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offtherecord@intentmedia.co.uk TAG-TEAM INTERVIEW
This week, GAME MD Martyn Gibbs questions EA’s VP and General Manager Keith Ramsdale
OFF THE RECORD
Martyn Gibbs, Managing Director, GAME
What has been your highlight of 2010? My personal highlight was fulfilling a childhood ambition made possible by Stuart Dinsey. The Buggles’ hit is one of the finest pieces of work to come from the ‘80s and it’s been a deep-rooted ambition of mine ever since I first saw the video to don big glasses and mime into a plastic microphone. Joining Andrew Brown to take the joint starring role in that MCV Awards video really was a dream come true.
MESSI TRANSFERS TO FIFA Barcelona footballer and PEScover star Lionel Messi is a FIFA 11 fan. His betrayal of Konami was outed by team mate Gerard Pique on Twitter: “I play FIFA 11on the road, in hotels and with the team. Messi and Iniesta also like to play a lot.” Footballers on FIFA– proof that you can never tire of the Beautiful Game.
the industry. The current members are...
EA had a great December. What do you put this down to? Consumers leaving it to the last bloody minute to show up. EA always tends to do well at peak, particularly with the bigger franchises. I think the sales and marketing teams have done a simply great job in getting these franchises in front of the gifting audience.
Vs
What are you most looking forward to in 2011? Derby making it through the playoffs and back into the Premiership. No, really, right back where we belong. Nigel Clough, a chip off the old block.
I also look forward to our sometimes careless Government getting PEGI through as the single system. Unbelievably it’s three years on from the Byron review, everyone knows it’s right (including all three parties... or is it two now?) and now they have wobbled again. It’s stark raving bonkers.
What do you think the biggest challenges will be this year? Consumer time more than ever. Entertainment choices are incredible and I love that about technology, entertainment and our industry. I honestly enjoy playing Need For Speedon my iPad as well as on my PS3. I see our challenge
Keith Ramsdale
VP and GM, Northern Europe Electronic Arts
keeping up with how and where the consumer wants to engage with our content. But I do think the more choices we offer the casual audience on how to play, the more the general population will engage with games.
I remember a trip with you where you wore blue nail varnish and had a pink purse around your neck for the whole time. Is this your normal attire? Blimey, well remembered. I’d forgotten about the purse. It was functional and very trendy in equal measures – and carried a substantial drink kitty. Now that was a trip. I remember giving you a yellow card within half an hour of it starting for bad behaviour. And Sega’s Alan Pritchard hurling in the middle of a busy roundabout in Marseille city centre.
Who will you be interviewing next? Codies’ Rod Cousens.
Azeem Sadiq, Comet
www.mcvuk.com
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
January 21st 2011 57
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