Bing Gordon Reveals Why EA Passed on Iconic Gaming Franchises
Bing Gordon’s who served ten years as Chief Creative Officer for Electronic Arts’ (EA) did open up on EA’s decision to pass on acquiring Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and Blizzard Entertainment.
It has left the gaming world wondering about the what-ifs.
Discover how EA’s decisions for Guitar Hero and CoD impacted Activision’s destiny and entertainment landscape.
Here is what is in the article!
- “EA missed opportunities to acquire Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and Blizzard, allowing Activision to gain significant market dominance.”
- “Activision capitalized on these franchises, turning them into lucrative ventures despite challenges like rising costs and declining sales.”
- “These missed deals reshaped the gaming landscape, with Activision Blizzard becoming a powerhouse and EA losing potential growth avenues.”
The Case of Guitar Hero, EA’s Blunder Turned into a Good Decision
Electronic Arts (EA) once considered maintaining a strong franchise crucial for its dominance in the gaming industry, particularly when it came to Guitar Hero.
This was evident in its initial push and later decision-making regarding the series.
Although EA had the opportunity to acquire the series, it failed to capitalize on this chance, with a series of blunders and ultimately squandered the potential of acquiring the franchise.
When EA decided not to purchase Guitar Hero, it missed out on a significant opportunity.
The series went on to be developed and managed by Activision, who later faced numerous challenges due to licensing costs and declining sales figures.
This strategical oversight led to Activision shifting its focus away from the franchise, precipitating its eventual decline.
The changes made by Activision in subsequent titles, such as poor note chart matching and a less engaging gameplay experience, were enough to deter fans who had grown attached to the original series.
Additionally, the introduction of new licensing costs further compounded the issues, making each Guitar Hero title a lucrative burden for Activision.
Despite efforts to revitalize the franchise, including a new controller release by Hyperkin in 2023, it remained dormant due to these strategic missteps.
EA’s failure to seize Guitar Hero ultimately turned out to be a good strategic decision for EA due to Guitar Hero’s decline.
But this allowed Activision to gain a stronghold on the market with this once-thriving franchise.
EA’s Failed Bid for Call of Duty
Call of Duty stands as one of the most successful and enduring franchises in modern gaming.
The franchise has remained under Activision Blizzard’s control, contributing immensely to the company’s rise to dominance in the gaming industry.
When Electronic Arts (EA) decided not to acquire Call of Duty, it missed out on significant growth potential.
However, many pointed out that there was not much EA could do, they were simply outbid like many others to buy Blizzard.
Reddit User – KJagz33 said: “This isn’t really exclusive to EA, almost every publisher gets pitched stuff like Guitar Hero or is on the chance to buy Blizzard. I found the article where an old Xbox boss said they also bid for Blizzard back then: https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-blizzard-acquisition”
The significance of Call of Duty lies in its ability to consistently attract a large and dedicated fan base.
With annually released titles featuring advanced game mechanics and robust multiplayer modes, Call of Duty has become synonymous with high-quality gaming experiences.
EA’s failure to acquire this franchise highlights its missed opportunity to expand its own repertoire of popular games.
Moreover, this decision impacted Activision’s trajectory positively.
Activision, by acquiring Call of Duty, managed to fuel its growth at a time when EA was struggling with other strategic blunders.
Today, Call of Duty remains a cornerstone of Activision’s portfolio, continuing to attract massive audiences and generate substantial revenue.
After Bobby Kotick’s departure from the company, the future of the franchise is being closely watched.
The internal conflicts within Activision Blizzard also highlight the challenges faced by the company.
EA’s Missed Bid for Blizzard : A Turning Point in History
Electronic Arts (EA) also had the chance to acquire Blizzard Entertainment, a powerhouse in the gaming industry known for Diablo, Warcraft, and Overwatch.
However, it declined this opportunity, allowing Activision to buy out Blizzard in 2008.
This missed bid marked a significant turning point for both companies. Activision’s acquisition of Blizzard not only bolstered its portfolio but also provided a steady stream of high-quality games, contributing to its growing influence in the market.
EA, on the other hand, missed out on a chance to integrate Blizzard’s creative talent and robust franchises, which could have potentially accelerated its own expansion.
Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, was praised for his decision to keep key creative leaders after the acquisition.
This strategic move helped maintain the original team’s productivity and continued to generate hit titles year after year.
Microsoft’s later acquisition of Activision Blizzard further amplified this success by adding more first-party studios under its umbrella.
In summary, EA’s missed opportunities in acquiring Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and Blizzard have had lasting impacts on the gaming landscape.
These strategic blunders allowed competitors to seize dominant positions, highlighting the critical role of informed decision-making in the competitive world of gaming.