EA acquires BioWare, Pandemic

By Games Industry.biz Published 12 October, 2007

For USD 860 million.

Electronic Arts has announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp., the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

"These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I'm glad to be working with them again," said EA CEO John Riccitiello.

"They'll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties. We also expect this will drive long-term value for our shareholders."

Riccitiello formed Elevation Partners in 2004, shortly after leaving EA. In 2005, his new company made a bid for Eidos, which it later withdrew.

Riccitiello returned to Electronic Arts as its CEO in early 2007.

EA will pay up to USD 620 million in cash to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp. and will issue up to an additional USD 155 million in equity to certain employees of VG Holding Corp., subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria.

EA will also assume outstanding VG Holding Corp. stock options and has agreed to lend VG Holding Corp. up to USD 35 million through the closing of the acquisition.

The Pandemic and BioWare teams will join the EA Games label currently run by Frank Gibeau.

BioWare is currently developing Mass Effect, which will be published by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 in November, and is in the early development stages of a massively multiplayer online game. Pandemic Studios is developing the upcoming Mercenaries 2: World in Flames and Saboteur.

The two developers employ roughly 800 people across four studios located in Edmonton, Canada; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; and Brisbane, Australia.

We like the cut of your fact. So does GamesIndustry.biz.

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Comments (170) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Floppy #1 4 years ago

    Oh dear.

  • w00t #2 4 years ago

    /hands out placards and flaming torches

  • Steroyd #3 4 years ago

    And yesturday we was just talking about how MS' acquisition of Rare was excessive... o_O

  • strangeed #4 4 years ago

    I hope EA just give BioWare cash to keep up the good work and don't mess with them too much

    /cries

  • Wash #5 4 years ago

    :S

    Be funny if Bioware & Pandemic go the way of Westwood, Bullfrog, Origin... etc.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 09:11

  • ProtoformX #6 4 years ago

    That's the problem with big companies. As they acquire more money they can only think on how to get more money than that. I work in a theatre and last year we made profit ranking in the some millions. Now all the head honchos can think of is how to make more money than that. I won't give the exact figure for confidentiality reasons but anyone who thinks we need to make more money is quite possibly ill. Does this mean Mass Effect will now have the EA logo slapped on it?

  • Dizzy #7 4 years ago

    Bioware is TEH f*cked.

  • Fernando #8 4 years ago

    "Does this mean Mass Effect will now have the EA logo slapped on it? "

    Sequals i'd guess.

    Bioware does own the IP afterall.

  • PrinzPils #9 4 years ago

    Seems like they are not happy with shelling out "Peter Beardsley's Soccer Inferno 2009" and "Harry Potter's Wizball Hattrick Pro Evo Deluxe", but need some fresh ideas for a change.
    Since it is EA, they spend 860 Million for it.
    Ask Nintendo or Blizzard, where they bought their ideas and how much they paid.......
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 09:15

  • Steroyd #10 4 years ago

    MS still have publishing rights to Mass Effect but I think Bioware owns the IP so I wouldn't be surprised if the trilogy makes it to a PS3, Wii, PSP, DS, PS2, and a Mobile phone near you.

  • chicknstu #11 4 years ago

    Shit.

    I feel sorry for everyone who works at Bioware. Must be a dark day in their offices today.

  • That_Happy_Cat #12 4 years ago

    Speaking of Blizzard... they got bought didn't they? I think they went on to make some decent stuff.

  • asphaltcowboy #13 4 years ago

    Hmm, sounds like it might screw up the ME trilogy... will EA want a sequel on PS3 without some kind of introductory game?

  • Wyrm #14 4 years ago

    Hooray! I love EA's 'don't patch it just release a sequel' attitude. Now they're turning C&C into a 'sport' I wouldn't be surprised if they slap 2008 on the end of the next release.

  • mkreku #15 4 years ago

    Remember Origin.

  • DB2k #16 4 years ago

    huzaah.. Mass Effect 2008
    Mass Effect 09
    Mass Effect X
    etc

  • Brogan #17 4 years ago

    ProtoformX. But if EA did stop trying to grow they would lose share holders and then they themselves would be open to a take over. this is why capitalism is bad and destroying the planet.(i know software publishers are not big polluters but companies that are work on the same model where by the only thing they are do is produce more and use up more recourses not the companies fault it's the whole system that is wrong)

  • Artemis_Matsas #18 4 years ago

    Bioware Live 2009 anyone???

    Edit: Damn you DB2k ;)
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 09:25

  • cheeseweasel #19 4 years ago

    ":S

    Be funny if Bioware & Pandemic go the way of Westwood, Bullfrog, Origin... etc."

    Funny how exactly?

  • Eldritch #20 4 years ago

    Keep in mind though that the "Burnout" franchise survived EA's takeover pretty well. But, yes, I'm also thinking of Origin, Bullfrog and Westwood here. And the way EA shafted "Alice" developers Rogue Entertainment. And I'll NEVER forgive EA the way "Ultima IX" turned out.

  • Drpwnage #21 4 years ago

    "Shit.

    I feel sorry for everyone who works at Bioware. Must be a dark day in their offices today."

    I wouldn't feel sorry for Bioware employee's, come Jan 2008 there will be a lot of cleared mortgages!

    It's what happens in the future, post acquisition to Bioware's output with EA's track record that makes it look bad news for gaming generally.


  • JunglistVIP #22 4 years ago

    Funny ha ha? Funny like a clown?

  • Triggerhappytel #23 4 years ago

    For fuck's sake.

  • Tiger_Walts #24 4 years ago

    At first I thought noooo and then I realised that this will be good for the PS3 as it'll get more games badly ported from the 360 now... yes, GAMES for the PS3!
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 09:35

  • Xerx3s #25 4 years ago

    Two more good developers ruined. :(

  • Steroyd #26 4 years ago

    @Eldritch

    I think the Burnout franchise is the only to survive EA's grasp, The Sims had a good run... until it got whored onto the consoles.

  • Xerx3s #27 4 years ago

    Remember Origin.

    Yes. And Westwood, Bullfrog, Looking glass, Maxis, etc.

  • monkie_king #28 4 years ago

    Puts Sony's 16m GBP Evolution deal in perspective.

    /still remembers when EA were the good guys
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 09:41

  • JayG #29 4 years ago

    EA seem to be getting better. Crysis and Spore are looking good, and seem to be one of the few still producing PC games. Little surprised that MS seems to have lost Bungie and Bioware in same week.

  • Steroyd #30 4 years ago

    Who knows maybe EA was sniffing around Evolution Studio's and Sony decided to act.

  • Darren #31 4 years ago

    OH NO, EA have bought BioWare?!?

    [Recalls how they managed to force Free Radical to mess up TimeSplitters 3]

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :(

  • Steroyd #32 4 years ago

    Yeah that was shocking EA publish TS3 and it coincidencially lost it's soul from TS2...

  • locus2k1 #33 4 years ago

    Well... Mass Effect was initially planned to be a trilogy... but with EA at the reigns, could we be seeing much, much more?

    I'm hoping Bioware still have their say, I'd rather have a three year wait for a "Game of the year" not a game every year that just doesnt have that thing worth waiting for...

  • Xerx3s #34 4 years ago

    /still remembers when EA were the good guys

    That was a very, very long time ago and a completely different company.

  • Grogmonkey #35 4 years ago

    Still, must be good for Pandemic and Bioware. Aside from never having to worry about funding ever again, if they ever make a shit game, they'll never, ever, ever be blamed for it. Internet reactionism will see that EA takes all the flak.

    Ah well. I enjoyed my time at EA, so I'm sure they will too. But I don't want to rock the EA-hatin' boat, so to speak, so allow me to add:

    zOMG mi lief iz teh rooined lol mas efect wll b rubish nad £A wll by teh wrld

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #36 4 years ago

    Pandemic / Bioware have done the big corporate buyout thing already, and had John Riccitello in charge of the company that owned them for a while without any major obvious degredation from them (unless you cound Jade Empire being considered less impressive than KOTOR).

    I suspect things will remain much as they were.

  • WiseNail #37 4 years ago

    Wonder what will happen to the Aliens game Bioware were making for Sega?

  • GamesConnoisseur #38 4 years ago

    I will wait on what the statement from Bioware and MS regarding Mass Effect triology being affected in any way by the aquisition.

    Yeah EA's track record doesnt give us much confidence. Still with new CEO I m hoping that they are not too narrow focused and they did say need more orginial titles and less of sequels!!

  • Xerx3s #39 4 years ago

    Fortunately, while Bioware (and now EA) owns the IP, MS seems to hold the publishing rights to ME. EA doesn't have carte blance for completely raping that IP. Yet.

    EDIT: Both ms and bioware have made their statements regarding ME.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 10:02

  • Xerx3s #40 4 years ago

    Grogmonkey: Your personal experience might have been pleasant but history shows a different picture. The hatred against the company is not unfounded.

  • peteb #41 4 years ago

    Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooo

    breathes

    ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

    ahhh, better

  • espy #42 4 years ago

    Wow, we reeeeeally dislike EA, don't we :D Anyone remember how their downward spiral started?

