14 DAY TRIAL // As we have promised last week, we had a little chat with Dan Teodorescu, Executive Producer, Electronic Arts Romania, about the new EA division and we tried to find out as much as possible about the projects they're working at. We really hoped that, being a new company, they will let one or two things slip, but the guys are real pros. This means that we, unfortunately, were not able to find out many things regarding the next games we'll get from Electronic Arts - but this doesn't mean that we didn't get some really interesting answers regarding the gaming industry. And we promise to keep you updated, as we'll always bug them with questions.
Until then, take your time to read Softpedia's interview with Dan Teodorescu:
1. Will the newly launched EA Romania studio keep expanding, or the target has been reached?
Dan Teodorescu: The fact that Electronic Arts opened this studio in Romania is an important move. EA is a big company in a growing market and it offers lots of opportunities. If the Romanian market is a favorable one, we are sure that Electronic Arts will have plenty of projects for us. But it is still to early to talk about extra plans. At least until this October we have to finish a really ambitious project.
2. Are EA Mobile and the newly opened game development studio connected?
DT: Of course. EA Mobile marked Electronic Arts entry on the Romanian market and the quality of the games developed here was a big enough argument for the company's decision to expand. It only seems natural to use the existing structure and experience.
3. Now, Romania has two major game development studios - Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. Are there any chances for the country to become one of the world's best game developers? Or, at least, the best in Europe?
DT: Romania is already one of the most important mobile games developers in Europe. We're just establishing our position now on the PC/Console market. If it will become one of the most important players on the PC and Console market... it depends on the budgets we'll receive, how fast our game developers will gain experience and, of course, the quality of the games that are going to be developed here.
4. What is the name of the game EA Romania can't wait to see released?
DT: Definitely, everybody is totally hyped up by the upcoming Spore. It is the most innovative game of 2008 and it is created by Will Wright, the creator of The Sims.
5. How long do we have to wait to see the first games released by EA Romania?
DT: Well... they are constantly released. The last games we've launched were created by EA Mobile: Harry Potter: Mastering Magic and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
6. Is the company working on new, original IPs or sequels?
DT: Both. We're working on very important franchises, like the Harry Potter titles, but we're also developing original IPs. (editor's note: We're really sure Mr. Teodorescu talks about EA Mobile's projects here).
And this was the moment things got a little blurry. We kept asking about details, what are the genres of the new games - anything about them, but we got the usual answer - something like "We're really sorry, but we can't answer now". Well... we'll keep asking, the right time will eventually come.