Genres lost to us through the years.

[Talk Show Host]

I'd really fucking love another X-Wing vs TIE Fighter.

But I'd really fucking hate another Rogue Squadron.

Which is more likely to get made?

Squadron. But why?

XvT would certainly reach 1m. That would make it a sales success, wouldn't it?

[Gwynster]

Squadron. But why?

XvT would certainly reach 1m. That would make it a sales success, wouldn't it?

Indeed, XvT would sell very well indeed, and we know this because Rogue Squadron proved that people will buy anything if it's got the Star Wars music in it. The only worry I have is that Rogue Squadron, shit though it is, would be seen as the more viable franchise over the more worthy XvT.

[Smitty]

Sniper Elite 2 is likely for 2009 I've read. The first game was fantastic, and only lacked online battles.

Lordy! A next-gen Sniper Elite would be fantastic.

[smac]

But there's loads of game models that would be much cheaper to make (2D scrolling platformer, 2D scrolling beat-em-up, pinball, point 'n click), and markets to deliver them (XBLA/PSN/PC downloadable things/DS). But most companies are now only interested in aping the last big thing.

Sure, but for most publishers it's not as simple as a single title being profitable. The market is hit-driven, with a successful title having to cover the cost of all those that don't make a profit. And by make a profit, I mean enough profit - not just covering the costs plus a bit more, but generating a suitable profit to satisfy the shareholders (and growth, but don't go there).

So a steady diet of reasonably profitable medium-sized sales may suit a small operation, but the larger publishers cannot support a title that has no chance (in their eyes) of making it big and raking in a lot of dosh.

That's not to say that a niche title can't get made, if a producer was committed enough to promote it, but given that pushing a risky title that subsequently bombs is likely to be hazardous to your career progression . . .

[Talk Show Host]

Sure, but for most publishers it's not as simple as a single title being profitable. The market is hit-driven, with a successful title having to cover the cost of all those that don't make a profit. And by make a profit, I mean enough profit - not just covering the costs plus a bit more, but generating a suitable profit to satisfy the shareholders (and growth, but don't go there).

So a steady diet of reasonably profitable medium-sized sales may suit a small operation, but the larger publishers cannot support a title that has no chance (in their eyes) of making it big and raking in a lot of dosh.

That's not to say that a niche title can't get made, if a producer was committed enough to promote it, but given that pushing a risky title that subsequently bombs is likely to be hazardous to your career progression . . .

That's my point. A new Monkey Island game or a new XvT game would have a real chance of hitting 1m sales. How can that make their genre niche?

[Gwynster]

All you need to do is get plugs from websites (easy to do as PC gaming is dead and they need something to write about, lolz) and release on Steam for ten bucks.

It's near the top of my list of 'get rich quick' schemes.

[revlob]

All this talk of space flight sims and no mention of Wing Commander?! Bring back the Tiger's Claw!

[smac]

That's my point. A new Monkey Island game or a new XvT game would have a real chance of hitting 1m sales. How can that make their genre niche?

Man, my niches are just really wide . . .

Are we sure MI would hit 1m? Anyone any idea what the Broken Sword games did, especially the last one?

XvT, maybe, although it loses out on not having light sabres. Hey, they could always add on-foot sections; they work, right?

[memeroot]

I bought Steel Batallion, it was great!!!, no one else did (and nothing else could use the controler booo hiss)

My son has over g fighters for the 360 and loves it (not a patch on falcon3.0 though) equally isn't eve online have bits like xwing (elite)

point and click is great, but then thats why there is sam and max

most other game styles are on xbla and soon to have wii ware.

ok so perhaps some have gone out of fashion so the dev budgets arent there anymore but the games are being made - they perhaps just dont look as nice as CoD4

[Dynamo Nath]

I had a game for PC call The Black Dahlia which at the time I thought was amazing. I think it had 6 or 8 cd's but would probably all fit on a dvd-rom nowadays. But I liked the whole concept of an immersive detective/slash puzzle solving story. It even had voice acting from Dennis Hopper! I haven't really seen anything similar to it for a long time sadly.

[scottcr]

Sam and Max has finally been 100% confirmed for Wii. Disc based though - and it's the entire first season.

Happy days.

http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/04/sam-max-officia.html