franchise
Latest
Gamer Doc: new retail franchise targets Gamestop with themed stores
Gamers tired of being pushed around by game retail behemoth Gamestop can check out a potential ray of hope at this week's International Franchise Expo in Washington, D.C. There, game retailer Gamer Doc will be showing off new store prototypes that "will change the way the video game store is interpreted," according to a press release.Strong words for a franchise that only has three outlets nationwide in development thus far [Updated with corrected wording on 4/11], but Gamer Doc seems eager to show off its new, FHA-designed stores, which it says will make customers "feel like they're walking into a video game, not a video game store." The three themed designs have been created to replicate "a first-person shooter battle zone, ... a futuristic "Borg Spaceship," [and] a carefree, cartoon-character atmosphere." Great news for anyone who's ever dreamed of buying video games from the Borg, we suppose ...While we're a little skeptical that gimmicky store themes are really enough to drive a wedge into Gamestop's 5,000+ store dominance, we definitely support anyone trying to bring real competition to the game retail space. Godspeed, Gamer Doc.
Reggie: Holiday blockbuster for the Wii to be revealed at E3
Unless you have some sort of parentally-enforced bedtime, or live in an Amish community that shuns the use of televisions, there's really no excuse to miss the piping-hot weekly episodes of Gametrailers TV on Spike. If you skipped last Friday's show, you missed some of the most exciting news to grace Nintendo fanboys' ears in quite some time -- the promise of an E3 unveiling of a Wii holiday blockbuster, delivered by the mountainous Reggie Fils-Aime."We are going to have great new content maximizing all our key franchises," Fils-Aime promised. "It's going to be a good second half." As host Geoff Keighley conjectured, a Donkey Kong Wii title is certainly a logical assumption, but our fingers are eternally crossed for Animal Crossing Wii. What first-party franchises do you hope The Reg was hinting at? [Via Kotaku]
DS Daily: Franchise reboot
We were looking over the reviews that have come in so far for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and we were thinking about how that franchise rebooted itself on the DS. Now, it didn't really need a reboot, nor is it 100% a reboot in the normal way we think of reboots, but it did take an established franchise and retool it for another platform. Now, whether it was a good retooling or a bad retooling remains to be seen.But, we were wondering what other established franchises could use a reboot in this manner? What about a Crazy Taxi game on the DS that has you controlling an interactive steering wheel on the touch-screen or only turning with the shoulder buttons? What about a Sims game that allows you to control them only by barking commands through the microphone? How about a Space Channel 5 game redone with Ouendan controls? What can you come up with?
Cartoon Network to enjoy huge TurnOut
Turner Entertainment, holder of the Cartoon Network brand, has announced its partnership with Outblaze Limited, a web infrastructure company, to create TurnOut Ventures Limited. They will focus on leveraging the character recognition appeal of the various CN franchises into online games, virtual spaces, and the like.What would we like to see come from this? How about an MMO based on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, where you can create your own monster? Or a Transformers game, where you can unlock the ability to transform to different vehicles as you level up? Or a Powerpuff Girls title where you are a new model of PG, patrolling the world, dispensing cuteness and justice in equal measure? Is the world ready for this? Are you? Am I? No, I'm not. I'd like to keep game development away from established franchises, thank you. Now, mind you, aside from the football-themed MMO, the article under consideration doesn't specifically mention branded game development, so perhaps we'll be spared the further dilution of once-favorite characters via tacked-on plots and shoehorned game mechanics. I'd like to be right about that, but history continues to prove me wrong. I live in hope!
New Dead Space details, including (surprise!) sequel possibilities
Sure, Dead Space isn't out yet, but given its business-savvy publisher (Electronic Arts), talk of sequels is inevitable. Speaking to EuroGamer Germany, executive producer Glen Schofield explained how he envisioned the game as a franchise. "I'd love for this to become a well established franchise; we've created a huge and rich back story and universe, so other games could easily be made." New details about the survival-horror game were also revealed. You play spaceship engineer Isaac Clarke, who stumbles upon space zombies on a routine mining vessel call. Your goal is to survive, rescue survivors, and probably kill monsters while you're at it. Schofield said that the game will feature in-game cutscenes (à la Half-Life) and upgradeable weapons and skill trees (à la BioShock). He also said that there will not be a cluttered HUD to distract immersion, which leads us to believe it might have something to do with those lights on the backpack seen in the concept art (pictured). Schofield mentioned downloadable content, which is reportedly under way for the game (here's an idea: put that content in the game now and work on DLC after it goes gold). Dead Space, with fun hyperboles like "scariest video game ever," is expected this fall for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Is WoW popular because it is fantasy?