  • peteb #43 4 years ago

    sometime after James Pond 2: Robocod, probably

  • penguin_overlord #44 4 years ago

    It really does have to be said that the past couple of weeks has been a bit up and down for Microsoft. On the one hand, you have the outstanding success of Halo 3 and an increase in 360 sales (in the US at least - outselling the PS3 over 4:1 last week). But on the other hand they no longer have Bungie as an in-house development team and both Bioware and Bizarre have been bought up by other companies (the purchase of Pandemic has little impact as they have no 360 exclusives).

    Of course, MS still own the Halo franchise and Halo Wars next year looks like being a great game. And it doesn't mean either that Bungie will no longer write Halo games. But it does mean that MS can't so closely influence what Bungie create or even own their IPs. Bizarre's PGR series (although maybe not a system seller) has been important to the Xbox since day one and evidence points to Bizarre no longer being responsible for the franchise so that can't be good news. And Bioware is another important 360 developer with Mass Effect, for many, possibly looking to be the best game of the year.

    With Bungie now free to write for the PS3, Bizarre no longer writing PGR games and Bioware now owned by a company that releases just about everything as a multi-platform release, the 360's future library of exclusives is starting to look bleak.

  • Steroyd #45 4 years ago

    Tail end of the PS1 era, but the hate didn't really come into gear till a little bit further in the PS2 era... at least for me.

  • The-Bodybuilder #46 4 years ago

    Ah balls, wasn't mass effect supposed to be a trilogy?

  • Grogmonkey #47 4 years ago

    @Xerx3s

    I'm just sayin' past experience is no indicator of future events. And I'm saying that from a certain perspective as one has seen it 'From the Inside' (cue ominous music). And I'm not saying it JUST because they signed my payslip. Though it definitely helps my opinion of them ;)

    Allow me to add that I understand how people might think "Oh, so-and-so company didn't too well out of an EA deal." Because from about 10 years ago things started to go steadily downhill. But recent EA releases have not been bad. In fact, a fair number have been very good; whether as publisher or developer (especially Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. *cough*).

    It's the whole "EA never make anything good and Bioware are doomed and Mass Effect 3031 will be rubbish and I'll never buy an EA game ever again" crap that gets to me. I like a bit of comedy over-exageration as much as the next guy, but when it comes to EA it just gets nasty. And often unnecessarily so.

    I read this story on Kotaku last night (can't get to it whilst at work, unfortunately), and there was a quote from Greg Zeschuk (although it may have been the other one, whos name escapes me for the moment) and he seemed fairly happy with things. Maybe he said it because he's paid to do so. Maybe he's really pissed at the deal and is planning to leave Bioware in six weeks. Until then, though, if he says the deal is good for Bioware, I'm gonna go with the idea that the deal is good for Bioware. I imagine the same holds true for Pandemic, too.

    "At my age I'm prepared to take a few things on faith."

  • gaselite #48 4 years ago

    Fantastic news and a sure sign of the maturation and constant forward development of the industry. Congratulations in particular to the shareholders who will be receiving their just rewards for their investments.

    What?


    Oh

  • gogobaka #49 4 years ago

    MEGATON!!!!!! KA-BOOM!!!!!

    So Mass Effect on PS3 next year?

  • orakio #50 4 years ago

    They got Mythic... They got Bioware....
    I sense a will to take over the MMO market

  • The-Bodybuilder #51 4 years ago

    Although bungie have semi-left MS, they will exclusively support MS. However, bungie is now open to be purchased by anyone else.

    I worry for MGS. All 3 of thier top MGS developers now gone, what's left? Rare?
    And they way things are going, they'll loose Silicon Knights too.

    So don't expect any great first party titles from MS in the future. They will be at the hand of the 3rd party.

  • penguin_overlord #52 4 years ago

    I'm going to repeat what I've said before on other discussion boards on EG. The 360's line-up of exclusives games next year is not looking so great. There are a few potential gems like Ninja Gaiden 2, Too Human and (I presume Gears of War 2) but they're not going to set sales on fire. Contrast instead with games like MGS4, GT5, FFXIII, Killzone 2 and LittleBigPlanet on the P33, the first three of which are major worldwide franchises and big system sellers.

    I think this time next year we'll be seeing a major shift in people's perceptions of which machine has the best games.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #53 4 years ago

    I worked for EA (thirdparty), and in general found them 'harsh, but fair'. They did make some questionable decisions up-high though. But that was in the PS1->PS2 crossover period, and they themselves say they've learnt from that.

    Hopefully they've also learnt some lessons from pissing away Origin, Bullfrog and Westwood. Only Maxis and (so far) Criterion seem to have survived the acquisition intact.

    Edit: too many so fars so far.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 10:32

  • The-Bodybuilder #54 4 years ago

    >"FFXIII, Killzone 2 and LittleBigPlanet on the P33,"

    /sigh
    You can tell who's a fanboy by thier perception of the killzone series.

    You do know the 360 will have splinter cell 5, NG 2, ALAN WAKE, too human, just off the top of my head.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #55 4 years ago

    One more post like that, Penguin and you're going to be my very frst 'ignore'.

    Not every news story needs to be fuel for a console-partisan pissing contest.

    Edit: don't take the bait, man!
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 10:35

  • penguin_overlord #56 4 years ago

    @The Bodybuilder - actually, Bungie can now develop games for any platform but only Halo games for Microsoft. See http://ww w.businessweek.com/innovate/con...

  • MuppetThumper #57 4 years ago

    Riccitello stands to pocket up to $5M from this. T0sser.

  • penguin_overlord #58 4 years ago

    Hey, I'm not being a fanboy. Personally, I like many of the games on the 360. I'm a big Halo fan but can't justify buying a 360 just to 'finish the fight' I started with Halo 1 and 2. I'm not saying the 360 is finished or anything like that, I'm just saying that 08 will see a more level playing field. Even the most jaded sceptic of the PS3 must admit it has the most high-profile exlusives next year (providing they're not delayed, of course, the bain of any PS3 owners life).

    Games Like Alan Wake, NG2 and Splinter Cell 2 will undoubtedly be great and enjoyed by millions of 360 gamers but you have to admit they can't hold a candle to the potential sales the PS3 will gain from the likes of MGS4, GT5 and FFXIII.

  • MuppetThumper #59 4 years ago

    Wisenail "Wonder what will happen to the Aliens game Bioware were making for Sega? "

    They have to finish it, unless there is a mutual decision to stop development. There is no reason for them not to anyhow, EA will still earn their share of developer royalty if the game is a success.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #60 4 years ago

    Riccitello stands to pocket up to $5M from this. T0sser

    I love the way he doesn't look quite real in photos. It's as if he's crafted a wax head for himself to hide his terrible real visage, upon which the world would gaze and cry in terror...

  • Evolution #61 4 years ago

    http://dvnooooo.ytmnd.com/

  • Xerx3s #62 4 years ago

    Grogmonkey: Fair enough. However, the things that they did in the past, do now and will do in the future still make them evil inc for me. For me, there simply is no excuse for all the great dev's they utterly ruined by either buying them up or simply suing them to death with bogus lawsuits (another one of those fantastic EA tactics; If you can't beat them on the market, sue them to death with dozens of lawsuits).

  • Triggerhappytel #63 4 years ago

    It does seem odd that MS would allow companies like BioWare and Bizarre to be aquired by other publishers. You'd think after so many years of close relations and such successful results - critically and financially - MS would have made moves to supercede these aquisitions. Surely no-one else in the game has deeper pockets than Microsoft?!

  • MuppetThumper #64 4 years ago

    I love the way he doesn't look quite real in photos. It's as if he's crafted a wax head for himself to hide his terrible real visage, upon which the world would gaze and cry in terror...

    totally agree! i've always thought he looks half smug, half sinister.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #65 4 years ago

    Microsoft Game Studios != Microsoft

    They are a loss-making division, and they don't have as much money as people think they do.

  • Chufty #66 4 years ago

    EA don't kill developers. They're just buying a brand name, don't worry about it. As long as there are good developers, there will be good games, whether they're called BioWare or something else.

    Capitalism has saved us all, many times, and there would be no entertainment industry at all without it.

    "Riccitello stands to pocket up to $5M from this. T0sser."

    Would you turn down a $5m reward for YOUR hard work?
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 11:08

  • Monkey_Puncher #67 4 years ago

    The first Mass Effect game won't be going anywhere as MS are publishing it, god knows where this will leave the sequels though. Sad days really, EA are slowly taking over the world, they seem to have a finger in everybody's pies these days.

    I guess this will also spell the end of any hope for a Star Wars Kotor sequel from Bioware, Lucas Arts are hardly gonna let an EA owned developer use the Star Wars license :(

    Wouldn't be suprised if there was a mass exodus of Bioware staff to form their own company, really didn't see this one coming. I thought Bioware were one independent that would never let EA penetrate them with their money rod.

  • Steve007 #68 4 years ago

    Don't monopoly laws exist in this industry?! Fuck's sake.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #69 4 years ago

    Bioware sold out years ago, you idiots, when the sold to Elevation partners.

