Big Huge Games Talks Possibility of Amalur Sequel

By Brian P Rubin | 09 February 2012 | 10 Comments

The best thing that ever happens in video games these days is not simply when a new game is a hit, but when a new game is a hit—and is actually NEW. It’s no secret that publishers suffer from sequel-itis, pumping out expansions and extensions to successful brands. So when a publisher is able to reap rewards from sinking cash into a new IP, it’s good news for everyone.

And, of course, it also means more sequels.

Big Huge Games, the developers behind EA’s newest game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, are hoping that gamers are willing to take a chance on their new fantasy world, which would help motivate funding for the next installment in the game’s series.

“[The game universe] is really big,” said the game’s lead designer, Ian Frazier, in a Eurogamer post. “It’s 10,000 years of history. We could be sick to death of the Age of Arcana, which is where Reckoning is set, and be like, okay, we’ll just pick a different time period or pick a different geography in a different area of the world. It’s pretty darn varied, so we have a lot of stuff to choose from to keep it fresh.”

Frazier goes on to explain what role numbers have in whether or not the publisher will decide to push things ahead for a sequel—noting that, indeed, the fact that it’s the “first” game has an impact on how to interpret sales data:

“It comes down to units sold at the end of the day, but it’s complicated. If the game doesn’t sell that many copies but the critical reception is really good, then our publisher might be like, well, it was the first in a new franchise, we’re going to take a bet and sign you up for another one. If the sales are really good you’re pretty much set no matter what. There’s a pretty big sliding scale there.

“There’s that invisible line where, you sold enough to justify getting a sequel or another project, but not quite enough to get a great budget for it. So it’s like, oh now how are we going to pull it off? That’s the scary zone. That’s what you don’t want. It’s almost better to flop and go out of business than to have to pull something out of your ass and make it happen.

“I’ve been there, man. At my last studio it was like, oh God, this is not possible. Not a place you want to be.”

In terms of critical reception, it seems Amalur’s getting a decent amount of love from most gaming outlets (though not as much love as it might like). Our own Rob Smith gave the game a solid 8 out of 10—and hot damn, that’s good enough for me. What do you think of Amalur? Did you get a copy? Do you want to see a sequel?

Via Eurogamer

10 Comments

Posted by madoublex on 09 February 12 at 12:24pm

Ahh Brian, you and your fancy word play
Posted by Robin on 09 February 12 at 12:25pm

I love KoA:R I can see it getting a sequel, the true question is will the sequel be worth a damn, many good games have had shitty sequels that tarnish that games image.
Posted by Rylet on 09 February 12 at 3:08pm

Keep the same team, start working on it asap, take a few years, expand on the universe, add new content (races, classes, abilities, etc) and don’t screw it up and I’ll be happy :)
Posted by GuyWithAbeard on 09 February 12 at 9:30pm

More polish.
Posted by Helmerdrake on 10 February 12 at 4:47am

I’d be happy with a few expansions… Maybe Scythes (as in what Death carries). Or add to the open world with some new culture/race thing. Also, rebalance the ranged.
Posted by DJ_Aldesso on 10 February 12 at 5:43am

If there is a sequel, i hope they just take the worls and not the character. Make it a spiritual successor. Like Dark souls and demon souls.
Posted by sad pixel on 10 February 12 at 5:48am

i liked it but im not sure if to get it now or later. still havent finished saits row the third and there is darkness 2 and last but not least the fall out new vegas ultimate edition. so much nice games and not enough time to play.
Posted by Cons on 10 February 12 at 10:31am

I love Amalur, and would love to see a sequel.

The only thing thast I thought that was needed in the game was a little polish, and some better explanations for things.
Posted by DeadReck0ning on 10 February 12 at 10:53am

I love this game. I’m still playing through my first playthrough and would still like to see another.
Posted by darth_prince on 10 February 12 at 11:32am

Salvatore wrote 10,000 years of skeleton history. I’d love to see a game set in the Corthian Age. The sequence of events that brought down the Corthians, how and why they decided to release their plague upon the world. Could be good =)

I really hope Amalur does well. I’m loving it so far =)