How Lemmings Lost Its Way: The Inside Story of a Franchise's Downfall
The Lamentable Later Life of Lemmings
Lemmings seemed destined to become a gaming perennial after its 1991 debut, selling millions across 24 platforms. But DMA Design's sequel, The Tribes, added complexity that alienated casual players, and the follow-up, All New World of Lemmings, was a rushed, unfun mess. With Psygnosis distracted by Sony's PlayStation and a TV deal collapsing, the franchise flamed out by 1994, remembered more as a kitschy fad than an enduring icon.
I couldn’t think of any new way to take Lemmings at this point.
- thedrexster
Man, the soundtrack of the original Lemmings is indelibly etched into my brain -- cheery MIDI tracks of everything from classical music to folk tunes.
- bluedino
So many parallels with Angry Birds.
Appeals to all groups, released on every platform. Then come the sequels, special editions (like Christmas Lemmings), and then it just kind of faded away.
Lemmings just didn't get a movie and merchandising.
- herniatedeel
Quite the line: "a case of mordant laddish humor ramming slightly askew."