Topic: If you had the money to seize and old or missused gaming IP...

[Stratos]

What old, abandoned or misused game IP would would buy and revive if you could afford it?
What is wrong or needs changing about the IP?
Would you found a new dev studio to head the task or would you hire a current one?
Would you start with a reboot of the first game, a continuation of the series with an entirely new title, a re-releasing and remastering of the old titles for current distribution channels (Steam, WiiWare/Virtual Console, XBLA, etc.) or something else entirely?

[KDR_11k]

I think I'd have the ability to build my own, especially for the games I'd like to revive (e.g. Stratosphere really needs a new version but nobody knows the IP anyway so making up a new one would be easy). Metroid could use a rescue from its current owner though.

[NWR_insanolord]

There was a game I loved on the Dreamcast called Armada. It was a top-down, free roaming space shooter-slash-RPG. The company announced a sequel that would include online co-op, but it never materialized. I think it would work really well as an XBLA/PSN game.

[greybrick]

I would buy out X Wing Vs. Tie Fighter, which I guess is part of a larger IP.

I would make it very simulation heavy, and put it out digitally on Steam, XBLA and PSN. Not sure who would make it, I guess if I had the money it would be a collaboration between the Flight Sim team and Factor 5.

[NWR_insanolord]

I would buy out X Wing Vs. Tie Fighter, which I guess is part of a larger IP.

I would make it very simulation heavy, and put it out digitally on Steam, XBLA and PSN. Not sure who would make it, I guess if I had the money it would be a collaboration between the Flight Sim team and Factor 5.

I would totally buy that.

[ymeegod]

Love my good ole space shooters, Wing Commander, Freespace, ect.  Hell add Mechwarrior and Crimson Skies to that mix as well.

Lately I've been thinking about a proper Conker's Sequel. 

[Stratos]

I'm actually surprised we have not gotten a conker sequel. Though considering Rare's track record I guess it's not all that surprising.

[Mop it up]

The Rush series of racing games from now-defunct Midway comes to mind. Rush 2 is still my favourite racing game, and the other two are pretty good in their own ways. I know there was another one on the XBox called LA Rush, but from what I read, it become a lot more like a simulation, making it nothing like the arcade/N64 games.

I'm actually surprised we have not gotten a conker sequel. Though considering Rare's track record I guess it's not all that surprising.

It's probably due to sales. The XBox remake sold worse than the Nintendo 64 version. What's possibly ironic is that the XBox version has more censorship than the N64 version.

[MoronSonOfBoron]

Armored Core. Not that it's been terribly mishandled or anything, but I think it has potential to perform well if taken full blast to an online multiplayer platform (and the PC), either as PvE, PvP, or a mix.

To be honest, I've only ever owned AC: Project Phantasma on the PSX and dabbled a little AC2 on a friend's PS2. Those two games alone left such a lasting impression on me that I've quietly watched the series from the sidelines and always hoped to see it evolve into something much bigger. As popular as the series remains, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

I feel the likes of Valve would be a good guideline for a new AC experience geared for online communities. Steam can handle the complex amount of stat-tracking for the deep customization involved in AC, and combining that with the balance and design work that goes into AC, the complexity and nerdgasm factor of AC mech customization could not only be retained, but improved. I'm honestly not sure if Valve themselves should handle the game since their design philosophy seems more minimalistic, but if they could bring their attention to detail to a deep and diverse system like AC's, I'd be all for it.

From Software already has a good product on their hands. I wish they have the chance to make it great.

... ... ... ... ...

The other IP I want to bring back is Battleclash/Metal Combat. I have no idea how it would work with modern gaming expectations, seeing as the original games were Super Scope titles, but it would make a great title for Nintendo to hand over to a renowned western studio partner to turn into a "hardcore" mech game.

[Caterkiller]

I'd revive Ecco the dolphin, with 3D  and 2D exploration.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

This might be a controversial answer, but I'd put Worms back into the third dimension. Worms 3D is one of the few games I've sunk more than 100 hours into; I liked it a lot. I feel the strategy was vastly enhanced by the extra possibilities that extra dimension provided, plus there was a humongous amount of good content packed in there. Trouble is, the damn purists whined so much that Team 17 has put themselves in a rut of several very similar, unambitious 2D titles.

