Publishers rule videogame universe
The biggest news at this year's E3 show wasn't a new videogame but the fight between Bungie and its publisher -- and former owner -- Microsoft over when to announce the "Halo" developer's new project.
Microsoft ultimately won the dispute, and Bungie was forced to shelve its planned announcement. But the fact that one of the industry's most prominent development studios came into E3 with its own strategy signals a change in the videogame biz.
Impact '08
In Variety's first in-depth look at the vidgame mavens who drive this dynamic sector, we spotlight the talents and executives behind the year's most exciting success stories.
In Variety's first in-depth look at the vidgame mavens who drive this dynamic sector, we spotlight the talents and executives behind the year's most exciting success stories.
Cody Alexander and Derek Douglas
Tellingly, William Morris VP Alexander and agent Douglas see their roles as "the anti-agent" in a business...
Tellingly, William Morris VP Alexander and agent Douglas see their roles as "the anti-agent" in a business...
Paul W.S Anderson
Anderson grew up playing "Space Invaders" in his local British arcade. Today, his "Mortal Kombat," "Resident Evil"...
Anderson grew up playing "Space Invaders" in his local British arcade. Today, his "Mortal Kombat," "Resident Evil"...
Seamus Blackley
The former physicist and top-selling game designer piloted the creation of the Xbox platform at Microsoft, and now...
The former physicist and top-selling game designer piloted the creation of the Xbox platform at Microsoft, and now...
Keith Boesky
Back in the late '90s, as president of Eidos Interactive, Boesky took charge of licensing the company's "Tomb Raider"...
Back in the late '90s, as president of Eidos Interactive, Boesky took charge of licensing the company's "Tomb Raider"...
Jerry Bruckheimer
The prolific producer behind the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "CSI" franchises has moved beyond the standard-issue...
The prolific producer behind the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "CSI" franchises has moved beyond the standard-issue...
Jon Burton
As president of U.K.-based Traveller's Tales, 19-year development maven Burton has presided over two rarities...
As president of U.K.-based Traveller's Tales, 19-year development maven Burton has presided over two rarities...
Steve Chiang
As senior VP and general manager of EA Sports, Chiang oversees the team responsible for some of the most popular...
As senior VP and general manager of EA Sports, Chiang oversees the team responsible for some of the most popular...
Grant Collier, Jason West & Vince Zampella
"Call of Duty" developer Infinity Ward probably could have done quite nicely...
"Call of Duty" developer Infinity Ward probably could have done quite nicely...
Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw
Call him a critic. Or a comedian. Or maybe a Web video auteur. Whatever Croshaw is, the 25-year-old Aussie...
Call him a critic. Or a comedian. Or maybe a Web video auteur. Whatever Croshaw is, the 25-year-old Aussie...
Vin Diesel
Actors of Diesel's stature do voiceover work for games all the time, but it's a rarity to see such a star producing...
Actors of Diesel's stature do voiceover work for games all the time, but it's a rarity to see such a star producing...
Reginald Fils-Aime
The former senior VP of marketing at VH1 joined Nintendo at a low point for the company in 2003. By 2006, he...
The former senior VP of marketing at VH1 joined Nintendo at a low point for the company in 2003. By 2006, he...
Yves Guillemot
Ubisoft's topper is in a unique position among videogame CEOs -- not quite at the scale that he's making huge...
Ubisoft's topper is in a unique position among videogame CEOs -- not quite at the scale that he's making huge...
Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai
When Hirai was promoted to CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment last year, it was a grim time for the conglom's storied...
When Hirai was promoted to CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment last year, it was a grim time for the conglom's storied...
Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik
Known to the world as Gabe and Tycho, wiseguys Holkins and Krahulik...
Known to the world as Gabe and Tycho, wiseguys Holkins and Krahulik...
Graham Hopper
For Hopper, Disney's long tradition of producing casual games around properties like "Hannah Montana" is the basis...
For Hopper, Disney's long tradition of producing casual games around properties like "Hannah Montana" is the basis...
Sam and Dan Houser
Grand Theft Auto" creators Sam and Dan Houser have no intention of letting their individual profiles outrun their...
Grand Theft Auto" creators Sam and Dan Houser have no intention of letting their individual profiles outrun their...
Sandi Isaacs
The climb from licensor to publisher is a steep one, but Isaacs is ready to lead Paramount there. After eight years...
The climb from licensor to publisher is a steep one, but Isaacs is ready to lead Paramount there. After eight years...
Hideo Kojima
Back in 1987, Konami granted Microsoft an exclusive license on Kojima's "Metal Gear" game as the MSX2 home...
Back in 1987, Konami granted Microsoft an exclusive license on Kojima's "Metal Gear" game as the MSX2 home...