  • penguin_overlord #70 4 years ago

    Why are people being so childish on here. Just because EA now own Bioware doesn't mean their future games will suck. The Burnout games have survived intact.

  • The-Bodybuilder #71 4 years ago

    If you're reading this penguin, I am confirming that you're now on my ignore list.

    This is a thread about bioshock and the "nothingness" devouring them, not a time for your stupid flamebait (which I took).

  • penguin_overlord #72 4 years ago

    I know The Bodybuilder can't read this but I'm happy to be on his Ignore list. Shouldn't he be at school at this time of the day anyway? Why's he talking about Bioshock anyway when the rest of us are talking about Bioware?

  • The-Bodybuilder #73 4 years ago

    >"Wouldn't be suprised if there was a mass exodus of Bioware staff to form their own company, really didn't see this one coming."

    This is what would happen.

    bioware staff leave to form new dev house.
    studio slowly grows into reputable house.
    studio makes deal with another larger studio/small dev to ensure thier independence "The Nothing" (People do remember that EA were in the first never ending story movie?)
    "The Nothing" buys said small dev/publisher along with newly formed dev house of former bioware employees.
    mass exodus.

    /rinse and repeat.

    So does all this mean if Too human turns out to be a success, that EA will buy silicon knights too?

  • VMerken #74 4 years ago

    If this was the EA from 15-20 years ago, I'd say hurrah. But this is the EA from now, so I'd have to say the exact opposite of hurrah.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 11:31

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #75 4 years ago

    Even EA they think that Dennis Dyack is too much of a whiny little bitch to contemplate that.

    Props for the neverending Story reference by the way, you don't get many of them to the pound.

  • Steroyd #76 4 years ago

    @Penguin

    Name another game than Burnout I agree Criterion stayed in tact but they're just about the only ones compared to how many were wrecked.

    The ratio doesn't work in their favour.

  • Xerx3s #77 4 years ago

    EA don't kill developers. They're just buying a brand name, don't worry about it. As long as there are good developers, there will be good games, whether they're called BioWare or something else.

    Sorry but this is where history contradicts you.

  • matrim83 #78 4 years ago

    Wonder how long before Mass Effect is announced for the PS3, PS2, Wii, DS and PSP. Maybe they will dig a little lower and even get it to work on PS1, people still have them right?

  • penguin_overlord #79 4 years ago

    @Steroyd

    I agree that EA's past history isn't great, Criterian aside. It's criminal what EA did to Westwood and the C&C games but I prefer a wait and see policy. Anyway, EA aren't alone in ruining good companies. Look at what Microsoft as done to Rare. Rare games (and Ultimate before them) used to be events but now they're just another developer.

  • oceanmotion #80 4 years ago

    Bad news but it might work out. I really hate EA boxes, the stupid plain white sides.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #81 4 years ago

    Rare were clapped out for a while before Microsoft splashed 300 mil on their white-elephant asses.

    Did you play Starfox Adventures?

  • Cider-X #82 4 years ago

    Great news...

    Mass Effect Street announced for PS2/Ps3/PC Dvd/wii/360/Psp/ds and Mobile!!!!

  • Monkey_Puncher #83 4 years ago

    Mass Effect is published by Microsoft and will stay 360 exclusive, god knows what will happen to the rest of the trilogy. I look forward to buying Mass Effect 2 : Holiday Fun Pack and other such 'fun' spinoffs....

  • NegativeZero #84 4 years ago

    @Grogmonkey: I agree. This whole thing is eerily familiar to the internet outcry back years ago when Microsoft purchased Bungie. They didn't do too badly out of that one.

  • Monkey_Puncher #85 4 years ago

    To be fair Microsoft didn't break Rare, they were already going downhill before Microsoft even thought about a buyout. Viva Pinata was great fun though, and the old Banjo Team is still there so I have high hopes for the new game!

  • penguin_overlord #86 4 years ago

    Actually, Microsoft's buy out of Bungie annoyed many a PC gamer like myself. I was looking forward to Halo coming out for the PC - it looked so great on the PC Gamer preview - and then Microsoft snapped it up and I had to buy an Xbox just to play it.

    Someone nearly always loses when a development team is bought out. One of both of two things can happen from Bioware going to EA. One is that the quality of games will suffer - in that scenario, everyone loses. The second is that all future Bioware games go multi-platform. That is actually very likely and shouldn't come as a surprise but it doesn't mean that PS3 or Wii gamers will gain from this. After all, KOTOR was multi-platform as well but only on 360 and PC. Unless PS3 sales overtake the 360's, it's unlikely that games like Mass Effect 2 will make it to it but we will see a PC conversion (seeing as ports between 360 and PC are fairly simple by comparison). We won't see Wii versions as the machine is too under-powered and it's the wrong audience BUT we could see Bioware developing exclusive games tailored for the Wii.

  • sanctusmortis #87 4 years ago

    Not that again...

    Bungie retain MS as publishers, remember - so they will most likely only expand back to PC and Mac. I have no idea how people could miss that!

    This EA is not the MD/SNES EOA we all loved; this isn't about what's "in the game" but how to "challenge everything" through acquisitions.

    Boy, typing this on my Wiimote was a bad idea...

  • Triggerhappytel #88 4 years ago

    @ NegativeZero - but the difference is that MS have historically achieved a very successful partnership with both independant and in-house development studios.

    EA really, really have not.

  • MuppetThumper #89 4 years ago

    "Riccitello stands to pocket up to $5M from this. T0sser."

    Chufty: Would you turn down a $5m reward for YOUR hard work?

    My point being, Chufty, that having a stake in Elevation, Riccitello presents a conflict of interest for EA. The more EA pays, the more he makes. Oh but he wasn't directly involved in the discussions, right? Pull the other one...


  • sanctusmortis #90 4 years ago

    penguin- Halo still hit the PC, you know. Why would MS shaft their biggest market?

    The irony of your school comment is damn amusing.

  • NthSimulachum #91 4 years ago

    NOOOOOO

    Less consolidation!

  • Calgon #92 4 years ago

    lol Penguin_overlord sure has a funny way of looking at things(he also thinks he is some business analyst but makes the most stupid and obvious errors every time he talks about it... "MS doomed, last console, lost 10 billion by my calculations yipee Sony :) ";).

    ALL developers working with MS have benifited from it(he's pretending he was a Bungie fan before the buyout? like they were half as big back then? utter bullshit MS made them into bigger success than they could have hoped for otherwise), Id rather have Bizarre and Bioware under MGS than EA(if there had to be anyone to buy them) as would most gamers who aren't Sony fanboys(he's shamelessly relishing in the news over the last week and having a smug spinfest... so sad). I dont know where he gets half of the ideas he has, I still give the edge next year to 360 for the games lineups, Metal Gear Solid4 is the only one left which hasnt slightly lost its appeal(I think most people waiting for it already have PS3 though its not going to attract new gamers) and Little Big Planet isn't a system seller(although they are the only two exclusive games that look interesting for 2008).

    Hmmm So like Bodybuilder says, who is left at MGS? Rare and Lionhead(both big brittish devs... as was Bizarre, they must like brittish devs) , did they buy Turn 10 or are they independent?
    They may have lots of devs and software engineers just under the MGS wing that they could probably set up and inhouse studio with if they wanted(better to have them free to work on different projects where its needed IMO). It would be cheeper to set up their own inhouse studios anyway and then attract the top devs to join. Who is there left to buy really? The Crackdown devs?(another brittish studio btw).
    Edited by 6 at 12/10/07 @ 14:01

  • Calgon #93 4 years ago

    Mentalist(air) MGS loss making? Doubt it, infact it has to be the best performing part of the Xbox business. They have a deserved reputation for quality and almost every game coming from it sells really well = where are you getting this from?
    Edited by 2 at 12/10/07 @ 12:37

  • The-Bodybuilder #94 4 years ago

    >"Props for the neverending Story reference by the way, you don't get many of them to the pound. "

    In all honesty, the never ending story should be references in ever news, especially ones that have EA gobbling up a dev house.

  • Triggerhappytel #95 4 years ago

    @ Calgon - Turn 10 developed the Forza games, and they are an internal MS studio.

    There are also lots of big development studios out there who remain independant - Crytek, Valve, Free Radical, Gearbox, Level-5, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Blizzard, etc etc.

    I hope none of these go the same way as BioWare or Bizarre.

    EDIT - can't spell
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 13:18

  • The-Bodybuilder #96 4 years ago

    On one hand, I understand MS' "project" structre of development, where they work with a dev for a certain project and terminate/review it when the project ends. It's probably the best model for both publishers (don't have to spend loads of money on buying a dev) and devs (they get a great pay for each good project done, support from the publishers, and maintain thier independence).

    It's the perfect model for the current gen. The problem is that publishers like "The Nothing" still believe in the old model of conquering all and owning all, which means thier won't be many independant devs for MS or other publishers to work with.

    The Nothing/EA are the modern day babylon. They'll probably dash your babies on to rocks too.

  • The-Bodybuilder #97 4 years ago

    >"Naughty Dog, Insomniac"

    I thought sony recently bought atleast one of them?

