Summary
There was a time when fans of a great video game would only have to wait up to two or three years for a sequel to a beloved game to be released, depending on the development time. Much like the movie industry, striking while the iron is hot also applies to game development, and so releasing a follow-up to a successful game in quick succession used to be a surefire way to make money. Sadly, things have changed in recent times.
The gaming industry has moved into a digital space in the last few years, which means that developers can easily add more content to a new game through updates andnew DLC packs. While this is great for the industry, it does mean that sequels are no longer so readily released. In fact, it is normal for a game to stay relevant for up to ten years or more. Therefore, it can feel like it has been a while since iconic games received a follow-up. There are some franchises where it feels like fans have been waiting unbearably long for the next game.
WhenGrand Theft Auto 5was released back in 2013, it quickly became one of the highest-selling video games in history. Console gamers were eager to return to the open world of San Andreas to cause chaos, and the trailers promised an engaging story with three very likable protagonists. This game was delivered, and the developers were able to keep players entertained with tons of online content. However, fans were still wondering when Rockstar would come out with a new story.
Of course, rumors started to circulate surrounding the release ofGTA 6, and the first trailer for the next game in the series finally dropped in 2023, ten years after the launch ofGTA 5.The game is now expected to come out in 2025, and the developers have promised that players willcontrol two protagonists in a return to Vice City. Thankfully, the wait for this sequel is nearly over.
ThePortalseries is not a game franchise that many players would expect to be the rousing success it is. The first two games in the series are simple 3D puzzle games that require the player to think laterally and use their portal gun to progress through the levels.
Despite its simple nature,the firstPortalgame became iconic, with everyone now able to recognize the titular portal and the main villain, GLaDOS. As such, a sequel was released in 2011, with more of the same gameplay returning. It has been over ten years since this last game, and the series has only increased in popularity. Unfortunately, the developers, Valve, are yet to announcePortal 3.
Anyone who remembers the release of the firstFablegame back in 2004 will also remember the hype surrounding this Xbox-exclusive title. Although several promised features were lacking in the final product, fans still found plenty to sink their teeth into throughout Albion.
TheFablefranchise sadly faded away, and no one expected aFable 4to materialize at all. Things changed, though, when Playground Games announced that they were working on a newFableGame in 2020. Fans dubbed this new gameFable 4, but it is likely to be a reboot of the series titledFable. A trailer for the game is already out, and the game is expected to come out in 2025.
TheFalloutseries is one of Bethesda’s flagship franchises. These open-world RPGs take place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and have been testing players' survival skills since 1997. The games have always been pushing the boundaries of what players can expect. Fallout 3brought the series into 3D, andFallout 4added a new settlement-building feature to the series.
Falloutis also currently a hot property right now, as Amazon has released itsTV show based on the gamesto great reviews. However, all this forward momentum for the franchise is not being capitalized upon, as Bethesda is yet to announce an officialFallout 5.The studio has mentioned that work on a newFalloutgame is happening, butFallout 5is still years away.
What started as a very niche fantasy RPG has slowly become one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. The first twoElder Scrollsgames were pixelated, procedurally generated PC games. Bethesda then madeThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowinda fully 3D adventure.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis still popular over ten years on, and it has sold over sixty million copies since its release. As a result, it is the biggest game that Bethesda has ever created, and fans want a follow-up, now that two console generations have gone by since its release. An online MMO is available to keep fans satisfied, butThe Elder Scrolls 6was announced in 2018. No further news has come yet, not even a release date, soSkyrimmay be nearly twenty years old when its sequel finally arrives.
