Activision CEO fingers popularity of social networking site as a challenge to his business – and the industry as a whole
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has told Conde Nast’s Portfolio magazine that the popularity of Facebook is a "challenge" his firm must overcome.
After stating that he believed Activision could continue to grow at a rate that outpaced the overall games market and the publisher’s competitors, Kotick was asked: ‘Is there anything else in Activision’s way?’
He replied:
“Figuring out how to make the game experience more fun than any one of a hundred Facebook applications is going to be a challenge.”
Kotick was also asked: ‘Activision’s growth has been phenomenal—over 80 percent in the past quarter. Is that sustainable?’
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He said: “Historically, during the past 15 years, Activision has grown at rates greater than the market. I’m hopeful that our growth will continue to outpace market growth and that of our competitors.”
Comments
Bloody Facebook!
I have to say, I'd go along with Mr. Kotick on this one. The amount of time taken up by Facebook applications and other casual distractions on social networking sites is a worry to all of us who spend months creating immersive, lengthy 'triple-A' titles. Of course, that's not to say I don't spend much of my time on them! Bloody Facebook!
Re: Bloody Facebook!
I agree with Kotick. I would really like to see the gaming companies meet the enemy in the field. The de facto social networking within an MMO or online play has untapped potential. I hate the thought of googlesque expansion into every venture, but that is the future. Portals and convergence.
Re: Bloody Facebook!
This guy is an idiot, many many developers have started moving into casual gaming and flash games. If his company see's loses its probably because they keep putting out tony hawk every damn year.
Further more casual games IS stronger in eruope (ok maybe not russia or those crazy koreans with starcraft) and has been for some time
Re: Bloody Facebook!
"this guy is an idiot"--if they keep putting out the same old same, you are absolutely right. The problem is they keep looking and thinking, "hey we need a better game" or "we'll market it different". The whole internet user/gamer experience is changing; they better open their mind to new vision.
The future
Social networking has more and more gaming. Gaming has more and more social networking. Eventually they will merge and become the same thing.
I am very surprised that Microsoft still hasn't put strong social networking into Xbox Live. The possibilities are enormous.
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