Comments on: Electronic Arts, the Destroyer of Worlds, sets its eye on BioWare http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/ in search of the poetic and lyrical in video games Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:05:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: The Artful Gamer · Writing Worth Reading: Write the Game http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1747 The Artful Gamer · Writing Worth Reading: Write the Game Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:17:26 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1747 [...] Keira posted a comment several months ago in response to the rather dystopian sketch I scribbled of the BioWare sale, I accidentally overlooked her blog, Write the Game, until recently. A writer, musician, composer, [...] [...] Keira posted a comment several months ago in response to the rather dystopian sketch I scribbled of the BioWare sale, I accidentally overlooked her blog, Write the Game, until recently. A writer, musician, composer, [...]

]]> By: gnome http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1439 gnome Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:38:13 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1439 Well, in a global society where everything is valued (by the decision makers at least) on a monetary basis, it does feel hopeless... Don't think it has to do with games size though... The trend is pretty ancient... Well, in a global society where everything is valued (by the decision makers at least) on a monetary basis, it does feel hopeless… Don’t think it has to do with games size though… The trend is pretty ancient…

]]> By: chris http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1436 chris Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:12:09 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1436 Thanks for the comments! -> gnome: You're right - it seems that almost every game company seems to outgrow itself eventually. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that they want to make larger and more complex games that require a lot more investment and capital in order to make them... which means more shareholders, more staff, etc... -> Keira: Interesting idea. That's certainly the approach that large film distributors have taken in the last 10 years - like 'Fox Searchlight', 'Paramount Vantage', 'Sony Classics', etc - they invest in more niche markets that typically involve indie filmmakers. The problem I see with this approach, potentially, is that these 'indie arms' of the majors can easily outperform and outpace the existing small indie distributors because the majors can just throw money at competitors. Worse, given EA's classic strategy - they would likely just buy-out competing indie distributors and shut them down. So, if EA 'goes indie' - we should be worried I think. Regardless, I agree that experimentation is inherently beneficial - but unethical business practices aren't. Thanks for the comments!

-> gnome:
You’re right - it seems that almost every game company seems to outgrow itself eventually. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that they want to make larger and more complex games that require a lot more investment and capital in order to make them… which means more shareholders, more staff, etc…

-> Keira:
Interesting idea. That’s certainly the approach that large film distributors have taken in the last 10 years - like ‘Fox Searchlight’, ‘Paramount Vantage’, ‘Sony Classics’, etc - they invest in more niche markets that typically involve indie filmmakers. The problem I see with this approach, potentially, is that these ‘indie arms’ of the majors can easily outperform and outpace the existing small indie distributors because the majors can just throw money at competitors. Worse, given EA’s classic strategy - they would likely just buy-out competing indie distributors and shut them down.
So, if EA ‘goes indie’ - we should be worried I think. Regardless, I agree that experimentation is inherently beneficial - but unethical business practices aren’t.

]]> By: Keira Peney http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1435 Keira Peney Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:42:08 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1435 A fantastic article, and certainly one that highlights the destructive nature of pursuing the highest profit margins. Any successful game immediately seems to spawn a sequel, and for the most part the quality drops. I understand the need to make a profit - it's still a business - but I think large game companies need to mark a section of their budget for risky ventures. After all, it's from the innovative games that come the unexpected smash hit. And encouraging experimentation can only be good for the industry as a whole. A fantastic article, and certainly one that highlights the destructive nature of pursuing the highest profit margins. Any successful game immediately seems to spawn a sequel, and for the most part the quality drops. I understand the need to make a profit - it’s still a business - but I think large game companies need to mark a section of their budget for risky ventures. After all, it’s from the innovative games that come the unexpected smash hit. And encouraging experimentation can only be good for the industry as a whole.

]]> By: gnome http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1418 gnome Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:05:27 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1418 An excellent account of EA's doings indeed and a more than sad forecast for two really interesting studios. Then again, allow me to believe that this is the unavoidable future of every developer growing too big. It's capitalism's iron laws you see... An excellent account of EA’s doings indeed and a more than sad forecast for two really interesting studios. Then again, allow me to believe that this is the unavoidable future of every developer growing too big. It’s capitalism’s iron laws you see…

]]> By: Matthew Gallant http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1381 Matthew Gallant Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:27:11 +0000 http://www.artfulgamer.com/2007/11/10/electronic-arts-the-destroyer-of-worlds-sets-its-eye-on-bioware/#comment-1381 What a fascinating article, I understand a little better now why so many people have a passionate dislike for EA. What a fascinating article, I understand a little better now why so many people have a passionate dislike for EA.

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