The current gaming industry is dominated by long-running franchises such as Call of Duty and Halo, but are the constant sequels a good thing? Or are they slowly digging a grave for these once-beloved franchises?
In the 2000s there was a boom in first-person shooters, spearheaded by Call of Duty. Since 2006, there has been a new Call of Duty every single year, but since the mid-2010s fan reception and quality have dipped severely.
From a lacklustre story to buggy gameplay, modern Call of Duty has lost much of its core audience.
All of these issues have led to many abandoning the game. But many still come back every year to try the new COD. This is what has kept the franchise alive.
Halo sequels
Sadly, another franchise that has fallen from grace is Halo. A game that pioneered first-person shooters and created one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history, the Master Chief. The golden years of Halo ran from 2001 with the release of Halo: Combat Evolved, to 2010 with the release of Halo: Reach, when Bungie was making the games.
Since Reach, 343 Industries has overseen making games for the Halo series, starting with 2012’s Halo 4 and continuing to this day with 2021’s Halo Infinite. The reception of 343’s games has not been great from fans. Implementing questionable story changes, gameplay that doesn’t fit with the previous games, and almost unplayable launches for many people.
Halo 4 was in a tough position; it followed the series’ highest-rated games in Halo 3 and Reach. The cards were stacked against 343 before they even began. However, every game released by 343 has sold incredibly well, a combination of fans hoping for a better game and trust in the brand.
Sequels to both beloved franchises continue to sell, sometimes better than ever when it comes to COD. Fans will always buy into a franchise they enjoy. The games may change and get slightly worse in certain areas, but they continue to bring in new fans and generate bigger sales. Franchises need sequels to stay alive but sometimes they should remain on ice, allowing a path for other ideas.
Featured image credit: Bungie
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