It is the dream of every game designer. You know, not only creating a game, but to create a game franchise. Like Mario, Halo, Final Fantasy, these are games that not only stand as one amazing experience, but a plurality of games that revolutionize how we are entertained. For every ten or twenty garbage title, there is one amazing experience that will be coming back with sequels and more. It is a very difficult thing to create.
So one such lecture for up and coming developers at GDC is “Building a Blockbuster Franchise”, a round table between Geoff Keighley from Spike TV, Joseph Staten, the Design Director from Bungie, and Dr. Ray Muzyka, GM and Chief Executive of Bioware. With many major titles between these two men, Halo and Mass Effect, among other things, they were more than happy to share some of their wisdom with up and coming designers. Hit the jump for more.
What was clear, however, when it comes to a franchise, is that a game franchise must have an open world to be built upon. Looking at Halo, for example, the game has been successful over numerous titles, as well as a spin off, like Halo Wars, it is clear that they have plenty to work with. With a strong, capable IP bible, which both Halo and Mass Effect live off of, strong gameplay basics, a great team that have stayed with a franchise, and capable marketing, there is a lot to balance. A new team brought into an IP, for example, can be problematic, as they do not know all the problems that previous teams had dealt with. Bad marketing, or releasing a title at a bad time, or not keeping fans integrated and listening to their feedback, well, that can kill a franchise.
Muzyka was clear, there is an idea of “constraints provide creativity,” and when you know that you can't do in a universe, teams can be creative and expand upon ideas elsewhere. With specific rules comes specific responsibilities, and when you know where a game is going to go and not going to go, well, that's when the best is done.
One thing a good franchise has to be aware of is over-saturation. Keighley brought up 2009 and the “jumping the shark” of the music game genre, specifically with Guitar Hero, and the current internal problems of Activision and Infinity Ward. While neither man would not offer much commentary on either issue, one thing was clear that a lack of focus on what makes a franchise originally good is paramount.
Says Staten, “As long as we get the world right, get the boundaries right, we succeed,” while Muzyka was clear that “teams have to be humble”. Feedback is a super important area for a successful franchise, and not listening to fans can be problematic.
Finally, Keighly mentioned the lengthened console cycle, and how this can impact a franchise. This bought the oddest comments from the designers. Staten was adamant, a “stable hardware is really good for creative people”, as developing for a very established hardware brings the best and most creative elements to a franchise.
They also agreed that games look pretty good right now, and while a boost in graphics would be nice, there is some good still to come from the Xbox 360 and PS3. Muzyka also pointed out to new user interface controls and 3D technology like with Sony that is hyping will really take things in a new direction. “The longer this generation lasts,” he says “the more creative people will be”.
It really seems that the basis of a successful franchise really lies with the teams, and the people that make up those teams. By allowing good games to blossom under certain constraints, the best can come, and keep coming for a long time to come.
Contest:
8:30 PM on 03.10.2010
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Personally I'd prefer a giant douche over a turd sandwich. It only makes sense.
I agree, giant douche all the way.
Also, if I was a designer, I'd pay close attention to what these two say, regardless of what I think of their games (Though they are both equally awesome). Their franchises didn't become successful over night.
Argue all you want, the halo hate bandwagon is never slowing down. Being a popular franchise means having a huge target on your back, and tons of people on Dtoid like to take advantage of that. We're in the minority here, you and I, and it's sad :(
I don't think so. Not even a GOTY award from Dtoid would convince naysayers that Halo is any good. Most have made up their mind and will take it out on the entire franchise, regardless of whether they have played Reach or not. I've tried time and time again to reason with these dudes, but no go. Nobody ever gives reasons why, they just come in here and make fun of the franchise, then leave. It sucks when you're just trying to share anticipation with other fans, but oh well, this is how Dtoid is.
It sometimes feels like gamers have fallen into the trap of thinking that just becuase something is popular, it must be crap.
I think it's because now people instantly associate Halo with fanboyism for some reason. Like if you go around saying you like Halo people just instantly assume you must think it's the holy grail of gaming and therefore you must also be a fanboy (or know shit about any other game). So I think that turns a lot of people off and they just tend to flock the opposite way.
Except Hamza. Hamza can like it and it's okay.
Yes, I agree with the whole fanboy idea. Halo is the sterotypical game of choice for drunk fratboys who feel the need to vociferously defend the merits of the 360, and as such, is generally associated with stupidity. It's a shame when the fans of a particular thing tarnish the reputation of the subject they so admire. Like Patriot Snake
Seriously though, Griffball is amazing. I would buy another 360 for it.
It also has to do with the fact that a lot of the hate is also associated with players not liking Halo the first time through. Like, if they don't feel that Halo is the end-all FPS, then it's instantly a shit game. It can't be anything else, not even good or okay, it's straight to the shitter. middle-ground is non-existent.
I actually agree that Halo 3 was overrated, that ODST was good but not amazing, and that Halo 2 was a huge disappointment. However, I still think they were all pretty good games with very addicting multi player, and I'll still pop in the disks every now and then. I love the universe, so that helps it out as well. I'm super excited for Reach, because it looks like the Halo game that the other three should have been. However, I will still withhold all judgements until I have the game in my hands, like the rest of the bandwagon should do.
At least giant douche is taking the douche concept and improving on it by being giant. All turd sandwich is is a blatant rip-off of every other sandwich.
MBT trainers shoes. handbags blog.
I couldnt have said it better myself...great point!
Fuck yo shoes, coach.
Coach makes handbags now? Where does he find the time? Doesn't he have zombies to kill?
In any case, it's an interesting topic, but in reality, there is no "success strategy" for building a big franchise, be it in video games, film, literature, etc.
If there was a proven method, everyone out there would be filthy rich. Reality doesn't work like that, because TALENT and VISION can't be mass-produced. Some people have it, and some people don't.
Do you have a penis? If so don't worry about it.
Thank you for that. Someone had to say it.
As someone who really enjoys Halo, I hate to see it bashed every second of the day by people who most likely know nothing about it. Like Patriot Snake.
Halo isn't the end-all FPS. Never was. The first one, however, was great, and it's no wonder the others were hyped like crazy. Living up to the first one is no small task, and in my opinion, none have lived up to it yet. Reach looks great, but Halo never was and never will be the ultimate FPS. Nothing ever will be.
I agree that Halo doesn't deserve the shit it gets because of the fanboys. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks so.
Like, seriously, Kratos is to the PS3 like Mario is to Nintendo and Master Chief is to Xbox...and Kratos hasn't been around nearly as long.
Just a thought (that's what happens when I replay God of War Collection after not having touched the games in several years...wow, those games were REALLY GOOD).
I do, but it's small.
Sure, if there are royalties involved (ie. you make the franchise, then leave, but still get money), or the franchise isn't required to be stapled to a genre (eg. Mario: SMB, Mario Party, Mario Kart), then perhaps a franchise is worth creating. But building? Nah, stick to pouring the foundation.
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