The Gaming Industry: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Scrooged]

This isn’t Blizzard anymore or the Blizzard I used to believe in. It’s Activision now. When Morihane jumped ship the writing was on the wall.

They have no new games for 2019, that’s a whole year with only a Warcraft 3 repackage? A game played to death years ago? The only thing Blizzard has right now is overwatch and the community is so damn toxic even that one is getting hard to stomach.

Nah the old Blizzard is dead and the best I can hope for is the old group gets back together and starts a new company. Hate to be negative but no matter how much you shine a turd it’s still a turd. I missed a bunch of great games during my WoW overdose and I’m having fun knocking out my backlog.

I agree. This is not a good sign. Restructuring is all well and good, but to be very cavalier about it when you’ve posted record profits shows where your priorities are as a CEO- and that speaks volumes about the kind of people who are in charge there. As was demonstrated during the Battlefront II debacle, this is the type of news that alienates the people who give you those record profits. There’s already some
Heavy blowback from this - and I hope people vote with their wallets to try and preserve some integrity.

 

[Mike S]

I agree. This is not a good sign. Restructuring is all well and good, but to be very cavalier about it when you’ve posted record profits shows where your priorities are as a CEO- and that speaks volumes about the kind of people who are in charge there. As was demonstrated during the Battlefront II debacle, this is the type of news that alienates the people who give you those record profits. There’s already someHeavy blowback from this - and I hope people vote with their wallets to try and preserve some integrity.

I feel a bit dirty for buying Crash now. In other news Nintendo’s Direct was pretty good and Link’s Awakening in particular looks great even though the character designs are a little too “cute” for my liking. Taking a page from A Link Between Worlds would’ve been better imo. Also I think the game might be expanded in some way rather than just being an HD remake. I don’t know why, just a guess.

All the rumors seemed to have come true except Metroid, again. Feels bad man

 

[Scrooged]

I feel a bit dirty for buying Crash now. In other news Nintendo’s Direct was pretty good and Link’s Awakening in particular looks great even though the character designs are a little too “cute” for my liking. Taking a page from A Link Between Worlds would’ve been better imo. Also I think the game might be expanded in some way rather than just being an HD remake. I don’t know why, just a guess.

All the rumors seemed to have come true except Metroid, again. Feels bad man

Metroid is the red headed step child of Nintendo. They’ve got a great franchise with it, but Nintendo is slow to expand on their stuff. I think the golden age of Metroid was with the GameCube. Just my opinion tho.

 

[Mike S]

Metroid is the red headed step child of Nintendo. They’ve got a great franchise with it, but Nintendo is slow to expand on their stuff. I think the golden age of Metroid was with the GameCube. Just my opinion tho.

We have Prime 4 coming even if it restarted developement and I’m sure the Trilogy is on its way since the other rumors turned out to be true. I just want to see something already

 

[Scrooged]

We have Prime 4 coming even if it restarted developement and I’m sure the Trilogy is on its way since the other rumors turned out to be true. I just want to see something already

Yeah- I know it’s not Nintendo, but I feel the same
Way about KOTOR and EA. They’ve nixed three developing Star Wars games and produced two so-so titles that have been surrounded by corporate controversy. Just give us a damn KOTOR remaster at the very least..... gah!

 

[erasure fan1]

Yeah- I know it’s not Nintendo, but I feel the same
Way about KOTOR and EA. They’ve nixed three developing Star Wars games and produced two so-so titles that have been surrounded by corporate controversy. Just give us a damn KOTOR remaster at the very least..... gah!

Well it just goes to show you how giant of morons EA and Disney really are. The best star wars game series EVER created, and most unanimously loved, and they want no part of it. A 3rd KOTOR is about as close to a guaranteed success as you can get. It's what the fans want. The problem is EA seems to think you can't make money off of a big single player experience. Well, red dead 2 has something to say about that. My thought, Microsoft should find a way to get the rights and give it to Obsidian, they have wanted a 2nd crack at it for a while. That would be a HUGE Xbox exlusive win.