    Out of that list, only valve can remain safe from Electronic Babylon/The Nothing.

  • vane101 #98 4 years ago

    Will we need two separate usernames now for EA and BW/PD?

  • SleepyMagpie #99 4 years ago

    I Still remember ads in Computer Gaming World from 1986 where gamesdesigners were pictured, gathered together, wearing serious, passionate faces, with the text reading; "EA. By gamers, for gamers". They emphasized designers as their leading lights, and Trip Hawkins raved about their art.

    You've come a long way, EA..

    This EA acquisition sucks in a major way, and I'm gonna pore over Mass Effect reviews discriminately before buying now.

    P.S. Look at the penguin_overlord STILL trying to look at the darkness by turning on the light. If there's nothing there, there's nothing there lad.

  • Triggerhappytel #100 4 years ago

    The Bodybuilder - ">"Naughty Dog, Insomniac"

    I thought sony recently bought atleast one of them?

    Out of that list, only valve can remain safe from Electronic Babylon/The Nothing.     "

    Eh? First I've heard of it. If that's the case then it has not been reported on here. The last studio Sony bought was Evolution - as I'm sure you know - very recently. Before that I think the major studios they have bought recently(ish) have been Guerilla and Zipper before that.

    Anyway, I suspect none of those studios are really safe from an EA takeover if they were intent; however Valve and Blizzard would probably be in the best positions to resist since they both run an online service where they garner revenue from the customer directly, thus cutting out middle-men and increasing their profits.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 14:09

  • Turambar #101 4 years ago

    Naughty Dog has been part of Sony for quite some time.

    Also Blizzard are owned by Vivendi.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 14:29

  • TonyCocaCola #102 4 years ago

    Fuck off EA noone likes you

  • The-Bodybuilder #103 4 years ago

    >"Naughty Dog has been part of Sony for quite some time"

    I'm pretty sure I read that on this site.

  • Drpwnage #104 4 years ago

    "This EA acquisition sucks in a major way, and I'm gonna pore over Mass Effect reviews discriminately before buying now."

    ?

    The game is released prior to completion of the acquisition so EA will have no influence on this release of Mass Effect.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 14:51

  • Triggerhappytel #105 4 years ago

    @ Turambar - "Naughty Dog has been part of Sony for quite some time.

    Also Blizzard are owned by Vivendi."

    Well, I was adamant that this was not the case, but after a bit of research it turns out you're not wrong. All these years and I've never known ND were owned by Sony.

    And I could've sworn Blizzard and Vivendi parted ways a few years back, but I must have mis-read it.

    Thanks for enlightening me :)
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 15:37

  • SleepyMagpie #106 4 years ago

    Drpwnage wrote: "The game is released prior to completion of the acquisition so EA will have no influence on this release of Mass Effect."

    Big corporate acquisitions are usually a long time coming, how are we to know that Bioware didn't in some way court and flutter their feathers for EA?

    By that I mean, how can we be certain some areas of Mass Effect weren't diluted/groomed to present a more EA friendly product?

  • Tiel #107 4 years ago

    You'll know Mass Effect is corrupt if it features ads.

  • Triggerhappytel #108 4 years ago

    Yeah, it's set hundreds of years in the future... on other planets... and there's adverts for Tiger fucking Woods everywhere...

  • chicknstu #109 4 years ago

    "I think the Burnout franchise is the only one to survive EA's grasp"

    No way, it's got progressivly worse after EA acquired it and began forcing them to churn out the yearly updates. I'd hold burnout as a prime example of what happens when EA get their mitts on things. They get ruined.

    Doesn't anyone remember the amazing load times and broken online modes (which have now been switched off entirely) of Burnout 3!!! With the Dev's begging for more time to work on it, but being denied the oppertunity?

  • Drakron #110 4 years ago

    EA was after Ubisoft once, fortunately for Ubisoft they are based in Europe.

    Let me say this, EA is a great publisher in terms of distribution and advertisement ... too bat about pretty much everything else, BioWare and Pandemic are dead ... its only a time of how and when.

    Blizzard is a division of subsidiary of Vivendi Games that is too big for EA to take on, Blizzard became WoW for better and worst ...

  • Drpwnage #111 4 years ago

    @Sleepymagpie.

    It is likely that only a couple of the senior managers at Bioware would have been aware of the acquisition before yesterday's announcement, confidentiality is very important. Bioware always release very polished games, so I really don't see how the EA acquisition would have affected Bioware's work on Mass Effect. It's simply paranoia to suggest otherwise.

  • TonyCocaCola #112 4 years ago

    Doent it take about 2 years to buy a company? If EA bought bioware then they wont be able to do anything about it for 2 years. I know this coz it happened to my company, 2 years to the day man everyone was made redundant.

  • TedMoseby #113 4 years ago

    That's just about the worst news I've had all day.

  • Drakron #114 4 years ago

    The colonies, TonyCocaCola ... the colonies.

    Also, no it does not take that long because they are private owned and it just shows the whole Elevation Partners was a bunch of hot air, it seems Eidos managed to get away just in time since they bid on it (true Eidos is not much these days but Tomb Raider under EA? god ...).

  • JavaJawaUK #115 4 years ago

    Don't be so melodramatic people - EA are in partnership Valve and own Crytek and have done nothing to interfere with their day-to-day running. Now that Riccitello, who has been in charge of the consortium that owned Bioware and Pandemic previously - is back at EA there is someone who has experience with the publisher and both developers. I don't think that EA will mess with Bioware too much as Riccitello recognises them as a moneyspinner, Pandemic maybe a little more as they are primarily an action/adventure and FPS dev.
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 17:29

  • Ryuken #116 4 years ago

    Bad news.

  • penguin_overlord #117 4 years ago

    I'm not sure what people are more pissed about on this board. The fact that Bioware has gone to EA or that this could mean the end of another series of exclusives for the 360.

    Despite what others may think on here, this still spells bad news for the 360 and a potentially poor 2008 and beyond.

  • SleepyMagpie #118 4 years ago

    @Drpwnage.

    Yeah, you're probably right. I hope you're right. But sometimes my paranoia hasn't even been sufficient to cover real world situations uncovered, so..

    Yup. Paranoid! *wailed Ozzy style*.

  • captainrentboy #119 4 years ago

    EA fucked over Springfield, and I hate them for it.
    You all played The Simpsons demo? My God, the whole playing area might as well have been one big EA billboard.
    It was kind of funny to see, in a ''God they fooking suck'' kind of way.

  • Calgon #120 4 years ago

    Despite what Penguin_supertroll thinks we can all see for ourselves 2008 already looks tastey(plus with the amount of great games available this year already maybe it would nice to support their efforts and buy them in the early months at fullprice rather than force them into the bargain bin being stingy, by which time theyve already been blasted for not getting the sales), Im actually looking forward to seeing what Rare have been up to too. As for the Bungie and Bizarre business well its a bit shit but like Konami is to Sony these devs know where their true fanbase is, so if they ever want to do a AAA blockbuster exclusive you know theres only on place that's going to be(thats right the 360 and thats without looking at the big advantage MS has in install base). The Mass Effect Trilogy was already planned for 360(all three games this gen IIRC), it really is speaking to soon - wishfully thinking the exclusiveness on the series has changed one bit. 360 is still the console with the best library(by far if you ask me) and the most promising in the forseeable future.

    They know what they are doing at MGS these days if you ask me, that may sound fanboyish but think about it - theyve made massive improvements since the early stages of Xbox... everything associated with it recently has been great. Theyve slowly become one of my favourite publishers, why would you enjoy seeing an end to something good that people enjoy?(its not impossible no like its not with Sony to have to sell up a few dev houses since times are quickly getting harder for them, PS2 hardware and software sales will slow to trickle soon IMO, then what do they have?) It would really be a big loss to the industry I dont care who choses to admit or deny that theyve brought alot of good to the table(or maybe some of you just aint hungry anymore huh? ;) ).
    Edited by 1 at 12/10/07 @ 19:26

  • foamy #121 4 years ago

    OH NOES, MA BIOWARE'S GOING TO THE DARK SIDE :(((((

  • spud71 #122 4 years ago

    They should have bought Arganaut the British developer. They did a very good job of Harry Potter. It would have saved them from liquidation.

  • penguin_overlord #123 4 years ago

    @Calgon - I don't know. You have the nerve to brand me a fanboy when you are one of the biggest on this site.

    What do you mean the 360 has the most promising library of games in the future? Does it have MGS4, GT5 or FFXIII? Does it have any big FPS games announced for next year like Killzone? Does it have anything as innovative as LittleBigPlanet? Will someone please tell me where the 360's amazing line-up next year is because it seems to be AWOL. There are some good exclusives but nothing that will excite people who don't already have a 360.

    The 360 has already shot its load. The big games that people were looking forward to like Gears of War, Bioshock, Halo 3 and Mass Effect are either out or will be soon, whereas the PS3 still hasn't brought out its big guns.

