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I hate seeing a truly gifted developer get stagnant through milking a franchise, but I also feel that most of the burden/blame for this lies on the shoulders of the publishers. Developers are going to make the games they know they can get support for in order to ensure their survival — especially with the rash of studios closing over the past few years.

This is why EA has redeemed themselves a bit in my eyes recently. Sure, they crank out the sequels, but at least they use some of the profit from their cash cows to take some risks on new IPs. I don’t see many other publishers doing that. Hopefully as the industry levels out, we’ll get a new generation of fresh ideas.

EA has earned some points in my mind over the past few years by finding some balance. Sure, they crank out sequels like no-one’s business — but they have also done more to support new IPs than any other major publisher. If you use the success of established franchises to take a few risks on new ideas here and there, you get a pass from me.

In hindsight though, it’s a really great installment in the series, in my opinion.

I feel like developers have less choice than gamers think!

**For one, they have families to feed, jobs to keep, and are going to be pressed into this because they need to sustain themselves.

**Secondly, with deadlines, stress, and other factors games get released before perfection which can lead to lengthening. Believe it or not, we get TONS of development block, like writers!

Believe it or not, the game I have been making had only 2 characters, 3 short levels, 1 boss, and could be beat in 3 hours. It already had the quality of being released for a 3-5k sponsorship deal.

However, I decided to continue, and I never realized how great my flash potential grew. I added a new protagonist, a skill system just like that of Tales of Vesperia ect, 10 full length chapters, muiltiple bosses, and the plotline has been greatly improved.

With just 4 months I transformed a meager action-RPG that had little innovation into a fantastic thrill-ride of epic porportions, all I needed was one thing: TIME.

So please, if I see one person complaining about a game like Starcraft 2 being delayed, I will rip their throat out. Making a game is a *LOT* of work and deadlines WILL have to be pushed if you want a quality product!

Thirdly, with malice twards none, I believe a bit of the responsibilty falls on the player itself! Some games are not meant to be continued, but devs get pressured by the player, ect.

Take in example, Sonny 2. I’m not a big fan since it seemed like Jakrin took the idea that mindless complexity = fun, but it was still a fantastic game. There was a clear end to the game (On legendary, that is!)

Now, lets see, wait, what’s in the game comments? Stupid chain petitions for a Sonny 3, people, come on! A game that elaborate and concise does not need a sequel, and it probably won’t be easy to make!

Another example of this comes from my email box directly. During an early beta test 200 people tested and emailed feedback to me. Did you know what they asked for? I recieved 120 emails containing the word “Sequel” and “Theoria 2″.

Now, without major spoilers, I will say that at the end probably… 5 people survive the events, and 2 civilizations are wiped!!! Come on guys, how do I work with THAT? Oh yeah… Stay tuned for Theoria 2: Where KLINGONS make first contact to like 2 people!!! *GASP*

Anyway, thanks for reading my mindless rant. This is therapy.