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Which game in console history is the most obvious cash-in?
- Thread starter Walter Matthau
- Start date
Huh, I'm really surprised no one else is saying HD Collections. Consider the God of War collection, as an example: it's a game which has already been released and recieved no gameplay changes whatsoever, re-released on to a system which could play these games via BC until the manufacturer removed the functionality from newer models, and retailed it for a high price.
Again, CoD adds new content regularly. Even Madden, the most despised of series for this, adds at least a few bullet points each year to throw on the back of the box. I'm not sure why these HD Collections aren't similarly reviled, but apparently they aren't. As already stated, every game's goal is ultimately to make a profit, but those strike me as the most explicit examples if we're going to stratify them.
Again, CoD adds new content regularly. Even Madden, the most despised of series for this, adds at least a few bullet points each year to throw on the back of the box. I'm not sure why these HD Collections aren't similarly reviled, but apparently they aren't. As already stated, every game's goal is ultimately to make a profit, but those strike me as the most explicit examples if we're going to stratify them.
The Wheel of Fortune
Member
Aside from the, IMO, obvious CoD, sports games and Zynga:
A classic, well-known example with serious consequences.
A classic, well-known example with serious consequences.
It felt like a cash-in to me. Don't know if anyone feels the same.
Note the Giants subtitle. I'm not completely against the "original" Skylanders, but this "sequel" screams franchise milking to me.
But..how?
There are going to be brand new games, all compatible with current portal and figures, the will be new figures, new gameplay elements. And is just the first sequel.
Maybe "milking" and in some aspects is too early, but not a cash-in. If they released the free PC game that can be played on the site as a retail release and charged money for it, then that's a cash-in (and is not like it's a bad game; it is quite good).
Absolutely. People saying CoD are not putting enough thought into the question.
I think the single player experience has regressed annually since CoD4, but they've continually added to each component of their online games. Spec-Ops is a lot of fun.
But when they're done right people seem to really appreciate the effort.
I'm talking about any game with "Assassin's Creed" in the title, yeah. It's the reason why I never played the first game because I knew a new game would be out nearly every year after... that and the whole Jade Raymond thing. I learned from the Tom Clancy games. Why people will defend/flock to every Assassin's Creed title, but then shit on CoD I'll never understand..
BibiMaghoo
Member
FFXIII-2
It has little resemblance to a Final Fantasy game, and has more in common with a portable title. It is clearly a cash in on the brand to recoup the costs of expensive assets.
I am ashamed of them for doing it. I cannot even bring myself to finish the game.
Otherwise, every movie game ever, and Mario.
Mario, Mario, Mario.
It has little resemblance to a Final Fantasy game, and has more in common with a portable title. It is clearly a cash in on the brand to recoup the costs of expensive assets.
I am ashamed of them for doing it. I cannot even bring myself to finish the game.
Otherwise, every movie game ever, and Mario.
Mario, Mario, Mario.
It's because people actually want HD collections.
People also clearly enjoy more Madden and CoD.
What effort? Again, it's a new coat of paint on what is unabashedly unchanged game. No new content is added. But then, people also seem to appreciate CoD and Madden, so I'm not sure I understand the difference. I don't buy any of these games, though, so perhaps I'm missing something.
FullMetalx
Banned
Marvel vs Capcom and Street Fighter
Rahxephon91
Banned
Well that is interesting. It's a real shame that no one really has been able to crack Superman.
And well I knew someone was going to mention XIII-2. While, obviously it was made to get more out it's engine. So was X-2. The game also is trying to be a response and thus a fix to fan complaints. In that regard I can't see it as a cheap cash in, becuase it's creation and development was deeply concerned with fans wants. And well it was a great and different soundtrack that dosent feel cheap even though it actually is the way it is because they weren't going all out with orchestra and stuff.
As for the other things. I'm not sure how it feels like a portable game. It just uses a pretty typical level system seen in other console jrpgs. And the monster requirement has been done in other jrpgs as well.
I don't like the game, but it dosent belong here either.
Are you being silly or mean?
I'm not saying HD collections aren't cash-ins. But referring to why people don't mention it as much, it's because it's usually dedicated gamers hanging around on forums that want these sorts of games so it doesn't get painted in a bad light
They can make games easily accessible again (though God of War is pretty damn low on the tier of needing re-release), plus you have Shadow of the Colossus that smoothed out performance. But then I think people should be honing in more on games with minimal updates on the same platform, or maybe outright non-existent updates. I don't think we've seen them in North America, but I recall that there's games in Japan where they literally swap out graphics or a character and re-release as a special edition, and that's it. You can't even argue they update seriously or serve to make a game accessible to a new audience from before like HD Collections potentially can.
Cash-in implies a hastily, carelessly made product with no artistic integrity. By that definition, Mario doesn't fit at all. The main entries in the series are all quite creative, distinct, and have good production values, and aren't really churned out one after another. The spinoffs are also relatively well-made games, there are just a LOT of separate sub-series, all by different developers. The only games involving Mario that might qualify are the Mario and Sonic ones, which are mediocre at worst.
This makes sense, but doesn't answer why people are approaching this particular thread in that way.
So, for example, I would not be surprised if more people on GAF liked GoW HD Collections, personally, than liked COD here, just based on the type of person which would frequent GAF.
But that's not really the question being asked, and I think people are letting personal preference color their answers here.
pseudocaesar
Member
Dunno if its been said yet, but the Michael Jackson game. Did that come out after he died?