  • Calgon #124 4 years ago

    penguin_overlord: Youre a biased Sony troll... MGS4 is the biggest PS3 game and its not even a system seller anymore, all the MGS4 fans already have a PS3. Little Big Planet isnt groundbreaking by any means its slightly charming and innovative granted but this isnt going to shift PS3s. GT and FF have lost their appeal in the west IMO, not even considered good games by some anymore let alone system sellers. Killzone2? Do you think people will look past 360's ALREADY bigger library of even bigger and critically acclaimed FPS'(you know points that the first game failed on? sales, critical acclaim and general buzz around the IP), no this just shows you are just a wishfull thinking troll.(I may prefer 360 but Im in the right place you arent... owning either console isnt some liscense nor does it make you any more right or less bias, you're trolling with FUD and the usual Sony bias). 360 will probably have a big exclusive FPS next year but it doesnt even need one so soon is the funny thing(Sony desperately need something), I cant beleive you are using that arguement... infact all your angles given and fairly weak really.

    Its 2006 all over again "just you wait till next year... and the big blu-ray guns powered by the mighty CELL gonna blow xbots away", I dont really care the way you see it(if you really prefer the PS3 enjoy it then and be happy with it rather than bitter at "Xbots";) or which platform holder has the better profits next year... 360 is still looking like a much much better choice for me as a gamer.(not been as excited about a console in a long time... and Ive seen lots of people say the same too)
    Edited by 5 at 12/10/07 @ 20:14

  • MakMan #125 4 years ago

    So this is the third step of Microsoft getting out the business? Nice!
    Now focus your attention on fixing my Vista!

    It would be cool to see EA change teams within the company.
    Let BioWare make SSX4 for example! Interesting!

  • penguin_overlord #126 4 years ago

    Calgon, you're back. I guess you were too busy doing your homework to figure out what the 360's amazing line-up next year may be. I know it's hard to find.

    And I'm sorry but you're talking some rubbish ("all the MGS4 fans already have a PS3";). MG3 sold almost four million copies and MGS2 around seven million. That means there are plenty of people who will buy a PS3 next year when MGS4 comes out. It has the potential to sell at least a million PS3's, possibily in Japan alone. And what do you mean the GT and FF games have lost their appeal, especially in the West? GT4 sold over 8 million copies, seven million of which were in the US and Europe alone. FFXII sold 1.5 million copies in the US after just one week. It also received a Metacritic average of 92 out of 100. Compare that to Blue Dragon's 78 out of 100.

    All three games are part of franchises that 360 owners can only dream about. And as for Killzone. Yes, the 360's current library of FPS games is impressive but I'm talking nine months from now. The likes of Bioshock and Halo 3 will be old by then, still great, but old. It's new games that primarilly sell consoles, not old ones, and at the moment the 360 has nothing to compete with Killzone 2 next year, just as it has nothing to compete with MGS4, FFXII and GT5. And that's without possible new Resistance and Motorstorm games.

    It may be hard being a PS3 owner at the moment but at least we have something to look forward to. I played the Ratchet & Clank demo today and it is truly fantastic. What I previously thought on trailers were pre-rendered scenes are actually in-game. Drake's Fortune and Haze are also looking very impressive.

    I say again, what is so amazing about the 360's future line-up?

  • MakMan #127 4 years ago

    @the pinguin: You cannot ignore any of the releaselists of the consoles.
    360 HAS got a promising line-up of exclusives in 2008 too.
    To name a few: Gears of War 2, Halo Wars, Alan Wake, Banjo 3, Too Human, Fable 2....

    Just buy the one who's line-up suits your preferences the best.
    And buy them all if you don't want to miss anything (and if you have enough free time...).

  • penguin_overlord #128 4 years ago

    @MakMan - you make some good points (and not just about Vista)

    I read a comment on another site today from someone saying that maybe Microsoft don't want to invest in keeping these developers exclusive because they're just not prepared to keep spending money on the games division. It's a well known fact that, although MS have become a major player in the console market, financially it's been a disaster for them. They've only ever had one quarter when they made a profit since the launch of the original Xbox. Although they can certainly afford to keep throwing money at it, surely their investors will disagree. After all, companies are in the business of making money. Food for thought. Personally, on the strength of its current sales I can't see the 360 outselling the original Xbox. That had the advantage of superior hardware and the Halo games. It's possible there will be no more Halo FPS games for the 360. If the 360 does end up in this position, questions have to be asked whether Microsoft will try a third time.

    As for the games you mentioned, I'm sure GOW 2 will look great but it really isn't a system seller. There's already been one GOW game for the 360 so new audiences are unlikely to be attracted to it. Halo Wars seems like a great game too but RTS games don't sell as well as FPS games so MS shouldn't expect the Halo fans to flock to it. The other games are very average.

  • MakMan #129 4 years ago

    @pinguin:

    Come on now, Too Human and Alan Wake have the potential to become very big when looking at the records of their developers.
    Too Human -> Silicon Knights -> Eternal Darkness (amazing game btw!)
    Alan Wake -> Remedy -> Max Payne (sold millions)

    Especially the last is looked forward to by many gamers (I know some myself).
    And with the new Banjo (think Viva Pinata graphics) in their line-up, they may have a chance to win the younger crowd as well.

    Don't forget that MGS4 still has a big chance of going to the 360 as well, just by looking at the installed base in the US...

    And be honest, for the moment the line-up of the 360 has more to give than the PS3. But Microsoft will never win Europe (nor Japan), just because of their image...

    For the record, I don't own (and don't plan to) any of the next-gen systems. Next to the Wii en DS I simply do not have the time to play any more titles...

  • MakMan #130 4 years ago

    By the way, time to PLAY games again (instead of all the talk): Super Metroid on VC! Weeeh!

  • penguin_overlord #131 4 years ago

    @MakMan:

    Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh. Alan Wake looks interesting but I remain unconvinced by Too Human. I've read a lot about it and it does look average to me. To others, it may seem great, but this is just my opinion. It's hardly going to be as good as Mass Effect. As for Banjo, it may very well turn out to be a good game but the Xbox has never been appealing to younger gamers because it has the image of a hardcore console designed for teens and above. Microsoft just don't have the brand perception in that age range compared to Nintendo and Sony.

    I very much doubt if MGS4 will make it to the 360. For one thing, I don't think it has the horsepower. And even if it comes out a year later, so what? The 360 will gain so sales advantage from it. Sony Europe are even bundling MGS4 with the PS3 and Dualshock next year.

    The 360's line-up right now is better than the PS3's. I've never argued that point. But what I am saying is that the PS3 has the highest profile games being released next year. And some of them look like corkers. GT5, for example, runs at 1080P at 60fps. The Prologue game available this year as a free download will show that.

    And you're right about Microsoft never winning Europe and Japan. And that's important to bear in mind.

  • FortysixterUK #132 4 years ago

    Bioware and Pandemic will be " absorbed " by the gestalt that is EA.

    They MAY keep the company names operational, but slowly, over a couple of years, the original employees will likely just disappear.

    I worked at EA for around 14 months in a very low quality job, with SOME even lower quality team leads and managers, ( some, not all ) but fortunately made friends with a few of the right people ( still didn't get me a full time job ! ) but they confirmed my observation ( albeit un-officially often over a lunch) about how EA do business. ( Buyout, absorb, cherry pick, take IP )

    It probably comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that this kind of thing goes on.

    At the end of the day EA are in business to make money, so will do what it takes to get the required IPs....then milk them all they can.

    Classic example, look how Command & Conquer has lost its spirit since the original westwood team were dissolved after the Red Alert 2 mission pack.And also look at how may times it's been re-released !

    EA are good at doing a few things though, they help to make games a little more mainstream, have developed a serious brand awareness...and of course, make more money thatn any other games company in the world. If you can get in on the Dev side of EA you are probably set for a good job.

    I realise I have made some sweeping ( possibly obvious) statements in this post, but I think I could writ a seriously revealing article about EA and it " business styles " and questionable " management styles" but who the hell would dare publish it , or even listen? Plus, who could do anything about it?

    Just don't get stuck working in EA Q.A.

  • VMerken #133 4 years ago

    @Calgon:
    "MGS4 is the biggest PS3 game and its not even a system seller anymore, all the MGS4 fans already have a PS3."

    Nope. Not ALL of them ;)

    I will get a PS3 when MGS4 is out, not any moment sooner. Hopefully, I'll find a nice bundle of MGS4+PS3 with DS3 controllers at a nice €399 price point or something like that.

  • ronuds #134 4 years ago

    I figured you would all be happy.

    Doesn't every EA game released in the UK end up #1?

  • Azazel #135 4 years ago

    EA: "This is the sword 'blackrazor'... very powerful it issss..."

    /Bioware takes 'blackrazor'



    Hai! I'm being your geekiest comment of the thread! thnxbai

  • dredd97 #136 4 years ago

    ah Criterion.... the only reason EA bought them wasn't for burnout, but for the renderware software which Criterion had developed... Burnout was just the icing on the cake...

  • rommy667 #137 4 years ago

    Dam this is BAD BAD news indeed :(

  • gandhimaster #138 4 years ago

    man this sucks, EA CANNOT be allowed to continue buying up developers. Mainly because it just means console specific exclusives will completely fade away. It cant be good for long-term competition surely? I'm not fanboy, by the way, its just the way i see it.

