-EvoAnubis-5908d ago

"With respect to the franchises that don’t have the potential to be exploited every year across every platform with clear sequel potential that can meet our objectives of over time becoming $100 million plus franchises, that’s a strategy that has worked very well for us."

That's Activison-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick explaining why the company dropped titles like Riddick, Brutal Legend. and Ghostbusters.

You see the key word there? "Exploit." As in, they will run their franchises into the ground to make money. They are proving true to their word too: at least three console Guitar Hero games will have been released this year when it's all said and done, and more wouldn't shock me. Van Halen is the next one, already rated by the German Ratings Board.

And you're calling out Rock Band saying they're the same because of the Beatles thing? Fair enough. Show me what other console Rock Band games are coming this year. If you can name 2 more, I'll concede your point.

-EvoAnubis-5908d ago

Here, I'll help. Lego Rock Band.

Come on, one more, and I'll concede your point. Just one more. I'll even, for the sake of this conversation, ignore the fact that Lego Rock Band is aimed at an entirely different audience.

myothercar5908d ago (Edited 5908d ago )

^ Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) teeheehee...

But in reply to the article:

"Harmonix is no different from Activision"

Harmonix is a developer. Activision is a publisher. If he wants to blame anyone, blame MTV/EA.

Frankly, I think that it's alright as long as they're not losing focus on what's important: PICKING SONGS/BANDS THAT ARE FUN TO PLAY TO. Guitar Hero's Aerosmith and Metallica are mind-numbingly boring. We'll just have to see how The Beatles turns out, but I have a feeling Harmonix will not disappoint, as they have a track record of being innovative and staying faithful to the music, unlike Neversoft, whose ideas usually suck (boss battles, music studio). The Beatles game was just moments ago confirmed to have 3-part vocal harmonizing; now that's what I call a great decision, and just another reason why I anticipate Rock Band games while dreading the release of Guitar Hero ones.

-EvoAnubis-5908d ago

Didn't say handheld. Specifically said console.

sa_nick5908d ago

"If he wants to blame anyone, blame MTV/EA. "

Indeed, especially since HMX aren't even the main dev's behind Lego Rock Band (may be wrong). I'm pretty sure MTV is to be blamed for this one. At least the setlist looks somewhat promising so far, better than any of the GH first announcements.

100°

Guitar Hero Mobile quietly emerges on Activision’s Instagram

A new Guitar Hero game looks set to be announced by Activision as Guitar Hero Mobile ads are appearing on Instagram out of the blue.

Read Full Story >>
pockettactics.com
FinalFantasyFanatic114d ago

Should have been a console game, right now would have been a good time for a new Guitar Hero.

1Victor113d ago

Time to revive all those popular franchises that are easy to monetize with micro transactions and nothing is easier than music games where they’ll charge you $5- 10 for 2- 5 songs.

80°

CRKD and Gibson Team Up For a New Guitar Controller

CRKD and Gibson have teamed up to produce a completely new Guitar Controller for use in Rock Band, its successor Fortnite Festival, and Guitar Hero.

Read Full Story >>
nettosgameroom.com
280°

Xbox Passed On Destiny & Guitar Hero According To Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer talks candidly about missing out on both Destiny and Guitar Hero

Read Full Story >>
gamersocialclub.ca
anast294d ago

He paid billions for Starfield. This should be the real story.

294d ago Replies(1)
Sciurus_vulgaris294d ago

Microsoft bought all of Zenimax Media for 7 billion, while Sony paid 4 billion for Bungie. I think Microsoft got the better deal due to acquiring Fallout, ElderScrolls and Doom.

294d ago
anast294d ago

This can't be true. They only bought Starfield...

InUrFoxHole294d ago

@anast
Should've thought that one out buddy, lol.

anast294d ago (Edited 294d ago )

Yeah, I thought it out. I'm not sure you did. But since we are buddy's now, you're welcome.

294d ago
anast294d ago

"Clearly your parents didn't teach you"

You know you lost, when you have to resort to this tactic.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 294d ago
Profchaos294d ago

So you're saying that Microsoft has missed out on so many huge gaming franchise in the last 25 years from GTA exclusivity to guitar hero and destiny it's just laughable they had so many misses

Reaper22_294d ago

Yea, but they're still 100 times more wealthy than Sony. I would say it worked out well.

