Thursday, 25 Jul 2024

9 Series That Thrived After Losing Their Creators

Swirling rumors would have you believe that Hideo Kojima, the man who is synonymous with the Metal Gear series, is set to leave Konami – and the franchise he built – behind following Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. While many fans may be worried about the future of the series without Kojima, history has shown that successful series can continue without their original creators.

Devil May Cry

Hideki Kamiya, the legendary designer, created the first Devil May Cry game in 2001. Although he moved on to work on other projects, the series continued with new entries. While the fan reception for Devil May Cry 2 was mixed, the third and fourth entries brought the series back to its former glory. Hideki Kamiya has since founded Platinum Games, delivering challenging and rewarding experiences with games like Bayonetta and The Wonderful 101.

Assassin’s Creed

Patrice Désilets and Jade Raymond, two key figures in the development of Assassin’s Creed, left the series after Assassin’s Creed II. Despite their departure, the series continued to release successful games like Brotherhood and Black Flag. Although the more recent games may feel different, Unity provided a good experience and set a well-defined direction for the future of the series.

The Legend of Zelda

Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary designer behind Ocarina of Time, handed over directorial responsibilities to Eiji Aonuma. Aonuma directed Majora’s Mask and The Wind Waker, which were initially divisive but are now regarded as classic entries in the series. Aonuma has since become the face of the franchise, taking on director and producer roles for subsequent games. Miyamoto is currently working on a new Star Fox game and other titles.

Resident Evil

The departure of Shinji Mikami, the visionary creator of Resident Evil, brought drastic changes to the series. The franchise evolved from survival-horror to a more action-oriented experience. The recent Resident Evil Revelations games have brought back the elements that made the franchise successful. Mikami, now with Tango Gameworks, continues to create survival-horror games like The Evil Within.

Call of Duty

Infinity Ward’s departure from the Call of Duty franchise led to a legal battle and the founding of Respawn Entertainment. Despite some less successful releases, the series has remained popular. Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare brought the series back to form.

Deus Ex

After a less successful sequel, Jean-Françoise Dugas created a new studio to develop a third Deus Ex game. Deus Ex: Human Revolution revitalized the franchise and set the course for future titles. The future of the franchise remains bright.

Halo

Bungie’s departure from Halo raised concerns about the future of the franchise. However, 343 Industries successfully continued the series with Halo 4. The technical issues surrounding The Master Chief Collection overshadowed the success of Halo 4, making Halo 5: Guardians crucial for the future of the series.

Final Fantasy

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, left Square after Final Fantasy X-2. Since then, the franchise has had its ups and downs, but recent entries like Final Fantasy XIV and the upcoming Final Fantasy XV show promise. The series continues to captivate fans.

Guitar Hero

Harmonix, the studio behind the success of the Guitar Hero franchise, created Rock Band after parting ways with the series. Activision took over the development of Guitar Hero with Neversoft. Although the franchise declined in popularity, the recent comeback of Rock Band and rumors of a Guitar Hero revival leave room for future success.

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FAQs

Q: Can successful series continue without their original creators?
A: Yes, many series have thrived even after the departure of their creators. The new creators have brought fresh perspectives and successfully continued the franchises.

Q: Will the Metal Gear series continue without Hideo Kojima?
A: While it may not be the same without Kojima, the Metal Gear series has the potential to continue with new creators at Konami.

Q: What makes a series successful after losing its creator?
A: A successful series after the departure of its creator is often marked by new perspectives, creative visions, and a deep understanding of what made the original games great.

Conclusion

The departure of a series creator does not always mean the end of a franchise. Many successful series have continued to thrive with new creators at the helm. While it may be bittersweet to see a beloved creator move on, it opens the door for new possibilities and ensures the longevity of the franchise. As fans, we can look forward to new experiences and the evolution of our favorite series.