NBC/GE enters preliminary deal with Vivendi

Dokomo · 09-02-2003, 08:59 AM

Well, this isn't completely unexpected but it seems that NBC/GE has been chosen by Vivendi to merge operations. In the end the new company will be 80% NBC, 20% Vivendi. The deal will be completed in a month and after the govenrment does it's regulatory procees this should be done by the end of the year. How this affect WoW I don't know. I doubt a huge succesful company like GE would be likely to mess with Blizzard's plans too much. More interesting is the reintegration of many old NBC shows that were moved out to channels like USA and Sci-Fi. Star Trek is back to it's original owners, very wierd.

Andaas · 09-02-2003, 09:17 AM

Star Trek property is owned by Paramount/Viacom.

Dokomo · 09-02-2003, 09:22 AM

Perhaps I should clarify then. Star Trek was first shown on NBC. Now the channel on which it is currently shown, Sci Fi, will belong to NBC.

Iannis · 09-02-2003, 09:33 AM

hey, maybe i'll be able to see some oldschool Trek again. Fuck signing up for Sci-Fi just to see Kirk bang a new green slut every week.

Good news for the gaming division, I guess. Although Blizzard might be forced to make a tv-show themed game every now and then I guess.

Samus Aran · 09-02-2003, 11:37 AM

Link me, please!

Evan Nash · 09-02-2003, 12:25 PM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp..._vivendi_dc_21

A Lizard · 09-02-2003, 12:29 PM

stargate MMORPG plz

Samus Aran · 09-02-2003, 12:33 PM

Having trouble with that link - but I'll google a bit.

I don't think this has anything to do with the gaming division, however.

Evan Nash · 09-02-2003, 01:07 PM

Links works for me when I click it.

So does this mean we're gonna see such games as "Warcraft 4: Must See Orc TV"??

As long as they leave Blizzard alone to do their thing, then I'm happy. Be grateful Sony didn't buy them.

masteen · 09-02-2003, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by A Lizard
stargate MMORPG plz

YES!

ChewieTobbacca · 09-02-2003, 01:35 PM

it should have to do with the gaming divison because i thought the division was part of the entire entertainment section

who knows what nbc/ge will do anyways - they never were into making games or whatever so whether they keep it or sell that branch to others - who knows

Arcius · 09-02-2003, 03:14 PM

It's only Vivendi's entertainment assets (movies, etc). Vivendi Universal Games was not included, which Blizzard and several other companies belong to.

ChewieTobbacca · 09-02-2003, 04:19 PM

hmm i thought they said the package was both of them together was it not?

thats why the whole thing about it being sold because the entertainmnet section included both

Lleauaric~EW · 09-03-2003, 03:38 AM

Quote:

I doubt a huge succesful company like GE would be likely to mess with Blizzard's plans too much.

Blessed are those who have not labored under a large Bureaucracy...
As Mrs. Bocher would say.. "Dey is the Debil, dat and Da Foosball"

Mr. Chairman of GE says looks at early projected earnings figures and determines that Profits are gonna be down 3% this quarter because some crazy thing that happened..
The order then goes down to increase profits in whatever sector possible as to preserve the value of the whole..

Oh.. Look.. theres our software sector..
Hmm they are due to release that next quarter... and its projected to make the company 10 million in the first month of sales...
Tell them to bump up the date of release to this month.. hell its almost done anyway..
...
Word gets down to the Blizzard people..
"But.. its not done... we cant release this.. it still needs some polishing... stuff is unfinished.."

>blank stare from upper managment<
Will anyone die from it?
"no.. but.."
Can we get sued from it?
"no.. but.."
Will waiting an extra month in any way dramatically increase sales?
"No.. it should sell about the same..."
Then shut up and release it...THIS Quarter

You think Jeff Immelt gives a fuck about a game?? release it early and fix it with patching.. get the money NOW.. quarterly sales earnings > ALL

Its the beauty of Public ownership of companies.. loss of foresight and patient long term buisness strategy.

*edit*
And thinking more on this..
Blizzard doesnt release products unless they are done... They have no problem pushing back dates for whatever time they need..
If GE buys.. those days are gone.
Profits from sales of games are in projected profits, You think GE is gonna allow Blizzard to fail to meet what they estimated they would earn for the quarter?? hahhahaha....
"Yes Sir, your company is gonna have to take a 10 million dollar hit because the Orcs heads dont turn right... and sometimes the zone crashes when the Lich quest is triggered.. and The Warriors dont taunt correctly... Sir.. Sir.. please stop laughing"

What the fuck do think happened to EQ?
Sony..
Why did Mcquaid leave?
Why do you think expansions are released unfinished? Because Devs ENJOY passing off substandard work and destroying their fanbase??

Thats why so many people have high hopes for Warhammer Online.. and Sigil Games..
Independant companies who have total control of the product...
Blizzard used to fit in this category.. this is the kiss of death though... why do think Roper and Co. Left??

