In the early 1990s, Lemmings appeared destined to become a perennial gaming franchise. Developed by DMA Design of Dundee, Scotland, and published by Liverpool-based Psygnosis, the 1991 original became a massive hit across 23 platforms, outselling all other Psygnosis titles by an order of magnitude. Its blend of simplicity and addictiveness made it a mainstream phenomenon alongside Tetris and Sim City, even spawning a U.S. call center for stuck players. However, the franchise flamed out by the millennium, remembered as a kitschy fad rather than an enduring staple like Sim City's evolution into The Sims.

The decline began with Lemmings 2: The Tribes (1993), the third full game after Oh No! More Lemmings. While brilliant for veterans, it replaced the original's eight abilities with 60 spread across twelve tribes, removing gentle tutorials and adding narrative complexity. This sequel was built strictly for existing fans, not newcomers. Subsequent decisions that seemed reasonable at the time — increasing complexity, losing accessibility, and failing to adapt to the emerging casual market — collectively squandered the franchise's early momentum. The series illustrates how a cascade of smaller choices, rather than a single mistake, can doom a once-dominant property.