Activision: Who Says We Don't Innovate?
See Full ImageWhile many will accuse Activision of recycling the same old concepts with major franchises, company executives insist that their critics are missing the bigger picture.
In speaking to Gamasutra, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg says "it's a fallacy" to claim that the company isn't innovating. He said they're always looking to contribute to the industry in unique ways and on top of which, it's critical that they continually innovate.
"Gamers are voluntarily spending more and more time with the games that they love, and that by nature drives you to innovate within those franchises, as opposed to maybe the behavior we saw a few years ago, where people grazed more, and sampled things from many different categories, and moved on."
If you're looking for examples, Hirshberg specifically pointed out last year's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (which used physical figurines to introduce new characters on-screen), the Call of Duty Elite subscription service, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which he says featured "incremental innovations." Added Hirshberg:
"[Innovation is] a hard creative assignment, staying true to the things that people love about a franchise while also figuring out new ways to make it fresh that don't ruin what people loved about it in the first place. There are very few places on our slate where I don't see innovation."
So, now what do you have to say to that?
Tags: activision, call of duty, cod, call of duty elite
2/14/2012 8:41:33 PM John Shepard
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Comments (42 posts)
SoulController
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 9:24:45 PM
Reply
30 up, 1 down
Red 5
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 9:26:50 PM
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I don't blame Activision about "innovation".. I can't blame or say something about where there isn't. BUT, I really dislike the people who still buying that CRAPPY Games.
Red 5.
Last edited by Red 5 on 2/14/2012 9:29:01 PM
2 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:34:44 AM
Is it because i play what i like ?
Or is it because im having FUN while playing it?
3 up, 5 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:31:52 AM
I don't dislike you, though. :)
7 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 9:57:05 PM
Reply
But sadly these days, IMO, the same can be said about the current Anti-vision.
Especially with a cash-cow milking, Bozo-The-Clown looking game-hater like Kotex in charge of it all.
11 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:10:42 AM
the same "CAN'T" be said about the current Anti-vision.
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 3:45:02 AM
You formulate the most creative insults...it's always amusing when you get irate about something.
The USPS ones were gold.
0 up, 0 down
JLB1
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 10:14:30 PM
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But if Skylanders and Elite are his only examples of innovations, he should head back to the drawing board.
4 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 10:29:29 PM
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17 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:39:25 AM
Last edited by Clamedeus on 2/15/2012 7:39:46 AM
0 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:46:32 AM
ELITE IS FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
/it just costs to be a premium user !
When did BF start having Premium Services ??
No Answer huh..
Do they offer 20 Maps and other DLC with that service ????
NO !
Do they give daily prizes and winnings to those playing online MP ???
Hell No
Do they have Competitions where you could win Real Money ?
Nope
It's Funny how you guys talk CRAP about a service you guys know NOTHING about. Do Research before you HATE !
P.S i have BF3
3 up, 12 down
slugga_status
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:19:18 AM
Actually Elite is for those who are in a clan. The "free" features are crap that have always been on CoD. There's really nothing about it that's worth $49.99 unless all you play is CoD being that the map packs are $15-$20 a pop. If you like CoD that's cool..but seriously you're boasting as if Elite is worth the money and the reality is that it isn't..
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:37:00 AM
Basically, you pay for the map packs that will come. The paid features of the service, like clan ops for example, are still in development. So currently, PS3 owners paid for nothing yet. 3 months in... no map packs yet.... the premium parts of service are still inactive, and in fact, undeveloped....
I admit, Elite has potential, but so far, it's a straight up joke. Go to Elite's official forums. It feels like the entire CoD community is pissed off about Elite. And that's no exaggeration. Even the people trying to defend it have other issues of their own. Not a single paying person, Xbox or PS3, can be found claiming it's perfect or awesome.
1 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 9:06:39 AM
Its better than buying all seperate DLC.
I only have Elite for dlc and NONE of the other stuff anyway.
1 up, 1 down
Squirrelicus
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 10:38:00 AM
For MW3, 20 dlc packs total. On top of that they're releasing only
2 maps at a time. The rest of the DLC consists of two new game modes and
Spec ops content. And seeing as PS3 won't see the first round of DLC until March and the new COD game coming out in November. Where's the value?
The three map packs for Black Ops cost about $45.00 for 12 maps. Excellent maps by the way. Elite is $50.00 for 12 maps. Not much of a difference, probably a better value when you consider the extra game modes and Spec ops missions. But the map quality in MW3 sucks compared to MW2 or Black Ops. If the DLC continues the same quality as the standard maps. Getting Elite for the DLC bonus alone, is a rip off, especially since Xbox gets the content a month ahead.