  • fightman #139 4 years ago

    hate your guts slut....'kirrr'...hate your fucking guts.

    rrrrrhate u......rrrrrhate u.

    if you dont like it, call the fucking police - i'll tell them about that note you put on my fucking car. call them, let's sort this out

    now go lick out your lesbian bitch and carry on pretending to be straight you ugly whore

  • Martin #140 4 years ago

    This thread makes me sad.

    The news, on the other hand, doesn't. If, in a couple of years, EA has ruined Bioware, then I'll be the first to rally against EA though.

  • The-Bodybuilder #141 4 years ago

    >"If, in a couple of years, EA has ruined Bioware, then I'll be the first to rally against EA though."

    Too late by then isn't it?

  • dk_rare #142 4 years ago

    Wow. Well, at least we have one source of grade A games left.. EA will never be able to buy out EAD ^_^

  • penguin_overlord #143 4 years ago

    @gandhimaster

    "man this sucks, EA CANNOT be allowed to continue buying up developers. Mainly because it just means console specific exclusives will completely fade away. It cant be good for long-term competition surely?"

    Good points. I think with regards to EA buying up so many developers, it must be remembered that most developers are owned by other companies already or have very strong partnerships with them. Even Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, EA, Infogrammes and Vivendi alone probably own most of the industry. It's the way the industry is going, just like most of the top music stars are owned by a very small number of companies and the same with movies.

    As for long-term competition, it will be interesting to see what happens. Apart from first party titles from Sony and Microsoft, the vast majority of 360 and PS3 games are multi-platform and will continue to be because it makes little sense for a developer to limit their profits by concentrating on one platform, unless they are going to be paid big amounts of money for doing so. Only the Wii looks likely to have a comprehensive range of exclusives, due to the nature of its control system and the fact that it is very under-powered compared to the 360 and PS3. If 90% of all the games you'd buy are available on both 360 and PS3, it makes the decision over which one to buy an interesting one.

  • Kryon #144 4 years ago

    @Grogmonkey

    "Ah well. I enjoyed my time at EA, so I'm sure they will too."

    Man, times must have been hard brother, but surely Wimpy or BurgerKing must have had vacancies? I feel your pain, and I feel you deserve respect for admitting that you're a recovering EA employee *sicks up in own mouth slightly*...

    /No children! Don't look at him!!! He is no longer a man...NOOOOooooo!!!

  • hyperkineticninja #145 4 years ago

    Guys tbh EA are not the monsters they used to be. They are releasing some quality titles this year. And I don't think a lot of you realise that they make an effort to bring games to the UK that would otherwise not be released to name a couple Okami and God Hand were distributed by EA. Also EA are not idiots they will pump a load of money into these studios and let them do their thing as they know it will be easy money. And in regards to Burnout. Paradise is an improvement on the recent series.

    oh and even FIFA is making a lot more improvements than Pro these days :S

    ...and breath...
    Edited by 1 at 13/10/07 @ 10:56

  • Dragul #146 4 years ago

    @hyperkineticninja

    Don't forget We Love Katamari!

    Anyway, IMHO the last C&C was a return to the good old days...

    Of course I can't remember any other games fromn EA I enjoyed recently... :(

  • Steroyd #147 4 years ago

    Being responsible for bringing a game made by another company to other countries, and being the iron fist in the development process of a game are two different things.

    Ubisoft brought FFXII to Europe I think that doesn't mean their sequels and multiplatform stuff they make doesn't suck.

  • captainrentboy #148 4 years ago

    Penguin_overlord is a bit silly isn't he? ''Where are the 360 big hitters for next year?'' He cries!! Someone then goes on to name 5 or 6 potentially massive titles for the 360, all possibly out next year.''Yeah, but, ummm, yeah, they're not MGS4 though are they? Huzzzah, PS3 is still ta best'' he replies :/
    Admit it, you're coming off as slightly twat like, both consoles will have huge titles out next year, I'm sure both have some super titles coming out that we've seen very little of so far. But to keep harping on about MGS4 like it's the be all and end all of big titles next year is daft, like Halo 3, it's just a whole lot more of what we've seen 1000 times before, but looking a bit nicer. And like Halo 3, when it's released, yeah it might shift a few hundred thousand more consoles over a two week period, but that'll be it, they'll spike and drop off again, it's not going to shift 10 million consoles or anything.

  • Skywise #149 4 years ago

    I blame their Star Wars game for giving them a wish for the Dark Side

  • jaxon58 #150 4 years ago

    We're all mostly slagging off EA, but to be as big as they are, we must all be buying their stuff! Vote with your wallets people!

  • Calgon #151 4 years ago

    captainrentboy dont waste your time(double standards and all that), I find his homework comments funny coming from that immature little troll lol...

    "Name me some of these big games" /people start posting a list 5-6 strong which are potentially huge titles for 2008

    /Penguin_Overlord shakes his head "nah they are good but not system sellers" not like /lists a predictable PS3 lineup(genuinly uninspiring IMO).

    @ Penguin_Overlord

    Oh and my point about all those games is sales have been dropping off with all of them in recent years rather than increasing(your own figures supported that) that includes MGS3(the comments about MGS4 not being a system seller just goes to show how easy it is to say... you know like you've said of every big 360 game so far). If the only reason you are excited about GT5 is the 1080p @60fps then that says it all about the common GT fan, second - some of us aren't easily fooled and will notice the sacrifices made(if they do manage it there will be some, like there was in GT4 for those who know what they are talking about) its not like 360 couldnt manage it with the same tricks/shortcuts, engine optimisations and the amount of time its taking them.

    You talk so much rubbish its getting increasingly hard to take you seriously(atleast Im accurate and less sensational/deluded) 360 could do MGS4 no problem, it has more graphics muscle than PS3 does for a start but we dont need to argue about that I'll just remind you that even the lead designer on the game said they could do it on 360. Those PS3 games you list look more deserving of "average" status thus far too me but its pointless arguing over something so subjective, I cant beleive you dont realise how much of a fanboy you look with some of the statements youve made though, know this though there are more people that disagree with you than agree with you here.(the 360 titles mentioned look potentially huge - IMO much much more promising than the PS3 lineup you mentioned, but unlike PS3 fanboys, 360 owners can afford to wait and see how they turn out before saying too much. Otherwise they'll look stupid if they dont turn out so hot... something thats happened alot to PS3 fanboys in 2007).

    Im not going to waste my time on discussing this any futher(you come accross as an angry little kid who loves Sony and doesnt like seeing them loosing, which they are everywhere but Japan funnily enough --now that you mention it-- if it carries on like this all PS3 will have is Japan to share with Nintendo, MS do treat Europe better and are starting to see some rewards for that this gen) as Ive said I know which lineup "looks" the best so far to me so thats why I find your arguement weak, it really is mostly all wishfull thinking on your part with your regards to your perceived 360 "problems" that nobody else here seems to agree with(2008 looks great so far - looking past 2008 is pointless if you know anything about this industry I shouldnt need to tell you, but we all know your game is FUD, shame you're no good at it ;) ).
    Edited by 5 at 14/10/07 @ 16:09

  • Skywise #152 4 years ago

    @Calgon: and another former 360-exclusive company might go multiplatform. This must be tough times for a MS employee/fanboy like you :-)

    Edit: actually I'm becoming enthousiastic about this deal. Bioware is good in content and EA is good in presentation, seems like a winning formula to me!
    Edited by 1 at 14/10/07 @ 18:17

  • Drakron #153 4 years ago

    BioWare was never "Xbox-360 exclusive", I find that statement funny considering they done MDK 2 for Interplay for the PC, PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast.

    Microsoft published JE (and likely helped fund the project), I always found a bit odd BioWare never doing PS2 games but I take it was more due to the company being primary a PC developer and so more at ease with the Xbox, besides it was not like Sony had any problems with finding stellar RPGs for their platform anyway to care about some canadian company was doing for MS for their "next gen" console.

    As for "Bioware is good in content and EA is good in presentation" ... funny, in the end you will the reverse since it have ALWAYS been what happen when EA takes over-

    Also I know why you sonytards defend EA ... its their support for PS2 that killed the Dreamcast, too bad your selective memory blocks the fact EA did a U-turn with the PSP and now supports the DS over the PSP and likely will do the same with the Wii ... I am so looking forward to their Wii version of the DS speech.

  • Skywise #154 4 years ago

    @Drakron: so I'm a 'sonytard' now? Sorry but I don't buy it :p
    I have played games for almost 20 years now and I'm not loyal to any console manufacurer, as I've seen all have their highs and lows. The only time I was a fanboy was in the Dreamcast time, so your comment about me being happy that EA killed the DC is so wide of the mark it's unbelievable :)

    MDK 2 was before the 360-time so take that into account please. Rare isn't 360 exclusive too by that reasoning because they made games for Nintendo home consoles in the past. (I think Sony even made some games for Nintendo home consoles too)

    Still with Peter Moore leaving Microsoft, Bizarre Creations going multiplatform, Bungie going independent and now Bioware becoming part of a multiplatform company, this doesn't bode that well for the future of the 360. But maybe exclusives will become less important now that there are so many good multiplatform titles. 360 is still the cheapest entry to those.