 

[Scrooged]

Well it just goes to show you how giant of morons EA and Disney really are. The best star wars game series EVER created, and most unanimously loved, and they want no part of it. A 3rd KOTOR is about as close to a guaranteed success as you can get. It's what the fans want. The problem is EA seems to think you can't make money off of a big single player experience. Well, red dead 2 has something to say about that. My thought, Microsoft should find a way to get the rights and give it to Obsidian, they have wanted a 2nd crack at it for a while. That would be a HUGE Xbox exlusive win.

While I like this idea, Quite a bit- the reality is EA isn’t letting go of that license unless it’s revoked. And considering the last two releases and how much of a PR disaster BFII was, that may be likely if they don’t have a successful launch of ANY title next go around. I highly doubt any release Star Wars related would be an exclusive though. That’s denying money in the bank by limiting it to one release platform.

But yea, Obsodian would want to pick up where it left off on improvements from KOTOR II. And that would be a good thing.

 

[erasure fan1]

While I like this idea, Quite a bit- the reality is EA isn’t letting go of that license unless it’s revoked. And considering the last two releases and how much of a PR disaster BFII was, that may be likely if they don’t have a successful launch of ANY title next go around. I highly doubt any release Star Wars related would be an exclusive though. That’s denying money in the bank by limiting it to one release platform.

But yea, Obsodian would want to pick up where it left off on improvements from KOTOR II. And that would be a good thing.

Well I think if there are any issues (the games delayed, canceled, just bad) with jedi fallen order, the license could ne in trouble. And don't underestimate the pockets of Microsoft, making it exclusive would be a huge get and lets face it, Disney just wants money. So if they back up the dump truck of money, it could happen. It's just what Disney would do! Lol

 

[Mike S]

I’d hold off on any “EA’s going to lose the Star Wars license!!!” celebrations.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is sticking with EA for Star Wars games

Disney will, indeed, not alter the deal, keeping EA attached to Star Wars games.

www.shacknews.com

 

[Scrooged]

I’d hold off an any “EA’s going to lose the Star Wars license!!!” celebrations.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is sticking with EA for Star Wars games

Disney will, indeed, not alter the deal, keeping EA attached to Star Wars games.

www.shacknews.com

EA will liquidate a lot of its assets to try and hold onto that license. It should basically be Disney/EA at this point....

 

[erasure fan1]

I’d hold off on any “EA’s going to lose the Star Wars license!!!” celebrations.

Disney CEO Bob Iger is sticking with EA for Star Wars games

Disney will, indeed, not alter the deal, keeping EA attached to Star Wars games.

www.shacknews.com

Yea I've read that and I don't for a minute believe it. I liken it to the dreaded coaches vote of confidence in sports. Igers not going to throw EA under the bus just yet. Buuuuut, if jedi fallen order is a PR train wreck, I think you'll see that stance change. We all know Disney really has very little spine, so I just can't see them continue to let EA tarnish their image. But if fallen order is fantastic and does really well, I'll say the EA deal is safe.

 

[Scrooged]

Yea I've read that and I don't for a minute believe it. I liken it to the dreaded coaches vote of confidence in sports. Igers not going to throw EA under the bus just yet. Buuuuut, if jedi fallen order is a PR train wreck, I think you'll see that stance change. We all know Disney really has very little spine, so I just can't see them continue to let EA tarnish their image. But if fallen order is fantastic and does really well, I'll say the EA deal is safe.

