Does the company name plays a role for you whether you will buy a game, or not?

[Rheinmetall]

Well for me it does. It's not the first criterion, but when I'm undecided between two games, or whether I should buy one game, or not, the company's logo on the front cover has the final word.
Also there are a couple of companies, that I have entirely excluded from my plans, because either they have violated the relationship of trust with us gamers, or continuously publish games that are below my standards.

 

[evilneko]

If it's Ubisoft, fuck off.

That answer your question?

 

[LookingGlass]

Sure. Some companies, regardless of reviews scores and public opinion and all that crap, just make games that appeal to me (and then there are some that are the opposite). I'm always more willing to buy a game from developers who have made games that I've enjoyed in the past. The only game coming out this year that I'm almost certain to buy is Dishonored, by Arkane Studios (Arx Fatalis, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic).

That's why, prior to just recently, I had played Jade Empire but not KOTOR 2. It came down to "one or the other" for me at the time, and I went with the developer, not the licence, that I'd had a good experience with.


Also, after I play a new game that I really enjoy, I tend to go looking through the previous games from the same developer if I didn't have any prior experience with them.

 

[zxvcasdfqwerzxcv]

Absolutely not, I judge games, not companies. Many (most) devs that have made excellent games have also made mediocre ones. I don't like the idea of blindly choosing a product because of who made it, rather than what the product is.

For me its similar with music - I pick albums, not bands. Some bands I love, only because they have consistently released excellent material, not because I 'follow' the band and feel some sort of loyalty to them. Some albums I like, but I dislike the band, because the majority of their material is uninspired. I think I just don't do being a 'fan', which I find good, because (looking at recent Bioware fans) I don't get all crazy obsessive-compulsive butthurt about details on products that can't be confirmed and haven't been released. It's more relaxing this way

 

[Zhukov]

Sure, at least somewhat.

If, say, Valve puts out a new game then their track record ensures that I'll at least check it out.

Likewise, if I was choosing between two games, lets say one from Irrational and one from DICE, then all else being equal I'm going to go with the one from what I consider to be the better developer.

 

[way2sl0w]

Absolutely not, I judge games, not companies. Many (most) devs that have made excellent games have also made mediocre ones. I don't like the idea of blindly choosing a product because of who made it, rather than what the product is.

For me its similar with music - I pick albums, not bands. Some bands I love, only because they have consistently released excellent material, not because I 'follow' the band and feel some sort of loyalty to them. Some albums I like, but I dislike the band, because the majority of their material is uninspired. I think I just don't do being a 'fan', which I find good, because (looking at recent Bioware fans) I don't get all crazy obsessive-compulsive butthurt about details on products that can't be confirmed and haven't been released. It's more relaxing this way

Totally agree.

 

[Andropov4]

Sometimes. For instance, if Bioware was involved, I know I will almost certainly enjoy the game. On the other hand, if te game looks like fun, there is a strong chance I will buy it regardless of who made it.

 

[Dandark]

It doesn't always play that big a role but it is definatly a factor. If EA or Ubisoft made the game then that is usaully a point against it. For example let's say I have to choose between Battlefield 3 or Prototype 2, Battlefield 3 is at a disadvantage because it is made by EA and I didn't like the previous game(Bad company 2). Prototype 2 is in a better position since I liked the first game and the development team has made previous titles that I enjoy.

It may not decide the game for me but it can play a big role usaully.

 

[Tayh]

Yeah.
Some companies have thoroughly pissed me off to the point where I will blatently discard anything they put out, regardless of merit and quality.

It doesn't always play that big a role but it is definatly a factor. If EA or Ubisoft made the game then that is usaully a point against it. For example let's say I have to choose between Battlefield 3 or Prototype 2, Battlefield 3 is at a disadvantage because it is made by EA and I didn't like the previous game(Bad company 2). Prototype 2 is in a better position since I liked the first game and the development team has made previous titles that I enjoy.

Battlefield 3 is made by Dice. EA only published it.