Bobby Kotick
On its own, Activision had a boffo year, as hits including "Call of Duty 4" and "Guitar Hero 3" sent revenue...
On its own, Activision had a boffo year, as hits including "Call of Duty 4" and "Guitar Hero 3" sent revenue...
David Lee
South Korea-based online publisher Nexon just might have found the solution to the threat of piracy: Offer...
South Korea-based online publisher Nexon just might have found the solution to the threat of piracy: Offer...
Ken Levine
As creative director of 2K Boston, previously known as Irrational Games, Levine wowed enthusiast and mainstream critics...
As creative director of 2K Boston, previously known as Irrational Games, Levine wowed enthusiast and mainstream critics...
George Lucas and Haden Blackman
As directors are to film, Blackman is to "The Force Unleashed," spearheading LucasArts' much-anticipated, long-delayed...
As directors are to film, Blackman is to "The Force Unleashed," spearheading LucasArts' much-anticipated, long-delayed...
Don Mattrick
Mattrick, who heads Microsoft's Xbox and Games for Windows businesses, started 2008 at CES by saying he expects the Xbox 360 to...
Mattrick, who heads Microsoft's Xbox and Games for Windows businesses, started 2008 at CES by saying he expects the Xbox 360 to...
Lane Merrifield
Former marketing professional Merrifield fled the rat race of Silicon Valley to the wilds of Kelowna, British Columbia, to raise...
Former marketing professional Merrifield fled the rat race of Silicon Valley to the wilds of Kelowna, British Columbia, to raise...
Shigeru Miyamoto
Considered by his peers to be the greatest videogame designer in the world, Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977 designing...
Considered by his peers to be the greatest videogame designer in the world, Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977 designing...
Jamil Moledina
Moledina believes being an information junkie prepared him to take on the role of executive director of the Game Developers Conference.
Moledina believes being an information junkie prepared him to take on the role of executive director of the Game Developers Conference.
Mike Morhaime
With its 10 million-plus subscribers, each of whom pays about $15 per month to play, Blizzard's "World of Warcraft"...
With its 10 million-plus subscribers, each of whom pays about $15 per month to play, Blizzard's "World of Warcraft"...
John Riccitiello
Leading North America's largest videogame publisher is easily one of the biggest financial and strategic challenges...
Leading North America's largest videogame publisher is easily one of the biggest financial and strategic challenges...
Alex Rigopulos
Thanks to his hugely popular "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," both of which his studio created, Rigopulos has inspired geeky gamers...
Thanks to his hugely popular "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," both of which his studio created, Rigopulos has inspired geeky gamers...
Harold Ryan
The head of Bungie Studios saw his company's "Halo 3" break records by grossing $300 million worldwide in its first week.
The head of Bungie Studios saw his company's "Halo 3" break records by grossing $300 million worldwide in its first week.
Steve Schnur
Since joining EA in 2001, music and marketing exec Schnur has been ahead of the curve, radically transforming...
Since joining EA in 2001, music and marketing exec Schnur has been ahead of the curve, radically transforming...
Steven Spielberg
Atari's "E.T." fiasco notwithstanding, Spielberg has been extremely savvy about the gaming market, licensing tie-ins...
Atari's "E.T." fiasco notwithstanding, Spielberg has been extremely savvy about the gaming market, licensing tie-ins...
Martin Tremblay and Kevin Tsujihara
Even though the exec in charge of his videogame unit ankled early last year, WB home entertainment prexy Tsujihara spent...
Even though the exec in charge of his videogame unit ankled early last year, WB home entertainment prexy Tsujihara spent...
Thomas Tull
Legendary Pictures topper Tull was already an important figure to gamers after his company licensed megahit "Warcraft" to turn it into a film.
Legendary Pictures topper Tull was already an important figure to gamers after his company licensed megahit "Warcraft" to turn it into a film.
Will Wright and Lucy Bradshaw
Designer Wright, who got his start in robotics, is best known for creating the hugely popular player-as-God "Sim" series.
Designer Wright, who got his start in robotics, is best known for creating the hugely popular player-as-God "Sim" series.
Leland Yee
California State Sen. Yee has been gunning for games like "Manhunt 2" and "Grand Theft Auto IV" for years.
California State Sen. Yee has been gunning for games like "Manhunt 2" and "Grand Theft Auto IV" for years.
Martin Zagorsek
Zagorsek, who serves as VP of games and software for the company, has been a major evangelist for the vidgame sector, helping to...
Zagorsek, who serves as VP of games and software for the company, has been a major evangelist for the vidgame sector, helping to...
Shari Redstone
Just a year ago, reports indicated that Midway Games, bleeding red ink, was the primary cause of tension between Sumner Redstone...
Just a year ago, reports indicated that Midway Games, bleeding red ink, was the primary cause of tension between Sumner Redstone...
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