EA publishing Mercenaries 2

[UPDATE] Megapublisher joining forces with BioWare/Pandemic to distribute its PlayStation 3-exclusive sequel, due this holiday season.

When Mercenaries 2: World in Flames was first unveiled at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, one big question was left unanswered. Though it was announced for the PlayStation 3, the sequel to the 2005 cult hit apparently did not have a publisher.

The omission led many to suspect that the game's developer, BioWare/Pandemic, might self-distribute the title. The megadeveloper shook up the game industry last year when it was formed by the union of Canadian role-playing game powerhouse BioWare Inc. (Jade Empire, Mass Effect) and Californian action game shop Pandemic Studios (Destroy All Humans, Full Spectrum Warrior). Given BioWare/Pandemic's ample funding by Elevation Partners, the multibillion venture capital group that once tried to buy Eidos Interactive, it seemed perfectly reasonable that the dual studio might bypass the traditional publishing process.

Today, though, BioWare/Pandemic revealed it has struck a deal with one of the most traditional publishers of all, Electronic Arts. The agreement will see EA distribute, sell, and market Mercenaries 2 worldwide through its EA Partners program much like it does Valve Software's hit shooter Half-Life 2. According to a press release from the publisher, the game is set for a holiday 2007 release, and is still exclusive to the PS3.

[UPDATE] GameSpot spoke with David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners and Josh Resnick, President Pandemic Studios shortly after the news was announced.

GameSpot: How can the bright stars of Pandemic be leaning so quickly on a third party for publishing, marketing, and distribution support?

Resnick: Pandemic is focused on building the best possible game and developing strong IP’s like Mercenaries. We were looking for a partner who brings marketing and distribution expertise to the table while still letting us control development of the game and our IP. EA was a great fit on all fronts and are very excited about this partnership.

GS: No one believes the title can be profitable, long term, if it remains PS3 exclusive. Is there not the slightest discussion about bringing the title to the 360?

Resnick: They’re both great gaming systems, but we’re not so focused on the technology of the platform as we are on making the most innovative, compelling, dynamic entertainment experience possible.

GS: What are the parameters of the deal? One title? Or is there more percolating between the two organizations?

DeMartini: We’re huge fans of the studio and everyone at EA Partners is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Pandemic on this game. The worldwide co-publishing agreement EA announced with Pandemic Studios is strictly focused on Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. Under the terms of the deal Pandemic Studios will focus on the development of the game and EA will bring its publishing expertise to the table, focusing on the sales, marketing and distribution of the game.

221 Comments

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 7:07 pm PT

    This just in. Mercenaries 2 is coming to PS3, 360, PC and PS2. Now everyone who didn't see this one coming raise your hand. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.

  • cloud890

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 1:28 pm PT

    The GameInformer magazine mentioning 360 is a "misprint". Right now the game is only PS3 for sure.

  • Ivy2

    Posted Feb 17, 2007 5:56 am PT

    Hmmm...This is good for the PS3, but GameInformer magazine only mentioned it being for the XBOX 360. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

  • NeverToBe5

    Posted Feb 15, 2007 3:16 pm PT

    Wow, PS3 is finally getting an exclusive game and you 360 cry babies won't let us keep it. I don't hear you all complaining about exclusive games when you get one.

  • Chirico_Cuvie

    Posted Feb 15, 2007 11:15 am PT

    please copy and paste this like those douchebags on youtube with the lokalouka thing.

    Any 3rd party game that costs tens-of-millions of dollars to produce will be on both 360 and PS3. The days of console-specific games are over. In a world where a console now costs $500+, the chance of people owning both systems is far less than ever before. Given that 360 and PS3 are virtually the same it is foolish to ignore the profitability of a whole segment of console owners when the game is the same on both platforms. We saw the beginnings of this on the last gen of consoles, now it will be almost mandatory. Of course flagship titles by MS and Sony will stay exclusive, but 3rd-party exclusivity makes no business sense in today's console market unless one console becomes much more dominant like the PS2 was, but that looks to be improbable now.

