Following EA's recent bid to acquire Take Two Interative - which owns GTA IV developer, Rockstar - Mike Wilson, CEO of Gamecock Media (Velvet Assassin among others) has questioned the idea of artist-focused video game publishing.
Wilson's comment is obviously angled at recent consolidations within the industry including Activision and Vivendi (Blizzard) and EA's bid for Take Two.
Speaking at an analysts conference call that focused on the Take Two proposal, EA's John Riccitiello said:
He has in fact constantly pushed the point that his company's take-over of Take Two would protect and extend the creative input of Rockstar among others.
Wilson, however, is unsure if the mega-publisher's structure supports this argument, stating:
This is supported by Doug Creutz, a senior research analyst for Cowen and Company, who commented that "it's a great world when a publisher can succeed by leaving developers alone.
"But if they miss a ship date? Is it still OK to leave them alone?"
Grand Theft Auto IV launches worldwide on April 29th. April 30th is the date suggested by Take Two to continue talks with EA.
Source: Mercury News
Wilson's comment is obviously angled at recent consolidations within the industry including Activision and Vivendi (Blizzard) and EA's bid for Take Two.
Speaking at an analysts conference call that focused on the Take Two proposal, EA's John Riccitiello said:
"I wouldn't change a line of code in 'BioShock,' nor would I in GTA, nor would I in 'Max Payne.' I think that many titles these guys have put out are about as good as it gets. What we would do is sell more of it."
He has in fact constantly pushed the point that his company's take-over of Take Two would protect and extend the creative input of Rockstar among others.
Wilson, however, is unsure if the mega-publisher's structure supports this argument, stating:
"The idea of being artist-focused and giving developers autonomy is one thing.
"But when you're shipping 50 or 100 titles a year, it's really hard to say that you're product and artist driven."
"But when you're shipping 50 or 100 titles a year, it's really hard to say that you're product and artist driven."
This is supported by Doug Creutz, a senior research analyst for Cowen and Company, who commented that "it's a great world when a publisher can succeed by leaving developers alone.
"But if they miss a ship date? Is it still OK to leave them alone?"
Grand Theft Auto IV launches worldwide on April 29th. April 30th is the date suggested by Take Two to continue talks with EA.
Source: Mercury News
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Comments
SuperSaiyan4 3 Mar 2008 12:43
1/5
If EA are allowed to keep buying up these developers the games industry will truely be 'f**ked'
I rather Microsoft get in their quick than EA give us all the screw over and mess up more great franchises since they cant make any decent games of their own it seems they are intent on f**king other people's good work instead.
I rather Microsoft get in their quick than EA give us all the screw over and mess up more great franchises since they cant make any decent games of their own it seems they are intent on f**king other people's good work instead.
deleted 3 Mar 2008 13:02
2/5
Thats all well and good EA, but as pointed out if it missed a ship date?
Well GTA already did, and from what we have been hearing is better for it shoudl EA have had its foot in back in october would it be realeased back then missing what it now has?
Stick to doing what you do bets and thats FIFA, NFS and Madden and leave creativity alone, I agree SS4 Microsoft although not my first choice for ownership would at least allow that freedom of development to Rockstar.
Well GTA already did, and from what we have been hearing is better for it shoudl EA have had its foot in back in october would it be realeased back then missing what it now has?
Stick to doing what you do bets and thats FIFA, NFS and Madden and leave creativity alone, I agree SS4 Microsoft although not my first choice for ownership would at least allow that freedom of development to Rockstar.
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Bentley 3 Mar 2008 13:50
3/5
Microsoft? MICROSOFT? Spoken like a true fanboy, SuperSaiyan. A thinly veiled way to praise your lords. If Microsoft bought up Take Two then millions of PS3 and Wii gamers would miss out, and GTA would probably stifle and die if it was forced onto the limitations of Microsoft based systems for the rest of time. But you don't care; you're just happy so long as Microsoft's dick is in your mouth.
Joji 3 Mar 2008 14:16
4/5
I too think this kind of activity is sucking the industry dry of talent, and its tantamount to picking apples, long before they are ripe to eat.
I hope EA don't succeed, otherwise something new may have to come into play, to prevent too much of this.
I hope EA don't succeed, otherwise something new may have to come into play, to prevent too much of this.
Daz 3 Mar 2008 15:03
5/5
to me EA only seem to f**k up games with lisences like The Simpsons games (altho I still enjoy them I can't help but think it would have been a lot better if they'd put some hard work into it), MoH use to be good games (i say "use to" because i haven't played one for awhile now just too many good games coming out at once), C&C games, if only they put that kind of work into games with licences EA would be a better company for it. as for Take-two they'd probably be better off taking out a bank loan, but I don't think either MS, Sony or Nintendo should go after them