440°

Disney Admits It's Not So Great at Publishing Video Games, Prefers Licensing to EA

Disney doesn't have time for games, what with world domination and all.

XiNatsuDragnel1924d ago

Well Disney this ignorance is what ruining your brand name rn

theXtReMe11923d ago

The Disney family hasn’t had anything to do with Disney for a very long time, Unfortunately. Walt would not like a majority of what is happening with the company today.

sampsonon1923d ago

Marvel excluded of course. right?

slavish01923d ago

Lol, walt also liked Hitler so he is no standard. You should look up his horrible history and views first

DaDrunkenJester1923d ago

Lol you're right, he would hate how many Jews and colored people are included in his films and park.

bluefox7551923d ago

@slavish0 Liking Hitler has nothing to do with one's ability to run a company well. You can be a scumbag and still be efficient in running a company, the two aren't mutually exclusive.

XabiDaChosenOne1923d ago

@bluefox755 thank you for using your brain and not your emotions brother.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1923d ago
TiredandRetired1923d ago

"EA Admits It's Not So Great at Publishing Video Games, Prefers F***ing Them Up Instead."

There. Fixed it.

1923d ago
lociefer1923d ago

Neither great at publishing nor at picking a good publisher

PhoenixUp1923d ago

Lolwut? Plenty of publishers have done wonders with Disney properties over the years such as Sega, Capcom, Warner Bros Interactive, Sony Interactive Entertainment, & most notable of all Square Enix

lociefer1923d ago (Edited 1923d ago )

Was talking about EA, or do you think they did a great job with the license as well ?

PhoenixUp1923d ago

Yeah EA butchered the Star Wars license but that doesn’t mean that Disney in general aren’t good at picking good publishers for their licensed games

lociefer1923d ago

While i agree with u about other publishers doing great jobs about the license, this article and these days the spotlight is on EA, so it goes without saying that any one who talks smack about star wars games nowadays is talkin about the state we're in, not the past

rainslacker1923d ago

I think Disney had practical business reasons why EA may seem like a good publisher. Especially at the time they made the deal. They've had a rough couple of years now, but before that, despite how much we hate them, they make money, and sell games.

They have a bad track record for quality games, and seem to be going in a direction that a lot of hardcore gamers don't like, but Disney doesn't care about that as much as getting the games released.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1923d ago
Relientk771923d ago

How about licensing it to a publisher who doesn't have microtransactions, loot boxes and pay 2 win on the brain.

OffRoadKing1923d ago

License to Sony and get something great made.

XxSPIDEYxX1923d ago

They did, very recently too.

DillyDilly1923d ago

That only happened because of the movie deal. Disney would NOT cut off Star Wars from the population at large

rainslacker1923d ago (Edited 1923d ago )

@Dilly

They might since Sony showed that an exclusive license can pull big numbers. I doubt they'd allow cutting off PC gamers though. Too many PC gamers buy SW games. But, Sony has a couple game engines which can build to PC, so it would be something they can license out to another company to do the PC build....with either Sony or Disney publishing.

It won't happen of course. But going exclusive with a license doesn't mean it drastically drops sales of the game.

Show all comments (59)
110°

Microsoft's Absurd Antics Have Me Scared For Dishonored And Arkane Lyon's Future

With Arkane Austin no more and Lyon living for who knows how long, the superb Dishonored is in serious danger; Microsoft cannot be trusted.

Relientk777h ago

I love the Dishonored series so much and really want Dishonored 3. Microsoft better not screw this up.

JEECE4h ago

I mean, I think the fans will probably kill Arkane Lyon by cooking up reasons to hate whatever they do next without playing it. I've never seen a game so artificially disliked as Deathloop.

thesoftware7304h ago

Lol, why don't we just say, we are worried about all studios owned by MS now. They will keep closing studios until they have none left ...🙄

Skuletor1h ago

Just merge them all into a single studio, have it churn out a single Call of Duty every year and call it a day, lol.

Barlos1h ago

Don't be scared, you'll be fine.

Skuletor1h ago

It's exputer, fine is one word I would not associate with them.

Profchaos43m ago

I think it's becoming clear based on matt bootys comments there's no future for any IP that can't sell above 10 million within the launch window. But is also a small game that gives them prestige

/S it's beyond a joke right now

Show all comments (8)
220°

Rumored PlayStation May 2024 showcase could happen this week per industry insider

A renowned industry insider has suggested the rumored PlayStation May 2024 showcase featuring Silent Hill 2 could happen this week.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
Petebloodyonion6h ago

Bogus!
Why would Sony do that and how would this benefit them?
1) It would piss off their media partners (IGN, Gamespot, Edge, etc.) since they would have to allocate resources fast to cover the event.
2) Risk of not having great coverage or proper coverage from the various source
3) It could give the impression that they are not confident in their own stuff.
4) They would miss the chance to hype the event losing viewers and losing free marketing time.

