Slang Term for Weak Game Variants?

[Ze_ro]

Are there any slang term for games that companies release simultaneously under slightly different titles with only slightly different content? I'm referring of course to games like the various Pokemon series (Red/Blue/Yellow, etc), and many handheld series that followed suit, such as the Mega Man Star Force games.

If such a term doesn't exist, we should invent one. I'm thinking something that works as a noun, is relatively short (ie, slang), does not tie it to any specific company, and reflects both the extreme similarity in the games as well as the blatant greed of the company that released them.

--Zero

[davidbrit2]

I say we go with "cloneware".

[The 1 2 P]

The only ones I can think of are numbers, such as Madden '08 and Madden '09. Then you have Final Fantasy 7, 10, 55, 82. Pretty much the same games(for both series) with slightly better graphics and updated rosters/feminine heroes.

As for a name we can call the new versions, how about "infinity". I mean, it's not like they will stop making them anytime soon. "To infinity and ad naseum."

[Sudo]

The only ones I can think of are numbers, such as Madden '08 and Madden '09. Then you have Final Fantasy 7, 10, 55, 82. Pretty much the same games(for both series) with slightly better graphics and updated rosters/feminine heroes.

As for a name we can call the new versions, how about "infinity". I mean, it's not like they will stop making them anytime soon. "To infinity and ad naseum."

You're not seriously comparing Final Fantasy sequels to yearly Madden roster updates, are you? The FF games are completely different with no ties to each other with the exception of things like chocobos, moogles, airships and characters named Cid.

[Matt Antonellis]

Shovelware?

...Maddenware? Close enough.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Palette-swapware

[Vectorman0]

I really like davidbrit's term. It's really only for games that are near identical and released simultaneously, or very near simultaneously. So Pokemon Red/Blue would be cloneware, but Pokemon Yellow wouldn't be since it was released later on. Ze_ro came up with a good term for this - "Trailing clone."

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I think "clone" is a slang for bootleg HK hardware that's already pretty rooted in the gaming vernacular ...

and since these are legitimate retail products and not bootlegs ... I don't think we've nailed the new slang quite yet.

We need something that expresses companies' desire to essentially release the same product with minimal differences and a merciless desire to double their profits on what is essentially the same game ...

[TonyTheTiger]

Do they actually accomplish that though? I've always gotten the impression that the vast majority of consumers pick one or the other and simply use linking features with friends to get the "full" experience. Trading Pokémon, etc. I don't know too many people who buy the variations.

As for slang...why not just call them what they are? Variantware. They vary slightly from each other but not in any substantial way.

And I wouldn't consider Madden (or any other sports sim for that matter) to be the same as Pokémon. Even if the games were just roster updates (which most of the time they aren't though in some cases it might be better if they were) it's more akin to game patches that just aren't downloadable. Much like an upgrade/modification of a previous game. Street Fighter II': Champion Edition, Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, Guilty Gear X2 #Reload, etc. rather than two or three games released together that vary only slightly from one another.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Variantware ain't bad.

And I think that Nintendo knows in the case of a game like Pokemon, X amount will buy version A, X amount will buy version B, and X WILL buy A and B.

While the buy both group is probably the smallest group ... it's probably enough profit-wise to warrant the trend being continued (and aped by other companies).

[Kitsune Sniper]

I really like cloneware. Looks like this thread just spawned a few new terms. Let's make sure they get used. :P

[TonyTheTiger]

Quick, make a Wikipedia entry!

[rcc8756]

How about POS.

[gum_drops]

What about Dissociative Identity Disorder Ware or "DIDware"

[dendawg]

Since most of the games that fall into this category are Pokemon, how about "Pokeware?"

[mailman187666]

I like variant ware, but it seems a little too long to be a slang word, where is clone ware is basically the same thing but easier to say. Just my 2 cents anyway.

[Cryomancer]

Dupeware? Doubleware? BITware, for Buy it Twice? Dunno, but this is definately something that could use a term.

[AB Positive]

Milkware

designed to milk as much cash as possible out of the cash cow. Milkware. Mooo.

[Cryomancer]

Nice suggestion.

[Kid Fenris]

As long as we're needlessly making up words that we'll have to explain each time we use them, let's call these games "Cockbot Bumbledicks."