Franchise Management
Ongoing coverage on Franchise Management.
Latest coverage
New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games as Bethesda crosses 8 years since The Elder…
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly pushing for faster development cycles on major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Halo by providing additional funding to studios like Bethesda Game Studios. This initiative comes as The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches eight years since its announcement with little information released, and amid reports of upcoming layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
George Miller reportedly wants to make a final Mad Max movie and TV show, but Fury Road distributor Warner Bros has…
Director George Miller is reportedly seeking to sell the Mad Max franchise after Warner Bros declined to produce a final movie and TV show. Warner Bros, the traditional distributor, reportedly lost money on the recent prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Interested parties including Universal, Amazon, and Sony are reportedly being approached.
Doctor Who could be off air for 5 years industry insiders predict, but it will survive like "Marvel, Star Wars, and…
Industry insiders predict that Doctor Who could be off the air for up to five years as the BBC puts the series out to tender. Despite concerns from production companies about the show's market viability, comparisons to franchises like Marvel and Star Wars suggest it has long-term potential if managed correctly. Showrunner Russell T Davies and Bad Robot have departed the series, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its future.
Red Dead Online Has Been “Immensely Successful And Long-Lasting”, per Take-Two’s CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Red Dead Online has been "immensely successful and long-lasting," denying it was a missed opportunity despite development focus shifting to Grand Theft Auto 6. He highlighted Red Dead Redemption 2's continued sales success, attributing it to the franchise's spectacular entertainment value and visual quality.
Embracer 'Actively Exploring' External Partnerships for the Likes of Saints Row, Deus Ex, TimeSplitters, and More
Embracer Group is establishing a new business unit called Fellowship Entertainment to manage and revitalize dormant franchises such as Saints Row, Deus Ex, and TimeSplitters, alongside existing IPs like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider. The company is actively seeking external partnerships to achieve this.
Capcom Lists Dead Rising as One of Its 'Leading Brands' That It's 'Nurturing' — but Does That Mean Dead Rising 5?
Capcom has identified Dead Rising as one of its 'leading brands' that it is actively nurturing for future growth. This statement was made in the company's latest earnings report, sparking speculation about a potential Dead Rising 5.
Ken Levine On Why He Quit Making BioShock Games--"Scary And Risky And Crazy"
Veteran game developer Ken Levine explains his decision to step away from the BioShock series after BioShock Infinite, citing a desire for new creative challenges and a feeling of having nothing more to say within that world. He discusses the risks involved in leaving a successful franchise and how established series can define their creators. Levine's new game, Judas, developed by Ghost Story Games, reportedly contains much of BioShock's DNA.
Ryan Reynolds says Deadpool "works best on scarcity and surprise," so he's not planning on playing the Marvel character again any time soon
Ryan Reynolds stated that he is not planning to reprise his role as Deadpool in the near future, emphasizing that the character works best with scarcity and surprise. He maintains a good relationship with Marvel and is open to future conversations about the character, while also focusing on his writing.
Take-Two Boss Gives Hope For LA Noire 2 And Other Sequels
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed optimism about future sequels for the company's franchises, including L.A. Noire and Bully, though no concrete announcements were made. Zelnick stated that Take-Two is constantly evaluating its intellectual properties for potential future installments. The company also aims to become the number one entertainment company globally, with Grand Theft Auto 6 set for release in November.
Game of Thrones fans have "long term-expectations" and "don't really want to wait a couple years for every installment," Warner Bros. exec says
Warner Bros. executive acknowledges fan expectations for timely releases of Game of Thrones spin-off content. While "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "House of the Dragon" season 3 are recent or upcoming, the company aims to avoid multi-year gaps between installments in the popular franchise.
Monster Hunter Wilds Monsters Join Turn-Based RPG Stories 3
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection has launched a crossover event, allowing players to recruit monsters from Monster Hunter Wilds as allies. This integration includes iconic creatures like Arkveld, whose Kinship Attack is "Final Rampage," and features a new locale inspired by Wilds' Windward Plains. Capcom is also offering bonus content for players who own Monster Hunter Wilds, such as the Hope armor layered set.
Mega Man Lead Producer Outlines Capcom's Strategy for Growing the IP's Games
Capcom producer Shingo Izumi outlined the company's long-term strategy for the Mega Man franchise, aiming to balance new game development with legacy collections as the series approaches its 40th anniversary. This approach includes alternating between new titles and collection releases to maintain a consistent presence and grow the fanbase. Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is available now, and Mega Man Dual Override is in development for multiple platforms.
WB Games Montreal Seemingly Hit by Lay-Offs
WB Games Montreal has reportedly experienced a new round of layoffs, with several employees confirming their departures on LinkedIn. This follows Warner Bros. Discovery's stated intention to refocus on its major franchises, with a restructuring into four groups: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC. The company aims to return to its biggest IPs in the coming years, with significant releases expected around 2027-2028.
The gloriously stupid return of Sonic the Hedgehog’s edgiest villain shows that Ian Flynn is the GOAT of the franchise’s writers
Writer Ian Flynn is credited with revitalizing the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, particularly by successfully reintroducing the villain Infinite. Flynn's deep understanding of the series' lore and characters allows him to fix previous narrative missteps and create compelling stories that resonate with fans.
MLB The Show 26 Steps Up To The Plate – Playable Now!
MLB The Show 26 is now available in its Deluxe Edition on Xbox Series X|S, offering early access and in-game bonuses ahead of the Standard Edition's March 17th release. The game features expanded career progression in Road to the Show, new depth in Diamond Dynasty, an overhauled Franchise Mode, and continues the Storylines: The Negro Leagues mode.
Dusk Golem says Capcom scheduled big Resident Evil series meeting in 2027 a bit after Code Veronica remake
Capcom is reportedly planning a major meeting in 2027 to discuss the future of the Resident Evil franchise. This assessment will occur after the release of the Resident Evil: Code Veronica Remake and will consider data and feedback from Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 9, and the Code Veronica Remake to guide future development.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 and Rocksteady's Batman hinted at for 2028 by Warner
Warner Bros. is reportedly planning to release a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy within the next couple of years, with major franchise returns expected in 2027 and 2028. This strategy aims to revitalize the company's gaming division, which has faced challenges and studio closures. A new Batman game from Rocksteady Studios is also hinted at for this period.
Assassin's Creed gets biggest shake-up yet as Hexe director leaves Ubisoft
Clint Hocking, the creative director for the upcoming Assassin's Creed Hexe, has departed from Ubisoft. Development will continue under new creative director Jean Guesdon, who will also oversee the franchise's direction at Vantage Studios alongside Martin Schelling and François de Billy. This departure follows other recent changes within the Assassin's Creed brand at Ubisoft.
"I think the franchise is dead," says Saints Row design director
Original Saints Row design director Chris Stockman believes the franchise is effectively dead, stating that Embracer Group has shown no ability to move forward with it and has ignored his proposals. His comments follow criticism of the 2022 reboot and the subsequent closure of developer Volition.
Ubisoft says more Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry are coming
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that multiple Assassin's Creed titles and two new Far Cry games are in development as part of a company reset. The publisher plans to focus on its major blockbuster franchises to stabilize after a period of layoffs and canceled projects, treating them as long-term ecosystems.
