EA talks new franchise sequels and frequency
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Applauded for injecting some freshness into the season by publishing two new IPs (Dead Space and Mirror’s Edge) in an effort to prove that they’re not just about churning out “Generic Sports Game 200X”, it should be no surprise that EA are now talking about sequels for their new babies.
Both titles have met with favourable p/reviews (and sales in the case of Dead Space) so this is the part where you start sweating as Old EA reemerges from the shadows and flips the game factory grind switch, commanding new iterations of these games to magically appear on our shelves every few months. Mop that brow because it appears EA will not be milking their new promising properties so hard that they might kill the proverbial cash cow.
Edge have some details regarding EA CEO John Riccitiello’s plans for the inevitable sequels going forward. Riccitiello states: “[...] titles like Dead Space and Mirror’s Edge, I think you can absolutely expect those titles to come back in one way, shape or form, but they’re not likely to be annual sequels.”
The article goes into more EA properties such as Spore and Warhammer: Online (still rumoured to be PS3 bound) but it’s also interesting to note that, while confirming Mercenaries 3, Riccitiello mentions that, if he had his way, “there will be a Mercenaries 10.”
Ah, that’s better, there’s the EA we all know and love!
I know Mirror’s edge was planned as a trilogy. And now that I’m thinking about it 3 seems like a good number that developers should limit their IPs and sequels to.
Oooh Yeah!!
I am of course referring to Mercs 3. I still can’t get enough of that game, and it’s not even about the trophies any more!
I think it’s great that they’re doing this, as long as they make it good quality. A sequel has to be strong to succeed.
Mercs 2 sold 1.9 million copies. There was always going to be a 3!
I still think that this game will be one I pick up during a drought when it’s dropped in price and I fancy picking up some easy trophies.
@LCaruana…
Really? I know what you’re saying, but if developers did limit themselves to three sequels we would never see the likes of Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, GTA: IV, GT5 etc.
Sometimes the best titles come after a few sequels…
If you’re talking about Duke Nukem, Turok or Driver though, I’m completely with you!
I think that’s movies that should be limited to 3
@ Dolph, as long as they keep the game fun/interesting with new story elements and game play mechanics I don’t mind how high the number goes. (i.e Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy) But if it’s just a cookie cutter job (i.e Duke Nukem) with a new number on the end please stop after 3 (or better yet don’t do a sequel until you can improve it).
@Kawaii – I still need to pick up Mercs 2. But I’m with Brodiesan on this one. I might wait until it comes down in price. I still have a lot of games to catch up on not including the upcoming release schedule. (Although I’m not as in bad a shape as Brodiesan is)
@Brodiean – It’s time you start taking the shrink wrap off those unopened games of yours.