Again I'm calling it bogus unless it's a small showcase before the big one or because they want to announce that Hellbalde 2 is also coming on PS5.

SlothLordPootus5h ago

As far as I can remember, they typically give a week heads up for these sorts of things.

Lightning775h ago

I was about to say Sony always gives a week in advance for their show.

VersusDMC5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Last year it was a weeks notice.

https://blog.playstation.co...

May 17th announcement for may 24th show.

VersusDMC4h ago

Nintendo always tweets that a direct is happening tomorrow but no one cares.

Sony gives a week or days of notice and we get anti sony type fake outrage like this.

But good luck trying trying to get some Sony hate going...

Petebloodyonion4h ago

You just mention it!
Sony gives a week in advance NOT just a couple of days.
So I fail to see what Sony's hate movement I'm trying to start when it's a basic business strategy to not piss off your partners (ask Sega).
And I doubt it's hate to ask how it would benefit Sony in doing so.

thesoftware7304h ago(Edited 4h ago)

@Versus
Huh? What?

Bro you really should relax, if what you read was some kinda negative against Sony.... seriously, is that what you got from the comments?

Bro, he was debunking the rumor, and gave perfectly good reasons why it would be unlikely, and your Nintendo Direct comparison is different, as this is supposed to be a BIG Sony showcase, not a surprise 20 min direct, and Sony 's pattern has been one week.

Slow down warmonger.

VersusDMC3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

@thesoftware730

"1) It would piss off their media partners (IGN, Gamespot, Edge, etc.) since they would have to allocate resources fast to cover the event."

That is implying Sony is preventing them from doing their job properly therefore negatively affecting their business...but i guess that's a reach in your mind?

And it's not like they need that many resources to cover the stream. They just need 3 people to react to the stream live and make some easy articles made up mostly of summaries of Sony provided press releases. They would have enough time to "prepare" if it was announced with one days notice.

Petebloodyonion1h ago

@Versus
" That is implying Sony is preventing them from doing their job properly therefore negatively affecting their business...but i guess that's a reach in your mind"

No, it simply implies that some media all over the world might (keyword MIGHT) not properly cover the event like having proper articles for each game announced, or having a proper preshow. maybe some popular YouTubers won't have time to prepare or simply your local newspaper doing an article on tech and game.

So why would Sony take a chance?
What benefit would that give them?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Petebloodyonion4h ago

Before I get tons of replies for Sony given a week in advance, my initial comments are related to the notion that the Show could happen this week as the title mentions.
Now to be fair the complete article mentions that Jeff said the Show could happen later in May giving time for Sony to give the normal 7-day notice.

Again not trying to start a negative thing here just thinking that it's bogus that Sony will have a show this week

notachance3h ago

Yeah as much as I’d like to hear what sony’s 1st parties have cooked, it’s not their style to shadow drop a showcase.

Still waiting for ghost of tsushima 2, I’m ready whenever man..

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
4h ago
Hofstaderman3h ago

Going in with no expectations but likely will see something that resonates with me.

450°

Square Is Shifting Strategy To Aggressively Pursue Multiplat Releases,Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Square Enix is shifting its strategy to aggressively pursue multiplatform releases and focus on quality over quantity.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
CantThinkOfAUsername22h ago

Yup, it's official. FFXVI and FFVII Rebirth didn't sell as much as they expected.

gold_drake20h ago

read the report, where exactly does it say what u just said ? lol

TheEroica6h ago

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt for some gamers.... 🤣

Barlos19h ago

It's your interpretation. That doesn't make it 'official'.

CantThinkOfAUsername11h ago

- 1% increase in net sales compared to a year with Forspoken and Octopath Traveller II, which didn't sell more than 3 millions combined (and I'm being generous).

- A 38.3% decrease in operating income despite the release of 'High-Definition' titles namely FFXVI, FF Pixels Remaster, Dragon Quest Monsters, and FFVII Rebirth.

- Aggressive multiplatform strategy one year after saying that exclusivity with PlayStation was mutually desired.

Sure, it's all in my head.

Sonic188115h ago(Edited 15h ago)

Probably for PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix games doesn't sell to well on Xbox

Extermin8or3_15h ago

Nothing sells well on Xbox that's precisely Microsoft's problem

The3faces14h ago

Apparently they don't sell well on PlayStation either.

Lightning7713h ago

Square named Drops Xbox as part of their multiplatform approach in their quarterly reports.

Like it matters MS will probably find away to close them down to.

