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In our 58th episode we discuss Activision CEO Boby Kotick’s comments about Sony’s platforms. We also discuss the awesomeness that is Ghostbusters on the PS3 (no, not that one, the other one!) Our discussions then meander through Final Fantasy, the PS3 Prototype install issue, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves dominating at Game Critics Awards and Brütal Legend’s choice of metal.

For those geeks out there, we also discuss Free Realms and Afrika as well. Frawlz also reserves his spot in hell by making fun of… oh, just wait… it’ll be better as a surprise! We couldn’t have an episode without another heaping helping of ROOMAHS™ either and this time we decided to toss in a few user questions/comments afterwards!

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good show, btw on the subject of Free Realms being cross platform, I don't see why they wouldn't be able to that with an MMO. Especially when there is already a MMO that does support cross platform play..... Final Fantasy XI PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 players all play on the same servers and no one is at a real disadvantage when playing that game on a particular system.

Another great episode, guys. Have to agree with Rothbart on Activision, it's a bluff. There's no way Activision would abandon the PS3. Yes, I'm sure it takes more developmental resources developing for the PS3 as it's a more complex machine than the Wii or XBox360, but they'd never risk alienating such a huge fanbase. Remember, you give up on PS3, you have to give up PS2 and PSP.

And I'm sure the financial team of Sony has weighed the figures and if they aren't dropping the price, they probably DON'T think what they lose in (can't say income, if I'm not mistaken, consoles lose money for each one sold) x they'll gain from the additional users. That said, of course it would be nice to see a drop in price.

The playstation platform generates over 40% of activisions profits, it was a total bluff.

Oh and Media molcule didn't make ragdoll kung fu, it was just the co-founder of media molecule who designed it before they even formed media molecule.

Thanks for another episode! Looking forward to listening. :)

Edit: Just listened to it. Frawlz you continue to amaze me because you continue to laugh at stuff that shouldn't be laughed at. For some reason though, I still can't help but laugh when you do that! Like PMPB said, YOU'RE A MONSTER! But your Stealth ROOMAHS (tm) were epic.

Great episode as usual. :thumbsup:

ahahahahahhaha they said TRICKLE!!!

But really...I liked this show. Not just because you talked about me...but because....um...well because it was good AND you talked about me...and the pink show...and that makes a podcast great.

Frawlz...you burp like a pansy.

Oh and Media molcule didn't make ragdoll kung fu, it was just the co-founder of media molecule who designed it before they even formed media molecule.

Well right... yeah, MM has only developed/released ONE game. But I meant that the only other game they'd done prior was Rag Doll Kung Fu (and not the recent PSN release.)

Great episode as usual. :thumbsup:

Why thank you! And since you've gotten AT LEAST two shout outs on our show and one on the HDUD this week, please tell us... is the "LAZ" pronounced or spelled out in your name? You may have told us before, but I don't remember...

ahahahahahhaha they said TRICKLE!!!

How many wine boxes tonight Jax? You've laughed at "trickle" and "mandate". At this rate, I think you'd be entertained if we read from a dictionary... oh yeah, giggle at the first syllable of dictionary if ya want! :lol:

But really...I liked this show. Not just because you talked about me...but because....um...well because it was good AND you talked about me...and the pink show...and that makes a podcast great.

I've quite liked the Pink show too... ever since PS3 talk has crept into the mix! :tongue:

Hey, tell Lesley to never EVER try to describe flOwer again. I played, beat, and liked the game but I think I got a little bit gayer every time she tried to describe the game... :shocked: Sometimes "you've got to play it to understand" is enough. :thumbsup:

Frawlz...you burp like a pansy.

I got nothing. My dog burps better than whatever that thing Frawlz let out was... :wink2:

Is Frawlz the only person that has any kind of marketing knowledge on the podcast? :lol:. Sorry Roth, but your debate against Frawlz over Activisions Boby Kotick was so bad I almost cried lol. I think it's fare to say that the PS3 does cost the most to manufacturer a game on. The Media format alone sets developers back a pretty penny. If Boby feels that dropping PS3 versions of multiplatform games will save them money, then you can bet it's what he would do. The Xbox 360 & PC are virtually the same so development time between the two would be the same. The Wii is actually built like a PC as well outside of the motion controls so that wouldn't be difficult to build on either. The PS3 however is a totally different beast that requires a whole different kind of development approach to achieve the same results found on the PC & Xbox 360. So in the end, they are like developing parts of the same game twice so it runs on the PS3 as well.

