We’ve all seen the news on Midway this past week. If you didn’t, check it out here by Yaris.
Basically, Midway has mutually agreed to get out of a number of licensing agreements. Is this a good thing? In my humble opinion, hell yes. I’m tired of seeing franchises churn out the same game just with a +1 on the end.
Sure I love to force throw Wookies, kill stormtroopers, and wouldn’t mind at all to pick up Princess Leia in her slave outfit. But you know what? I know how this story ends. I’ve seen it before, many times. While it is great fun to take on the role for a while, it doesn’t really do much for me past some mild entertainment. I can play this game for a little while but then I’ve been there and done that.
Licensing can make publishers happy, they get to secure a cash flow based upon a formula. In their eyes, each new version should be quicker and cheaper to make than the last and they don’t have to worry about things like story because someone else takes care of that, along with the characters, and more. Some franchises, such as our beloved Star Wars, have branched out separate storylines under the same universe, and those games have been great to play, I will concede that. However, every Star Wars game has not really thrilled me, Star Wars Battlefront was essentially Team Fortress with a new dressing on it (see also Enemy Territory: Quake Wars), and they managed to produce a Star Wars Battlefront II. Aside from a bit of polish, some new characters, maps, weapons, what changed? Not much, it was the same gameplay, same game mechanics, nothing to really write home about unless you think Battlefront was the best thing since sliced bread, I’m sure Battlefront II rocked your world then. This formula must have netted the publishers a nice couple bucks that quarter.
