Eidos boss: New IP unnecessary as games become "more sophisticated"

New IP isn't as important to the industry as it was a few years ago, according to Eidos Montreal general manager Stéphane D'Astous.

Speaking to Gamasutra, D'Astous said the continuing evolution of gaming means players don't necessarily need a new IP to feel a game is sufficiently fresh and different.

"Games are more and more sophisticated; it's less based on one or two mechanics. I think this replaces the necessity of having new IPs," he explained.

"Innovation and ideas are important, but if you're able to bring forward an existing IP to bring new types of experiences, I think people will buy them, because they know they can relate to a franchise they've played before."

New IP was a major industry focus a few years ago, but that's now changing, he added.

"The buzzword I remember at [Electronic Arts] three, four years ago, is a 'we need to spit out three new IPs per year' kind of thing."

Eidos Montreal knows all about working with existing IP, having produced Deus Ex: Human Revolution before moving onto a new Thief game.

"A major relaunch of a title like Deus Ex and Thief, we considered it almost like a new IP, certainly in the effort," he said.

"So we bring back something from the cult classics. This is maybe not considered new IP, but it brings a new flavor."

We're expecting to find out what Eidos has done with the Thief property some time this year.