Expanding a video game franchise can be a tough road, but it can also be a lucrative one. After all, successful franchises like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Assassin’s Creed have done just that, and have raked in billions of dollars for their developers. So, how can you scale your video game franchise to reach the same heights? Here are some key steps to follow:
Understanding the Basics of Franchise Scaling
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to first understand what we mean by “franchise scaling.” Essentially, this term refers to the process of expanding a video game franchise beyond its initial release. This could involve creating sequels, spin-offs, or adaptations across multiple platforms.
Franchise scaling is a crucial aspect of video game development that allows developers to take their franchise to new heights. By expanding the franchise beyond its original boundaries, developers can keep their fans engaged and interested, generate revenue, and attract a wider audience.
What is Franchise Scaling?
Franchise scaling is the process by which a video game franchise is enlarged beyond its original boundaries. This might include releasing sequels, spin-offs, or adaptations on different platforms. The goal of franchise scaling is to expand the reach of the franchise and keep fans engaged and interested in the franchise.
For example, the popular video game franchise, Assassin’s Creed, has been scaled through the release of multiple sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations across different platforms. This has allowed the franchise to attract a wider audience and generate more revenue.
The Importance of Scaling in Video Game Development
Scaling is important for several reasons. For starters, it can help generate revenue and increase brand recognition by keeping fans engaged and interested in your franchise. By releasing new games or adaptations, developers can keep their fans excited and invested in the franchise.
Scaling can also help you attract a wider audience, as different players may be drawn to different games or platforms within your franchise. For example, a player who enjoys playing mobile games may be drawn to a mobile adaptation of a franchise, while a player who prefers console gaming may be drawn to a console version of the franchise.
Furthermore, scaling can help developers test new ideas and experiment with different genres. By releasing spin-offs or adaptations in new genres, developers can test the waters and see how fans react to new gameplay mechanics or storylines.
Key Factors to Consider Before Scaling
Before you start scaling your franchise, it’s important to consider a few key factors. These include the strength of your existing franchise, the loyalty of your fanbase, and the feasibility of expanding onto other platforms or into new genres.
It’s important to make sure your development team has the expertise and resources necessary to take on the challenges of scaling. Scaling a franchise can be a daunting task, and developers need to be prepared to face the challenges that come with it.
Another important factor to consider is the timing of the scaling. Developers need to make sure that they are not scaling their franchise too quickly or too slowly. Scaling too quickly can lead to burnout and a lack of quality in the games, while scaling too slowly can lead to a loss of interest from fans.
Overall, franchise scaling is an important aspect of video game development that allows developers to expand their franchise, generate revenue, and attract a wider audience. By considering the key factors before scaling, developers can ensure that they are making the right decisions for their franchise and their fans.
Building a Strong Foundation for Your Franchise
Now that you understand the basics of franchise scaling, it’s time to start building a foundation for your franchise to grow from. Here are some key steps to take:
Developing a Unique and Engaging Game Concept
The first step in building a successful franchise is to create a game that players will love. This means coming up with a unique and engaging game concept that sets your franchise apart from the competition. Whether you’re creating a first-person shooter or a puzzle game, your game should offer something new and exciting to players.
When developing your game concept, it’s important to consider your target audience. What kind of games do they enjoy playing? What kind of experiences do they want from a game? By understanding your audience, you can create a game that meets their needs and expectations.
Another important aspect of developing a successful game concept is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry. This will help you create a game that is not only unique but also relevant and appealing to players.
Creating a Solid Business Plan
Once you have a game concept in mind, it’s important to create a solid business plan. This should include details on how you will finance your game, how you will market it to potential players, and how you will measure its success. It’s also important to consider any risks involved in developing your game.
When creating your business plan, it’s important to be realistic about your goals and expectations. Don’t overestimate your potential revenue or underestimate your expenses. It’s also important to have a contingency plan in case things don’t go as planned.
Another important aspect of creating a successful business plan is to research your competition. What are they doing well? What are their weaknesses? By understanding your competition, you can create a plan that sets your franchise apart and gives you a competitive edge.
Establishing a Talented Development Team
Your development team is the backbone of your franchise, so it’s important to find talented individuals with experience in video game development. Look for developers with a range of skills, including programming, art design, and storytelling.
When building your development team, it’s important to consider not only their skills but also their personality and work ethic. You want a team that can work well together and is passionate about creating a successful franchise.
Another important aspect of building a talented development team is to provide them with the resources they need to succeed. This includes access to the latest technology and tools, as well as ongoing training and support.
