Tim Schafer Speaks Out
Bobby Kotick is a "dick".
Published: 12:43, 14/07/2010 by Dan Lee.
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25Double Fine’s Tim Schafer has been having a frank discussion with Eurogamer regarding games, lawsuits and what he has planned next. If you’re reading this Bobby Kotick, you might want to stop – now.
First up is the good news – a new game is on the way. When pressed about it, Schafer admitted it won’t be a $30 million big budget “monstrosity” such as Brutal Legend. This opens up the possibility of a PSN/XBL title which certainly lessens the risk that a £40 boxed product carries. He also mentions that as there are now no download caps, a downloadable game could use the Brutal Legend graphics engine to look as impressive as possible. Whichever way the game goes, Schafer is excited about it as the game contains things that are “new and different” – slow down with the technical terms there mister!
Of course, eventually Activision’s Bobby Kotick was brought up. It’s no secret these two don’t exactly have a burning friendship, and the interview hammers this home;
“Eurogamer: What do you think about Bobby Kotick? He’s a person.Â
Tim Schafer: He is. Well, allegedly. Ah… I don’t know.
Eurogamer: I’ll tell you what I think.
Tim Schafer: What do you think?
Eurogamer: I think he’s a bit misunderstood because he’s trying to make lots of money when people think he has an obligation to make gamers happy.
Tim Schafer: His obligation is to his shareholders. Well, he doesn’t have to be as much of a dick about it, does he? I think there is a way he can do it without being a total prick. It seems like it would be possible. It’s not something he’s interested in.
Eurogamer: Why should he care?
Tim Schafer: Well, he makes a big deal about not liking games, and I just don’t think that attitude is good for games in general. I don’t think we’re an industry of widgets. I don’t think we can approach it like we approach bars of soap, where you’re just trying to make the cheapest bar of soap.Â
He definitely has that that kind of widget-maker attitude. I don’t think he’s great for the industry, overall. You can’t just latch onto something when it’s popular and then squeeze the life out of it and then move on to the next one. You have to at some point create something, build something.”
Ouch! Harsh words but ones that seem to echo the sentiments of many.
Source: Eurogamer
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14/07/2010 at 12:45
Member since: Aug 2009
14/07/2010 at 12:46
Member since: Aug 2009
huh? didn’t show up. what I meant to say was:
*rapturous applause*
14/07/2010 at 13:57
Member since: May 2009
The TSA site automatically turned that into a sound file for you… I heard it, didn’t you?
Also, if you write *rapturous applause with streamers and tiny little waving flags* that should work too…
Speaking of which, Schafer nailed it. I like him, and his opinion of Kotick is spot on. He doesn’t need to be such a dick the whole time.
14/07/2010 at 14:39
Member since: Aug 2009
soundboards make everything better :)
we need a ‘mwah mwah mwaaaaaah’ sound for the moment Microsoft realises Kinect isn’t going to make a billion dollars.
14/07/2010 at 12:49
Member since: Apr 2009
Oh Tim never change!!
j/k release another well shrouded RTS game and I will be mad
14/07/2010 at 13:07
Member since: Forever
Lessons or Lessens ?
…..and yes, Kotick is a dick ;-)
14/07/2010 at 13:30
Member since: Jun 2010
Well caught squire :op
14/07/2010 at 13:33
Member since: Dec 2009
I was in a meeting!
:)
14/07/2010 at 13:32
Member since: Dec 2009
Lessens – Become smaller or less in size, extent, or range.
14/07/2010 at 16:30
Member since: Aug 2009
Kodick?
14/07/2010 at 13:24
Member since: May 2009
hes completely right! (who hires a game hater to speak for a gaming company anyways? :o )
god i hope he makes a game ala Psychonauts. that would be great!
14/07/2010 at 13:29
Member since: Jul 2009
Spot on. Kotick is financially correct but goes about it so badly. Tosser!
14/07/2010 at 13:29
Member since: Aug 2009
Well Tim, try making a game that doesn’t corrupt the save file every time you nearly complete it, and I’ll start giving a shit about your opinion.
14/07/2010 at 13:31
Member since: Apr 2010
This comment is hidden.
14/07/2010 at 13:33
Member since: Dec 2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Schafer
14/07/2010 at 13:41
Member since: Aug 2009
Ever since he ruined Brutal Legend with those godawful “strategy” battle sequences, I’ve had no love for Schafer.
14/07/2010 at 16:32
Member since: Aug 2009
It was okay but I guess many people would believe critics…
14/07/2010 at 13:42
Member since: Aug 2008
Bobby Kotick is a “dick”. Thats all i needed to see to give this article 10/10! :)
Glad its not just the gamers who hate this tool!
14/07/2010 at 14:35
Member since: Feb 2009
Kotick is a genius when it comes to making money, but to the consumers he is a dick.