Internet, I’m going to level with you: In the last two weeks I’ve watched a ton of good movies. I saw John Wick Chapter 2, I saw Green Room, which is an excellent indie horror film on Netflix, and I saw The Great Wall, which at the very least was gorgeous.
I also saw the Fifty Shades sequel.
You ever find yourself saying something dumb like, “I would only do that if you paid me”? It turns out that Greg was prepared to pay me. Low Five comped my ticket and popcorn, and at that point I felt obligated because, y’know, it’s my job. I write for you people. I suffer for you people.
Speaking of masochism…

Alright, I haven’t written on video games in a while, so we’re going to do that for a change. Today I want to talk about a phenomenon that’s invaded video games, Hollywood, media in general, really. I’m talking about the concept of a tentpole franchise—that is to say, the tendency to prioritize sequels over new intellectual property.
First, let me start by saying that I understand the mindset: New IP is a gamble 100% of the time. Even if something is exactly the same as another successful video game, there’s no guarantee that fans will latch onto your version in the same way that they’ve latched onto the original. Look at how many games started using chest-high cover mechanics in the wake of Gears of War. Look at how many games still to this day use regenerating health in the wake of the first Halo. But I digress.

With Sunday’s Royal Rumble event now well and truly behind us, it’s time to start looking forwards. Sure, we could dwell on the fact that Randy Orton winning the Royal Rumble is a tired and boring approach to the next four months, but instead of that I’d rather think about the implications for the future. So, bearing that in mind, let’s take an opportunity to think about some scenarios that might happen going forward towards The Showcase of the Immortals.