FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 471K
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 210K
PLAY W/ REMOTE NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 170K
GUITAR HERO AEROSMITH* ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) 360 110K (buh??)
Yay for bad games bundled with plastic accessories dominating sales every month.
Except for the fact that Mario Kart and Wii Fit aren't bad?
Wii Fit is really bad for fitness which makes the title a bit of a misnomer but at least I got my money back on ebay for it. EA Sports Active is considerably better, the 30 day challenge isn't just a marketing thing. Sadly people get taken in by the balance board.
Don't wanna get into too deep of a discussion about Mario Kart but the battle mode (which has in the past been for me what MK is all about) was undeniably awful in the Wii version. A very average game and for a series with such pedigree that's not good enough,
I think Wii Fit is fine. The balance board helps me with yoga poses... and yes I still use the thing daily; it's helped me tone up a bit. Sports Active may indeed be better, though I haven't used it myself. And by your own admission Mario Kart Wii isn't bad.
Though it is interesting how well-positioned peripherals have become a success. Though does it mean people are more willing to buy peripherals, or is it just that people like Guitar Hero and Wii Fit?
FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 471K
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 210K
PLAY W/ REMOTE NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 170K
GUITAR HERO AEROSMITH* ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) 360 110K (buh??)
Yay for bad games bundled with plastic accessories dominating sales every month.
Except for the fact that Mario Kart and Wii Fit aren't bad?
Wii Fit is really bad for fitness which makes the title a bit of a misnomer but at least I got my money back on ebay for it. EA Sports Active is considerably better, the 30 day challenge isn't just a marketing thing. Sadly people get taken in by the balance board.
Don't wanna get into too deep of a discussion about Mario Kart but the battle mode (which has in the past been for me what MK is all about) was undeniably awful in the Wii version. A very average game and for a series with such pedigree that's not good enough,
Does EA Sports Active support the Balance Board? Whatever the case, I hear it's pretty good. Best "real" workout app for the Wii.
Also, it sold >600k in its first few weeks apparently.
Yes, the 360 version of Aerosmith + Guitar Controller was put on clearance for $10 at many stores.
It's not so much that the game sold well as it was a way for many people to obtain another Guitar Hero / GHWT / Rock Band compatible guitar. Oh, and a few songs to go with it if you care :P
FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 471K
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 210K
PLAY W/ REMOTE NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 170K
GUITAR HERO AEROSMITH* ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) 360 110K (buh??)
Yay for bad games bundled with plastic accessories dominating sales every month.
Except for the fact that Mario Kart and Wii Fit aren't bad?
Wii Fit is really bad for fitness which makes the title a bit of a misnomer but at least I got my money back on ebay for it. EA Sports Active is considerably better, the 30 day challenge isn't just a marketing thing. Sadly people get taken in by the balance board.
Don't wanna get into too deep of a discussion about Mario Kart but the battle mode (which has in the past been for me what MK is all about) was undeniably awful in the Wii version. A very average game and for a series with such pedigree that's not good enough,
just because the battle mode sucked?
I think mario kart wii is easily the second best in the series. There's a ridiculous amount of unlockables, plenty of great new tracks, the inclusion of bikes, and an seamless online mode. Sure, it's not as fun as DD, but then again, what in life is?
FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 471K
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 210K
PLAY W/ REMOTE NINTENDO OF AMERICA Wii 170K
GUITAR HERO AEROSMITH* ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) 360 110K (buh??)
Yay for bad games bundled with plastic accessories dominating sales every month.
Except for the fact that Mario Kart and Wii Fit aren't bad?
Wii Fit is really bad for fitness which makes the title a bit of a misnomer but at least I got my money back on ebay for it. EA Sports Active is considerably better, the 30 day challenge isn't just a marketing thing. Sadly people get taken in by the balance board.
Don't wanna get into too deep of a discussion about Mario Kart but the battle mode (which has in the past been for me what MK is all about) was undeniably awful in the Wii version. A very average game and for a series with such pedigree that's not good enough,
Does EA Sports Active support the Balance Board? Whatever the case, I hear it's pretty good. Best "real" workout app for the Wii.
Also, it sold >600k in its first few weeks apparently.
I am glad to hear that it is selling well, it really deserves to.
It does support the balance board for some exercise and actually manages to make those worse by accounts I've read :? Strangely you can't even weigh yourself using the balance board in ESA which makes the implementation all the more bizarre.
