What a week. Visiting GDC is mostly about meetings. At least, that’s how it was for me.
For most people, GDC means either trying to hire or be hired, licensing a tool, or pitching your services/product/game to someone.
So here is the one thing that really struck me on this trip: Don’t be a platform bigot.
If you’re making a game, you will want to get it into as many places that makes sense. That means as many different sales channels but also on as many platforms. Will it work on the iPod? Nintendo DS? PC? Xbox? Whatever? Put it on there. The future belongs to those who can get their stuff out there in lots of different ways.
I know we’ll have to look seriously at multiple platforms. My favorites right now are the PC, Xbox 360, and the iPhone.
A question just hit me - Which came first: Xbox or Anderson Cooper?
Sorry, Brad. Hope GDC treated you well.
Does this mean I'll be able to pick up Gal Civ 3 for my Xbox Next?
I'm curious about what makes the Xbox 360 your favorite in the current console line up?
What about the Wii? The winner of this current gen. I rather have a motion sensing gal civ 3 game.
I would like Stardock to develop applications and games for Iphone. i'm planning to grab one soon.
Also I have a xbox 360 and a PS3, but I don't like strategy games on consoles. I think 4x aren't made for console controllers. And even if there was a mouse/keyboard compatibility, it just doesn't go with the idea i have of a console (i mean, playing in my sofa).
If Stardock plans to develop on consoles, I'd suggest to go for different kind of games than strategy, i can see Stardock creating a RPG, a platformer, or a puzzle-game...or a 3 in 1 And i'd suggest to go for xbox live arcade and playstation network rather than disc games. These digital platforms are a good extend to steam/impulse and show some fun and creative games.
But but but...
Stardock is one of the few companies nowadays that support PC-gaming at 100%. Even Valve is now multiplatform, even CD-Projekt is developping the Witcher for consoles... PC still lives and is great but it's a low 1/3 because the historical supports now all go elsewhere.
I hope you'll not make multiplatform games but make more games : some exclusives for PC and some exclusives for consoles and some exclusives for Iphone. I'd buy all of them
He likes the 360 and iPhone because the 360 has a better online environment than the other 2 gaming consoles probably. I believe XBox Arcade is probably intriguing also. The iPhone is, unfortunatly, the king of gaming for phones right now. Potential cash cow for many companies, including Stardock.
Don't go to the dark side Brad.
Stardock entering Iphone development article from joystiq:
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/gdc09-stardock-entering-iphone-development-would-like-to-do/
man, if you got an iphone, I would have to get one T_T
I don't have a problem with the iphone in particular, but I don't like itunes which is related.
My question is that you (stardock) plan to open a 2nd studio to create an RPG right? Well if you went to different platforms, especially something like iphone, you'd likely be looking at quite a different dynamic. Would you open up a 3rd smaller team for things like iphone or xbox arcade?
That also being said, would you consider creating UI and management software for the iphone? you know like winblinds except for iphones?
Also, what about the google phone (I'm a t-mobile user) so I'd request you be able to at least get iphone, google phone, and high-end touch blackberry in the same batch. Docomo phones (japan and europe) I believe are also in that phone tier.
My suggestion:
Stardock hires Dave Sirlin to make a fighting game.
Will either be a great hit, or a murder trial (Sirlin is difficult to work with, but has some real good ideas)
I can't wait for next year's GDC. I'm predicting a new photo of Stardock's PR lady will surface. It'll depict her spear tackling Brad to prevent him from revealing the details of another unannounced project during an interview.
lol
he said don't be a platform bigot, not genre bender. Not only would Sirlin possibly be hard to work along side, but I seriously doubt fighting games are something to which the devs are well adjusted. like I can't think of a genre farther from RTS (its closer to RPG though)
Well, Stardock could just do the technical stuff, maybe art and leave the ideas to him. Philosophically, there's not a lot of difference on the gameplay end.
Also, I think there is a market for it- as there is a huge lack of PC-first fighters (the last one was One Must Fall?) The Stardock model would also work VERY well with this genre. Seriously.
Oh noes! XBOX! I don't wanna pay for every update
Wow. That's a major philosophy change for SD! What made you change your mind?
Does this mean Impulse will run on more than just Windows?
I've never been a PC bigot. That is, I don't choose to make games so that I can make them for the PC.
I choose the PC so that I can make the games I want to make.
Speaking of cross-platform games, MS has been trying to launch a gaming API built on .NET in such a way where you can make a game that works on the PC and XBOX360 with the same 'executable', despite the fundamental machine architecture being radically different.
Reportedly, there was a presentation at GDC, so yas probably know about it already. I haven't used it, so I don't know how fast/functional/easy to develop in it is.
I'm wasn't trying to imply that you were a PC bigot. I just got the impression that SD was always going to be PC-exclusive, mostly because of your relationship with Microsoft and developer resources. I really would be interesting in knowing what made you so convinced to be multi-platform (iPhone, even!).
I also agree the PC is the best-suited platform for your gaming interests (mine, too). If the consoles ever become superior to a PC, that might actually usher in its death, but I don't see that happening soon or in the future. Exciting times to be in the gaming industry!
And from the About page on stardock.com (https://www.stardock.com/about/)-
Stardock is a PC software company specializing in Windows experience software and PC games.
Sounds like this might be changing?
Profits. That's why he's interested in things like the IPhone. Nothing wrong with that btw, but Stardock makes stuff we like because we pay them to do it.
If it doesn't hurt the core, let others enjoy Stardock stuff as well.
I'm not opposed to the idea of mulit-platforms. In fact, if it helps SD make more cash to make better PC games, great! I'm just wondering what particularly influenced the decision to change the mission of SD at the GDC. They obviously understood and knew that getting your game out in as many platforms as possible would be good, but what was the catalyst?
Why not diversify profitability? From PC to other platforms wouldn't be that much of a stretch from Stardock's comfort zone. That, together will alluring facts and figures would be enough reason for an ambitious company to invest with minimum risks.
It's good to see that SD continues onward and taking advantage of the possibilities.
UNITY is the way forward in regards to multi-platform publishing
And msg to all the devs - start getting some Macs into your studios since next to iPhone and Touch there will be more gaming breakthroughs very soon indeed!
Apple is coming from a shadow
I agree with this. As long as them going multiplat doesn't hold back or change the PC versions like has happened to countless other former PC exclusive companies, I do not mind sharing.
But when going to consoles results in them dumbing down or restricting the PC versions, that just sucks.
Multiple platforms are fine so long as the game is like World of Goo where it works effectively well across all. I trust the judgement of the guys at stardock to make the right decisions when making games. They've proven themselves time and again with quality releases, so I dont doubt that if they do begin cross platforming, our PC game experience will continue to be premium and the other platforms will be just as good for what they are in comparison. I do think downloadable content like wii's virtual console and xbox's arcade is the way to go.
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