I work in the games industry, AMAA

[Archem]

Just because EA owns the developer doesn't mean EA is completely responsible for the content. Ownership alone doesn't give them the praise of criticism the game itself has; that goes straight to the people that actually made the game. I don't thank Microsoft for Halo 3's multiplayer, or loathe them for Perfect Dark Zero. It's the responsibility of the studio behind the game to make it worthwhile, even if they're owned by a big-name company that's publishing the title.

[Osmose]

Just because EA owns the developer doesn't mean EA is completely responsible for the content. Ownership alone doesn't give them the praise of criticism the game itself has; that goes straight to the people that actually made the game. I don't thank Microsoft for Halo 3's multiplayer, or loathe them for Perfect Dark Zero. It's the responsibility of the studio behind the game to make it worthwhile, even if they're owned by a big-name company that's publishing the title.

This is true, but keep in mind that it's not like EA is a publisher that owns these developers; these developers make up a majority of the company, person-wise (I think). Some studios, like Visceral and Sims, are located at EA world headquarters and are very much a part of EA. Visceral was actually created within the company rather than purchased.

It's hard to draw the line of where you think "EA" ends and the studio starts. Maxis and Bioware have their own identity and think of themselves as a unique entity, but they think that within the framework of being part of the greater entity that is EA. EA itself also has a say as to what will happen with a game; the CEO of EA has the authority to kill or greenlight a project at any studio whenever he wants, certainly.

It's really fuzzy at a general level.

[Prpl_Mage]

Kinda like Square then. Sometimes they publish a new game it's not anything you would expect from a company like them. Kane and Lynch for example - I didn't see that one comming.

[lilsniffs3]

Some studios, like Visceral and Sims, are located at EA world headquarters and are very much a part of EA.

Maxis and Bioware have their own identity and think of themselves as a unique entity, but they think that within the framework of being part of the greater entity that is EA.

Doesn't Maxis make Sims?

[Dragonium]

Is Java ever used for anything?

Any languages which are a must-know for developers?

[Archem]

They're still around, but they're not first-person shooters.

[Osmose]

Doesn't Maxis make Sims?

The Sims portions of Maxis were moved to EAHQ a while back. Maxis is now basically the Spore team. As far as I know most of the Sims 3 was developed here by the Sims studio.

Is Java ever used for anything?

Any languages which are a must-know for developers?

Java is used for a few things. Our website runs on Java, so I spend most of my days doing Java, HTML, CSS, etc. Pogo uses Java for all of their online casual games as well, but in terms of "real" game development, I haven't heard of Java being used.

The de facto programming language is C++. You may not code in C++, but you better be able to read it. It's like the "universal language" that most every programmer should be able to understand to some extent (no need to be a pro though). Not to mention that a lot of core engines are implemented in C++ because it's old as hell and blazingly fast

Side Note: C++ isn't always the fastest. Various technical reasons make it a decent rule of thumb that it'll be fast in C++ (or even better, C), but it's not a law by any means.

Other languages to know? Well, off the top of my head:

• C#: C# is a common choice, considering XNA is in C# and it makes developing on a 360 much easier than it would be otherwise.
• Lua: Another common scripting engine choice, the thing has been ported to every language in existance, basically
• Actionscript: Flash finds its way into a lot of places. I've seen it used as a UI layer on Wii games, primarily.

Really though, programming is very much an abstract thing. A good programmer should be able to code in a new language in a week, and always be learning. If you've ever interviewed for a coding position, the emphasis is (or at least should) be less about "I know C++" and more "I know how to program and can solve problems." Writing code is the smallest part of the job, really.

What the hell happened to 2D games?

The market vanished.

Seriously, don't blame game companies, blame the market. 2d disk games just don't sell. It's a shame, but indies do a decent job of filling this void IMO. TIGSource or PixelProspector are great places to get your fix.

[fruckert]

Probably a stupid question, but how many times have you seen Python popped up?
Just for curiosity.

[HobomasterXXX]

Kinda like Square then. Sometimes they publish a new game it's not anything you would expect from a company like them. Kane and Lynch for example - I didn't see that one comming.

Square own Eidos now, which is why they publish all of Eidos' games.

[Archem]

Hey, Lucas! The Wii is getting a few nice 2D games in the near future! Thanks, Nintendo!

[Archem]

New Kirby, Donkey Kong, and Metroid games. Good start. Look into E3 coverage.

[SaiKar]

I still think Metroid Prime style > 2D style

[HobomasterXXX]

Donkey Kong and Metroid are both 2.5D, but it can't really work any other way. 2D games just don't sell.

[lilsniffs3]

All good 2D games are on the DS, Xbox Live, or Playstation Store.

[Archem]

Well, Virtual Console.