    I hope everyone reads this and stops asking if a game will be on 360 or PS3, since the answer will almost always be yes.

  • mansmanman

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 3:09 pm PT

    I'd like to see it on the 360....

  • xseal23

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 12:30 am PT

    yea i hope its the war now and u can work for osama

  • natester10

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 2:12 pm PT

    Bleh. I can't stand EA sometimes...usually.

  • Sidbob

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 2:49 am PT

    No one believes the title can be profitable, long term, if it remains PS3 exclusive.

    And once again GS proves that it is biased towards Microsoft and is convinced that the PS3 will fail.

  • Bronson2k3

    Posted Feb 8, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    SAID IT BEFORE AND SAY AGAIN EA SUCK BALLZ. EA WILL HOLD IT FROM THE 360 IF IT STAYS PS3 ONLY IT IS EA's DOING. EA WILL NEVER SEE ANY OF MY CASH.

  • InFaMoUsInTeNsE

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 10:09 am PT

    Looking foward to this one.

  • XBOX360LIVE

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 5:15 am PT

    Just wait people, Games companies are in the business of making money. This will be cross platform!

  • Britt_basic

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 4:08 am PT

    if you watch the video blogs on the Mercs2 website, there are 360 controllers all over the place...

    and, it's being published by friggin EA, that alone means it's going multi-platform

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 1:24 am PT

    i want it to come out on the pc

  • Alcotamaysees

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 10:19 pm PT

    If they do decide to release it for 360, Sony would be fuming.

  • mjinhubgyvftcdr

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 7:10 pm PT

    I think they should releae this game on the 360 too, they released the first one on xbox and playstation 2 why cant they do that for the second and more people would buy it too because very few people have PS3, I no i would buy it for 360, all these exclusive releases are just stupid

  • Sombody5000

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    Oh great EA's gonna screw up Mercs big time.

  • nev70

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 10:36 am PT

    When other titles are going to the 360 eg multi-format EA choses an exclusive ? Why ? dont they want to sell many units ? they are doing the exact opposite to everyone else ! what business sense is in that ?

  • Khoo1992

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 6:34 am PT

    EA going to publish Mercenaries 2? What about Lucasarts?

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 1:27 pm PT

    this is a load of crap, i love how they are trying to save the ps3, exclusive B titles won't save it, and EA haveing a hand in any game makes me wonder the quality.

  • icepickiii

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 12:23 pm PT

    Exclusive for 6+ months... isnt that how it always is? There are many times the xbox has "exclusive" games go over to the PS2 and vice versa. Just means your gonna have to wait longer to play a fun game.

  • GTCzeero

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 12:16 pm PT

    "It makes no sense to make a sequel to a game an exclusive to the ps3, when the first one also appeared on the xbox. So all of the mercs 1 fans who are xbox owners and have a 360 now are getting screwed out of a sequel? There is no way that this game will stay exclusive. "

    But what about Sony fans losing out on the next Splinter Cell? It's the same thing.

  • vitz3

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 11:28 am PT

    EA is publishing one of my favorite franchises/games. Well I don't buy EA's crap. *head essplodes* No really I'm not buying it now cuz EA's hand of evil is in it.

  • Sonicwizard

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 11:12 am PT

    I though EA will keep this exclusive, Cuz EA wants ur MONEY! The real Q is wheter EA can keep this game a good franchise or not.

  • AlkalineTrio666

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 9:36 am PT

    It makes no sense to make a sequel to a game an exclusive to the ps3, when the first one also appeared on the xbox. So all of the mercs 1 fans who are xbox owners and have a 360 now are getting screwed out of a sequel? There is no way that this game will stay exclusive.

