The traditional view of Activision, even by some of its supporters, is not a positive one. Most of us see them as a tyrant, ready to squeeze franchises for everything they're worth until they pop. It's not without merit: CEO Bobby Kotick is known for phrases like, "[We don't pick up games that] don't have the potential to be exploited every year on every platform with clear sequel potential and have the potential to become $100 million franchises."
You'd think then -- like quite a few publishers out there -- Activision would be constantly infringing on creative freedom of developers, telling them what to make and how to make because "that's what the market wants." According to Activision's "Social Media Manager" Dan Amrich, posting in a Facebook discussion group called "Gamers against Bobby Kotick & Activision", that's not the situation at all.
"The way it works at Activision is pretty simple and decentralized," explains Amrich. "Activision foots the bill; the developers follow their muse. There are a handful of studios under the Activision umbrella (Raven, IW, Neversoft, Bizarre, Toys For Bob, etc) and they each have creative freedom. PLEASE read that again -- they have creative freedom. Activision works with the devs, says "here's what we'd like" or "can you change this" -- but the game vision, the way it unfolds, comes from the developers."
"Blur comes to mind, where Activision said, "So, fall 2009, yes?" but the devs said "we need more time to make a better game" and here were are with a May 2010 release date.
People too often assume that it's working with a Activision is like an endboss level or something out of a movie. It's not Activision saying "DO THIS OR ELSE" and the developer cowering in fear and/or forming a rebellion to overthrow the empire. More often than not, it's a discussion about where to go next, and weighing different factors, both business and creative.
Sometimes those discussions probably get heated -- but this is what it's like in all aspects of the real world. People disagree, people go with their gut, people present their case, people counter points. Ultimately you move forward and see if it worked."
Amrich says Activision was fine with him posting in the group, saying only, "Wow, you're brave."
After that he continues on, stating some of Kotick's comments have been taken out of context and were run with by media, or simply "came out wrong", though some are definitely reprehensible (whatever the case).
At the same time, Amrich is not afraid to criticize the company, and says he certainly doesn't agree with everything that goes on.
For one, the oversaturation of Guitar Hero games last year was a mistake, but they've learned, which is why there's just one this year. More, he says the $15 Modern Warfare 2 DLC was a mistake, and wanted to suggest a $10 pack, with the two maps from the prequel given free, but it was too late.
Another topic touched on is The Silver Lining fan-made King's Quest tribute, which Activision canned, some time after releasing the series on its own website and not long after on GOG.com (the latter makes a lot more sense after hearing all this). Amrich says he was also dissapointed by that, but hopes the creators turn it into an original property someday.
Surprised as we are to say this, while we feel Activision is seriously flawed at times, perhaps it's not so much as we thought. Of course, to sway the community much will take many, many years of work on multiple fronts -- even more than EA has been putting in, receiving little acknowledgement in return.
Source:Facebook
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