THQ Announces Homefront 2. Really?

The very same day they closed down Kaos Studios, the developer of Homefront, THQ announced that it was beginning work on Homefront 2. Why?

"Everything we learned from [the original] you'll see executed in other games going forward, and including that franchise going forward. We'll have some really interesting announcements in the future about the future of that brand." (via Eurogamer)

Ugh. Count me out.

Note those words franchise and brand. The game sold enough copies that the name is recognizable to gamers, and that is enough to justify one or more new games in the "franchise." Sales tops unfavorable reviews every time.

The problem with that logic is that the game had a compelling (if unrealistic) concept and an all-star writer that bought it a lot of pre-release buzz. The execution was mostly underwhelming. How many gamers are going to let themselves be burned again?

Well, according to that same article, THQ suggested that "the sequel would address all of the criticisms leveled at the first game."

Wow. All of them?

This is the second major release this year that required its developer to apologize and promise to fix their mistakes in the sequel. Not a great trend for the industry. Let's all take a breath and spend the time and effort necessary to make quality games based on quality concepts.

Unless I change my mind and decide I want to play it, in which case you should deliver it right now!