NYCC 09: Todd Howard, Ken Levine panel
by Majed Athab 
{ Feb 6th 2009 at 8:45PM }
When asked about what he thought the most notable game of last year was, Levine answered he was intrigued with Russian dev Katauri Interactive's King's Bounty: The Legend. He pointed out that Eastern Europe has been thriving with PC games, noting that games like King's Bounty are good reason to keep an eye on the region.
Todd Howard was asked by a fan where he draws the line on DLC, using Oblivion's Horse Armor as an example of seemingly unnecessary content, or content which should have been integrated initially. Howard responded saying that people shouldn't complain about the inclusion of DLC, as devs can't always include certain content within their given schedules. They're really extras for fans, he said; however, he ascribed merit to complaining about how much that content costs.
One last interesting discussion of the afternoon included a glimpse into how companies are using Achievements/Trophies in more ways than just giving you – the gamer – an ego. Game companies are using these accolade systems to check up on completion rates on their games (determined by the number of gamers who've received endgame Achievements). Levine revealed that 50 percent of BioShock players finished the game, while Howard noted a 30 percent completion rate for Fallout 3. Both those titles represented a notch up from the average 20 percent.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
J.Goodwin @ Feb 6th 2009 8:50PM
Please tell me that people from Southpeak didn't crash the forum dressed in turkey outfits.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, Ultrastiq Revolutionary) @ Feb 6th 2009 8:56PM
If you can't fit content into your "development schedule", tell that schedule to fuck off. You have a valid reason: You won't release it until its done. I understand having to please the publishers stockholders, but remember back when games weren't released until they were ready? Remember how awesome it was NOT running into a game breaking glitch and NOT having to put up with the developer saying "We'll get around to that...eventually. For Realzies!" Lets go back to those days
PojoMofo @ Feb 6th 2009 9:05PM
here is a link to the definition of "contractual obligation"
http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/contractual+obligation.html
RiccochetJ @ Feb 6th 2009 11:53PM
"If you can't fit content into your "development schedule", tell that schedule to fuck off. You have a valid reason: You won't release it until its done."
Unfortunately unless their name is Blizzard or Valve, they simply can't do that. The reason? They have a set window for release to maximize sales. Blizz and Valve have a track record of when they release their games, it will sell like gangbusters regardless of what time of the year it's released.
Delay a game what 4 - 6 months? That could potentially cost millions of dollars considering the development staff these games require.
Remember a lot of these studios are not in charge. If they take too much time or the development costs run too high, the publisher will just shut them down and cancel the game. Especially when it's a new IP (Bioshock) or a developer is taking over a franchise and there is a lot of criticism from the public (Fallout).
Imagine a movie had their release date for the 4th of July holiday in the US. Then all of a sudden the director told the studio "It's not ready yet. Screw you it's not coming out." Tell me that the director wouldn't be fired on the spot.
PSN: slycooper_rocker (The Agent of Orange) @ Feb 6th 2009 9:05PM
fallout 3 + bioshock = win? that could work y'know.
David Hinkle @ Feb 6th 2009 9:05PM
Is it just me, or does Ken Levine very much look like Steve Carell?
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, Ultrastiq Revolutionary) @ Feb 6th 2009 9:23PM
he looks like if Steve Carell and Clifford B. had a baby
Fanboy #23 @ Feb 6th 2009 9:23PM
Yeah, like a young Steve Carell.
SoxFan13 @ Feb 7th 2009 9:18AM
I came into the comments thread specifically to make the same observation!
goldeneyesoldier ( noble prophet of rant and ownage ) @ Feb 6th 2009 9:25PM
SYSTEM SHOCK 3 NAO.
EgoCheck616 @ Feb 6th 2009 10:05PM
I'm waiting for Ken Levine to hold up a "World's Best Boss" cup.
Discotheque @ Feb 6th 2009 11:30PM
Hell Yes! Glad to see King's Bounty was mentioned
Matt @ Feb 6th 2009 11:40PM
I don't really get the huge love for Kings Bounty, it's essentially a prettier Heroes of Might and Magic, though doesn't seem, at least to me, to be as much fun.
BananaBoat @ Feb 7th 2009 1:19AM
Does this panel exist in video form somewhere on the internets? =/
Bowser Rogozhin @ Feb 7th 2009 7:03AM
Forget about the vidya, Bananaboat. With Croal on the panel I'm sure the conversation will be an utter borefest. Types like him want to take gaming, or a sub-section at least, into the Film Studies arena: closed off to only those who play games with the 'right approach.' By the 'right approach', meaning you have to have read 10 essays on Kirkegaard, or some other dead, irrelevant existentialist. Fun is not the priority for the Croal-types: a justification for the school fees expunged, a justification for the 'lowly journalism' they've taken up is what they desire. And the fundamental need to hear their own voice. This is paramount.
At his base, I'm sure he despises video games; the fleetingness of it all, the backwardness of the subject manner, the prole players, the gaudy lights, the whole everything. I'm pretty sure he hardly plays video games, especially seeing as he only picked up a controller in 1999. Hardly gives him concrete experience, hardly makes his voice credible. It's just a gig to types like him, and once this gaming bubble bursts he'll abscond to another 'tech' field, him being a 'tech' journalist and all.
Audacious @ Feb 7th 2009 3:12PM
Wow. i asked that question on DLC yesterday. I understand that there are time constraints but certain thing really have no value or merit to be DLC. I also used SF 4 as an example of charging extra for costumes which i thought is insane. Just look at the new Tomb raider situation, The DLC was part of the game then taken out!