The man leading development on A Way Out, Josef Fares, is notorious for his outspoken nature. He's certainly an entertaining and charismatic figure, but he clearly isn't shy when it comes to speaking about the business side of things.
Fares has been touring A Way Out for previews recently, and an interesting quote came out of his time with TheSixthAxis. Apparently, EA won't see any profits at all from the game, with every penny going to the developer, Hazelight. Here's the quote:
"Here’s the thing, and you have to understand this: with this deal that I have for this game, EA is not making a single dollar out of this. Every single dollar is going to the developer. They’re not even making any money and all I’ve got is support from EA.
"They’ve not questioned the vision – they can’t because I won’t allow it – so they’ve been super supportive all the way. Even with this buy one [Friend Pass] thing, no problem."
We're not sure if Fares was able to talk EA down to this deal, or if all EA Originals games are treated in the same way, but it's certainly a notable fact, especially with EA's money-grabbing reputation.
[source thesixthaxis.com]
Comments 29
I call BS.
That doesn’t make any sense...
EA has to get a cut most likely
And all the guy does is whine like a spoilt brat.
@viciousarcanum @Derpie1 nope, it's also the same with Fe
sounds like EA is trying to get some of it's credibility back after all the crap they pulled last year
IF it's true that is
I think the continous hate towards EA is just silly and pathetic at this point.
What does Josef have to gain by lying about EA here?
after star wars it just seems a case of EA being desperate for good PR, i doubt it will last long
Obviously there is a commercial interest from EA in some form but he is more than likely telling the truth in terms of flat out profit. Lots of publishers and investors have complicated licensing and revenue models.
It’s a classic honey trap.
Obviously he's saying this so the EA label won't scare people off from buying his game. Fe received a lot of flak for their partnership with EA so he's trying to mitigate that.
EA may be publishing this "for free", though I find that highly unlikely, to drum up some good will. What they don't realize is, if they'd stop trying to rip off gamers all the time, they wouldn't need to drum it up, it'd just be there.
This was also the case with Fe.
As I’ve said before it’s a veiled act of philanthropy. This is how they justify putting micro transactions into all their games.
Those games are funding these EA Initiative titles.
or that’s what they’ll have you believe.
It's a pure PR move by ea to support 1 indie games every year. It's way cheaper than making the game itself.
Fares' reputation is really gonna go down the pan if this game flops. Hopefully it'll be a hit because I'm really hyped for it.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuull
I just can't believe that's true. But then again, there's no microtransactions in this game either.
Insert Phelps Doubt meme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5xag2NZBio
This really does look brilliant though imo
Not totally convinced that a publisher, let alone EA, will not get a single dime. And what about a future GOTY edition. Does that count too?
WHAT YOU SAY....?! That's miracle.
Maybe he just means they won't get a share of the PROFITS? Maybe they just banked on him with the idea that he'll make more quality games down the line and stick with EA.
Otherwise.. ya.. it seems a little weird they'd just pay all this money to publish a game without at least making their money back?
Maybe he means EA won't receive a single penny in profit, I doubt EA would help them out of their own pocket for nothing in return. Unless they've a deal struck for sequels or other games from the developer.
let me get this straight. the production was paid for by EA and yet EA is not making ANY revenue back on sales? why would EA sign the contract if not to make some money on the game? this is counterproductive to EA. EA lives for profits. EA is money hungry. EA is the very definition of greed.
@get2sammyb Maybe a bonus, or maybe he thinks "If I'm nice to them they might finance my next game.
I can see that EA COULD do this... with what they make from FIFA alone they could give the rest of their games away and still count a fat profit.
As for WHY they'd do it... I can only assume there's something else in it for them... some other angle. Perhaps they take nothing from this, but have him tied to making another 2 or 3 games for them. If it's something along those lines, you can bet they'll be taking a significant cut further down the line.
Key word "Not a SINGLE dollar"
@hi_drnick Good catch.
Do they own the IP?
@Grim-Tuesday I'm actually not that cynical about it. Just being a pedant, more-or-less
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