Most of what I said was in Frawlz argument which is why I felt he was right. We all know however that Activision will not do that but if he went out the way to bring it up, it can be in there forecast & that will hurt Sony a crapton. Remember when EA left Sega? lol. Could have the same impact. Lets also not forget that multiplatform sales are not very strong on the PS3 end. Activision may not be breaking even on development cost compared to overall sales.

Uncharted 2 did deserve the recognition that It got but I hope all the demo video I've seen has the game running on super easy or in some sort of god mode cus that dude heals so damn fast & takes hits like its nothing. I even seen a video of him clinging onto a falling wall of some sort while he was getting blasted square in the chest by a copter & was taking no damage :lol:.

I kind of knew that the Last Remnant wasn't coming to the PS3. The games combat system just ruins what could of been another excellent RPG game from Square. The game does have a very good Story Line, the voice acting is excellent & the graphics are pretty. The frame rate does dip quite often, especially in battle. The combat system is the biggest downfall though.

I'm GETTING that Ghostbusters home TODAY! =P

-LatinLegacy

Is Frawlz the only person that has any kind of marketing knowledge on the podcast? :lol:. Sorry Roth, but your debate against Frawlz over Activisions Boby Kotick was so bad I almost cried lol. I think it's fare to say that the PS3 does cost the most to manufacturer a game on. The Media format alone sets developers back a pretty penny. If Boby feels that dropping PS3 versions of multiplatform games will save them money, then you can bet it's what he would do. The Xbox 360 & PC are virtually the same so development time between the two would be the same. The Wii is actually built like a PC as well outside of the motion controls so that wouldn't be difficult to build on either. The PS3 however is a totally different beast that requires a whole different kind of development approach to achieve the same results found on the PC & Xbox 360. So in the end, they are like developing parts of the same game twice so it runs on the PS3 as well.

Those parts of the same game they have to remake only amount to an about 10% extra development costs. And in return PS3 games sell just under the amount of copies they'll sell on the 360, because of a smaller install base on PS3. Basically if they are not going to do a PS3 version, than it suddenly makes a lot less sense to do the 360/PC versions in the first place.

And going forward, Sony is constantly improving their development tools, developers are getting more experienced with the PS3, and the install base keeps growing. Activision isn't going anywhere if they want to keep making money like they do now.

What is most likely going on here is simply behind the scenes talk between Activision and Sony. With Activision trying to get a better deal by putting some pressure Sony by getting the fanboys all riled up about the PS3's high price. But instead it's so obvious what's going on here, that everyone sees right through it.



Great show guys. I love listening to it while playing Burnout Paradise. I also took some advice from Pacman and got Prototype. I'm near the end, and it's been a great game so far. There should be plenty of side mission left when I'm done.

I bet Frawlz did beat God of War......with a stick

On a side note:

http://i43.tinypic.com/2i8cdxw.png

i lol'd

The LAZ are my initials so they supposed to be spelled out but it really doesn't matter. :)

Is Frawlz the only person that has any kind of marketing knowledge on the podcast?

Had nothing to do with marketing though... unless you read more into than I did. My arguement is bitch all you want, threatening to drop PS3/PSP is an EMPTY threat. I never said the price didn't need to drop or anything, just that the guy's attempts at flexing muscle were obviously empty threats.

If Boby feels that dropping PS3 versions of multiplatform games will save them money, then you can bet it's what he would do.

We all know however that Activision will not do that

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/rothbart_photos/interweb_memes/jimlook.gif

Lets also not forget that multiplatform sales are not very strong on the PS3 end. Activision may not be breaking even on development cost compared to overall sales.

