EA's Larry Probst denies PSP gamers original games

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 1st 2006 at 8:00AM }

Newsweek's N'gai Croal (awesome name) had a chance to talk to Electronic Arts' CEO, Larry Probst. Love them or hate them, EA is a major player in the industry, and their games have the power to move hardware units. Croal asked Probst about making original games for the PSP, something that seems outrageous to the CEO: I'm not so sure that I agree with the premise that we're strategically focused on building original product for the PSP. "That's news to me. It's more likely that we would target platforms like the PS3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii if we had an original in mind. Our strategy on PSP has typically been to take the franchises that we build on other platforms and exploit them on the PSP."

Croal points out the success of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories as one reason why publishers should look into making exclusive games for the handheld. However, Probst believes that without more units out there, the chances of original PSP games from EA is slim. Like the rest of the sane world, he notes that Sony should lower the price, and maybe even make a redesigned console, in order to reinvigorate sales.

Check out the rest of the interview to see Probst's other PSP thoughts, and why Nintendo matters.

See also:
Fun = DS, not PSP, says EA exec
EA makes a lot of money on PSP

[Via Joystiq; Image via Games Blog]

Tags: croal, ea, electronic arts, ElectronicArts, interview, larry probst, LarryProbst, n'gai croal, N'gaiCroal, newsweek, original, probst

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michael Anderson @ Dec 1st 2006 8:23AM

"Our strategy on PSP has typically been to take the franchises that we build on other platforms and exploit them on the PSP."

I know *I* feel exploited ... with that strategy, no wonder we have so much CRAP to choose from!

bxbailey @ Dec 1st 2006 10:26AM

well that's help me decide never to buy another EA title for any platform again. I'm done with EA.

Bored @ Dec 1st 2006 11:28AM

Boicott EA!

pixelator @ Dec 1st 2006 12:50PM

And people act like Sony has an exclusive license on arrogance..?

So thanks EA, fuck your consumers because you're too greedy to make an effort on a non-ported, non-sports title... The beancounters rule the industry, especially in the USA. That's one reason that (as a developer) I haven't worked on a game in years, the execs and marketing jerks (and they're ALL asses, trust me) run the show. The actual designers, programmers and artists, the real creative force in the industry, have virtually no say in what games get made. And even when they do, if there's a beancounter standing in the way, you can forget it.

The game industry kowtows to the almighty dollar, period.

TJ @ Dec 1st 2006 12:26PM

I don't care if a company never releases a original game for the psp. Just as long as its good. Games is not the main focus for sony when it comes to the psp, so i couldn't see it being the main focus for any game company releasing a title for the psp. I didn't buy a psp for just games. I've gotten my money worth so far. Anything new is good.

Paradoxysm @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:42AM

@5.
Darn those capitalist swine! Eh, comrade? Eh?

Diman @ Dec 1st 2006 2:50PM

It's funny that he says that because Medal of Honor Heroes wasn't really a direct port and did it's on thing, overall it was a good game.

Virtuous @ Dec 1st 2006 7:40PM

I won't pre-order EA titles anymore. "Army of Two" will fail just like "The Godfather". EA will continue to fail in establishing new franchises.

pixelator @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:58PM

8: point taken, but there's a not-so-fine line between abject greed and making good, creative games. I was only a lead artist/designer, but I saw enough to know that the bean counters ran the show, and that any real vision was usually stifled... And that was when there was LESS of an emphasis on rehashing existing franchises!