It's not as simple as just making a good game, however. The people who market video games have almost as tough a job as the people who actually make it, because it's up to them that players actually want to spend money on their product. Which means they have to effectively control the conversation around their games, and they have an even tougher job that your average PR person working in other sectors of the entertainment industry. Spun the right way, Roman Polanski can continue to direct movies despite being a convicted child molester, you still like Brad Pitt even though he cheated on then-partner Jennifer Aniston with current beau Angelina Jolie, and everybody has conveniently forgot Sean Penn's past as a violent pr*ck who effectively kidnapped and tortured Madonna when she tried to dump him. In most cases, we forgive and forget everything from these actual crimes to actors making some crappy movies, or saying some mean things about our home town. Then they're free to carry on their careers. Not so with gaming, which sees studios close down because players didn't like a particular rushed sequel, or Dragon Age writers forced out of their jobs because of an interview quote.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
