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Scott Anderson
United States
Casper
Wyoming
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THE WEEKEND GAMER (#2)
The part where I rant about something . . .
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about video game franchises that need to be resurrected. I’m a big proponent of encouraging game developers to take the risks in developing original IP rather than just rehashing sequels to tested and successful franchises. At the same time, however, sales numbers prove that we all love a good sequel.
The first reason this has been on my mind is due to the recent announcement of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The original X-COM: UFO Defense is very highly regarded, especially here at VideoGameGeek (currently ranked the 5th best video game of all time, having previously held the #1 spot). We already knew about the XCOM first-person shooter in development by 2K Marin, so it was a surprise to hear about this separate project (currently in development by Firaxis) that will share similar aspects to the original such as RTS-style gameplay. Game Informer has the exclusive, and for those of you not familiar with their “hub” coverage of games, they will be releasing news and other info about the game all month. Head to this link for fresh info, updated a few times a week.
The other reason I’ve been thinking about video game franchises that need to be resurrected is because of an idea that my wife recently had (that she’s already begun to regret)... She decided that in order to share some more of our interests, we could take turns picking movie marathons that we would force the other to watch -- like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and James Bond movies (my choices) and Harry Potter, Doris Day movies, and Alfred Hitchcock movies (her choices). Well, we started with Star Wars -- and that brings us to my #1 video game franchise that I want to see resurrected right now...
Star Wars: Battlefront
As I’ve been re-watching both trilogies, I can’t help but be nostalgic of all the time I spent playing Star Wars: Battlefront and Star Wars: Battlefront II. At the time of their releases, they were the best-selling Star Wars games of all time. And for good reason.
These games placed you right in the middle of some of the most expansive and important battles from the movies, along with a few that weren’t in the movies. In each level you would choose from different classes of soldiers (infantry, sniper, heavy weapons, etc.) and the objective was usually to capture a number of command posts (capture the flag/king of the hill-style) or kill enough of the enemy that their reinforcements dwindled to zero.
Battlefront 2 introduced the ability to play as heroes like Yoda, Mace Windu, Darth Vadar, General Grevious, etc., for a limited amount of time based on your performance. I don’t think it takes much persuasion to convince anyone that playing as Yoda, fighting alongside the Wookies on their home planet during the Clone Wars is a very satisfying gaming experience.
Battlefront 3 was in development at one point - and may still be in development for all we know. Free Radical Design was reportedly developing the game, but after two years of working on it their deal with LucasArts fell through in October 2008 and Free Radical closed down two months later. The latest rumors are that Spark Unlimited is developing the game, but even that evidence is pretty thin so far. The fact that the Battlefront series has been so successful, combined with LucasArts’ eagerness to milk their IP for all it’s worth, give me great hope that we’ll see Battlefront 3 soon(ish)!
Marathon Trilogy
It’s probably no secret to many of you that I am a big fan of The Marathon Trilogy. I mean, Doom was cool and all, but Bungie’s version of the FPS from that generation was superior in every aspect.
Marathon’s multiplayer was far ahead of it’s time and many of today’s Halo multiplayer features and gametypes trace their roots to Marathon. Marathon is also credited as being the first game to include modern “mouse-look” (using the mouse to rotate character view up, down, left and right). But what really made Marathon special - especially when comparing it to other FPSs of the time - was its focus on the story. The story, told by accessing terminals throughout each level, is intricate and an essential component of the gameplay.
Hardcore Bungie fans have been clamoring for a Marathon reboot for years and the desire has only been amplified by the inclusion of subtle tie-ins to the Marathon universe in the Halo games. Although Bungie still hasn’t announced specifics about their newest project post-Halo, all signs are pointing to something completely new and different (...and awesome).
So... if I found a magic lamp today and a genie popped out offering to grant three wishes, Star Wars: Battlefront 3 and a Marathon reboot would be the first two. But I won’t be greedy... I’ll save my last wish for you guys! Let me know in the comments below which video game franchise(s) you would like to see resurrected and why. There may be some free geekgold and/or microbadges in it for you if I like your response!
Snippets and Tidbits . . .
Tweet of the Week: courtesy of @michaelpachter
”Michael Pachter” wrote: Love that when I say no PS4 at E3, I take a lot of flak, but when Kaz Hirai says no PS4 at E3, my doubters go radio silent.
Video(s) of the Week:
What I played last week: Just iOS and analog gaming last week since we had family in town for the weekend. :-/ Hopefully this week will be more digitally satisfying!
Parting thought: “Friendship is unneccessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
-- C.S. Lewis
I saw this quote and, although it is technically about friendship, it made me think of gaming -- one more of those things which don’t have much survival value, but give much value to survival.
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