I'd take Worms back into 3D, rework the character movement to make it smoother, less jerky, decrease the proportion of campaign missions that are straight-up deathmatch style (maybe more platforming missions and definitely more variables in the objectives), and then perhaps have greater emphasis on the fact that you have a team of worms. I don't know, a really heavy duty weapon that needs two of your worms to utilise, or a cannon that allows a worm to launch allied worms across the map, stuff like that. Some may disagree, and I wouldn't entirely blame their scepticism, considering there were a couple of follow-ups that were iffy to say the least. However, I am bored of all the clones of Armageddon, which in itself I don't think holds a candle to Worms 3D.

[Shaymin]

I'd probably bring back the Chrono series and actually have a sequel made with the original characters instead of KILLING ALL OF THEM OFF FOR RA'S SAKE like they did in Cross.

A budget Wii/DS "director's cut" release of Chrono Cross and a re-release of the DS game (+ maybe Trigger on VC) would be the lead-ins to Chrono Break or whatever it would be called. Of course, it'd be the original Dream Team (Horii/Torayama/Kato/Mitsuda) handling development.

Oh, and the director's cut of Cross gets cut down to 15 characters.

[Dirk Temporo]

Republic Commando. Could be the best game ever.

[Morari]

There was a game I loved on the Dreamcast called Armada. It was a top-down, free roaming space shooter-slash-RPG. The company announced a sequel that would include online co-op, but it never materialized. I think it would work really well as an XBLA/PSN game.

I really liked Armada! I remember it being up there with Crazy Taxi as one of the few games to routinely give me "crab fingers". It was like Diablo mixed with Asteroids! There is an Armada MMO that I believe is in open beta. I've never played it however.

This might be a controversial answer, but I'd put Worms back into the third dimension.

The move to 3D ruined the Worms franchise for years. It was an idiotic move. Luckily, the new Worms Reloaded is exquisite and has finally allowed me to move on from my fan-patched version of Worms Armageddon!

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

This might be a controversial answer, but I'd put Worms back into the third dimension.

The move to 3D ruined the Worms franchise for years. It was an idiotic move. Luckily, the new Worms Reloaded is exquisite and has finally allowed me to move on from my fan-patched version of Worms Armageddon!

Expected response.
If you are referring to Forts Under Siege and Mayhem, then I see where you are coming from. However, I disagree about Worms 3D, and I was fully aware I have an outlier opinion about it going in. My problem with the 2D games is that they are, even too this day, too much like the ancient Tanks game on the Amiga. Team 17 has admitted that it was the inspiration for Worms, but come on, that was back in the late '80s/ early '90s. It is too simple a concept to keep following. In my opinion, Worms 3D is the only one where the map designs & terrain were really important in your tactics and the only one I know of with a varied campaign, not just deathmatch after deathmatch. I don't expect you to agree. In fact, I'd be surprised if you did.
That's my piece done.

[greybrick]

This might be a controversial answer, but I'd put Worms back into the third dimension. Worms 3D is one of the few games I've sunk more than 100 hours into; I liked it a lot. I feel the strategy was vastly enhanced by the extra possibilities that extra dimension provided, plus there was a humongous amount of good content packed in there. Trouble is, the damn purists whined so much that Team 17 has put themselves in a rut of several very similar, unambitious 2D titles.

I'd take Worms back into 3D, rework the character movement to make it smoother, less jerky, decrease the proportion of campaign missions that are straight-up deathmatch style (maybe more platforming missions and definitely more variables in the objectives), and then perhaps have greater emphasis on the fact that you have a team of worms. I don't know, a really heavy duty weapon that needs two of your worms to utilise, or a cannon that allows a worm to launch allied worms across the map, stuff like that. Some may disagree, and I wouldn't entirely blame their scepticism, considering there were a couple of follow-ups that were iffy to say the least. However, I am bored of all the clones of Armageddon, which in itself I don't think holds a candle to Worms 3D.

I couldn't agree more. Worms 3d was an absolute blast to play, especially with friends. Worms 3D rewarded tactical thought- and I enjoy plotting out trajectories in 3D much more than in 2D. Things like placing girders weren't as simplistic in 3D either, because your opponent could always work around them.

I think if I were to revive that IP, I would make some drastic changes to how the worms inventory works. How about making each worm a specific class? Having jet trooper worms, turret worms, explosives specialists, etc. would change how you managed your team. These specialized worms would also have to have different physical characteristics, and perhaps special abilities such as healing. More or less, I would like to shift the way worms teams work towards more of a Valkyria Chronicles model.

