DmC: Devil May Cry is a failure. And a success. Just look at the sales.

We’ve talked about this before, but the fact remains that we don’t have any idea how well or poorly most games are performing on the open market. This message has been driven home once again today due to the coverage of the UK sales of DmC: Devil May Cry.

[NovusTerminus]

DMC4's first week in the UK was 184,648 copies according to VGchartz.

A third of that is about 60k copies. Not very strong in truth, and I don't think that the other 2/3'rd are in digital sales.

I will not make a call on this game until I see the worldwide sales, thats when the picture is clear, but so far it's not a strong opening. And I will willing to bet that after this week it will fall fast from the charts.

DmC on amazon is already down to #70 and below on each console, with the PS3 DMCHD outdoing the new game.

Again, no one can make a full call yet, and I won't either, but from what we are seeing, it might not be a strong as Capcom hoped.

[VileAndVicious]

Just curious...but are you in the US? Just asking because as of this moment DmC(Ps3) is ranked #31 while the 360 version is ranked #33. But thats interesting to see it very from region to region if not.

[GSpartan777]

I have DmC (PS3) at #38 and DmC (Xbox 360) at #50 in best seller for the US store. The arrow is red and pointing down, assuming it means it's on a decline.

For new and popular the PS3 version has gone down to #8 and Xbox 360 down to #24.

If you want Gamestop, it went to #8-9 (360 - PS3) from being #1 - #3 in less than a week.

[wishingW3L]

Amazon US: http://i377.photobucket.com...

[MaxXAttaxX]

Noticed that too, lol

[TheoreticalParticle]

"DMC4's first week in the UK was 184,648 copies according to VGchartz."

So, basically, the only thing we know is that DMC4 didn't sell 184,648 copies in its first week in the UK.

[Knushwood Butt]

lol

[GuyManDude]

VGchartz's numbers may be rough estimates when the info is fresh (1st week sales, weekly hardware reports), but they update each game and console's numbers when the official numbers come in.

Considering Devil May Cry 4 is almost five years old, I'm pretty confident that they have it right.

[Tontus]

@GuyManDude Well they didn't update God of War 3 when Sony announced sales figures for the franchise and it was undertracked by almost 900,000 units. They still haven't adjusted that at all. They made adjustments to all the other games in the series but it's still not accurate, GoW 1 & 2 aren't being sold new anymore so obviously the sell-in numbers = sell-through but not according to Vgchartz.

For the most part Vgchartz is fairly accurate, but sometimes they are REALLY off the ball. NPD is the most trustworthy source of information for US sales and I guess we need an announcement from Capcom to know how well DmC is doing, although I suspect they'll only announce shipped sales instead of sold to customers.

[Amplitude]

Worth mentioning... Im buying it off Steam on the 25th, digital. My friend bought it day 1 off on PSN.

Digital sales cont count toward numbers for some reason even though you'd think they'd be easier to track lol. And im assuming a lot of sales are digital since theres no tax, better load times, and no disc.

[fei-hung]

Dude, it's £15 more expensive on PSN and you can't trade it in. Why would your friend buy it if PSN unless he has money growing on trees.

[unicronic]

@ fei-hung, good point. Day 1 PSN Digital is a real way to get butt hurt. Might as well shave your butt, drop your trousers, grab your ankles and walk into the PSN store backwards.

[Amplitude]

What? It's 59.99 on PSN and it's 59.99 at EB Games...

Except EB has tax.

Lol what are you talking about

[Statix]

Historically, digital sales on PSN are nowhere close to those of retail, and people still generally prefer owning a physical disc. This preference is due to materialism, and/or the ability to re-sell the disc. Not to mention that you very often see retail games on sale for a discount (whether it be $5, $10, even $20+ discounts), whereas the PSN versions generally do not offer discounts off the MSRP Occasional sales and specials, such as the "Day 1 Digital" promotion offered late last year are an exception to the rule.

Digital sales may be a significant share of game sales in the PC market, but no evidence has yet indicated that PSN retail sales of any major release are even 1/4th that of retail PS3 discs.

[rezzah]

The closest people can come to tracking digital sales is based on the rating system. I know that the PSN has it, but I am unsure about Live. Still not everyone rates the games they buy, so unless MS or Sony announce the digital sales we will never know.

