This is actually a very good question, and quite relevant given the number of quick direct sequels these days. Of course we can also look at the all-time worst sequel-lag ever given that Duke Nukem Forever actually came out not that long ago. The direct sequels usually aren't RPGs, but that's what we'll focus in on.

I think it all depends on the type of story resolution and quality of characters. For example, if your game ends like Mass Effect 2 does, setting up for an epic final encounter, you're going to want to cash in on that as soon as possible. If the ending is more ambiguous like the different ways that Dragon Age Origins ends, you can probably take a longer time to do a sequel (not really counting Dragon Age 2 as a direct sequel since it doesn't really involve the same characters). Something like Final Fantasy VII is an example of something that could have used a sequel much sooner since it has a pretty ambiguous ending.

That's the eternal question. It certainly seemed to work well, sales wise, for the Final Fantasy VII sequel games, but I don't think it's going to work like that for everything. Waiting too long is certainly a risk. I think it works for something like Final Fantasy VII because there are other Final Fantasy games in-between. Though they don't relate to each other, it keeps the brand going and people are more likely to go back and play the older games, and then perhaps find an interest in direct sequels. On the other hand, something like Duke Nukem Forever there was nothing new for a long time, other than new jokes about the length of the development time for the game. It was doomed to failure. In the age of voice actors, waiting on a direct sequel is much more dangerous. Heck, even the Assassin's Creed series couldn't get the voice actor for the original hero back for the most recent game (Revelations).

Yeah I think these factors certainly need to be taken into consideration. At the same time, developers should also consider if a story even allows for a sequel. As much as I love and enjoy Chrono Cross, I don't think Chrono Trigger's story really calls for a sequel. They would have been better off just doing another game in the same style. I think if the story points to an obvious sequel, they shouldn't wait too long to do a sequel, but also shouldn't just throw it out there. Kingdom Hearts had a nice break between the two games, but they've done a few too many prequels and such in the interim after II. Still, at least two of those (3D and Birth By Sleep) are quite good and had decent enough stories so we basically got sequels, only none called III just yet. The 'mini-sequels' can be quite good to patch the gap between games but you run the risk of creating franchise fatigue. By the time a proper sequel is out people may not care anymore. Of course on the flip side, if you do no games in that gap it could be just as worse, lessening the awareness of the series.

I don't think there's any perfect lag time, but we can create some general guidelines. If the game leaves story unresolved with voiced main characters, the sequel should happen within around two years to ensure continuity of cast and resolution to the story (or at least the next part of the story). If the story is resolved or at least one major chapter of it is resolved, the lag time can be much longer. If the lag time gets too long, then prequels or other side games or re-releases are a good way to keep people thinking about the series (Dragon Age II kind of does this since it doesn't really resolve anything from the first game's story). Sequels to games from years ago should be preceded by a re-release or update of the original game. Something like Assassin's Creed that switches between historical periods while following an overall narrative works fine as yearly releases, but in most cases super quick sequel releases should be avoided. Need to build that hype! I look forward to the sequel to this letter.

Excellent! Your Monster Hunter questions were good, but these are so much better! Monster Hunter is a franchise that has struggled to find a hold in the West. Though the original didn't do much despite being on the PS2, I've always thought that a proper release on the 360 or PS3 would get people interested. Of course it now looks like the franchise will stay on Nintendo consoles, so I think what Capcom needs to do is get Nintendo's marketing power behind the franchise. Hopefully the Wii U game will be as successful as the Wii game seemed to be!

I doubt the cost of localizing the Monster Hunter MMO are that great, I think its more of an issue of none of the console MMOs doing all too much. They would likely have to retool the game into some kind of free-to-play model which seems like a risky venture at best. The MMO market is too flooded here and I'm not sure even the loyal Monster Hunter fanbase would provide enough active users to make the game generate a profit for Capcom. As for the second question, IP blocking the Japanese servers makes no sense to me. They may not be a huge number, but why block more potential customers? I don't get it.

I agree 100%. I can't really think up a good reason why they would need to do the IP blocking. Sometimes companies just do odd things!

Yeah there is a ton of risk here and I'm not sure why they're bothering with it. Obviously you do want them all to be in the same setting with the same back story and such, but connecting anything story related more than that can be tough. I would expect Shadowrun Returns to have some element of choice to its story so how does that reconcile to the other two projects where things need to be set more in stone? How will events and elements of the computer games work in the table top game where people will want to create their own stories? I agree they need to work together on the setting, but they shouldn't go too far.

Oh this is good stuff, so please send more!

Maybe we just didn't know any better? I spent countless late nights playing epic games of Goldeneye with friends but we would all probably hate the controls for that game now. The N64 was the ultimate party game machine, and its a shame that split screen gaming has fallen by the wayside since then.

I'm sure! I played so much N64 back in the day. Lots of Goldeneye, Turok, Shadow of the Empire, Mario Kart, Perfect Dark, I could go on and on.

I actually don't think I ever played that game shockingly, whenever I tried to remember what it was my brain just kept making me think of that PS1 game Jet Moto. Based on what you've said I know that's not right. Your description of surviving the second area does not sound like a jet ski game!

Of course those games are still great. Heck earlier Bomberman games can still provide some amazing multiplayer. Mario Party seemed to be the ultimate party game, not requiring much in the way of skill and just being good goofy fun. Not the best thing ever but great at what it does even if it does cause injuries from repeated motions!

I didn't player Banjo Kazooie until later when it got a release on Xbox live but there's no doubt that is a quality platformer. The N64 days saw Rare going out from their Nintendo development time with a bang (they didn't do much of note on the GameCube). It's a shame Microsoft never managed to do much with them.

Ogre Battle 64 is an amazing title, which is good considering it is one of only a few RPGs on the system. I'm sad the series seemed to just stop there outside of some more tactical games. I love the tactical RPGs but the main series' games are just as good! I never played much of Quest 64 since it wasn't all that great, but you are right that it at least tried some different things. It was far from a generic JRPG.

Other than the ones I've mentioned, I enjoyed the Gauntlet games on N64. They weren't amazing but provided a good platform for RPG type co-op. There was also Smash Bros but that goes without saying. My favorite games on the system will always be Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. I put so many hours into those two games and would gladly do so again. People will grumble at me for saying this but I say that Zelda is always better in 3D!

Anyway, thanks for the nostalgia, see you on twitter!