Activision games to bypass consoles
polycounter lvl 17
Anyone read this article about Activisions CEO Bobby and how he thinks that stand alone games will by pass consoles.
Here is a link to the full article. Just amazed at some of these quotes.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6226758.html
When he wasn't promoting the company's games or technology, Kotick was celebrating its laser-like focus on the bottom line. He pointed to changes he implemented in the past as being particularly beneficial, such as designing the employee incentive program so it, "really rewards profit and nothing else."
"You have studio heads who five years ago didn't know the difference between a balance sheet and a bed sheet who are now arguing allocations in our CFO's office pretty regularly," Kotick said.
He later added, "We have a real culture of thrift. The goal that I had in bringing a lot of the packaged goods folks into Activision about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games."
If that sounds like it would create a corporate culture that isn't all sunshine and hugs, then it's "mission accomplished" for Kotick. The executive said that he has tried to instill into the company culture "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" of the global economic downturn, adding, "We are very good at keeping people focused on the deep depression."
Here is a link to the full article. Just amazed at some of these quotes.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6226758.html
When he wasn't promoting the company's games or technology, Kotick was celebrating its laser-like focus on the bottom line. He pointed to changes he implemented in the past as being particularly beneficial, such as designing the employee incentive program so it, "really rewards profit and nothing else."
"You have studio heads who five years ago didn't know the difference between a balance sheet and a bed sheet who are now arguing allocations in our CFO's office pretty regularly," Kotick said.
He later added, "We have a real culture of thrift. The goal that I had in bringing a lot of the packaged goods folks into Activision about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games."
If that sounds like it would create a corporate culture that isn't all sunshine and hugs, then it's "mission accomplished" for Kotick. The executive said that he has tried to instill into the company culture "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" of the global economic downturn, adding, "We are very good at keeping people focused on the deep depression."
Replies
not the console part, but the bit at the end.
I really dislike when developers are gobbled up and owned by publishers who are publicly traded. Your job then depends on the stock price and whether investors are happy. If you're with a privately owned developer, stick with it as long as you can. Especially during these times.
:thumbdown: sorry to hear that man.
This downturn needs to end already.
good article, thanks. kotick sounds like a smart, no bs, business dude.
I understand why he drives to make so much cash and push products but man...I don't have to like the guy.
^ Too late, this is projected to be the last "major sales" year the instrument games anyway.
Speaking of which i need to get to sleep
To lighten the mood, though, lets read Brad Bird talking about fostering innovation:
http://gigaom.com/2008/04/17/pixars-brad-bird-on-fostering-innovation/
what a D-Bag
He also likes to start his day off by breaking a puppy's spine.
$$ CHA-CHING
Somehow the best way to fight his ideals would be to show that creating a positive workplace that promotes creation is just as productive or (most likely) in the long run more profitable than his philosophy of fear and power.
I mean really, are there any "publically" owned game corps heads that aren't a douche? Again, if we want this to stop, we need to give them the alternative. (Or have owners that come to their senses and don't sell themselves out like cheap whores when a major company comes calling).
I have to say, it doesn't help that Bobby Kotick is one of the most highly paid individuals in the gaming industry. It isn't very encoraging to know that his push for pure profit is primarily to line his already fat pockets. Though I can respect his business savvy, he can't help but come off as the villain with comments like these.
Agreed, but his comments and attitudes surely aren't unique amongst development management. I mean, look at the sheer number of WW2 clones released after the success of Call of Duty 2. Were many (if any) of those motivated by any desire on behalf of the publishers to push the envelope, or offer gamers anything new?
Maybe Kotick has simply made it easier for people to identify and put a face to corporate greed within the industry.
Bobby's real failing here was in not appreciating the globalization of information. These days, you can't sneeze on stage without someone Twittering about it. Ten years ago, this would have never been broadcast or heard of outside of executive boardrooms. But in this modern age, the whole game development world was made aware of it five minutes after it happened.
And the brunt of the negative response could have been turned aside if Kotick had just used some more carefully chosen business-speak. Instead of talking about "creating an environment of fear", he could have said they were "encouraging more professional conduct." It means the same thing, but sounds a lot better. No one wants to be afraid or downtrodden, but everyone wants people to think that they are "professional."