Video Game Industry Thread: 300+ people lose their jobs. Curt Schilling still rich.

Renzo · May 2012

So everyone was cool with Ubisoft showing off their laser tag game at their conference a few years ago? Because that was electronic, so it obviously belongs at E3?

Shady3011 · May 2012

If they're just going to talk about dashboard shit, then I can safely skip watching it.

Zephiran · May 2012

Microsofts conference is going to take place the day before the actual E3 show however, so the fact that they will focus on system features at E3 might not come into play as much as one might think - they should have their own separate show just to focus on whatever they're cooking, and after that it's probably gonna be Kinect demos galore at the actual showfloor.

Algertman · May 2012

MS E3 BOMBA = More Ads

Couscous · May 2012

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/ea-planning-upcoming-layoffs-completed-by-september-30-2012/

EA today confirmed plans to enact a "restructuring" among its employees, resulting in an unnamed number of layoffs companywide. The restructuring is part of EA CEO John Riccitiello's move toward digital – an initiative which aims to alter the composition of EA's staff from one in eight engineers to one in two.

The California-based publisher will incur a variety of expenses related to its upcoming plans, to the tune of "approximately $40 million in total costs." Ouch! Making things more painful is the fact that $23 mil of that total is planned for "severance and other employee-related costs" – a number that'll be (conveniently) reflected in next year's financials.

As recently as a few weeks ago, EA outright denied reports of upcoming layoffs. Those reports put the number at 5 to 10 percent of EA's workforce, or approximately 500 to 1,000 employees. EA corporate rep Jeff Brown told Joystiq that the restructuring "impacts a relatively small number of EA's 9,000 employees." He added, "Most importantly, EA is hiring and we expect to finish the year with more employees, not fewer."

So what is " a relatively small number?" Something tells me it is quite large.

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-has-1-3-million-active-subs-new-con/

We all know that the Star Wars: The Old Republic galaxy is a huge place, but thanks to some new numbers from EA's 4th quarter financial reports, we now know exactly how huge it is. According to the report, SWTOR is home to 1.3 million active subscribers.

On top of that bit of information, the report also reveals that two new content packs will be available for players sometime in the first financial quarter. We don't know a thing about these content packs yet, except that they're (at least tentatively) titled Legacy (presumably the current Legacy patch) and Allies, so conspiracy theorists, start your engines. Let the speculation begin!

Zephiran · May 2012

My guess, as to who'll end up biting the bullet?

Testers, QA and perhaps some localization personnel. Maybe some concept artists and general assistants thrown in for good measure. I have a feeling in my guts those are the people sitting in the shittiest chairs, if the Trenches are anything to go by.

SwashbucklerXX · May 2012

Oh, wait, I see. I am Captain Reading Comprehension and I wish we could delete posts.

Couscous · May 2012

More EA stuff.

Selected Operating Highlights and Metrics:

*On a non-GAAP basis

Strong results driven by the successful launches of Mass Effect™ 3, FIFA Street 4, SSX™ and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™.
FIFA 12 established the best year in franchise history - with downloads and micro-transactions totaling $108 million*. FIFA Ultimate Team — a pure digital companion to recent FIFA titles was the second best-selling EA offering in the UK in fiscal 12.
Battlefield 3™ had a record year, establishing itself as one of EA's premier game services and in the process successfully took share in the growing First-Person-Shooter market.
Battlefield 3 players are still deeply engaged — 6.3 million MAUs in March. New content downloads available in May and June.
Q4 full-game downloads were up 76 percent* year-over-year, contributing $60 million* in the quarter, driven in part by Mass Effect 3 and STAR WARS®: The Old Republic™.
STAR WARS®: The Old Republic™ active subscribers are 1.3 million. Two new content packs — Legacy and Allies, available in Q1.
EA's Play4Free brands are generating an average of nearly $2 million* per week. Several more EA brands will be introduced in the Play4Free portal in fiscal 13.
EA shattered its goal for digital revenue growth — generating more than $1.2 billion* in fiscal 12 for a 47 percent year-over-year growth, and driving operating margin to 10%. Another 40 percent increase in digital non-GAAP revenue and continued operating margin expansion is forecasted for fiscal 13.
EA's Origin™ platform for games and services has registered 11 million players and generated approximately $150 million* in just ten months. EA's Nucleus database has registered 220 million consumers.
Casual game leader PopCap™ — acquired by EA in August — is growing on mobile and social platforms with new games like Solitaire Blitz™ and Lucky Gem Casino™. A new version of Bejeweled™ is EA's top grossing game on the Apple® App StoreSM.
EA repurchased 27.7 million shares for $529 million through March 31, 2012, and as of the call, the $600 million share repurchase program has been completed.
In fiscal 13, EA will invest $80 million in development of games for Gen4 console systems.

