‘There Is A Real Problem With Putting Console Games On Mobile’

What’s happened in the business of video games this past week …

QUOTE | “There is a real problem with putting console games on mobile.” — Chris Mahoney, director of emerging platforms at Sony, explaining why so many mobile games aren’t good and what Sony plans to do about it.

QUOTE | “We sent a loud and clear message that we are a bunch of teenagers totally irresponsible and immature doing stupid things.” — David Cage, designer of Heavy Rain, talking about the responsibility the game industry shares in creating its image.

QUOTE | “I think free-to-play is both exciting and also really dangerous.” — Jenova Chen, founder of ThatGameCompany, talking about how he wants to move from the critical success of Journey to financial success.

QUOTE | “Maybe it’s just our backers are especially smart and attractive.” — Tim Schafer of Double Fine Productions, talking about the ups and downs of their Kickstarter project and how backers have been very supportive.

STAT | 57,000 — Number of Wii U units Nintendo sold in the US in January, according to NPD; this compares to 281,000 units of the Xbox 360 sold in January.

QUOTE | “The wider circumstances are just getting better and better for indies every year.” — Steve Gaynor, formerly with Irrational, on the prospects for new game companies like his startup The Fullbright Company.

QUOTE | “We don’t think it’s a genre problem — it’s an execution problem .” — Rich Hilleman, EA’s Chief Creative Officer, talking about why Medal of Honor: Warfighter was a disappointment.

STAT | 19 per cent — Amount US video game retail software sales dropped for January, according to NPD; the nine per cent increase announced was based on a five-week month (adjusting it to compare to last year yields the 19 per cent drop).

QUOTE | “We thought the easiest way to create a great experience for gamers and developers … was to adopt this free-to-try model.” — Julie Uhrman, CEO of Ouya, talking about why the company is insisting every game on Ouya have a free trial option.

STAT | One million — Number of units of Angry Birds Trilogy sold across Xbox 360, PS3 and 3DS worldwide; this is despite a $US40 price for a collection of games you can get for free on a variety of platforms.

QUOTE | “We’ll never stop … I don’t see us backing off despite high awareness and use levels.” — ESRB president Patricia Vance, talking about their quest to keep pushing ESRB ratings, despite surveys showing awareness has remained at 85 per cent for years.

This Week in the Business courtesy of GamesIndustry International

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