I don’t think it’s about tarnishing an image- it’s about damaging a brand. EA Is second to none in doing that- especially these last two years. It’s no mistake that ReSpawn was a smart acquisition in EA’s part with Apex: Legends. It was a pre developed game that they bought lock and stock with the developer to compete with Fortnite. And it’s a solid game. Got some kinks, but they’ve got time to work it out. EA lucked out with that purchase and the reception so far. Turning their attention to Star Wars in the next two years (especially since episode IX is going to come out this year) is their best bet- but it’s a gamble. One Star Wars “meh” followed by a major PR disaster with BFII means that they’ve got one chance to make investors (Disney) happy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next game didn’t do well Disney would buy out the license and search for someone new to develop. (Maybe Xbox exclusive, like you said via Obsidian.) Pulling the license from EA will not be an easy or good decision for Disney, but considering that they spent close to 30 million on reshoots for Rogue One and Solo- they will protect the SW brand a great deal.

 

[Mike S]

I don’t think it’s about tarnishing an image- it’s about damaging a brand. EA Is second to none in doing that- especially these last two years. It’s no mistake that ReSpawn was a smart acquisition in EA’s part with Apex: Legends. It was a pre developed game that they bought lock and stock with the developer to compete with Fortnite. And it’s a solid game. Got some kinks, but they’ve got time to work it out. EA lucked out with that purchase and the reception so far. Turning their attention to Star Wars in the next two years (especially since episode IX is going to come out this year) is their best bet- but it’s a gamble. One Star Wars “meh” followed by a major PR disaster with BFII means that they’ve got one chance to make investors (Disney) happy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next game didn’t do well Disney would buy out the license and search for someone new to develop. (Maybe Xbox exclusive, like you said via Obsidian.) Pulling the license from EA will not be an easy or good decision for Disney, but considering that they spent close to 30 million on reshoots for Rogue One and Solo- they will protect the SW brand a great deal.

Disney’s done their own damage to the Star Wars brand too. Let’s not kid ourselves.

 

[TwilightZone]

Disney’s done their own damage to the Star Wars brand too. Let’s not kid ourselves.

I personally think it's more of a lucasfilm thing that's damaging star wars than disney, but disney owning the brand does put a lot of pressure on them.

 

[erasure fan1]

I don’t think it’s about tarnishing an image- it’s about damaging a brand. EA Is second to none in doing that- especially these last two years. It’s no mistake that ReSpawn was a smart acquisition in EA’s part with Apex: Legends.

EA has made a lot of great studio acquisitions. Look no further than Bioware. Unfortunately EA is kinda like that scene in Tommy boy where he tells the waitress about his pet.


So I'm not crazy optimistic that the same fate won't come to ReSpawn.

 

[Scrooged]

So I'm not crazy optimistic that the same fate won't come to ReSpawn.

Right?!? I mean... it seems they buy the finished product with the studio the. Let the studio languish..... but time will tell with ReSpawn.

 

[Scrooged]

Seems as though EA has ruined another opportunity with Anthem. sigh

 

[Mike S]

Seems as though EA has ruined another opportunity with Anthem. sigh

Business as usual these days.

Over/under on how much longer BioWare is still a working studio?

 

[Scrooged]

Business as usual these days.

Over/under on how much longer BioWare is still a working studio?

I’d say at least two years. They’ll milk it for any developing projects- pump out another Dragon Age, then liquidate it and find another ReSpawn.

 

[erasure fan1]

Business as usual these days.

Over/under on how much longer BioWare is still a working studio?

I know it won't happen, but I would love to see Bioware go the Bungie route. I think if they went back to being independent, they could go back to doing what they didbest. I'm sure they have plenty of ideas because they would have to leave mass effect, dragon age... I'm sure with EA.

I’d say at least two years. They’ll milk it for any developing projects- pump out another Dragon Age, then liquidate it and find another ReSpawn.

This is probably a good bet. I haven't played Anthem yet but if I had to guess, I'd say EA waits to see how the game evolves. Those type of shared world games take at least a year to really develop. So I can see them once dragon age 4 is out and we see how Anthem has evolved, make that decision. If both end up doing well, I think mass effect gets its next game and BioWare is ok. I'm not sure that Bioware really wanted to make Anthem, it seems more of an EA mandate for a Destiny clone. It just isn't in BioWares wheelhouse.