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EA's Riccitiello Talks "Holographic" Madden Interface, No Need For Take-Two
Posted by Leigh Alexander at 8:20 AM on May 14, 2008
On Electronic Arts' call to investors, CEO John Riccitiello promised "a great year" to come for EA Sports — and referred to a "new holographic interface" for Madden's 20th anniversary incarnation.
Holographic... interface?
Riccitiello also promised that the next NBA Live would take "a huge step up," with new features set to be unveiled at E3.
EA seems enthusiastic about its sports franchises, and Riccitiello says he expects EA Sports will help drive the company to an additional $1 billion in revenue and an 100 percent increase in operating income. Riccitiello was optimistic about the company's studio structure in general, also listing big things ahead for the Sims Studio: Two sequels for MySims, a new SimAnimals title, and the launch of The Sims 3.
"Our fiscal 09 operating plan keeps us on track to achieve our fiscal year target - even without Take Two," Riccitiello said.
During the same call, EA Games label president Frank Gibeau also expressed positive sentiments about EA's "city-state" label structure. "We have restructured... from a top-down and centralized model to a federation of highly creative teams, each with our own culture and vision," he said, noting a broad range of studios and properties from EA Mythic's Warhammer to Battlefield and Mirror's Edge at DICE.
Riccitiello was largely unable to comment on the specific state of the Take-Two acquisition, however. "We're obviously contained pretty clearly in what we're allowed to talk about," he said. "Our offer currently stands at $US 25.74 a share, or $US 2 billion dollars, and our valuation took fully into account the success of GTA... we'd anticipated a result much like what happened in the market."
"It's a spectacular game - I'm enjoying playing it - and offer enormous congratulations to the Rockstar team."
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
rainking187
Posted 8:35 AM 14/5/08
Holographic interface = shiny cover confirmed?
rainking187
Dean T 08
Posted 8:34 AM 14/5/08
I gave up on EA sports titles because of the repetitiveness of each title. I hope these new features for NBA Live are sweet because i wouldnt mind an excuse to get back into them.
The Sims 3. Looks good and probably will feel good but meh... not for me. Also,if EA want to meet their revenue target, seriously. SKATE 2!
Dean T 08
gaijira
Posted 9:38 AM 14/5/08
@KoopaTroopa: I doubt they're talking about 3D glasses, because then they wouldn't just make the 'interface' 3D, they'd make the whole game 3D!
Again, seems likely he's just hinting at a redesign for Madden's look, the way you call up plays, etc. I.e. nothing to get excited about. Then again, even this simple redesign would be the biggest change the franchise has seen in 10+ years, but that's not saying much.
gaijira
Heliophage
Posted 9:36 AM 14/5/08
skate 2 would certainly be entertaining, though The Sims 3 is going to sell like umbrellas in a shit storm.
Still, I can't imagine they're better off without Take-Two. Just good enough. They'll always want to keep pushing for more.
Heliophage
Does Not Equal
Posted 9:35 AM 14/5/08
"We're starting to think the takeover might not happen, so we want to make sure everybody knows we don't really need Take Two. Just in case, though, here's lookin' at you, Rockstah!"
As for a holographic interface... would that jack the cost of Madden 2009 up to $100 for the inclusion of the EA Sports Holoprojector™?
Does Not Equal
A_Zombie
Posted 9:34 AM 14/5/08
Could he be anymore that specific about holographic interfaces? Hey why not mention manbearpig is in the game. In WHAT way... in WHAT way? I rest my case.
A_Zombie
StagnatedLives
Posted 9:31 AM 14/5/08
Maybe I'm just a jaded old gamer, but I fail to see how EA will create a true holographic interface. Unless, of course, they develop a new type of 'television' that we haven't seen before. Seeing as how I don't see that happening anyti-- ok never, I would like to take this opportunity to address EA.
Dear EA,
False promises only work for doctors and governments. The reason they work for these two groups is because by the time you are able to realize it is a lie, you are probably dead. Following this logic, I am pleading for you to NOT kill the customers.
StagnatedLives
KoopaTroopa
Posted 9:29 AM 14/5/08
Holographic interface = 3d glasses
KoopaTroopa
gaijira
Posted 9:27 AM 14/5/08
I'm guessing holographic interface just means a fancy Iron Man style 3D heads up display for the in-game UI...might be cool.
gaijira
Solarion
Posted 10:01 AM 14/5/08
Corporate fluff bullshit from the masters of corporate fluff bullshit. Maybe your shareholders eat it up, but I can see right thru it and take it for what it is; "EA isn't interested in making good games, they're more interested in games that make money".
Solarion
KoopaTroopa
Posted 9:48 AM 14/5/08
@gaijira: Ahh, well....you got me!
KoopaTroopa
Snake726
Posted 10:24 AM 14/5/08
Riccitiello was so promising. I was naive to think he wasn't a kook as well.
Snake726
Double J
Posted 10:24 AM 14/5/08
Maybe it'll be like that game that Chewie and Threepio played in A New Hope but with football.
Double J
Chopper_Mike
Posted 10:19 AM 14/5/08
Holographics... Madden... American Football... I'm thinking on Eye Toy
Remeber that EyeToy-Tank game? Maybe something similar, but now you'll be coaching the strategies of the team. You know, the X's and O's... where to go, where to run and such
With the EyeToy, you'll draw those strategies
Chopper_Mike
meltyman
Posted 11:20 AM 14/5/08
@Chopper_Mike: u might want to protect that idea cuz it sounds like a pretty cool addition to madden or any other sports game
meltyman
rockinthestocks
Posted 11:12 AM 14/5/08
Well, I think this quarter's earnings proved that EA DOES need TTWO. No doubt about it.
The only problem is, TTWO doesn't need EA.
rockinthestocks
PeteeWJ
Posted 11:41 AM 14/5/08
So EA is trying to woo Take-Two by offering it less than the market price? I'm sure the Take-Two investors are just jumping at that opportunity.
PeteeWJ
Dragonis
Posted 11:37 AM 14/5/08
Holographic Interface=Holographic cover methinks.
Dragonis
gblock
Posted 1:29 PM 14/5/08
Maybe he meant "psychedelic". As in, if you think there's anything interesting inside the box, you're on drugs.
gblock
gblock
Posted 1:29 PM 14/5/08
I'm not sure that "holographic" has a definition which includes "looks the same from any angle, regardless of which version of the product you're looking at".
gblock
cybereality
Posted 4:43 PM 14/5/08
I call BS on the "holographic interface". Just marketing mumbo-jumbo.
cybereality
Sam_Lowry
Posted 5:55 PM 14/5/08
EA has never had a problem promising great games with new features.
It's when they try to deliver on their promises that they fall flat on their face.
Sam_Lowry
TearsandScreams
Posted 2:41 AM 15/5/08
@Sam_Lowry: I think what's worse is they half fulfil them. They let you control one player in the latest Fifa installment, and everyone (including myself) thought this was great. Then it turns out only during friendlies. And they promised massive multiplayer with 5 v 5 teams, I still don't think this has happened. They don't make bad games, they just never fulfil the potential, and it always seems like they're deliberately holding back for the next sequel.
TearsandScreams