[fei-hung]

@Lordme

The 184k plus sales for DMC4 were for Europe not UK, but even then, a third of that us not a great deal.

[Kur0]

I hope this game fails so Capcom let Platinum make the next one.

[Ashriel]

Just let Platinum make Bayonetta -___-

[WeAreLegion]

Platinum and Kamiya have already stated that this DMC is fantastic. In fact, Ninja Theory took a lot of influence from Bayonetta for this one.

Maybe you should play it before being a tool?

[Blacktric]

"Platinum and Kamiya have already stated that this DMC is fantastic."

Kamiya rarely badmouths other developers as long as they are not being dicks towards him.

"In fact, Ninja Theory took a lot of influence from Bayonetta for this one."

As demonstrated with the lack of manual lock on and many other fan favorite features...

Maybe you should think twice before acting like you know anything regarding to Devil May Cry, Kamiya, Platinum Games and respect to other people's taste.

[Root]

No where did Hideki Kamiya state that he was a fan of the game, it was just the media twisting his words

He just said he's glad people are still interested in the franchise as a brand.

[Baka-akaB]

Kamiya never was a fan of the game , and is just polite and staying away from the drama . He simply got other things do do beyond caring positively or negatively over a franchise he hasnt seen for 4 games in a row .

""In fact, Ninja Theory took a lot of influence from Bayonetta for this one."
"

I find you claim rather ridiculous , but i'll bite and give a chance to explain . Care to develop ?

[Qrphe]

Baseless assertions, completely baseless.

[Hanso]

agree

[sypher]

We will know how good/bad it does on how quickly it drops in price.

[TheFallenAngel]

I don't want the game to fail. Why? the developers have families and bills and they need support. I can see if it was a terrible game but the reviews show that is a good game. I was a hater at first but they are people and got families to feed.

[Baka-akaB]

Seems like emotional blackmail .

Every game has workers with potentially family to support .

You could just support a less controversial game actually needing the sales badly and underrated despite critical praises .

That's a ridiculous excuse imo to wish a game success . You buy a game if you like it , you dont if you dont like it , that's all there is to it .

[TheFallenAngel]

I said that only good games deserve success not bad games. The reviews point to be a good game. I havent tried it myself.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Your opinion vs mine. I know how it feels not being able to provide for my family because our company is going to the toilet and I dont work full time. If the product is good, why not support it? Heavenly Sword was a mediocre game and I was glad I bought it used. But the game looks like I would enjoy it.

[Baka-akaB]

Yeah but no offense , and my issues with DmC asides ... it just rubs me the wrong way when people give us the "family to feed" angle .

Of course most people wont wish families to suffer , that's not the point nor something to hang over a game's sales and purchase imo .

One thing that also bothers me is when the press try to guilt people for not buying into their opinions and choices of good games (wich is precisely what happened with Enslaved) .
Ultimately reviews are just opinions , not a definitive authority on quality and good taste

EDIt :

"If the product is good, why not support it?"
True , but got nothing to do with anyone's family in the decision

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you have families to feed you should go into a field that is guaranteed to pay you money. Not one where you need to please the fans to make money.

[cooperdnizzle]

I disagree with that. Simple, if you're going to get in the industry, make bad ass products and they will sale themselves. Work hard and you can do anything. The face is there are to many lazy developers these days trying to cash in on bad products. If you're good at your job then you have nothing to worry about in any industry. I disagree with you 100% Lazy comment.

[ZombieNinjaPanda]

What is there to disagree with? I don't even think you understand the context of my comment. People are commenting saying "oh I feel bad, they have families to feed".

So what? Developers think that they can get away with murder and still make money on it because "They got families to feed". I'm saying if they have families to feed so badly, they shouldn't have went into a business that requires you to put your heart and soul into it and expected to make millions for a cheap cash out.

[Qrphe]

This money you would have spent on this game, you could have spent it on a product or service of a worker who ACTUALLY deserves it and ALSO has a family to feed.

[WeAreLegion]

1) No marketing.
2) Old fans who don't know how incredible the game is.

Just PLAY the freaking game, people. Play it. Then, you can judge it. It's one of the best action games ever made.