I'm not sure how well Punch-Out will do. I love the game, but it didn't seem to get a huge push from Nintendo, and the thread here on it is pretty dead. Of course, our tastes are a horrible representation of the market, so maybe those filthy unwashed casuals will take a shine to it.
Though Nintendo did run an abbreviated version of the Punch-Out documentary as a TV commercial, which is fantastic. Awesome way to plug into people's nostalgia.
I think Wii Fit is fine. The balance board helps me with yoga poses... and yes I still use the thing daily; it's helped me tone up a bit. Sports Active may indeed be better, though I haven't used it myself. And by your own admission Mario Kart Wii isn't bad.
Though it is interesting how well-positioned peripherals have become a success. Though does it mean people are more willing to buy peripherals, or is it just that people like Guitar Hero and Wii Fit?
One EA rep described Wii Fit as more "Eastern wellness" whilst ESA is more about western ideas of fitness and exercise. I would probably agree with that.
I think mario kart wii is easily the second best in the series. There's a ridiculous amount of unlockables, plenty of great new tracks, the inclusion of bikes, and an seamless online mode. Sure, it's not as fun as DD, but then again, what in life is?
Mario Kart for me has always been about the battle mode, swapping joypads around with friends, winner stays on etc. the GP has always been a bit on the side. Great if you had fun with the online and unlocking things but my enduring memory of Mario Kart Wii was being dumped in a team with computer bots (that we couldn't switch off) and respawning when my balloons were gone:...: Talk about taking away all the tension and competition that made MK battles so great.
You should! I am disappointed that the ESA thread we have here is so inactive, it really is a good workout and the price is only a few bob more than other Wii games.
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
I'm not sure how well Punch-Out will do. I love the game, but it didn't seem to get a huge push from Nintendo, and the thread here on it is pretty dead. Of course, our tastes are a horrible representation of the market, so maybe those filthy unwashed casuals will take a shine to it.
Though Nintendo did run an abbreviated version of the Punch-Out documentary as a TV commercial, which is fantastic. Awesome way to plug into people's nostalgia.
Yeah, I think that commercial was very well done.
Regarding sales, I'm not very optimistic on it either. I agree that it really excels to us gamers who have a lot of nostalgia for the original games. Not so much for newer gamers. From what I've played and heard about, it's definitely a "gamer's game" (find the secret weakness to each boxer) and not so much a game where you just have fun with boxing. Then again, the install base for the Wii is huge so it's certainly not unthinkable that it will have great first month sales at the very least.
Great to hear all the good things about EA Sports Active! I may suggest that to my girlfriend, who was thinking of picking up Wii Fit primarily for the exercising stuff. Sounds like ESA may be better suited.
Also, yeah I forgot about Infamous. Hopefully that will do well in its first month.
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
Almost all of them have had the giant nearly empty battleground (Gamecube in DD, DS in DS etc.) and yet in each iteration it's less attractive, despite all other things being held equal (except perhaps bots).
And what if you had enough people to fill up the game without bots, would you enjoy it then?
The empty battleground stages were dumb, whoever got luckiest with items won. No cat and mouse games. The problem with MK Wii's battle mode was that it really got nothing right, removing bots out the equation would still mean forced team play, bad stages and respawning.
Super Mario Kart is coming out soon in Japan, hopefully we'll get it too. That battle mode is TIMELESS!
Just to re-iterate against your FUD, it's not like MS spends billions of dollars on the gaming division and gets nothing back. It's been profitable for almost two years now. I'd say that's a decent and growing business (especially in these tough economic times). Do you have such a vested interest in not seeing MS succeed or something?
If you invest money the proper baseline for comparison isn't "nothing" but the best of the other investment opportunities. Even sub prime mortgages that go foreclosure look good compared to nothing.
In this case the upfront costs are so high compared to the later profits that there is no need whip out an annuity calculator, estimate the lifetime of the 360 or decide on an appropriate baseline interest rate. I'm no accountant but I doubt there is some other method of estimating value (I mean besides present value) that could make up for the difference either.
As we know, I personally don't see the gaming industry as the kind of industry that would make the estimation of the longer term value possible. The successor to the 360 might be able to build upon what the 360 has accomplished but then again it might not. Regardless, if we wanted to discuss the value of what MS might make in the more distant future, we would have to include the losses over the life of the OXbox since that was part of building MS's console gaming business.
