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Video Game Industry Thread: 300+ people lose their jobs. Curt Schilling still rich.
Sterica
YesRegistered User, Moderator mod
YesRegistered User, Moderator mod
Welcome to the Industry Thread: your place to post about the business side of the hobby. Behavior in past threads has been dipping below acceptable levels, so we're going to review what this thread is all about. Failure to abide by these rules can result in an infraction, and continued poor behavior in this thread as a whole could result in loss of this thread So please take the time to read this OP. Failure to read this OP does not absolve you of the responsibility to behave yourself.
1. This is about the industry: if your post has something to with the business of making video games, then you are probably on the right track. Sales numbers, hiring or firing of employees, opening or closing of development teams, and so forth are good topics. Minute details on the quality of games, what Reggie had for breakfast, Sony's TV sales, and so forth tend to be outside the scope of this thread.
2. This is not a chat thread. It's not a place to shoot the breeze and casually talk about video games as a whole. While you don't have to be super serious to post here, there is going to be substantially less tolerance of content-less posts that are comprised of an image macro or YouTube video.
3. Discussion on why a game/company failed or succeeded will come up. It's fine to kick around gameplay or other factors as reasons to why. Getting into a multiple page discussion on why nerfing wizards caused this MMO to lose 100,000 subscribers is when you have crossed a line into inane chatter. If you are unsure where that line is, then I recommend not making that particular post.
4. This is not a place to proselytize nor antagonize. "Console war" crap will not be tolerated, nor will needlessly crapping/cheering on a particular game/company/etc. Pondering about why Capcom hates Megaman is not really relevant to the industry.
5. You are not the arbiter of what is discussed here. Farmville is a game. Kinect games are just that: games. If you don't like that a large number of recent posts are discussing something you are sick of hearing about, then bring up other industry topics or take some time off from this thread. Do not complain that people aren't talking about what you want to talk about. If you feel that the discussion is detrimental to the thread (whining about Mass Effect 3 for the billionth time), then feel free to use your report button.
6. While an economics degree is not required to post in here, one not versed in the subject would do well to read and think carefully before posting. Sales do not necessarily reflect on the game's quality! A game can sell a lot but still be a failure if was expensive to produce! Before immediately posting something, think critically a bit and remember that business is a different beast that tends to be very much detached from the hobby itself.
Bottom line: business is for adults, and thus you should post in here like an adult. If you want to casually chat about video games, then we have a whole forum for you to do that in. This thread is not the place for that. Nor is it the place for petty bickering amongst yourselves (we, in fact, have no place on these forums for you to do that).
Having said all that, enjoy the thread.
EDIT: VGChartz is mostly horseshit and should not be taken seriously. Why? Read about it here.
1. This is about the industry: if your post has something to with the business of making video games, then you are probably on the right track. Sales numbers, hiring or firing of employees, opening or closing of development teams, and so forth are good topics. Minute details on the quality of games, what Reggie had for breakfast, Sony's TV sales, and so forth tend to be outside the scope of this thread.
2. This is not a chat thread. It's not a place to shoot the breeze and casually talk about video games as a whole. While you don't have to be super serious to post here, there is going to be substantially less tolerance of content-less posts that are comprised of an image macro or YouTube video.
3. Discussion on why a game/company failed or succeeded will come up. It's fine to kick around gameplay or other factors as reasons to why. Getting into a multiple page discussion on why nerfing wizards caused this MMO to lose 100,000 subscribers is when you have crossed a line into inane chatter. If you are unsure where that line is, then I recommend not making that particular post.
4. This is not a place to proselytize nor antagonize. "Console war" crap will not be tolerated, nor will needlessly crapping/cheering on a particular game/company/etc. Pondering about why Capcom hates Megaman is not really relevant to the industry.
5. You are not the arbiter of what is discussed here. Farmville is a game. Kinect games are just that: games. If you don't like that a large number of recent posts are discussing something you are sick of hearing about, then bring up other industry topics or take some time off from this thread. Do not complain that people aren't talking about what you want to talk about. If you feel that the discussion is detrimental to the thread (whining about Mass Effect 3 for the billionth time), then feel free to use your report button.