[Deadpool616]

Actually, this game had something other than marketing and that was controversy. Since the first trailer at Tokyo Game Show 2010 it was generating buzz through controversy. During that time Ninja Theory fueled the controversy with their comments towards the original Devil May Cry fans reactions. I'm sure mostly everyone interested in action games knows about DmC by now after waiting 3 years since it debut.

As for the fans of the original series (which you refer to as "Old fans") they were pretty much alienated by Ninja Theory. Everything the fans loved about the original DMC was mocked and disregarded by the company. Some fans reacted in a constructive way and some reacted in a spiteful way.

Either way, you can't deny DmC generated many arguments every time some news was posted about it.

[Baka-akaB]

It had better than usual marketing , and the support of the whole press industry from day one .

And by now most people had a shot to play the game and the demo to have an opinion . Such excuse wont fly

[Gohadouken]

"Just PLAY the freaking game, people. Play it. Then, you can judge it. It's one of the best action games ever made. "

Should i wear some electronic bracelet while playing the game to prove it to you ? Or could you stop assuming that once someone played it , his opinions MUST change about the game .

Some people played and didnt like it , some did like it . That's all .

And most "haters" on N4g and other site , usually agree that it's a game good /decent or ok ... for some of us just not good enough for DMC . Time to accept such an idea , be they the minority or not .

[cooperdnizzle]

Good post man. Also i would like to add. If you like previous dmc games then you will be pissed they changed a lot of things with in the game. And it is pretty much like giving the finger to your true fan base that has supported the game for years.

[maximus1985]

i played it. beat it. sold it today towards ni no kuni. its a decent game but honestly the change just wasnt necesary but to each his own.

[DigitalAnalog]

If every gamer could PLAY EVERY GAME that gets released before JUDGING, what would be the point of reviews then?

[fei-hung]

I think it's had more marketing than DMC4. Most sites I go on have DmC being advertised. The Internet is full of DmC ads. I can't recall a TV commercial for either game, but I don't remember DMC4 getting this much paid advertising exposure on the Internet.

[WeAreLegion]

Playing the demo is not playing the game. Trust me. If you play the demo, you won't get the full extent of what this game is about and why Dante is an acceptable substitute for old Dante. I can't accept that you guys played it and didn't like it because any Devil May Cry fan who enjoyed the series before would enjoy the new one.

[Baka-akaB]

Now that's an utterly ridiculous statement and clearly proves it's impossible to have a discussion with you .

Even bayonetta isnt always accepted by all DMC 1-4 fans .

You're basically calling anyone disagreeing with you a liar there . But fine so be it .

[dragonrage00]

If you were a devil may cry fan you would easily find a truckload of reasons a veteran wouldnt like the game, even if you did.

[maximus1985]

crow, i played it and beat it in 6 hours. Not because i was trying to rush just how it went down. its a decent game with great characters but i still feel the changes made were not needed and i cant explain what it is but it just didnt pull me in like dmc should.

[GuyManDude]

These's this thing called YouTube that let's you catch hours of gameplay in one sitting. And there's this one video, which I'll call Exhibit A, that shows the player killing a boss on Son of Sparda difficulty using one attack over and over. Not only do they kill said boss using only one move, they get an SSS rank for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I don't need to play the game to know that:

A) It's too easy
B) The style system is a joke
C) Bosses are pushovers

And don't even get me started on the squirrel semen.

[maximus1985]

having played the game i have to agree, i got SSS rank too many times. i enjoyed seeing SSS or ss but in the end i felt like a liar....a dirty stinking liar

[Qrphe]

I'll play it, eventually.

[ame22]

There's two reasons for that, one being the possibility of the acronym DMC stirring confusion between the consumers, and the other is that the franchise or the genre for that matter simply don't resonate with gamers anymore (GOW) being the exception.

[MeatAbstract]

Here in the UK, I tend to think game charts don't mean anything. Go into a GAME or GameStation and it's at the top of the charts for one reason - it's new.

Most people I know that are into games play CoD or FIFA and that's about it. I mentioned Demon's Souls to someone they look at me like I crapped in their pillow.

So yeah, just saying, the whole 'top the UK charts thing' doesn't matter because every new game end sup up there anyway until the new ones comes along.

