Video Game Industry Thread: transfarrin' to a new thread

cloudeagle

Hi! Welcome to the video game industry thread. Here we discuss things like sales figures, game development, studio closures, executive quotes, marketing and general business stuff. Also poop jokes.

E3's right around the corner. This should bring loads of industry news, but that likely won't slow down the inevitable:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoCZ07hwoZ4

And now, April's information.

NPD Group's U.S. Games Industry Sales (New Physical Sales Channel*) - April 2011

5-week tracking month; Reporting Period 4/3/11 through 4/30/11

Mortal Kombat 2011 (PS3, 360)** 1 Warner Bros. Interactive
Portal 2 (360, PS3, PC) 2 Electronic Arts
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (Wii, NDS, 360, 3DS, PS3, PC) 3 LucasArts
Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, NDS, Wii, PC)** 4 Activision Blizzard
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters (360, PS3, Wii)** 5 Electronic Arts
Crysis 2 (360, PS3, PC) 6 Electronic Arts
Just Dance 2 (Wii) 7 Ubisoft
Michael Jackson The Experience (360, Wii, PS3, NDS, PSP) 8 Ubisoft
Pokemon White Version (NDS) 9 Nintendo
NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC) 10 Take 2 Interactive

Xbox 360: 267,000
Wii: 172,000
3DS: 194,000
PS3: 204,300

Top 10 Individual SKUs include: (Gamasutra And Anita Frazier Below)
-Mortal Kombat (360)
-Portal 2 (360)
-Crysis 2 (360)
-Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters (360)
-Michael Jackson: The Experience (360)
-Pokemon White (NDS)
-Pokemon Black (NDS)
-Just Dance 2 (Wii)
-SOCOM 4 (PS3)
-And Presumably Mortal Kombat (PS3)

Software LTDs:

Kinect Sports - 3+ Million Worldwide
Dance Central - 2.5+ Million Worldwide

Kyanbu

Oh Sony... Shit just keeps happening, doesn't it? -_-

ColorlessGreen

cloudeagle wrote: »

Honestly this mess is largely within "insult to injury" territory at this point, since the exploit got caught relatively quickly. Well, we THINK it's caught. I'm assuming it's caught. Please be caught.

But if PSN goes down again for whatever reason, even if it's just for a day or two, it's really going to give the impression Sony doesn't know what the hell they're doing and overall trust on Sony will take a huge hit.

To be clear, the exploit got caught because someone with a white hat saw the black hats talking about it and told Sony, not because Sony actually has a functional security team or anything like that.

Kor

Sigtyr wrote: »

Sony's E3 is going to be fantastic.

I'm willing to wager currency that one of their bullet points at E3 will be the new stability/security of an updated PSN.

Cade

darleysam wrote: »

JihadJesus wrote: »

They're past the point of praying. I think by now they've moved on to animal sacrifice; only blood will appease the demons that infest PSN now.

Is there a new God of War on the way?

Yes and no.

They are taking the two PSP GoW games and making them into a PS3 version.

So probably better looking but basically the same game one those systems.

Blue map

At this point I'm wondering if/how Sony is going to compensate third parties effected by this ordeal, since publishers who had plans to release games through PSN are probably less than amused with Sony's nonstop incompetence at this point.

Cade

Compensate third parties, why? They are working for the almighty Sony, they should be privileged, honored, only those who shame themselves do not work for Sony and deal with the devil Microsoft who steals mens soul.

JihadJesus

I don't imagine they 'compensate' third parties so much as third parties try to sue their asses for damages. How succesful they'll be is hard to say, though.

darleysam

cloudeagle wrote: »

Honestly this mess is largely within "insult to injury" territory at this point, since the exploit got caught relatively quickly. Well, we THINK it's caught. I'm assuming it's caught. Please be caught.

But if PSN goes down again for whatever reason, even if it's just for a day or two, it's really going to give the impression Sony doesn't know what the hell they're doing and overall trust on Sony will take a huge hit.

I'm still trying to get my head wrapped around how they didn't spot this coming up. To generate a new password for your account, you just need your email address and date of birth! Luckily, no-one else should have access to th..

I would love to have a picture of Bono Trask to go here, but no.

Skull2185

Cade wrote: »

Compensate third parties, why? They are working for the almighty Sony, they should be privileged, honored, only those who shame themselves do not work for Sony and deal with the devil Microsoft who [strike]steals mens soul.[/strike] makes it rain.

In da clubz

cloudeagle

Cade wrote: »

darleysam wrote: »

JihadJesus wrote: »

They're past the point of praying. I think by now they've moved on to animal sacrifice; only blood will appease the demons that infest PSN now.

Is there a new God of War on the way?

Yes and no.

They are taking the two PSP GoW games and making them into a PS3 version.

So probably better looking but basically the same game one those systems.