This took 81 posts? Seriously?
This game was my immediate thought when I saw the thread title and I don't know of any game that made as much money off of a name alone. It was a new IP on videogame consoles, after all. It was reviewed very poorly. It sold millions.
This makes sense and I can buy into it a little bit.
TheUnsane1
Neo Member
Isn't Super Mario Brothers 2 an absolute example of this? Sprite swap re-release changed into a SMB title to cash in on the original games hype.
Walter Matthau
Member
I agree with you in theory, but it does allow people to purchase a game that they may not have had the opportunity to purchase in the past and often in its most definitive form. It's sort of exempt for qualifying because the effort had been made in the initial development and now they are just offering you another way (or chance when it comes to games like the ZOE Collection) to buy it. I think if you were to point out a horrible port that the developers clearly made no effort to fix and just through it on the shelves (or PSN/XBLA) then that might be a better example.
have aol hours gone up in value lately? i saved like a couple thousand of them
Freeza Under The Shower
Member
This took 81 posts? Seriously?
This game was my immediate thought when I saw the thread title and I don't know of any game that made as much money off of a name alone. It was a new IP on videogame consoles, after all. It was reviewed very poorly. It sold millions.
I own a copy I believe I even bought day one and I regret NOTHING.
Couldn't care less about its status on gaf.
Personally, I would say Madden simply because EA is clearly afraid to change the formula and know they don't have to since they're the only game in town. I suppose is understandable to try to maximize profits every year - that NFL license isn't cheap.
* Silent Hill * Splinter Cell * Prince of Persia *
* Silent Hill * Splinter Cell * Prince of Persia *
I was going to say this too.
I have to mention Halo ODST. It was a good game but had no business being $60 considering the content, length of the campaign, and shordy netcode. It was made by a side team at Bungie with some of the intention to finish one of two required Halo games on their contract, and it should've been priced accordingly.
PixyJunket
Member
As far as a singular game?
There is probably no better answer:
There is probably no better answer:
Rahxephon91
Banned
As far as a singular game?
There is probably no better answer:
Got Fred Durst in it. It's existence is thus justified.
Vipershark
Member
No.
The entire point of reskinning Doki Doki Panic was that Nintendo was trying to AVOID being seen as a cash-in since they felt that western gamers would think that the original japanese SMB2 (aka lost levels) was just a rehash of the original.
Walter Matthau
Member
I don't know about the games themselves, but the DLC has gotten out of hand for all of their sports franchises.
I'm not sure it qualifies. Back in those days it wasn't unusual to release a game with no real graphical enhancements. I think some would argue that there is better level design in the sequel.
edit: I'm not sure if you are referring to the real SMB2 or the reskin as pointed out by Vipershark.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
I thought it was because Nintendo thought it would be too difficult for western gamers?
Action 52 and any of the other multi-game packs. Cheaply made lazy programming and hardware with simple clones. Bare minimum effort it's hard not to make a profit.
Dishonourable mention to any simple jump up games on iOS or Android market that ties into a movie or rip off of an existing franchise.
Dishonourable mention to any simple jump up games on iOS or Android market that ties into a movie or rip off of an existing franchise.
It sounds like you're describing every licensed game. Do you really think the teams at THQ and Activision tasked with making licensed games want to make shitty games? No, their budget and schedule force them to compromise on quality. I'm not sure how Superman was any different.
Anasui Kishibe
Banned
Battlefield 3 is really interesting because it's a cash-in inspired by a cash-in serie. The worst of the worst
but in general? I'd say SF2 Turbo-SSF2
but in general? I'd say SF2 Turbo-SSF2
BibiMaghoo
Member
To me, it feels this way because it is broken down into 'episodes' in the way it is played. You select a level, play it for a little while, then head back to the 'hub'. It feels like a perfect match for portable play in this regard. I have never felt like that with any other FF title, even X-2. The game is fragmented into small chunks that can be played in small sittings.
Mario has made an appearance in over 200 games..Many of these games are what I would describe as 'cashins' in that they are sold on the basis that they have Mario in them or on the box. If you want me to list some of them I can do, but I think you already know what I mean.
A 'cashin' doesn't have to be a bad game, just one that uses its 'brand' or image to sell a product that differs from what is expcted from that IP, and ussually in a poor way.
I think Super Mario USA in Japan may still be a fair example though.
This is so stupid. As stupid as the people saying Mario.
At lot of these games thrown around aren't REALLY pure cash grabs, just typical or somewhat lazy sequels, maybe ports that come closer.
Actually, one of my favorite games would qualify if this were sold individually: the Raidou version of SMT: Nocturne included with Devil Summoner 2 pre-orders (I think) in Japan. It's seriously just the same game but with Dante switched out with Raidou, they are essentially the same in battle too I believe beyond aesthetic elements. It'd be almost impossible to go any lower had it not been a pre-order incentive instead.
BibiMaghoo
Member
Care to elaborate on that? or do you consider Mario paint not a 'cashin' ?
Walter Matthau
Member
That's pretty bad considering it's actually the third version of Nocturne.
PigSpeakers
Member
We recently had a fire at our store (within the last year) and had a complete remodel, including new stock etc.
Somehow, some way, this game still managed to find its way onto our shelves. I figure we got it from another store that got closed down or something, but still. I haven't seen it on the shelves last I checked, though. I wouldn't be surprised if it was there somewhere.