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[CaptainABAB]

News.com interviews Paul Eibeler...
http://news.com.com/Bases+loaded+for+Take-Two/2008-1082_3-5558443.html?tag=nefd.ac


Some interesting quotes:

How are you going to split the work between the two studios, Visual Concepts and Kush?
Kush is the one working on the baseball game and is really devoted towards baseball; they also do the hockey products. Visual Concepts has just done an unbelievable job on the basketball product, so they will stay in the basketball market. And we have a great football team there of very talented guys. We're exploring different opportunities of what to do with that team.

People talk about the National Basketball Association license as the next one that will come under scrutiny, and probably go to just one publisher.
No, it's under scrutiny already.

What games have Kush made? First I heard of them.
And did VC make the Sega hockey game - or was it someone else?

Even last year, with "Red Dead Revolver" and "Manhunt" (selling) 2 million units a year--in a year that people said it was tough to introduce new brands--we're totally committed (to Grand Theft Auto).

You look at what we did last week with the announcement on "Civilization"...and what we did in purchasing Indie Built. That studio brought us "Top Spin" and "Links" and "Amped" technology. I think it's all positive.

 

[btrboyev]

so baseball isn't gonna be from VC?

 

[Guns N' Poops]

Wow, all the publicity for Manhunt helped it really :lol

 

[Meier]

"VC" has been just as much a label as an individual developer for quite some time. Kush and Exile, among others have been doing the various sports for years now.

 

[thorns]

Second, and to generalize, we would say that we are an exclusive third-party company with the American pastime. We did that in a very short period of time, where we were recognized by Major League Baseball as the partner to be with.

Third, we work very, very closely with Sony, and that relationship is extremely important to us. So, we have to make some real smart management decisions to protect (and) keep that relationship strong. This was just one way of doing that.

strange quote since I didn't know sony was interested in developing baseball gamees?

 

[DarienA]

strange quote since I didn't know sony was interested in developing baseball gamees?

Sony may be looking to strengthen their MLB title...

 

[PhatSaqs]

We just never felt it was our position to cut out the hardware companies. We look forward to working with the hardware companies and we think that it's beneficial for us to be as a partner with them, not the one that cuts them out of the business.

Good stuff.

From day one, in all our conversations, starting with football, we said that we don't believe in the exclusive marketplace. We believe that there should be a competitive marketplace...

Lies...

 

[CaptainABAB]

Meier: I didn't know that.

Based on what I found on google then, isn't Exile and not Kush working on the baseball game? Or did they switch it up this year.

http://www.kushgames.com/home/

Kush Games is a high tech developer and designer of sports video games.

Our most recent game, ESPN NHL 2K5, Shipped on August 31, 2004 for Microsoft XBOX and Sony Playstation 2 platforms.

In November 2003, ESPN College Hoops shipped for Microsoft XBOX and Sony Playstation 2 platforms.

In September 2003, ESPN NHL Hockey shipped for Microsoft XBOX and Sony Playstation 2 platforms.

In December 2002, NCAA College Basketball 2K3, was developed for Microsoft XBOX, Nintendo GameCube, and Sony Playstation 2 platforms.

From http://www.exileinteractive.com/exile_video_games/our_games.html

Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball

World Series Baseball 2K3TM (XBOX and PS2)

World Series BaseballTM (XBOX)

Toxic GrindTM (XBOX)

World Series Baseball 2K2TM (DC)

MTV SportsTM : T.J. Lavin's Ultimate BMXTM (PS)

 

[Razoric]

Wow, all the publicity for Manhunt helped it really :lol

Some of us actually found Manhunt fun. I hope they make another.

 

[btrboyev]

I would say Sony needs Take 2 more than Take two needs Sony. I understand why take 2 wants to stay on good terms with sony, but GTA has helped the ps2 garner more success than any other franchise on the platform.