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MCV 10/09/10 93
TAG-TEAM INTERVIEW Chris Peacock Managing Director, Gem
This week, Chris Peacock asks Square Enix’s Doug Bone about weight loss, Liverpool FC and the Square Enix/Eidos integration...
Vs
Growing up as a fat, ginger kid in Liverpool, what first attracted you to video games? Even back then, games consoles were sufficiently portable to be carried out of windows, yet still retain their value, unboxed, at car boot sales the following week. Not an option for you, of course – back when you were a teenager, calculators were the size of sofas.
When you moved to London you were huge. What was the secret of the massive weight loss? I shared a flat with James Cooke for the first two months and the contents of our fridge was like something out of The Young Ones. Botulism works wonders for your hips.
What was the first video game you ever played and the most recent game that you completed? My first ‘fave’ game was either Defender or Moon Cresta, but the last one I completed was Secret Serviceby Activision. Granted, it’s probably not Game of The Year
fodder, but I did sneak the best part of 600 achievement points out of it. Yes, I know I’m a tart.
How does it feel to know that your beloved Liverpool FC’s best years are behind them and that footballing ignominy awaits? Did somebody dare you to use the word ‘ignominy’, Chris? If it means ‘return to former glories’, then it feels good, but not as good as having a trophy cabinet full of Champions League trophies. We’ve got five of them, so let me know if you want to rent one. I know it’s always ended in tears for you on that front.
You’ve worked for a retailer, e- tailer, distributor and publisher
– which was the best and why? Retail has the best perks, e-tail has the best flexibility and publishing has the best… boss. As for distribution, I saw the effect it has had on you, and I didn’t want to become a gobby tosspot, so I probably moved on at the right time.
What’s been the most challenging aspect of integrating Eidos into the Square Enix business? What could have been an oil and water combination has actually proved to be more akin to Salt and Vinegar, Rush and Dalglish, Peacock and Idiot – the two just sit together perfectly.
What was the most memorable industry bash that you attended and why? Probably the PlayStation launch party in LA in 1995, during E3. Michael Jackson performed there and put on a fantastic performance. Like many people, I can truly say that Michael Jackson touched me…
When even the chairman of Liverpool FC is a lifelong Chelsea fan, isn’t it about time you supported a proper team? I’ve already got a ‘proper’ team, with a rich history and a fanbase that loves and follows everything they do – even the bloody Mancs have got one. Your lot are just trying to buy a history, but you’ve still got another 20 years to go until you can look the Anfield Army in the eye.
Who have you chosen to be the next in the Tag Team chain? HMV’s head of games, Tim Ellis.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
FROM THE ARCHIVE January 23rd 2004
NEWS Hollywood turns its attention back to interactive entertainemnt, with Warner Bros. announcing a new games division. The outfit, headed up by former Monolith CEO Jason Hall, will only handle the licensing of its properties to games publishers, though. And Marvel Enterprises similarly sets up a dedicated games licensing division… After signing the rights to the next TimeSplitters title, it’s rumoured that EA will also snap up the Burnoutseries… Acclaim adds racing game Juiced, from Juice Games, to its portfolio – although, ultimately, the title is published (after a fashion) via THQ following Acclaim’s demise… GBA’s UK installed base reaches three million…
CHARTS: XBOX TOP FIVE 1. Grand Theft Auto Double Pack..........Rockstar 2. Project Gotham Racing 2...................Microsoft 3. Need For Speed Underground......................EA 4. XIII...............................................................Ubisoft 5. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3.................Ubisoft
AND FINALLY After the Mail on Sunday’sattack on Rockstar’s Manhunt, P2editor Roy Kimber backs up the newspaper’s stance on boycotting the game – claiming that some of the content is ‘sick’, but pointing out “my real problem with the game, though, is that basically it’s crap”…
MCV takes soundings from its Retail Advisory Board on the biggest issues of the day. The current members are...
Doug Bone UK Sales Director, Square Enix
Neil Ashurst, GAME & Gamestation
Andrew Thompson, Asda
James Cooke, Best Buy
Don McCabe, CHIPS
Tim Ellis, HMV
Keith Sharpe,
play.com
Sarah Jasper, The Hut
Nick Sultanti, Morrisons
Azeem Sadiq, Comet
Graham Chambers, Amazon
Danielle Fleming, DSGi
Igor Cipolletta, ShopTo
Anthony Stocker, Argos
Stephen Staley, Gameseek
Joanna Hunt, Tesco
Gurdeep Hunjan, Sainsbury’s
Phil Moore, Grainger Games
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