Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Rayman: Legends sales below expectations: Ubisoft

Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Rayman: Legends have failed to reach sales targets, Ubisoft admits, according to comments made during an investors conference call today.

[GarrusVakarian]

Doesn't surprise me, take away Michael Ironside from an already milked franchise and this is what happens.

[Lord_Sloth]

Ironside didn't even want to do Conviction so it's not Ubi's fault that he didn't return.

I have to say that I'm blaming the more action oriented design.

[GarrusVakarian]

Doesn't matter how he went, the fact he's gone should mean no more splinter cell games with Sam Fisher in them.

[-Foxtrot]

Actually the reason behind Blacklist is because Ubisoft said Ironside was too old since they wanted a mo cap actor despite the fact Richard McGonagle in Uncharted is older then him and he does mo cap acting

It all comes down to money at the end of the day, most likely why they made it action like again.

I really feeling Ubisoft are slowly going down hill...just like Capcom's transition into this gen. They get to a point where it's money, money and more money and they decide they want more so they start to milk franchises and when thats not enough start to change IPs into games which could be good but don't fit what the franchise it about. I mean look at AC4, I would of rather had a new Pirate game IP instead of them forcing it into AC.

[MrMacheesmo]

Hey Lord,

I think it has more to do with the way they "marketed" it as an action oriented game. Because truly you have the best experience by being pure stealth through the game. It is the first splinter cell that has given me the same feeling as Chaos Theory. But you have the choice to just run and gun through it as well. People just need to play on perfectionist and try to play as a "ghost". Quite fun and challenging IMO. I am disappointed that Ironside was gone for sure though. They shot themselves in the foot on that one, one way or the other. But having said that, I can say this is my favorite SC since CT by far. Oh well...

[Lord_Sloth]

That's fair, but I'd still say the gameplay is the bigger issue than who's voicing Sam. I dunno about most people but I paid very little attention to the plot and dialogue in the game outside of the banter in the missions.

[GarrusVakarian]

Id say they are as big as each other. I mean, people have been playing as Michael Ironside's Sam Fisher for YEARS, now its been replaced with some generic military sounding voice.

But yeah i do agree the gameplay is a massive issue too. Stealth has taken a back seat over action in some ways.

[Marcello]

I don't really think a game voice actor would make or break game sales, it would hurt it but not make it flop. Shame about Blacklist i actually enjoyed as did some of my friends.

Quote from article.
"Low sales of both critically acclaimed titles have been pinned to consumers refraining from investing in new titles, in line with the launch of next-generation consoles, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One coming up soon this year".

Really ?? are gamers gonna skip current gen games to save up for a next gen console, i find that a little hard to believe.

[THamm]

They needed to add vampires or sword wielding cyborg ninjas... Maybe even a one armed triple crosser with a revolver...

[gillri]

SC : Conviction didnt meet expectations either, Splinter Cell just isnt a mega selling game or maybe people just want 'Chaos Theory 2'

[coolbeans]

Actually, Ubi seemed quite pleased with Conviction's sales at the time (considering the limited platforms it released on).

http://www.joystiq.com/2010...

[rambi80]

a $60 2d platformer is a tough sell. Rayman legends could have been broken up into smaller games over time.

I'm not saying that legends isn't worth it, just that 2d platformers do better in the <$20 price range

[deathstriker]

It's kind of their own fault. They put SC out on the same day as several other big/medium games then Rayman awkwardly between that and GTA.

[SlavisH2]

If rayman would have had online co-op i would have picked it up. My opinion my money

[bjmartynhak]

Never played a Splinter Cell game and it seemed overwhelming to catch up with such a long series (though I even bought the HD Collection before Blacklist being launched)

Rayman, on the other hand, is gorgeous and after Origins being so praised, kind of surprises me that it went bellow expectations.

[iistuii]

It didn't make expected sales, didn't stop me really enjoying SC Blacklist, hope they release more missions coop.

[ifritAlkhemyst]

Is this another one of those

"It sold $200 billion, we only invested $200, but we require $400 billion to consider it a success."

sorta deals these companies rant about?

[AusRogo]

Dang. I love Blacklist and Rayman Legends!

[level 360]

It's beacause a lot of Splinter Cell followers sort of got turned-off/disappointed by previous Double Agent and Conviction.

I still bought these two titles being a big fan of the series but was disappointed with the sudden change of Double Agent from Chaos Theory. Conviction I must say was better.

Blacklist is a masterpiece, the BEST of all in the entire series of the Splinter Cell saga.

[coolbeans]

I feel bad that I have yet to pick up Rayman Origins or Legends. Sorry, Ubi. :(

[rambi80]

i believe that Legends includes the Origin stages.

So you only need one