6. While an economics degree is not required to post in here, one not versed in the subject would do well to read and think carefully before posting. Sales do not necessarily reflect on the game's quality! A game can sell a lot but still be a failure if was expensive to produce! Before immediately posting something, think critically a bit and remember that business is a different beast that tends to be very much detached from the hobby itself.
Bottom line: business is for adults, and thus you should post in here like an adult. If you want to casually chat about video games, then we have a whole forum for you to do that in. This thread is not the place for that. Nor is it the place for petty bickering amongst yourselves (we, in fact, have no place on these forums for you to do that).
Having said all that, enjoy the thread.
EDIT: VGChartz is mostly horseshit and should not be taken seriously. Why? Read about it here.
Sterica on
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This discussion has been closed.
Posts
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/23/robert-bowling-opens-game-studio.aspx
"our focus is on creating a universe first, experiences second, and game mechanics last" Oh dear God. Please focus on game mechanics first, thanks.
But there is something to be said for creating a fascinating universe + plot, and then asking, "How can we insert the player, mechanically, into that experience?" I think both approaches can work, as long as the dev doesn't half-ass any of the 3 steps.
Along with EA, this is the second developer I've read about that is talking about this multi-platform-accesible-world, which so far sounds like an interesting concept.
It's good to see him out from under Activision's thumb.
I dunno, both designs seem equally valid. Either way, the worst thing you can do is have an utter disconnect between the two.
Yes, this
To bring it around to (sorry) Mass Effect 3, I think they've created a really engaging universe with the Mass Effect series, but I really dislike the core fast-paced shooter-type gameplay of ME3 even while working through it for the story bits, compared to the slower pace of ME2 (which itself was faster than ME1). If BioWare had gone along with that Mass Effect first-person shooter they were considering, maybe the core series wouldn't have been tampered with as much, and people could have used different avenues to enjoy that same universe, potentially even opening them up to genres they would never touch before.
I really applauded when MS went with the decision to make Halo Wars. It wasn't for me, but it got me to try out a strategy game, a genre I normally abhor, and it worked out well financially for them.
I am still bummed that I never got to play Starcraft Ghost, because now that whole fiction is closed off to me.
The NPD says that 40% of freemium game players pay for in-game upgrades.
I dunno if anyone here in G&T saw it (I forget if it was a forum-wide announcement) but Robert Khoo had a poll at the start of the year pertaining to gaming habits and one of the questions was about how much money you dump into freemium games. I think the top option was like $80+, which was nowhere close to how much I'd personally spent on freemium games in a year - I spent more. So I'm very much one of the 'suckers.' But I think it's a valid business plan, it's just a matter of how it's handled in games, what's on offer, etc. It's not universally a bad idea.
But at any rate, what's shocking to me is that if the 40% mark is true, it really goes to show how much mileage freemium games (CoX, DDO, smart phone apps, etc) get. Like DDO increased their profits on this plan, and most of their userbase isn't handing over any money? I'm sure we'll see studies being done on how to get some of, or all of, that 60% to pay money they otherwise wouldn't.
Update: Shit. Typo. And I wanted to believe so bad..
Seconded. Feel free to include a link to this article in the "Why VGChartz can't be trusted" section: http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/06/analysis_what_vgchartz_does_and.php
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
a pretty interesting video on booths at PAX and the work that goes into them. these dudes made it themselves, and this video shows that process.
I'm guessing the game sold less than 1200 copies day 1 when it was released on the developer's site (i.e. I bought the game late that night and the "First 1200 to order get this" bonus was still available when I bought it) so it's good to see that he's seeing much more success now that it's on Steam.
In other Steam indie game sales news, Noitu Love 2 came out today and was briefly in the Top 20 Overall Sales list. It's currently #1 on the Under $5 Top Sellers list. Haven't played the full version but the demo reminded me of Gunstar Heroes.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
While there are the people who will only buy stuff on Steam, I'd attribute it more to the incredible exposure Steam gives to games. Bearing in mind that it's not just a storefront, it's a social networking tool that shows you every game your friends are playing.
I wonder why that is. Is it the extra exposure? Or are people really that devoted to Steam? As in, no Steam no sale?
