Mark Darrah
Reporting and statements that mention Mark Darrah.
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"I would fight it tooth and nail": The Sims artist would challenge any mandate to reduce diversity after EA Saudi buyout
The Sims senior character artist Jess Hyland stated she would strongly oppose any mandate to reduce diversity in the game following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. While Hyland has not heard of any such mandate, she expressed concerns shared by players and former developers about potential cultural shifts impacting the game's inclusive design.
Leadership lessons from Mark Darrah’s days at BioWare
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah shares leadership and game development lessons on his YouTube channel, drawing from his experience, particularly with the troubled production of Anthem. He discusses communication breakdowns and the importance of a unified vision in game development.
Say hello to EA Advertising, which will let your favourite brands 'integrate' ads to 'enhance' your…
Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform enabling brands to integrate advertisements into its games. Initially targeting sports titles like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, these "in-game integrations" will feature dynamic placements, branded content, and reward-driven objectives. EA claims its games reach over 120 million players monthly, presenting a significant opportunity for advertisers to "enhance" player experiences.
New Xbox Exec Advocates For Something Everyone Hates To Help Save Gaming
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball suggests that in-game advertising could be a solution to rising development costs and consumer reluctance to pay more for games. He points to the success of ad-supported tiers in streaming services as a model. Ball acknowledges past negative reactions to in-game ads but argues that companies need to explore such revenue streams to keep products affordable and fund development.
007 First Light's Land Rover ads cross the line from product placement to late-night infomercials
The article criticizes the excessive product placement of Land Rover vehicles in the game 007 First Light, arguing it crosses the line from typical brand integration into intrusive advertising. The author compares this to traditional product placement in Bond films and discusses potential industry shifts towards ad revenue over microtransactions, expressing concern about the quality of games produced under such models.
007 First Light's brand placement is obnoxious, but it works. What it could mean for the industry, however, scares me
007 First Light features prominent product placement from brands like Omega and Aston Martin, which are integrated organically into the James Bond universe. While effective in the game, the article expresses concern that this level of brand integration in single-player titles could become obnoxious and detract from immersion if widely adopted by other developers, drawing parallels to the over-saturation of brand collaborations in multiplayer games.
"The live-action Smurfs movie paid for itself entirely through product placement" - Former Dragon Age boss suggests games can be funded another way
Former Dragon Age and Anthem executive producer Mark Darrah suggests that live service games could be funded through product placement, a model more common in film. He argues this approach could be more sustainable than current monetization strategies and prevent the overemphasis on certain genres. Darrah highlights the Smurfs movie as an example of a project fully funded by product placement.
Product Placement Can Help Save The AAA Games Business, Former BioWare Dev Says
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests that product placement could be a viable solution for the financial sustainability of AAA game development, arguing that an over-reliance on live-service models and microtransactions is limiting. He points to existing examples in games and other media, and questions why it isn't a larger part of the gaming industry's revenue streams. Darrah also expressed concerns about the impact of subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass on game design.
Video Games Could Have Movie-Style Product Placement to Counter Rising Costs, Ex-Dragon Age Boss Says
Former BioWare Dragon Age boss Mark Darrah suggests that incorporating movie-style product placement could help offset the escalating costs of big-budget video game development. This approach might provide a financial solution for studios facing increasing production expenses.
Former Dragon Age producer thinks product placement could replace microtransactions
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests product placement as a potential alternative to microtransactions in video games. He argues that relying heavily on in-game purchases can lead developers to design games around high-spending players rather than the overall player experience. Darrah believes product placement could help fund projects without pushing every game towards a live service model, potentially fostering more variety in game development.
Dragon Age and BioWare veteran says games could learn a thing or two from how the movie business makes money
BioWare veteran Mark Darrah suggests the video game industry could learn from the movie business's diverse revenue streams beyond initial sales. He argues that an over-reliance on microtransactions and live services stifles other genres and proposes exploring avenues like product placement to diversify income and prevent a future dominated solely by live service AAA games.
New North American Games Industry Summit, NAGIS, Annoucenes Speakers and Guests For June Event
The new North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS) in Edmonton, Canada, has announced its lineup of speakers and guests for the June 18th-19th event. The summit will feature panels with notable figures from BioWare, including Casey Hudson and Gregory Zeschuk, as well as industry pioneers like Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, and Richard Garfield, creator of Magic: The Gathering.
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah says it's valuable to have 'an idiot at the table' during game development—but only if they can remember who the experts are
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests that having a 'layman' or non-expert in game development discussions can be beneficial for grounding expert-driven decisions. He emphasizes that this external voice is valuable only if they understand when to defer to the specialists and avoid overwhelming the team with unqualified feedback.
Mass Effect Actor Questions Whether "Culture" And "Ethos" That Made Original Games Is Still There
Jennifer Hale, the voice of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect franchise, expressed both excitement and concern for the future of the series. She questions whether the original creative culture and ethos that defined the early games remain intact at BioWare, especially given recent company changes. Hale hopes for the return of Commander Shepard and believes the Mass Effect universe has significant untapped potential for new stories.
One of Marathon's more controversial mechanics brings back a neat idea from Anthem
Bungie's Marathon reboot introduces a controversial heat mechanic that limits player abilities and has divided early players. This system, which requires players to manage their temperature using environmental factors like water and weather, is compared to a similar mechanic in BioWare's Anthem. The article also briefly mentions MechWarrior and a former BioWare developer's proposal to revive Anthem.