[kwyjibo]

This article could just be replaced with the line, "We have no fucking idea".

Complete waste of words.

[Armsgraph]

ive been playing the devil may cry series since day one and ive enjoyed all but the second one. That being said I also was one of the diehard fans who actually picked this game up and played it instead of just judging it from the beginning. I can say from mission 1 till the last mission I enjoyed the entire game. It feels like any old devil may cry. So I don’t understand what the hate is about again is it because of the hair cut because that’s a petty reason to hate a game you haven’t played. I don’t like how the characters look in street fighter 4 but I still play it.

[Sevir]

This game has plenty of controversy, The game performed well at the critics... Its been a glowing success.

At this point I feel people who hate the game for what ever reason should just have a seat and go play something else.

The game is fantastic! And I'm hoping and praying Capcom doesnt retire the franchise and that this game does well enough to warrant another sequel. :-)

[Statix]

Maybe people hate the game because it kills off and replaces the spirit of what made them love the previous games in the series?

[Abriael]

I played the game. It's not bad at all gameplay-wise (it's also not incredible as some would like people to believe), but characters and story are an unmitigated trainwreck.

Personally, I hope for the game to be a flop, and I'm quite sure it will indeed sell way below expectations.

Why? That way maybe capcom will understand that the silly westernization process they've been supporting in the last few years can only bring disaster, and will go back to make Japanese teams work on their Japanese franchises, instead of a team like Ninja Theory that not only did not pull a single real hit in the whole story of the studio, but they went on to blatantly disrespect (and more than once) the original creators, their vision and their nationality.

When you approach a franchise that has been created by someone else, you should do so with respect. That's what Ninja Theory did not do, and that's what they should be held accountable for.

I too hope there will be more Devil May Cry games. I just hope Ninja Theory (or any other western developer, to be honest) won't be part of it.

[GraveLord]

We don't even have the sales yet. For all we know it could have sold 1m in the US.

[taijutsu363]

Lol what I wanna know is why everyone keeps using the term "butt hurt". Can we not come up with something different??

[Plagasx]

Same exact shit with RE6.

People will bitch but if the game sell a shit ton, the developers won't give a fuck and Capcom will probably make another one the same exact way.

[MeatAbstract]

That seems to be the way Capcom is heading. Do they care if fans of their old games complain? Of course not, they know it will sell because who gives a damn about the fans?

Not that DmC is a bad game as I've only played a demo and it seemed alright to me and it didn't make me cream my jeans or anything nor did it give me diarrhea while I wept about it on the toilet.

But with RE6, Capcom certainly pried their arse cheeks apart and eased one out onto their collective faces. You'll get people that say it was pretty good or it was a great action game. It wasn't. I'm a strong believer that someone who plays games for awhile can get a handle on any control scheme with enough practice. With RE6, I'm sure I could of played better with thumbs broken.

But anyway enough of my ranting - Capcom are beyond caring. They proved that when they handed DMC over to another developer and made RE6, showing once and for all they don't give a shit if you're a fan of their old games. They want a payday.

[CoryHG]

Same thing can be said about RE6, except RE6 wasn't good. This game is very enjoyable. Stop being butthurt.

[DOOMZ]

Just play it already!

[Hanso]

game is good but not "DMC" good
so im not buying it

[VileAndVicious]

-_-

There have only been two "DMC" good games in the series. DmC is just fine.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

Some ppl just cant get over change I rlly hope this game dosent fail in sales.

[lashek]

How a game  that is inferior in every way to it's predcessor which is 4 years + old gets a higher score than it's predecessors. The combat, clearly inferior, graphics inferior, runs at 30FPS instead of 60FPS, modles, texture and enviroments look worse(THAN A 4 YEAR OLD GAME), and a terrible unrelatable anoying story. Also it needs to be pointed out the sound desgin is much worse. One of the great things about the DMC series was everything felt incredibly powerful and sounded powerful when you hit someone. In this game guns espeically have no force behind them, the way they choose to show power of weapons hitting is incrdibly odd with screen freeze instead of screen shake(on 30 FPS it looks even worse than it would at 60).
 