    I used to hate the EA games, but their LOTR action games were so well polished it really helped with the immersion. For an RPG this could be great. If Mass Effect part 2 arrives in 2008 and has EA Trax in it, I will eat my words :p

    Edit: spelling, spelling, spelling and spelling (memo to self: don't type when tired)
    Edited by 4 at 15/10/07 @ 00:43

  • Calgon #155 4 years ago

    Skywise so you're not a fanboy but an MS hater? --just as annoying and no more rational or objective-- relishing at "potential bad news for 360" and hoping for the worst. Giving no credit for the progress made at MGS(IMO you cant look at the output in past 2-3 years and tell me they didnt get their shit together in a big way). This industry isnt that old to begin with (Ive played them pretty much as long as you have though) and its one that's not easy to predict, I choose what I like best based on whats on offer. My thoughts to any platform holders are more along the lines of what they can do for me as a gamer and I prefer to see some competition between them than none at all. MS have shown constant improvement they are offering more of what I want and theyve improved things in Europe a little too, its more of an equal than an afterthought this generation(not perfect but great to see maybe it could force Sony and Nintendo to do the same).

    I think it's too early to make any calls like that, so the fact that you and penguin(who is a Sony fanboy) even tried just tells me thats what you'd like to beleive. Atleast wait for the usual year ahead announcements in 2008 before spinning your little FUD webs, maybe MS has plans , maybe there will be new acquisitions or new inhouse studios set up, maybe theres some partnerships planned... like I say this year is a really big year on 360, never has there been so many big games in such a short space of time.

    So Shane Kim(he's head of the games - Peter Moore was more PR than anything else although he did do alot of other things I gather)and whoever else was responsible for this years lineup appear to know exactly what they are doing and could well have some big announcements to make next year too, there's enough to get excited about for 2008 already any further than that is too far away at this point.
    Edited by 2 at 15/10/07 @ 02:56

  • Penguinzoot #156 4 years ago

    First thing I'd say is, Microsoft is publishing Mass Effect, so all this talk about Mass Effect going multi-platform may be pre-mature. Perhaps Microsoft have already signed BioWare up for the trilogy, or have an option to do so. Maybe they haven't, in which case, if they are made, Mass Effect II and III may go multi-platform. So unless there is a breaking story I am not aware of somewhere on the interwebs, best to wait for an official announcement I think.

    The other general thing relating to the discussion above is the question of a dearth of 360 titles for 2008 and beyond. Many people believe Microsoft made a mistake at E3 by concentrating completely (apart from GTA IV) on "holiday 2007". The obvious intent was to ram home any advantage Microsoft may feel they have in the marketplace in the run up to Christmas. The other side of the coin is, it leaves them open to the question "OK, so what big games are coming out in 2008/2009 then?".

    People that follow these things know there are several big games coming out for the 360 next year. But they are largely new or untested IP's that do not carry the weight of Playstations big guns (FF XIII, GT or MGS4), or resonate with the games-buying public in the same way, regardless of whether we are talking about them being system sellers. Personally I reckon Microsoft should have just made a little bit of noise about next years games at E3. But hey, what do I know?

    Anyway, the bottom line is: Sonys big guns will fire next year. Microsofts big guns fired or will fire this year. So what? This is great stuff for gamers. Loads of excellent games to choose from.

    Personally, as a gamer fortunate enough to own all 3 current-gen systems, I'm not bothered. There are in fact way too many games to choose from this year that will last me probably a good way into 2008 ;-).

  • TRUTH #157 4 years ago

    Fable, Mass Effect, Halo, PGR, Forza, Crackdown, Gears Of War, Alan Wake, Vina Pitna are held by MS as they supported these games with finance and as a publisher. All MS will do is hand the project to other developers to develop as did Nintendo with Metroid.

  • Drakron #158 4 years ago

    Of course MDK 2 was before the XBox 360, it was before even the Xbox.

    But it was also BioWare first console game, that is my point ... BioWare Xbox development come more about circumstances, Sony did not needed to court BioWare as Microsoft was trying to get as much support for their console as they could.

    Also get your facts right, Rare was owned by Nintendo when they developed those games for Nintendo systems, then Nintendo SOLD Rare to Microsoft ... Sony never done games for Nintendo even if they did originally developed what became the PlayStation for Nintendo (Nintendo backed out of the deal), Bizarre Creations is now owned by Activision (now you know why they are going multiplataform) and Bungie was let out off Micoroft Game Studios (Microsoft still holds a position in there and have first option on games).

    The issue with EA multiplataform games is the compromise were design is always compromised by all the console weakest points, anyone that recalls Xbox/PC hybrids also remembers the tiny levels that were caused by the shortcomings of the XBox in terms of memory despite the fact such issue did not exist on the PC.

  • TRUTH #159 4 years ago

    MASS EFFECT NOT COMING TO PS3: http://ww w.gamesradar.com/gb/pc/game/new...

  • Skywise #160 4 years ago

    @Drakron: <a href="http://en.wikipedi a.org/wiki/Hook_(video_game)">
    http://en.wikipedi a.org/wiki/Hook_(video_game)</a>
    A Sony game that was published on the SNES. Sony was publishing a few Megadrive games at that time, this is the only one I could remember of them.

    I agree with your Bioware statement though.

    @Calgon: sorry but you seem to bring out the Anti-Fanboy in me

    Edit: spelling
    Edited by 4 at 16/10/07 @ 23:55

  • Calgon #161 4 years ago

    Skywise bring out the MS hater in you, dont you mean? I was just showing the troll, the errors of his ways and how pointing out it seems like he's wishing MS to leave the industry like it would be a good thing.(this is strong fanboyism or in some cases haterism... it shows they a) Dont have the foggiest about whats good for the Industry/gamers themselves b)they wear tinfoil hats and prophecise MS as the end of gaming... you seem like the latter to me unless you are hiding your Sony banner to keep from being ignored lol)

    Penguin is always trolling with his Sony propaganda and his "MS are doomed because I found some figures I dont really have a clue about, just looked bad and I got all excited, but Im not a fanboy"... we dont need people polluting the 360 sections with yet more FUD every chance they get.

    btw - Did you hear the real news? there will be no PS4 Sony have lost too much money... doomed - cant afford it like MS can and blu-ray wont help them soon enough. Must be hard for Sony Fanboys and that heh? ;)
    Edited by 2 at 17/10/07 @ 15:29

  • Skywise #162 4 years ago

    @Calgon: unlike you I can provide you with links to back up my claims :p

    Penguinzoot sounds like a reasonable guy to me, he isn't using your neo-con lying tactics which is a blessing :)

  • Calgon #163 4 years ago

    Skywise you cheeky little shit... show me one lie(other than that rather obvious skit of the typical FUD troll in my last paragraph... and if that is what you mean then stop now, because your either too dumb or too petty to bother with)... and what links - what are you on about? o_O

    What claims have I made that need links?(I'll do it but something tells me your talking out of your rear end here... empty statements)
    What were your claims? (I certainly hope you're not talking about some of the stuff penguin troll has been on about because otherwise Ive given you too much credit is all I'll say)

    Btw: Im not sure what you're on about but simply providing links doesnt always mean they 100% support your claims(you're not dealing with some noob here Im immune to FUD... because I read the same sources as you dummy, 9 times out of 10 its simply nagative spin on what little information we have... filling in the blanks with SHITE and hoping no one notices? what do you take us for? Jog on mate ;) ). Infact sometimes(especially when it comes to technical aspects, sometimes businsess) they are either not related or actually go against their claims(theyve simply not understood it and jumped all over it, funny the first couple of instances but then it gets annoying)
    Edited by 5 at 18/10/07 @ 03:33

  • Skywise #164 4 years ago

    Calgon wrote: So Shane Kim(he's head of the games - Peter Moore was more PR than anything else although he did do alot of other things I gather)and whoever else was responsible for this years lineup appear to know exactly what they are doing...

    Lol, even with the massive 3rd party support they are losing from Nintendo worldwide. Nintendo has to do it all alone at the moment. How can you be so positive about the MGS games in this light? They are all in the same genres, the market will never broaden with MGS. And besides, almost all will be available for PC. Of my favourite Xbox games only PGR and Forza are not available on PC. Their notion that the 360 isn't a competitor to PC is the main reason not to buy a 360 for me.

    Peter Moore recently said that EA Sports should focus more on Europe, and since 360 is only doing well in the UK, you can read "focus more on Wii/PS3" into that.

  • Calgon #165 4 years ago

    Skywise you've just removed all doubt thankyou :D you're a clueless fool, your last post aimed at me was like I suspected from your rear end(you failed to point out where I lied and where I needed to provide links your quote seemed random in that respect). From what you have quoted you have failed to discount it anyway... you disagree that Shane Kim is and has always been in charge of the games since Ed Fries left? Moore was a PR guy first and formost but a good one with many industry contacts and experience from his days with SEGA of America.

    Lol, even with the massive 3rd party support they are losing from Nintendo worldwide.

