TheGillesMuller said:Usually I'd say 'I think' before saying something like this but not here, those days of Rockstar are long gone, we'll either get nothing or like you mention if we do then some form of bait will likely be woven into the story.
Sadly, I think you’re right. To use a hyperbole, it’s like Shakespeare deciding not to write
Hamlet because there was more money in ad slogans. Games are popular culture—not Shakespeare. Rockstar will probably follow the money.
The old Rockstar, though, had character. When it came time to create a sequel for GTA II, it could have used the old template and been guaranteed to rake in gobs of money.
Instead, Rockstar took a huge risk and invested an obscene amount of money to pattern GTA III after Shenmue. The odds were that GTA III, like Shenmue, would be critically acclaimed but would lose money. Fortunately, the stars were aligned in Rockstar’s favor & the game hit the mother lode.
It would be nice if Rockstar could remember what it once was. Rockstar is one of a handful of studios that has the potential to deliver a groundbreaking game. Any hack can peddle shark cards. Rockstar should outsource its MP online money-making shenanigans to one or more of the very capable studios out there and devote its energies to creating the next killer game.