Sinshiu · 09-03-2003, 04:15 AM

I'm not worried at all about WoW being a great product, even if Sony would have scooped up 80% of Vivendi's movie/game devision instead of GE/NBC.

Unless the game mechanics totally stink which they almost certainly wont, the game will be well worth buying and playing for a long time. Pretty bold statement but I have a lot of faith in the people at blizzard and the previews the game as gotten so far.

The only thing i'm worried about is the expansions, you could very well be right L2. Hopefully though, Blizzard has a slew of jokes running around the office about SOE turning EQ into nothing but a cashcow thats about to get at least somewhat weakened because of their past business practices.

With all the games coming out, a Sony like company cannot make money for much longer because there will actually be viable alternative for pissed off players to migrate to. The whole industry will know that soon and hopefully GE has intelligent market researchers to realize this.

This is of course, mostly wishful thinking but oh well.

09-02-2003, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dokomo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Posts: 809 -1 Internets	NBC/GE enters preliminary deal with Vivendi Well, this isn't completely unexpected but it seems that NBC/GE has been chosen by Vivendi to merge operations. In the end the new company will be 80% NBC, 20% Vivendi. The deal will be completed in a month and after the govenrment does it's regulatory procees this should be done by the end of the year. How this affect WoW I don't know. I doubt a huge succesful company like GE would be likely to mess with Blizzard's plans too much. More interesting is the reintegration of many old NBC shows that were moved out to channels like USA and Sci-Fi. Star Trek is back to it's original owners, very wierd. __________________ 70 Mage - Paradigm - Echo Isles

09-02-2003, 09:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dokomo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Posts: 809 -1 Internets	Perhaps I should clarify then. Star Trek was first shown on NBC. Now the channel on which it is currently shown, Sci Fi, will belong to NBC. __________________ 70 Mage - Paradigm - Echo Isles

09-03-2003, 04:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sinshiu Special Mapper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Midwest Posts: 113 -1 Internets	I'm not worried at all about WoW being a great product, even if Sony would have scooped up 80% of Vivendi's movie/game devision instead of GE/NBC. Unless the game mechanics totally stink which they almost certainly wont, the game will be well worth buying and playing for a long time. Pretty bold statement but I have a lot of faith in the people at blizzard and the previews the game as gotten so far. The only thing i'm worried about is the expansions, you could very well be right L2. Hopefully though, Blizzard has a slew of jokes running around the office about SOE turning EQ into nothing but a cashcow thats about to get at least somewhat weakened because of their past business practices. With all the games coming out, a Sony like company cannot make money for much longer because there will actually be viable alternative for pissed off players to migrate to. The whole industry will know that soon and hopefully GE has intelligent market researchers to realize this. This is of course, mostly wishful thinking but oh well. __________________ exit light enter night take my hand we're off to never never land

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09-02-2003, 09:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andaas Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 21 -1 Internets	Star Trek property is owned by Paramount/Viacom.

09-02-2003, 09:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Iannis Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Butt Hugging Moose Jockey Posts: 4,968 -1 Internets	hey, maybe i'll be able to see some oldschool Trek again. Fuck signing up for Sci-Fi just to see Kirk bang a new green slut every week. Good news for the gaming division, I guess. Although Blizzard might be forced to make a tv-show themed game every now and then I guess.

09-02-2003, 11:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Samus Aran Sons of the Storm Heal Bitch Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 771 +1 Internets	Link me, please!

09-02-2003, 12:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Evan Nash Slave to DVDs Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 391 -1 Internets	http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp..._vivendi_dc_21

09-02-2003, 12:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
A Lizard ache Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 375 -1 Internets	stargate MMORPG plz

09-02-2003, 12:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Samus Aran Sons of the Storm Heal Bitch Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 771 +1 Internets	Having trouble with that link - but I'll google a bit. I don't think this has anything to do with the gaming division, however.

09-02-2003, 01:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Evan Nash Slave to DVDs Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 391 -1 Internets	Links works for me when I click it. So does this mean we're gonna see such games as "Warcraft 4: Must See Orc TV"?? As long as they leave Blizzard alone to do their thing, then I'm happy. Be grateful Sony didn't buy them.

09-02-2003, 01:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
ChewieTobbacca the Enchanter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,579	it should have to do with the gaming divison because i thought the division was part of the entire entertainment section who knows what nbc/ge will do anyways - they never were into making games or whatever so whether they keep it or sell that branch to others - who knows

09-02-2003, 03:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Arcius Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 22 -1 Internets	It's only Vivendi's entertainment assets (movies, etc). Vivendi Universal Games was not included, which Blizzard and several other companies belong to.

09-02-2003, 04:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
ChewieTobbacca the Enchanter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,579	hmm i thought they said the package was both of them together was it not? thats why the whole thing about it being sold because the entertainmnet section included both