Video Game Franchises That Get Too Much Hate Examining The Reasons

It's no secret that the gaming community is passionate, and that passion sometimes manifests as strong opinions, even excessive hate, towards certain video game franchises. While criticism is a natural part of any creative medium, some franchises seem to consistently draw an unusual amount of ire. This article delves into some of the video game franchises that have become lightning rods for excessive hate, exploring the potential reasons behind the negativity and examining whether or not the criticism is warranted. It's important to remember that opinions are subjective, and what one gamer dislikes, another may love. However, by understanding the common arguments and criticisms leveled against these franchises, we can gain a more nuanced perspective on the complex relationship between developers, publishers, and the gaming community.

Call of Duty: The Annual Iteration Issue

Call of Duty (CoD) is arguably one of the biggest names in the first-person shooter genre, and its popularity is undeniable. However, this very popularity seems to fuel the flames of its most vocal critics. One of the primary complaints leveled against the Call of Duty franchise is its annual release cycle. This rapid release schedule, critics argue, leads to a sense of stagnation, with each new installment feeling more like an incremental update than a genuine innovation. The core gameplay loop, while polished and addictive, remains largely unchanged year after year, leading to accusations of re-skinning and milking the franchise for profit. Many gamers feel that the focus on yearly releases compromises the quality of the individual games, as developers are seemingly pressured to meet deadlines rather than prioritize innovation and polish.

Another point of contention within the Call of Duty community revolves around the game's monetization practices. The introduction of loot boxes, microtransactions, and season passes has been met with significant backlash, with many players feeling that these features detract from the core gameplay experience and create a pay-to-win environment. While cosmetic items are generally accepted, the inclusion of gameplay-affecting items within loot boxes is seen as particularly egregious, as it gives players who are willing to spend more money an unfair advantage. The debate over the ethics of microtransactions in full-priced games is ongoing, and Call of Duty is often at the center of this discussion.

Despite the criticisms, Call of Duty's enduring popularity cannot be ignored. The franchise's fast-paced, action-packed gameplay, combined with its robust multiplayer modes, continues to attract millions of players worldwide. However, the annual release cycle and monetization practices remain significant points of contention, and it remains to be seen whether Activision will address these concerns in future installments. The hate Call of Duty receives is often tied to the perception that it prioritizes profit over innovation, a criticism that resonates with many long-time fans of the franchise. Ultimately, the future of Call of Duty will depend on its ability to balance commercial success with the demands of its passionate, and often critical, player base.

FIFA/EA Sports FC: The King of Sports Games, and its Discontents

FIFA, now rebranded as EA Sports FC, reigns supreme as the king of sports video games. Its realistic gameplay, comprehensive licensing agreements, and immersive atmosphere have captivated millions of football fans worldwide. However, like Call of Duty, FIFA's immense popularity comes with a significant amount of scrutiny, and the franchise has become a target for considerable excessive hate. The core of the criticism against FIFA centers around its Ultimate Team mode, a virtual trading card game where players build their dream squads and compete online. While Ultimate Team can be incredibly addictive, it's also heavily reliant on microtransactions, leading to accusations of pay-to-win mechanics and predatory practices.

The cost of building a competitive Ultimate Team squad can be substantial, and players often feel pressured to spend real money on packs of virtual player cards in the hope of acquiring top-tier talent. The odds of obtaining the rarest and most desirable players are often incredibly low, leading to frustration and a sense of exploitation among players. The randomized nature of pack openings, combined with the potential for significant financial investment, has drawn comparisons to gambling and raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable individuals, particularly younger players. The hate FIFA gets is often rooted in the feeling that EA prioritizes profits from Ultimate Team over the overall quality of the game.

Beyond Ultimate Team, FIFA has also been criticized for its perceived lack of innovation in other game modes, particularly Career Mode. While Ultimate Team receives regular updates and new features, Career Mode, which allows players to manage a football club over multiple seasons, has remained largely unchanged for years, leading to complaints of stagnation and neglect. Many fans feel that Career Mode has the potential to be a much deeper and more engaging experience, but that EA's focus on Ultimate Team has stifled its development. The community's desire for a more robust and immersive Career Mode experience is a recurring theme in the criticism leveled against FIFA.

Despite the criticisms, FIFA's enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and its ability to capture the excitement of football. The gameplay is generally well-regarded, and the game's presentation is top-notch. However, the reliance on microtransactions in Ultimate Team remains a major point of contention, and EA's response to these concerns will likely shape the future of the franchise. Balancing the profitability of Ultimate Team with the demands of players who want a fair and engaging experience across all game modes is a challenge that EA must address to maintain FIFA's position as the king of sports games.

