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http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=8052
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=8052
"Oddworld bails out of gaming, heads to film and TV&quo
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Evil_Cloud
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So they're making CGI tv-series now...
I'm no fan of Lorne Lanning, but he's got a point here, and I feel bad for them. For whatever else was wrong with them, Oddworld at least did its darndest to create fun, innovative games. I never thought I'd say this, but more game developers should be like them.
Oh - and how ironic that a far-out, but great, game like Stranger would get the cold shoulder from EA - the cookie-cutter company.
More and more, I'm starting to think that EA is bad for this industry.
Kolgar said:More and more, I'm starting to think that EA is bad for this industry.
You're starting to think?!?!?!?
I think his problem is the insistence on owning the IP. It had nothing to do with his connection to microsoft. They were supposed to release more games after signing the deal with MS, and not only that, they took FAR too long with Stranger in development. Was it a good game? yes! was MS going to make thier money back after 4 years? no. MS must have recieved some of it's money back by selling the rights to another publisher. Not the first time somehting like this has happenend.
Anyway, the market has gotten real strange over the past few years. Publishers are the only people backing the production of games, yet they don't want to take the risk on a unproven franchise. Not only that, he wasn't willing to sell his franchise, or form teh sound of things his company, which is a typical practice in the development community these days.
You gotta ask, what was he in business for if he didn't want to sell his company at some point down the road. That's really the only way to make your money these days. Build the company and plan to sell it to a publisher. There's just no way to stay independant forever.
Anyway, the market has gotten real strange over the past few years. Publishers are the only people backing the production of games, yet they don't want to take the risk on a unproven franchise. Not only that, he wasn't willing to sell his franchise, or form teh sound of things his company, which is a typical practice in the development community these days.
You gotta ask, what was he in business for if he didn't want to sell his company at some point down the road. That's really the only way to make your money these days. Build the company and plan to sell it to a publisher. There's just no way to stay independant forever.
Umm...to make and sell videogames? I think it's safe to say that most business strategies don't revolve around the pump n' dump.
That said, I'm not sure anyone but Lorn and Co. are responsible for thier situation. And trying to blame the publisher for poor performance isn't exactly a classy move either.
Yeah the videogame industry is tough, but as long as the money is there, somebody else will step in to fill the 'void'. And I do believe I am being generous when I use the word. =P
wco81 said:
Well, all the Oddworld games have garnered critical acclaim. They've been some of the most unique and interesting titles ever produced. So they're proven - proven to be good.
Ah. Hammer strikes nail. On the head.
Anyway, kind of a shame. I never liked Lorne, but I dug his games.
Yeah, I bet you think Bill Gates is a real dumbass for not having sold off Microsoft a long time ago...Qroach said:
I don't like Lorn any more than the next person (loudmouth that he is), but maybe the guy is in it for the satisfaction of making games his own way and not whoring himself and his ideas out just to make a quick buck. Hell, it's working for 3DRealms, you see them selling Duke Nukem any time soon? Or id giving up their IP? Carmack seems to be able to afford his rocketry and ferrari hobbies just fine as it is... Dunno what you're smoking man, must be some good shit.
Evil_Cloud
Veteran
Guden Oden said:Yeah, I bet you think Bill Gates is a real dumbass for not having sold off Microsoft a long time ago...Qroach said:
I don't like Lorn any more than the next person (loudmouth that he is), but maybe the guy is in it for the satisfaction of making games his own way and not whoring himself and his ideas out just to make a quick buck. Hell, it's working for 3DRealms, you see them selling Duke Nukem any time soon? Or id giving up their IP? Carmack seems to be able to afford his rocketry and ferrari hobbies just fine as it is... Dunno what you're smoking man, must be some good shit.
I do recall Oddworld Inhabitants being payed quite a lot of cash for an Xbox exclusive Oddworld title.
I don't know if you're arguing seriously or if you're just messing with Q, but your own examples shows that only the old guard of this industry could afford to keep their IP, and to make a living off of it.Guden Oden said:I don't like Lorn any more than the next person (loudmouth that he is), but maybe the guy is in it for the satisfaction of making games his own way and not whoring himself and his ideas out just to make a quick buck. Hell, it's working for 3DRealms, you see them selling Duke Nukem any time soon? Or id giving up their IP? Carmack seems to be able to afford his rocketry and ferrari hobbies just fine as it is... Dunno what you're smoking man, must be some good shit.
It's not about "wanting to make a quick buck out of it", it's about surviving as a game developer. Without a non-stop financial backing from a publisher, it's almost impossible to produce any game these days. 'Cause, if your project fails, you're as good as dead.
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