Electronic Arts doesn't think it's a good idea to release a new intellectual property this late in the console cycle. EA Labels' Frank Gibeau believes it's better for studios to develop new IPs for the next generation of consoles, while focusing on honing their existing franchises towards the end of this cycle.
"The time to launch an IP is at the front-end of the hardware cycle, and if you look historically the majority of new IPs are introduced within the first 24 months of each cycle of hardware platforms," said Gibeau. "Right now, we're working on three to five new IPs for the next gen, and in this cycle we've been directing our innovation into existing franchises."
His views may directly contradict the plans Bethesda has for Dishonored and 2KGames' newly adopted development of the XCOM franchise, which has titles set for release before the next generation of consoles shows up.
"As much as there's a desire for new IP, the market doesn't reward new IP this late in the cycle," he added. "They end up doing okay, but not really breaking through."
"If you look at what we're putting into Need For Speed: Most Wanted we're taking a lot of risks there, the same thing with Battlefield – you have to admit that, from Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 3, there's a huge amount of change there.
"But, if you look at the market dynamics, as much as there's a desire for new IP, the market doesn't reward new IP this late in the cycle; they end up doing okay, but not really breaking through. We have to shepherd the time that our developers spend, as well as the money that we spend on development in a positive way, so we're focused on bringing out a bunch of new IPs around the next generation of hardware."
Only time will tell if Gibeau's predictions are right.
via GameInformer