I'm guessing you weren't around for the GoW2 launch party that involved a goat sacrifice.

Gyral

I'm thinking Yakety Sax is probably running on the Muzak in the Sony offices.

Though I'm actually not surprised that this came up.

The_Scarab

LewieP wrote: »

someone post the laughing man.

Oddly with minor tweaks this eerily works...

http://i53.tinypic.com/2s6wkk6.jpg


As for the outage, how could they not have expected every hacker the world over looking to make a name for themselves to have been on PSN the moment it went back up. That is honestly one of the reasons I figured it was down so long. They'd have to contend with patchy service from the rush of people logging on and overloading the systems too.

I think the worst part of this is that PSNs problems are going to, in some people's minds, validate the cost associated with Xbox Live. Which I think is unfair. Steam, for example, offers essentially the exact same service as both but is free and has far less downtime. While Xbox Live is undoubtedly more robust, I don't think it is because you pay for it that it is this way, it's simply Microsoft's expertise in Software showing through.

Lindsey Lohan

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

bficky

Blue map wrote: »

At this point I'm wondering if/how Sony is going to compensate third parties effected by this ordeal, since publishers who had plans to release games through PSN are probably less than amused with Sony's nonstop incompetence at this point.

If/When the PSN Store comes back, Sony needs to have a huge PSN sale, with everything half-price, but state that the game developers will receive their pre-sale cut of the money. It'll get people back on the store (using point cards instead of CCs, but whatever) and the developers can make up for lost sales.

Skull2185

So I was checking to see if I won the Microsoft "We fucked up your console" lottery, and I got an e-mail from gamestop

MW3 pre-order bonus is an "Exclusive 2-sided poster, with important game information on it"

Ruins

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

ColorlessGreen

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Maybe they didn't accidentally give you a GOTY edition so much as sell the GOTY edition as a non-GOTY edition because it didn't have the GOTY content in it.

darleysam

Skull2185 wrote: »

So I was checking to see if I won the Microsoft "We fucked up your console" lottery, and I got an e-mail from gamestop

MW3 pre-order bonus is an "Exclusive 2-sided poster, with important game information on it"

The entire story, copy/pasted from Kotaku.

That, or a CD key so you can run the thing.

cloudeagle

The fact that special editions come with codes for the DLC rather than the actual DLC on the disk is just damned silly.

Is there some sort of agreement with the publishers to keep downloads flowing through their services? Or are they just too lazy to alter the disks slightly?

JihadJesus

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Is there any way to tell them apart until you've already shelled out the original $15 extra, though?

Henroid

What can I say about Sony that others haven't said already? Goddamn clown shoes.

Sheep

Skull2185 wrote: »

So I was checking to see if I won the Microsoft "We fucked up your console" lottery

How?

The_Scarab

Sheep wrote: »

Skull2185 wrote: »

So I was checking to see if I won the Microsoft "We fucked up your console" lottery

How?

The problem is with specific DVD drives. The model no of the console indicates exactly whether you have that drive or not. And the model no of your console is tied to your Xbox Live account.

Therefore, Microsoft know already whether or not your console has the problem. They are sending out emails for people to claim a replacement before they even realize they have it.

You can also look up the model no of your console and check whether it has the problem on their site.

It's not a random issue, it is a very specific manufactured device in the console that exhibits a predictable and reproducible fault.

Note: The number of consoles with this fault is miniscule. In the thousands rather than the tens or hundreds of thousands. You almost certainly don't have the problem, and definitely don't if your console was bought in the last 2 years.

Magic Pink

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Gamestop didn't "screw" him, the codes got used. It's printed right on the package that they're just one use codes.

Lilnoobs

Magic Pink wrote: »

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Gamestop didn't "screw" him, the codes got used. It's printed right on the package that they're just one use codes.

So gamestop knows all of the GOTY stuff is not re-sellable stuff on the disc, yet they sell it for a higher used price than the regular edition of Borderlands and this is somehow not screwing the customer, how?

Doesn't the higher price mislead the customer into thinking there's something more to the GOTY edition than the regular edition? If Gamestop is selling the GOTY edition and the reg. edition used at different prices, then how is that ethically defensible?

In short, why else would Gamestop sell the GOTY used edition for more than the reg. edition other than to mislead the customer into paying more but not getting more? It's disgusting someone can defend this practice.

Magic Pink

Lilnoobs wrote: »

Magic Pink wrote: »

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Gamestop didn't "screw" him, the codes got used. It's printed right on the package that they're just one use codes.

So gamestop knows all of the GOTY stuff is not re-sellable stuff on the disc, yet they sell it for a higher used price than the regular edition of Borderlands and this is somehow not screwing the customer, how?

