THQ Explains How Layoffs Were Necessary For "THQ 2.0"
See Full ImageLast week, THQ went through a major "corporate shuffling" that resulted in the shutting down of several studios and the loss of 550 employees. However, according to the company in question, one must look at the bigger picture if one wishes to envision a "better THQ."
According to a recent GI.biz interview with the Vice-President of Core Games at THQ, Danny Bilson, we learn that cutting down can be a way of enhancing product quality. ...no, really. Bilson explains that the surviving studios have been given more money and resources to create better gamers; for example, the excellent Red Faction: Guerilla, was given four additional months of development and a few extra million dollars in cash. Bilson then says it was "worth every penny," and most critics and gamers will agree with that assessment. Bilson said that such a major change was necessary in order to usher in a new age of "quality" at THQ, and that's because the company was in a "failure state" prior to the shuffling. When asked what the "current creative vision" is, Bilson responded as such:
"It's really simple, it's the games. I'm not being glib. How will I build the portfolio? I'll ship three shooters in a year if they're going to be 90-rated and awesome. Good games sell like good movies sell. You don't have to worry about diversifying portfolios and making a pet vet game because everyone else has one. If I had another shooter I could makes us another USD 20 million, so what are we talking about? It's about good."
It's good to see THQ taking the appropriate steps to enhance the overall software quality; they haven't exactly produced the best stuff over the past few years. But it's clear that Bilson's explanation may work, as indicated by Red Faction. It's a shame that so many individuals had to lose their jobs, but sometimes in the corporate world, we must suffer casualties if we wish to survive...
6/29/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (11 posts)
Qubex
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 11:28:51 AM
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Q!
"i am home"
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Highlander
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 12:17:31 PM
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At some point this FPS gravy train is going to come off the rails, personally I can't wait to see it happen.
Incidentally, I just read that Tecmo have toned down the gore and violence in the Upcoming Ninja Gaiden game for PS3. I'm sure that some will feel that this is a bad move, but I disagree because I think that it will give the game a wider audience. The game will still deserve it's rating - no doubt, but the over the top stuff is gone, leaving a more stylish game. I can see more people buying into that because of the toned down gore, and can't really see anyone boycotting it in protest at the removal of a couple hundred gallons of blood.
Why mention that? Well, it goes back to the FPS market saturation. I haven't bought into these games much because of the very bloody nature of some of them. With THQ talking about an additional 3 shooters coming, I am wondering whether there is an opportunity for them to make at least one of their upcoming games in such a way that the amount of gore and blood can be adjusted in-game to allow players like me to play it with all the action but very little blood, and others to play the game in what might be more accurately called blood-bath mode. Such a game might see many sales to more mainstream gamers like myself who are not as hardcore for shooters, but enjoy action as long as we don't have to lose our lunch wh8ile playing.
Anyway, I hope THQ can do as they say, cutting that number of jobs is huge. Perhaps the refocused THQ can secure the remaining workforce.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 1:02:00 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 6/29/2009 1:03:16 PM
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Tim Speed24
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 12:52:42 PM
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It's fun to watch things go BOOM! :-)
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 1:06:04 PM
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slayerkillemall
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 1:43:55 PM
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also,many people have been saying that about the gore,personally i dont have a problem with it as i love horror,but i see where you are coming from,as my brother who is not a gamer,tells me who would play some games if they had an option to turn down the violence,
i know some games have done it,but cant remember any at the moment.
as long as they keep it optional,people like me wont have a problem with it,and at the end of the day its a good thing...cheers.
(sorry for the long post guys :)
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Highlander
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 1:54:39 PM
FPS games are most commonly called shooters.
I do hope that they continue to make action games and not just FPS shooters. As for the gore thing...when Unreal Tournament arrived I was hoping that it at least (since it was coming from the game engine's creator) would have some ability to dynamically alter the amount of gore. Alas it did not, and I did not make a purchase. Most other FPS titles feature too much blood for me, or are simply wargames. I have a child and try to make responsible choices regarding the games I bring into my house. Uncharted was about perfect because it doesn't take the blood and gore too far, but doesn't skimp any action.
Personally I find games as or more enjoyable with limited blood effects. It shouldn't really matter though, I honestly can't see why developers wouldn't just implement a gore level option that ranges from small amounts of the red stuff to buckets of it sloshing everywhere. Such a small feature, and yet such a useful feature. Just as I can't honestly understand why an action game can't come with a language filter. Simply revoice the parts of the game that are not suitable for teens, and include an option to switch. It's not like it'd be particularly difficult or processor intensive to do things like this, and yet it would make a lot of games far more accessible.
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Tim Speed24
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 2:44:57 PM
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Highlander
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 4:48:54 PM
Thanks for the tip, I was thinking about giving that one a body swerve, now I'm sure of it. Not my cup of tea...
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slayerkillemall
Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 3:43:23 PM
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my mistake.
yes,i can relate to the child situation,i have a 7 year old girl,and am very careful about those things,i usually use headphones on games like FEAR,and have a separate room for my games...
I hope game developers take notice,and incorporate those options into their games,the more people that play,the more money they make,and the better games we recieve...
just my 2 cents...
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Naga
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Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 11:15:02 AM
brilliant but does this count spongebob it's a virus, THQ better