EA is 'very, very pro independent development,' says DeMartini

by Ben Gilbert { Mar 20th 2009 at 5:10PM }

In what seems to be a multiple year-spanning sea change on the side of EA, the company is not only reaching out to independent developers like Grasshopper Manufacture and Valve, but also working with them to keep their properties autonomous. Chris Remo of Gamasutra sat down with David DeMartini, General Manager of EA Partners, to discuss the idea behind EAP and, in doing so, revealed some interesting truths about the EA initiative.

"I think that there is very much a renaissance within the EAP based on the leadership of Electronic Arts ... John Riccitiello and Frank Gibeau are very, very pro-independent development," says DeMartini, referring to titles like American McGee's Alice sequel and Suda 51's upcoming game (still untitled), as well as Valve-developed Left 4 Dead. The "renaissance," he believes, isn't spurred by the way in which the EA Partners program has been set up, so much as it's been a focus on "great quality."

While last year's Mirror's Edge and Left 4 Dead might not have sold huge numbers out of the gate, there is no doubt that their critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive. To add credence to his argument, sales of both titles have held steady as time goes on."What we've proven is that there is no one model. What we have also proven is quality and innovation always win." Not a terrible truth to arrive at, if we must say so ourselves.

Tags: business-models, chris-remo, david-demartini, dead-space, ea, ea-partners, eap, gamasutra, independent-developers, left-4-dead, mirrors-edge

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Marty @ Mar 20th 2009 5:23PM

Maybe EA finally realized that buying up all the little guys and throwing them into one huge pool of developers isn't a great way to make a strong team of developers?

B3astofthe3ast @ Mar 20th 2009 5:32PM

I have to say, EA has really managed to win over gamers in a big way. They're quick;y becoming one of my favorite publishers, overtaking other i was previosly loyal to..*coughnintendocough*

Lee @ Mar 20th 2009 5:40PM

Yea.

No. EA are still as poor as ever, putting a couple of good games out isn't going to right the many many many wrongs over the years.
Oh and DLC. Ok they're not as bad as Capcom now but they're still shitty.

flanker22 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:42PM

EA is still garbage bad for the industry. Marketing/Sales dominates creativity and innovation. Sure last year was decent but I can see them going back to they're old ways since DS and ME didnt sell quite as well as they hoped.

The Dark Wayne @ Mar 20th 2009 6:14PM

well you could see that happening, but so far all the games slated for this year speak to the complete opposite. Hell, they're even trying to make Army of Two good

curiousmike @ Mar 20th 2009 6:33PM

EDIT: Next comment like this gets you banned.

Jordan Biffle @ Mar 20th 2009 7:06PM

You know why EA has became more pro with independent developers? Because they finally realized that their in-house games are crap. All their latest titles that are good aren't made by EA, but by others. I really wish they would make a 3rd underground, because every need for speed since most wanted has sucked. And I'm still waiting for a new SSX.