Assault, I'm not arguing or criticizing you. I appreciate your comments, but it's should be okay to disagree, and even with that, we don't disagree on much.

One thing that should be noted is:

1. GTASA makes a direct joke at "Driv3r" during a cutscene where they're playing a "Driv3r" game, suggesting the controls aren't good.

2. Driv3r makes a joke at GTAVice City by including hidden bad guys with blue hawaiian shirts and float pads on their arms, suggesting you can't swim in GTAVC, which is based in Miami.

3. GTASA makes fun of True Crime, by calling it "True Grime" Garbage disposal service on a billboard in LA.

4. True Crime LA makes fun of GTA's RockStar by including a similar logo called "Jockstraps", or something dumb like that, with a star next to a J logo.

5. And it goes on. The point being, they're making in-game jokes about their competition on a game maker level. It was noted in a PSM interview, that Reflections themselves said they have respect for Rockstar, and the other way around, and the jokes are not meant as anything more than a joke. Something along those lines.

Corporations in general may be a different story, but I think game makers want to make great games first.

quote:

Originally posted by InsaneDriver06:
One thing that should be noted is:

1. GTASA makes a direct joke at "Driv3r" during a cutscene where they're playing a "Driv3r" game, suggesting the controls aren't good.

2. Driv3r makes a joke at GTAVice City by including hidden bad guys with blue hawaiian shirts and float pads on their arms, suggesting you can't swim in GTAVC, which is based in Miami.

3. GTASA makes fun of True Crime, by calling it "True Grime" Garbage disposal service on a billboard in LA.

4. True Crime LA makes fun of GTA's RockStar by including a similar logo called "Jockstraps", or something dumb like that, with a star next to a J logo.

5. And it goes on. The point being, they're making in-game jokes about their competition on a game maker level. It was noted in a PSM interview, that Reflections themselves said they have respect for Rockstar, and the other way around, and the jokes are not meant as anything more than a joke. Something along those lines.

Corporations in general may be a different story, but I think game makers want to make great games first.

Also, some license plates in GTA:SA say "EA-SUCKS" on them. I wonder if Reflections will make another "Joke" about one of their competetors.

quote:

Corporations in general may be a different story, but I think game makers want to make great games first.

Right brain creative types (developers) are a different ILK than publishers. Many developers HATE their publishers, and their publishers money-grubbing tactics.

It's very similar to the music industry, where artist do battle with their record labels.

it's not the artists that are ruthless, it's the RIAA and record companies. The same goes for the game development community as opposed to certain game publishers.

quote:

Originally posted by Symantecus:

quote:

Corporations in general may be a different story, but I think game makers want to make great games first.

Right brain creative types (developers) are a different ILK than publishers. Many developers HATE their publishers, and their publishers money-grubbing tactics.

It's very similar to the music industry, where artist do battle with their record labels.

it's not the artists that are ruthless, it's the RIAA and record companies. The same goes for the game development community as opposed to certain game publishers.

I can understand the point about Corporations. I just wanted to defend the game makers in general. The music artist vs the record label is a good comparison. Major Labels tend to be concerned with "Units sold" vs "Artistic Vision" of the musician.



From IGN.com (old news)
July 13, 2006 - Today Ubisoft announced it will acquire the Driver franchise, taking the wheel from Atari, which has published the action-on-wheels series for years now. In an agreement expected to close soon, Ubisoft will pay 19 million euros ($24 million) in cash for the franchise, technology rights, and most assets. Additionally, though Ubisoft is not acquiring the studio outright, the 80 members of Driver developer Reflections Interactive will become employees of Ubisoft.

"We are thrilled with this acquisition which will allow us to add a prestigious title to our catalog and to enter into the driving games segment, one of the most important segments in the gaming industry," commented Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. "With more than 14 million units sold throughout the world, Driver is one of the most successful brands in the history of video games. We look forward to leveraging the unique knowledge of the Ubisoft studios to ensure that Driver will be one of the leading brands of the next generation of consoles."

Just how Ubisoft will develop the Driver franchise remains to be seen; the company is not announcing any new titles just yet.

Driver began as a stylized, crime-touched racer, but subsequent games introduced overt action elements including, eventually, on-foot running and gunning. The most recent installment, Driver: Parallel Lines, was published by Atari in March. Atari will retain rights to Parallel Lines through the end of 2006.

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14 million units is pretty good. Selling more games means they can make more games, so hopefully, they bring us the best Driver ever.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: InsaneDriver06,

From Game Informer August 2007 issue (Prototype Game on the Cover)

Article relating to Publishers vs Developers is printed. Here's some direct quotes: "Is Game Development a cooperative or competitive game?", "The worst part of this buisness is that publishers think developers are out to screw them and developers think pulbishers are out to screw them." "Paranoia. Power. Money. These are all common themes in game development. Unfortunately, they take away from everyone's primary goal: making a good game."

It goes on to discuss the friction often times between the two forces of making a game. Just interesting how it relates to this thread.

My point exactly, InsaneDriver. Most gamers do not even begin to comprehend the POLITICS involved in getting a game to market - RIGHT - or the business end of gaming.

I've been in the gaming (and music) industries for 30 years - it's dog-eat-DOG!

quote:

Originally posted by Symantecus:
My point exactly, InsaneDriver. Most gamers do not even begin to comprehend the POLITICS involved in getting a game to market - RIGHT - or the business end of gaming.

I've been in the gaming (and music) industries for 30 years - it's dog-eat-DOG!

I see your point. Publishers want to sell product, Developers want to make games, but need money from the Publishers, so comprimises are made along the way in many cases, resulting in subpar games or games that turn out other than originally intended, mostly due to deadlines and adding 'the latest feature that sells games'. Just speaking in general terms, not putting Ubisoft in the same boat necessarily, as I'm glad they're supporting Reflections and Driver.

In the gaming industry? Cool. What game(s) were you involved with over the 30 years?