But if you take into account the business model, the M&M series are a complete fail. They sold a game box for some little sum of bucks and many have pirated it instead of ever paying (i had first had pirated versions, because you couldnt get license in Russia, only after one company bought the rights did Russia see a legal copy of it being sold... like what, 3 years after release?....)Anyway, they sold it for little and gained nothing afterwards. Even though fans are playing it 10 years for now, 3DO or NWC gained absolutely nothing from that replayability. Players could as well abandon it after first walkthrough, it wouldnt matter. The sum paid is just the same.
Therefore, its a pity, but in terms of business, its better to make crappy but seemingly attractive one-shot games that you play and go buy another game. Or make a games with subscription. There is no point to make a long-lasting replayable game without sucking money from the players for every month they play it. It just means they'll purchase less games (since they replay it). Its not economically effective.
And this... just sucks to know that.