As these costs are already sunk, that doesn't mean that MS won't estimate that the 360's successor won't be worth investing in and certainly we can dismiss the possibility that MS will drop the 360 itself. So I don't get where FUD comes in, quite apart from the humorous notion that a lowly, lowly cook might be up to mounting such a campaign against one of the biggest and most profitable companies on the planet.
lowlylowlycook on
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Let's not go down this road again. I think we can summarize thusly: you don't think long-term investing in the games industry is a good idea, and I disagree. Similarly, you think that MS is not spending their money wisely in their games business, and I disagree. We both think that Nintendo is doing a great job, but the extent they are doing so, is also something we disagree on.
I don't think we'll ever convince each other otherwise on those points. Topic closed? If so, then let's agree not to troll each other anymore, to the detriment of others in this thread.
You heard it here first: Apple to buy Nintendo in 5 years.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have no idea how the hell my undying love for nintendo could make up for my utter hatred of apple.
My fiancee hated Apple until she started using my Mac Book regularly. Now she "gets" the distinction between the two.
So now we have an Apple for everyday shit, and a PC for TF2.
Actually I'm amazed you've gotten this far without a cell phone without your friends getting annoyed at you. I actually have a cell phone rather than a land line, and it's worked well for me for the last eight years.
Only time I ever owned a landline was because DSL was my only internet option.
I plan on never having a landline.
I don't understand people who can't connect any other way. None of my friends are out and about enough that it's a huge deal, we email each other or AIM or possibly Facebook
Seconded.
I carry mine everywhere, but the only time I talk on it is to my parents. It's mainly for eMail and texting to arrange things. I despise talking on the phone.
The Sims 3, the latest in Electronic Arts' blockbuster life simulation franchise, has exceeded 1.4 million PC and Mac sales in its first week on shelves, the publisher said today.
The one rumor that was floating around the gaming press before E3 that didn't come true was the possibility of the PS3 slim being announced. We say it's coming in a few months, once Sony has cleared the retail channels of the existing hardware. We asked Sony's director of Hardware Marketing, John Koller, about the rumor, and he had some words for the "story."
"If [the coverage] focuses more on leaks or what may or may not happen then yes, there is a certain amount of frustration. I think we have a tremendous story to tell today, and I think the path that we're trying to lead is much different than Microsoft or Nintendo. We view a little bit of a different future," Koller told Ars. "Who's going to get to the future first? I think that's a more interesting story than 'I found some packaging in China that may or may not...' you know, personally I don't see that as a story."
"I'd love to live in a world with fewer leaks and more meat," he continued, and that was that. It was fascinating to watch his body language when I brought up the PS3 Slim, we were having a friendly conversation, and when we started talking about that piece of hardware his face closed, he leaned away from me... it became almost adversarial until we got onto a subject that's not as loaded.
Our opinion? The PS3 has gone through some significant changes since launch, and it's not unfair for people about to spend $400 on a console to be interested in what may be coming down the line in a few months. With the majority of the leaks and rumors hitting the gaming and mainstream media before E3 becoming factual now, this is a story, whether or not Sony would like us to focus on it.
This is arguably the best example of a leak that can absolutely damage sales/financials for a company. Sony probably doesn't want to sell the PS3 Slim until they can clear retail of most of the existing PS3 units. Yet, people aren't going to buy them if they hear rumors of a better and potentially cheaper model "coming soon". Not good.
I'm not sure what can be done now, other than just damage control and a lot of hand-waving. Well, I guess they could just scrap their plans and release the PS3 Slim now, but I imagine that's bad for many reasons (retailers may not like it since they still have tons of PS3s, and price drops during the early summer usually aren't a good idea). And I do agree with Ars that news is news. Sony can't expect the media not to sit on a story like this. There have been previous leaks of MS and Nintendo information. The people to get angry at are the ones responsible for the leak, not those reporting it.
Thing is, I don't think they'd really discount the price of a Slim very much and even if they did move it out with a decent backstock of big PS3's its not like they'd be willing to fire sale those bad boys.
Even $100 off of every PS3 SKU still has them way ahead of the competition when it comes to price, and this isn't the sort of ahead you want to be stuck in.
I will admit that when the PS3 is $199 or less it will be an incredible value. That is not happening anytime soon, but it will be a great buy at the end of this generation.
