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MTV to Invest Over $500 Million in Video Games

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the good-time-to-get-published dept.

Wowzer writes to mention that MTV is planning to invest over $500 million in video games over the next two years. In addition to incorporating games into all new programming plans, MTV is also seeking "ways to link their upcoming game Rock Band to its traditional cable networks and Web properties. But they are fearful of alienating players by cramming TV and other content into the game."

93 comments

  1. MTV is crap by Jaysyn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So they couldn't let well enough alone by making music suck, they have to make videe games suck too? I wonder if they'll be better at it than EA?

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
    1. Re:MTV is crap by k_187 · · Score: 1

      Making games or making them suck? It took them both about the same time to run their respective businesses into the ground.

      --
      11 was a racehorse
      12 was 12
      1111 Race
      12112
    2. Re:MTV is crap by Zeio · · Score: 1

      And they actively kill off awesome stuff like Beavis and Butthead, Cartoon Sushi, MTV oddities, Daria, you name it. Anything good and original MTV comes up with they simply kill off, and tend to never release on DVD and never do reruns for and simply show "spring break" parties that are staffed by actors and shills.

      Why is something so "original" so devoid of good content and so defunct these days?

      --
      Legalize the constitution. Think for yourself question authority.
    3. Re:MTV is crap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Liquid Television did rule.

    4. Re:MTV is crap by Tetrad_of_doom · · Score: 1

      The Viacom business model is to have a channel for each age demographic from Nick Jr. to VH1 Classic. As you age, you move out of the demographic and they reformat to appeal to the newer, dumber generation. I remember when I watched MTV and enjoyed it, now I can barely tolerate VH1.

      Now I just want those MTV brats to get off my lawn.

    5. Re:MTV is crap by FRZFRD2207 · · Score: 1

      I agree. If any more aspects of MTV find their way into the Rock Band game, you'll have to go on a 3 week reality show just to make it into the band.

  2. They should buy this by cliffski · · Score: 1

    For $500 million they could buy my new rock-band management game ->
    http://www.rocklegendgame.com/

    Surely easier than writing yet another game :D

    --
    DRM-free indie games for the PC and Mac: Positech Games
    1. Re:They should buy this by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but something tells me you'd settle for even $50 million. ;)

      --
      My blog
    2. Re:They should buy this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not only does your website look broken in Firefox, it really is broken. Way to make a good first impression.

    3. Re:They should buy this by Life2Short · · Score: 1

      Hopefully the plan is to update the CGA graphics on the PC version of Remote Control.

    4. Re:They should buy this by cliffski · · Score: 1

      it looks fine in both firefox and IE. I have no idea what you are talking about.

      --
      DRM-free indie games for the PC and Mac: Positech Games
    5. Re:They should buy this by derekned · · Score: 1

      It looks fine to me. Keep up the good work Positech guy.

    6. Re:They should buy this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah. Finally, someone who browses the web using the W3 validator!

      Wait, what? The site looks fine.

  3. O rly? by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "But they are fearful of alienating players by cramming TV and other content into the game." Why? They weren't fearful of alienating fans of music by cramming crap onto their network...
    1. Re:O rly? by motank · · Score: 1

      well, why would they be? do any serious music fans watch mtv anymore?

    2. Re:O rly? by motank · · Score: 1

      ack, nevermind, i misread your post.

  4. WTF? by PontifexMaximus · · Score: 1

    MTV has $500 Million to spend on ANYTHING? Damn.

    --
    Pax Vobiscum
    1. Re:WTF? by iamdrscience · · Score: 1

      MTV = Viacom = More money than the only stripper at a world-wide convention of lonely octagenarian oil barons.

    2. Re:WTF? by pmatchstick · · Score: 1

      MTV has $500 Million to spend on ANYTHING? Damn.

      Are you kidding? The network pretty much defines youth culture to advertisers looking for those precious teens and young adults. Not to mention their shows cost absolutely nothing to produce, being low-low-budget reality, game and talk shows with disposable talent that they can run ad inifinitum. MTV is a cash cow with a license to print money.