It's some of both. Steam owns a huge percentage of the non-super-casual PC market. Throw on good exposure to indie games and the fact that you get notifications on what your friends are buying and playing and it's easy to see how indie games could sell exceptionally well on Steam even if they didn't sell well elsewhere.
My personal guess would be that it's something like this:
Gamer Market (PC):
Steam 85%-90%
Everything Else Combined (Impulse, Origin, Desura, Gamersgate, GOG, etc.) 10%-15%
Of course, this excludes the super-casual and mainstream stuff like Amazon and the Flash portals.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
Inspired or trolling. You decide.
Edit: alright, at work so I didn't finish this.
Stuff like this reminds me of the old Japanese stuff I played on the 16 and 32 bit consoles, heck even on ps2. I notice a lot of Japanese games just not selling as well, but I begin to think its just because they try to hard to appeal to western gamers. Simple point is, we have a ton of western developers.
So while grasshopper and suda51 and similar might not make record breaking sales, I know I'll usually pick up their games day 1 simply because its going to be something distinctly crazy Japan.
Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
In related news, Prototype 2 came out here today and I couldn't even find a copy of the game anywhere on 360 (I just wanted to look at the box more than anything else). I knew I should have preordered it if I wanted the game, but oh well - it can wait until next month.
Personally I think with iOS development and Steam it's just a good time to be a developer if you want to reach a lot of customers - not to mention being an actual gamer who loves older genres. For example Aquaria started on PC with Steam, but got ported to iOS perfectly and IMO is one of the best actual "games" on the iOS store (which means you should absolutely buy it if you haven't already). Honestly if Microsoft and Sony wake up to digital distribution as a genuine thing like Steam has, then I can't help but be very excited for the next generation. Digital only games on Xbox live, iOS and (when I get a new PC) steam are filling gaps in genres I love that don't get made by regular publishers often (like turn based tactical combat games), or just being really out there (Stacking for example).
Throw kickstarter onto this and I think this is the happiest I've been about games in years.
Yeah I knew it was coming out today, but I didn't notice any major push or anything like Mass Effect 3 (or even Witcher 2) had pre-release. It seems to have done well locally here. Curious to how this sells, because Prototype was one of those "Came out of nowhere" titles that did much better than anyone expected it to. If it wasn't for the Witcher 2 on 360 I would have got the game this month.
Yeah and I couldn't even find it anywhere on 360 (there were a handful of PS3 copies now I think of it).
I had no idea this news would be so remarkable.
it's pretty good though, which is what matters
The Sega Saturn approach
This is the only reason I noticed.
1 - Site backdrop
2 - Integration with site logo
3 - Countdown clock
4 - Banner ad
5 - Video that popped up when I scrolled over something
Ad creeeeeeeeeeeep like a motherfucker. You would think gaming sites would have learned after the whole Spider-man 2 ad integration thing and the Kane and Lynch debacle.
Basically, if you're a male age 16-30 you should have been inundated with advertising for it.
I only know it exists cause youtube won't shut the fuck up about it.
I was in the mood for something stupid to buy on Thursday night and I was at Wal-Mart thinking "Hey, I'll grab a copy of Prototype 2 here, since it comes with a free copy of Prototype 1," proving that, at the very least, Wal-Mart's marketing of their store-exclusive bonus had been done somewhat decently. Headed back to electronics and looked everywhere and couldn't find it, and my only thought was "Wow, I can't believe Prototype 2 sold out so fast! Though I guess being packaged with the first game is a nice sales tactic." Wal-Mart had done the same thing with Arkham City/Arkham Asylum and it seemed to do very well for them.
But then I bought a 3DS instead on a whim, and when I got home I saw the thread title here on Prototype 2 about things "getting goopier on April 24th" and came to my sudden realization. Now I don't have the spare cash to spend on a game whose first iteration seriously underwhelmed me, the definition of that impulse purchase.
But they had me for a second there. More marketing needs to seriously pump up the release date of any given game, especially if they don't have a flashy date to work with (9/9/99 for the DC launch, 11/1/11 for Uncharted, 11/10/09 for MW2)
EDIT: I just realized that the PA forums advertised Prototype 2 to me better simply by saying things would "get goopier on April 24th." That's not even the thread title anymore and I still remember it.
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