This is arguably the best example of a leak that can absolutely damage sales/financials for a company. Sony probably doesn't want to sell the PS3 Slim until they can clear retail of most of the existing PS3 units. Yet, people aren't going to buy them if they hear rumors of a better and potentially cheaper model "coming soon". Not good.
Wait. People were buying the PS3? When did that happen?
This is arguably the best example of a leak that can absolutely damage sales/financials for a company. Sony probably doesn't want to sell the PS3 Slim until they can clear retail of most of the existing PS3 units. Yet, people aren't going to buy them if they hear rumors of a better and potentially cheaper model "coming soon". Not good.
Wait. People were buying the PS3? When did that happen?
Check the figures in the OP, the PS3 is selling almost as heavily as the PS2.
This is arguably the best example of a leak that can absolutely damage sales/financials for a company. Sony probably doesn't want to sell the PS3 Slim until they can clear retail of most of the existing PS3 units. Yet, people aren't going to buy them if they hear rumors of a better and potentially cheaper model "coming soon". Not good.
Wait. People were buying the PS3? When did that happen?
Really? Like, really? With over 20 million sold you're still playing this saw?
Get some new schtick, bra. Decade's almost over.
I had to write a review of The Sims 3 a few weeks back. I understand why people like it but I can't say it's for me. Writing the sales copy felt so utterly inane to me - "Go see the graveyard! Visit other houses!" *sigh*
Threepio on
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Brainiac 8Don't call me Shirley...Registered Userregular
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
You can shut off the forced bots in the options.
But not the forced teams.
DeathPrawn on
Signature not found.
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Brainiac 8Don't call me Shirley...Registered Userregular
Mario Kart hasn't had good battle since the SNES and N64 versions. And I don't know if that is any fault of Nintendo's, as much as it is our own tastes changing, since the battle modes haven't changed all that much.
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
I agree. It may or it may not be cheaper to produce than the current PS3. Whatever. But you can bet your butt that when the Slim comes out, it'll be the same ol' too-high price.
I agree. It may or it may not be cheaper to produce than the current PS3. Whatever. But you can bet your butt that when the Slim comes out, it'll be the same ol' too-high price.
I dunno, while I agree that Sony is not trending that way, I still think there is some possibility of a slim price drop (har har, I made a funny). As my friends and I say, "Willing to bet a burrito on that?"
Regardless of a price drop or not, the PS3 Slim leak is having an impact on sales. Certainly there's enough doubt in people's mind and some interest in knowing more about the new model before pulling the trigger on a unit now. If people have waited this long for a PS3, certainly they can wait a little while longer. (Myself included!)
Rock Band SE Bundle
PS2 - $99.99, Now $49.99
PS3 - $139.99, Now $69.99
360 - $139.99, Now $69.99
Rock Band 2 SE Bundle
PS3 - $189.99, Now $94.99
360 - $189.99, Now $94.99
Guitar Hero: World Tour Guitar Kit
PS2 - $89.99, Now $44.99
PS3 - $99.99, Now $49.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Bundle
Wii - $79.99, Now $39.99
PS3 - $69.99, Now $34.99
360 - $69.99, Now $34.99
Guitar Hero: World Tour Band Kit
PS2 - $189.99, Now $94.99
PS3 - $189.99, Now $94.99
Guitar Hero III w/Guitar
PS2 - $59.99, Now $29.99
Wii - $79.99, Now $39.99
PS3 - $69.99, Now $34.99
360 - $69.99, Now $34.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Kramer
PS2 - $59.99, Now $29.99
Guitar Hero 2 w/Guitar
PS2 - $79.99, Now $39.99
360 - $89.99, Now $44.99
Gotta make room for Guitar Hero Whatever.. Beatles Rock Band... Guitar Hero Van Halen ... DJ Hero... Tony Hawk & Plastic Skateboard.. and.. Lord knows what all else.
Ha! That was pretty ballsy to say, but again, I don't think it was that out of line. He's proud of his game and willing to say some smack talk about it. For all we know, once the game is out and people play it, folks may think he's totally right (or wrong!).
At work, we have some folks that are especially vocal about "the competition". And it's fine to have some pride and passion about your product. I do think, though, we have far more folks here that are more level-headed. In the end, it's all about delivering the best games and products to our customers, not about "beating company X to the ground". If anything, most of us have friends who work at other companies so while we obviously like to succeed, it's not like we want Nintendo or Sony to literally go out of business or anything.
