Near the end of CES 2008, 1UP was given the chance to have some one-on-one time with none other than Microsoft executive Jeff Bell (he's their Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, to be exact). The gaming community was first introduced to Mr. Bell at Microsoft's Electronic Entertainment Expo conference last summer during a maybe-too-scripted segment about Madden NFL 08. The unintentionally comical bit prompted expected ribbing and Photoshops from the gaming peanut gallery -- which then resulted in an otherwise insignificant comment on a message board becoming a thing of gaming legend.
In any case, as one of the guiding hands for the Xbox brand over the next few years, 1UP were certainly interested in understanding where Bell believes Xbox 360 is headed in 2008 and beyond, whether Warner Bros. Blu-ray exclusivity announcement changes their plans in the ongoing format war, knowing his thoughts on if the Wii "bubble" will burst in the next 12 months and 1UP might have even picked up some honesty about that whole message board thing.
Bioware writes: "Like you, we’ve heard the rumors lately. You’ve made it clear you care deeply about what’s next. So let’s start by setting the record straight: the next Mass Effect game is in development, and EA and BioWare remain committed to telling more stories in this universe."
I expected nothing and I'm still disappointed
Like with Fallout, it's starting to feel studios are using TV / Film adaptations when they have no game info to talk about.
I feel the same way.
I mean, how difficult would it be for them to release SOMETHING of substance? Another short trailer? A couple of proper hints? A short story set during the original trilogy, but focused on fringe characters?
Hopefully they're working so hard on the game that they don't have time. But still, with every passing year and so little to show, the franchise will be slipping further and further from people's minds.
Yeah agree it's almost a cop out since Dev times are 5 to 10 years just throw out a few seasons instead you get them done in a year
So the TV show will take place after the OG trilogy. I wonder which ending they’ll use?
Should’ve just posted a picture of an Elcor saying “regretfully, we have nothing to share.”
Thanks to their innovative approach to gaming, RPGs like Dark Souls, Final Fantasy VII, and Dragon Quest left a significant impact on the genre.
GF365: "A friend makes the adventure all the more fun. Here are the best video game companions that will keep you company."
The guy in the picture looks scary.
this caught my eye:
"1UP: How does having Electronic Arts acquire BioWare and Pandemic affect your relationship with the Mass Effect franchise going forward? Does that mean you wouldn't have a say in, for example, Mass Effect 2 going multi-platform?
Bell: Obviously, we couldn't have a better partner acquiring one of our partners. EA is really strong in our relationship, whether it's on the sports side or on their other incredible franchises like Rock Band. We do very well with them, they know us very well. [With] Chris Satchell's group with SDK and development kits, [we have] very, very deep relationships to make sure their games play best -- 60 frames per second on Madden versus 30 frames per second on our competition, etc.
Whatever the future holds for Mass Effect, we know it's going to be part of our future, as well. We just look forward to making it an even better game that what is obviously an extraordinarily great game right now. "
[we have] very, very deep relationships to make sure their games play best -- 60 frames per second on Madden versus 30 frames per second on our competition, etc.
why would ea do that? dont they have stocks u always have 2 sell more the next time around dont make sense 2 me hopefuly 08 will see some change cause i like madden .
The interview was a good read. Bell seems down-to-earth.
He might be the only guy at Microsoft besides Major Nelson that isn't a total @ss hole. I completely hated Peter Moore. Just the way he spoke and acted, he thought he was so big and nothing could stop him. Poor guy works making games for PS3 now.
The few guys from the game companies that I like:
Jeff Bell, Larry Hyrb(Major Nelson), Jack Tretton, Phil harrison.
I really can't stand any of the other PR guys who act like nothing is better than their console. Jack Tretton may have attitude, but he can usually back it up. And, Phil Harrison is the most down to earth guy working at Sony. Watch some of his interviews and you'll see he acknowledges Microsoft's success and doesn't pick on them for the red lights, broken XBL, etc.