Double 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.
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.
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
sabbat7001
One part of the interview not included in the above excerpt made me chuckle.
“Hopefully he’ll go back to another industry scene. He could go to an industry that makes more money. Ball bearings… something that suits his passions more. Weapons manufacturing?”
*high five*
BIGAL-1992
10/10 from me.
hazelam
“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”
so true and so very appropriate.
cc_star
I agree, but…
that’s exactly how you make money
hazelam
there’s a difference between making money and nothing else other than huge profits mattering.
there’s a reason boom and bust are so closely linked.
you run your business with the philosophy of the first part of that statement and you won’t have a business very long.
activision have managed to successfully alienate their customers and their staff.
it’s no wonder they hired the guy who may or may not be responsible for kevin butler, frankly they need some good pr.
seedaripper1973
Hey Dan Lee, i’m really liking the cut of your jib. Keep up the good work (you make me laugh)