Are Big Publishers Really Needed?

The Video Game industry is evolving, and the changes that it is going through seem to be good. There is a lot more “growing up” to do, but you can’t deny the fact that it is trying. One change that I would like to see happen is the removal of big publishers. EA, Activision, Take Two, and others seem to be holding the industry back, and I believe that they are no longer needed.

[ajax17]

I don't care about EA or Activision, but don't mess with Take Two!

[dedicatedtogamers]

Big publishers are needed for the non-gaming aspects of game development. When it comes to creating just the gameplay and just the graphics, the blossoming indie market and the Kickstarter craze has shown us that small devs can create compelling games without any help from big devs like EA or Activision.

However, EA and Activision have licensing power. They make it possible for devs to license bigger engines (like Unreal). They make it possible to use licensed music. They make it possible to use mo-cap studios, Hollywood voice actors, and professional animators for cutscenes. They make it possible for online multiplayer, since most small companies can't afford to put up and maintain their own servers.

If big publishers disappear, then a lot of the cutscenes and voice acting will diminish. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, since game devs these days focus way too much on that crap, but that is what would happen.

[Ducky]

"They make it possible for online multiplayer, since most small companies can't afford to put up and maintain their own servers."

That's only true for the very small number of games that provide their own dedicated servers.

For the most part, the online is either peer-to-peer, or community-owned servers, so big publishers aren't really needed for it.

... that, and when a big publisher does offer their own servers, it's usually a bad thing because they can take 'em down whenever they want and can prematurely kill the game's online community.

[ajax17]

Yeah, this article is kinda bogus. I was just saying as far as games go Take Two has the best subsidiaries.

[thehitman]

Huh... OFC they are needed. Despite the hate a lot have for some they do more good then harm if your a developer and need a way in just make sure you get the right publisher that doesnt require much control they are out there if your good you will be treated good. Not everyone can be kickstarters lol...

[ApolloTheBoss]

Publishers are merely the middleman. The guide for video games entering mainstream society. When you when you think about it they aren't really necessary.

[sjaakiejj]

Yeah, because every developer has a few mil lying around to develop, market and publish a game.

[Heisenburger]

Is that supposed to be a fat joke??

I kid, I kid.

[tsn]

When business men who have no connection gamers and companies take over game developers like EA actibliz etc the quality goes down the drain the market gets saturated with the same stuff and we are expected to pay full price, not to mention games are barely challenging.

Game industry is just as controlled as the music industry, CoD is the game equivalent of kesha.

[Evil_Ryu]

This is a bad read.