Put down that controller: EA Games President Frank Gibeau says that the era of going it solo is a thing of the past. In a candid interview with Develop, Gibeau recounted how he plans to revamp the company which has lost money for 12 successive quarters since 2007. Part of the plan means getting rid of those single-player campaigns and focusing on the multiplayer game online.
“I volunteer you to speak to EA’s studio heads; they’ll tell you the same thing,” he said. “They’re very comfortable moving the discussion towards how we make connected gameplay – be it co-operative or multiplayer or online services – as opposed to fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you’re out. I think that model is finished.” (More on Time.com: “Rock Band Reloaded” Creators On Making Mobile Music)
It’s not like EA Games has exactly been up to date with the times. Even Gibeau admitted they were wearing of M-rated content, pointing out Dead Space, but he says he says now they are all about giving studios as much creative license as they want (which probably means EA’s realized that blood, guts and exploding heads sells) and focusing on delivery content models (which means more online play). The president also talked about the company’s decision to allow studios to rename themselves, instead of using the typical EA (location name). Instead of EA Redwood Shores it’s Visceral, and EA Los Angeles became Danger Shore. Gibeau mentioned he thinks it “change[s] the dynamic of the studio,” and when you’re in the business of being cool, changing your name can make a huge difference. We’re still sad about the death of the single-player game, however. Does that mean that in order to play video games we’re all going to have to go out and make friends now?
More on TIME.com:
Review: “Rock Band Reloaded” Lets You Play Anywhere. But Is That A Good Thing?