Disney: "We want to be a top three (game) publisher within the next five years."

[gibletsngravy]

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disney-plans-massive-studio-expansion/?biz=1

The Walt Disney Company has secret plans to expand its games business – into something that can compete with Activision and Electronic Arts.

GameDaily BIZ has learned that Disney is considering opening development studios in Montreal, Quebec, a well known center for production, where French games publisher Ubisoft currently has the largest studio in the world, employing some 1,800 developers.

Another option on the table is setting up a facility in Utah, where the government will offer "millions in incentives." Austin, Texas has also been mentioned.

"I can't say much," says one Disney executive, who asked not to be named, "But they want to build something really big."

He continues: "I've sat in a room with Bob Iger and listened to him say, 'This is the triple-digit growth potential media. This is where Disney needs to be.'"

In June, the company announced mergers of the internet and game divisions, to form Disney Interactive Media Group, a group that's now tasked with unrivaled expansion. The executive familiar with internal discussions then reveals their goal: "We want to be a top three publisher within the next five years."

In May of this year, Electronic Arts announced revenues of $3.66 billion. Activision's revenues were $2.9 billion. Both companies expect to grow considerably over the next five years – which means that for Disney to even be a player within their target, the Interactive Media Group will need to be something more than $4 billion in revenues.

The company's annual report notes that video gaming is a key growth opportunity, "as it allows us to extend our existing characters and brands, and deliver stronger returns from our key franchises." One example would be the company's Junction Point studio, led by Warren Spector, long rumored to be working on a Smash Bros. clone staring Mickey Mouse.

For more on Disney's plans in the video game space, please read our interview from this summer with Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager, Disney Interactive Studios.

[Great Rumbler]

More games like Pure, please.

[cool breeze]

I agree with those two.  Pure was quality from what I played.

[UnoIllNino]

Yeah if they keep making games like Pure then they're well on their way.  I just got to the 9th championship last night.  So awesome.  I love the hell out of that game.  I'm gonna go bang out a race or two now before work!

[TakingBackSunday]

A Smash Bros clone with Disney chars could be pretty good actually, as long as it's no tied to an SD platform.

I'm gonna venture and say that's not a good idea.  Just me, though.

[Grecco]

They owned Turok i think which went ok.

Pure on the other hand is already clearanced at Target (Ps3 edition) and yesterday i saw it at 29.99 at Circuit City (X360 edition)

[Akala]

They owned Turok i think which went ok.

Pure on the other hand is already clearanced at Target (Ps3 edition) and yesterday i saw it at 29.99 at Circuit City (X360 edition)

 

I almost picked up Pure at launch because of the great demo, but was kind of full up on games at that point. I also, sadly, have developed a sense of knowing which games won't hold a $60 price tag long, and Pure was one of them.

Great deal for $30 tho, if I see it I'll pick it up.

[dark1x]

Whoa, Pure failed that hard?!  That's disappointing as it's actually a really good game.  It was also a fantastic multiplatform effort as the 360 and PS3 versions were virtually identical (with only the standard operating system and control differences).  Very impressive.

[Smooth Groove]

Yo, Dark1X, did you check out the Pure PC demo?  I haven't had to time to try it yet. 

[y2kev]

Do you really think PURE had a lot of chance for success? Hardly any marketing, hype only in the hardcore segment, new franchise branding even though it wasn't, and it's an offroad racing game. Disney still has a lot to learn about marketing their products it seems.

[duckman2000]

but how did the demo play? will there be people (unbiased) thinking that MS2 is the better game in your opinion?

You do understand that the games are quite different though, right? I'm not even sure what supposed similarities a comparison would be based on.

[duckman2000]

Not sure. I'd say that MS2 will probably pack more value for the money, and personally, the depth and scale is very appealing. But then I wasn't too impressed with Pure, so hey. The comparisons to SSX really killed it for me. Can't you just rent both and see which one you want to keep around?

[demi]

More Kingdom Hearts please