Activision CEO Discusses His Creative Philosophy at D.I.C.E. Summit 2012

Yo dawg...

Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg spoke today at the 2012 D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the remarks, Hirshberg (pictured above with the man, the myth and the legend, Xzibit) spoke about why he believes publishing companies should put creative minds in positions of power versus strict corporate professionals.

“I've always believed that creative people, while critical to the creative industries they work in, are actually a little under-utilized in the business,” said Hirshberg, adding that “creatives are rarely thought of when it's time to fill the CEO's seat. On the other hand, there are a lot of industries where creativity and creative instincts are the critical ingredient for success.

"I believe that games are brands, not products,” he continued. "Product is the thing you buy, and a brand is the thing you buy into.”

Hirshberg was taken on by Activision nearly two years ago and has held the reins while the publisher rises to near global dominance in the first-person shooter market.

“Movies walk around like they still own the place, but that was the 20th century. I think this is 'Generation Game.'...just because games appeal to a core-oriented audience, that doesn't mean they can't also be mainstream,” Hirshberg added, saying that “showing the mainstream audience the appeal of games is thrilling for the core.”

After all the flack that Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has received over the last 5 years, we imagine the community will be encouraged to read a bit more about Eric Hirshberg's philosophy as he will most likely be in charge of our Call of Duty experience for quite some time to come.