Exclusive: Electronic Arts Pulls GoldenEye 2 - Focus Test Apathy Blamed!
Bond's next outing due for drastic re-think.
We can reveal today that Electronic Arts' next Bond outing has suffered a major setback following a disastrous focus test that is believed to have caused a major delay in the emergence of the increasingly interesting update.
Assets were scheduled to go out to certain print magazines across the world, followed by wider online distribution. However, EA has pulled all assets and cancelled all coverage of the game. The reason it gave was that following the results of a major focus test of early code, the game couldn’t be seen at this point in time.
Our source, speaking under conditions of anonymity said, "When [Electronic Arts] got the focus test results, one thing was apparent. The focus testers did not like the idea of a James Bond game in which you cannot take control of Bond himself. From what they said, almost all of the younger testers found the very concept totally confusing."
This news now confirms the ongoing rumour that at least the initial concept behind the game was for the player to control various villains from the Bond movies. It seems a shame that the misgivings of some youngsters might throw all this into doubt.
In related news, our source - when asked about the final title of the game - stated, "Everyone at EA is referring to it as GoldenEye 2. I’ve heard nothing about any possible change in this plan."
Expect all updates on this intriguing title, as they break.
Assets were scheduled to go out to certain print magazines across the world, followed by wider online distribution. However, EA has pulled all assets and cancelled all coverage of the game. The reason it gave was that following the results of a major focus test of early code, the game couldn’t be seen at this point in time.
Our source, speaking under conditions of anonymity said, "When [Electronic Arts] got the focus test results, one thing was apparent. The focus testers did not like the idea of a James Bond game in which you cannot take control of Bond himself. From what they said, almost all of the younger testers found the very concept totally confusing."
This news now confirms the ongoing rumour that at least the initial concept behind the game was for the player to control various villains from the Bond movies. It seems a shame that the misgivings of some youngsters might throw all this into doubt.
In related news, our source - when asked about the final title of the game - stated, "Everyone at EA is referring to it as GoldenEye 2. I’ve heard nothing about any possible change in this plan."
Expect all updates on this intriguing title, as they break.
Companies:
Electronic Arts
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Comments
Joji 7 Apr 2004 16:12
1/8
Do these young testers actually have brain cell between them? They obviously have forgotten that Mr Bond is not the only 00 agent, there are several others, they probably don't even know that. I truly feel the whole series should go retro. Tell us a story of 00 agents we never knew about, and call it something else than 007. Use some bloody imagination EA, if the game is good it should sell itself just like Medal of Honour. It might be better if they just left the Bond license altogether, start from scratch, and use some brains. Put those things into the game, that you have yet to see in spy films.
SPInGSPOnG 7 Apr 2004 16:15
2/8
Joji wrote:
> Use some bloody imagination EA,
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Electronic Arts.. Imagination.
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! Oh, I think I laughed so hard I had a rectal prolapse.
> Use some bloody imagination EA,
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Electronic Arts.. Imagination.
HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! Oh, I think I laughed so hard I had a rectal prolapse.
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Slack Force 7 Apr 2004 21:29
3/8
I assume EA has been using 'youngsters' to test their games for years now? What the **** are those idiots THINKING? The fact that they are catering to stupidass little punk kids, and are practically willing to change the entire game design because of the ignorance of some little pukestains, angers me beyond words. Sure, they're out to make money, that's fine. But when a company sacrifices a great, original idea for an audience that is not even a majority, something bad has to be said about said company or else they'll continue doing it.
Pandaman 8 Apr 2004 00:51
4/8
It's not like something like this hasn't happened before.
When EA announced to produce a sequel to "Daikatana" (tentivley titled "Daikatana 2"), they soon found out that not only was it difficult to create a direct sequel to a last generation game that they did not make, but gamers don't like, and I quote, "bad games".
In other news, Capcom has just announced that they're going to make a sequel to Mischief Makers. More info as it breaks.
When EA announced to produce a sequel to "Daikatana" (tentivley titled "Daikatana 2"), they soon found out that not only was it difficult to create a direct sequel to a last generation game that they did not make, but gamers don't like, and I quote, "bad games".
In other news, Capcom has just announced that they're going to make a sequel to Mischief Makers. More info as it breaks.
Brown Force 8 Apr 2004 09:42
5/8
Well to put this article into simple terms it basically means this.
EA are too scared to try something different so they pull the plug on the only 'decent' idea they ever had to keep their target audience happy (Five year olds) they now plan to make another half arsed Bond game and slap the name Goldeneye 2 on it. They'll put ads on the tv showing no in game graphics or anything to do witht he game, and make the FMV really good and the Five year olds and guys who know nothing about games will lap it up. And there you have it, another example of EA exploiting people. And making a mint doing so.