Gamingsince1981294d ago

Xbox is dead all that money doesn't help.

Hypertension140294d ago

What has work out well? It sure as hell had nothing to do with Xbox.

andy85294d ago

That isn't because of Xbox though. This is a gaming page, not an I get supplemented by father Windows page

Bathyj294d ago

Microsoft's money has nothing to do with Xbox.
Xbox is a money pit to them they would love to ditch but are after some ROI first.

Let's face it, Xbox is like a red headed stepchild that steals from you to buy drugs.

Hofstaderman294d ago (Edited 294d ago )

MIicrosoft is NOT XBOX. The current situation illustrates this. And Microsoft wants its ROI.

@Bathyj and daddy Satya has just force admitted Phil to rehab.

gold_drake294d ago

you know why MS has so much money, and it aint cause of the gaming xbox branch.

so lets not kid ourselves.

PhillyDonJawn294d ago

Xbox was shown to be more profitable than ps

jznrpg294d ago

@PhillyDownJawn not more profitable. More revenue with ABK acquisition but them going multiplat shows they are not making much profit

ocelot07294d ago

That's great for Xbox gamers ain't it that Microsoft are more wealthy than Sony. Is that really a argument use are using now lol?

Imagine me in my job. Arguing with a fellow security guard at another company. Hahah well the company I work for is worth £800m the one you work for is only work £600m!

293d ago
Knightofelemia293d ago

Microsoft may have more money but Sony has the talented studios and the games to back up those studios.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 293d ago
Chevalier293d ago

Plus turning down Marvel too. Spiderman is only exclusive to Playstation because of that

Hedstrom294d ago

Best deal deal in gaming must be when Sony bought Insomniac for 229 million dollars. They made over 800 millions on Spiderman for the ps4 alone. Thats just crazy!

XBManiac294d ago

More in the 1.000 million now.

gold_drake294d ago

another Interview?

how is he the only one who loves the spotlight as much as he does lol

Futureshark294d ago

Let's not forget he also famously passed on Spider-man, Genshin Impact and GTA3.

However it's almost kind of cute how he can keep that sh1t-eating grin and say he's a 'no regrets' kind of guy, especially when you think how much just these 5 titles could have swung the world in Xbox's favour instead of Sonys.

How he's kept his job I don't know, he must sure be keeping Papa Nadella's shaft warm somehow.

"But, but Gamepass, he introduced that!!!"

Yes he did, and now look at Xbox, all it's exclusives are coming to Playstation now rendering the platform obsolete.

DarXyde294d ago

Honestly, with that kind of track record, you can't convince me Spencer hasn't eaten it from the back in the name of self preservation. Probably unwashed...and at least twice.

That aside, my interpretation of everything here is Xbox has been mismanaged a bit too much and Nadella came down from his throne. The way it is now, I don't believe for a minute the multiplatform move was Spencer's idea. I don't even think the acquisitions was Spencer's work. At this point, I reckon he's got as much power in his role as Hunter Biden at a Ukrainian energy company.

DivineHand125294d ago

You can never tell how things will turn out if he had said yes to those games. Xbox already has access to some great IPs, however, they hardly do anything with them or fail to deliver. It's also possible their presentation wasn't good at the time, and they made sure the next presentation was better.

I believe that part of being successful is releasing things in the right place at the right time.

Many major corporations have a story similar to passing on successful business ideas. Let us look at Sony Pictures for example. Back when Marvel went bankrupt, they had the opportunity to buy the entire Marvel for only $25 Million but turned them down. An unnamed big shot at Sony reportedly claimed that “nobody gives a shit about any of the other Marvel characters,”. They ended up taking Spiderman for $10 Million instead.

https://www.avclub.com/sony...

Fast forward to today, we can see what the Marvel brand has done for Disney. Is it possible the same success would have been possible had Sony acquired those IPs. We can't say that for sure and it is possible most of those IPs that are successful today may not have been used.

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