With such an exciting year ahead of us, what better than to turn to games industry experts and ask them for their thoughts on various trends and stories as and when they happen?
As part of an ongoing series, SPOnG gets the unedited, open and highly informed opinions of developers, producers and more in the vast world of computer games.
Industry Figure: Antti Ilvessuo
Job Title: Creative Director
Company: RedLynx
Best Known For: Trials Evolution
Considering the critical acclaim of titles such as The Walking Dead and Journey in 2012, is digital now the real viable means of getting games in gamers' homes?
In my eyes, that has already been the case for several years, starting with games like Castle Crashers and Trials HD on Xbox LIVE Arcade, other games on PSN. Digital games were a bit smaller at the start, but now even the size is no limit.
So getting games today is much easier: get it online, free-to-play, start in your web browser, then get over to mobile, play them on Facebook, buy them in the shop with all the real cool toys and extras. The idea is games are everywhere and they’re all connected. So yes, it’s viable! Playing games has never been so democratic. It’s like a revolution in gaming! ¡Viva la Revolución!
What are the biggest and most exciting challenges you're looking forward to in the next year?
Free to play has really taken off and people are starting to see them more like real games also. It’s not a cheesy way of getting money from true gamers, it’s a viable means of discovery.
Look for example at World of Tanks, Ghost Recon Online, at mobile games like Clash of Clans. So it’s a fair way to let people try and play this game and in a fair way pay more if they are enjoying it, and if they are really enjoying it, they can go all in.
What are the benefits to you and to gamers of the new console generation after Xbox 360 and PS3?
What? There’s a new console generation coming?! Did I miss a press release? You must know more than me! :) A new generation of consoles means a new generation of innovative games, and that’s a good thing for gamers and for our industry.
Whenever it happens, it should provide the kind of jolt that console gamers and developers alike have been waiting for.
Thanks to Antti for his time. Check out SPOnG's recent industry insights below.
January 2013 Insights:
23/01/13: 2013 Industry Insights with Andy Payne, O.B.E.
22/01/13: 2013 Industry Insights with Gordon Midwood, Different Tuna
21/01/13: 2013 Industry Insights with Andrew Smith, Spilt Milk Studios
17/01/13: 2013 Industry Insights with Theo Sanders, Ubisoft Singapore
16/01/13: 2013 Industry Insights with Paul Rustchynsky, Evolution Studios
Christmas 2012 Insights:
26/12/2012: Games Industry Insights with Antti Ilvessuo, RedLynx
27/12/12: Games Industry Insights with Paul Rustchynsky, Evolution Studios
28/12/12: Games Industry Insights with Ted Price, CEO Insomniac
29/12/12: Games Industry Insights with Theo Sanders, Ubisoft Singapore
30/12/12: Games Industry Insights with Steve Lycett, SUMO Digital
31/12/12: Games Industry Insights with Martyn Brown, InsightforHire
01/01/13: Games Industry Insights with Jon Lander of CCP
02/01/13: Games Industry Insights with David Jaffe
03/01/13: Games Industry Insights with Andy Payne O.B.E.
04/01/13: Games Industry Insights with Peter Molydeux, Genius