IGNXbox

June 23, 2000::

Where there's a new console, there's Dave Perry, the main man behind such games as Earthworm Jim and the recently released Messiah. We caught up with him during the development of his company's latest game, Sacrifice, to ask him his opinions on the Xbox.

IGN Xbox: First, a little background about yourself, for those that don't know. What games have you contributed to?

Dave Perry: Hmmm... I started back in 1981, so I have made dozens of games now. The biggest sellers were... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Aladdin, The Terminator, Earthworm Jim. I am building a website at: www.dperry.com to help new talent into our industry.

IGN Xbox: How is development coming along on your latest project, Sacrifice?

DP: Sacrifice is flying along. It's a new technology and that is always a risk. So we have kept quiet (unlike we did with Messiah) until we were able to demonstrate it completely working. I am very very proud of our Sacrifice team. You can track their progress at: www.sacrifice.net.

IGN Xbox: Are you interested in bringing Sacrifice to the X-Box?

DP: I am, however Sacrifice is a very large/epic title and so the smaller amount of RAM in the X-Box could be a problem. So we have agreed to wait to see the final footprint of the finished PC game and then see if it could indeed make the journey over.

IGN Xbox: What is your overall opinion on the X-Box? Was it a good idea for Microsoft to jump into the console gaming industry?

DP: I think it's a fantastic idea for Microsoft. (I think their money was burning a hole in their pocket.) Microsoft is very welcome into the console business; they have joined with excellent partners. The problem is that I don't believe their marketing department will be able to focus on games. They are doing good now, but I expect to start hearing how the Xbox is where I will want to do my email, get recipes, plan vacations etc... That will confuse the public and gamers. Gamers want a console, not a terminal. If the Xbox team (who I respect) can keep control of the marketing, then it's gonna be a great thing.

IGN Xbox: With Microsoft developing for a console, do you worry that PC games like yours will receive less attention? Is there a chance that the PC gaming industry will suffer?

DP: The chance of the PC industry suffering is 110%. Why? Well, because the best PC talent will be headhunted for well funded X-Box start-up teams. It's a natural move for them. The programmers that remain on PC will be the guys that: (a) Hate consoles / (b) Don't like to sell lots of their games / (c) Need the 'latest' hardware to get their stuff to work / (d) Like the challenge of working on unstable/random hardware configurations.

IGN Xbox: What can Microsoft do to position their console for success, while facing strong competitors in Sony, Sega, and Nintendo?

DP: Re-direct some of the hundreds of millions of marketing dollars into licensing the best game titles. Gamers will flock to the best hardware with the best games no matter how clever your advertising is.

IGN Xbox: You've stated that companies most focus on games first, as opposed to creating a system that plays DVDs and such. Yet, Microsoft, Sony, and Sega all have plans for this feature. Why is that, in your opinion?

DP: Because they know that average parents won't spend over $150 on their kids toys. However they will spend $299 if it becomes a "ADULT" purchase.

IGN Xbox: Well isn't that a good thing -- To get the whole family using the system, and to sell more systems, at least?

DP: Sorry I am not being clear... To get it INTO the home, you have to win somebody's heart. For $299, you generally have to get them to the "I want it enough to nag for it" stage. You need to really target someone in the family first. The others come later. Remember now you need them to say "No I don't want a PS2 or a Dolphin". You gotta really have the best games machine without a shadow of a doubt.

IGN Xbox: Who do you see as among the dead? Where will the big four end up, and what will become of the small and medium-sized publishers?

DP: Publishers will combine, many will die. Games will get more expensive to make (I mean REALLY!). Hollywood service providers will naturally become part of the process (I love to argue this one, but I am on record now). The business will swing back to licensing mode like it was in the early 90's (to attempt to reduce risk on the expensive games). I think all 4 hardware makers will survive in some form, but 3 could be #1. Mistakes will stop them being #1.

IGN Xbox: Do you think that Microsoft's plan to release the X-Box a year after the PS2 is a bad one?

DP: Yes, timing is everything. Sony will only step up their aggression level with this knowledge to get the best head start possible.

IGN Xbox: Under the hood, the X-Box is significantly more powerful than the PS2. And development is apparently easier than other systems. Will these steps Microsoft has taken help to court developers?

DP: Yes for sure... I am really concerned for Sony that they need to somehow train developers how to overcome the hurdles on their machine. They need to stop the developers complaining right now. Showing that games can look like Metal Gear Solid 2 does not solve the problem. The Xbox will welcome with open arms the sloppy guys that could not hack it on PS2.

IGN Xbox: Do you expect a new "console war" to develop with the release of the PS2, Dolphin, and X-Box?

DP: Heck yes... Ever seen "Saving Private Ryan". The bodycount will be extremely high.

IGN Xbox: Where do you see the console industry at, three or four years down the road?

DP: It's a great question. I don't see Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft calling it quits. It's too big a business for them to accept failure in. Sega swear blind they are not out also. I think they are all in for the long haul, but it's going to be a lot more difficult for Sony to be so dominant again.

-- Brian Stelter