Game developers usually make sequels in order to extend the longevity of their popular series and possibly overcome its predecessors’ sales. In that way, fans will see their series as something worth to replay from time to time due to sequels’ improvements along the way.
Sometimes, it only takes one title to make an IP memorable too, but publishers sometimes would force the studios to make one for business purposes. The longer the series stays in the market, the more money it can produce. Microsoft Studios does not see it that way and actually does not force their studios under their wing to do that.
Microsoft Studios Head Matt Booty recently talked with media outlet The Guardian about this.
Booty revealed that Microsoft Studios actually does not have a mandate or an instruction that would say that every game has to be an ongoing, sustained game.
“Take [surrealist platforming game] Psychonauts: there might be a Psychonauts 3, but I’m not going to tell [designer] Tim Schafer to go make it,” Booty shared. “Knowing the history of games that he makes, I don’t think he’s going to be making a game that has seasons and goes on for five years.”
The Microsoft Studios head also shared how Compulsion Games was not told to go and make something that would have seasons or multiple DLCs. They were not told to follow the footsteps of Halo or any other series that have multiple sequels. “Tell Me Why was an important story for us to get out there,” Booty stated.
And that’s just how it should be: freedom to do what is best for their games and not forced to do so.
Interview source: The Guardian
