What’s happened in the business of video games this past week …
QUOTE | “We realise that those negative impressions exist.” — Precursor Games CEO Paul Caporicci, explaining that the company, composed mostly of ex-Silicon Knights employees, will make better games than the critical and commercial dud X-Men: Destiny.
QUOTE | “The disappointing launch of the Wii U, uncertainties regarding next-generation hardware, and subscriber declines in our World of Warcraft business all raise concerns.” — Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, explaining why Activision is worried about the second half of 2013.
QUOTE | “[THQ] couldn’t change fast enough from a culture of kids licensed games to core.” — Former THQ executive Danny Bilson talking about one of the main reasons for the publisher’s downfall in a talk at the GameHorizon conference.
QUOTE | “Some of the greatest designers out there are just getting their start right now.” — Veteran designer Will Wright, talking about how confident he is in the rise of fresh game design talent during his appearance at GameHorizon.
QUOTE | “Add things [to your game] that only total nerds care about.” — Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester talking at GameHorizon about how game developers can create their own market and dedicated fanbase.
QUOTE | “This transition will determine market leadership for the rest of the decade.” — EA’s Chairman and Interim CEO Larry Probst, explaining how EA intends to win over consumers with upcoming games.
STAT | $US7.5 billion — Sony’s gaming division sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, down 12 per cent from last year; profits were reduced to only $US18 million from $US310 million last year.
QUOTE | “We didn’t just want to update somebody else’s game … If you’re just doing that, you don’t deserve success.” — Barry Meade of iOS game developer Fireproof Games, talking about why original design is important.
QUOTE | “One of the things that we believe first and foremost is to stay in touch with the community.” — Greg Ballard, head of Warner Bros.’ new SF mobile game studio, talking about how they’re going to make great mobile games.
QUOTE | “Gree and DeNA … we don’t think they are necessarily the same as gaming companies.” — GungHo Online Entertainment president Kazuki Morishita, talking about how he thinks those companies are really tech companies.
STAT | $US4.8 billion — Revenue for Namco Bandai’s fiscal year ended March 31, the highest since 2008; profits were up 67.8 per cent to $US320 million, also a five-year high.
This Week in the Business courtesy of GamesIndustry International
Image by Shutterstock
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