10 Recent Video Games That Were Too Big To Fail (That Did Anyway)
2. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition
Why It Was "Too Big"
Rockstar's achievements in the mega-budget AAA gaming sphere are basically unparalleled - they've never put out a blockbuster dud, so how could they possibly screw up a remaster trilogy of GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas?
Taking three of the most beloved games of all time and slapping a new coat of paint on them, possibly with a few quality-of-life fixes, should've been the easiest money and acclaim they ever got.
Why It Failed Anyway
Somehow, they screwed up the unscrewupable.
Rockstar's big mistake was outsourcing the project to the evidently ill-equipped outfit Grove Street Games, who simply weren't a caliber developer to take on a project of this scale, or remaster games this beloved.
After a suspiciously quiet marketing push, the games were released to an utterly baffled fanbase, perplexed that the remasters were evidently rushed, thrown together messes full of technical jank and questionable stylistic choices.
The Damage
Despite Rockstar initially stating that the trilogy sold above expectations, stock analysts insist it underperformed, but worse than that it dealt quite the blow to Rockstar's own reputation.
In many respects this was Rockstar's first high-profile dud release, and a firm reminder that even the hallowed titans of the industry aren't beyond a colossal screw-up.
While it's not exactly getting many people less hype for GTA VI, it did prove that Rockstar isn't above shovelling s**t out the door in pursuit of an easy, nostalgia-fuelled payday.