Future LEGO Games Need to Retain One Core Part of their Identity

Highlights

• Traveller’s Tales no longer has exclusive rights to LEGO franchise, opening opportunities for other studios.
• LEGO 2K Drive and LEGO Horizon Adventures maintain couch co-op, a key aspect of the franchise.
• Future LEGO games must ensure they offer couch co-op experiences to maintain the franchise’s appeal.

After being the face of the IP for almost two decades, Traveller’s Tales will no longer be the only one working with the LEGO franchise. Due to reports of extensive crunch within the studio during the development of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, the toy brand has elected not to extend its exclusive partnership with the studio. While that does not mean Traveller’s Tales has to stop making LEGO games, it does mean that many other studios are able to craft their own experiences now. And even though that makes it an exciting time for fans of the IP, there is worry that this new direction may not be all good.

So far, this new direction has resulted in the likes of LEGO 2K Drive and the upcoming LEGO Horizon Adventures. Each of those titles may have taken the LEGO brand to new worlds and genres, but at their core, they still have seemingly maintained one of the IP’s greatest assets: couch co-op. However, games like LEGO Fortnite have elected not to include it, and there is a chance future LEGO games will do the same. But that cannot be the case.

LEGO Cannot Forget One of the Best Aspects of its Video Games

The LEGO Franchise Was Built on Couch Co-Op Experiences

Since Traveller’s Tales has been headlining the LEGO brand, players have been treated to a wide assortment of couch co-op experiences. They have been able to explore franchises such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, DC, Marvel, Indiana Jones, and even The Incredibles alone or alongside a friend via classic split-screen gameplay. The fun did not stop there either, as even the massive toys-to-life crossover LEGO Dimensions felt built with that type of experience in mind.

As the gaming industry seems to be moving away from couch co-op in favor of online experiences, the LEGO games have always been a fantastic way to keep that alive. Fans have spent hours exploring these IPs and collecting everything they could with their friends, with many fondly remembering the one they played growing up. Additionally, these experiences have served as fantastic ways for families to play together, especially parents and their children. So far, Traveller’s Tales has shown no interest in letting that fun end, and luckily, it looks like LEGO 2K Drive and LEGO Horizon Adventures have also understood just what has made these experiences so special.

Future LEGO Games Need to Ensure They Still Offer a Similar Gameplay Experience

Now that Traveller’s Tales is not the only one making LEGO games, there are likely dozens of exciting new projects on the way. All of that should help spruce up the LEGO video game landscape considerably and allow the studio to focus on making its next game as good as it can be. At the same time, there is a chance that some of these LEGO games may end up leaving couch co-op behind, but hopefully, that never happens.

While it may just be an off-shoot of Fortnite, LEGO Fortnite has been the first title in this new future that has done away with split-screen. As of now, there is seemingly no way to play this mode via couch co-op, which seems at odds with Fortnite‘s own split-screen mode. Even though the mode seems tailor-made for something like this, it does not seem like Epic has any plans to add one. But hopefully, no other studios will decide to follow its lead.

Couch co-op has become such a core part of the LEGO brand that it would be a shame if it died off as more unique experiences are released. These types of games not only offer something that many AAA developers have decided to leave out, but they also serve as a fantastic way to bring people together, which is one thing LEGO seems to strive to do. So, while the upcoming slate of LEGO games seems to understand its importance, future developers also need to make sure to take notes. Because otherwise, the LEGO brand may lose one of its most special aspects.