150 million doesn't really seem like that much, but I have no clue with PC gaming.

Rorus Raz · May 2012

So, are those subs actual subs, or are they being sneaky and including the subs that still have the free month they gave away in April?

Because, I unsubbed in early April, but I can still play since they slapped an extra month on there for being their pal or something.

agoaj · May 2012

They actually added in all the 5-dollar foot longs they bought during that period to inflate their subs.

plufim · May 2012

Ten bucks says the EA layoffs are the ones leaked a month ago, just delayed to save face. If so, it is a lot of people (rumored at 500-1000 people).

Lanrutcon · May 2012

Rorus Raz wrote: »

So, are those subs actual subs, or are they being sneaky and including the subs that still have the free month they gave away in April?

Because, I unsubbed in early April, but I can still play since they slapped an extra month on there because nothing screams desperation louder than giving away your game for free.

I think the answer the your question is pretty obvious.

Zephiran · May 2012

Man oh man if I hadn't read that article on BBC about dead baby fetus meat powder pills in South Korea just now I'd be really tempted to make me a big sammich myself...

But yeah, something tells me they're not entirely honest with those numbers. I have no problem believing somewhere around a million players are active, but it just smells like they're doing their best to pump up the "official" numbers a tad.

Dark Raven X · May 2012

Call of Duty: Post Modern Warfare. Hah, I've been waiting for this one, ever since that MW2 trailer with the explodey satellite scene.

Seriously, I think future CoD has a lot of potential, as long as they go crazy with the gadgets.

E; guess I'm a page behind!

Dehumanized · May 2012

in eleventeen more iterations of cod they will come up with something almost as awesome as the futurey bits in timesplitters 2

however, because it will be a blops title, it will also be paired with stories of the relatively unknown navy seals that won the pig war in 1859*

*

Spoiler:

Couscous · May 2012

What are the chances they won't be remaking the shit out of the Call of Duty games in the next generation?

Zephiran · May 2012

The Russians have been playing baddies in COD since forever, haven't they?

Comrade Putin oughta subsidize a counter-spectacle-shooter that re-establishes the glory of the Motherland.

Henroid · May 2012

Ouch, layoff news from EA really brings me down from the high I've been on today.

Undead Scottsman · May 2012

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Might as well throw this out there and see what you guys think:

This was during the Bonus Round show when discussing MS and the upcoming E3.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/604

(On visiting MS in a few weeks) Pachter: "They told me don't expect a lot of game stuff, expect a lot of dashboard, interface, multimedia."

Oy, so this will be like the last two years E3s for MS. Halo/Kinect/and ESPN.

After watching that, I realize how thin my E3 wishlist has gotten

Something New From Valve
Gears of War: Exile Official Announcement
New Xbox Reveal
New Playstation Reveal
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light sequel
Sid Mier's Alpha Centuari 2

Or did Firaxis officially declare that last one wasn't happening either?

Spoit · May 2012

Undead Scottsman wrote: »

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Might as well throw this out there and see what you guys think:

This was during the Bonus Round show when discussing MS and the upcoming E3.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/604

(On visiting MS in a few weeks) Pachter: "They told me don't expect a lot of game stuff, expect a lot of dashboard, interface, multimedia."

Oy, so this will be like the last two years E3s for MS. Halo/Kinect/and ESPN.

After watching that, I realize how thin my E3 wishlist has gotten

Something New From Valve
Gears of War: Exile Official Announcement
New Xbox Reveal
New Playstation Reveal
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light sequel
Sid Mier's Alpha Centuari 2

Or did Firaxis officially declare that last one wasn't happening either?

The Ip is owned by EA

Undead Scottsman · May 2012

Spoit wrote: »

Undead Scottsman wrote: »

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Might as well throw this out there and see what you guys think:

This was during the Bonus Round show when discussing MS and the upcoming E3.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/604

(On visiting MS in a few weeks) Pachter: "They told me don't expect a lot of game stuff, expect a lot of dashboard, interface, multimedia."

Oy, so this will be like the last two years E3s for MS. Halo/Kinect/and ESPN.

After watching that, I realize how thin my E3 wishlist has gotten

Something New From Valve
Gears of War: Exile Official Announcement
New Xbox Reveal
New Playstation Reveal
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light sequel
Sid Mier's Alpha Centuari 2

Or did Firaxis officially declare that last one wasn't happening either?

The Ip is owned by EA

Source? They published the first game but that doesn't necessarily mean they own the rights to the IP.

Skull2185 · May 2012

Zephiran wrote: »

The Russians have been playing baddies in COD since forever, haven't they?

Comrade Putin oughta subsidize a counter-spectacle-shooter that re-establishes the glory of the Motherland.

