Commercially-successful software is both a blessing and a curse. While profitability can birth a beloved franchise (think “Gears of War” or “Resistance”), it can also justify numerous installments of “Carnival Games.” Perhaps equally troubling is when a franchise becomes so profitable that the developer and publisher deem it necessary to produce a new iteration each year. Though not always a problem, this can certainly lead to titles that become nothing more than a new set list or updated roster.

What’s next for the LEGO cash cow?  Find out, after the jump.

I was a huge fan of the three “Mario Party” games for the Nintendo 64. Though I still enjoy the franchise, I feel that the formula has become extremely tired.  Traveller’s Tales LEGO franchise, while not currently at the point of over saturation, could certainly be considered a candidate to head down the annual-cash-in-game trail.

The LEGO games, which include titles based on the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” universes, have become immensely popular among gamers of all ages. The toy-based titles are easily accessible due to the simple, pick-up-and-play co-op gameplay, but also boast some depth with the numerous unlockables hidden on the discs. Plus, it isn’t hard to find an audience for games starring Darth Vader and Short Round. I bet even a monkey could do it. Though, the amount of poo flung in the process would be rather disturbing.

“LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game,” which was the first of Traveller’s Tales’ toy-based titles, released in March 2005. Since then, three more LEGO games have shipped (”Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,” “Star Wars: The Complete Saga” and “Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures”) with a fourth game set to release later this month. That title, “LEGO Batman: The Videogame,” is scheduled to ship on September 23.

Rich Earl, the producer of the aforementioned “LEGO Batman,” recently told Eurogamer that Traveller’s Tales plans to continue developing the block-based games, but will not allow the quality of future titles to dip.

According to Earl:

There’s an expectation now that there would be a LEGO game per year, and we certainly feel that one or two games would be the right amount per year, otherwise there’d be a saturation of LEGO games and they’d lose the charm. As long we continue to make good games, and the gameplay doesn’t get tired, then there’s no reason why we can’t continue to use the LEGO franchise and brings these famous characters to life.

Excuse me while I place my hand firmly on the overkill button.

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