Now that you've calmed down somewhat, I recently read an article in a magazine about Microsoft and it's gaming division. The magazine pretty much says that Microsoft's gaming division made roughly 90% of it's money from game sales, licensing, and XBL. That's a huge percentage, and I feel if it's true Microsoft should get out of the console manufacturing business and become a publisher/developer.
1. Hardware vs. Software
Microsoft has never really had any success developing hardware, simply because they are a software company. No one will argue that the Xbox 360 is the most technical piece of hardware out there. Software is what they're good at and what they should stick with. XBL is the best online gaming service available on consoles. PSN is great and free, but XBL is the better service because of 3 simple things missing from PSN. A Party System, Cross Game Chat, and a mic with every system.
These 3 things make XBL a more lively place then PSN. The PS3 has these features in some games, but leaving it up to the developer to add, instead of having it integrated into the network isn't the best way to do it, unless they can't this gen. Which brings me to the point that MS should sell their service to another platform, and make royalties off of the sell. Who am I kidding sell to Sony, Wii needs it more but oh well.
2. These Bots know how to hype and sell a game.
Microsoft has shown itself to be a capable publisher/developer. As a publisher MS knows what it takes to make itself stand out among the competition. They nabbed up 3rd party devs. to make exclusives for them and many of those games have become financial hits, have garnered critical acclaim, or both. Microsoft is willing to spend money to make money. As a developer the company hasn't been the best we've seen, but they've managed to hold their own against the big boys.
Now for my next point. Microsoft should turn into a video games publisher again straying away from the hardware. MS has the money to bring big developers like Rockstar, Epic, and once Bioware their way to make exclusives titles under their name. Not to mention MS is by far the best at hyping (and sometimes over hyping their games), and as a publisher they'll be able to put on a real show of games at E3 rather than the fiasco we saw at the Kinect party.
3. Kinect
To be honest Kinect has pissed me off. Looking at the line-up for 2011 for Microsoft makes me angry. I love Gears, but dammit that's not enough. So far we have to rely on the 3rd parties to carry us through the beginning of 2011, and hopefully E3 will bring something worth talking about for the hardcore.
Kinect seems to be Microsoft's new bread and butter, and that's fine for a publisher or developer, but as a console manufacture and for your hardcore audience that got you where you are, that's a slap in the face. You could get away with it if you were just a publisher/developer like I previously stated, but as of now you aren't. Kinect could have been something you made for Nintendo as a publisher/developer and made billions on during their next venture, but instead you tried to beat them at their own game, and unfortunately it's not going to happen this gen.
4. Made in the USA
Japan hates you. End of story. There's nothing you can do about it. You should almost 1.5 million consoles there in 5 years. Not a pretty sight. The rest of the world has been more generous, but with the PS3 overtaking you in all other territories while coming out in those markets over a year after you (PS3 didn't hit Europe until March the following year) they proved who they love more.
Again MS games sell great at least in Europe, but hardware while doing good in Europe is another story in Japan. And thanks the the Red Ring of Death crisis you may never get another chance with Japan. But again as a publisher/developer you don't need them.
5. Financially it's a big "NO DUH"
You make most of your money on games and on XBL. Consoles were making money, but the RROD replacement plan cut into that, along with maintenance from keeping XBL running. If you sell XBL maintenance is no longer your problem, you just sit back and collect, and make updates, and a better version to sell to them next time. Games bring you pure revenue, consoles are a risk plus they unnecessarily split the market cutting into your sales. As it's been stated over and over again, multiplat titles sell more thanks to a larger audience if there's only one hardcore system you don't have to worry about it, so you can make money off of that system.
So as you can see I don't want Microsoft to go anywhere. I just want them to stop making consoles, so my money can go to the best part of their business, the games and services. I think Microsoft is a much better Publisher/Developer than it is a console maker. I don't think they have hardware down just yet. Don't get me wrong they've done an excellent job keeping the 360 afloat, but that ship needs more than a flotation device, and MS unlike Sony and even Nintendo aren't willing to take that chance to try something bold and new. MS can also continue to make money selling some peripherals since a lot of people like the Xbox controller (keep the shape and size, just relabel the buttons). MS came into this business with the hope of taking over, or getting it's fair share, but their venture has been so up and down, I can't see the execs. being too happy with the way things are going, but if they became a publisher/developer then it would all be smooth sailing for EVERYONE (MS and gamers).
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Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts
Friday, October 21, 2011
My 2011 Gaming Predictions
Here comes another cliché prediction list. I took some time to go over 4 predictions I have for the coming year, and let me know if you think I'm crazy, or to share any of your predictions. (Sorry in advance for the wall of text, but you have headers and paragraphs to help you out.)