I consider myself pretty competitive and will turn most things into a competition but I still refrain from trying to piss anyone off. But fair enough, I'd bet there's some people at Turn 10 that read that quote and groan in embarassment.
Sheep: Don't be a dick. I guess you're referring to Yamauchi saying he hadn't played Forza 2 though? I really wouldn't call that douchey.
Like I mentioned in the old thread: Look at Nintendo prominently featuring James Patterson's Women's Murder Club as a DS title at its E3 keynote—showing pretty extensive trailer footage, even while the next Zelda game got little more than a passing name-drop. The target audience for the DS (and Wii, really) is "everyone"—exactly who Apple is targeting with the iPod.
You mean the train Zelda, not the next Wii Zelda, right? I don't really think you can read much in its lack of an appearance at Nintendo's E3 keynote. Nintendo seemed to make a point that their keynote was to announce new stuff (and show how much better Wii Sports Resort is than it was last E3) and Zelda: Spirit Tracks was already announced at GDC.
As for cellphones, I've got a 6 or so year old one and don't really feel the need to upgrade. I only use it for texting and phone calls and I doubt I'd use any of the extra functionality. I do have an iPod however but doubt I'd be happy with the 8/16GB's of space the iPod Touch has. I've got 27GB's of music on my computer (which just gave me a shock).
Dr Mario KartGames DealerAustin, TXRegistered Userregular
edited June 2009
Talking to a guy at a Gamecrazy today spooked me regarding many of my riskier TSE positions. He said that Prototype had Infamous kicked as far as preorders, and Tiger Woods 10 was hardly preordered at all. I dont know how typical that store is, since its kinda out there. I'll talk to some more folks in the city soon.
The Amazon situation has Tiger Woods 10 selling gangbusters, with Infamous selling much better than Prototype. Maybe Tiger Woods buyers dont preorder?
I agree. It may or it may not be cheaper to produce than the current PS3. Whatever. But you can bet your butt that when the Slim comes out, it'll be the same ol' too-high price.
I dunno, while I agree that Sony is not trending that way, I still think there is some possibility of a slim price drop (har har, I made a funny). As my friends and I say, "Willing to bet a burrito on that?"
Regardless of a price drop or not, the PS3 Slim leak is having an impact on sales. Certainly there's enough doubt in people's mind and some interest in knowing more about the new model before pulling the trigger on a unit now. If people have waited this long for a PS3, certainly they can wait a little while longer. (Myself included!)
I think there's so much pressure on Sony to drop the price this year that they pretty much have to. The question is when they'll do it this year and how much it'll be. I'm going to guess it'll happen at TGS in September but that it'll only be US$50, which I don't think is enough to boost PS3 sales up far.
That said, I really hope that PS3 Slim leak was just a prototype because that thing looks bloody ugly. It's interesting that they've ditched the Spider-Man font though, I've never had a problem with it but whatever. It seems a little too late to do so, since the logo is already plastered over game boxart and is in game intros but I guess the PSone did the same thing too.
I think after this many years, people don't tend to give a crap about preordering yearly EA sports games any more. I mean really, what's the point? It's not like it'll sell out!
On another note, I think think that the majority of the crowd buying the Tiger Woods game for the Wii tend to follow game releases so closely that they'd have even thought to preorder it in the first place. Hell even I want the game with the M+ and I'm not bothering to preorder. It won't be sold out. I think people will start to buy it once they realize it's out.
Lastly, Tiger Woods on Wii is always the best seller of all the versions, but it takes quite a while usually for its sales to amass. (Tiger Woods 09, the Wii version sold more than the 360 + PS3 versions combined)
Dr Mario KartGames DealerAustin, TXRegistered Userregular
edited June 2009
Infamous is was late May, June NPD is in the 2nd month, which should be really low unless its one of those take off huge hits. I only bought in because I could see that thats what other people were going to do at the time. Now I have to consider liquidating it and taking small profit or hanging in there to see if Infamous sets the charts on fire. Charting two months in a row for traditional games is serious business.
Tiger Woods generally doesnt chart. Its one of those slower burners for Wii. Thats another position I was considering liquidating.
Betting against Prototype/Red Faction is also risky. I've been burned on betting against open world action games and shooters on 360 before. Their appetite for those games always surprise me.
Just curious, what exactly is this TSE that you keep referring to? Are you actually buying/selling positions on game sales with real money? Or is this just some fake meta-game thing?