Assassin's Creed: Open World Fatigue and Formulaic Gameplay

Assassin's Creed (AC) is another major franchise that has faced its fair share of excessive hate. Known for its sprawling open worlds, historical settings, and stealth-action gameplay, Assassin's Creed has captivated players for over a decade. However, the franchise has also been criticized for its increasingly formulaic gameplay, its reliance on open-world tropes, and its sometimes convoluted storylines. One of the primary criticisms against Assassin's Creed is the feeling of open-world fatigue. The games often feature vast and beautiful environments, but these worlds can also feel empty and devoid of meaningful content. Players often find themselves completing repetitive side quests and collecting numerous items scattered across the map, leading to a sense of tedium and a feeling that the open world is more of a chore than a genuine source of exploration and discovery. The hate Assassin's Creed receives is sometimes tied to the feeling that the open world is bloated with filler content.

The gameplay in Assassin's Creed has also been criticized for becoming increasingly formulaic over time. Each game tends to follow a similar structure, with players progressing through a linear storyline while completing side quests and unlocking new skills and equipment. The combat system, while visually impressive, can feel simplistic and repetitive, and the stealth mechanics, a core element of the franchise, are sometimes inconsistent and unreliable. The feeling of repetition is a common complaint among players who have followed the franchise for many years, and there's a desire for more innovation and experimentation in gameplay.

However, it's important to acknowledge that Assassin's Creed has also made significant strides in recent years. The franchise has undergone a soft reboot with games like Assassin's Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, which have introduced RPG elements, expanded the combat system, and offered more player choice. These changes have been met with a mixed response, with some players praising the new direction and others lamenting the shift away from the franchise's stealth-action roots. The ongoing debate within the Assassin's Creed community reflects the challenges that developers face when trying to evolve a long-running franchise while also staying true to its core identity. The future of Assassin's Creed will likely depend on Ubisoft's ability to balance the desire for innovation with the expectations of its established fanbase.

Other Franchises That Receive Notable Hate

While Call of Duty, FIFA, and Assassin's Creed are prominent examples of franchises that receive excessive hate, they are not the only ones. Other notable examples include:

• Madden NFL: Similar to FIFA, Madden NFL is criticized for its annual release cycle, its reliance on microtransactions in Ultimate Team, and its perceived lack of innovation in core gameplay modes.
• Destiny: Destiny and Destiny 2 have faced criticism for their loot-driven gameplay, their sometimes convoluted storylines, and their reliance on expansions and season passes for new content.
• Final Fantasy: While beloved by many, the Final Fantasy franchise has also faced criticism for its inconsistent quality, its sometimes polarizing gameplay changes, and its perceived shift away from traditional JRPG elements.
• Pokémon: The Pokémon franchise, despite its enduring popularity, has faced criticism for its sometimes repetitive gameplay, its perceived lack of graphical improvements, and its handling of competitive battling.

Why the Hate? Understanding the Roots of Criticism

The hate directed towards these video game franchises often stems from a complex interplay of factors. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Annual Release Cycles: As mentioned earlier, annual releases can lead to a sense of stagnation and a perception that developers are prioritizing quantity over quality.
• Monetization Practices: Microtransactions, loot boxes, and other monetization schemes can be seen as predatory and can detract from the core gameplay experience.
• Lack of Innovation: If a franchise remains largely unchanged over time, players may become bored and feel that the games are becoming stale.
• Unfulfilled Expectations: When a new game fails to live up to the hype or doesn't meet the expectations of fans, it can lead to disappointment and anger.
• Franchise Fatigue: Simply put, players can get tired of a franchise, even if they enjoyed it in the past.
• Nostalgia and the Past Glory: Sometimes, hate comes from comparing a new entry to a beloved classic, often through nostalgia glasses, making it hard for new games to measure up.

Conclusion: Navigating the Complex Relationship Between Games and Gamers

The excessive hate directed towards certain video game franchises highlights the complex and often passionate relationship between developers, publishers, and the gaming community. While criticism is a natural and necessary part of any creative medium, it's important to distinguish between constructive feedback and outright negativity. Understanding the reasons behind the criticism can help developers address legitimate concerns and improve their games. However, it's also important to remember that opinions are subjective, and what one gamer dislikes, another may love. Ultimately, the success of a video game franchise depends on its ability to balance commercial success with the demands of its passionate, and often critical, player base. The ongoing dialogue between developers and players is crucial for shaping the future of these franchises and ensuring that they continue to provide engaging and enjoyable experiences for years to come. Whether the hate is justified or not is a matter of personal opinion, but the conversation surrounding these franchises is undoubtedly a vital part of the gaming landscape. Understanding the nuances of these discussions allows us to appreciate the passion and dedication that gamers bring to the hobby, even when that passion manifests as criticism.