Ben Starr believes that Legacy of Kain and Final Fantasy are fabulous, but it's time to create new IPs

In a recent panel during the Emerald City Comic-Con 2026, renowned video game actor Ben Starr advocated for a future where the entertainment industry focuses on developing original intellectual properties (IPs), rather than continuing to rely on established franchises.

Starr, known for his roles in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy 16, expressed his desire to participate in a possible new installment of the Legacy of Kain series, but emphasized that innovation must be the priority.

The media cannot feed solely on the old

“I have been very vocal about how I would love to be part of the Legacy of Kain franchise,” Starr commented. However, he added that the conversation of that day should focus on the original concepts that are gaining traction today.

“In 2026, the original IP should be king. We shouldn’t be looking back,” he asserted during the discussion.

Starr emphasized that, although titles like Resident Evil continue to offer successful products, the industry must strive to create new characters and worlds that enrich the player’s experience. Pointing out the current context, he mentioned that many of the most exciting games of the year are creations from independent developers, while most AAA releases are continuations or remakes.

“Ingenious games cannot be built if they do not align with what the stock market considers acceptable,” criticized Starr, suggesting that this pressure limits innovation in the industry. Although established franchises provide security to investors, the actor argues that the creation of new IPs must be the future direction of the industry, to inspire the next generations of creators and players.

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