Dr Mario KartGames DealerAustin, TXRegistered Userregular
edited June 2009
its a prediction market, using dragon killer points (DKP). Its all pretend. www.thesimexchange.com. The guy who used to run it now works for EEDAR, and is the guy who makes their monthly predictions.
I'm currently #23 on the site, because I'm good 8-)
Posts
I think Wii Fit is fine. The balance board helps me with yoga poses... and yes I still use the thing daily; it's helped me tone up a bit. Sports Active may indeed be better, though I haven't used it myself. And by your own admission Mario Kart Wii isn't bad.
Though it is interesting how well-positioned peripherals have become a success. Though does it mean people are more willing to buy peripherals, or is it just that people like Guitar Hero and Wii Fit?
Does EA Sports Active support the Balance Board? Whatever the case, I hear it's pretty good. Best "real" workout app for the Wii.
Also, it sold >600k in its first few weeks apparently.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Yes, the 360 version of Aerosmith + Guitar Controller was put on clearance for $10 at many stores.
It's not so much that the game sold well as it was a way for many people to obtain another Guitar Hero / GHWT / Rock Band compatible guitar. Oh, and a few songs to go with it if you care :P
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
just because the battle mode sucked?
I think mario kart wii is easily the second best in the series. There's a ridiculous amount of unlockables, plenty of great new tracks, the inclusion of bikes, and an seamless online mode. Sure, it's not as fun as DD, but then again, what in life is?
I am glad to hear that it is selling well, it really deserves to.
It does support the balance board for some exercise and actually manages to make those worse by accounts I've read :? Strangely you can't even weigh yourself using the balance board in ESA which makes the implementation all the more bizarre.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Though Nintendo did run an abbreviated version of the Punch-Out documentary as a TV commercial, which is fantastic. Awesome way to plug into people's nostalgia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEaL8HqufFI
One EA rep described Wii Fit as more "Eastern wellness" whilst ESA is more about western ideas of fitness and exercise. I would probably agree with that.
Mario Kart for me has always been about the battle mode, swapping joypads around with friends, winner stays on etc. the GP has always been a bit on the side. Great if you had fun with the online and unlocking things but my enduring memory of Mario Kart Wii was being dumped in a team with computer bots (that we couldn't switch off) and respawning when my balloons were gone:...: Talk about taking away all the tension and competition that made MK battles so great.
PSN: SAW776
You should!
No, I think it's Nintendo. I didn't play DD's battle mode, but MKWii screwed up with the forced bots and respawning. The DS one was alright, but the levels weren't particularly good.
Regarding sales, I'm not very optimistic on it either. I agree that it really excels to us gamers who have a lot of nostalgia for the original games. Not so much for newer gamers. From what I've played and heard about, it's definitely a "gamer's game" (find the secret weakness to each boxer) and not so much a game where you just have fun with boxing. Then again, the install base for the Wii is huge so it's certainly not unthinkable that it will have great first month sales at the very least.
Great to hear all the good things about EA Sports Active! I may suggest that to my girlfriend, who was thinking of picking up Wii Fit primarily for the exercising stuff. Sounds like ESA may be better suited.
Also, yeah I forgot about Infamous. Hopefully that will do well in its first month.
- Don't add me, I'm at/near the friend limit
Steam: JC_Rooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JiunweiC
I work on this: http://www.xbox.com
Almost all of them have had the giant nearly empty battleground (Gamecube in DD, DS in DS etc.) and yet in each iteration it's less attractive, despite all other things being held equal (except perhaps bots).
And what if you had enough people to fill up the game without bots, would you enjoy it then?
Super Mario Kart is coming out soon in Japan, hopefully we'll get it too. That battle mode is TIMELESS!
If you invest money the proper baseline for comparison isn't "nothing" but the best of the other investment opportunities. Even sub prime mortgages that go foreclosure look good compared to nothing.
In this case the upfront costs are so high compared to the later profits that there is no need whip out an annuity calculator, estimate the lifetime of the 360 or decide on an appropriate baseline interest rate. I'm no accountant but I doubt there is some other method of estimating value (I mean besides present value) that could make up for the difference either.
As we know, I personally don't see the gaming industry as the kind of industry that would make the estimation of the longer term value possible. The successor to the 360 might be able to build upon what the 360 has accomplished but then again it might not. Regardless, if we wanted to discuss the value of what MS might make in the more distant future, we would have to include the losses over the life of the OXbox since that was part of building MS's console gaming business.