Richard Bartle at Terra Nova asks an interesting question regarding MMORPGs in general, wondering why so many of them tend toward the fantasy genre. Did Lord of the Rings have such a phenomenal impact on our cultural imagination that it made every story (or gaming environment) even loosely based on it more likely to succeed, or is there something deeper here? The question sparks an interesting discussion which I encourage you to read. It certainly makes me think about WoW in a new light. Suppose we imagine that Blizzard had made a different decision about which franchise to develop into their first MMO: would World of Starcraft have been as popular as World of Warcraft is today if its gameplay was more or less just as good, or is the science fiction environment inherently less appealing to the masses than fantasy?To me, it makes sense that Blizzard chose the Warcraft franchise over Starcraft (or even Diablo for that matter), not just because it is fantasy, and certainly not just because it draws on elements of Tolkien's literature, but because it draws on a wider range of mythic elements, contains more layers of conflict, and generally provides a greater diversity of opportunities for a new gamer to find something he or she likes in it. What's your opinion?
Wii Warm Up: Favorite Nintendo franchise?
We've asked you what your favorite franchise is that has appeared on a Nintendo console, and we've also asked what your favorite games in certain Nintendo franchises are, but we've never asked the deep, dark question: What is your favorite Nintendo franchise? Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Metroid, Fire Emblem, and the list goes on -- there's so many good ones to choose from that we wonder which one you think is the absolute best. There's no runner ups, no honorable mentions, it's all or nothing here. So, man up and make a choice!
Former STO designer: Star Trek might be "hardest MMO IP ever"
Star Trek Online is one of the most anticipated MMOs on the horizon, but it's no secret that Perpetual Entertainment has had a rough couple of months. There's an ever-present air of uncertainty around STO's future.Most of that uncertainty stems from Perpetual's legal and financial troubles, but one former STO team member has written up a blog post suggesting that making a Star Trek MMO might be a Kobyashi Maru scenario to begin with. "At first glance, Star Trek seems like the perfect setting for an MMO," said former systems designer Eric Heimburg, "but appearances can be deceiving. It's actually a huge landmine of problems."Heimburg wrote that it's an expensive and difficult task to produce both a space game and a land game, that making space interesting is challenging, and that it's impossible to please all Star Trek fans because everyone has a different opinion about what makes the franchise great. All good points; we'll see if Perpetual has what it takes to make it all come together ... if it can even survive its financial and legal woes.[Via TTH]
Wii ain't afraid of no ghosts
Over a year ago, a British magazine compiled what seemed like a joking list of great possible ideas for Wii games -- and one of those is about to become a reality. Not long after a rumor surfaced of a beloved 80s franchise getting remade in gaming form, Game Informer revealed their December cover today, along with the meat behind that rumor: Ghostbusters is returning! And not in the typical lame, useless fashion we usually see with movie-based games, either; the game, which will be multi-platform, is being written by Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd as a follow-up to Ghostbusters I and II. They'll also be lending their voices to the production. We can't wait to hear more about this one, but for now, we're just going to hope desperately that some tender lovin' care goes into the Wii version, because it could be awesome with motion controls.
DS Daily: Why do you (or don't you) play Zelda?
For many of us, the Zelda franchise represents the pinnacle of gaming. Several entries in the series stand out as true classics, games that can be replayed again and again, and little things like graphics don't even enter in to the equation. However, we also know that for every Zelda fan out there, there's a gamer who just isn't into the series, or who has lost interest over the years. If this is you, we want to know why ... and if Phantom Hourglass has happened to tickle your fancy regardless.If, like us, you're still neck deep in the Zelda franchise, what keeps you coming back?
DS Daily: Stick a fork in it
If Nintendo has anything, it's a lot of long-running franchises (oh, and also, giant piles of money). But should they all still be going? Deep in your secret heart, is there one you'd like to see retired? Maybe the games have taken a turn for the worse, or simply aren't fresh any longer. It's okay to complain sometimes, even if you love all things Nintendo. We'll still like you. So, if you have a beef, let it out, and tell us what you'd like to see disappear ... or at least experience a drastic overhaul.
