The news that Microsoft's renamed its Vancouver development team to Black Tusk Studios this week barely raised a tremor. But the news that it wasn't working on existing IP, but "a new entertainment franchise.. the next Halo", was a heartening comment to read.
We all know the easy sell of established IP. Lightning in a jar is as exactly as the phrase suggests: near impossible.
Nintendo's got an air-tight lid on its particular brand of magic. While
elder IP statesmen of the industry have had a rough time in reinvention between generations and eras (some dropped dead of a heart attack the moment they clocked a player-controlled camera), the big N's navigated the decades with aplomb.
Okay, there's a distinct development hierarchy to its franchises that means we're really only talking about two - Mario and Zelda - on any regular generational basis (I may never get to the day were I don't dream of a new F-Zero or Starfox). And even they have entries a generation-length apart.
But still. Magic, lightning, yadda yadda.
No-one abandons IP that's guaranteed to sell (yes, I'll agree there are exceptions). You'd never see, say, Nintendo drop Mario or Zelda. Samus. Pikmin. Starfox. Anyone that makes it into regular Smash Bros rosters.
But what if they did?
Hold that thought for a second.
They never would. The Mickey Mouse comparisons for Mario hold true. Iconic, huge product seller. Known the world over.
But. Would any of us be unimpressed if Nintendo stated it was abandoning its classic IPs ("they're just resting!") for at least one generation, and instead was concentrating on all-new IPs?
I'd be intrigued. Delirious even.
Disclaimer for any who shouted out two words in reading the wish for new IP. Yes, the biggest new name Nintendo have unleashed in the past decade (as far as memory serves) is Wii Sports.
Horrible example of Nintendo going new, from a gamer's point of view. Sold bucketloads. You can snort at Wii Music, but experimentation can't be knocked for experimentation's sake.
But. What would you think if the company's studios were tackling 'proper' games, with the intent of ushering in a gallery of new faces? Interested? Yes. Me too.
Shigeru Miyamoto suggested during a recent interview with Gamereactor Spain he was future-proofing against a point when he'd no longer be around. Mentoring his teams to carry the flame, so to speak. So if your teacher's one of the most highly respected creators in the business - what do you suppose they're working on?
We know Pikmin's on the way, and continuations of classic IP are coming at some point. Classics then seem accounted for on the new console.
But. Do they need to be? Wouldn't you think that Nintendo are jaded of the same franchises as well, and want to get their teeth stuck into something new? No reboots, or remakes. New console. New play style. New games.
Wii U's a unique proposition. It'd be great to have unique IP to go along with it. Take a risk. Try something new. Because even fans can become jaded over classics given time.