Perhaps the correct statement is "don't clone unless it's going to make you money"

yes, that might be more precise. but then again, the same game with better marketing is sort of "doing it better".

guess it depends on whether you lump production and marketing together. but this thread is about design, not marketing, although both are integral to the financial success of a title.

popular games types with little or no replay value might be a good category for cloning. fans of such games require a never ending supply of new titles to play through.