      (Not to mention it's also a brand name, as there are multiple networks as well as a film division and various product lines, and now I guess a games division too...)

      Yeah, it makes me sick too, but then I'm in my thirties.

  5. Nothing new by Hugues999 · · Score: 4, Informative

    For those who don't know, Gametrailers.com is owned by MTV. So this is nothing new.

    1. Re:Nothing new by adamchou · · Score: 1

      They also own part or all of the guitar hero franchise

    2. Re:Nothing new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The article also doesn't mention Virtual MTV/Virtual Laguna Beach/Virtual Pimp My Ride, which is exactly what the article says they will be investing in. (Games based on MTV's current tv shows.) So yeah, COMPLETELY not news.

  6. Ugh by Aneurysm · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I get enough advertising and product placement thrown at me in any given day. It's in all new films, most TV channels are 20% advertising, and most magazines are probably a similar amount. Games were until recently a safe haven.

    Not saying that they will definitely fill their games with advertising and weakly structure a plot around it, but I got a pretty good idea that they will....

    1. Re:Ugh by ThinkWeak · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Seriously? Maybe your definition of advertising and product placement is different than mine, but it's been in our video games for quite some time now. An easy example is the Tony Hawk series. You buy skateboards with various logos (from skateboard manufacturers) which adds to the "realism" of the game, but it's product placement all the same.

      Basically ANY game that touches on ANY aspect of reality will have some advertising or product placement in it. If you've watched any of the trailers for Rock Band, you will see that you dress up your avatar in any number of clothes (with brand name labels) and will probably buy instruments with manufacturer designations on them. This is nothing new, and if everything was fictional you would hear people complaining about how lame it is that you have to buy some made-up brand instrument or Gucci knock-off shirt.

      I agree that MTV has diluted into nothing more than commercials and lame reality shows, but they aren't going to get into video games and just make it a long drawn-out Geico commercial. They'll more than likely add more "realism" to the game and sell advertising and product space to clothing manufacturers, product manufacturers, and things of that nature to bring "real life" into the video game world.

      If you think games are still a safe haven, then you won't really notice a difference.

    2. Re:Ugh by Aneurysm · · Score: 1

      Ok, you're right. I don't happen to play Tony Hawk or any games like that. I play some FPSs, and i'm worried about the type of game where you need to find coke cans to regain health, that kind of crap.

    3. Re:Ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And Guitar Hero 1 & 2 is basically an advertisement for Gibson.

    4. Re:Ugh by ThinkWeak · · Score: 1

      I could understand that. I think they might do something more subtle though, like introduce Powerbars to build up your strength or to regain some endurance.

      This article seems to focus on MTV bringing more music to the consumer through this game. The game itself is toting that it will have an extreme amount of content to download (ala every other game out there), but if MTV invests enough money into the project - it could happen. Quality content downloads are a rare item on XBL and if MTV plays its cards right, they could get in on a very untapped resource.

      Granted there are some good d/ls on XBL, but they are few and far between. I actually haven't purchased a game in months, but I'm playing Catan quite a bit.

    5. Re:Ugh by hal2814 · · Score: 1

      What?! One of the greatest games ever made required you to find coke cans to regain health. I guess you're just not a bad enough dude to rescue President Ronnie.

    6. Re:Ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That isn't the sort of thing to be worried about, and I don't think it was what he was implying. Advertising in TV is intrusive. TiVO aside, watching regular programming you get interupted every 10 minutes to watch an add. Same thing if you go to the movie theatre, how the bastards snuck in commercials before the movie previews. Nothing like seeing the latest Ford add on the big screen!

      I mean, there's so many 'great' unused add spaces in video games we could be taking advantage of! Between load times, connection to an online session, halftime/intermissions in your latest EA sports games, etc etc. This is what we gotta be worried about.

