Relying on Video Game Sequels- NY Times article

[*NormalGamer*]

Here's an article from the NY times talking about issues about game sequels in the industry and explains examples from EA about this issue.

www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/technology/08game.html?ex=1281153600&en=300074177aff8ca3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Hmm... reading this makes me question a lot about EA or any other game developer about this.

[Jason-RN]

It's a pretty well-known fact that companies are starting to rely more on sequels. After games like Beyond Good & Evil didn't do well (when it comes to sales), big companies seem to be shifting their attention to sequels. EA is just a very extreme example.

[Pilgrim John]

admin said:

It's a pretty well-known fact that companies are starting to rely more on sequels. After games like Beyond Good & Evil didn't do well (when it comes to sales), big companies seem to be shifting their attention to sequels. EA is just a very extreme example.

Which is one of multiple reasons why I hate EA.
Either way, it is quite obvious that companies are. After all, Capcom has HOW many Mega Man games again? And, uh, what Castlevania are we up to again, 20 or 21? Although I love both Mega Man and Castlevania, new games are having a really hard time, like BG&E (Great example, Jason), Killer 7, and Billy Hatcher & the Giant Egg. Despite the fact that these are all quite good, the fact is, no one has seen them before. Thusly, they are gambles most people are NOT willing to take. So they're stuck with crap like GTA and Halo while poor Billy and his eggs are left behind.

[*NormalGamer*]

zer0 said:

admin said:

It's a pretty well-known fact that companies are starting to rely more on sequels. After games like Beyond Good & Evil didn't do well (when it comes to sales), big companies seem to be shifting their attention to sequels. EA is just a very extreme example.

Which is one of multiple reasons why I hate EA.
Either way, it is quite obvious that companies are. After all, Capcom has HOW many Mega Man games again? And, uh, what Castlevania are we up to again, 20 or 21? Although I love both Mega Man and Castlevania, new games are having a really hard time, like BG&E (Great example, Jason), Killer 7, and Billy Hatcher & the Giant Egg. Despite the fact that these are all quite good, the fact is, no one has seen them before. Thusly, they are gambles most people are NOT willing to take. So they're stuck with crap like GTA and Halo while poor Billy and his eggs are left behind.

@ Jason-RN

If only companies like EA had innovation in their blood to balance them out, then they wouldn't be stuck on the path of relying soley on sequels leaving innovation out completely.

@ *zer0/referring to bold*

It's sad to see games like Billy Hatcher not get enough attention. Sad, indeed. V_V

[BRO_co03-RN]

Sequels are only good if they have incredibly new stuff, like the Zelda series. And I know it's difficult on consoles, but expansion packs are always cool. The Sims anyone?

[Pilgrim John]

aztarix said:

Sequels are only good if they have incredibly new stuff, like the Zelda series. And I know it's difficult on consoles, but expansion packs are always cool. The Sims anyone?

There's a serious flaw with expansion packs: you'll be paying 20 to 40 bucks to play the same game you've already got, except with new tiny little bells and whistles. Coincidentally, Halo 2 is little more than an Expansion with a "2" in its title to trick people into buying its "sequel."

[BRO_co03-RN]

zer0 said:

aztarix said:

Sequels are only good if they have incredibly new stuff, like the Zelda series. And I know it's difficult on consoles, but expansion packs are always cool. The Sims anyone?

There's a serious flaw with expansion packs: you'll be paying 20 to 40 bucks to play the same game you've already got, except with new tiny little bells and whistles. Coincidentally, Halo 2 is little more than an Expansion with a "2" in its title to trick people into buying its "sequel."

I believe I paid near $60 for the last few Sims' expansion packs (Hot Date through Makin' Magic), brand new and well worth it.

[Jason-RN]

normalgamer said:

@ Jason-RN

If only companies like EA had innovation in their blood to balance them out, then they wouldn't be stuck on the path of relying soley on sequels leaving innovation out completely.

The problem is that EA knows it can make money by releasing a new Madden, Need For Speed, etc. every year. They really don't have any incentives to make new franchises.

[Pilgrim John]

admin said:

normalgamer said:

@ Jason-RN

If only companies like EA had innovation in their blood to balance them out, then they wouldn't be stuck on the path of relying soley on sequels leaving innovation out completely.

The problem is that EA knows it can make money by releasing a new Madden, Need For Speed, etc. every year. They really don't have any incentives to make new franchises.

Heh. I remember in an issue of Game Informer, where they were interviewing a guy from EA. They asked him, "Some people believe that EA does not have creativity. They all complain that all EA has are sports games and licensed franchises like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Do you have anything to say about this?"
He replies, "That's not true. EA has invented several new game series since the release of PS2 in 2000. Included are DEF Jam Vendetta, SSX, and so on."
As we all know, SSX and DEF Jam are both sports games (Yes, wrestling is a sport). Not to mention that their hostile takeover of Ubi Soft has netted them a few of Ubi Soft's own original games, including Oddworld and TimeSplitters. So, either they release the same game over and over again, or they steal (Legally) from another company.
EA is becoming more of athreat to the gaming industry. Something has to be done, or we can kiss Billy Hatcher 2 good-bye.

[Jason-RN]

zer0 said:

Heh. I remember in an issue of Game Informer, where they were interviewing a guy from EA. They asked him, "Some people believe that EA does not have creativity. They all complain that all EA has are sports games and licensed franchises like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Do you have anything to say about this?"
He replies, "That's not true. EA has invented several new game series since the release of PS2 in 2000. Included are DEF Jam Vendetta, SSX, and so on."
As we all know, SSX and DEF Jam are both sports games (Yes, wrestling is a sport). Not to mention that their hostile takeover of Ubi Soft has netted them a few of Ubi Soft's own original games, including Oddworld and TimeSplitters. So, either they release the same game over and over again, or they steal (Legally) from another company.
EA is becoming more of athreat to the gaming industry. Something has to be done, or we can kiss Billy Hatcher 2 good-bye.

Well, SSX was a brand-new series back in 2000... But, now the fourth version of the game is coming out. Don't get me wrong, I like the SSX games. It's just that inventing a new series five years ago, and making four games out of it that quickly, hardly counts as being creative.