• 14Mar 08

  Why Make More, When More Is Not Needed?

  NOTE: This is my first blog post on GS so don't be too harsh, but any constructive criticism is always accepted

  It seems that nowadays more and more developers are suddenly deciding to make their good successful games into three parters or create unneeded sequels so that they can suck as much money out of consumer's pockets. All you see these days are "(INSERT GAME NAME) 2/3/4", doesn't ANYONE have any unique ideas anymore instead of making sequel after sequel after sequel with very minor "improvements" on each one. But the producers know that if someone likes a particular game they are likely to buy the next one and the one after that and so forth.

  While some are acceptable such as Gears of War and Halo others are plain ridiculous such as Bioshock 2. We all know that the first was quite frankly a masterpiece but there is NO point to create a sequel. The game didn't end on a cliffhanger or even an open ending, it was developed as a one off, but when the makers of the game saw the incredible popularity they decided, "Hey what a wonderful way to make even MORE money". A sequel would threaten the fantastic reputation of the first, and it will probably be badly developed or recycle the old mechanics from the first game and thus ruin a perfectly good game.

  Other games that plan on making multiple games ensure buyers of the first game will buy the successors because they cut off the story right at the climax or at a twist. Games like Rainbow Six Vegas or Assassin's Creed cut off the game just as it builds up suspense, leaving you with a "Wtf? Its over?" face. This only ends up with an annoyed player that has to wait a year to find out what the hell happened, and is likely to immediately go onto multiple forums complaining about the Sh*t ending. Game developers need to learn to create endings that make player want more but also end so that they are satisfied and feel like something has been achieved, NOT a sudden stop from the action.

  HOWEVER, in a sense I am also rather a hypocrite by making these claims because I always end up buying the sequels and thus achieving what the companies want, more sales, more money. So as long as everyone doesn't suddenly decide not to buy the new sequels like GOW2, Condemned 2, GTA IV, and countless others, which will NEVER happen, developers will continue to make them by the bucket-load. Because if a game is good then gamers are bound to buy the follow-up, whether to fill in the plot or enjoy the gameplay from the same series. Gamers are always bound to buy the sequels, just as the developers will always make them.

  • Posted Mar 14, 2008 2:47 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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