    7. Re:Ugh by ak3ldama · · Score: 1

      And Guitar Hero 1 & 2 is basically an advertisement for Gibson.

      This isn't exactly fair. If you make a game called Guitar Hero can you have a guy looking like Jeff Beck or Eric Johnson playing on a Fender Strat? It would be all wrong. So you are left with only Gibson as a good example: with the SG as the first design and now the Explorer, and the Les Paul as a prominent image in the game. There are other options but they may not have the cash to back the image. Dean, Ibanez, ESP, Jackson and others will hopefully be given an opportunity at having their "shapes" represented but it is a fairly minor issue.

      --
      "but money is the God of Algiers & Mahomet their prophet." - Rich. O'Bryen June 8th 1786
  7. Well, at first there will be games... by hal2814 · · Score: 4, Funny

    At first there will be games coming from MTV. But then they'll put out the occasional TV show for your console. At first, they will be relatively good shows like a TV trivia game show with a few good up-and-coming comedians as regulars. You'll buy some of them with your regular game purchases. The next thing you know you'll be trying to find a game for your console but all you'll find are a bunch of lame dating and reality shows and you'll say to yourself, "My God, what have I done?!"

    1. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

      The next thing you know you'll be trying to find a game for your console but all you'll find are a bunch of lame dating and reality shows and you'll say to yourself, "My God, what have I done?!"
      Same as it ever was... same as it ever was... same as it ever was...
    2. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Same as it ever was... same as it ever was... same as it ever was...
      Brilliant!
    3. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by CmdrGravy · · Score: 1

      Cool, I'd love a FPS version of The "Real" World. As well as all the normal weapons for wasting people quickly I'd also like some options to take my time over it, things like rusty hacksaws, scalpels, ropes, acid baths.

    4. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by GweeDo · · Score: 1

      Interestingly enough MTV (and VH1 and CMT) just started a new channel called MHD (Music High Definition) and Dish Network just started caring it. For the moment it has actually all been music (I am sure they will break that soon enough). It has a mix of live concerts, music videos and unplugged style small group performances. I really like it so far.

      --
      Unstable Apps: Our Android Apps Don't Suck
    5. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      beavis and butthead come to next gen consoles.....yes!!

    6. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why am I not surprised that you pixelantes dream about killing your roommates?

      -JT

    7. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by Hoi+Polloi · · Score: 5, Funny

      Welcome to MTV World of Warcraft! Get ready as we put 5 wild and wacky characters in the same instance! The slutty dark elf, the playa rogue, the bigoted dwarf, the impulsive and cah-razy skateboarding fighter, and the drama queen mage. We'll have cameras following their every move as they get into wild and sexy hottub parties, tearful confessions, and drunken brawls with orcs.

      And if that flops we'll have Battlefield 1942 Survivor!

      --
      It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
    8. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by Selfbain · · Score: 1

      Plus when important things are happening in the game, there will be probably be annoying VJs talking over top of it.

      --
      Well, it has never been successfully tested.
    9. Re:Well, at first there will be games... by dintech · · Score: 1

      I think you're looking for Manhunt 2.

  8. Content by Geekbot · · Score: 1

    I don't think MTV has to fear alienating viewers. They've been unable to provide TV and content for years now. I don't see why this should be any different.

  9. My Prediction by Renaissance+2K · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm throwing down $500 and guessing that games produced by MTV - which, for those that have forgotten, stands for Music Television - will have absolutely nothing to do with music.

    When's the last time you saw a music video on MTV?

    ...Actually, when's the last time you saw MTV?

    1. Re:My Prediction by El-Wrongo · · Score: 1

      Last year I had cable, and I used to watch South Park and Chapelle show on MTV. Other than that MTV was a nono.

