[GDN]  What about over other open source packages that might be less costly and easier to modify as the game devo’s see fit? I mean they do have a team of programmers at their disposal already.

Open source packages obviously don’t involve a monetary outlay upfront, but, equally, they don’t offer technical support and fast responses to queries that developers may have. The time a developer might spend searching for a solution on blogs and in forums etc. is time not spent on development. In other words, there are ‘hidden costs’ to using open source packages. In addition, open source packages don’t have the ongoing product releases and new features added in response to customer requirements in the way that commercial systems do.  They tend to fall short of the demands of a full software development cycle. 

[GDN] In this time of economic downturn do you believe that Perforce’s SCM software might help companies stay afloat and cut down on costs to the point where they survive?

Absolutely - for management teams a key focus in this downturn will be to reduce the time and, therefore, the cost involved with bringing products to market. This will rely on the intelligent use of people and processes which, in turn, will rely heavily on Software Configuration Management (SCM) systems.

Getting the right SCM tool can lead to major efficiencies in the delivery of new products.
When discussing their improved time to market, Rebellion said “it would be fair to say that Perforce has really helped us deliver projects with better quality code and in less time. There’s less time sitting around waiting for files to check in or check out, and that’s time you can spend on coding. We delivered a game - Dead to Rights: Reckoning - on Sony PSP in three and a half months, and that’s a short timescale that’s unprecedented, and which amazes even industry professionals.”
(http://www.developmag.com/interviews/63/Project-Management-Case-Study-QA-Rebellion)