PS3 owners will be 1/3 (4 months into a 12 month subscription) into a subscription service before they see a benefit from it.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 11:19:53 AM
For sure, and even then, if it's only 2 maps, you're hardly receiving a "service" at that point. They have other added service features, but they aren't even developed yet. >.<
0 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 11:29:10 AM
SO TRUE your right about content...I've always belived Treyarch was the better DEV because of the DLC they provide after a game is released.
I mean IW is suppose to be the bigger and better DEV but when it comes to DLC Treyarch just $h!7's on them with more and better content including ZOMBIE MAPS.
And yeah that 1 month after 360 BS is a joke because im impatient.But ill still get everything before the next Duty comes out :]
0 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 10:32:20 PM
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11 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 11:16:44 PM
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The Wii was innovative.
Guitar Hero 1 was innovative.
Rock Band was innovative.
Heavy Rain was innovative.
Demon's Souls was innovative.
Littlebig Planet was innovative.
Granted, the skateboard controller peripheral for Tony Hawk Ride was fairly innovative, but it was a shame it didn't work properly and hindered the experience.
Call of Duty, however, is FAR from innovative.
This guy clearly needs a dictionary because he clearly doesn't know the meaning of innovative if he applies it to MW3.
Skylanders I can see as innovative though, even though I haven't played it.
10 up, 1 down
5TAY3R
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:48:11 AM
Reply
Last edited by 5TAY3R on 2/15/2012 1:48:53 AM
4 up, 0 down
AshT
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:49:47 AM
Reply
Last edited by AshT on 2/15/2012 1:50:01 AM
3 up, 0 down
Nas Is Like
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:15:15 AM
0 up, 2 down
AcHiLLiA
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 2:36:27 PM
2 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 2:04:56 AM
Reply
something tells me this guy does not know the meaning of the word!
releasing the same game is not "innovation"!
2 up, 0 down
evilmunkie
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 5:39:51 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:39:11 AM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 8:30:52 AM
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Elite is a freaking joke. They are -STILL- without their advertised Clan Ops, over 3 months in. The features they advertise are still unavailable, Elite is littered with cheaters who boost stats (competitions only track stats), and all this for a paid subscription?
Even the BBB has had numerous complaints over the last couple months that has brought their rating down from an A+. Every complaint has been about Elite, and the BBB says that Activision has not made appropriate good faith efforts to help solve consumer issues.
Yet the "newsworthy" stories are the Activision boss getting to tell us all "we innovate!"
Come on... where's the journalistic pressure? Why aren't gamers being heard? A simple trip over to Elite's official forum, which is filled by ONLY Elite subscribers (free and premium) who MUST have XBOXLive or PSN accounts. And there are -THOUSANDS- of outcry's about the ripoff elite is.
Pay for a subscription? More like pay for elite's development cycle! It's more of an investment in things to come than a service. A total joke and rip off. I haven't met a single person happy with it.
But that's another issue! On their official forum, Beachhead posts an update on Clan Ops updates one week ago, STILL can't get the service up and running and has no date of completion set. They say in the thread, "Post your questions in this thread, and we'll answer your questions". So literally over 50 pages of questions and outcrys about the crappy service.... and not a SINGLE response from Beachhead.
And what do sites like this and IGN do? They publish Activision statements that give them a voice saying, "I'm Awesome!"
When is journalism going to be journalism and actually be a voice for the people? Why has no one covered this? A simple call to PSN or XBOX Live support will inform you that both services are well aware of Elite's issues and will give out refunds.
Yet NO JOURNALISTIC COVERAGE anywhere!!!
People cover the -CRAP- out of FFXIV's pathetic online issues. They jump on minor issues in other less popular games on a regular basis too.
But Activision is pissing off thousands, maybe even millions, of their long time fans? Noooo... we just have to get used to the fact that major corporations do this kind of thing.
I'm sorry, but if we belittle minor online flaws in other less popular games, why aren't we making it known in the public eye when there are major service flaws in the most popular video game franchise in the world?
Don't know if you can tell, but I'm ticked off they get away with this.
5 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 9:22:48 AM
I feel like i paid for DLC only...all those other features are cool but i wont use them alot.
1 up, 2 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 9:43:27 AM
Like I said, even the people that defend elite, for things like the DLC, will admit that keeping main service points in development well after release is a little heinous.
If you're getting the one or two things you wanted, that's great. But you can't just sort of ignore the fact there are major flaws in the service.
Bear in mind, the BBB has also weighed in favor of consumers who have complained of the XBOX exclusivity. PS3 owners have to wait a full month longer because of a loyalty to a corporation over the consumer.
Surly even that part must bother you since DLC is what you want anyways.