Today's potential franchise relaunch video: Crash Bandicoot
Gameplay footage from Crash of the Titans held our interest for today's video pick. The upcoming Bandacoot adventure for all current platforms besides PS3 will be out this fall, and Crash fans may find a new title to love. (We're not talking about you, Action Pack.) Or is Crash looking a little too like The King for his own good?See the new video after the break, and watch a longer GameTrailers developer interview, too.
DS Daily: On sequels
It seems as though every time a game is anything except an utter failure, someone decides that there should be a sequel (or six), with the exception of a few RPGs. Luckily, Square Enix pretty much has a lock on the RPG sequel, or we'd probably see more of those as well. From there, games often turn into full-fledged franchises, with a new title every year or so. So what do you think? Are we seeing too many sequels and franchises and not enough originality? Or do you actually prefer something familiar?
Today's most re-sellable video: Lego Star Wars trailer
While LucasArts says it's adding some new content, we fear that the upcoming Lego Star Wars game, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga will just be a new name on an old title. Still, the humor in this series is worth a second look -- at least in cost-free trailer form -- and this ad for the game reminds us why we enjoy this unlikely franchise at all.In time for the 30th anniversary, see epic Star Wars events reenacted with Legos after the break.
Joystiq impressions: SimCity DS
While SimCity DS was already released for -- having been developed by -- Japanese gamers, the simulation hasn't gotten much coverage for is upcoming American release. At a recent EA event, it was apparent that the title should get the recognition it deserves soon enough, with its June release.Based approximately on SimCity 3000, SimCity DS seemed about as complicated as the most recent versions of the title. While the graphics represent a throwback to earlier SimCity games, the core gameplay is current. The title looks like it'll be a great match for portable simulation fans because of the touchscreen interface.%Gallery-3128%
Samba de Amigo coming to Wii? [update 1]
There's a genius in the higher management of Sega who recently came to a revelation. "My God," he said, "we can make a crapload of money by bringing back popular franchises that find suitable uses for the Wiimote." And lo, his word became gospel, and now there's a tasty rumor on the horizon that his teachings are spreading far and wide: the classic arcade rhythm title Samba de Amigo may be coming to the Wii by year's end.We don't need to tell you, of course, that the Wii was originally designed for the express purpose of shaking maracas. It's brilliant. If you're wondering how this title can compare to more traditional rhythm-based games, here are some wonderful YouTube clips for your enjoyment. Here's to you, Sega executive guy.Update: Sorry, pesky little typos broke out of their cage.
Today's hottest game video: Hellboy trailer
We plunge GameTrailers for today's video pick, a Hellboy trailer that makes us tentatively look forward to comic franchises again since the Neversoft Ghost Rider game that never was. Of course it's still just a trailer, and a lot can change before the game is released this summer. But Hellboy looks good, with its 3D engine rendering in a style that fits its comic history.Judge for yourself after the break.
Wii Warm Up: Coming up next
Here's a simple question: with all the AAA titles (supposedly) being released in 2007, which one are you actually looking forward to the most? Super Smash Bros. Brawl will certainly be a favorite, but recent hype and an unwavering faith in Miyamoto-san make us want to experience Super Mario Galaxy just a tad bit more. Maybe you're looking for the first truly-done-right first-person shooter on the Wii, courtesy of Metroid Prime 3, or perhaps you simply desire a return to a certain blue hedgehog's former glory in Sonic and the Secret Rings. Maybe we're wrong altogether. If you could have just one of the 2k7 games, which would it be? Which title can you just not live without?
Wii Warm Up: On franchises
Yesterday's news of a DDR game headed Wii-ward got us in the mood to speculate about what other established franchises would work well with the Wiimote. We don't mean ports that "make use" of the Wii controls, though that can be fun, too. We're talking about games that would be really, really perfect. Additionally, the news that DDR will require a dance mat as well as both the Wiimote and nunchuk opens up a world of peripheral possibilities. So what inventive ways can you think of to implement beloved franchises on our beloved console?
Mystery sequel to be announced shortly?
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Mystery_sequel_for_Wii_to_be_announced_shortly'; Japanese mag Nintendo Dream (truly, if only such wondrous publications were here in America as well) has related a tantalizing morsel. According to a ghetto Google translation (check after the break), a successor to a famed and well-known Nintendo franchise is coming to a Wii near you. What could it be? Donkey Kong? Kid Icarus? Such teasing articles are better left unpublished; we lose sleep over this stuff, you know. Cold sweats in the middle of the night kind of stuff.There will be no posts between 3 and 4 today, due to therapy sessions.
