EA boss Riccitiello: Hollywood ‘worried’ about impact of videogame industry

In an interview with the Financial Times, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello says that the film industry is “worried” by the high-profile videogame industry. Specifically, Riccitiello cites the release of Grand Theft Auto IV on certain summer box office blockbusters. 

“[Hollywood] is worried about whether Iron Man the movie is going to get killed by Grand Theft Auto the game,” he tells the paper.

I’m already planning to hit the sticky floors of my local cinema to see the live-action Iron Man film, but for many, the movie-going experience has been killed by obnoxious crowds, and the high price of snacks and admission. It only makes sense to think that people may be more likely to drop $60 on a 20 to 50 hours entertainment experience, versus the $10 to $40 (with snacks!) movie-going experience. 

I know it might be hard to be objective, since many of you are likely to sell blood or your babies to pay for Rockstar’s next big thing. But do you think that the increasing popularity of gaming is having an impact on the movie industry? Is the perceived value of the entertainment of games versus movies changing?

[Via MCV]