Doesn't the higher price mislead the customer into thinking there's something more to the GOTY edition than the regular edition? If Gamestop is selling the GOTY edition and the reg. edition used at different prices, then how is that ethically defensible?

In short, why else would Gamestop sell the GOTY used edition for more than the reg. edition other than to mislead the customer into paying more but not getting more? It's disgusting someone can defend this practice.

Because it's a newer version, that's it. They do that with all games. The pricing is completely, massively stupid, granted, but they're hardly ripping anyone off. If they promised the DLC with it and then didn't, that would be screwing the customer.

Sheep

My console is three to four years old.

What model number has the defective drive?

Dunxco

The_Scarab wrote: »

Sheep wrote: »

Skull2185 wrote: »

So I was checking to see if I won the Microsoft "We fucked up your console" lottery

How?

The problem is with specific DVD drives. The model no of the console indicates exactly whether you have that drive or not. And the model no of your console is tied to your Xbox Live account.

Therefore, Microsoft know already whether or not your console has the problem. They are sending out emails for people to claim a replacement before they even realize they have it.

You can also look up the model no of your console and check whether it has the problem on their site.

It's not a random issue, it is a very specific manufactured device in the console that exhibits a predictable and reproducible fault.

Note: The number of consoles with this fault is miniscule. In the thousands rather than the tens or hundreds of thousands. You almost certainly don't have the problem, and definitely don't if your console was bought in the last 2 years.

Can you perhaps provide us with the route to or a direct link to the page wherein, on their site, you can check to see if your console will be affected by this firmware update?

Brainiac 8

darleysam wrote: »

JihadJesus wrote: »

They're past the point of praying. I think by now they've moved on to animal sacrifice; only blood will appease the demons that infest PSN now.

Is there a new God of War on the way?

Is there anyone else left for Kratos to kill?

RainbowDespair

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

darleysam wrote: »

JihadJesus wrote: »

They're past the point of praying. I think by now they've moved on to animal sacrifice; only blood will appease the demons that infest PSN now.

Is there a new God of War on the way?

Is there anyone else left for Kratos to kill?

Lindsey Lohan

JihadJesus wrote: »

Ruins wrote: »

Lindsey Lohan wrote: »

I wonder why Gamestop emailed me a coupon for $100 off a PS3 recently? I can't imagine why they'd need to boost sales of the system...

Here's a dumb question - I recently grabbed Borderlands for the 360. Gamestop accidentally gave me the Game of the Year edition which I noticed later sells for $15 more used. However, it seems from the packaging that all the GOTY addon stuff was one time downloads which my copy didn't include - so exactly why would they charge more it in theory? Is there some other content I don't know about?

Later copies of the GOTY come with the extra bonus content on the disc. Unless you bought it used, in which case the dude probably used all the codes and Gamestop screwed you.

Is there any way to tell them apart until you've already shelled out the original $15 extra, though?

I'm thinking maybe they see the codes missing from that particular version and maybe sell it as normal - at least I hope that's the case...obviously I paid for the normal version so the end result is the same for me. Except now I feel oddly obligated to buy the DLC to make the box be true...

Automaticzen

cloudeagle wrote: »

The fact that special editions come with codes for the DLC rather than the actual DLC on the disk is just damned silly.

Is there some sort of agreement with the publishers to keep downloads flowing through their services? Or are they just too lazy to alter the disks slightly?

Sometimes DLC is finished after the game has gone gold. Also, people throw a hissyfit if DLC is on the disc.

So gamestop knows all of the GOTY stuff is not re-sellable stuff on the disc, yet they sell it for a higher used price than the regular edition of Borderlands and this is somehow not screwing the customer, how?

Doesn't the higher price mislead the customer into thinking there's something more to the GOTY edition than the regular edition? If Gamestop is selling the GOTY edition and the reg. edition used at different prices, then how is that ethically defensible?

In short, why else would Gamestop sell the GOTY used edition for more than the reg. edition other than to mislead the customer into paying more but not getting more? It's disgusting someone can defend this practice

.

A valid used GOTY Edition would probably include the codes. The original poster in this case received a GOTY copy at the correct non-GOTY price. How did he get screwed?

If you can produce someone who purchased a used GOTY edition at the higher price, but received no codes, then yes Gamestop screwed them.

JihadJesus

Well duh. That's why I'm asking - if it's priced higher, it's because there's supposedly additional value. There's additional value if the DLC is included as advertised on the box, but the GotY edition doesn't necessarily come with that added value on the disk. Considering we're talking about Gamestop I'm not holding my breath that they've double checked that the disk has the DLC on it before pocketing the extra $15. I'm sure they'd happily sell you the disk only GotY edition in their own empy shell of a case without so much as a manual let alone the DLC codes (which were almost certainly used already anyway).

cloudeagle

It just doesn't stop.

