OXCGN looks at the release date issue and why new IPs like Dead Space and Mirror's Edge might be suffering due to the massive number of games released at this time of year:
"Let's look at poor EA. I never thought I'd ever call EA "poor", but unlike many other developers these days who are pumping out mainly sequels, lately they have been trying new Intellectual Properties (IPs) like Mirror's Edge and Dead Space. Apparently these games, though widely acclaimed by game reviewers and many gamers, have not done so well in the sales department.
I don't think the recession has made people more conservative about their choices of games.
In fact there are reports that gaming sales are actually rising with sales growing 18% in October and November figures also stronger in the U.S.. According to NPD research, U.S. retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories were up 10 percent over November from a year ago, boosted by strong sales for Wii, the 360, and Gears of War 2.
So why, with the exception of new zombie game Left 4 Dead, which has been in the top 10 (NDP figures), have new IPs failed to sell well if recession is not the reason?
It's not the recession; it's that there are too many games."
For more hit the link.
Former Visceral Games devs reveal Dead Space's marketing budget was cut in favor of Mirror's Edge because of mock review scores.
I wish EA would just release a DS2 remake. DS is my favorite horror game and DS2 is the best one in the franchise. But because DS1 failed to meet certain numbers EA scrapped the DS2 remake. SH2 remake was great rumors are Konami might be asking for another SH remake. The RE2 remake was great EA just needs to give it another try. But all they seem to do is shitty sports games that are no different from the year before. Change a few players, add different uniform colours, maybe change a team logo. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Agreed. DS was great. But DS2 was even better. Would love to see a DS2 remake, though I would love to see a DS4 even more.
The problem with EA is they make easy $ from the slight changes to their sports titles like football FC games (whatever it’s called nowadays). People just lap that sh1t up.
Comparatively, games like DS which don’t sell 10s of millions, can’t sell them team player add ons and all the like, would seem a hassle to make and unappealing comparatively. Especially when you consider that most EA non sport titles haven’t actually performed well recently.
Dark Souls 2, Darksiders 2, Dead Space 2, Death Stranding 2, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2
The Dead space remake was so good. Better than the original. Shame they won't remake 2.
I loved the original dead space but the remake I just found boring. Game design has moved on and the game really showed its age, just small area encounters repeated again and again.
I bought Dead Space during launch window and I never bought a Mirror's Edge game .
All playable from October 1.
An executive of Electronic Arts Japan has criticised the Japanese video game ratings board for allowing upcoming action game Stellar Blade to be released uncensored while EA's own Dead Space was banned in the country.
He’s got a point. If a game is M-Rated, which is the equivalent of an R rating, I don’t get why you need to censor anything. The rating is the indicator of the content and the age appropriate. If it’s appropriate for adults… why treat them like children? 🤷♂️
This is about gore... not about anything sexual. And specifically I think it is about the realistic depiction of gore. Unfortunately I don't know the nuance of the CERO board or how it is relevant their specific culture (as a prohibition on gore may transcend age) so I hesitate to make a statement. Can anyone else provide insight to what kind of gore is considered unacceptable?
Yea, I know this is about gore, but thanks for pointing that out.
My point still stands, if a game is essentially rated for a mature audience then why censor for them as if they’re too young to view it? Makes no sense.
To answer your question: Decapitation, dismemberment, like… anything gore. They have been censoring that since CERO was established. Look up RE4 chainsaw decapitation or any MK games that made it there.
Yet, the Oneechanbara series (y'know, the game with half-naked samurai females slicing up zombies to bloody pieces) get released in Japan uncensored.
The CERO ratings board is an equilibrium.
This confuses me since I've seen so many gory Japanese movies and anime. For example, Battle Royale.
I don't know if the EA executive is going off the one close up of an arm being cut off in the demo. Maybe it's uncensored because it's the arm of a cyborg or it doesn't happen that often (didn’t see EVE dismemberment when killed in the demo) .
In the states there's a certain amount of swear words allowed to a PG13 movie before it is deemed R. So maybe it's the same in Japan for gore?
Yes I think you may be on to something. The violence is gory but I wouldn't call it gruesome.
Does EA Japan actually make games at all? Or are they just a regional publisher?
sooooo maaannnnnnyyy games! in November! barley any for December or January though :(
im sure its a bit of both... too many games, and the economy as well..
Coming from a purchaser of almost every game last gen, and even in the first year and half of this-gen, I find it almost impossible to buy anywhere near as many games as before.
Not because they are dearer, they haven't risen in price overall for almost decade and half, but because there are simply WAY too many of them, and they are generally released within days of each other.
Making managing money and game purchases almost impossible. I'm a buyer-keeper type of gamer. If I invest in a game, then I 'own it" for some time. SO I can go back to it, finish it in my own time, not within 7 days to get a return and anew game.
Game sales have typically increased in the recession/s, unlike other items within the market place. Many use games as a way of escape of the madness of the hard times and become engrossed in something different. Something they have control over - to a degree.
If games like Mirror's Edge, Dead Space etc and there's many others, were released at a different time slot, would actually become more viable for the publishers concerned. Presently, if the games falter, we do not see a new iteration, and an excellent innovative game is lost to be replaced with yet another dumb sequel to a sequel . .
They (Publishers) do nee dto re-think their sales stratergies if they want their games to fare well in this every increasing market. It's not like even 3 yrs ago - when you could get away with such things.
XBoxLIVE, PSN etc have changed the playing fields, and the user base is expanding at a huge rate. So staggering the games makes much more sense overall.
i fear the prince has been plagued by this... Its a fantastic game though
Well I know I can't personally buy even half the new games and that is only between the 360 and the Wii, don't know what I would do If I had a PS3 as well.
I agree that is the number of games ruing this industry, its not just for games its for any industry that can be produced using technology. as we advance in ways that lets us do more with less we see half ass jobs flooding the industry of all kinds ruining the work of many good work suck as games.