Selling out

[Poomanchu745]

Ok so when you hear the term selling out most people equate that to music and bands selling out so they make more "pop" oriented music to max out their earning potential. But I also have to wonder how much this applies to video game companies as well. At what point to game developers stop being creative and putting their blood, sweat, and tears into a game to make it great and start watering down games to make shortened unimaginative pieces of crap just so they will pander to the wider audience and make more money? I think companies like Bioware do a good job of making a great game that is targeted at a certain audience and really put time and effort into making it a true masterpiece. But there are the companies out there that seemingly put little time and effort into making a really great game so that more people will buy it and they will make money.

I listen to music that shows heart and talent and isnt overproduced and written by some dude who writes music for 15 different "artists". I disown bands that have sold out and reward the ones that stay true to their craft by buying their merch and going to shows. This may just be my crazy ramblings but I would like to think that I do this for game companies too that stay true to what they do best and continue to make quality products.

Please don't turn this into a flame war spewing hate at certain companies, but rather praise those that work for the interests of the gamers and what they desire. Thanks.

 

[Cargando]

I see what you mean. To me, 'selling out' is sacrificing your beliefs (or style) for money. Banksy for example, I feel bad about that.

 

[TPiddy]

Sega Totally sold out... I'll give you a specific example....

Full Auto... was an exclusive launch title for the 360 and sold about 210,000 units... it was pretty enjoyable and served me well while I was waiting for better release, but then Sega turned around and flipped it's fans a big FUCK YOU by making the sequel exclusive to the PS3, where it sold only about 120,000. Serves them right. Assholes.

 

[SantoUno]

Woulnd't Nintendo be the PERFECT example of selling out in the video game industry? It seems so obvious in a way.

 

[Blimey]

Woulnd't Nintendo be the PERFECT example of selling out in the video game industry? It seems so obvious in a way.

They would be indeed. But they figured out how to market themselves to the casual gaming market. So much so that the CEO's most likely wipe their asses with $100 bills.

 

[Veylon]

Is this another "How DARE artists profit!" rant? I think artists have the right to get money any way they can from the fruit of their efforts.

I tend to draw the line when games come out unfinished. Ever played Dungeon Lords? Even the so-called "Collectors Edition" had most rooms with only one or two NPCs in them. A huge town was laid out with only a few openable doors. Clearly, at some point the distributors had grabbed the title away from the developers and shoved it out the door uncompleted.

Selling out, for me, is really when the developers churn out a clone of something they already made and pretend it's new. Or create endless "Special/Collector's/Ultimate" Editions that are no more than the game + patches. Or expansion packs that are a campaign and five maps. I'll pay for new stuff, but not just the same game, except longer.