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THQ encourages creativity, dev-publisher cooperation |
Listed in: PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: Activision, Brian Farrell, Chris Taylor, Electronic Arts, THQ
Becoming a big name publisher itself, THQ has long been swinging alongside other big name publishers Electronic Arts, Midway and Euro-based Eidos and Activision. Having aimed to move into introducing new intellectual property to bank on, THQ saw it was high time to just let the creativity flow for the developers their working with.
In an interview with Games Industry, THQ CEO Brian Farrell explained their plans to branch off into newer game concept ideas instead of just staying with the sequel race. Even if they do keep sequels coming for their most popular franchises, THQ wanted to always introduce something new each time. Farrell defended their stand, saying:
With intellectual properties, you can either reinvent something that the gamers already know or we can bring something completely new and then keep developing the franchise. As you probably know, you probably even write some of these things, sequelling games can be a profitable strategy for publishers but you have to do it in a way that allows you to keep the brand fresh and you're giving the gamer a reason to buy your game.
THQ is wary of constant franchise "flogging" and hopes not to kill any gaming franchise in their possession. They've noticed Electronic Arts has also become aware of that revelation and is coming to par with THQ in their plans for new ideas for games.
Farrell stated that the THQ is "a creative hub" and it allows them to enter opportunities for them to compete with other publishers when the time for new IP hunting comes. With titles such as Company of Heroes and Supreme Commander under their belt, THQ was able to enter and compete in the real-time strategy market up against EA's Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars. Farrell also commented:
Look at Chris Taylor - he's one of the rock stars of the industry, and he's working with THQ now. If you ask him why, it's because we believe in his products - 'You build what your vision of Supreme Commander is. You do what you do well, we'll do what we do well. Let's co-operate, let's not do the developer-publisher head butt.'
The bottom line, Farrell said, is that "THQ gets it." Giving creative freedom to developers, understanding their needs and providing some leeway to fulfill those needs are what THQ already accomplished. Chris Taylor seconded that during his melodramatic, martyr speech at the DICE 07, and it's clear that THQ will continue to do so in the near future.
Via Games Industry
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