The failure of Anthem is what happens when publishers become greedy and focus on micro transactions rather than actual gameplay, I hope they can turn it around, I'll give it a look then.
It is also what happens when developers are forced into genres that are outside of their wheelhouse. How many studios have EA axed after they did this to them?
I remember Visceral Games finding success with games like Dead Space and Dante's Inferno. Then EA decided that they should make Battlefield Hardline and then a (reportedly cancelled) Star War title called "Project Ragtag".
One has to wonder what would have happened if they got more creative freedom. Similarly, one has to wonder what Mass Effect Andromeda could have been if Bioware Montreal wasn't forced to use Frostbite.
Fully agree with everything you said !
If I remember correctly Anthem and Andromeda were both restarted several times with the teams having to start completely from scratch each time due to EA's mismanagement, Especially Anthem as that was severely rushed and the team pushed it out in around 8-10 months if I remember correctly.
Andromeda's team had some seriously toxic individuals like Manveer Heir who is unbelievably racist and spouts anti-white rhetoric 24/7 and makes some really pathetic excuses as to why he does, Bioware cut ties with him pretty quickly after Andromeda came out.
EA for once did the right thing though with Jedi Fallen Order and gave Respawn room to breathe especially with them switching to Unreal Engine, It gave them a hell of a lot more creative freedom.
Anthem was one of a few titles in recent years I was SUPER stoked for. I didn't buy it because EA but was eagerly awaiting consumer reviews on Reddit, etc. Glad I didn't but so sad. Loved the Iron Man type feel to the game. Beta was so much fun(albeit buggy as heck)
Given the lack of content, its actually really fun, but repetitive.
I mentioned quite some time ago that they were planning an overhaul of Anthem.
The comments leaked from bioware were that it will be Anthem 2.0 not a sequel.
Pretty much what squaresoft did with FF14. Overhauled everything and went back to basics. Question is if they rerwite the whole thing, or introduce it in packs or major patches.
personally I would say scrap the current version or set it aside for those still having fun, and work on an entirely new Anthem. A sequel isnt needed. Its so dead now, that missions take up to 3min to start loading because it cant find other players.
I did enjoy it alot! the weapons were a little lacklustre though and needed more unique versions. Currently the end game exotics are the same name as your base rare weapon, but just higher stats. I wanted to see named exotics like that which you see in Destiny 2.
And I must say, Anthem with a 2080ti and DLSS. HOLY MOLY its beautiful. I found myself watching a waterfall mesmerized for some time.
Having only played the beta, personally I would say keep the movement system if they decide to go full makeover. I personally loved it. Now it's not much time with it but that was about the only fun thing I can remember.
The movement will be the same. Its actually a little better than beta. The weapons, loot, stats mechanics will all be scrapped and re done though.