    2. Re:My Prediction by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

      When's the last time you saw a music video on MTV?
      Turn in your nerd card at the door on the way out. Every over-caffienated insomniac computer nerd should know that MTV runs videos between roughly 5AM and 8AM on weekdays, just as surely as we all know that Comedy Central goes to infomercials at 4AM and Comcast cable internet connections go down momentarily for maintenance at 3AM between Sunday and Monday.
    3. Re:My Prediction by Achoi77 · · Score: 1

      Every over-caffienated insomniac computer nerd should know that MTV runs videos between roughly 5AM and 8AM on weekdays, just as surely as we all know that Comedy Central goes to infomercials at 4AM and Comcast cable internet connections go down momentarily for maintenance at 3AM between Sunday and Monday.

      I don't know what's more tragic: the fact that I know that, or the fact that we know that.

    4. Re:My Prediction by Mattintosh · · Score: 1

      MTV is still on the air? I hadn't noticed.

      Every overcaffienated nerd I know has a digital TV tuner and discovered The Tube long ago.

  10. That's a *lot* of video games! by BillGatesLoveChild · · Score: 2, Funny

    > MTV to Invest Over $500 Million in Video Games

    Woo hoo! We better all start writing video games! The boom is back on! Thought I should warn MTV their staff productivity is going to plummet.

    1. Re:That's a *lot* of video games! by grumling · · Score: 2, Funny

      Actually, most of that will go to licensing deals with rappers and other criminals. They'll only have enough money left over to dig up all those ET carts from the landfill and repackage them.

      --
      "Well, good luck finding a judge that doesn't run a bestiality site."
  11. Today's post brought to you by the letter "meh" by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Funny

    Anybody remember what the "M" in MTV stood for? Is it an assigned code or just short for someone's name?

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    1. Re:Today's post brought to you by the letter "meh" by solios · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The M stands for Money.

      As in, Advertising.

    2. Re:Today's post brought to you by the letter "meh" by jollyreaper · · Score: 1

      The M stands for Money.

      As in, Advertising. Do they get it for nothing and are the chicks for free?
      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    3. Re:Today's post brought to you by the letter "meh" by Hillgiant · · Score: 1

      Marketing.

      --
      -
  12. Sweet Jesus by Wiarumas · · Score: 1

    Sweet Jesus, lord have mercy on our souls. I can only imagine the drivel that will flood the market with the MTV namebrand on it. I can imagine it now... The Real World: Overhyped Drama Tycoon, Real World 2: SimCity, Real World 3: Emo Outlash, Real World the MMORPG, Real World vs. Road Roals: Online Challenge, Grand Theft Real World, etc.

    --
    I will bend like a reed in the wind.
    1. Re:Sweet Jesus by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

      ...and each one with an Avril Lavigne soundtrack.

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  13. Seriously. by solios · · Score: 1

    MTV hasn't been watchable since my junior year of high school - and even at that point, they were steadily cutting out the watchable bits (Aeon Flux and their other cartoons) in favor of reality TV, rap videos, etc.

    Have they done anything noteworthy since Beavis & Butthead? I can't think of a single thing.

    1. Re:Seriously. by Hijacked+Public · · Score: 2, Insightful

      And those who came before you were complaining that stupid Music Television was wrecking their stupid channel with stupid cartoons. They just wanted music videos.

      --
      "Sacrifice for the good of The State" - The State
    2. Re:Seriously. by bri2000 · · Score: 1

      They were one of the production companies behind "Election" which is, IMHO, the cleverest and blackest comedy of the last 10 years or so. Given the quality of subsequent MTV movies though I suspect this was more luck than judgement.

    3. Re:Seriously. by solios · · Score: 1

      At the point I had access to MTV, MTV2 was also available and was nothing but music videos. They used to play MTV2 in one of the local bars I frequented until VJs - and all the bullshit that comes with them - started showing up more and more often.

      I liked the cartoons - animation was (and is) something MTV could have done a LOT with. But alas, reality tv is cheaper. :|

    4. Re:Seriously. by solios · · Score: 1

      See also the Aeon Flux cartoon. Or Cartoon Network and The Venture Brothers. Or Sci-Fi and Battlestar Galactica.

