The fight for original games

I've been gaming for over 25 years. I remember the curse of the movie license. On the Amiga, it seemed EVERY movie license was turned into a platform game. This worked well in some cases (Blues Brothers). However, the usual result was a pile of crap with a movie name on the box. I still remember the Lethal Weapon game. They licensed the movie title, but neglected to get the rights to use any of the actors faces in games. Classy.

These days, movie licenses still abound, sadly, as well as franchises and sequels. As many readers know, I'm extremely eager to get my hands on Gran Turismo 4. I can't wait... Yet for all the hyperbole and anticipation, it is, after all,
just a sequel! Where are the original properties? The problem is that the instant a game is successful, the suits smell guaranteed money, and the sequel is planned. Take Katamari Damacy. Easily one of the most original and inventive games to come along this century. For being original, it sold a lot, which immediately guaranteed a sequel, which means another fantastic, original idea will now be beaten to a bloody demise.

This article, on IGN, points out the alarming statistic that of the slated Xbox releases for 2005, less than 30% are actually original; that is, games not part of a franchise, a licensed title, or a sequel. Depressing. For all the fighting over which console is best, etc., I think we can all agree on the need for more original content that we haven't seen before.