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[thorns]

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/tech/software/10219443.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

Q: What are THQ's plans for E3? Will the company have any big product debuts there?

This year's going to be about next-gen [generation] hardware. We will be showing the first of our next-gen products. We've been talking about how aggressive THQ intends to be next gen. We see next gen as a time when the deck gets reshuffled. People can change places. If you look at the hardware guys, traditionally, whoever dominated the last gen doesn't necessarily dominate next gen. The same is true for software.

It really begins and ends with our studios. We bought Relic Studios right around E3 time last year. We will be showing a product that they're working on for next gen that we think is going to get a lot of buzz around E3. Volition [is the] studio responsible for Red Faction. We'll be showing a brand new product that showcases what we think is the next-gen hook, which we think is the ability to create an open-world environment -- a truly living, breathing open world with very interactive artificial intelligence.

Q: How is THQ positioned differently for this console transition compared with the last one?

At the beginning of the last cycle, we had one studio with a couple of teams and 50 to 60 people. Now we have 10 studios, really all over the world, approaching a thousand people. So our capabilities -- we're just a different company now than we were five years ago.

Q: The conventional wisdom is that publishers are going to be a lot more cautious this time around -- particularly with the next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox -- because they got burned last time when it didn't sell well initially, and overall console sales didn't take off as fast as expected. What's your take?

If you look at the dynamics of the last Xbox vs. this one, it's very, very different. The last Xbox was out a year after Sony. And Microsoft was doing it for the first time. Now we have a different dynamic. Microsoft has learned a lot over the last five years; they're being very aggressive in terms of developer support.

We think there's a real opportunity, not just on Microsoft, but on Sony. It's a different story this time: This is a seasoned Microsoft going after a Sony that really needs this business to succeed. That's what excites us. So, to answer your question directly, we are not being more cautious. We are being very aggressive. We see a huge opportunity on next gen, and we want to invest in the tools and technologies so that we can be a leader over the next gen.

 

[tsp_gatmog]

:lol

not one mention of Nintendo

 

[Katana_Strikes]

More wrestling games will be on the agenda, now that is a safe bet.

I'd really like to see the ideas behind Red Faction expanded upon more though, maybe not the actual game itself but the Geo-mod engine.

 

[bitwise]

If you look at the dynamics of the last Xbox vs. this one, it's very, very different. The last Xbox was out a year after Sony. And Microsoft was doing it for the first time. Now we have a different dynamic. Microsoft has learned a lot over the last five years; they're being very aggressive in terms of developer support.

We think there's a real opportunity, not just on Microsoft, but on Sony. It's a different story this time: This is a seasoned Microsoft going after a Sony that really needs this business to succeed.

another publisher "gets it".

 

[Barnimal]

nintendo seems to be becoming the sega of next gen

 

[AB 101]

Maybe the developers just have to think what they are going to do with all the new fangeled stuff Nintendo is rumored to have with Revo.

Could be a plus or a minus.

 

[sly]

:lol

not one mention of Nintendo

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Can't wait to see Volition's next game. Red Faction fucking rocked.

 

[ThongyDonk]

well they wheren't asked about Nintendo, they where asked about the Box?

 

[monchi-kun]

they were specifically asked about next-gen....Nintendo isn't next-gen

NEXTGENTO!!!!

 

[ThongyDonk]

they were specifically asked about next-gen....Nintendo isn't next-gen

NEXTGENTO!!!!

they where asked about XBox, What they have for next gen and how they're preparing

 

[monchi-kun]

NEXTGENTO REVOLUTIONARY ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

N-RES!!!!

 

[Amused_To_Death]

With all due respect to THQ's CEO, he should figure out how to make good games THIS generation before he can talk about next gen. I can't believe they didn't ask him about the debacle that is WM21, not sure when the interview took place, but still...

I like this part of his interview:

We'll be showing a brand new product that showcases what we think is the next-gen hook, which we think is the ability to create an open-world environment -- a truly living, breathing open world with very interactive artificial intelligence.

Did anyone bother to tell the dude that this concept has already been done, and almost perfected in this generation?

We see next gen as a time when the deck gets reshuffled. People can change places. If you look at the hardware guys, traditionally, whoever dominated the last gen doesn't necessarily dominate next gen. The same is true for software.

The way he's talking, it sounds like he thinks THQ will take over the helm after this transition. It sounds like he's got EA in his cross hair...

Outside of a couple of games, what has THQ contributed to gaming? Tons of underwhelming wrestling games and a bunch of licensed kiddie titles, talk about under-utilization of those 10 studios!! How would you like to be employed by THQ and your next project is Scooby Doo or SpongeBob the movie? When was the last time Sony or Microsoft cared about a THQ product? Of all the major publishers, THQ is probably the next to be squeezed out of the market, either by getting bought out or by having its licenses raided by EA and others. If EA gets a wrestling license, THQ is dead. There's already talk about Viacom handing their Nickelodeon licenses to Midway.