      I support these channels in spite of the huge volumes of total CRAP they generate because, on very rare occasions, they'll spit out something totally awesome completely by accident.

      Sturgeon's Law in action.

    5. Re:Seriously. by HoosierPeschke · · Score: 1

      I remember that too, but Beavis and Butt-Head was the MST3K of music videos, which made it ok (for me at least)...

      --
      Mr. Universe: "They can't stop the signal, Mal. They can never stop the signal."
    6. Re:Seriously. by PingSpike · · Score: 1

      I remember really liking MTV2 back in 96, 97 or so. A lot of cool music I hadn't heard before, different genres...and they played music all day. Then I didn't have TV for a few years, and when I got it again I switched on MTV2. "My God!" I said, "MTV2 has become...MTV...2."

      They are a storm of locusts...destroying, devouring everything in their path...leaving nothing but a burnt out husk in their wake.

  14. A death knell by any name... by Torodung · · Score: 1

    Well, if there was any sign that the "golden age" of PC gaming was over, presaged by events like the exclusive EA/NFL football deal and the whole "Games For Windows" (Vista/DX10) campaign, now we have MTV as a major player... in video games. The same people who "killed the radio star," then murdered the rock video in their next stroke.

    Where there is big money, there is assuredly crummy lowest common denominator content. MTV has proven that. Next stop: "Robot Chicken the game." ;^)

    --
    Toro

    1. Re:A death knell by any name... by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1
      Think about it for a minute.

      It could be argued that because every MTV pretty-boy, corporate-puppet band now looks like every other pretty-boy, corporate band, this has caused a resurgence in good Indie, small-label music.

      When MTV does the same magic on games, there may well be a resurgence in original, quirky, bedroom-developer games again, like there was on the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64.

      Jet Set Willy, here I come!

      --
      Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  15. You forgot one. by solios · · Score: 2, Informative

    They've made music suck, they're about to make video games suck, and they've also made a bunch of really shitty movies.

    1. Re:You forgot one. by twistedsymphony · · Score: 1

      The first thing I thought of in terms of MTV & Movies was Joe's Apartment but Alas it's not on that list. For whatever reason it's listed under MTV Networks. After browsing through that page I'm reminded of all the crappy TV shows they made. Though interesting enough Mr Wizard's World was listed there so I guess they can't be all bad.

      --
      Collector's Edition
  16. they already invest in games by ITman75 · · Score: 1

    Well more of a social game http://www.there.com/ with Laugana(sp?)Beach. which inturn i heard is a success.

  17. Yay! by Floritard · · Score: 1

    Finally, Joe's Apartment goes interactive! But is $500 million nearly enough to get Jerry O'Connell for voice work?

  18. Behind the wheel of a large automobile by Divide+By+Zero · · Score: 1

    This is not my Kurt Loder news! This is not my MTV Raps!

    --
    Dare to Hope. Prepare to be Disappointed.
    1. Re:Behind the wheel of a large automobile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Letting the days go by, letting the games get watered down...

  19. Sing... by Bullfish · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Mario killed the video star, Mario killed the video star"...

    1. Re:Sing... by El_Smack · · Score: 1

      No mod points, but +1 Clever to you, sir.

      --


      There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
    2. Re:Sing... by tiluki · · Score: 1

      And how about:

      "Bruce Springstien, Madonna
      Way before Nirvana
      There was U2 and Blondie
      And music still on MTV
      Her two kids in high school
      They tell her that she's uncool
      Cuz she's still preoccupied
      With 19, 19, 1985"

      (Courtesy of Bowling For Soup - although I prefer the Richard Thompson version:-)

  20. MTV should try to copy playmaina / Quiz Nation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and give away money in a live show.

  21. I thought MTV got out of the music business... by StressGuy · · Score: 1

    I mean, hasen't it all been "Teen Angst Reality Shows" and "Wealthy Celebrities Homes" and "Assorted Jack-Asses" for the past decade or so? Do they still show music videos?

