Jimquisition: The Unholy Trinity Of Blind Greedy Bastards

[Jimothy Sterling]

The Unholy Trinity Of Blind Greedy Bastards

Only three videogames in the world exist, according to those who now get to make all the videogame decisions. The blind lead the blind, and ignorance reigns supreme.

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[varmintx]

The video isn't loading for me.

 

[Zero Serenity]

If Escapist doesn't win, I'll buy you the shoe.

 

[lukesparow]

Luckily we've still got some developers trying something different!
Oh, and Jim, may I applaud you for your new background? It looks great!

 

[Joe Richman]

Mr Sterling

1) You really should go see Captain America 2. It was so much fun while still being mentally engaging.

2) I do feel that you may be exaggerating just a touch. From my observations, while they are from outside the window of the industry, AAA companies seem to be aware of a bit more than just those three. I'm not suggesting they aren't a bunch of lemmings without the artistic backbone to give new things a try, just that they have a bit more of a bland palette to work with then you're suggesting they do.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I want to know how this happened. How is it that people who know nothing about video games ended up running video game companies?

 

[Evonisia]

That almost seems like some twisted April Fools joke, not reality. It's frankly maddening to think that this is the thought process for these people. I mean, can't they see the numbers for any other game like XCOM: Enemy Unknown or Amnesia and think "if we do that we'll make all the money?". Square Enix did, right?

Edit: Cue all the people using this as a justification for CoD killing the industry as well.

 

[SnakeoilSage]

Not that anything you said hasn't been said before, by you, but it clearly bears repeating as the target audience hasn't picked up the fucking hint already.

 

[Weresquirrel]

Jim, you of course realise you'll now be receiving hundreds of shoes in the mail, right? Might be worth putting an addendum just so you can at least get shoes in the right size.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Damn, that's a quality backdrop. And I've voted for The Escapist, although I fear you shall have to continue with just the one shoe Jim, Twitch is too strong D:

As for the episode, I'm not sure how telling it is that I hadn't even heard of one of the games before the video (Clash of Clans)

 

[RoonMian]

I want to know how this happened. How is it that people who know nothing about video games ended up running video game companies?

It happened when games publishers became market-listed and the concept of shareholder value moved in. Just as in every other industry the very second this happens the highest goals of a company aren't quality and sustainability anymore but... Well... The shareholder value. And because the artists and technicians who are actually making games can't be trusted to squeeze every last penny out of everything like blood from a stone a different kind of people was put in charge.

 

[WildFire15]

So is this now Jimquisition Beta Version 0.75? When's the official launch going to be, Jim?! Will 'Version 1.0' have a 'twice the size fantasy Willem Defoe'?

Vaguely on topic, it's embarrassing these people don't even know a Nintendo title by the sounds of it.

 

[TheScottishFella]

Okay, so I want to quickly say, loved the episode was brilliant and all. I'm pretty sure what you said was true and honest.

However, I'm an incredibly skeptical person when it comes from the account of ANONYMOUS sources, especially without some proof. There's just so little information about the source (position in games industry, what publisher they may be working for or talking about) that I can't help but be on the side of skepticism.

I just don't like anonymous sources because it usually means they can't be held accountable for what they have said, but I do understand the necessity of anonymity in this case. I just wished there was more than one source, or at least some idea where they are in the food chain. Unless I just didn't notice or something.

Great episode, I imagine what you are saying is true, but none the less I'm going to be slightly skeptical of this episode.

 

[TiberiusEsuriens]

I love the new background Jim! Aside from the over shiny bits on the last, this one has a much better presentation.

 

[WildFire15]

Okay, so I want to quickly say, loved the episode was brilliant and all. I'm pretty sure what you said was true and honest.

However, I'm an incredibly skeptical person when it comes from the account of ANONYMOUS sources, especially without some proof. There's just so little information about the source (position in games industry, what publisher they may be working for or talking about) that I can't help but be on the side of skepticism.

I just don't like anonymous sources because it usually means they can't be held accountable for what they have said, but I do understand the necessity of anonymity in this case. I just wished there was more than one source, or at least some idea where they are in the food chain. Unless I just didn't notice or something.

Great episode, I imagine what you are saying is true, but none the less I'm going to be slightly skeptical of this episode.

That's kinda the point about anonymity. I doubt, though, that Jim would have quoted whoever it was if he didn't trust them, though.

 

[senordesol]

I can't blame anyone for getting a little bleary-eyed at the prospect of making the profits of King or Supercell. Hell, during our app store report meetings, we have to omit them from the chart, just so the graphs have enough definition for us to tell what the other people in the industry are doing.

To my company's credit, the higher-ups have enough sense to know that there's no way we can distinguish ourselves in the industry by cloning their model, but at the end of the day; it's tough to argue with success.

 

[CaptainBill22]

It's good that the people in charge of these companies have experience in their respective fields like marketing or management. They may have been excellent at their previous jobs as well, however Jim is also correct. They don't know or understand the Video Game industry. It would be nice if the developers took the reins of their own businesses since they understand the industry best. If you want a good example look at Cliff Bleszinski. Unfortunately not many people have experience running a game company a developer taking over could lead to a collapse. The collapse would stem from mismanagement or failing to make a profit and dying financially.

 

[Jimothy Sterling]

Okay, so I want to quickly say, loved the episode was brilliant and all. I'm pretty sure what you said was true and honest.

However, I'm an incredibly skeptical person when it comes from the account of ANONYMOUS sources, especially without some proof. There's just so little information about the source (position in games industry, what publisher they may be working for or talking about) that I can't help but be on the side of skepticism.

I just don't like anonymous sources because it usually means they can't be held accountable for what they have said, but I do understand the necessity of anonymity in this case. I just wished there was more than one source, or at least some idea where they are in the food chain. Unless I just didn't notice or something.

Great episode, I imagine what you are saying is true, but none the less I'm going to be slightly skeptical of this episode.

I generally hate them too, especially when used in news stories. However, I've seen enough frustrated devs to feel I needed to give them catharsis, even if I can't name names. All I can say of the person I quoted is that they're an acquaintance of many years and I most certainly trust their word on any industry goings-on.

I went back and forth on whether or not to make an episode based on anonymous sources. In some ways, though, the fact I never CAN quote many of the agreements I get from developers is further damnation of the environment games can get made in.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I want to know how this happened. How is it that people who know nothing about video games ended up running video game companies?

It happened when games publishers became market-listed and the concept of shareholder value moved in. Just as in every other industry the very second this happens the highest goals of a company aren't quality and sustainability anymore but... Well... The shareholder value. And because the artists and technicians who are actually making games can't be trusted to squeeze every last penny out of everything like blood from a stone a different kind of people was put in charge.

But isn't that akin to getting a rat to run an ant colony? Actually judging from the results I'd say yes, yes it is.