David Jaffe to Developers: "You Deserve What You Get"

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

I don't get why a Publisher is even needed. Aren't most AAA development houses big enough to publish their own games without the need of a 3rd party publisher? Or am I missing something?

Dear LORD no! Most devs aren't THAT big and are mostly hired by publishers from project to project. You really need publishers for advertising, marketing, etc

When I read this, it immediately brought this to my mind:

Spoiler: NSFW

So, when it comes right down to it, the power of money still rules. The more you have, the more leverage you possess and the easier you can manipulate others underneath you. And it almost goes without saying: those who possess power rarely have the wisdom to use that power correctly. Which is pretty prevalent in the gaming industry at the moment.

 

[geizr]

...

My comments where not from the point of view of trying to craft a AAA game. Yes, I agree that a AAA game requires a lot more upfront investment. I was considering a much smaller sized game development, not quite Indie level but nowhere near AAA either. It's at that level that I see the possibility that game developers can circumvent the need to negotiate with a publisher. It doesn't seem, to me, necessary for every studio to be trying to pump out a AAA game all the time. In my opinion, it's been the push to make every game on the market be a AAA blockbuster that has led to the current misfortunes in the industry. It's simply unsustainable.

For a AAA game, yes, I can agree with your counterpoints. However, for much smaller games, I think digital distribution and Kickstarter provide a strong potential option, not as a bargaining chip against publishers but as a way to just not have to deal with the issue in the first place.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

So being apart of the gaming industry (which is tooooootally viewed with respect by everyone on the planet *cough* sarcasm *cough*), you think its okay to have the ego of a rockstar and point fingers at the consumers because you helped make ONE successful franchise?

Very cute Jaffe, now take of Daddy's big boy tie and shoes, he needs to go to work.

Twisted Metal AND God of War. 2 franchises with millions sold. That's actually more than a lot of other respected developers can say. Also Kinetica sold well enough. And considering he was to be out of a job if Twisted Metal didn't succeed, I'd say he's earned his respect. He's on of the few who has kept his respect in the industry when it comes to how long he's been in it. A few examples.

Lord British's reception is now bittersweet at best.

Peter Molyneux is now a punchline.

Will Wright isn't even mentioned anymore thanks to Spore.

Warren Spector lost a lot of respect with the Epic Mickey franchise.

John Romero (nuff said).


And he's not pointing fingers at the consumers, you must not have read the article. He's talking about indie developers that complain very publicly about the deal they signed with a publisher that's known to fuck indie developers. If he were to call certain developers out by name, this could be seen as a message to Brian Provinciano (Retro City Rampage), Phil Fish (Fez), and anyone who was stupid enough to go to Microsoft with their indie title after hearing about how much money they rip from indie dev wallets.

And I agree with him.

I can't feel sorry for any indie developer who chooses to put their game on XBLA these days. Knowing what we know of how many thousands of dollars MS demands for registration and patches, you know what you're going to get. Screwed. Not that Nintendo is much better in certain cases. Sony isn't nearly as bad as either but still not ideal.

When Jaffe says that a developer deserves what they get when they take their game to a publisher that is known to treat indies like shit, he's right on the button to say that. Its a hard point to argue.