I see where your comming from, it just makes me wonder if you've ever played any of those games that you just wish didn't end yet. Doing a dead end job does suck, but the series's can find innovation like you mentioned, they can implement new ideas, they can expand.
I mean I've seen Ratchet and Clank from the first build to the newest one, and needless to say it has progressed ^^ and it still feels original to me. Which is proof that you CAN crank out a new installation every other year and still have it be vibrant, you just have to be a good developer lol.
And games like Final Fantasy, they carry the same name, but they all feel different when you play them. A franchise by name, not by feel.
From 0 to KICKASS in .stupid seconds.