  • predator1015

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 9:00 am PT

    wow. EA. i thought lucasarts would do it again like they did with the first one

  • Black_Ice11

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 6:40 am PT

    mercenaries 2

  • wildsnipe

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:41 pm PT

    Whoa!!! Been reading these posts and I am sensing a lot of jealousy. "OMG why does PS3 only get this!! I am so pissed". Some just need to stop whining and understand, hell EA will do what it wants. Also cut the whole speculation crap and hoping it come to 360. Its going to be a great game and that's it. If you desperately want it...buy a PS3 instead of crying over your own Mercenaries deprived console.
    P.S. I have no idea how this game is going to work for WII. If they go multi, it's going to be interesting. AND why are people still stereotyping the "hard to develop for cell and ohhh it will take billions + google dollars to make" That is bogus, in case you haven't heard it's the Next Generation...logically if games are going to look as great as this, dev cost is going to rise be it the 360, Wii, or PS3. It's no different.

  • HIMSteveO

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 6:34 pm PT

    EA isn't stupid enough to keep a game with the earning-potential of Mercenaries 2 to just one system. Why does the first have such a following? Because Lucasarts were smart enough to release it into two biggest markets of the last generation of consoles, Xbox and PS2 (PC would probably be third, and I say that as an avid PC gamer, but I have a PS2 and Xbox, and, unfortunately, as much quality as the Gamecube may have had, it was a distant fourth). It was this decision that allowed Mercenaries to ship enough units to warrant a sequel in the first place. EA brought Freedom Fighters to the masses, and although it didn't pan out financially, it was a smart decision because it allowed them to move as many units as possible. EA isn't going to be stupid enough to let a game with such a large potential fan-base stay on one system, they will (at some point, much like Rockstar did with the GTA series) bring Mercenaries 2 to potentially (and hopefully) the Xbox 360, the Wii, and even the PC (I did say hopefully)

    Oh, and BTW, gogeta242, your no better than those so-called 'Xbots', your just on the other side of the fence. Your argument is specious, and you resort to simple insults and taunts to get your point across. Why must people piss and moan about which CONSOLE is better, and focus on the GAMES. That's the centre of this argument. If the PS3 ends up being this console generations Xbox, why is that a problem? Much like the Xbox and PS2 of last generation, both will have great first- and second-party games in their own right, along with great mulit-platform third party games like VF5, Assasin's Creed, and, maybe, Mercenaries 2. And maybe, people will see the positives of both systems and get both. I know I did last generation, and I may very well do so again this time around, and, with time, give both a place along my PC as the sources of my gaming.

  • Disciple_Gamer

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 6:26 pm PT

    I'll wait for the news article that will say that this game will go multiplatform. So people with a ps3 or fans of it, be ready to loose this exclusive too. Developments cost are high and developers/publishers need to maximize profits and right now the xbox360 and wii are in great positions.

  • shadownetspy12

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 5:28 pm PT

    Haha! Happy-accident, I agree completely! EA is like a giddy gossiper, it can't keep anything to just one system.

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 5:15 pm PT

    shoot, I never even played the first one, should try to get it and try it out

  • gogeta242

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 3:40 pm PT

    It pisses me off when people speculate about a game being PS3 exclusive or not. If it were up to the xbots PS3 would have no exclusives at all. Stop thinking 360 can't be overlooked because of a headstart. Not everyone wants xbox. Yes, Mercenaries 2 is Ps3 exclusive, deal with it and stop b****ing everytime a game is PS3 exclusive. You xbots don't see me whinging about Mass effect being exclusive to 360. 360 will be outsold by PS3 by the end of next year or sooner. Face it 360 is too westernized to dominate the market in the long run. It already failed in Japan so with 360 worldwide sales crippled. Either PS3 or Wii will win. Wii selling so fast because of the low price, not because of great games.Not saying Wii won't have great games but it can't match what PS3 has coming. So you people can stop thinking Ps3 will be the red head step child of this gen, because its not going to happen. Sure some exclusives like Virtua Fighter jumped ship because look at the release date. They can't make a profit from a console thats been out only 2 months, so they jumped to 360 to make extra profit. It doesn't mean PS3 won't have exclusive. Thats just fanboy/Lemming talk. When PS3 sales jump(especiallly after europe launch), expect to see more PS3 exclusives. When that happens don't be b****ing xbots. You obviously can't handle another system besides your precious crapbox360 getting exclusive games. Hahaha, deal with it.

