Will James Bond Be PlayStation-only?
Sony is buying MGM. But what does it mean for gaming?
September 14, 2004 - Whence the Annie Hall FPS? The Wizard of Oz Online? While it's amusingly conceivable that Sony could explore such videogame projects once its purchase of Hollywood giant MGM is finalized (see our full story), the more serious question for the game industry is what might happen to games based on MGM properties such as James Bond and Rocky.
As reported, Sony Corporation of America, in consortium with media giant Comcast and a selection of other investors, has made a winning bid to purchase long-time Hollywood studio and production giant Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The purchase, estimated at around $4.8 billion, was won from competing bidder Time Warner at the last moment, when Comcast jumped in to join Sony in the deal.
While the deal has yet to be officially finalized, Sony's massive presence in the video game industry means the addition of MGM and its classic film properties could have ramifications for gamers.
While MGM has recently pared down its studio output to focus on its classic films, stretching back to greats like Gone With the Wind, that library includes game-ready IPs like The Pink Panther, Rocky, and James Bond.
Of course, Bond and Rocky have both already spawned video games. Currently handled by Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, respectively, it's possible that Sony would absorb future game development for these popular franchises. Of course, we wouldn't expect current contracts at EA or Ubisoft to be affected by the MGM deal, but properties like James Bond or Rocky would probably look pretty tantalizing as Sony Computer Entertainment in-house projects if and when previous contracts are ended -- and that could also mean PlayStation exclusivity.
Of course, it's still too early to tell, leaving us to mere speculation. Still, it never hurts to dream. A few in the office are already clamoring for the Thelma & Louise racing game. Time will tell.
Bond Games Exclusive to Sony?
September 14, 2004
Could Bond games eventually be Playstation exclusives? Check it out.
As reported, Sony Corporation of America, in consortium with media giant Comcast and a selection of other investors, has made a winning bid to purchase long-time Hollywood studio and production giant Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The purchase, estimated at around $4.8 billion, was won from competing bidder Time Warner at the last moment, when Comcast jumped in to join Sony in the deal.
While MGM has recently pared down its studio output to focus on its classic films, stretching back to greats like Gone With the Wind, that library includes game-ready IPs like The Pink Panther, Rocky, and James Bond.
Of course, Bond and Rocky have both already spawned video games. Currently handled by Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, respectively, it's possible that Sony would absorb future game development for these popular franchises. Of course, we wouldn't expect current contracts at EA or Ubisoft to be affected by the MGM deal, but properties like James Bond or Rocky would probably look pretty tantalizing as Sony Computer Entertainment in-house projects if and when previous contracts are ended -- and that could also mean PlayStation exclusivity.
Originally posted by yerssot
but if EA has it, don't they keep the rights to the videogames till the end of their contract?btw, anyone played the games? I played the demo of nightfire 😖
Ea doesn't own the rights to James Bond Sony owns him now as a whole that means films, games, etc. since they have purchased MGM. Ea has a signed contract to develop the games for a certain amount of time and thats it. If Ea would have created the character then they would have had the rights but they didn't create him.
I bought Nightfire when it was first released and I think its the greatest Bond game so far but Goldeneye 2 might prove me wrong.
Originally posted by TheFilmProphet
Ea doesn't own the rights to James Bond Sony owns him now as a whole that means films, games, etc. since they have purchased MGM. Ea has a signed contract to develop the games for a certain amount of time and thats it. If Ea would have created the character then they would have had the rights but they didn't create him.I bought Nightfire when it was first released and I think its the greatest Bond game so far but Goldeneye 2 might prove me wrong.
not sure if Goldeneye 2 will be good, heard it's all about being the badguy?
Originally posted by yerssot
that'st uberbullshit, they can't dissolve a contract that one-sided without paying a lot of money to EA (and they already had 1.5 billion bucks in debt) and I doubt EA wants to let Bond-games go without something in returnnot sure if Goldeneye 2 will be good, heard it's all about being the badguy?
Its all about the money. They probably paid EA more money for a new contract or more money to end it.