GTA Publisher: Not Everyone Will Survive The Console Transition
See Full ImageDevelopers and publishers around the world are likely preparing for the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
And one big-time publisher believes the transition will leave a few casualties in its wake.
Grand Theft Auto producer Take-Two Interactive reminds us that in every generational transition, there have been game companies that simply couldn't make it. In speaking at the Credit Suisse 2012 Technology Conference, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said that those who aren't correctly positioned moving forward will die.
"If you're not capitalized for the transition, you can find out that you're not there for the transition. And historically, in every transition that's occurred in this business, one or two third-parties have gone out of business. Last time around it was Midway and a couple of others. Reasonable people can argue about which one it'll be this time. I have my own point of view, which I haven't exactly been quiet about. We make sure we're not on the list of casualties; to the contrary, we're on the list of winners."
This isn't the first time Zelnick has predicted the fall of other companies. Back in April, he said publisher THQ would be dead in six months...that was six months ago, and THQ is still around. However, they're kinda hanging on as business hasn't been great, so Zelnick might not be too far off. As for his statements concerning this subject, we've no doubt that some developers and publishers out there won't successfully make the leap to the new consoles. ...any guesses on which ones?
Tags: take two interactive, next gen, next generation, next gen consoles
11/28/2012 11:20:06 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (9 posts)
Zeronoz
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 12:03:36 PM
There are truth in Zelnick`s word. The transition will inevitably affects all of the major to minor game companies and not to mention, indie developers are just warming up to consoles and changing now would either destroy them or push them away from consoles.
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Knightzane
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 12:11:18 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 1:46:01 PM
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THQ will die.
Developer Raven will forever be punished for the Wolfenstein debacle by having to work on CoD games.
Insomniac will suffer greatly when Fuse fails to sell 1 million.
Guerrilla, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch, Santa Monica, and Quantic Dream will be safe.
Rockstar will stop talking about games altogether, grow it's fingernails, collect urine in jars and become the Howard Hughes of game companies while promising to release Agent.
Bethesda will hire playtesters... they will have cerebral palsy.
5 up, 2 down
firesoul453
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 6:50:09 PM
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Pandacastro
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 8:18:23 PM
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ChaseHammer
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 4:26:09 PM
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1 up, 1 down
firesoul453
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 6:48:56 PM
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___________
Thursday, November 29, 2012 @ 2:00:21 AM
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only publisher that may go bankrupt and loose their spot in the industry is THQ, but im hoping they will be able to get metro last light, south park, and a few other games out soon enough to give them the boost they need.
plus with saints row 4 in development, and rumors and even the developers hinting as it being a next gen title, they clearly have no intention in being late to the race.
i just wish they would expend volition, and dedicate half the studio to reviving red faction!
armageddon was a ok game, but guerrilla was oh so much freaking fun!
we NEED another red faction guerrilla game!
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Underdog15
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012 @ 11:36:19 AM
Hey... I have an idea. Why not have a weekend conference to help educate all game makers about how to survive if you're such a guru. You can make some dough by making yourself a speaker and charging registration costs... and you'd actually be helping instead of gloating.