FinalFantasyFanatic4h ago

I can see them going for PS5/Switch/PC for the most part, it'll mostly likely be the Switch 2 by the time their next game enters development, which is probably a good thing since the Switch is struggling with 3rd party games. If they're hurting for money/sales, I don't see them bothering with Xbox, that's just wasted time/money for them.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4h ago
DarXyde15h ago

I mean, maybe? They'll want as much as possible and I figure they could have been hoping for greater impact on PlayStation, but that's good reason to reflect and realize the resources and development cycle of these games aren't very sustainable. The solution is to make more affordable games with shorter dev cycles, then once in a while bring out the big guns.

I think Final Fantasy VII Re make and Rebirth would do really well if it was multiplatform. Specifically, if Nintendo gets their hardware up to snuff, and the rumors are promising. I don't really have much faith in its performance on Xbox, but Nintendo gamers really commit to buying their games. At one point, Breath of the Wild for Switch outsold the Switch itself.

Granted, Zelda always solos everything except GTA, but Nintendo folk are avid Final Fantasy fans. I think it would do exceptionally. Nintendo just needs to make porting easy and inexpensive and they'll get more games.

FinalFantasyFanatic4h ago

I don't think the exclusivity hurts them as badly as they think, I think it's a range of factors, like the quality of the games, high sales expectations, ESG/DEI, censorship, development costs/time... I also suspect that Square-Enix is extremely inefficient with their resources, they struggled/avoided towns in the FF13 trilogy, and FF14 was mostly wilderness with little to do apart from derp about in the wild (they also avoid towns and making a lot of characters there too). But FF14 also went through development hell, I think Square-Enix just needs to overall how they do everything, because the way they manage that studio just isn't working.

Christopher13h ago

The two most profitable games for them didn't sell as much as expected. Yes. Make it make sense.

MrCrimson11h ago

I interpret it as - they want to be multiplatform, as they will sell more copies.

EternalTitan9h ago

16 isnt even a JRPG let alone a final fantasy game.
So glad that it bombed.

itsmebryan6h ago

Square finally realized what Sony figured out recently, their installed base is not enough. We are going to see a lot less exclusives from everyone moving forward.

MajorLazer54m ago

PS5 is nearly at 60 million only half-way through its life-cycle, but sure, the install base is not enough.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 54m ago
CrashMania21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

Hopefully the next Nintendo system isn't a potato and it can contribute to FF sales in future as well, in addition to PC releases. If this ensures the long term health for SE and franchises than like FF and KH then I'm all for it.

NotoriousWhiz20h ago

Adding Nintendo and PC customers is the best way to increase sales and long term success. Not going to get that from Xbox.

shinoff218316h ago

Hopefully square brings all the lose switch exclusives over to.

Hofstaderman20h ago

Will there be a XBOX for Square to release games on? Or a MS Games service?

thesoftware73018h ago

Hof,

You must not have heard they are launching new hardware and have already committed to a Next-Gen Xbox.

But, for some reason, I think you already knew that and wanted to spin a silly narrative; besides, why wouldn't they release games on the SX/SS? You do know these consoles will still be here, right?

Hofstaderman17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

Optics. They have a STATED plan to do so. Thats not commitment. The shareholders and board are calling the shots now. Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already. Investment in hardware, R and D and marketing is how much again? That cost with the history of their hardware performance....at most maybe a handheld. What I am certain of XBOX is finished, the writing has been on the wall before the studio closures. Its MS Games and they are not hardware. They are software because MS is a software company. Expect them to be folded in the Surface team.

DarXyde15h ago

*hardware

I believe they committed to hardware.

I hate to nitpick, but that's kind of the company they are. You have to.

15h ago
Michiel19899h ago

@hofstaderman the board and shareholders have always called the shots or had a huge impact on decisions.

Xbox finished lmao, the writing has been on the wall? mate they just spend 70 BILLION dollars, and you see the writing is on the wall that they're done. 0 idea what you're talking about. They grafiti'd on the wall and you still can't see it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 9h ago
Aloymetal16h ago

No to both, not worth the effort, money and time on an already dying brand.

15h ago
thesoftware73016h ago

"They have a STATED plan to do so. That's not commitment."

Huh? What are you talking about? They announced they would be unveiling new Hardware this holiday season; how else are they supposed to commit to it?

" Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already"

What a silly statement, you think this deal was approved so they could make 80 billion in less than a year? This is a long-term commitment, a future-proofing of profit.

"What I am certain of XBOX is finished,"

No, you are not certain of this lol; as you stated, if they make even a Handheld in the form of a Steam-Deck that can dock to a TV/monitor, wouldn't that be just changing the form factor but still XBOX?

Closing these studios has really got you guys delusional; that is what happens in companies, in a changing market: you acquire, and you trim; like it or not, that is the way things are done. Lets look.

