GTA IV: It's Magically Delicious

[Dyne]

Originally Posted by Professor S

So with the creative success of GTA4, does this debunk the people who think that the industry's concentration on existing franchises stifles creativity? Its an interesting question...

Does throwing money and intellectual manpower behind existing products stifle creativity, or does it allow game creators more license because the "moneymen" are safe because the brand will sell despite of gameplay advancements they would normally be wary of?

As for the franchise question, it really depends. GTA FEELS like a Grand Theft Auto. Reinventing something like, say, Halo, is harder, because of the limiting factors of the FPS. I think that's why Turok got negative press - it wasn't supposed to be the most amazing game ever, it was a stepping stone for Propaganda to reboot a franchise and have a new studio get some street cred.

As I've seen it, the more money that goes into a project, the more LIKELY it will turn out great, but there's never a promise or a guarantee. I mean, I loved Shenmue, but I won't disagree that it wasn't finished. It was definitely a polished effort, though, and I really enjoyed it.