How many games in one franchise are to many?

This year there are a bunch of sequels coming out and I've been thinking about how some companies tend to milk there franchises to death. I'd like to know what you guys think is a good number of games in a single franchise.

Although it does depend on the franchise I think that 3-4 games is a good amount for one franchise.

Legend of Zelda. I rest my case :P. It depends on the series and what its doing. MGS as much as I love it, probably shouldnt continue on too long, as it will only ruin the amazing story that was built.

It depends how much the game is changed from sequel to sequel. I feel games like FF can continue on forever as long as they keep switching up the battle system and the universe, but stuff like Guitar Hero needs to die after 3-4 games.

Really depends, for one main storyline I think 3-4 is probably about right. However, it can be ok, to branch out and have different storylines that just occupy the same game universe as part of the series.

EDIT: The frequency of games released in a franchise also plays a role. For instance I really don't want to Assassin's Creed series to get milked as it such a great series, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing let's say AC3 released in 2012 and then 3-4 years down the road from that, a new Assassin's Creed. Since by then there would be no risk of things growing stale, and they would have had plenty of time to make significant improvements.

Really depends, for one main storyline I think 3-4 is probably about right. However, it can be ok, to branch out and have different storylines that just occupy the same game universe as part of the series.

EDIT: The frequency of games released in a franchise also plays a role. For instance I really don't want to Assassin's Creed series to get milked as it such a great series, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing let's say AC3 released in 2012 and then 3-4 years down the road from that, a new Assassin's Creed. Since by then there would be no risk of things growing stale, and they would have had plenty of time to make significant improvements.

TacticalDesire

But you don't want to drag it on for too long. That brought many complaints from GT5.

If a franchise can continue and reinvent itself without completely losing it's identity, then by all means continue. Zelda and Mario are the best examples of this. While games like Metroid: Other M and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow are taking a lot of flak for being so different than the rest of the series. I loved Lords of Shadow and thought it was a well needed reboot and a lot of love went into making that game. Other M was too different, and Metroid Prime had already proved the series could go in great directions with modern gaming.

[QUOTE="TacticalDesire"]

Really depends, for one main storyline I think 3-4 is probably about right. However, it can be ok, to branch out and have different storylines that just occupy the same game universe as part of the series.

EDIT: The frequency of games released in a franchise also plays a role. For instance I really don't want to Assassin's Creed series to get milked as it such a great series, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing let's say AC3 released in 2012 and then 3-4 years down the road from that, a new Assassin's Creed. Since by then there would be no risk of things growing stale, and they would have had plenty of time to make significant improvements.

paranoidpixie95

But you don't want to drag it on for too long. That brought many complaints from GT5.

That's different though. We all knew GT5 was coming and expected it years ago. Then delay after delay. If Assassin's Creed 3 was released next year and ended Desmond's story, then the series rested for a little while without any information on it it wouldn't be too bad. It's a tricky situation to get into though, as fans become anxious. Such as Beyond Good and Evil 2, or a new Mega Man Legends game.

As long as the story doesn't feel forcedor rushed for a new game or the gameplay isn't changed.

Quality over quantity...As soon as the franchise starts getting dumbed down, over-used, stale and loses some of its fun elements then it is time to "retire"...

If people still enjoy it.

My philosophy has always been, when a game can no longer stand on its base mechanics and feel, it's time to retire it. If you have to fundamentally change a game in order to make it marketable, just make a new franchise with the new idea. That being said, so long as a series CAN stand on its own core identity, let it ride.DarkCatalyst

This. If the games continue to be fun and engaging, who are you to say that there have been too many games in the series?

Hey, this game is going to be waaaay awesome and features awesome new mechanics! Oh wait, we already have four games in the series? ****, scrap it.

[QUOTE="paranoidpixie95"]

[QUOTE="TacticalDesire"]

Really depends, for one main storyline I think 3-4 is probably about right. However, it can be ok, to branch out and have different storylines that just occupy the same game universe as part of the series.

EDIT: The frequency of games released in a franchise also plays a role. For instance I really don't want to Assassin's Creed series to get milked as it such a great series, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing let's say AC3 released in 2012 and then 3-4 years down the road from that, a new Assassin's Creed. Since by then there would be no risk of things growing stale, and they would have had plenty of time to make significant improvements.

IndianaPwns39

But you don't want to drag it on for too long. That brought many complaints from GT5.

That's different though. We all knew GT5 was coming and expected it years ago. Then delay after delay. If Assassin's Creed 3 was released next year and ended Desmond's story, then the series rested for a little while without any information on it it wouldn't be too bad. It's a tricky situation to get into though, as fans become anxious. Such as Beyond Good and Evil 2, or a new Mega Man Legends game.

Exactly if AC3 came out in 2012 and a new iteration in the series came out in 2016 they wouldn't have to announce that the next one was coming until 2014 or 2015.