Franchise Strategy
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Mario Kart World isn’t Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s replacement – here’s why
Nintendo has updated Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with new features, including 8-player split-screen and faster load times on the Nintendo Switch 2, rather than replacing it with Mario Kart World. This indicates Nintendo's strategy to have new entries coexist with evergreen titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which has sold over 70 million copies. Mario Kart World offers a different experience with improved art style and controls, suggesting a future where major franchises will have multiple distinct titles available.
Star Trek Returns To Theaters With New Faces — And Paramount Has No Backup Plan
Paramount is placing a significant gamble on the future of the Star Trek franchise with a new film featuring entirely new characters, a departure from previous installments that were tied to television series. This movie, penned by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, is seen as the sole current strategy for the franchise's momentum, with no other TV series confirmed after the conclusion of current shows. The success of this film is crucial, as failure could lead to a prolonged absence of Star Trek content.
Capcom wants to release Resident Evil games every year with even more remakes
Capcom aims to release a new Resident Evil game annually, utilizing remakes to maintain this cadence and fund new intellectual properties like Pragmata. Producer Masachika Kawata stated that remakes are as important as mainline titles and help the team hone their skills. While spin-offs are not a current priority, DLC for titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Resident Evil Veronica are planned.
Capcom wants Resident Evil to be a yearly franchise
Capcom aims to release new Resident Evil content annually, including remakes and substantial DLC. The company has a history of achieving this with its established franchise, balancing new mainline entries with updated versions of older titles.
Resident Evil Is Reportedly Reinventing Side Stories Through DLC, And It Could Change the Series
Industry insider Dusk Golem suggests Capcom is shifting from standalone Resident Evil side stories to larger DLC expansions for mainline titles like Resident Evil Requiem. This strategy aims to test experimental ideas and explore secondary characters, potentially changing the franchise's future direction. While this approach offers flexibility and risk mitigation, it also carries the danger of over-reliance on community feedback and potential stagnation.
New James Bond games will be published by Amazon Games
Amazon Games will publish future James Bond titles, following the success of IO Interactive's self-published "007 First Light." Amazon Games general manager Jeff Gattis confirmed the shift, noting Amazon's ownership of the IP through its MGM acquisition. The company also sees opportunities to integrate future games with other media like films and Prime Video content.
A "new franchise within the God of War universe" is seemingly in development at Santa Monica Studio
Evidence suggests Santa Monica Studio is developing a new franchise within the God of War universe, based on a since-deleted LinkedIn post by a former senior writer. The post detailed contributions to narrative, character development, and lore expansion for the acclaimed IP. This project could potentially be a live-service game or something entirely new, possibly timed with the upcoming Amazon Prime Video God of War series.
