Randy Pitchford Looking Forward To "Something New" From Bungie And Infinity Ward

63 Comments Posted June 22, 2009 - By Jake Gaskill

Randy Pitchford Looking Forward To

If you were responsible for a mega-hit franchise like Halo or Call of Duty, would you be willing to step away from it to pursue a new IP instead of moving right ahead with a sequel? It’s one of the more compelling questions facing publishers and developers these days, especially when it comes to games that pack as financially powerful punches as those from Bungie and Infinity Ward.

Well, it seems that Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford is among those people who would prefer to see something new from established developers, as opposed to seeing yet another solid installment of a hit franchise. Speaking with VideoGamer.com, Pitchford said:

“I keep waiting to hear what Bungie is going to do that’s not Halo…Those guys are amazing, right? They walk on water! And the same with Infinity Ward. It’s like, dude I’m totally psyched to get my Call of Duty fix every year, but you guys are amazing! What else have you got? Can you give me something I haven’t seen before?”

This comment is particularly amusing given that Gearbox developed Halo: Combat Evolved for PC back in 2003 (and were even rumored to be working on Halo 4 for the next Xbox at one point). But at least Pitchford seems to be taking a bit of his own advice, as Gearbox’s upcoming post-apocalyptic action title Borderlands will be the company’s first major non-Brothers in Arms game since 2005.

Pitchford's stance on this issue is solid and typical enough. Although, for as exciting it is when a company like, say Valve, takes a break from Half-Life 2 for a little bit to do something as brilliantly refreshing as Left 4 Dead, I’m still always thinking, “This game is great, but when is Half-Life 2: Episode 3 coming out?”

Of course, as Pitchford points out, the major issue here is the financial riskiness that prevents publishers from encouraging developers like Bungie and Infinity Ward to pursue new IPs instead of milking established franchises. From a strictly economic standpoint, this view makes absolute sense. However, from an artistic perspective (aka the more important perspective), this mindset has the ability to stunt the creative growth of gaming if not kept in check. Because if all we ever saw were sequels, gaming would be a far less enjoyable and exciting medium.

Would you rather see a developer churn out another installment in your favorite franchise, or a completely new IP?

Source

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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mindsale

They're not going to produce an avant-garde art game anytime soon when the commercially viable market is big guns and homoerotic musclebound bro-dudes who sweat machismo and piss human growth hormone.

Posted: June 22, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Report

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deathnotejoe

Hmmm, as much as i would love to see what they do with halo 4, i would love to see them put together a whole different game. people(most) dont sit home and play just one game all day(except MMOs) so itd be nice for the really good developers to put together a whole aray of awsomme games

Posted: June 22, 2009 4:06 PM | Reply | Report

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IcemanMX

I would like to see established developers try new intellectual properties. After all, if they keep butchering their own franchises, they run the risk of Sonicizing their games.

-M

Posted: June 22, 2009 4:10 PM | Reply | Report

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Xechatigs

I really want to see Bungie do something different, because Halo after Halo is giving the same effect as Guitar hero to me.

Posted: June 22, 2009 4:37 PM | Reply | Report

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Scottydsntknow

I would love to see what else Infinity ward could do

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:09 PM | Reply | Report

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Tman88

Something that could be interesting is if Bungie and Infinity Ward combine elements from Halo and Call of Duty into one game. In all seriousness, both companies have good potential to create new franchises.

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:20 PM | Reply | Report

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dotrat1989

Bungie + Infinity Ward are one trick ponies. I want something new and different but they just add skins and level packs to games that are already established. You are not great developer like Double Fine and Valve until you completely blow people away by doing something new and innovative.

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:21 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

Bungie is a one trick pony.

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:24 PM | Reply | Report

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360_Mafia_Godfather

^^^^Awww is someone sad b/c their FPS will never reach the greatness of the Halo series.

failed doomsday = sad Sony fanboys

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:35 PM | Reply | Report

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g4ismediocre

I do like new Ip's I mean I don't think there will be a Call of Duty 20 or Guitar Hero 15. At least rename the franchise. I mean I KNOW that Infinity Ward could make something innovative if they were to work on a new franchise related to action. Just look what they did with Call of Duty, it's a hit now.

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:38 PM | Reply | Report

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g4ismediocre

@360_Mafia_Godfather
Stop trying to start flamewars. We all know that the PS3 is better than the 360. Just as simple as that. Sony is always innovative and creative, I don't see Microsoft trying anything like Call of Duty just sequels. M.A.G. will do well and is something new and innovative.

Posted: June 22, 2009 5:42 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

True, all M$ has is Halo, Halo, Gears, and more Halo. Sony is full of creativity and innovation with games like Warhawk, LBP, MAG, and Heavy Rain.

Posted: June 22, 2009 6:12 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

By the way, all of those games that I mentioned above are only possible on the PS3. Before you say the the Xbox can handle Warhawk, name one game on the Xbox that can run a 32 player game smoothly with no lag like Warhawk. Remember, pushing Gears up from 4 on 4 to 5 on 5 broke the whole online experience.

Posted: June 22, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Report

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360_Mafia_Godfather

@ RRODisBack

"True, all M$ has is Halo, Halo, Gears, and more Halo"

Wow I never realized Fable, Crackdown, Alan Wake, Forza, Perfect Dark(remake), Shadow Complex, and Section 8 among several others are all part of the Gears and Halo Universe. Do everyone a favor and please make comments when you know what the hell your talking about.

@ g4ismediocre

MAG different and innovative? Are you kidding me? Everything about that game and its story is almost identical to Frontlines Fuel of War w/ exception to the 250 person mutiplayer.

Posted: June 22, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply | Report

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l33t360

awww, poor sony fanboys must be tired of being reminded every week why their system is in the toilet :*(

no wonder why they are always on the "defense" :P

cheer up though, fat princess is coming soon. it's the perfect title to go along with the fantasy world you all live in!

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

MAG is 256 players, do some research before you post please. That's innovative, and don't even dream of the Xbox being able to handle all of that. Oh yeah, Uncharted 2= G.O.T.Y. 2009.

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:30 PM | Reply | Report

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EldritchWarlord

Posted by RRODisBack - Monday, June 22, 2009 5:24 PM

Bungie is a one trick pony.
---------------------------- --------------------

Here's a man(?) who clearly hasn't played Pathways Into Darkness, Marathon, or Myth (when they were new and amazing at least).

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:36 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

I made my point in here and beat all fanboys and trolls as usual, I'm off to play some Killzone 2, also only possible on the PS3.

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply | Report

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RRODisBack

@EdritchWarlord

Uh, never heard of them. That means they were no good and sold very poorly like Velvet Assassin, Star Ocean, Ninja Blade, and Stoked to name a few of the Xbox 09 failures.

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:42 PM | Reply | Report

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l33t360

@eldritchwarlord

Bungie are amazing game devs! I agree with the article too, I'd love to see more from them.

Posted: June 22, 2009 7:51 PM | Reply | Report

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