Well, I think, not to cut it too sharply, Activision only needs to be concerned with their sales on the PS3, not multiplatform on the whole... does anybody have the real numbers broken down? Someone earlier said they made 40% from Sony platforms... I just did a quick search and didn't see anything. Bobby Kotick or LatinLegacy simply "saying" something aren't really proof to me...

I'm GETTING that Ghostbusters home TODAY! =P

If you're the type to buy a Home space, it's undeniably the best offering/value yet. If youre the type that thinks Home is a stupid waste of time, you'll regret spending the $4.99.

rothbart is totally right about the Activision thing. When a publicly traded company says that they are going to make less money because making more money is too much effort, then the share holders respond accordingly(it involves unhappy noises).

The PS3 doesn't make up 40% of Activision's sales. The PS3 makes up about 18% of the total console sales. If you exclude handhelds and last gen consoles, then the PS3 makes up about 24%, the 360 at 36%, and the Wii at 40%. 18% doesn't sound like a lot, but to shareholders that is huge

source: http://www.endsights.com/2009/06/20/would-activision-actually-abandon-the-ps3/

The statements were made on Friday the 19th when the stock was at 12.88. On Monday the stock dropped to 12.33. It would seem that some share holders responded. The stock still hasn't recovered totally.

I find myself agreeing with rothbart way more than the average bear. Everytime I do I feel the need to shave and comb my hair. At least my instincts are against LBP in bet.

Good podcast. I dont know what Pacman was talking about, the cross-platform play in ShadowRun works great and because of how the game works k/m controls offers very little advantage over console gamers.

rothbart is totally right about the Activision thing. When a publicly traded company says that they are going to make less money because making more money is too much effort, then the share holders respond accordingly(it involves unhappy noises).
How would they be losing money? By stopping Sony Support Activision would just have to make more 360/Wii games since that's where most of their money comes from. CoD 4 has sold so well on 360 that it alone will outsell both CoD 4 + Modern Warefare 2 sales combines on PS3.

I agree that Activision would never cut Sony support but it has nothing to do with money. Activision could easily make just as much profit as they do now(maybe even moerso) by strictly developing only Wii/360/PC games. They just wont do it because it would requirement them to release a lot more new games in a year than they do now.

How would they be losing money? By stopping Sony Support Activision would just have to make more 360/Wii games since that's where most of their money comes from. CoD 4 has sold so well on 360 that it alone will outsell both CoD 4 + Modern Warefare 2 sales combines on PS3.

CoD4 sold 4.37 million units on the PS3, and they aren't going to turn down those kind of sales again. When these games are developed they made are for the PC. They then have a team of coders for each of the respective consoles. These teams are significantly smaller than the main team, and so have a much lower cost. Tacking on that extra cost for an additional 4+ million sales is a good business decision. That bit of extra cost when invested elsewhere isn't going to yield the same return. Making a game from scratch is a huge risk. Transfering the data of a game already produced for an additional platform, isn't as much of a risk. Especially when the game comes from IW. It is like the time difference between making 5 loaves of bread vs. 30 loaves. It doesn't take 6 times as long. Hell, it doesn't even take twice as long, but I have a lot more product to sell(or give away, being that it's table bread and such).

Has anyone else noticed that PS3 game sales have been meeting or beating 360 sales when it comes to many of the high profile games?

I feel like I'm saying "the sky is blue", while people keep chiming in, "but it could green." Besides if Mr. Kotick is so concerned the the price to attach rate ratio, then he should consider repricing his collection of game specific over priced plastic controllers.

ACTIVISION as in the the company. BOBY KOTICK as the CEO. There is nothing wrong with what I said if you read it correctly :wink2: The company as a whole can vote against what the CEO wants you know. It's a common practice in the business world when a CEO or an exec for that matter makes a stupid decision. Boby will have to go through his board to the final say either way. Which they'll most likely shoot him down for even considering it. I'll try to simplify it for you next time so you don't get so confused :thumbsup:.

