Spielberg signs with EA

[Skerik]

Spielberg Turns to Video Games

Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg has signed a deal with Electronic Arts (EA) to work on three original video games. The Saving Private Ryan director will act as executive producer on the Los Angeles-based projects, the first of which is already in progress and has been described as a next generation game with mass appeal. He says, "Having watched the game industry grow from a niche into a major creative force in entertainment, I have a great deal of respect for EA's understanding of the interactive format." The games will appear on the next generation consoles which will be released by Sony and Microsoft to replace their PlayStation 2 and Xbox machines. Neil Young, the head of EA's LA studio, says, "No one is more at the centre of understanding gameplay and great storytelling than Steven Spielberg. Being able to draw from Steven Spielberg's experience in crafting incredible stories and combine that with our view of interactivity means you will have richer fiction, deeper characters and better sense of immersion."

http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2005-10-17/

Anyone heard about this? Or have any idea what this "next generation game with mass appeal" is?

[luv_mist]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

Heard it and I'm not too impressed honestly. When I see the games and they look interesting enough to get, then I'd give props. As of now, EA still has a lot of proving to do for themself cause they're falling fast in my eyes. Don't get me wrong though. There is a lot of potential. But potential don't sale games. Close don't even sale games. Gotta be serious and on point with what they're about. I sure wouldn't mind seeing some Indiana Jones type of joint or even a movie to game type of thing going on. Still, it's wide open to go either way....

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

how can you say EA is falling fast when they are by far the largest 3rd party software provider in the world? If anything I believe this would have to only make EA an even more well known name in the business world?

[bball_1523]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

well most of EA's games don't interest me so I kind of agree with luv_mist. The only games that really impress me from EA are Battlefield 2 and The Sims series. That's it. nothing else, not even madden and nba live.

We'll see what Spielberg has to offer. anything but first person shooters!

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

how can you say EA is falling fast when they are by far the largest 3rd party software provider in the world? If anything I believe this would have to only make EA an even more well known name in the business world?

i don't want to put words in the man's mouth, but i believe he was referring to the fact that EA has basically came out with Madden roster updates for the past three years. and with NBA Live as well, not too much improvements to those two pillars of EA. to the "enlightened" gamers, the latest installments of madden and live have not sufficed.

again i'm speculating on what that poster was referring to, but i share the opinion above. EA to me is their basketball and football products so everytime i hear EA in the news, i automatically attach the company with a negative connotation. when EA bought exclusive rights to the NFL, i felt violated. Almost like EA=the Yankees.

as for SS, i hope the man inspires some epic adventure games.

[luv_mist]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

how can you say EA is falling fast when they are by far the largest 3rd party software provider in the world? If anything I believe this would have to only make EA an even more well known name in the business world?

My answer: Because EA is doing enough to get by with a lot of their titles. They still have great titles that they put out but it takes a heck of alot of time to reach the greatness. Look at most of their titles. Not to mention that The Sims isn't developed by EA is it? That's one of their best. I do think EA has set a strong foundation for their company but a lot of what they did were cheap ways to support a habit. I promise you guys this, EA will still toss out titles but they might not get the same love as the smaller companies. Smaller companies are the ones dropping those new ideas and gameplay mechanics. If EA can put greatness out of Spielberg, then I'll give them respect and my money.

i don't want to put words in the man's mouth, but i believe he was referring to the fact that EA has basically came out with Madden roster updates for the past three years. and with NBA Live as well, not too much improvements to those two pillars of EA. to the "enlightened" gamers, the latest installments of madden and live have not sufficed.

again i'm speculating on what that poster was referring to, but i share the opinion above. EA to me is their basketball and football products so everytime i hear EA in the news, i automatically attach the company with a negative connotation. when EA bought exclusive rights to the NFL, i felt violated. Almost like EA=the Yankees.

as for SS, i hope the man inspires some epic adventure games.

I'm definitely feeling you. Basically what I'm saying too. Just that EA has a lot more work ethic to adopt before they get my respect on a norm.

[bball_1523]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

yes there is absolutely no excuse for what EA did with the nfl, absolutely horrible. They lost a ton of reputation from me from that decision. I don't care about the nba deals, I think that was horrible too by every company that signed that deal. I think it just takes away creative opportunity from every other gaming developers to create games based off pro sports. We could be getting new nfl and nba games that some people actually like, but instead we have to settle for less and rely on a small # of creators. It would be horrible if music only came from a few artists, same with games. I think someone should find a way to make a law that prevents exclusive rights to making video games of certain things.

That's one huge reason why some of us probably dislike EA and always feel negative towards them whenever they make any decision.

[fishepa]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

yes there is absolutely no excuse for what EA did with the nfl, absolutely horrible.

Blame the NFL, not EA, they were the ones who auctioned off the license in the first place. If it wasn't EA it would have been someone else.

[SportsAce]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

I would like to see a game based on the show "Band of Brothers" since Spielberg directed it and all.

[MDKKRB]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

EA put that bug in their ear, they tried to get the rights to the NFL a few years back, EA knew noone else could afford what they coudl to buy the rights.

[Beantown]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

Blame the NFL, not EA, they were the ones who auctioned off the license in the first place. If it wasn't EA it would have been someone else.

This is a point either not many people know or choose to ignore.

[jmood88]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

This is a point either not many people know or choose to ignore.

This has been discussed many times. Ea was the one who was pushing for exclusivity for years. Of course the nfl is party to blame though.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

This is a point either not many people know or choose to ignore.

lol. last time i checked, it takes two to tango.

edit: not to mention, for the past four or five years EA has regurgitated the same old football games to us. that has, at the very least, made alot of us skeptikal at the fact that with exclusive rights to the nfl, they might rest (or passout) on their laurels. i mean, if the game hadn't changed with 2k in the mix, we can only imagine the reality ahead of us with EA as the only pro football game on the market.

[luv_mist]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

I thought there was a game called "Band of Brothers" out already or something similar to that. Honestly, I haven't seen that joint but I heard that it's a great little series. Wasn't Mel Gibson apart of that too? Might not allow it to be as intense as what was seen in the show. Ironically, I'd like some type of sci-fi newness for crying out loud. I just don't see the same type of creativity that I use to see from EA. Like more and more of their titles are falling short. Sports are suffering in different ways. But you guys also have to realize that a lot of the fans are so satisfied with what they get. Change is the minority when it comes to us. A lot of people hate it and that could be the reason why they're so into EA. Go figure....

[freezeframe]

Re: Spielberg signs with EA

Speilberg already did the Medal of Honor Games by EA this is not new!