but, as it’s being released under a name people will recognise, it is guaranteed to sell well.
Although I’ve said this, I expect that gaming will eventually be forced to move forward as customers wise up to the fact that they are playing the same kind of game over and over again. Maybe this new trend isn’t such a bad thing as nobody minds seeing their favourite characters make a welcome return, and if the sequel is as good as the first game then that’s fine. However, if the game is just a cheap and nasty rehash of the original which was only created because the developer was so drunk on the success of the first game, then the public are in for a shock when they realise that they have essentially bought the same game twice.