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Activison predicts console-free future News
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Robert Purchese
Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick has predicted a console-less future for his games, revealed a company culture of "scepticism, pessimism, and fear", and shown mouth rendering technology he thinks will transform the medium.
All this he did during a 45 minute speech at the Deutsche Bank Securities Technology Conference earlier today.
The bubbly brunette said to "expect many of our products to be playable independent of a console", according to GameSpot, explaining that an "untethered" Guitar Hero gives "more leverage" when it comes to DLC. To this end, Kotick has been impressed by set-top game-streaming services like OnLive.
Next, he used Call of Duty: World at War to illustrate how poor mouth movement is in games. But not for much longer, as Activision has new rendering technology for the next generation that will transform the medium. Kotick showed a clip of it in action.
Regarding the next generation, Kotick said he hadn't heard a thing from the platform holders, which lead him to believe pricing is the current priority for Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.
Finally, Kotick talked about focusing his company on "profit and nothing else"; instilling a culture of "thrift" by employing staff that will "take all the fun out of making videogames".
For Kotick, an atmosphere of "scepticism, pessimism and fear" represents "mission accomplished".
His comments go some way to explaining why Activision bumped the price of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 up to £54.99, and why DJ: Hero and Tony Hawk: Ride will cost £109.99 and £99.99 when bundled with their associated peripherals.
But as Guitar Hero 5 (£74.99 with guitar) tops the UK All-Formats chart - comfortably ahead of The Beatles: Rock Band - and his herculean Christmas line-up lurks in the wings, there appears to be little anyone can do to dent his confidence.
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Poster
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+43
For Kotick, an atmosphere of "scepticism, pessimism and fear" represents "mission accomplished".
Is this a joke or a citation severely taken out of context? Otherwise he seems like a complete nutter. Isn't the total focus on profits what eventually bit EA in the ass? I mean it's only just now that they've gotten their reputation back.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 14:01
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Bremenacht
15/09/09 @ 13:01
+41
Poor mouth movement is a game-breaker for me. I didn't buy any of the Halo games because I couldn't be sure that MC's mouth was in sync with his voice.
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Raining_Upwards
15/09/09 @ 13:02
+25
Wow, isn't our good old friend Bob just a poster boy of happiness and confidence in our beloved industry. I get that companies go for the bottom line, but to just blatantly say that 'all we do is for profit' and to 'take the fun out of videogames', is the most arrogantly retarded thing I have read in sometime.
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+16
Here's the real comment:
If that sounds like it would create a corporate culture that isn't all sunshine and hugs, then it's "mission accomplished" for Kotick. The executive said that he has tried to instill into the company culture "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" of the global economic downturn, adding, "We are very good at keeping people focused on the deep depression." Not quite what it sounds like in the article, but still, somewhat odd wording don't you think? "Work minions or your jobs will be gone!" |
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+9
Google would like to have words with him I think.
But to that audience it fits, they work in banking, the idea of guys earning the same money for playing nerf wars dressed in shorts erks them (although it's a bullshit myth). He wants a company that is all profit, buy the big franchises and churn them out, essentially like the EA of old. Microsoft, Google, EA (recently) all have a great company culture, are they failures? |
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SleepyDeathFred
15/09/09 @ 13:06
+7
I'm finding it very difficult to decipher what he means... Is he genuinely saying that he wants employees fearing for their jobs rather than enjoying them?
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+9
Hey people buy the games .. and other publishers push their games back to guarentee the sucess of COD:Mw2 at it's higher price point .
He may be a twat .. but he's right .. time to stop buying the repackaged over prices crub that they put out and protest with the only thing they hold dear .. money ! |
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Vertical Stand
15/09/09 @ 13:09
+4
April fools? Are you sure he was being serious, maybe he was cracking jokes playing up to his head of the big baddie image.
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sadakos_fury
15/09/09 @ 13:10
+24
Is this a joke?
Was he twirling his handlebar moustache while the games industry screamed, tied to the tracks of an oncoming train? |
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SleepyDeathFred
15/09/09 @ 13:10
+6
I'm not sure I can remember any other company's representative openly admitting the contempt they have for their own employees. This is truly shameful.
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+3
@sadakos_fury hahaha that cracked me up!! +1
the gamespot article reads a bit different than the EG one - for one it seems like it's taken a bit out of context - i would love to see a video or an actual transcript of the speech he still seems like an ass-hole though - he looks like someone who would be working for Fox News
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 14:19
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LilithsCurves
15/09/09 @ 13:15
+1
With all that money that Activision seems to be making, they can't afford a more decent "boss"? I wonder, is it the success that lures such people to the top or are they already there and become corrupted (seems like he is) by success.