    Five words to define the fall of western civilization: Jackass, the movie.....PART TWO

    --
    A goal is a dream with a deadline
    1. Re:I thought MTV got out of the music business... by fistfullast33l · · Score: 1

      I thought it was hysterical. You either are 40 or in denial.

    2. Re:I thought MTV got out of the music business... by Starayo · · Score: 1

      I'm 18, with all the future to look forward to, and I find things stuck to the bottom of my shoes that are funnier than jackass.

      Now, Borat, there's some classy comedy you can really get into.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    3. Re:I thought MTV got out of the music business... by Oktober+Sunset · · Score: 2, Funny

      that may be true, but you conveniently forgot to mention your habit of stamping on successful stand up comedians didn't you.

      --
      What if Tetris was invented by Nazis?
  22. Such Rampant Commercialism! by Alzheimers · · Score: 1

    Ugh, such rampant commercialism!

    That's it, I'm going back to Guitar Hero I to avoid all this unchecked product placement! Now, where's my plastic replica Gibson SG?

    1. Re:Such Rampant Commercialism! by Tol+Dantom · · Score: 1

      Right on.

      Even Harmonix's first effort Guitar Hero I had the Vans Warped tour and guitars. I think the sponsorship for bumping up a set was placement too but I'm not sure. And lets not forget the Bonus Songs, even though its supporting indie stuff instead of Megalocorp.

      Frankly I think the fact that MTV even pretends to care and gives a front thats it's hip and understands gamers is a good sign. Gamers have to face the fact that good games with ads will eventually make the practice common place and hopefully tasteful placement will continue to lead the way. I will miss fake ads though... Dice-cream! Mmmm!

  23. Their plan by ubrgeek · · Score: 1

    > ways to link their upcoming game Rock Band to its traditional cable networks and Web properties.

    The plan involves begining to play music videos so as to have something with which to link.

    --
    Bark less. Wag more.
  24. MTV... by pandrijeczko · · Score: 1

    ...not satisfied with killing proper music, they now want to kill games.

    --
    Gentoo Linux - another day, another USE flag.
  25. MTV is to music... by Jim+in+Buffalo · · Score: 4, Funny

    MTV is to music what Fox News is to... um... news.

    --
    This sig, aah-ah, is comin' like a ghost-sig...
  26. I misread the title by ScottCooperDotNet · · Score: 1

    And thought this was "MIT to Invest Over $500 Million in Video Games." Oh well, at least they made Clocky.

  27. great! by DragonTHC · · Score: 1

    They fucking ruined TV AND Music AND Movies.

    Now they want to ruin games.

    Someone should stop these shit peddlers soon.

    --
    They're using their grammar skills there.
  28. Austin Stories by rpillala · · Score: 1

    The one good thing that ever came out of MTV was Austin Stories, a short-lived series. Through scrounging I found a DVD of the series a couple of years ago. That source seems to have dried up. It has, however, been put up on youtube.

    --
    When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
    1. Re:Austin Stories by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no way... Beavis and Butthead? Ren & Stimpy?

  29. Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now we can find out how many bullets we can put in 50 Cent before he dies.

  30. I miss MTV by vissago · · Score: 1

    MTV isn't mtv. MTV stands for Music Television, not 'lets watch carson daly grin slyly as chicks press their sweatermeat up against the glass behind him'. When I started watching mtv, it was ~1993, and shows like liquid television and headbangers ball were alive. Those shows were MOSTLY music videos.

    So what did MTV do to combat this? They made mtv2! They let mtv1 get eaten alive by horrible programming, and mtv2 was supposed to be the previous utopia of music and videos. Now mtv2 is all shows.

    They should rename it to RTV4PWNAS - Retarded tv for people with no attention span

    --
    -Dan
  31. Mod -1 MTV: Redundant by Abattoir · · Score: 1

    I don't know why MTV is bothering. Second Life brought "reality" to video games...