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Words Of Wisdom on 17 June 2009
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Bitmap Frogs said:
Words Of Wisdom said:

However, even if I preferred one to the other, I couldn't use my opinion to objectively say one is better than the other.  This isn't like having a 10" TV from 1993 compared to a 50" LCD from 2008 where you can objectively say that one is better with almost no room to argue.  This is like putting Pepsi versus Coca Cola.  They are both similar offerings that both compete for your time and money.  Most people have their opinions.  Some like both, some prefer one, and some find both equally nasty.  None of those opinions is wrong nor is any of them more valid than the others.

 

While this is true, there's something to be said for innovation, the push forward, moving beyond, reaching out there... you know.

The fact we still have Ultima3-like gameplay pushed in 2009 like it was the second coming... well. There's some new ideas on the edges of mainstream but the two premier franchises are firmly rooted in the past and they are dragging down the whole genre. Stagnation leads to extinction.

Let me share with you my concept of a video game franchise and maybe you will find it insightful.

Before going further I should mention that in business, great achievements fall into two categories.  The first is horizontal and it is, as you mentioned, innovation.  It represents the addition of new things.  The second is vertical and it is improvement.  It represents the honing, upgrading, and overhauling of existing features.

To me, a video game franchise is characterized by its gameplay.  When I buy a Mario Kart game, I expect to play a racing game with Mario characters throwing crazy items like shells and bananas at each other.  When I buy a Punch Out game, I expect to play a memory/timing-focused boxing game.  When we go from Punch Out to Super Punch Out to Punch Out Wii, the gameplay more or less stays the same.  The game is improved and enhanced in each iteration but it doesn't deviate from the gameplay that defines it.

When you use phrases "firmly rooted in the past" and terms like "stagnation," it says to me that you have unrealistic expectations.  Punch Out is not going to suddenly become Mario Kart.  It should not jump too far from the gameplay that defines its franchise.  This is a good thing.  The people who enjoy the gameplay of Punch Out will always enjoy the gameplay of Punch Out.  If someone comes along with ideas that will radically change that gameplay then that is the time that a new IP should be created or at worst a spinoff to capitalize on the existing IP's fanbase however not an addition to the main franchise.

I believe that existing franchises should move only vertically.  They should improve themselves and become better over time however they should not morph into completely new games.  Horizontal movement should be done through new IPs and spinoffs so as not to compromise the integrity of the franchise.

Sadly, we end up with misfits every once in a while that do not follow this.  Super Paper Mario was a disappointment for many, not because it was a bad game but because it was missing that excellent Paper Mario gameplay that many gamers had come to expect and love.  I personally hope the next one is true to the designs of the first two.