1) The Last Guardian will be delayed to Spring 2012:
It's well known that Sony's exclusive lineup for 2011 is killer. The beginning of the year starts off with LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3, and infamous 2. The problem is that the fall is crowded with exclusives and other big-name multiplatform titles. Resistance 3 comes in September and Uncharted 3 drops a bomb in November, which is also packed with The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Mass Effect 3, and another Call of Duty. Jaffe tweeted that Twisted Metal will release before December, and Insomniac has a history of releasing their Ratchet & Clank games in October/November too.
But where does that leave The Last Guardian? It's still a relatively niche title and won't cater to the mainstream like a Call of Duty or Uncharted. Most likely, soccer moms won't go to Walmart to pick up this artsy game for Christmas for little Johnny. The timing just doesn't seem right for Sony to try and win big with this title. I think it will be pushed a few months and released in the first or second quarter of 2012, and the Team Ico Collection will come in July or August of 2011 instead of the predicted "Spring." I don't foresee a difference in the number of copies of The Last Guardian sold if it releases in the spring instead of the holiday time.
2) Halo: CE HD/Remake will come in 2011:
Yes, I know, this is not a very original prediction. But with Bungie officially fulfilling their Halo obligation and moving on to multiplatform developing, Microsoft needs something to continue the Halo brand. It's not practical to expect a full-fledged Halo 4 next year because Microsoft has a brand new developer, 343 Industries, and they like to build at least 1-2 years of hype before their Halo releases. What better way to test out a new developer then to remaster the best Halo using the Reach engine during Halo’s 10 year anniversary? They could add Xbox Live multiplayer support and achievements, as well as some sort of internet community site similar to Bungie.net so users can share their pics, videos, and played games. We've all had our epic split screen moments on Halo: CE and wished we could share them for others to see, and maybe now is the chance.
3) Wii HD/ Wii 2 will be revealed first:
The current generation of consoles has been on the market for sometime, and some of them are starting to show their age. Microsoft just launched Kinect, and as their new focus, I can't imagine them refreshing the hardware anytime soon. The disc-drive, HD graphics, or online capabilities are not holding back Kinect games or applications, so it doesn't make financial sense to invest in an improved platform after sinking $500 million into the development and marketing of Kinect. The Playstation 3 is hitting its stride and already has secured the media format that will dominate the living room for the next 10 years. The hardware is currently profitable or break-even for Sony, so it doesn't make financial sense to invest in a new machine. I think Sony will be the last to launch their PS4.
And that leaves the Wii, and the much-fabled Wii HD (thanks Pachter!). I don't think Nintendo would refresh the Wii and only add 720p and 1080i/p support. The vast majority of the Wii audience isn't clamoring for HD, or probably even knows that their current machine is 480p capable, or what that even means. Instead, I see Nintendo innovating with the controller and how the user inputs data into the machine. They have innovated in the past by making touch-screens standard with the DS, using motion controls and balance boards for the Wii, and now with the 3DS. I think E3 2011 will give us more insight into their revolutionary plans for expanding the video game genre, with new hardware coming fall of 2012.
4) Agent, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and the vaporware category:
These are some of the most wished for games, but never seem to progress or have any new information released about them. I'm going to predict if we'll hear any information or a release for these titles in this upcoming year.
Agent - Originally revealed at Sony’s 2009 E3 conference, nothing else has been heard about this game. I think Sony will mention the game at their E3 conference, but will not show a trailer. However, I think it will be finally unveiled at the 2011 VGA’s, and have a late 2012 or early 2013 release date. I think it will launch as exclusive, but eventually will make its way over to the Xbox 360.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII - I am not an expert on Japanese games or developers, but apparently more information will be revealed about this game in January 2011 at the Fabula Nova Crystallis Conference, and a playable build for the public at E3. I think this game will be exclusive to the PS3 in Japan, and multiplatform everywhere else, similar to the launch of FF XIII. The game will release in Spring/Summer 2012.
Halo 4 - 343 Industries finally shows an announcement trailer this summer at E3, and the game will release Fall 2013. This has potential to be an Xbox 3 launch title, depending on when, or if, Microsoft delivers a hardware successor.
Half-Life 2: Episode 3 - I didn't forget about you PC guys. Valve's website lists 1 game, Portal 2, in development for 2011. They definitely have more things up their sleeve, and I think 2011 will finally be the year for the Half-Life franchise. Expect a formal announcement this year.
Wii Vitality Sensor - This goes along with my 3rd prediction above. I think this will be incorporated into the next hardware revision for the Wii, instead of as a stand-alone peripheral.
Kingdom Hearts 3 - Nothing is known about this, and has never been confirmed to be in existence. 2011 will not bring any news about this, but gamers will eventually get the game in 2013. A Kingdom Hearts HD Collection will release in 2012.
