Sony has navigated several pivotal moments to rise as a dominant force in the gaming landscape. This journey includes their early partnership with Nintendo, the infamous boomerang controller for the PlayStation 3, and a fascinating revelation related to FIFA and the renowned British studio Bullfrog, which nearly joined the Sony family in the mid-’90s. Martin Alltimes, a former senior producer at Sony, shared insights during an interview with The Game Business, celebrating the PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. He reminisced about how Peter Molyneux, the co-founder and creative mind behind Bullfrog, was exploring options for his upcoming projects.
“During a phone conversation, I distinctly remember a producer, a friend of Peter’s, pitching ideas,” Alltimes reflects. “Peter introduced concepts like Dungeon Keeper and a game titled The Indestructibles, among other pitches. Ultimately, our choice was to acquire them, considering the cost-effectiveness, which led to their acquisition by EA.”
As for Peter Molyneux, he fondly recalls his initial board meeting at EA as a chaotic “school playground,” filled with what he deemed “idiots,” and he views EA’s 2001 decision to shut down the Dungeon Keeper studio as a significant blunder.
Sony’s journey in the gaming industry almost faced turmoil with one of its revered studios, as Psygnosis, involved in creating Wipeout, made the controversial choice to release it for the Nintendo 64. “What was Psygnosis thinking collaborating with the N64?” sentiments echoed during that era.
By this period, Molyneux had solidified his reputation as a creator of hits. Titles like Populous and Theme Park showcased his exceptional talent and market insight, leading publishers to eagerly collaborate with him. When Sony extended an offer, Electronic Arts (EA) quickly acted. “EA didn’t want to lose out and had just launched Theme Park, which I believe was Peter’s fourth or fifth successive hit,” Alltimes noted.
Following this, Sony aimed high and pursued a FIFA license. “During that time, we were developing a football game with promising technology and were quite close to securing the FIFA rights,” stated Juan Montes, former VP of software development at PlayStation. “Ultimately, we chose not to chase it, aiming to maintain good relations with a third party, but we were on the brink of making a significant move into that arena.”
While these instances represented missed opportunities for Sony, FIFA has historically flourished on PlayStation platforms, and numerous Bullfrog titles have enjoyed success there too. It’s interesting to ponder a reality where FIFA was a PlayStation exclusive, Bullfrog thrived, and Fable appeared on the PlayStation 2. In an alternate universe, I might be savoring Dungeon Keeper 4 on my PlayStation 5 right now. Speaking of redemption, Peter Molyneux recently acknowledged his previous overpromises but remains hopeful about his upcoming city builder, Masters Of Albion, describing it as a pivotal chapter for his career.