I mean I don't get it. Have our standards as a community dropped so low in the past 4 years that we except inferior sequels and praise them? I mean Bayonetta came out 2 years ago and is so beyond this game in every single way yet it gets the SAME SCORE. Where is the bench mark? Explain this scoring.
 
When Capcom re-invented Resident Evil, it desereved praise because, all though different, it was better, it was evolved, deeper, more fun, and more complex and complete as a game.  This does not fit that bill.
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I played the SAME games you played Jose. How is our analysis so different? There has to be some standard. DmC can be a good game(I think it's a decent game) but you can't claim a dumbed down inferior version of something is above or as good as other games of the same genre on your own website. It's not debatable that it has a superior gameplay systen and design. You can argue astetics all day but you can not look at this game and tell me gameplay wise it is superior to Bayonetta, DMC4, and DMC3. Are you suggesthing the presentation, graphics, and storyline are so much stronger than these games that it surpases it's gameplay deficiencies?
Listen, DmC doesn't suck. It is not a piece of Trash game. It is a decent game that feels worse than it is because of the drop off from the original games. Lowering standards should not be rewarded with high scores, I'm sorry. This world rewards mediocrity too much and the video game industry is as well. Please defend your score compared to the previous scores given to games of the same genre.

[maniacmayhem]

Reading this post from Lashek has only confirmed that he has NOT played it at all.

The combat (with the lack of a lock-on) is exactly like the previous DmC's with even more of a variety in combos. And the way people are complaining with the lack of lock on is surprising since most people complain about games holding your hands or helping you along. God of War has no lock on and is regarded as one of the best action games around. Why DmC is getting flack for a lack of lock-on is beyond me and reaching.

"graphics inferior, runs at 30FPS instead of 60FPS"
"modles, texture and enviroments look worse(THAN A 4 YEAR OLD GAME)"

You must be playing on an old Zenith CRT TV to even think that the graphics are THAT bad. The graphics are very good for a multiplatform game and the way the city morphs and contorts around you is amazing.

"In this game guns espeically have no force behind them,"

This proves you have no concept of the DmC game. The guns were never meant to be a powerful weapon it was meant to keep combos going or extend them, (or interrupt an enemies weak attack).

"power of weapons hitting is incrdibly odd with screen freeze instead of screen shake"

This is meant for a dramatic effect when you finish an enemy off which is very effective cinematic wise, not only is it a screen freeze with your weapon tearing through an enemy but it is also a close up.

The game is good and I'm enjoying it very much. Now is it better than Bayonetta or DMC3 or DMC4....no, no it's not, but not for the reasons you stated above.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I could not agree any more! THANK YOU! Too many reviewers are so quick to give a game a great score because it didn't um "suck". Now look at it this way JUST because a game doesn't suck on its own merit doesn't make it gold. DMC4 was no where near DMC3 in terms of deepness (it was missing something....Kamiya) and yet reviewers where okay with it cause it was playable. I mean really? DMC4, this new DMC all SUCK! TO me, they might as well not even be DMC games, its a new IP for all I care. I played it for the boss gameplay....thats gone. Kamiya took that talent with him, hints WHY Bayonetta is the best Hack'n'slash this gen.

I played DMC1, DMC2 and DMC3 and even got the special edition of DMC3, didn't even waste the time to finish DMC4. The series to me is dead and over, Bayonetta is the future of that type of gameplay.

You can call it "DmC" all you want, but we all know why they games where AMAZING "Kamiya", if he's not directing it, it might as well be Heavenly Sword 2. Names don't mean crap to me, I didn't fall in love with names and semantics....the gameplay people.

Bayonetta is where you should be looking at.

[Tontus]

lol. God of War III is the best game in the hack 'n slash genre this generation and everyone knows it. It's the most critically acclaimed, award-winning, bestselling and most beloved in the genre by light-years. Nothing else comes close. Only God of War: Ascension can top it.

God of War is the benchmark other games in the genre are measured against, it alone is the reason the genre is still alive and it's inspired more developers than most franchises ever have.

What did Bayonetta do? The PS3 version was a total disaster, the Xbox 360 version got good reviews but nothing special and overall it sold poorly. Why else would Sega turn down Bayonetta 2 and let Nintendo pick up the IP? Bayonetta didn't do anything for the genre or the industry, you deluded Bayonetta obsessed weeaboos need to calm down with your love for Kamiya and making crazy claims like 'Bayonetta is the future of that type of gameplay', when it inspires half as many games as God of War let me know.

