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Infinium May Have Content Partners
eToychest writes "In a move that indicates the video game industry is embracing digital distribution as a vehicle to expand the market, more than 20 game publishers have signed on to supply titles for the Phantom Game Service." Their previously reported financial status is undoubtedly still an issue, though.
This list is all small publishers and left-overs. Where is EA, Sega, Rockstar, Activision, etc? Where are the companies with recent, big games? Where are the companies that have had "must-have" games in the past? None of those companies look like they'll be supplying a "killer app". They all look like little companies that are jumping on a console that they might be able to ride up if it becomes the next big thing. If not, no big loss (unlike EA trying to push a major game on the console).
I want to see a list of GAMES. When (if) the phantom gets here, it's going to need some good games. Show me the games, I'll believe you.
And please, NOT PORTS. I won't buy a console for ports, because I can buy the port that's already on the PC, X-Box, PS2, or GC that I already own. You need something UNIQUE.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Phantom is an interesting property, and if it takes off it could be quite a story. But for now, it's barely above the "scam/sham" level on my "hype-o-meter".
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
Out of curiosity, I visited all of the publishers websites to look for interesting or recognizable (to me) game titles. Here's what I found (not sure if its all accurate but it should be close):
:)
21-6 Productions - crap
BraveTree - crap
Chronic Logic - Pontifex 1 & 2 (if anyone remembers that neat little demo)
Codemasters - Operation Flashpoint 1 & 2, IGI 2, Colin McRae Rally, TOCA, Dragon Empires,
Dreamcatcher Interactive - Painkiller
eGames - Raptor, Demonstar (loved those old shooters!), otherwise crap
Eidos - Thief, Dues Ex, Hitman, Legacy of Kain, Tomb Raider, Commandos, Blood Omen; series'
Enlight Interactive - X2: The Threat, Seven Kingdoms 1 & 2, Warlords Battlecry 3
Framework Studios - Crap
GamerBlitz - Crap
Gameware Development - Creatures
GarageGames - Crap, other than the Torque engine licenses
Global Software Publishing - Crap (educational/kids games)
Interplay - Fallout, Freespace... oh hell, does it matter? Aren't these guys bankrupt anyways? Their website doesn't even fucking work, who cares!
Kuma Reality Games - Some AA wannabe called Kumawar
Legacy Interactive - Crap
Max Gaming - Crap (Moon Tycoon anyone?)
O-3 Entertainment - Crap (GTA wannabe)
Riverdeep (aka Broderbund) - Crap (educational)
Skunk Studios - Crap
Vivendi Universal Games - AvP 2, Bard's Tale, CS:Z, Crash Bandicoot, Half-Life series, LOTR, NOLF 1 & 2, Simspons Hit n Run, SWAT 3 & 4, Diablo series, DAoC, Warcraft 3, Starcraft, Middle-Earth Online, WoW, Ghost Master, Empire Earth series, Ground Control series, Homeworld 2
Atari Inc - Civilization series, Driver series, Deer Hunter series (groan), Independence War, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Unreal Tournament series, Enter the Matrix, Wheel of Time, Unreal 2, Moo3, NWN series, Mechwarrior 3
So the only 'real' publishers they have are Atari (kinda), VUG, and Eidos. Add Interplay if they aren't actually dead yet (again? still? whatever). Codemasters, Enlight, and Dreamcatcher might be capable of publishing something decent too, I suppose.
All things considered though, it isn't a very impressive lineup. Their three big names are heavily into other consoles - I suspect their involvment here is just a continuation of their diversification strategy. So the chances of Phantom having a big hit/exclusive (Halo, Mario, etc) are pretty much nil. I mean, unless the Phantom intends to corner the market on educational software, i'm guessing this little ghosty is gonna get pounded into a very, very small niche by the competition.
But we'll see. I intend to sit back and watch the fireworks, whatever they may be.