Post: #1

Its a tale as old as time. Interesting and somewhat niche franchise is created, enter Dead Space. Said franchise enjoys moderate success and justifies a sequel. The sequel then takes the franchise down a more user-friendly path incorporating more action to balance the horror. The sequel receives positive reviews and flourishes. A decision is made to begin working on a third game, but this game is to be aimed at an even wider audience than the previous entry. Then you get Dead Space 3.

Now, I'm not saying that Dead Space 3 is going to be a bad game, but it certainly seems to be taking some unnecessary risks. Anyway, EA wants to reassure fans of the franchise that they aren't aiming to piss you off, instead they are hoping to open the franchise up to a wider audience (I remember when Resident Evil wanted to do this...)

"It's definitely not getting away from gore or horror, but at the same time it's opening up to a larger audience by adding some elements," said EA's Frank Gibeau. "In general we're thinking about how we make this a more broadly appealing franchise, because ultimately you need to get to audience sizes of around five million to really continue to invest in an IP like Dead Space. Anything less than that and it becomes quite difficult financially given how expensive it is to make games and market them."

I understand EA's desire to keep the franchise profitable and I have complete faith in Visceral Games ability to make this work on some level. Having said that, I can't overcome that fear that the game will only work at 'some level' and as a result won't be as wholly enjoyable as the original Dead Space and its sequel were. Prove me wrong, Visceral.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

Post: #2

That's a bit concerning. EA just continues to win over the hearts of gamers...

I have a bone to pick on top of that too:

(06-15-2012 11:59 AM)LemonManX Wrote:  "In general we're thinking about how we make this a more broadly appealing franchise, because ultimately you need to get to audience sizes of around five million to really continue to invest in an IP like Dead Space. Anything less than that and it becomes quite difficult financially given how expensive it is to make games and market them."

This is either a) bulls***, or b) a grim vision of the future of the industry.

So far as I can tell, the console games that sold more than 5 million copies last year are:
Modern Warfare 3
Battlefield 3
Skyrim
FIFA 12
AC: Revelations
Arkham City
Gears of War 3
LA Noire
Just Dance 3

So are we to believe that every other game wasn't profitable? A list that includes the likes of Skyward Sword, Uncharted 3, Resistance 3, Killzone 3, Portal 2, Forza 4, Rage, Dead Island, Deus Ex, Mortal Kombat, Dead Space 2, Crysis 2, NFS: The Run, Dragon Age II, etc? 5 million at $60 a pop is $300 million, how could you possibly lose money on that kind of revenue? Not to mention DLC revenue and online passes. It seems to me either EA is twisting the truth to justify their penny-pinching or they are really bad at managing their finances.

And if it is true, then I shudder to think what will happen in the next generation if the PS4 and X720 opt for "bleeding-edge" graphics. Is every game going to need to sell 8 million+ to turn a profit? If so, then there will be an extremely limited number of AAA franchises that will be produced and creativity and originality will become even more stifled.

Post: #3

EA is quickly becoming the worst publisher once again, moreso than Activision because they just haven't really been in the headlines lately. EA had best watch its step, I'd be surprised if Dead Space 3 manages to push 5 million copies, but if it doesn't and that means that EA won't continue to support it as an IP then f*** EA.

Honestly, this is why I'm leaning towards the Wii U keeping this gen alive a bit longer, we're at the tail-end of it and they seem to be supporting innovation once again. I'm so sick of bleeding-edge graphics defining AAA games.