I would also add a robust level editor that allowed the creation of actual level geometry/terrain, and have different material properties within the level itself. 

[Stratos]

I meant to get Worms 3D on gamecube. My friend has it and it was very fun.

[broodwars]

I would revive the Ogre Battle IP, perhaps incorporating gameplay advances from Valkyria Chronicles.  Square-Enix has done almost nothing with that IP since they acquired Quest, save for a PSP remake of Tactics Ogre I couldn't care less about (and few will outside of Japan because it's on the PSP).

[Morari]

In my opinion, Worms 3D is the only one where the map designs & terrain were really important in your tactics [...]

Perhaps you were playing the 2D games with the wrong setup? It doesn't have to be all ninja ropes and concrete donkeys. Position of an individual worm can often times make or break an entire strategy, especially when you take into account the wind and its effects on your bazooka trajectory.

The 2D games works. It's that simple. The 3D games never did. They were clunky and hard to see any appeal in. There must be a reason that the 3D games were ditched after only a few tries, while Armageddon is still being played and supported to this day.

[Sundoulos]

I love the idea of bringing back space shooters, X-wing Vs. Tie Fighter, Wing Commander, Freespace, etc.

In that vein, Star Fox would be another obvious answer, but I feel like that's probably been discussed to death already in past threads.  My wish list for that: Make it a true sequel to Star Fox 64, add multiple mission trees, and implement an on-line multiplayer mode for co-op missions or arena battles. 

As far as older IPs go...I really, really would have liked to see Capcom make a Mega Man Legends 3.  As clunky and silly as that series was, it had a lot of charm.  I loved the Saturday morning anime-type feel to it at the time. 

I'd love to see Ubisoft give another try for Beyond Good And Evil 2, but I'm losing hope that the series will ever again see the light of day. 

Also, for really old games, I'd love to see a remake of Faxanadu, Clash At Demonhead, or the Magic of Scheherazade.    Clash at Demonhead, in particular, was so bizarre, that I'd love to see what someone like Wayforward could do if they had the rights to it.

Blaster Master would have been on that list as well, but they did release a sequel of sorts on Wii Ware earlier this year.  I wouldn't mind seeing them give it another try, with some changes to the game mechanics.  Otherwise,  I loved it.

[Dirk Temporo]

I would revive the Ogre Battle IP, perhaps incorporating gameplay advances from Valkyria Chronicles.

I'm all for a new Ogre Battle, but after having watch a friend play Valkyria Chronicles, I'm not really seeing what sort of "advances" could be carried over from that game.

[broodwars]

I would revive the Ogre Battle IP, perhaps incorporating gameplay advances from Valkyria Chronicles.

I'm all for a new Ogre Battle, but after having watch a friend play Valkyria Chronicles, I'm not really seeing what sort of "advances" could be carried over from that game.

Assuming that the new Ogre Battle would be more like a Tactics Ogre game, turn-based 3rd person shooter movement ala Valkyria (for example, you move within an archer's sight range, and she tries to shoot you); a leveling system where all members of a specific class level-up so you can feel free to swap in characters as you need them rather than grinding them; and an overall fanciful art style that would mesh well with the old 2D Ogre Battle sprite look.  If we got a true OB64-style Ogre Battle, things would have to be different of course.

[Halbred]

I'd bring back Buster Bros. and release it online to PSN and Xbox Live. I'd run into problems with the Wii's size limit, though.

[MegaByte]

Well, it is coming to DS soon (in the guise of PANG Magic Michael).

[Dirk Temporo]

Assuming that the new Ogre Battle would be more like a Tactics Ogre game, turn-based 3rd person shooter movement ala Valkyria (for example, you move within an archer's sight range, and she tries to shoot you); a leveling system where all members of a specific class level-up so you can feel free to swap in characters as you need them rather than grinding them; and an overall fanciful art style that would mesh well with the old 2D Ogre Battle sprite look.  If we got a true OB64-style Ogre Battle, things would have to be different of course.

Ah, I see. Yeah, with a Tactics Ogre approach, I can see how it would benefit from some of Valkyria's additions. To be honest though, I always preferred the original Ogre Battle to both OB64 and Tactics Ogre. I did like Tactics Ogre more than OB64 however. I keep wanting to see classic Ogre Battle make a comeback, maybe in the form of a downloadable game or a handheld title.