Of course, it would not be every franchise as not every game could be an annual event, but look at Batman for example; if this were a trilogy would you want to play a new game every year? I doubt Rocksteady would let quality slip and I believe that each game would be of at least the same quality as the previous entry, but would you want that? Personally, I am a fan of the two-year cycle though some games I just can’t wait for. If they did launch a new Batman game in each of the next three years I would buy them all if they were at least as good as the first.

Arkham Asylum was an excellent game, but do we need another next year?

The problem with such a system in place would be that innovation would be thrown out the window. When looking at sports games they always feel like the last entry. There may be a few new additions or some slightly more refined existing content, but there is always that inescapable feeling that you are playing the same game as last year. Sure, you could have a new Batman game next year, but how much could it have been improved since the last entry? An annual cycle makes it harder to get a defining feature that sets the new entry apart from the previous entry?

Left 4 Dead 2 is another example. It was undeniably an improvement over the original, but there was still that feeling of playing the same game with a few new additions. When you compare that to a game like Uncharted 2 that added improved graphics, a lengthier story, and full competitive multiplayer you see what can be accomplished with just another year’s time.

Left 4 Dead 2 was an improvement over the original showing that the one-year cycle can succeed, but were the improvements enough to make it really worth it?

The issue we have right now is that the industry is not doing so hot. Developers are closing their doors and people are losing their jobs. Publishers see this and maybe, just maybe, this annual policy may be the ticket to some quick cash. They know just as well as we do that a new entry in everyone’s favorites franchise every year would sell. Call of Duty sells millions of copies each year with such a system, why not Halo or Uncharted or Batman? At the cost of quality, many publishers could make some easy money and make fans happy at the same time. Suddenly quality quickly drops, but people don’t notice. Why you ask? Most people will be so caught up in the fact that the next game will be out next year that they will not notice the decline. Anticipation for the next game will be replaced by the gamer simply expecting the next addition in a years time.

While the annual system seems appealing despite its faults, I’d rather stick with a two-year cycle. The two year cycle has proven to provide some excellent games this generation and during the last and as they say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! As much as I’d like to play another Arkham Asylum next year, take your time Rocksteady, no rush. That goes for everyone else too. I’d rather wait for quality than lose innovation.

This move by Microsoft proved to be a game changer in this all so monopolized gaming industry, where Sony was calling all the shots and Playstation was the ruling King. Now what this meant was that Xbox 360 got a one year head start over PS3, in the current console generation, providing ample time for the developers to perfect their know how with the Xbox 360 hardware.

Best Package?

It must be said here that the overall quality of Xbox 360 launch titles was rather underwhelming considering all the promises of never before seen next generation experience. But on the other hand the developers kept on working hard making all so publicized next gen experience a reality and it paid off by the time PS3 released. Microsoft managed to pull off a stunner in the shape of Gears of War, in comparison to which every PS3 launch title failed to impress, for the obvious reasons.

Xbox 360 taking the one year advantage kept on enjoying its success, even though PS3 did manage to produce some amazing AAA titles but there sales were never so promising when compared to Xbox 360 exclusives due to a larger console base. After all it’s all about the sales and profits in the end, in order to continue providing quality stuff and surviving in this tough industry.

Everyone was doubtful, even the hardcorest of the PS3 fans, up until 2009, when games like Killzone2, Infamous and all so important Uncharted 2 were released, which apparently set a benchmark for all the games to follow. No one can deny the quality of these titles, unmatched by any other console this year. But the sad part is that still these titles failed to manage those stellar sales enjoyed by the counterparts of the likes of Gears of War and Halo. Multiplatform titles also tend to sell better on Xbox 360 mainly due to superior online service provided by Xbox Live. Now all this could mean a disaster.

Survival of the Richest!

After all how long can Sony afford to keep on making such games of unmatched quality but managing such mediocre sales in the end. This does not sound financially viable either for Sony or the developers, which is apparent by seeing so many PS3 exclusives moving onto Xbox 360 this generation. Also price cuts forced by strong competition resulting in even lower profits, don’t help either. Xbox with such a strong financial backing by all those Microsoft $$$ will sure not back down by any challenge proposed by the competitors, anytime soon.

With PS3 just starting to make profits and only recently being able to utilize the full potential of PS3, while Microsoft realizing paling quality of its exclusives compared to PS3’s, so what if Microsoft again manages to pull off a next generation console ahead of Sony, this time with a possible even 2 year head start. A new generation console in the market already against PS3 could mean a possible disaster for Sony, already struggling with all those lackluster software sales. Also Microsoft charging for their online service means more profits while free PSN service doesn’t help Sony with any profits either. Now this means a possible danger for this all so healthy competition resulting in some of the most amazing games ever. With Microsoft working on Project Natal targeting all those casual gamers, Sony needs to stay in with the competition for their own survival. We here pray this doesn’t happen, and Sony-Microsoft continue to make quality games for the sake of competition, enjoying blockbuster sales equally thus creating a win-win situation for us- the gamers.