LucasArts article

Anarcho · Mon 17/04/2006 17:18:24

Interesting article from the NY Times on LucasArts: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/17/technology/17lucas.html

You might need to login to read the article, just nab a pw from www.bugmenot.com if you're so inclined.

It seems they really want to be the "Number 1" game company. I found a couple things of interest:

1) They're making a new Indiana Jones game. They didn't say what type of game it woudl be, but why do I have the feeling it won't be an "adventure" in the traditional sense? I envision 3 dimensions and endless crates.

2) A former advertising executive is running the company. That bodes well. People without any experience with video games SHOULD run a software company. He actually said, "It is absolutely a sin," that the Godfather game wasn't released on time. It's people like this that force out buggy games that haven't been properly tested.

3) Finally, I like this quote: "one of Mr. Ward's main goals is to create original franchises." What a short memory they have over there. It seems to me that LucasArts excelled at making original franchises until they switched over to mass producing Star Wars games. No mention of LucasArt's history in the 90s is mentioned. Anyway, check the article out.

-Logan

m0ds · Mon 17/04/2006 17:44:30

F**k 'em, I don't trust them enough to care anymore.

There's no way they can convince me they're going to think about the player more than the money, EVER.

That is of course, just my view! Thanks for reporting the article, Anarcho!

Helm · Mon 17/04/2006 20:40:04

I don't mind that the company aims for the money as long as they put out good games. LEC doesn't put out good games, though.

DGMacphee · Tue 18/04/2006 01:20:40

He talks a lot of execu-speak and not much on what he actually intends to do.

But hey, he managed to get the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" as part of Microsoft's ads for Windows 95. See! See how one of the words in "Start Me Up" is the same as the "Start" button! And that's the connection! HOLY DICKHOLE I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT! I WOULD HAVE USED CELINE DION'S "IF WE COULD START OVER"! Then I could be a hotshot LucasArts executive and say things like, "If we close on the margin at point four and drop our bottom line, we can maximise our potentional net gain over the next financial period."

Minion: "What about video games?"

"Video games? VIDEO GAMES!?! We're not about video games! You're not looking at the big picture!"

Minion: "Err... Actually, we ARE a video game company..."

"F**k you! Clear out your desk by 1pm! I'm going to lunch!"

Kinoko · Tue 18/04/2006 02:35:13

DG, please let me take you out for a coffee or a piece or cake when I get back to Australia to repay you for the laughter you've given me.

EDIT: Hang on, coffee or cake? Jesus christ, I meant a beer.

DGMacphee · Tue 18/04/2006 02:58:20

You forget that I'm a high-flying LucasArts executive now. We high-flying executives "do lunch". I'll have my people call your people and we'll strategise a time and place where we can talk business.

Seriously though, PM me whenever you get back and we'll catch up.

Kinoko · Tue 18/04/2006 04:37:13

Shit, I have to get myself some people.

Right now, me returning is an 'if' rather than a 'when', but sure, will do.

The Inquisitive Stranger · Tue 18/04/2006 05:03:05

Could you buy me the coffee and cake instead?

edmundito · Tue 18/04/2006 05:12:22

DG, please don't send your people near me. Last time I met them I woke up in an alley with a sore butt and a black eye.

Please, I beg you, don't do it again.

DGMacphee · Tue 18/04/2006 06:40:18

That wasn't my people. That was just my Uncle Murray. He sends kisses.

Kinoko · Tue 18/04/2006 07:05:48

TIS: Sure! Which country do I have to travel to to achieve that? Or shall I mail you some Japanese coffee and cake? (trust me, say no! It's pretty but the taste isn't anything to write home about!)

Huw Dawson · Tue 18/04/2006 09:35:43

In responce to the remark about the Indy 3D game:

It cannot be worse than Indiana Jones and The Infernal Machine. That barely qualified as a game, and was an insult to the series. Also, 3D and block pushing puzzles isn't a bad thing for the series - look at BS: The Sleeping Dragon. It was by far the best commercial adventure game in the last... 5 years. I think.

- Huw

EDIT: Of course, they could go down the shoot-em-up aspect. Again. Like LucasArt's CEO will tell you, it's all about marketing the game right, lining your pockets and getting the hell out of there.

Hammerite · Tue 18/04/2006 11:09:15

yes but the box pushing was annoying and made what was a fantastic game less good.

Afflict · Tue 18/04/2006 11:50:17

Quote from: DGMacphee on Tue 18/04/2006 06:40:18
That wasn't my people. That was just my Uncle Murray. He sends kisses.

LoL

Gzzz I might be going out that way I deffenatly owe you beer, and if its for laughter I might actually have to buy you a whole KEG!

No seriously this is the funniest thread ive read in a while!

Thanks DG

Edit dammit I was laughing so much forgot about the article. Anyway give us $20 milion and well make a game unequaled by anyone!!! MUWHAAHAHA

DG maybe you should send your ~~people there~~ uncle Murray there

HillBilly · Tue 18/04/2006 12:41:52

Quote from: Anarcho on Mon 17/04/2006 17:18:241) They're making a new Indiana Jones game. They didn't say what type of game it woudl be, but why do I have the feeling it won't be an "adventure" in the traditional sense? I envision 3 dimensions and endless crates.

They'll probably just end up with another GTA clone, where you'll shoot your way up to the top of the illegal artifact black market.

Helm · Tue 18/04/2006 13:01:01

Quotelook at BS: The Sleeping Dragon. It was by far the best commercial adventure game in the last... 5 years. I think.

and it's still an awful game

edmundito · Tue 18/04/2006 15:11:52

BS: 3? It was? Then why didn't I buy it? and also why are they mysteriously switching to point and click for the fourth game? and why is Revolution no longer a real studio but a couple of people working from home? (the fourth game is being developed by someone else.)

The Inquisitive Stranger · Wed 19/04/2006 17:25:47

Quote from: Kinoko on Tue 18/04/2006 07:05:48
TIS: Sure! Which country do I have to travel to to achieve that? Or shall I mail you some Japanese coffee and cake? (trust me, say no! It's pretty but the taste isn't anything to write home about!)

Canada for now, and the US as of next month.

Sektor 13 · Wed 19/04/2006 20:43:46

They are planing on releasing another type of game besides Star Wars ? Indiana Jones yeah right, seriously, they are only makeing Star Wars and Indy games !? Why must all todays games be involved around some super movie or comic book ? Where is originality !?? Like Monkey Island, Another World, Duke Nukem or Harry Mary Rampage Delux v3 ? We are getting only "superb" games based on some big movies, and most of them are real bullsh**t (newest one is Godfather from our even greater publisher, (E)vil (A)rts...). This things make me sick, I want to play something real original and well made (like most Lucas Arts older adventures, Unreal 1 (3d games)...).

Anarcho · Wed 19/04/2006 21:32:50

This is what happens when "executives" are put in charge of creative endevours. The art suffers. The bottom line is all that matters. I like Star Wars and FPS as much as the next guy, but come on now...the sky should be the limit for computer games.

LucasArts article

m0ds