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jefranklin18
15/09/09 @ 13:18
+10
Despite everybody's moral outrage, they will continue to buy Rock Band, COD and whatever rehashed crap is turned out. He has the consumer by the balls and is laughing in their faces.
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+4
Hmmm, I'm not liking the sound of this Bobby Kotick person and it seems like Activision are hellbent on getting everyone to hate them at the moment, what with the unpopular Call of Duty: MW2 price hike and the Brutal Legend fiasco. Also I know from personal experience that their after sales support sucks... I'm still waiting for a reply to an email I sent them three months ago.
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+3
"there appears to be little anyone can do to dent his confidence."
How about not paying for a new guitar hero every month? Someone save Blizzard from this fuckwit before they are also forced to churn out "exploitable i.p's. Diablo 4: Fantasy Warfare 2 coming this fall.... If i suddenly become a shareholder pls disregard the above ; )
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 14:24
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Quickstick4
15/09/09 @ 13:30
+3
There is something im doing about it: not buying Activision products...although i may break and get MW2, god dam the publisher! If i could get the game direct from Infinity ward i would be happy.
Valve seems to be the beckon on hope for the games world right now |
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+6
Seriously this has to be a joke if it is'nt one can only wonder at the misery of working for such a complete and utter twat.
Actibastard you are well and truely ignored i wish upon wishes that MW 2 falls flat on its grotesquely overhyped and over priced Arse....you total cunt. Wow that felt good :) |
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Raining_Upwards
15/09/09 @ 13:41
+11
I hate his smile. I hate his curlies. I hate his putrid aggrogance.
Please die and do not darken the gaming industry ever again. |
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HuggyAtHome
15/09/09 @ 13:42
+2
Wow. What a tool. He must sleep with one eye open because one day those disenchanted devs are going to turn nasty. I suspect he was playing to his audience somewhat too - they would have really got off on that kind of sentiment.
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actionfitz
15/09/09 @ 13:44
+15
"Finally, Kotick talked about focusing his company on "profit and nothing else"; instilling a culture of "thrift" by employing staff that will "take all the fun out of making videogames".
For Kotick, an atmosphere of "scepticism, pessimism and fear" represents "mission accomplished". Cunt. total unadulterated seething Cunt. This shithead raises my bile like no other. let him take the fun out of making games, let him run his company with "an atmosphere of "scepticism, pessimism and fear" - lets see how much of the industry's' best talent will work for him for very long. Let him price the average guy out of buying his overpriced and over rated games. I'll never buy another 1st-hand Activision game. Fuck em. I'll be sure to make his company does not get a penny from me ever again. I'll buy pre-owned or not all, and I wont be resubbing to wow (prays to the gods for The Old republic to not suck). |
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+18
Taking all the fun out of making videogames? Are they changing the company motto to "Arbeit macht Frei" or what?
I felt genuinely bad when I bought Spiderman Web of Shadows (DS) and noticed I had just paid money for an Activision game. I'd have to chalk Prototype up as a positive point for them if they hadn't fired the whole dev team after the game was done, now I have no regrets about hating them.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 14:53
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Raining_Upwards
15/09/09 @ 13:49
+9
Oh and while i'm still in such a verbally charitable mood, FUCK his stupid 'mouth rendering technology'.
~End. |
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HuggyAtHome
15/09/09 @ 13:54
+7
Awesome thread - but not one for the kids I fear. I suspect he is also trying to take the fun out of playing video games too.
The Daily Mail needs to get 'outraged/disgusted' at something like this in the same way as they do about Bankers or Utility companies and then ruin the guy over a protracted 4 week campaign of ire and bile.. Doesn't matter if it is all taken out of context, it hasn't stopped the middle England tabloids in the past. Anybody know any fleet street hacks??
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 15:10
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Bigglesworth
15/09/09 @ 13:59
+3
He was talking to a bunch of German banking corporates. This is exactly what they want to hear.
edit: But, er, yeah, what a cock. (Don't neg me! =))
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 15/09/09 @ 15:00
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0
This guy has been on a slippery slope since his "Activision won't make PS3 games anymore" outburst. Though that did make him some sort of cult hero for a while in some corners of the internet. Now maybe everyone will despise him, or else fear being called an Activision Fanboy or being in the ADF.
He's a knob though. |
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