Denis Dyack Continues EGM Live Discussion with Fans


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Denis Dyack Continues EGM Live Discussion with Fans

"I am saying things that many people do not want to hear."

By Patrick Klepek, 03/14/2007

Silicon Knights president Denis Dyack and GameVideos director Mark MacDonald locked horns in an EGM Live* podcast that ran on 1UP earlier this week over the mixed reception to the Too Human playable demo on display at E3 last May. If you haven't checked out the controversial discussion, do so. It's not often an industry writer and developer are so honest with one another -- it's a refreshing change.

Dyack argued previews of incomplete games should be abolished altogether, instead adopting a more Hollywood-esque approach of beginning marketing campaigns and press tours when the product is finished. He continued his commentary on the NeoGAF forums. "Honest criticism is exactly what you are not [his emphasis] going to get from previewing games that are not finished -- I am saying it is not possible to evaluate games properly before they are done. Despite anyones best efforts," he said. "I think the guys from EGM gave their best efforts but their methods are fundamentally flawed."

Penny Arcade, who Dyack specifically identified on the podcast alongside EGM, jumped in on the action, too. "I won't be made to apologize for telling people the truth, so that one's gonna be a tough sell. What I can do, what I will do, what we do whenever the facts change is to change our minds. If Too Human is excellent, and their pedigree suggests that it will be so, expect to hear that truth echoed throughout our lavish marble audience chamber," said Tycho. "All of this started precisely because people fully expect to be amazed by the man and the company he leads. There are worse problems than this."

During the podcast, Dyack argued EGM and the press should be more critical of games -- but in a more finished form, he says. From NeoGAF: "Letting people play something is a way to get most honest impression. Unfortunately we did not anticipate the shift in the climate enough (more critical - which i think is a good trend long term). Most games that were playable rated lower then those that were not playable. Honesty was something that had little value at E3. It was all about the "show". I am not saying anyone actively being dishonest but there were just different priorities."

It's a good trend in the "long term," but as it relates to Too Human right now, it isn't? Why wait?

"Our industry is in transition and I feel we were caught in a perfect storm at E3. I am saying things that many people do not want to hear. Some of these things might not be good for Too Human or Silicon Knights in the short term but I think it is right thing to do in the long term." [emphasis ours]

Source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158015

What is your guys opinion on this? I listened to the podcast and it gets brutal lol

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What do I think?

Well, I'll just tell you I had a good deal of respect for Mr. Dyack. I now have very little.

There are some games that improve because of their early playable showings at venues like E3. Perhaps Dyack should get over himself and his game's current state and learn from the impressions of people playing.

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What do I think?

Well, I'll just tell you I had a good deal of respect for Mr. Dyack. I now have very little.

There are some games that improve because of their early playable showings at venues like E3. Perhaps Dyack should get over himself and his game's current state and learn from the impressions of people playing.

I have to agree, he does sound way too defensive. Yeah the game had a very poor showing, and they shouldn't have shown it so early.. But if the game really is bloody amazing, then once they start showing it again and people see the previews/screenshots/etc it won't matter what horrible state it was in E3 2006.

I do really hope that it is amazing, since Silicon Knights is based in my city lol. I still can't believe they were allowed to do a remake of Metal Gear Solid, and I still can't believe I haven't picked up a copy and played it.

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