How did the sequel-to-original game ratio get so bad?

[opa-opa]

I remember that in the early days of the NES, we had about 5 original games for every sequel that is released.

But these days, it seems like the ratio has completely reversed. We now get about 5 sequels for every original title.

I mean look at Namco, one of the worst offenders. Have they released even ONE original game in the last year??

Even Sega, who used to have a good ratio, is falling into sequel-itis. I think they've only released 2 original games this year so far.

[Baron]

Don't you have your own board to post this kind of tripe on? This schtick is getting old.

Or have they kicked you off your own board again?

[Yoshi]

Originally posted by opa-opa
I mean look at Namco, one of the worst offenders. Have they released even ONE original game in the last year??

Dead to Rights, Vampire Night, Ninja Assault, etc.

[opa-opa]

Baron:
Why is this tripe?

BTW, good to see you again too.

[Adrian]

A good game is a good game regardless of whether it is a sequel or not. Sega have been doing many sequels so far this year but when it's games like Panzer Dragoon Orta, JSRF and Shinobi I don't see how one can complain when they still bring out original material like Gungrave, Super Monkey Ball and Gunvalkyrie. If you don't like the sequels then don't buy them, there's plenty of original stuff out there.

[Baron]

Why?
There's just too much negativity about any particular interest on the internet. Of course, I often consider it free entertainment. It simply boggles the mind as to why people continue to torture themselves so if they seem so genuinely disinterested and bitter about something to the point that you are with video games. Instead of constantly bemoaning what you feel is some mythical decline of hardcore gaming, go out and, um, buy GC PSO or something. You raved about the DC rev for months.

You're jiving with my good karma.

[Freeter]

Simple. The market got bigger and sequels are safer sells. Did the whole PS-mainstream boom fly right by you?

[opa-opa]

So you think that we, as gamers, should never complain or criticize the state of our hobby?

Just let the game companies do whatever they think is right, we just shut up and buy everything like sheep, right?

[Frogacuda]

There are a few companies in particular who are just taking this sequeling thing too far. Sega and Nintendo are the biggest offenders right now. Nintendo's been doing it for a loooong time. Sega was pretty good about releasing orignal stuff up til recently, but their upcoming line up is *entirely* sequels.

[Baron]

You need a new interest. Might I suggest learning a musical instrument? Come back to us in a year and play some mournful tunes on the pan flute.

I remember that in the early days of the NES, we had about 5 original games for every sequel that is released.

Let me take this approach in my explanation - In the NES days, there were fewer sequels because there were fewer games to make sequels of.

*hi-hat*