| Something that was on people's minds
before, though not as talked about currently,
is that the next-gen systems will bring an
increase in game prices. Currently, we do
see some premium titles but we mostly see
the price at $49.99. Do you feel an overall
price increase in games will come with the
next-gen consoles? |
I don’t think prices will go up, in part
because gamers can always rent the games.
|
| One change that we will be seeing with
games is in regards to sports' licensing.
EA now has the exclusive rights to the NFL
and Take-Two has the exclusive rights to the
MLB (with exception of 1'st party publishers).
Being the creator of the top-selling Madden
series, how do you think this exclusive licensing
will affect the future of sports games?
|
There have always been a lot of exclusive
licenses and sometimes the publisher cuts
some corners or gets a bit lazy and the quality
goes down. But there are plenty of examples
where that doesn’t happen, so we should all
hold out hope that quality is maintained.
|
| With the next Xbox planned for release
prior to Nintendo's and Sony's next systems,
the cost of implementing a next-gen media
format (HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) would be expensive.
What do you think if Xbox 2 used the standard
DVD format instead of high definition?
|
Personally, I don’t think this is an important
distinction. But maybe some early adopters
will care about this and at least initially
sway market share. HD will only be relevant
in the long run if applications like football
use it effectively to enable you to see more
of the field. But I think the players are
already on information overload as it is.
|
| While on the subject of console hardware,
what do think about hard drives in consoles?
On message boards, people have expressed that
their reason for purchasing an Xbox was due
to the hard drive and that the will only purchase
Xbox 2 if it contains a hard drive. Could
they be the future of consoles? |
|
Historically, new consoles have launched
at prices like $299 and $199. If the platform
maker can afford a hard drive and hit those
prices then they will become a standard
feature. But I think it was pretty painful
for Microsoft on the first Xbox and it is
not unreasonable to treat it as an upgrade
add-on.
|
| We have seen a couple of game companies
go under in just this generation of systems
(including your own 3DO). Do you see it getting
harder for companies to make it, as production
costs increase? |
Console game publishing has become more
like theatrical release film-making and it
is very hard if you are not one of the major
publishers, and even for them it is hard unless
they are working with major game brands. It
is very unfortunate that it is now very hard
to innovate because of the cost-structure.
|
| EA has made its way to the top. Are there
any publishers that you see rising up in the
future and possibly taking over "the top spot?"
|
The candidates would be EA, Sony, Microsoft,
and Konami. But any big change is more likely
to result if there is a disruptive event such
as new technologies or platforms that have
a surprising effect on market share.
|
| What do you think about Nintendo's future?
People have commented that they should focus
only on portable systems in the future. |
My magic eight ball says they will be acquired
by Microsoft within five years.
|
| We have heard about at least two companies
being sued for work conditions-EA and VU.
Do you think this may improve or will we start
hearing more about this in the future? |
Yeah, we’ve all heard about EA Spouse! It’s
a tough problem on both sides. Hollywood has
some of the same issues and of course has
been unionized for quite some time. Outsourcing
is going to be another factor in this story.
Lower labor costs and tax benefits have, for
example, caused publishers like EA, UbiSoft,
and others to move more production to Canada.
Digital Chocolate has 60% of its developers
in Finland where the sun never sets in the
summer and there is nothing to do outside
in the winter, so we are very productive!
;-)
|
| Do you think online gaming will play
a big part with the next-gen systems or will
it still be in an "early phase?" |
Online console gaming will continue to grow
at a healthy pace. It makes a lot of sense,
because hardcore gamers have the appetite
to compete against each other.
|
| Not that long ago, IGN posted an article
regarding the lack of original titles. Thinking
about games that are in development, the majority
are sequels or licensed games based off of
a movie or tv show. Do you think we will continue
to see a decrease in original titles? |
What original titles? Just kidding. This
is a huge problem. As a result, we will continue
to see more innovation on the Internet and
on mobile phones than on consoles.
|
| To close things up, have you ever had
the interest in wanting to create another
system? |
Uh, let me think about it… I’ve decided.
No! That is like asking me if I want to put
my hand on a hot stove again. ;)
|
|
A big thanks to Trip Hawkins for taking
some time and answering some questions.
|
