Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:
A profit isn't a profit. If I say I'm going to dedicate my entire company of 100 people to a project that I project will guarantee 1 million dollars profit and you say you're going to dedicate the entire team to a project that has a 10% chance of 0 profit and a 90% chance of 10 million profit which of us is a better leader?
ROI is really what matters. You have finite resources and need to figure out how to allocate them. You don't mindlessly put them wherever you think you'll find profit but put them where you'll get the most profit. ROI is a much more valuable metric than merely profit.

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

your industry isn't suffering the worst slump in 20 years

Again, historically this isn't unexpected.
Regardless, 2011 will be Epic's biggest year to date. Bulletstorm and Gears of War 3 will explode.

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

That's why people like John Nash, Terry Pratchett, Stephen Hawkins are tremendous assholes!

Didn't you see A Beautiful Mind? John Nash was an asshole! I like that you pick intellectuals, too. My comparison of Motley Crue, Guns N Roses and Bon Jovi was more on target. Also, how many people can pick Nash or Pratchett out of a lineup, or would be able to with Hawkins if he didn't have MD (or is it M$?)
Do you think the fanbases are even connected?

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

As I've said, only in the entertainment business and industry does this happen.

But since this [is[/i] the entertainment business and industry it does happen and it does do wonders for sales. Everyone hates the Yankees, but guess which team sells the most tickets at away games. Everyone hated Charles Barkely, but how many NBA stars are as successful after retirement? The Weinsteins are notorious dicks but their names get asses in seats.

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

Or that CliffyB is justified at being a jackass?

His job is to get attention and sell games.
3 of the top 4 topics on Blues right now are about Bulletstorm. Yes, there are lost sales involved, but we're the outlier there. This topic will hit 100 posts no problem. How many topics do that on Blues these days?

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

said that the consoles have rampant piracy, as they do?

But they don't. It's small relative to PCs. It's also small relative to used game sales, which is where developers rail.

Beamer wrote on Jan 17, 2011, 18:40:

And BTW, as a marketing tool he's failing because the console crowd would have bought this game at the same volume regardless of his remarks, the difference is that now the PC crowd who might have bought this as well probably won't now. That's not good marketing.

Console gamers have short memories. He needs to stay fresh in their minds. He's doing so.