Next Gen talks to developers (licensing, new IP, rising dev costs)
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1764&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=2
Cliff Bleszinski, Lead designer, Epic Games
Chris Charla, Executive producer of development, Foundation 9 Entertainment.
Erik Gloersen, President, Climax's LA studio
John Rowe, CEO and president, High Moon Studios
Randy Pitchford,President, Gearbox Software
Samantha Ryan, President, Monolith Productions.
Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software
Jason Della Rocca, executive director, International Game Developers Association
The Importance of New Ideas
In a two-part Next Generation special feature, a collection of leading videogame developers and publisher executives talk about the importance of new I.P. in the next generation landscape and the future of licensed content.
Tomorrow: Publishers
"What role will original game concepts play in next generation development?"
Todd Hollenshead schrieb:
Technology is a gating factor to the experience of playing games. Whether it's visual quality or character interactions, you have to have the processing power to make more sophisticated and interesting entertainment. Certainly the next generation of consoles in the Xbox 360 and PS3 are far more powerful than their predecessors and that gives game developers broad options to do things we haven't been able to do before and provide experiences for players they haven't had before. For example, for our next generation Wolfenstein game, which uses the Xbox 360 as it's primary development platform, we are developing technology that will change the way people play First Person games by doing away with the whole concept of "levels", which has been the primary progression mechanic every first person game has used. The Wolfenstein game world will be one large environment that you can move freely about and explore without ever having to "load" the next area or map. In that way, you're never pulled out of the game environment because of a level change, and the game is presented to you as one seamless experience.
Next Gen asks about original game concepts and he brings up a FPS idea that Half Life basically implemented in '98.
Erik Gloerson schrieb:
Original games are essential to the success of next generation consoles in my opinion. Still, most launch titles appear to be current generation games with a graphics makeover. I can understand that 3rd party publishers mitigate risk by re-releasing commercially successful game concepts for launch of a new platform. However, I don't understand why Sony and Microsoft are hedging their bets on creating so many "safe" titles. I once asked Mr. Miyamoto about Nintendo's strategy when it comes to making games. I was surprised when he said that Nintendo only makes games to sell hardware units, but it really makes a lot of sense. Now, Nintendo has clearly made some mistakes over the years and are struggling to overcome them, but it seems to me that Microsoft and Sony could learn from Nintendo's mindset: Every first party title should attempt to expand the market through innovation.
"How will next gen game development impact costs of games?"
Randy Pitchford schrieb:
Premium next generation video game content will cost $60 (up from $50 or a 20% increase). So, were grossing 20% more at retail, but were spending 50% more in development. You can imagine that there is an assumption that more customers will be joining the market to support the difference.
Erik Gloerson schrieb:
The impact on innovation in gameplay is that the Designers are beginning to drown in bigger and bigger teams. People don't want to buy interactive movies. People want to buy unique and entertaining video games. I believe the most successful games will be created by a core team of 30-35 people where at least 10 of them are Designers. I believe in an iterative process where gameplay is tried out, tuned and tested extensively before pretty graphics are laid on top of a solid gameplay foundation. I believe in outsourcing at least 80% of the art, which will lower the overall cost and let the team focus on creating a unique gameplay experience.
Todd Hollenshead schrieb:
The initial R&D investment the industry is making is large. The by-product of that is that this first series of Xbox 360 games have a higher price point, which is closer to $60 than the currently common $50 price point. The R&D investment will be amortized over the life of the consoles, so this initial investment will matter less a couple of years down the road, but next-gen games will still be more expensive to make.
Sehr interessant das Ganze.
(außer man hat sie vorbestellt) 
Die beiden freundlichen Wichtel da oben stammen aber aus England. Trotzdem würde ich ihnen auf jedenfall eher zum Revo raten, damit sie beim Zocken wenigstens etwas Kalorien verbraten. 