Also the new DmC >>> Bayonetta.

[Louis_Guzman]

@ Tontus: Lol! Kamiya's Devil may Cry inspired God of War you cretin. Also: Bayonetta > than that buttonmashing spamfest, GoW.

[8bit_Nes_Rambo]

Hey Tontus, thanks for the laughs. Really.

[JasonXS12]

At first I though DmC was a prequel to the story of the original DMC but later came to the realisation that it actually was a reboot of the series (me thinking that reboot was something along the lines of a new game after a long time) but how I was wrong.
The REBOOT for the game is great as not only does it follow the original gamestyle nicely but it also changes the setting enough to be a new series. Old DMC fans shouldn't complain as they should think of this as a new series instead of a continuation of the old.

[Trenta27]

These articles need to stop. Seriously.

[legendof117]

The keyword here is REBOOT. It's not a sequel. It's a different take on Devil May Cry.

[Trentdrko]

The game looks great to me. Since I never played dmc this game will be great. The new dmc series looks awesome

[InTheLab]

Amazing how another game that highlights the difference between critics and paying customers, magically has no way to track sales like how it's doing on Amazon or even polls.

[mi_titan27]

I loved the new DMC! Finished the game last night.

[Knushwood Butt]

I wonder if after this game has bombed, months later we'll get sites trying to claim it was an under appreciated gem, like they did with Enslaved.

[strigoi814]

If only the hair was white..i think this will sell more /s

[maximus1985]

actually after i beat the game they gave me the white hair....i sold the game today for ni no kuni

[Tzuno]

The game show the early age of Dante, who were his parents and how he ended up in this demon fight world. Is more like a intro to dmc series so stop bitchin'.

[maddfoxx]

I played every DMC including this one and its pretty much the same as far as gameplay goes. Combo system is just as great as other games. Fans are only complaining because they changed the design of Dante. Do you guys really expect a western developer to have the same design as eastern ones.

[HonestDragon]

DmC is far from perfect, but also far from terrible. Anyone who praises it too much or criticizes it negatively, seem to be misinformed or completely boggled with one thing or another. I'm still working through it to finish it up, but my review will be up soon. From what I've played, it seems average as opposed to above or below average.

[Blacklash93]

I was a hater and a friend who was never a DMC fan got the game just to spite me. He liked it so I decided to give it a try. Now I'm a believer.

I still think the old style was much better. I'm mostly not a fan of the new enemy and character designs. I haven't changed my mind that the new Dante and and some other aspects are too punk-ish. There are some occasional audio issues and the dialogue can be just as bad as the old series in spots.

But I think the combat and level design are better than ever, especially the latter. The combat gets ridiculously deep being able to seamlessly switch between a considerable number of weapons and guns. The new upgrade system is great and rewards you more often. Guns finally have some kick to them for once. Dante's agility and and maneuvering are vasty better and platforming is finally enjoyable. Challenges and levels feel far more varied. Environments are a bit more explorable. It just all around feels a lot more solid.

I think it's a good game and NT did a good job. I don't agree with a fair number of their decisions with aesthetics and tone, but overall I think the game is worth playing.

[Alos88]

So in a way, until we know more this is the Schrödinger's cat of game success?

[Elda]

I'm totally enjoying DmC,taking my time with it,I think NT did a good job with this new take on DMC,love the level designs & combat,a fresh new experience because the last DMC was boring.

[LordHiggens]

Remember folks if you have to get the game...get it used! Cheaper for you, teaches Capcom a lesson, we all win.

[josh14399]

The game was great I hope it sales improve because I would love a sequel.

[taijutsu363]

Shut and give me back my money!!! lol

[TwistedMetal]

the new dmc is far easier and looks more like the cheap dante inferno type games and thats why some people buy it and like it. A lot of people are scared of the original dmc games and stuff like ninja gaiden because they to hard for them. this new dmc is not worth 60 bucks i suggest you wait for the price to drop or get a longer game that last longer like ni no kuni wrath of the white witch.