Playboy wants to become a game publisher... partners with BigPoint for PoisonVille

[SunnyD]

Linky

Adult entertainment company Playboy Enterprises revealed plans to launch a video game label by the end of the year, as well as a partnership with Bigpoint for the release of free-to-play MMO Poisonville.

Playboy hasn't disclosed a name for the planned label, or how much of its staff/cash it's putting behind the venture, but the firm did describe the backing as "significant". It also intends to target 18- to 35-year-old men with its the new label's games, predicting an overlap with the audience of its current properties.

The company says it sees gaming as "a growing, mainstream area", one into which it wants to extend its brand. "One of our core competencies involves using our brand to present quality content," said Playboy's New Digital Ventures managing director Paul H. Lee, according to a report from PaidContent.

As part of its deal with German online game publisher Bigpoint, Playboy will help create and distribute titles through its Playboy.com site, starting with browser-based MMORPG Poisonville. Bigpoint has so far spent €2 million ($2.5 million) on the gang-filled title, which launched its open beta yesterday.

"We’re looking for quality developers and the time I spent looking at Bigpoint showed me that they fit the bill for what we needed to get started," said Lee. "Previously, Playboy’s gaming interests included a few licensing deals and some editorial in the form of gaming reviews. But there was no clear, over-arching strategy in place. With Bigpoint, we’ve established a clear path in terms of where we want to go."

Playboy didn't mention any other developers it's talking to regarding the new games label, but the company says it's actively looking for opportunities to work with other studios, and has considered eventually investing in partners along with establishing working contracts.

As a software developer myself, all I have to say is: :hmm: Where do I send my resume?

 

[aigomorla]

so we get the bunnies with the game?

 

[mmntech]

I don't know about this. Sex in video games is usually uncomfortable or hilariously awkward. Usually a combination of the two.

 

[aigomorla]

I don't know about this. Sex in video games is usually uncomfortable or hilariously awkward. Usually a combination of the two.

its actually a very big market in japan.

That is artifical girl 3, it is harlious, but the customization options in it would probably rival that of the original DD series, meaning u can change almost anything.

There are other games labeled "galgame" which is a dating sim.
Some have high level's of hentai, others have a deep and illustrated story.

An Example like schooldays, is actually a movie, which u make choices or no choices thoughout the plot to direct how the story goes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_Days_%28visual_novel)

Example of the game is like dragon lair from a long time ago:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon's_Lair

 

[SunnyD]

I don't know about this. Sex in video games is usually uncomfortable or hilariously awkward. Usually a combination of the two.

Actually, you're reading the implication between the lines... but imho I think you're actually wrong. Everything I'm seeing suggests that Playboy wants to become a game publisher with a focus on titles within their target demographic (males 18-35). Nowhere is it painted in red that they want to make games based around sex. They're looking to get into more popular action-oriented games that cater to their demographic.

That's not to say sex-based games wouldn't equally target that demographic... but I honestly feel from what I've read so far that that isn't their intent. (Yet)

 

[motsm]

Maybe they will revive the hardcore gaming scene....

I must apologize for the pun in the previous sentence. :\

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

Damn. And I was hoping it would be penthouse first. Leisure Suit Larry Flynt.

 

[Skott]

I was just watching CNBC and they were talking about Playboy and Poisonville. According to the guy that they were talking to there isn't to be any real sex in the game. My take on it was that it wasn't going to be any worse than what we have already seen in PC gaming. Its adult but not xxx type of adult stuff. Time will tell of course. Have to wait and see what comes out. Not that I have any real interest in it myself.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

its actually a very big market in japan.

That is artifical girl 3, it is harlious, but the customization options in it would probably rival that of the original DD series, meaning u can change almost anything.

There are other games labeled "galgame" which is a dating sim.
Some have high level's of hentai, others have a deep and illustrated story.

An Example like schooldays, is actually a movie, which u make choices or no choices thoughout the plot to direct how the story goes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_Days_(visual_novel)

Example of the game is like dragon lair from a long time ago:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon's_Lair

pretty sure there was an article a while back about some dude in japan who actually got married "IRL" to his virtual AI girl friend from one of those said games

 

[bamacre]

Damn. And I was hoping it would be penthouse first. Leisure Suit Larry Flynt.

:biggrin::biggrin:

 

[Regs]

You have to diversify into what you're good at or strengths.

 

[Zenoth]

Can't wait for the day when PlayBoy publishes a game targeted at a young audience and the number of newspaper the scandal will be on, and once more how much video games in general will be blamed for our current generation of youth's decadence, can't you guys just smell it in advance?

 

[Bateluer]

can't you guys just smell it in advance?

Like a glorious storm on the horizon, with lightning flashes and everything.

 

[BD231]