1) The Last Guardian will be delayed to Spring 2012:
It's well known that Sony's exclusive lineup for 2011 is killer. The beginning of the year starts off with LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3, and infamous 2. The problem is that the fall is crowded with exclusives and other big-name multiplatform titles. Resistance 3 comes in September and Uncharted 3 drops a bomb in November, which is also packed with The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Mass Effect 3, and another Call of Duty. Jaffe tweeted that Twisted Metal will release before December, and Insomniac has a history of releasing their Ratchet & Clank games in October/November too.
But where does that leave The Last Guardian? It's still a relatively niche title and won't cater to the mainstream like a Call of Duty or Uncharted. Most likely, soccer moms won't go to Walmart to pick up this artsy game for Christmas for little Johnny. The timing just doesn't seem right for Sony to try and win big with this title. I think it will be pushed a few months and released in the first or second quarter of 2012, and the Team Ico Collection will come in July or August of 2011 instead of the predicted "Spring." I don't foresee a difference in the number of copies of The Last Guardian sold if it releases in the spring instead of the holiday time.
2) Halo: CE HD/Remake will come in 2011:
Yes, I know, this is not a very original prediction. But with Bungie officially fulfilling their Halo obligation and moving on to multiplatform developing, Microsoft needs something to continue the Halo brand. It's not practical to expect a full-fledged Halo 4 next year because Microsoft has a brand new developer, 343 Industries, and they like to build at least 1-2 years of hype before their Halo releases. What better way to test out a new developer then to remaster the best Halo using the Reach engine during Halo’s 10 year anniversary? They could add Xbox Live multiplayer support and achievements, as well as some sort of internet community site similar to Bungie.net so users can share their pics, videos, and played games. We've all had our epic split screen moments on Halo: CE and wished we could share them for others to see, and maybe now is the chance.
3) Wii HD/ Wii 2 will be revealed first:
The current generation of consoles has been on the market for sometime, and some of them are starting to show their age. Microsoft just launched Kinect, and as their new focus, I can't imagine them refreshing the hardware anytime soon. The disc-drive, HD graphics, or online capabilities are not holding back Kinect games or applications, so it doesn't make financial sense to invest in an improved platform after sinking $500 million into the development and marketing of Kinect. The Playstation 3 is hitting its stride and already has secured the media format that will dominate the living room for the next 10 years. The hardware is currently profitable or break-even for Sony, so it doesn't make financial sense to invest in a new machine. I think Sony will be the last to launch their PS4.
And that leaves the Wii, and the much-fabled Wii HD (thanks Pachter!). I don't think Nintendo would refresh the Wii and only add 720p and 1080i/p support. The vast majority of the Wii audience isn't clamoring for HD, or probably even knows that their current machine is 480p capable, or what that even means. Instead, I see Nintendo innovating with the controller and how the user inputs data into the machine. They have innovated in the past by making touch-screens standard with the DS, using motion controls and balance boards for the Wii, and now with the 3DS. I think E3 2011 will give us more insight into their revolutionary plans for expanding the video game genre, with new hardware coming fall of 2012.
4) Agent, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and the vaporware category:
These are some of the most wished for games, but never seem to progress or have any new information released about them. I'm going to predict if we'll hear any information or a release for these titles in this upcoming year.
Agent - Originally revealed at Sony’s 2009 E3 conference, nothing else has been heard about this game. I think Sony will mention the game at their E3 conference, but will not show a trailer. However, I think it will be finally unveiled at the 2011 VGA’s, and have a late 2012 or early 2013 release date. I think it will launch as exclusive, but eventually will make its way over to the Xbox 360.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII - I am not an expert on Japanese games or developers, but apparently more information will be revealed about this game in January 2011 at the Fabula Nova Crystallis Conference, and a playable build for the public at E3. I think this game will be exclusive to the PS3 in Japan, and multiplatform everywhere else, similar to the launch of FF XIII. The game will release in Spring/Summer 2012.
Halo 4 - 343 Industries finally shows an announcement trailer this summer at E3, and the game will release Fall 2013. This has potential to be an Xbox 3 launch title, depending on when, or if, Microsoft delivers a hardware successor.
Half-Life 2: Episode 3 - I didn't forget about you PC guys. Valve's website lists 1 game, Portal 2, in development for 2011. They definitely have more things up their sleeve, and I think 2011 will finally be the year for the Half-Life franchise. Expect a formal announcement this year.
Wii Vitality Sensor - This goes along with my 3rd prediction above. I think this will be incorporated into the next hardware revision for the Wii, instead of as a stand-alone peripheral.