EA are too scared to try something different so they pull the plug on the only 'decent' idea they ever had to keep their target audience happy (Five year olds) they now plan to make another half arsed Bond game and slap the name Goldeneye 2 on it. They'll put ads on the tv showing no in game graphics or anything to do witht he game, and make the FMV really good and the Five year olds and guys who know nothing about games will lap it up. And there you have it, another example of EA exploiting people. And making a mint doing so.
cubedman990 8 Apr 2004 19:14
6/8
well i agree with joji, but EAs james bond games have so far not nearly been up to standards with goldeneye by rare. now EA is all focused on graphics and cinema scenes. i own goldeneye and i LOVE it! EA should just remake the exact one, while also adding some AI improvements and such.
SPInGSPOnG 9 Apr 2004 06:24
7/8
Brown Force wrote:
>EA are too scared to try something different so
>they pull the plug on the only 'decent' idea they
>ever had to keep their target audience happy
>(Five year olds)
Dude, that's so true, and so harsh all at once. It's true because... well, it's just true. But it's harsh because of the "only idea they ever had" part. I kow I'm old for a gamer... but I can't be the only one who remembers how f@cking brilliant EA used to be. They used to put out great game after great game, and it is on the foundations of that success and reputation that today's soulless mega-corp is built.
But the question is, is it possible for a company to be come MASSIVELY successful and still retain decent values. DO decent values prevent HUGE success and so companies (helmed by hard ass money is all that matter top stafff like Ritticeillo) willingly abandon them, or do they just get to a point where the lure of truly massive income erodes their perception. In Carrie Bardshaw style... are people intriniscally evil, or does the potential to get loads of money make them so?
I mean, big vcompanies will gladly sack thousands of people in the CEO's home town (sure, he moved to Manhattan years before) ruining lives and destroying communities, in order to move jobs to India and save a few bucks.
Big companies will gladly incorporate themselves in Bermuda in order to avoid paying tax (which pays for hospitals, police forces, schools) in the countries which generate all their wealth.
>EA are too scared to try something different so
>they pull the plug on the only 'decent' idea they
>ever had to keep their target audience happy
>(Five year olds)
Dude, that's so true, and so harsh all at once. It's true because... well, it's just true. But it's harsh because of the "only idea they ever had" part. I kow I'm old for a gamer... but I can't be the only one who remembers how f@cking brilliant EA used to be. They used to put out great game after great game, and it is on the foundations of that success and reputation that today's soulless mega-corp is built.
But the question is, is it possible for a company to be come MASSIVELY successful and still retain decent values. DO decent values prevent HUGE success and so companies (helmed by hard ass money is all that matter top stafff like Ritticeillo) willingly abandon them, or do they just get to a point where the lure of truly massive income erodes their perception. In Carrie Bardshaw style... are people intriniscally evil, or does the potential to get loads of money make them so?
I mean, big vcompanies will gladly sack thousands of people in the CEO's home town (sure, he moved to Manhattan years before) ruining lives and destroying communities, in order to move jobs to India and save a few bucks.
Big companies will gladly incorporate themselves in Bermuda in order to avoid paying tax (which pays for hospitals, police forces, schools) in the countries which generate all their wealth.
Joji 9 Apr 2004 20:32
8/8
It seems that the megacorps of the industry can live with themselves comfortably on top of their piles of cash. Things will only change when people in the street vote with their wallets, and don't buy megacorp crap game no.5.
When I heard of the likes of Looking Glass Studios and Rage closing, it just made me a little sad, because their games were good but that wasn't enough to save them all from the chop. If things continue like this we might end up with only EA to buy games from. A very sad day indeed and probably the day I stop buying, and the industry ends in a whimper. Ofcourse the megacorps don't understand that bigger ain't always better, and continue their evil ways.
If any of the muppet read this,and they want to know what the public want, try doing some market research and stick some forms in some of the latest mags. I'd hate to think my game choices are decided upon by the opinions of brainless children. Spread the net and ask everyone, come down from your mountains of cash and earn our respect, while perfectin your art.
When I heard of the likes of Looking Glass Studios and Rage closing, it just made me a little sad, because their games were good but that wasn't enough to save them all from the chop. If things continue like this we might end up with only EA to buy games from. A very sad day indeed and probably the day I stop buying, and the industry ends in a whimper. Ofcourse the megacorps don't understand that bigger ain't always better, and continue their evil ways.
If any of the muppet read this,and they want to know what the public want, try doing some market research and stick some forms in some of the latest mags. I'd hate to think my game choices are decided upon by the opinions of brainless children. Spread the net and ask everyone, come down from your mountains of cash and earn our respect, while perfectin your art.