Too many sequels out there? Is it a problem?

[Skylar1]

(CNN) -- Notice anything familiar about 2010's wish list of most anticipated video games? Apart from a higher number or a snappier catchphrase in the title, many look disturbingly similar to games from last year or the year before.
Credit video game publishers' growing reliance on sequels, spin-offs and series retreads, which draws disturbing parallels to what's happening on radio and at the movies.
On the bright side, ardent gaming fans will see more innovation and experimentation within the field than ever before. Thank the rise of indie game offerings, digital downloads, social games and free-to-play online outings, whose lack of constraints leave designers room for ample experimentation and creative expression.
From thought-provoking parodies like "Cow Clicker" to pioneering works of fiction including "Blue Lacuna" or gonzo outings such as psychedelic fighter "Zeno Clash," developers' imaginations continue to run rampant.
Still, you'd be hard-pressed to tell after previewing the games that will be lining store shelves this holiday season. From "Call of Duty: Black Ops" to "NBA Elite 11" and "Rock Band 3," many of late-2010's biggest debuts appear disturbingly formulaic.
The good news is that first impressions can sometimes be deceiving. New historical settings, revamped play systems and numerous game additions often hide behind a simple change in a name's digits or subtitle.
Familiarity isn't always a bad thing either, as long as you're getting more of what you know and love. Being well into the third or even 10th installment of a popular series often gives developers an edge in terms of polishing and refining features to a glistening shine.

Full Article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming....els/index.html

Quite an interesting question. What are your thoughts on the matter of sequels and how they pertain to the industry as a whole?

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

EA Sports has been doing this since what? 1999?

What I think is the sequels should have at least a 2 year gap.
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What Capcom and Arc-Sys did about making both SSFIV and CS 40 bucks was a good move. in my opinion....Making games every year and taggng them at a 60 bucks price is too much.

[Anoleis]

If it makes them money, why not? I don't see any reason why sequels are bad, unless they are bad, but I'm generally interested in the fan art for games....

[.:neuko:.]

I think the freshness of content in sequels is more important than how many exist. Some are merely updates, others are continuations of stories.

I have a lot of sequels for my Gamecube along with their original titles, and for the most part, I think they are worth every penny. However, I do empathise with the fact that many sequels demand far too much money for little new content; beat 'em ups being the biggest culprits in my opinion.

[Miss Moonlight]

It's a problem when they suck. Otherwise, not always.

[Sr Machinehead]

Sequels are a good thing in my eyes but a series can only go so far before it's storyline becomes muddled and it's gameplay becomes rehashes of the previous game with maybe a few new items. the real problem is not the sequels but the developers who don't want to risk a mistake by selling us a game with actual changes from the same old system. this especially plagues sequels from first person shooters. we get one difference and their fanbase goes gaga over the game because of it's brand/title. The company is successful for as little work as possible so what do they care?

[SigmaSD]

Sounds kind of like a certain game I know...*cough cough raging blast 2 cough cough*

But seriously, Tenkaichi 1-3, then they restart it under a different name "Raging blast". After BT3 I just decided to stop cause it really was the same thing. But RB2 does seem way more redefined so I may or may not get it.

Btw, anyone else think wrestling games have gone from bad to worse?

[TomoyoSakagami]

I love sequels. That doesn't mean there aren't any bad ones either.

It really just depends how much effort the developers put into it.

[Hanamaru Kunikida]

Sounds kind of like a certain game I know...*cough cough raging blast 2 cough cough*

But seriously, Tenkaichi 1-3, then they restart it under a different name "Raging blast". After BT3 I just decided to stop cause it really was the same thing. But RB2 does seem way more redefined so I may or may not get it.

Btw, anyone else think wrestling games have gone from bad to worse?

Siggy, you DBZ freak. From what I seen, you only cared about the characters.

No, some wrestling games back in the N64 were great...went they started going on the PS2 and so on, that's where they went from horrible to just plain garbage.