-LatinLegacy

Great show guys.
The part about L4D coming to the PS3 and PMPB's answer for that -->
I laughed so hard.
That made my day so much better. Looking forward to next week. :thumbsup:

Roth was harsh wi frawlz lol,,," im gunna say yes cus i dont wanna agree with frawlz " lol..
uno suggestion tho,, wudnt it b good if they cud lik devote a touch more time talkin about the games, n forget most of the politics behind gaming? agreed that poeple may want to know about changes internal of developers.. but me thinks talkin about the games in detail would be quite gooddd. ether way its a win win situation cus its still a good podcast guys,, high 5 2 yaa :)

I'm certainly with Rothbart on this argument. Try telling your investors "Yeah... we could make more money but.... we don't feel like it." They will not be happy with that and since investors own shares of the company and vote in board members you can bet the members will do whatever they can to save their jobs.

Not to mention the PS3 has untapped potential. Look at the specs on the PS3. If Activision would focus on developing a game just for the PS3 (to 'learn' developing for it and to focus on its limitations), the PS3 can bring in much more revenue for Activision then it is now.

You really think that developers care about "up tapped potential" in a multi-platform title???

The only companies that care about digging deeper into the systems capabilities are the ones who are currently making "exclusive" titles.

The people who make these games only care about making money.

If activition quits on sony they will lose so much money!

ACTIVISION as in the the company. BOBY KOTICK as the CEO.

Nods to LL, you're right. Bobby Kotex and Activision are different entities. That said, Bobby Kotex, the CEO, is full of hot air and can't do what he's threatening. It wouldn't be allowed... no way. I guess that's why I was calling BS... and Chubbs is right... 18% might not sound like a lot, but as I said before... people don't CARE if it's not as easy to make money on the PS platforms as others... money is money and if profit can be made, MAKE it. I think Infinity Ward were the ones that said it before, but people need to stop bitching about the PS3 and just do their job. That's not a direct quote, but a sentiment.

Maybe Activision needs to fine-tune their business plans... but if their solution ends up being "Drop support for PS platforms" then there's a major malfunction going on somewhere in that company.

"What game would you like to play again for the first time, if you could have your memory erased?".

I was about a millisecond ahead of Rothbart when I said to myself, "The first Tomb Raider". That is the game that got me into gaming. I bought a PS and TR within 20 mins of seeing my mate playing it at his house. Awesome.
Anyone elses Gaming first-loves?

Englishman

Great show as usual guys.
Oh, and I left the show an itunes review.

Hmmm, my first love (in video gaming)... I think it might've been Super Mario Bros. on the NES. I fell hard for that game. It was, as they say, love at first sight.
But if I were gonna get my brain erased, it would be for Fallout 3. I just loved that game, but after I beat it twice and went through all the side missions in the game,... and then, well, with no DLC announced at first, I traded my copy on Goozex.. I'd get it again, now that the DLC is FINAf'nLLy coming to PS3, but no. I'll just wait for GOTY edition and get everything at once.

Thx for the shoutout, but hey guys, just so you know my name is pronounced

suh-fee-ruh yew

On an unrelated note, I posted a thread about cross-platform gaming yesterday, not realizing that the show had talked about it already. I officially apologize.

I have just been catching up with my sarcasticgamer podcasts and was very excited to hear my username mentioned in the shout out but when it listened to it back I noticed that pacman pronounced my username wrong :lol: , I just felt that it would be necessary to point this out to you. Anyway thanks for the shout out lol, hope you could sense the sarcasm in this post as I was just happy to hear my name :D

thanks again
hypopunk

(high-po-punk)

Oh, did you really need to create a thread about that, message him

http://www.fenestrainc.net/images/group_clapping.jpg
I'm so happy for you. Way to go, man!

Ahhh the compulsary post from Karizmatkstayln: Offer on today start one thread get at least 2 posts from KS

He said your name wrong? Seriously? That's serious business. I think you should take him to court over this.

Sue his arse, you deserve compensation!

http://www.jontanis.com/gallery/d/3355-1/969638-cool_story__bro_super.jpg

http://www.jontanis.com/gallery/d/3355-1/969638-cool_story__bro_super.jpg

Is that meant to look like Jack Black?

I have the record for my username being mispronounced.

Way to be a cold fish >>