Some folks have made some excellent observations about other issues that arise from XBOX getting them first that takes away from the PS3 owner's enjoyment of the new release.
No matter how you look at it, it's a flawed service. Even if you eventually get what you want, the timeliness of it is unprofessional. Advertise a service, then start development AFTER people pay for it?!?! Come on! Even Square Enix gave people free subscriptions for more than a full year. They didn't start charging until -EVERYTHING- they promised was operational.
And that's SE... Surly Activision/Beachhead can follow suit.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/15/2012 9:50:48 AM
1 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 11:38:59 AM
I'm not defending Elite (They dont give me no check) i just want to know what services i might have problems with when trying them ?
And the ONLY thing that makes me mad or has me frustrated is the XBOX exclusivity !!!
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 12:37:22 PM
The most prevalent features of premium service aside from the DLC is Lone Wolf competitions, founding a Clan and it's management including clan challenges, and the Clan Ops competitions, not to be confused with the challenges (2 different things).
These are all features advertised with -paid- Elite.
To date:
1)
The lone wolf competitions are up, and they are alright. I've gotten a few badges myself. But they are regularly cancelled last minute for server issues and the winners are cheaters who know how to boost their stats. There's no regulation like you would get in a paid MMO service that stops cheaters.
2)
Clans and challenges are to date useless. The benefits to working as a clan (extra exp for achievements, level ups, building clan emblems, etc.) can only be achieved by using founder xp. In other words, adding new paying members. That's it. (Which is kinda dirty if you think about it... some clans have reached high levels by doing nothing other than adding paying members)
The other problem with this, is that many players are already near 10th prestige. There isn't a benefit to earning double exp anymore.
While true non-paying clan members can contribute to the challenges, you can't form a clan without founder status, which comes with premium.
3)
Clap Operations is a big pull for a lot of people. It works similarly to lone wolf competitions, but your whole clan participates. It then takes your top 6 scores in your clan and averages or totals for your clan score. Your overall score is rated against the other clans and awards like in game bonuses and real life prizes are dished out.
Clan Ops doesn't even have a completion date yet.
These 3 things are the "services" that are in addition to DLC benefits. As you can see, none of them really work well. :( I personally have extra disposable income most of the time, so paying for DLC as it comes out isn't a big deal. I don't really worry about the $10 savings personally. For me, the services are what I wanted. I have a whole group of friends who did the same because we love to play together. Every single one of us are ticked because we don't have access to this thing. We don't live near each other anymore, so this was awesome thinking about reaching a common goal together.
So for us, the draw of Elite has been non-existent. Hence, my displeasure. :(
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/15/2012 12:38:46 PM
0 up, 0 down
xenris
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:55:34 PM
Activision only cares about keeping its profit margins high. Thats why publicly traded game corporations are ruining the industry. EA and Activision plan their games around getting as much money as they can with the least amount of money put into the game as they can.
They get MORE than enough money to release really good innovative games that are feature packed, but instead they intentionall leave stuff out so they can say, hey guys get this NEW DLC premium bla bla BS its only 3 or 5 bucks.
One year later your one game has cost you 120 bucks, and then here is the kick to the groin, they release a game of the year edition, with all the DLC for 40 bucks as a last minute cash grab.
Hotshellz if people like you stopped buying into the nonsense that they put out, we would probably start getting better games. But since people pay for this crap they will keep making crap.
I'm not trying to attack you, but I see the way the industry is going and it really makes me sick. Its all about profit, not even making money anymore, just straight up about making more and more and more each year. Using cheap tricks to fuel their shareholders. Ugh, I'm glad people like Notch exist.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 10:06:05 PM
I just called Sony and they gave me a -FULL REFUND- to my PSN wallet! They asked me if I bought the hardened version or if I bought from PSN. Because I bought from PSN, I got a full and complete refund! Way awesome! (Sounds like if you bought Hardened edition, you're sunk. Unless your retailer will help you out... but I doubt it if it's opened.)
They said they were "well aware many customers are dissatisfied with Elite and a few of it's issues" and didn't need any explanation. They simply said, if I was like the other "sizable number of dissatisfied customers", all I needed to say was that I was displeased with the service. That was all!
I'm happy now. I got all my money back.
PSN.... you guys are cool. It's not a real refund, but the store credit is enough to make me happy. Took like 10 minutes, if that.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/15/2012 10:08:01 PM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 4:05:51 AM
:D
Last edited by Fane1024 on 2/16/2012 4:08:47 AM
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 8:22:06 AM
0 up, 0 down
xenris
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:57:21 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
ulsterscot
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:52:15 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 8:23:13 AM
I wanted the service. I couldn't care less about $10.
0 up, 0 down
poocannon
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 2:52:24 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Reply
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 9:24:37 PM