The first three CoDs and the fifth were WWII affairs. So, the Russians were friendlies in those.

Spoit · May 2012

Undead Scottsman wrote: »

Spoit wrote: »

Undead Scottsman wrote: »

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Might as well throw this out there and see what you guys think:

This was during the Bonus Round show when discussing MS and the upcoming E3.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/604

(On visiting MS in a few weeks) Pachter: "They told me don't expect a lot of game stuff, expect a lot of dashboard, interface, multimedia."

Oy, so this will be like the last two years E3s for MS. Halo/Kinect/and ESPN.

After watching that, I realize how thin my E3 wishlist has gotten

Something New From Valve
Gears of War: Exile Official Announcement
New Xbox Reveal
New Playstation Reveal
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light sequel
Sid Mier's Alpha Centuari 2

Or did Firaxis officially declare that last one wasn't happening either?

The Ip is owned by EA

Source? They published the first game but that doesn't necessarily mean they own the rights to the IP.

Well, they said it was like that a few years ago: http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/firaxis-wouldnt-be-against-alpha-centauri-ii/

Undead Scottsman · May 2012

Okay, so that means it's a possibility, thus it'll hang out on my wishlist. Until the end of time, most likely

Brainiac 8 · May 2012

My wishlist: Pikmin 3 officially unveiled

It's already been confirmed that it's happening....so I'm happy.

Couscous · May 2012

Zephiran wrote: »

My guess, as to who'll end up biting the bullet?

Testers, QA and perhaps some localization personnel. Maybe some concept artists and general assistants thrown in for good measure. I have a feeling in my guts those are the people sitting in the shittiest chairs, if the Trenches are anything to go by.

I could see them adding some more people for social games later on in the year, keeping the number of jobs if not the number of well paid jobs steady.

MetaHybrid · May 2012

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

My wishlist: Pikmin 3 officially unveiled

It's already been confirmed that it's happening....so I'm happy.

Everything else is just icing on the top really.

EDIT: Actually a Star Fox for the WiiU by Retro Studios would be nice.

Couscous · May 2012

Nobody ever has new IP on their wishlists.

I have a feeling this is going to be a boring E3 industry wise. It looks like there won't be info on the PS4 and next Xbox so that leaves the WiiU. Nintendo said they aren't going to reveal the release date, and I'm not sure if they are going to reveal the exact price and what is included. That could easily leave us with barely anything to speculate on how well it will do. We are late in the generation so I'm not expected any new big franchises.

I guess we could see Capcom's next attempt to have decent stuff produced outside of Japan. ORC somehow did well so that might encourage them to show off some of that shit. The attempts have been fun to watch so far.

Seeing numbers on the Vita should be fun. I wonder how they are going to massage those numbers.

Renzo · May 2012

http://www.1up.com/news/microsoft-not-focus-core-games-e3-effects

This article says pretty much everything that needs to be said on the subject.

Spoit · May 2012

Sure they do. I don't know about any one else, but I sure was looking forward to hearing more about things like portal and Mirror's edge well before they came out.

Undead Scottsman · May 2012

Couscous wrote: »

Nobody ever has new IP on their wishlists.

"Something new from Valve" doesn't count?

Algertman · May 2012

Renzo wrote: »

http://www.1up.com/news/microsoft-not-focus-core-games-e3-effects

This article says pretty much everything that needs to be said on the subject.

This is a surprise to no one who has watched an E3 since the Kinect reveal.

The Wolfman · May 2012

It's hard for me to put new IP's on my wishlist because I'm a dull little moron who has no imagination. I can't exactly wish for something that I don't even have a concept of. I didn't know I wanted something like Katamari Damacy, or Portal, or Red Dead Redemption until they were already announced. Then I said "oh damn, that sounds awesome, yeah I want some of that".

I mean I guess I can have a generic "new IP" bullet point on the list, but that's about it. It's not really up to me to think of new game concepts and the like.

EVOL · May 2012

I can't put up new IP's on my wishlist because most of the games I want to happen aren't financially viable.

I'm just hyped for the Wii U showing for this E3.

Brainiac 8 · May 2012

Couscous wrote: »

Nobody ever has new IP on their wishlists.

New Miyamoto IP....happy?

Actually Miyamoto has said that he is working on creating a new character for Nintendo, and truth be told, I'm pretty excited to find out what it ends up being. He's given me so many beloved characters in the past....but his last major character creation was Olimar and that was back at the beginning of the GC era.

Dragkonias · May 2012

Yeah. This E3 will probably be pretty much. Most companies have probably started working on their next-gen stuff or are at least in planning so I doubt we're going to see too much stuff for this current gen that we don't already know about.

So...probably be new console reveals but I doubt we'll get any new projects to go along with those reveals until next year. So new console then business as usual along with some updates on stuff we already know about.