Kingdom Hearts 3 - Nothing is known about this, and has never been confirmed to be in existence. 2011 will not bring any news about this, but gamers will eventually get the game in 2013. A Kingdom Hearts HD Collection will release in 2012.
Amazon's "Console Buying Guide"
I just so happened to be on amazon.com looking for something to buy (lol I have nothing better to do a 1:00 am).
But to the point. I came across a page that explains the pros and cons of each console called "Console Buying Guide". There are 6 videos each about 1:30 (1 minute and 30 seconds) long. Each video covers a different aspect of the consoles.
1- Overview
2- Controllers
3- Cost
4- Performance & Graphics
5- Game Selection
6- Online & Multimedia
The thing is how surprising simple and accurate the videos represent each console. They state the negatives of each console, but they keep the focus on highlighting the positives of each console. Each category is represented perfectly in that short span of time they have. I only have concerns over the controller section and Game selection sections.
The controller section shows the standard controllers off well, but they practically skim over PS Move and Kinect. And during the game selection they represent the PS3 perfect, but the Wii games aren't shown off as well, and the Xbox 360 only get Halo as a nod.
Other than that, this is by far the best way to show some uninformed individual each consoles and let them make their decision. Anyway I thought this was neat, and nice of them to d
But to the point. I came across a page that explains the pros and cons of each console called "Console Buying Guide". There are 6 videos each about 1:30 (1 minute and 30 seconds) long. Each video covers a different aspect of the consoles.
1- Overview
2- Controllers
3- Cost
4- Performance & Graphics
5- Game Selection
6- Online & Multimedia
The thing is how surprising simple and accurate the videos represent each console. They state the negatives of each console, but they keep the focus on highlighting the positives of each console. Each category is represented perfectly in that short span of time they have. I only have concerns over the controller section and Game selection sections.
The controller section shows the standard controllers off well, but they practically skim over PS Move and Kinect. And during the game selection they represent the PS3 perfect, but the Wii games aren't shown off as well, and the Xbox 360 only get Halo as a nod.
Other than that, this is by far the best way to show some uninformed individual each consoles and let them make their decision. Anyway I thought this was neat, and nice of them to d
Casual Gamers are destroying the industry
Zephyrnix takes a look at casual gamers and their effect on the current gaming generation. In order to do this, we need to take a look at the history of gaming and how we got to this point…
Thursday, October 20, 2011
March Contest Winners
With April 1 safely behind us I think I can safely post the winners of March's contests without anyone worrying that it's a cruel joke! Here we go...
Winner of our LOYAL READER LOTTERY...
Abash!!
Abash wins their choice of a PS3 Slim or Xbox 360 Slim!! Congratulations and thank you for visiting N4G so faithfully!
Congratulations to the winners of the March FORUM LOTTERY:
WhiteNoise
TheLastGuardian
You each have a choice of a copy of Killzone 3, Bulletstorm or Dragon Age 2!
Congratulations to the winners of the March CONTRIBUTOR CONTEST:
1. BIoodmask, $250
2. mezzo, $150
3. Kors, $50
4. Nineball2112, $50
5. SpaceSquirrel, $50
You'll all hear from me soon so we can get you your prizes!
For information on April's contests (and how to win a 3DS): http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
Winner of our LOYAL READER LOTTERY...
Abash!!
Abash wins their choice of a PS3 Slim or Xbox 360 Slim!! Congratulations and thank you for visiting N4G so faithfully!
Congratulations to the winners of the March FORUM LOTTERY:
WhiteNoise
TheLastGuardian
You each have a choice of a copy of Killzone 3, Bulletstorm or Dragon Age 2!
Congratulations to the winners of the March CONTRIBUTOR CONTEST:
1. BIoodmask, $250
2. mezzo, $150
3. Kors, $50
4. Nineball2112, $50
5. SpaceSquirrel, $50
You'll all hear from me soon so we can get you your prizes!
For information on April's contests (and how to win a 3DS): http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Disney-branded Facebook games coming in 2012, Playdom head says
Can we all just say, “finally?” During a panel named “The Rise of Social Games” at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference in San Francisco, Disney Interactive and Playdom head John Pleasants revealed that two to four Facebook games surrounding Disney xd brands will hit Facebook in 2012. The general topic of the panel was the fact that branded social games are taking off.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
BBCW launches CBeebies games app
Games based on popular CBeebies Games series Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies, 3rd & Bird and Numberjacks are available through a new app launched by BBC Worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
Disney-branded Facebook games coming in 2012, Playdom head says
Can we all just say, “finally?” During a panel named “The Rise of Social Games” at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference in San Francisco, Disney Interactive and Playdom head John Pleasants revealed that two to four Facebook games surrounding Disney xd brands will hit Facebook in 2012. The general topic of the panel was the fact that branded social games are taking off.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
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