In the whole argument over whether or not video games are art, one issue that often goes overlooked is whether or not the industry truly wants that burden. A recent Associated Press story covering war games says the industry doesn’t want to get too serious for the fear they might seem too frivolous to cover serious matters. They have a legitimate concern.
While it was recently announced that EA had approached Take Two Interactive with $2 billion dollars to buy their company, it seems Take Two is getting around.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, Take Two reported that since EA’s offer the company has received additional offers described as “informal indications of interest in a business combination.” However, no specific companies have been named.
With top titles like Bioshock and Grand Theft Auto under its umbrella, it seems Take Two feels, like Epic VP Mark Rein, that their company is worth far more than what EA would like to offer. In a press release on their website Executive Chairman of the Board Strauss Zelnick stated that EA’s offer was rejected due to providing “insufficient value to our shareholders and comes at absolutely the wrong time given the crucial initiatives underway at the Company.” (more…)
When it was rumored the other day that Epic might be acquired by Microsoft, Epic’s Vice-President Mark Rein joked that they should start the bidding at $2 billion. Apparently Electronic Arts thought that price sounded about right for another big time company, Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two is the parent company of 2K Games and Rockstar. So, essentially, Electronic Arts might soon be the parent company of Bioshock and Grand Theft Auto.
While Electronic Arts continues to be the monster that ate everything in video game land, this move actually makes some sense for Take-Two. While occasional hits keep the company afloat, there have been many bombs and Rockstar has shown its only truly viable franchise to be Grand Theft Auto, with the possibility of Bully. Meanwhile, EA Sports has basically pushed 2K Sports to the point of starvation by acquiring exclusive rights to many popular sports leagues. 2K Sports does retain the exclusive third-party rights to Major League Baseball. (more…)
Plenty of films get adapted into video games, but yet there are some that manage to slip through the cracks. They might not all be blockbusters at the box office, but they’d all make for interesting games. For once, let’s take films and make unique new gaming experiences out of them.
Sudden Death
Much can be said of the films of Jean-Claude Van Damme, and much of that negative. However, it’s hard to deny that during the 90s he made some very enjoyable action films, including this one. The marketing pitch had to be “Die Hard in a hockey arena” and it shows. Van Damme spends much of the film in brutal one on one fight scenes and crawling around hiding from terrorists. Somehow though, if one can turn their brain off for a bit, it works at being entertaining.
Electronic Arts should snap this one up now while also snapping up exclusive rights to the NHL. Then, brand this game with the official NHL license and watch the money pour in. Sure, the NHL might not like being linked with a terrorist filled action game, but they’d love the scene where Van Damme suits up and heads on the ice. It’s a perfect match for EA Sports’ hockey game engine. One caveat, this game could not be made without voiceover work from Powers Boothe reprising his character. In fact, every game could be improved with voice work from Powers Boothe. (more…)
Are video games really all sex and violence? Not according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). It recently released its ratings numbers for 2007 and revealed that only 6% of titles received a Mature rating.
In fact, games in general got very acceptable ratings with 74% receiving an Everyone rating of some form. Another 20% of titles received the Teen rating. So, what does all of this mean to gamers?
For one, it means that mature games simply aren’t being made, despite the aging of the gaming audience. Whether this is due to fear of social backlash or limiting a game’s potential market is debatable. Still, this is hardly the future of games many pictured fifteen years ago after the success of Mortal Kombat and Doom. (more…)
10) Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Puzzle games are a dime a dozen these days, and while particularly addictive ones can still get attention, it usually takes something truly innovative that breaks the mold to make everyone sit up and take notice. That’s exactly what this title did.
9) Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Isn’t it just another romp through the world of Ratchet and Clank? Yes, but it’s also an incredibly polished game to be released in a console’s first year of life. The story might be lacking compared to past installments, but if ever there were a game that took us one step closer to controlling a Pixar cartoon, this is it.
8 ) Pac-Man: Championship Edition
The announcement of this game drew laughs from many, including much of the gaming press. Once they played the actual game, however, all opinions changed. It’s the most addictive arcade game in years, and with the minor caveat of the time limits, it’s one of the few “perfect” games released all year. (more…)
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