Franchise Fatigue
Ongoing coverage on Franchise Fatigue.
Latest coverage
Activision CMO Decries 'Call of Duty Tax'
Activision CMO Tyler Bahl claims traditional games media applies a 'Call of Duty tax,' negatively impacting reviews and coverage due to the series' long history and large player base. The article argues that critical reception is based on game quality and innovation, not audience size or development team size, citing franchise fatigue and declining quality in recent Call of Duty titles as reasons for diminished media interest.
Video games are reigniting my love for Star Wars
Video games are currently the strongest medium for revitalizing the Star Wars franchise's narrative, offering fresh stories and characters that reignite passion. Titles like Star Wars Zero Company and Star Wars: Galactic Racer showcase the value of narrative writers by exploring new avenues within familiar eras and surprising players with compelling campaigns.
15 video game franchises that need to end - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that numerous long-running video game franchises have overstayed their welcome and should be retired to encourage innovation. Titles like Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Halo, and The Last of Us are cited as examples of games that have become repetitive and are primarily cash grabs, with the author suggesting developers should focus on new intellectual properties instead.
Modern consumers crave "events", and the games industry needs to provide them | Opinion
Modern consumers increasingly seek 'events' rather than predictable sequels, leading to longer gaps between game releases and a shift away from annual franchises like Call of Duty. Games like Grand Theft Auto 6 exemplify this trend, achieving massive cultural impact due to their rarity and perceived event status, contrasting with the 'franchise fatigue' that affects over-saturated markets.
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced Reveals What’s Really Wrong With Assassin’s Creed
This analysis argues that while recent Assassin's Creed titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla have shifted towards an RPG formula, the franchise may be suffering from a tendency to confuse meaningful evolution with constant expansion. The success of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced is highlighted as evidence that a more focused approach, centered on core identities like the pirate fantasy, can resonate strongly with players, suggesting a need for better balance between broad reinventions and cohesive design.
Cinematic Mode - The Mandalorian and Grogu hit the silver screen
The Mandalorian and Grogu marks Star Wars' return to the big screen, but the film is criticized for feeling like a truncated series rather than a cohesive cinematic experience. Despite direction from Jon Favreau and a plot involving Rotta the Hutt, the movie struggles with franchise fatigue and a lack of meaningful character development, ultimately failing to justify its theatrical release.
Alanah Addresses God of War's Sex Scenes
Players are discussing the direction of Sony Santa Monica's upcoming projects, with some expressing confusion over a potential God of War prequel while director Corey Barlog works on a separate, unannounced title. Concerns are raised about Sony's reliance on established franchises versus developing new intellectual property.