As these costs are already sunk, that doesn't mean that MS won't estimate that the 360's successor won't be worth investing in and certainly we can dismiss the possibility that MS will drop the 360 itself. So I don't get where FUD comes in, quite apart from the humorous notion that a lowly, lowly cook might be up to mounting such a campaign against one of the biggest and most profitable companies on the planet.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
I don't think we'll ever convince each other otherwise on those points. Topic closed? If so, then let's agree not to troll each other anymore, to the detriment of others in this thread.
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Steam: JC_Rooks
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My fiancee hated Apple until she started using my Mac Book regularly. Now she "gets" the distinction between the two.
So now we have an Apple for everyday shit, and a PC for TF2.
Only time I ever owned a landline was because DSL was my only internet option.
I plan on never having a landline.
Seconded.
I carry mine everywhere, but the only time I talk on it is to my parents. It's mainly for eMail and texting to arrange things. I despise talking on the phone.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Sony's John Koller talks about PS3 Slim rumors
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/06/sonys-john-koller-talks-about-ps3-slim-rumors.ars This is arguably the best example of a leak that can absolutely damage sales/financials for a company. Sony probably doesn't want to sell the PS3 Slim until they can clear retail of most of the existing PS3 units. Yet, people aren't going to buy them if they hear rumors of a better and potentially cheaper model "coming soon". Not good.
I'm not sure what can be done now, other than just damage control and a lot of hand-waving. Well, I guess they could just scrap their plans and release the PS3 Slim now, but I imagine that's bad for many reasons (retailers may not like it since they still have tons of PS3s, and price drops during the early summer usually aren't a good idea). And I do agree with Ars that news is news. Sony can't expect the media not to sit on a story like this. There have been previous leaks of MS and Nintendo information. The people to get angry at are the ones responsible for the leak, not those reporting it.
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Even $100 off of every PS3 SKU still has them way ahead of the competition when it comes to price, and this isn't the sort of ahead you want to be stuck in.
I will admit that when the PS3 is $199 or less it will be an incredible value. That is not happening anytime soon, but it will be a great buy at the end of this generation.
Check the figures in the OP, the PS3 is selling almost as heavily as the PS2.
Really? Like, really? With over 20 million sold you're still playing this saw?
Get some new schtick, bra. Decade's almost over.
I had to write a review of The Sims 3 a few weeks back. I understand why people like it but I can't say it's for me. Writing the sales copy felt so utterly inane to me - "Go see the graveyard! Visit other houses!" *sigh*
You can shut off the forced bots in the options.
Nintendo Network ID - Brainiac_8
PSN - Brainiac_8
Steam - http://steamcommunity.com/id/BRAINIAC8/
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But not the forced teams.
Unfortunately not.
Nintendo Network ID - Brainiac_8
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Add me!
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I dunno, while I agree that Sony is not trending that way, I still think there is some possibility of a slim price drop (har har, I made a funny). As my friends and I say, "Willing to bet a burrito on that?"
Regardless of a price drop or not, the PS3 Slim leak is having an impact on sales. Certainly there's enough doubt in people's mind and some interest in knowing more about the new model before pulling the trigger on a unit now. If people have waited this long for a PS3, certainly they can wait a little while longer. (Myself included!)
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http://www.gamestop.com/gs/landing/umbs/
Rock Band SE Bundle
PS2 - $99.99, Now $49.99
PS3 - $139.99, Now $69.99
360 - $139.99, Now $69.99
Rock Band 2 SE Bundle
PS3 - $189.99, Now $94.99
360 - $189.99, Now $94.99
Guitar Hero: World Tour Guitar Kit
PS2 - $89.99, Now $44.99
PS3 - $99.99, Now $49.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Bundle
Wii - $79.99, Now $39.99
PS3 - $69.99, Now $34.99
360 - $69.99, Now $34.99
Guitar Hero: World Tour Band Kit
PS2 - $189.99, Now $94.99
PS3 - $189.99, Now $94.99
Guitar Hero III w/Guitar
PS2 - $59.99, Now $29.99
Wii - $79.99, Now $39.99
PS3 - $69.99, Now $34.99
360 - $69.99, Now $34.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Kramer
PS2 - $59.99, Now $29.99
Guitar Hero 2 w/Guitar
PS2 - $79.99, Now $39.99
360 - $89.99, Now $44.99
Gotta make room for Guitar Hero Whatever.. Beatles Rock Band... Guitar Hero Van Halen ... DJ Hero... Tony Hawk & Plastic Skateboard.. and.. Lord knows what all else.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Famitsu tallied the top selling games in Japan for the whole month of May:
10. Wii Fit
Wii
May sales: 74,930 units
Life-to-date: 3,388,514 units
9. Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Empires
PS3
May sales: 78,680 units
Life-to-date: 78,680 units
8. Sloan to Michael: Nazo no Monogatari
DS
May sales: 82,183 units
Life-to-date: 82,183 units
7. Monster Hunter Portable
PSP
May sales: 94,626 units
Life-to-date: 742,875 units
6. Persona
PSP
May sales: 122,962 units
Life-to-date: 122,962 units
5. Pokemon Fushigi no dungeon Sora no tankentai
DS
May sales: 131,060 units
Life-to-date: 329,484 units
4. Made In Ore (WarioWare D.I.Y.)
DS
May sales: 156,692 units
Life-to-date: 156,692 units
3. Dragon Ball Kai Saiyajin Raishuu
DS
May sales: 176,725 units
Life-to-date: 176,725 units
2. Gyakuten Kenji
DS
May sales: 201,817 units
Life-to-date: 201,817 units
1. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
DS
May sales: 291,211 units
Life-to-date: 291,211 units
PortableLand indeed.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Sheep: Don't be a dick. I guess you're referring to Yamauchi saying he hadn't played Forza 2 though? I really wouldn't call that douchey.
You mean the train Zelda, not the next Wii Zelda, right? I don't really think you can read much in its lack of an appearance at Nintendo's E3 keynote. Nintendo seemed to make a point that their keynote was to announce new stuff (and show how much better Wii Sports Resort is than it was last E3) and Zelda: Spirit Tracks was already announced at GDC.
As for cellphones, I've got a 6 or so year old one and don't really feel the need to upgrade. I only use it for texting and phone calls and I doubt I'd use any of the extra functionality. I do have an iPod however but doubt I'd be happy with the 8/16GB's of space the iPod Touch has. I've got 27GB's of music on my computer (which just gave me a shock).
The Amazon situation has Tiger Woods 10 selling gangbusters, with Infamous selling much better than Prototype. Maybe Tiger Woods buyers dont preorder?
Right now my positions are:
Bought:
Infamous (June) @ 156k
Punch Out (May) @ 224k
Tiger Woods 10 Wii (May @ 153k
Sold:
Bionic Commando (May) @ 111k
Guitar Hero Smash Hits Wii (June) @ 181k
PS3 (May) @ 142k
PS3 (June) @ 187k
PS3 (July) @ 161k
PSP (May) @ 158k
Prototype 360 (June) @ 234k
Red Fastion 360 (June) @ 151k
The Conduit Wii (June) @ 142k
Wii (May) @ 370k
X-Men Wolverine 360 (May) @ 161k
360 (May) @ 194k
I think there's so much pressure on Sony to drop the price this year that they pretty much have to. The question is when they'll do it this year and how much it'll be. I'm going to guess it'll happen at TGS in September but that it'll only be US$50, which I don't think is enough to boost PS3 sales up far.
That said, I really hope that PS3 Slim leak was just a prototype because that thing looks bloody ugly. It's interesting that they've ditched the Spider-Man font though, I've never had a problem with it but whatever. It seems a little too late to do so, since the logo is already plastered over game boxart and is in game intros but I guess the PSone did the same thing too.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
I think after this many years, people don't tend to give a crap about preordering yearly EA sports games any more. I mean really, what's the point? It's not like it'll sell out!
On another note, I think think that the majority of the crowd buying the Tiger Woods game for the Wii tend to follow game releases so closely that they'd have even thought to preorder it in the first place. Hell even I want the game with the M+ and I'm not bothering to preorder. It won't be sold out. I think people will start to buy it once they realize it's out.
Lastly, Tiger Woods on Wii is always the best seller of all the versions, but it takes quite a while usually for its sales to amass. (Tiger Woods 09, the Wii version sold more than the 360 + PS3 versions combined)
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Tiger Woods generally doesnt chart. Its one of those slower burners for Wii. Thats another position I was considering liquidating.
Betting against Prototype/Red Faction is also risky. I've been burned on betting against open world action games and shooters on 360 before. Their appetite for those games always surprise me.
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I'm currently #23 on the site, because I'm good 8-)