  • bonecollector21

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 3:09 pm PT

    Furbyballistik: I agree, I am also glad this is a PS3 exclusive. Sony needs to keep it that way; they already lost GTA 4 and Assassins Creed. If they keep pouncing on the exclusives (especially 3rd party like this), they'll have a lot of great games along the road.

  • Happy-accident

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    EA exclusive...right.

  • UrbanMessiah

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:49 pm PT

    ColoradoKindBud said:
    "Um, anyone who thinks that this will remain a PS3 exclusive needs to have a reality check. It's being published by EA, so it's pretty much guaranteed to go multiplat."


    I couldn't have said it better myself...This game has 'timed exclusive release' written all over it. -=x

  • Furbyballistik

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:44 pm PT

    really cool....i hope this one stays on ps3...it will be a good day

  • Spartan8907

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:30 pm PT

    "I hope not though, I hate multiplat form games. It dilutes the identity of a console. "

    I agree. I hope this one stays exclusive to the PS3.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:13 pm PT

    Hmm, suprising for such a big publisher to have an exclusive out. I won't be suprised if this game evetually makes it way to the 360 sooner or later.

    I hope not though, I hate multiplat form games. It dilutes the identity of a console.

  • damned_beast

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 2:02 pm PT

    good to know ps3 finally gets a good game for their own system. they really needed it. the 360 keeps getting them and its not really fair. but what ever maybe in a long time it could be ported... or maybe it will stay on ps3... what ever happens... Mercenaries will always be a great game...

  • zeonne

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    one great game??? mgs4, dmc4, ff13, ff13 versus, socom 4 ,zoe 3, ratchet and clank ps3, jak and daxter lost island,warhawk , lair, white knight story, motorstorm,heavenly sword,tekken 6,ninja gaiden sigma etc

  • HunAndras1984

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 1:28 pm PT

    One great game for the PS3....sorry 360 users...that one got away

  • zintarr

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 1:10 pm PT

    Who cares...I mean the poor PS3 folks need a few exclusives.

  • DOOM_SONYMAN

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 12:58 pm PT

    don't matter to me. as long as i get another sic shooter for my PS3

  • Dassam

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 12:03 pm PT

    NOOO!!!! Mercenaries 2, the super smash hit featuring stellar rehashed gameplay of 20 games before it is an exclusive to PS3?!

    The first one was fun, but I rented it and was sick of it before it had to go back to blockbuster. Unless they reeaaaalllly try to improve on Mercenaries 2 then it's just going to have better graphics.

    In fact, since EA has the rights I am positive that improved graphics will be the only thing it has. EA loves to do as little as possible to a game to make it passable and reap the millions of dollars they get in turn more than any other publisher I know of.

  • gokunj2

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:57 am PT

    There is no way in hell this game is staying a ps3 exclusive. There will be a 360 version.

  • Gigatron

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:51 am PT

    You ps3 guys better appreciate this nice gesture! Whether EA's acting out of sympathy or not, I hope you enjoy the sequel to Pandemic's quality GTA clone. Hell, someone's gotta give you SOMETHING.

  • dmastor

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:45 am PT

    lol i forgot all about this game i'm sure i see it on my 360 and if i don't i just play crackdown,halo 3, too human something good or def jam icon

  • DarkSaber2k

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:23 am PT

    RE:the_real_VIP Re DarkSaber2k: ever heard of developed by DICE and published by EA? Ever hear of a little acquistion EA made?

  • alayeesquire

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 11:16 am PT

    Loved the first game. I definitely hope the new relationship with EA does not negatively affect the outcome.

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