Securing Intellectual Property Rights
Once you have a strong foundation in place, it’s important to protect your franchise by securing intellectual property rights. This means trademarking your franchise name, registering copyrights for your game concepts and designs, and patenting any unique technology or gameplay elements.
When securing your intellectual property rights, it’s important to work with a qualified attorney who specializes in intellectual property law. They can help you navigate the complex legal landscape and ensure that your franchise is fully protected.
Another important aspect of securing your intellectual property rights is to monitor for infringement. This means keeping an eye out for any unauthorized use of your franchise name, game concepts, or designs, and taking legal action if necessary.
Expanding Your Franchise Through Sequels and Spin-offs
Once your franchise has achieved success with its initial release, it’s time to start thinking about expansion. Here are some key steps to follow:
Identifying Opportunities for Sequels
If your first game was successful, the easiest way to expand your franchise may be through sequels. Look for opportunities to continue the story or introduce new gameplay mechanics that build on the success of the first game. Make sure sequels feel like natural extensions of your franchise, rather than just rehashing old content.
For example, if your first game was a racing game, consider adding new tracks, vehicles, and customization options in the sequel. Or, if your first game was a puzzle game, consider adding new types of puzzles or new ways to interact with the game world.
Another way to identify opportunities for sequels is to listen to feedback from your players. Take note of what they enjoyed most about the first game and what they would like to see in future games. This can help guide your development process and ensure that your sequels are well-received by your fanbase.
Exploring Spin-off Ideas and Concepts
In addition to sequels, you can also expand your franchise through spin-offs. This might involve developing a new game centered around a secondary character or exploring a different genre within your franchise universe. Again, make sure any spin-offs feel relevant and exciting to your fanbase.
For example, if your franchise is set in a fantasy world, you could develop a spin-off game that focuses on a particular character’s backstory or explores a different region of the world. Or, if your franchise is a first-person shooter, you could develop a spin-off game that focuses on stealth or puzzle-solving.
When developing spin-offs, it’s important to consider how they fit into the larger franchise universe. Make sure they don’t contradict any established lore or mechanics, and ensure that they feel like natural extensions of the franchise.
Balancing Innovation and Familiarity
When developing sequels and spin-offs, it’s important to strike a balance between innovation and familiarity. You want to introduce new elements that keep players interested, but also maintain familiarity with the franchise’s core mechanics and themes that fans already love.
One way to balance innovation and familiarity is to focus on small, incremental changes rather than drastic overhauls. For example, you could introduce a new gameplay mechanic that builds on an existing mechanic, or add a new character that fits in with the established world and themes of the franchise.
Another way to balance innovation and familiarity is to listen to feedback from your players. Take note of what they enjoyed most about the first game and what they would like to see in future games. This can help guide your development process and ensure that your sequels and spin-offs are well-received by your fanbase.
Maintaining Consistency Across Titles
Finally, it’s important to maintain consistency across all titles in your franchise. This means ensuring that each new game feels like a natural extension of your franchise universe, rather than a completely unrelated experience. This includes factors like art style, music, and overall tone.
Consistency can help build a strong brand identity for your franchise and make it more recognizable to players. It can also help ensure that players who enjoyed one game in your franchise will be interested in playing future games.
One way to maintain consistency is to establish a style guide for your franchise. This can include guidelines for art style, music, and overall tone, as well as guidelines for how new games should fit into the larger franchise universe. By following this style guide, you can ensure that each new game in your franchise feels like a natural extension of the franchise.
Leveraging Cross-Platform Opportunities
Finally, it’s important to think about how you can leverage cross-platform opportunities to expand your franchise even further. Here are some key steps to follow:
Adapting Your Franchise for Different Platforms
If your game was initially released on one platform, consider adapting it for other platforms like consoles, mobile, or PC. This can help you reach a wider audience and generate more revenue.
Exploring Mobile Gaming Possibilities
Mobile gaming is an increasingly popular way to expand video game franchises. Consider creating a mobile version of your game or developing a completely new game specifically for mobile devices.
Embracing Cloud Gaming and Streaming Services
As cloud gaming and streaming services become more common, consider adapting your franchise to these platforms as well. This can open up new possibilities for players to experience your game.
Navigating Platform-Specific Challenges
Finally, it’s important to remember that each platform comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities. Make sure your development team is aware of these challenges and can adapt your franchise to meet them effectively.
Scaling your video game franchise is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. By following these key steps, however, you can successfully expand your franchise and reach new heights of success.