    LOL
    A) Nintendo are targeting a different audience, a much bigger audience, 360 is still outperforming PS3 and has a strong enough foothold with plenty to look forward to.
    B) They are selling at a cheaper price and have been from day one
    C) They are selling less software, oooh what does that tell you about this audience?
    D) The games have failed to interest ME enough to purchaise thus far and thats what really matters to ME.

    How can you be so positive about the MGS games in this light? They are all in the same genres, the market will never broaden with MGS.

    How can I not be, how can you disagree with me? Its FACT(Im taking the piss out of you here btw)... Im positive because I PREFER THE GAMES(lots of other traditional gamers agree, you are a hypocrite for even using that angle) they simply have produced the most AAA titles so who cares which genre?(Its gotten to a point where you can almost bet on each game being worth buy coming from it IMO). You aren't doing a good job with this FUD are you? ;) Trying to convince me which games I prefer arguing with the critics?(pathetic times recently with the amount of crying haters and fanboys have done over the acclaim top draw 360 games have gotten)

    Oh right I should care if MS broaden the market with Mini games Im not interested in, so that people that do can buy more of them. Then when market is "broadened" devs can get moved off hardcore/serious projects onto the "quirky so it must be great" projects. Not everyone cares for the innovation for innovations sake(when will you people learn what are you expecting to see? what new genres have been on the wii... wheres this innovation? you talk shite), what makes me laugh is Nintendo fanboys will defend Mario and the like pointing out that differences between each game and then turn around and say "every FPS/Racer is the same".

    And besides, almost all will be available for PC.

    Not if MS dont want them to be... its all down to them and if they show up 3 years later who cares? Not me for one.

    Peter Moore recently said that EA Sports should focus more on Europe, and since 360 is only doing well in the UK, you can read "focus more on Wii/PS3" into that.

    o_O Yeah thats the only explanation... because EA have been selling more games on Wii and PS3 is ahead of 360(rather than behind like the figures show) in Europe. I'll say it again theres no need for any concern so early MGS' recent track record speaks for itself they have good management in place and have been preforming exceptionally well. The games will keep coming and the haters will keep crying ;)
    Edited by 2 at 19/10/07 @ 00:47

  • Skywise #166 4 years ago

    Calgon wrote: Not if MS dont want them to be... its all down to them and if they show up 3 years later who cares? Not me for one.

    Stupid me, I thought Gears of War would arrive this year already on PC, and in a better version too. Fable arrived one year after it's Xbox debut on PC in a better version. Also Halo, KOTOR and Jade Empire arrived one year after their debut on Xbox, and you might guess it: in a better version.

    Halo 3 on PC in 2008/2009? Could be, MS doesn't have another operating system coming up soon to delay Halo 3 for. Mass Effect in 2008? Not announced but very likely. God of War 3 on PC? Motorstorm on PC? Wipeout on PC? Not very likely. Wii games on PC? Not a chance. Paying e.400 for just PGR 4 doesn't seem very wise. The Wii is delivering games that cannot be found anywhere else.

    If you really are a long time gamer you would be more open to innovations. Btw, I am not wasting any more words on you. You are too fake. In all your posts I haven't read a single sensible sentence, only FUD and MUD.
    Edited by 3 at 19/10/07 @ 01:20

  • Calgon #167 4 years ago

    Skywise you know f**k all about what you say you cant call anyone fake. You also dont seem to know the meaning of FUD, it shows youve got no arguements of your own so you use one of mine that doesnt work at all from your angle.

    Stupid me,

    Yes you are... where have you discounted the fact that MS decides when and if first party titles make it to PC? You failed, wheres Halo2 for PC? wheres Forza and PGR? Crackdown? Halo3 still look likely for next year does it? Only to a duluded hater.
    Gears has been and gone(it was probably part of the agreement to begin with, this is Epic we are talking about and its Second party game) ask any 360 fan whos played and enjoyed it if they care its going to the PC. Why do you bother pointing out "better version" that should be a given on any high end PC port from any console. Kotor was developed on PC and Xbox simultaniously it was never exclusive, Jade Empire needed the extra sales and was never as highly regarded in the end anyway. Fable played better on Xbox I heard(its not always about graphics and framerates... the interface the controls ect) and I dont remember it being quite as soon as a year but again it never quite lived up to its promise and sales did drop off quite fast, whats changed with Fable2 is the developers are now owned by MS.

    Paying e.400 for just Forza and PGR 4 seems not right, the Wii brings me games I cannot find anywhere else.

    Theres so many more exclusives than those that are worth the purchase but I see now that you are a pure and simple hater - ninty fanboy so its pointless going through it all again. Lets not forget some people prefer gaming on a console rather than a PC full stop in which case 360 is a great choice and there are many who fit into this category.

    If you really are a long time gamer you would be more open to innovations.

    I never said I wasnt open to innovations but Ive been playing them long enough and Im smart enough to know that innovation doesnt always make a better game... sometimes you end up with a dull or broken game because theyve innovated for innovations sake.

    Nintendo have the innovative controller but they have failed on the software, so tell me Skywise where is this innovative software? These games are for the casual market thus far, long time gamers have seen this all before and some have been complaining, are you a fake? 360 has the hardcore market and they are the ones buying more sofware so far.

    Its just old games with a new way to control them thus far... perhaps you are more easily fooled, too busy being "cool"("if its not japanese its not fun... Im hardcore and I like quirky games boo to FPS'... metroid doesnt count anyone who finds it dull is wrong";) and fake.

    You're full of it, what a waste of time you are, your aguements are all very unconvincing.
    Edited by 5 at 19/10/07 @ 11:50

  • Skywise #168 4 years ago

    here is Halo 2 for PC, available now

    http://ww w.microsoft.com/games/pc/halo2....

    when you lie next time, try to make it less obvious
    Edited by 1 at 20/10/07 @ 15:58

  • Calgon #169 4 years ago

    Skywise Oh shut up you hypocrite(notice how that was the only arguement you can come back with?... I'll give you that I should have checked but its one small victory after a large whooping... and that only because it arrived so late it slipped me by but regardless it was Nov 2004 - June 2007) it wasnt a year later like you were saying was it "liar"?(seriously you sound like you need to grow up) As I say hypocrite... errors are not a lies, purposely changing the facts and making shit up to help your FUD(look this up because it was clear you dont know what it means) arguements is, the funny thing is I dont know if you're purposely lying or just dumb.

    You are a clueless fanboy plain and simple, my point was "It is up to MS" nobody can make the decision but them where first party and in most cases second party titles go... This is just common sense it astounds me you are arguing with it.

    For one you dont know your games as well as you think you do obviously and you certainly dont know the industry that well from what I can see. Im done with you now you have given your game away, it turned out to be pretty easy to defeat your arguements when you finally came up with some. ;)

    Take my advice grow up, play whatever you like and be happy with that instead of sulking about people who have different tastes than yourself(and in my case much more knowlege and common sense ;) ) and as for anything else wait and see before running your mouth off and realise it might not be such a good thing for the industry if ANY party backs out like some are hoping(as much as I dont rate Sony recently, Im not about to celebrate their departure). For another thing Ive never seen a problem with Nintendo I just much much prefer 360s games, deal with it.
    Edited by 2 at 20/10/07 @ 18:22

  • Skywise #170 4 years ago

    @Calgon: and again you 'made a typing mistake'. I never said Halo 2 took one year to arrive on PC. Learn to read, it will help you in your life :)

    I never said MS backing out of the industry would be great either, I think MS are a good addition, if only because they treat Europe as equal to the rest. The new Sony systems are region lock free, so they should do fine in this respect too. The Wii is unfortunately still lagging behind in this.

    See, even though I like the Wii I can still critise it. Now you try the same with the 360 in the future, and stop throwing mud at people for no reason at all, and I'm sure we could have a proper conversation in future. At least you seem to know your 360 games :)
    Edited by 2 at 21/10/07 @ 12:46

  • Calgon #171 4 years ago

    Skywise I never said anything about a "typing error" learn to read... and grow up ;)

    No you never mentioned Halo2 at all and I know why because it didnt fit with your: "will it be out for PC next year" FUD crap(yes this is what you were trying to do "it will probably be out next year no point in 360" you are not clued up on 360s library by the looks of it I can see plenty of exclusives I can only get on 360)... and second, Im glad you dont agree with some of that(but it didnt look like it to me) but you did say "Penguin_overlord seems very reasonable" so as such you were saying some of those things(practise what you preach... read properly - before agreeing to something ;) ).

    Also every platform holder has plenty to improve on and 360 is no exception despite being my favourite choice this gen(I havent bought it yet so its not because Im "justifying the purchase" it simply is the best choice for me with whats on offer). I recognise the faults as I do with PS3 and Wii, but given the nature of trolls the worst thing to do is give them any agreeable encouragement(who will find faults where there is none... like penguin_overlord for instance), they do no good other than amuse a select few but most readers find them an annoyance their arguements are often easily defeated unless arguing over something that hasnt happend yet(a favourite of theirs because its harder to dispute obviously... this includes games that havent released yet, line-ups that havent been announced ect ;) ).
    Edited by 1 at 21/10/07 @ 13:37