Ubisoft: Tougher To Produce New IPs At The End Of A Generation
See Full ImageWe say we're not overly anxious for the next generation to arrive. But one of the industry's biggest publishers says this elongated console cycle is hurting creativity.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot told Gamasutra that new machines are "long overdue" and game makers are "being penalized" by this lack of new technology.
Guillemot believes that fresh technology helps boost creativity, which in turn gives rise to new IPs. He argues that as a generation goes on, it gets harder and harder to generate entirely new titles and franchises. Said Guillemot:
"It's a lot less risky for us to create new IPs and new products when we're in the beginning of a new generation. Our customers are very open to new things. Our customers are reopening their minds--and they are really going after what's best. … At the end of a console generation, they want new stuff, but they don't buy new stuff as much. They know their friends will play Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed so they go for that. So the end of a cycle is very difficult."
It's probably true that gamers are more open to new ideas at the start of a new generation. That only makes sense. And it's also true that fresh IPs are incredibly risky and can be the death knell for smaller companies (something Ubisoft probably doesn't have to worry about). So given that, do you agree with Guillemot?
Tags: ubisoft, next generation, current generation games, next gen
7/23/2012 12:00:12 PM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (20 posts)
TheAgingHipster
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 3:42:32 PM
4 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:01:50 PM
Reply
Didn't Shadow of Colosus and GoW launch later in the PS2's life cycle? GoW, at least, has gone on to be a trans-generational multi-million selling franchise.
5 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:02:25 PM
But I can't get to it until get this school project stuff done today.
3 up, 0 down
xenris
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:23:13 PM
Sorry I haven't been on VF5 ever lol I'm either on the PC or my PSN kicks me :( What times do you usually play? Ill try and get on tonight. I'm eastern time zone.
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:32:26 PM
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:36:49 PM
2 up, 1 down
xenris
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 2:05:53 PM
Hmmm what time would that be eastern? I can never remember these things. At the time of sending this its 305 pm here.
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 2:17:38 PM
My Steam Id is the same as my PSN
Last edited by Temjin001 on 7/23/2012 2:18:11 PM
0 up, 0 down
xenris
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 3:10:13 PM
Second fight I lost 2 in a row then came back to win...somehow and the finisher we were both backed away and I ran in for a flying kick and that did it! I was going to save the replay but I was too excited and forgot lol.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:02:46 PM
Reply
I can't help but wonder if a lot of the limitations multi-plat developers are complaining about have anything to do with one console more than another...
Like... I guess I hear the complaint... fine... but it's not like Ubisoft has yet matched any of the best we've seen or will see on PS3...
Not only that, but a lot of the big titles releasing over the next year are -get this- ... NEW IPS! I guess I'm just not convinced.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 7/23/2012 1:04:40 PM
6 up, 0 down
dmiitrie
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:09:32 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
xenris
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:21:06 PM
Reply
Honestly from all the unique and imaginative indy games on the PC I have seen and games like freaking Journey? Anyone who says the tech is limiting creativity is a liar.
The only thing I would think might limit creativity is if they had a really cool idea for AI behavior, but that isn't somehow possible on current consoles.
4 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 2:01:40 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Rogueagent01
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 2:06:39 PM
Reply
It is simple common sense that working with something that has been out for awhile can get better results then something brand new. Sure new tech opens new doors but at the expense of slashing the creative side of development(in most cases). Devs have always shown how good they are towards the end of a cycle, NOT at the beginning. They learn how to use the code better, they get very creative towards the end of a cycle both in development and story and it has shown in the last 3 gens.
I also can't figure out why he used CoD and Assissins Creed in his comment as they either had no presence in the last gen or didn't even exist. He should have said something along the lines of "gamers start to stick with established franchises towards the end of a console generation".
I see what he is saying though as Skyrim sold so poorly, and the anticipation for The Last of Us and Beyond: Two Souls are nonexistent. /sarcasm
2 up, 0 down
xenris
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 4:12:11 PM
0 up, 0 down
UbiEaActisuck
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 6:04:57 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 6:37:26 AM
Reply
if anything it is the other way around.
when your buying new consoles theres not much out on the market and customers just want something they will get allot of use out of, IE games they know and love, IE well known franchises.
once they have been out for a while though, and everyone starts releasing games on them than its a different story, then you can start experimenting with new ideas and shorter experiences.
does he really think heavy rain would of done better if it released the day the ps3 released?
if anything your better off releasing new IPs further into a consoles lifespan than earlier.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Reply
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:00:14 PM
You don't need a new console in order to get your creative juices flowing
DISCLAIMER:
That is, unless of course, aliens from the planet UrANUS have already done wide-scale lobotomies to hard-wire every developer's cranial circuitry into an already mind-melded Nexbox......
Ah, I can hear them all now.....
****Snap, Crackle, & Pop*****
Last edited by BikerSaint on 7/23/2012 1:01:46 PM