An Inside Look, Continued
RW: So they have the talent, the strategy and the commitment. How has Microsoft executed?
Ruby: Well, my cynicism about Xbox was quickly erased after the original Xbox launched. I certainly didn't expect them to surpass Nintendo as fast as they did. It was a solid offering, and Xbox Live program is their greatest triumph. But they also made a lot of mistakes. For example, I don't think they really understood how to embrace the Japanese markets. But overall, they did very well.
I think in some respects my report card for the original is higher than Xbox 360. With Xbox 360, there are no new features like the DVD player or the Xbox Live program from the original. I think they're too focused on graphics technology with Xbox 360 and not enough on game development. And that's where I think Nintendo is really excelling right now. They're going in the right direction because they're focused on creating original titles. They're not messing with the decision to go with Blue Ray technology or HD or whatever, which may have been their smartest move.
RW: So what games have really impressed you, past and present?
Ruby: Guitar Hero, without question. It's better than people think. I'm not sure people realize how great this game is and how important it is to the evolution of games. It's just amazing what you can do with it. You can adapt the game to help teach children how to play music, for instance. Shadow of the Colossus is also a very good game. Anarchy Online is still one of the all-time best virtual world RPG games. And the new Dragon Quest game is one of the most refined and well-crated games I've ever seen.
RW: Even with all the success video games have had recently, it still seems like the industry is struggling to find a way to make creatively-fresh and financially-successful games. What's happening with the business right now?
Ruby: There have been a lot of issues that have come to the surface over the last few years for developers and designers. For example, when the Screen Actor's Guild came out and demanded back-end royalties from game sales for the voice actors, it reignited the fire because the developers are paid on salary. If they create a game that's a monster hit, they don't see any of that money. Now you're seeing a threat to PC games from the consoles, and it's already an intensely competitive market. If your game isn't selling in a week, you're moved off the shelf.
That system also chases off the independent developers, who are the ones that are really taking the creative edge. We could be headed for a scenario similar to Hollywood's current problem; the big studios only go for the sure thing, and every movie is re-packaged clichés because none of them want to assume the financial risk on producing something radically different. Now a lot of hardcore gamers are telling me they feel left behind because games have become very mainstream and there's very little original content. The business has gotten bigger, so the publishers have a responsibility to their shareholders to produce steady revenue. So we may be doomed for a short period of lackluster products as the industry goes through this adjustment.
