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Are Game Publishers a Necessary Evil, Or Just Necessary?

Posted by Soulskill on from the everybody-loves-ea-right dept.

An editorial at GameSetWatch examines whether game publishers really deserve all the flak they get from gamers and developers alike. While some questionable decisions can certainly be laid at their feet, they're also responsible for making a lot of good game projects happen. Quoting: "The trouble comes when the money and the creativity appear to be at odds. ... Developers and publishers often have a curious relationship. The best analogy I can think of is that of parent and child. The publisher or parent thinks it knows best, because it's been there before (shipped more games), and because 'it's my money, so you'll live by my rules.' The developer — or child — is rebellious, and thinks it has all the answers. In many ways, it does know more than the parent, and is closer to what's innovative, but maybe hasn't figured out how to hone that energy yet."

6 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. They are not necessary, but convenient. by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

    Useful but not necessary. Their alignment would appear to be chaotic/neutral. Rolling aggainst DEX for an FP...

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  2. Father and Child? by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    The analogy is completely wrong and misused.

    For starters, where's the car?

    1. Re:Father and Child? by Dachannien · · Score: 2, Funny

      I dunno - it seems pretty apt to me. It does facilitate the whole "eating your own babies" concept, after all....

  3. Re:Terrible analogy by robthebloke · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's nothing new I'm afraid. I've been making new IP for over 10 years.....

  4. Re:Third option by stjobe · · Score: 3, Funny

    You have hindered our work for the last time, uid 1188877. You will not be allowed to do so again. When you hear the knock on your door, do not make a scene, resistance is useless.

    Thank you,
    /theAlienConspiracy of 69968 and 78285

    --
    "Total destruction the only solution" - Bob Marley
  5. Re:Third option by ginbot462 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm interested in your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

    Though, as a 6-digit ID, I would probably be assigned "Probe Assistant" or some other lowly task. Maybe I can work my way up to "Bowel Dissector".

    --
    Atlas Shrugged : Thematic Story :: Battlefield Earth : Organized Religion