Where is the new Psygnosis with a new wipeout?
What happened to Japan Studio? Pixl Opus? London Studio?
Where is Zipper Interactive?

I can list more, but you see, closing devs doesn't mean your company is finished, especially when you have like 30+ dev teams.

Extermin8or3_15h ago

They won't be unveiling the hardware this holiday season it will be like the series x and s they got a tease at the game awards 2018. But no details until year of their release in 2020 lol

Relientk7720h ago

Please tell me the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is still coming. I feel like I've been waiting forever for that game.

gold_drake15h ago

i think the juggernauts kingdom hearts (disney provides the money for that one) final fantasy and dragon quest are fine, the rest not as much

Michiel19899h ago

I'm kinda worried about the future of DQ though, Toriyama and the composer both passed away. Huge blow to the franchise.

FinalFantasyFanatic4h ago

@Michiel1989,
Akira Toriyama had an understudy though, he emulates his style, so maybe he'll do the art for Dragon Quest games, I would love to see Nobue Uematsu do music for the series though, that could be fun if they could convince him.

FinalFantasyFanatic4h ago

I'll be so p*ssed if that doesn't go ahead, also, where's DQ12 at? They've been silent on that for so long, and it was announced years ago.

@gold_Drake,
I'm pretty sure they can siphon some profit from A Realm Reborn to keep FF and Dragon Quest going too. I think the company would have gone bankrupt if it wasn't for that cash cow.

gold_drake7m ago

14 is definitely brings in the a consistant cashflow

Charal20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

Another sign that dedicated consoles market is in trouble, while PC seems more and more attractive to big publishers.

Having a good gaming PC and a PS5 myself, given current trend form both Sony and MS I am less and less playing on PS5, waiting for exclusives to release on PC, so I understand the logic behind the new strategy.

anast19h ago

Post those numbers. Then your comment might make sense.

thesoftware73018h ago(Edited 18h ago)

Ants,

I get that we don't know exactly without numbers, but come on, man, we can clearly see what's happening.

The console market has not grown much, the highest-selling console in history is still the PS2. You can play the " prove it" game all you want, but Sony's more aggressive PC push, SE completely rebooting their company/business, after being mainly exclusive to one console and showing a sizeable profit loss is telling.

PC is a high seller, and your doubtful PS5 dominant stance does not change the clear writing on the wall, straight from Sony's mouth, that they need to be, and will be more aggressive in the very lucrative PC market.

So, in other words, PC market is indeed looking more and more attractive to Pubs.

anast17h ago

@730

Numbers?

I'm willing to bet the farm that ¨PC gamers are not the dominate number compared to console, but I don't know because I don't have numbers. However, the price point of entry can allow us to infer what I had just stated.

anast13h ago

I don't click on links on forums. Tell me why that .com source is legit.

Tacoboto11h ago

What an ironic thing to say on a link-agreggate site like N4G. Explains your comment history perfectly.

Michiel19899h ago

asks for numbers. receives numbers and then continues to say I don't wanna click a website (because it might shatter my illusion)

anast7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

@All the people with that good 'ol folk wisdom

It's ironic how I clearly asked for the site and people still can't even answer this simple question.

Tell me how many people click on random links on forums?

Tell me the site and I will look. I don't mind being wrong and I'm barely intelligent enough to change my mind with something substantial.

All the numbers I have seen is that PC doesn't even come close console gaming in revenue, and nothing touches mobile gaming. More people touching something doesn't mean anything. It just means more people own PC for work and touch Steam every now and again, those numbers mean even less.

Charal53m ago

Anast I wasn’t expecting more from you and I haven’t be disappointed.

Don’t believe any number if you want, but things cannot be more evident that most of games companies are pushing to get the most they can from PC market.

Hell, we have both MS and Sony that are releasing their biggest franchise on PC with no or less and less delay vs console release, that is never seen before in the industry.

What is surprising me is that PC is not cheap in term of hardware cost, a rig close to PS5/XBX perfs may be close to double the price I guess, and close to 4x for a good gaming PC.
Plus, PC gaming does not have physical release anymore.

So a lot of supposed advantages from console market are not there but PC market is successful anyway, it would be very interesting to understand it.
Maybe one big argument is that we are more likely to need a PC at home, were we can work with, browse, and game, than a dedicated gaming machine. That why handled console market have been crushed by smartphones, we could see a repeating pattern here.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 53m ago
Babadook77h ago

From what I can ascertain PC is a smaller market than PS. There are occasionally times when PC looks to be stronger but overall it's still behind.

FinalFantasyFanatic4h ago

PC also has a lot more competition, especially when people can easily buy and play older games from 20 or so years ago on it.

Show all comments (106)