 

[Agent X]

With all due respect to THQ's CEO, he should figure out how to make good games THIS generation before he can talk about next gen. I can't believe they didn't ask him about the debacle that is WM21, not sure when the interview took place, but still...

I like this part of his interview:

We'll be showing a brand new product that showcases what we think is the next-gen hook, which we think is the ability to create an open-world environment -- a truly living, breathing open world with very interactive artificial intelligence.

Did anyone bother to tell the dude that this concept has already been done, and almost perfected in this generation?

What game has "almost perfected" this concept?

 

[radioheadrule83]

Meh. he wasn't mentioning specific consoles at all until pushed.

Xbox 360 Vs PlayStation 3 is obviously the most explosive competition. They're basically vying for the same people.

Even in the climate as it is, without anyone even knowing what Revolution is, I'm sure anyone who reads their interviews knows Nintendo don't necessarily want to play their game. Where's the impetus to bring them up when asked about Xbox 360 and Microsoft having a hard time this gen?

Almost time to catch some ZZZZZZZZs.

 

[bishoptl]

There's already talk about Viacom handing their Nickelodeon licenses to Midway.

Debunked.

 

[chinch]

Q: The conventional wisdom is that publishers are going to be a lot more cautious this time around -- particularly with the next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox -- because they got burned last time when it didn't sell well initially, and overall console sales didn't take off as fast as expected. What's your take?

If you look at the dynamics of the last Xbox vs. this one, it's very, very different. The last Xbox was out a year after Sony. And Microsoft was doing it for the first time. Now we have a different dynamic. Microsoft has learned a lot over the last five years; they're being very aggressive in terms of developer support.

We think there's a real opportunity, not just on Microsoft, but on Sony. It's a different story this time: This is a seasoned Microsoft going after a Sony that really needs this business to succeed. That's what excites us. So, to answer your question directly, we are not being more cautious. We are being very aggressive. We see a huge opportunity on next gen, and we want to invest in the tools and technologies so that we can be a leader over the next gen.

lol @ this prognosticaor (ie. dope doing the interview) :lol :lol

 

[MightyHedgehog]

What you say?

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

another publisher "gets it".

agreed

 

[AntoneM]

We think there's a real opportunity, not just on Microsoft, but on Sony. It's a different story this time: This is a seasoned Microsoft going after a Sony that really needs this business to succeed. That's what excites us. So, to answer your question directly, we are not being more cautious. We are being very aggressive. We see a huge opportunity on next gen, and we want to invest in the tools and technologies so that we can be a leader over the next gen.

this is interesting, must be a good time to be a 3rd party with both MS and Sony whoring themselves out to be top dog, looks like it's a publishers market right now. The most important thing MS did this generation was to launch a viable alternative to reaching the same demographic as Sony. This allows the publishers to play them off on each other and get sweet licensing deals.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Cliff Notes version:

Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen Next-Gen........





















Next-Gen

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

^^WHAT NO MENTION OF NINTENDO OMFG WTF WHERE'S MY KNIFE!

But seriously, most devs see Nintendo's console as after the X360 and PS3. They're right to focus on those consoles for now, until Nintendo even gives a firm year for release.

We're still going on that years-old quote "We launch when Sony does".

 

[TKM]

Outside of a couple of games, what has THQ contributed to gaming? Tons of underwhelming wrestling games and a bunch of licensed kiddie titles, talk about under-utilization of those 10 studios!! How would you like to be employed by THQ and your next project is Scooby Doo or SpongeBob the movie? When was the last time Sony or Microsoft cared about a THQ product? Of all the major publishers, THQ is probably the next to be squeezed out of the market, either by getting bought out or by having its licenses raided by EA and others. If EA gets a wrestling license, THQ is dead. There's already talk about Viacom handing their Nickelodeon licenses to Midway.

Take a look at THQ's balance sheet, a hoard of cash and no material debt. They're in much less danger of being squeezed out than the major Japanese developers. If anything, they'll be looking to make use of some of that cash for acquisitions. As for Nickelodeon, that talk is about 6 months late. Midway lost and THQ has the license until 2010.

But ya, THQ games still suck.

 

[SA-X]

I hope THQ lets Volition make their game the way they want to make it. I really enjoyed the first Red Faction because it had such great atmosphere. But the second one came off as a poorly executed Halo clone.

 

[evolutionseed]

:lol

not one mention of Nintendo

set the bar low.....

 

[Dragmire]

A little bit of apt damage control:

GameCube development was also eerily silent until closer to release, but it got better support than N64 did. And since it's coming out next year, I think it has a ton of time to get lots of support, ports and otherwise. In other words, I'll start worrying if the next E3 has only a handful of ports for Rev at Nintendo's booth.