10 Fatal Video Games That Killed Popular Franchises

A masterpiece of the survival horror genre, Dead Space was a genuine triumph, and the sequel wasn’t too shabby either. Unfortunately, in 2013, EA remembered how much they love money, and decided to steer the series away from its survival horror roots towards a more action orientated style of gameplay, even emphasising co-op multiplayer. Dead Space 3 also introduced a terrible microtransaction system, effectively neutering the franchise for good.

In fairness, the game was also expected to outperform previous entries in the series, and ultimately failed to meet EA's ridiculous expectations. In the end, it sold less than both previous instalments, and was considered a commercial failure by the company, despite being the highest selling game in the month of its release.

Currently, there are no plans to continue the franchise, meaning a fourth instalment in the series is incredibly unlikely. EA might attempt to reboot the series in a couple of years, but honestly, after the dismal efforts of Dead Space 3, what would be the point?

Dead Space was perhaps the last, great survival horror franchise; Dead Space 3 however, was another generic console shooter, complete with action set-pieces, quick-time-events and microtransactions.

I say: let it stay dead.