Social game mega-publisher Zynga today announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based Casino City developer DNA Games, the 14th such acquisition in the last 12 months.

Founded in 2009, DNA Games has attracted over 1.5 million monthly players to its Casino City Facebook game, heading a three-title lineup with a combined 2.35 million monthly users, according to AppData.

The company's web site describes its goal of creating hits consistently and repeatedly. The studio said it is "one piece game design 'art,' another piece user recruiting optimization 'science' and a third piece top-flight software engineering."

Founder and CEO Jonathan Lee will serve as general manager of the studio under Zynga, reporting to senior VP Mark Skaggs.

"DNA Games has a proven track record developing highly engaging social games and a technology platform that enables rapid iteration and optimization of game features and design," Zynga said in announcing the move. "Their expertise will be a valuable asset in next-generation game development for Zynga."

Zynga's worldwide acquisition spree has included New York's Area/Code, Texas' Newtoy Inc., Tokyo's Unoh Games and Beijing's XPD, among many other social game developers.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34722/Zynga_Acquires_Casino_City_Maker_DNA_Games.php

Are they just going to buy up every single competing Facebook developer or what?

Also, Gamasutra has a fascinating article on what the potential fallout of the MW3 leak-fest will be on Activision here:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34703/Opinion_Loose_Lips_Sink_Ships.php

The_Spaniard

cloudeagle wrote: »

lowlylowlycook wrote: »

I saw a commercial for a movie that I'm pretty sure is an adaption of Rockem Sockem Robots.

You did. It's called Real Steel, has Hugh Jackman in it, and will either be horrible or hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei5l3r1dV4I

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_%28The_Twilight_Zone%29

Gyral

Okay really?

Rockstar Support wrote:

PS3s shutting themselves off while playing L.A. Noire

Rockstar Support
posted this on May-17 18:21

Question: My PS3 turns itself off when I am playing L.A. Noire. What can I do?

Answer: We have received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models.

Primary reports seem to be that updating to firmware 3.61 will cause PlayStations to overheat. There have been various reports of this on a few different games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or "Red Lighting" after having installed 3.61. This can range from games randomly freezing to PS3s turning off anywhere between 30 mins use to 2 hours. We have confirmed locally that multiple games (Rockstar and non-Rockstar) overheat or freeze only when 3.61 is installed.

At this time we are recommending contacting Sony directly to report the overheating issue. However, this is not the end of our support; we are continuing to test L.A. Noire on all firmware versions and hardware models to isolate the issues and see what can be done. As always, we will update this article as soon as we have updates.

cloudeagle

Gyral wrote: »

Okay really?

Rockstar Support wrote:

PS3s shutting themselves off while playing L.A. Noire

Rockstar Support
posted this on May-17 18:21

Question: My PS3 turns itself off when I am playing L.A. Noire. What can I do?

Answer: We have received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models.

Primary reports seem to be that updating to firmware 3.61 will cause PlayStations to overheat. There have been various reports of this on a few different games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or "Red Lighting" after having installed 3.61. This can range from games randomly freezing to PS3s turning off anywhere between 30 mins use to 2 hours. We have confirmed locally that multiple games (Rockstar and non-Rockstar) overheat or freeze only when 3.61 is installed.

At this time we are recommending contacting Sony directly to report the overheating issue. However, this is not the end of our support; we are continuing to test L.A. Noire on all firmware versions and hardware models to isolate the issues and see what can be done. As always, we will update this article as soon as we have updates.

See thread title.

V Faction

cloudeagle wrote: »

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34722/Zynga_Acquires_Casino_City_Maker_DNA_Games.php

Are they just going to buy up every single competing Facebook developer or what?

I think this actually deserves to be called ridiculous.

Gyral

cloudeagle wrote: »

Gyral wrote: »

Okay really?

Rockstar Support wrote:

PS3s shutting themselves off while playing L.A. Noire

Rockstar Support
posted this on May-17 18:21

Question: My PS3 turns itself off when I am playing L.A. Noire. What can I do?

Answer: We have received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models.

Primary reports seem to be that updating to firmware 3.61 will cause PlayStations to overheat. There have been various reports of this on a few different games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or "Red Lighting" after having installed 3.61. This can range from games randomly freezing to PS3s turning off anywhere between 30 mins use to 2 hours. We have confirmed locally that multiple games (Rockstar and non-Rockstar) overheat or freeze only when 3.61 is installed.

At this time we are recommending contacting Sony directly to report the overheating issue. However, this is not the end of our support; we are continuing to test L.A. Noire on all firmware versions and hardware models to isolate the issues and see what can be done. As always, we will update this article as soon as we have updates.

See thread title.

I know. At this point it almost seems like a farce that can't be true or real anymore.

ColorlessGreen

I posted this exact same thing like four hours ago, but:

You have got to be fucking kidding me.