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[Yagharek]

Smaller games are thriving on PC and iOS. Those games don't need to be at retail at all.

There's a hell of a big middle ground between iOS flash games and the latest EActivision title.

 

[Cohsae]

Why's everybody talking about this HSOTD? What's a HSOTD?

 

[Fusebox]

High School Of the Dead - the anime that got me back into anime.

 

[Fredescu]

There's a hell of a big middle ground between iOS flash games and the latest EActivision title.

Of course there is, most of which is catered for without retail. In the case of medium sized indie PC games, sometimes the retail release comes months after the digital release.

 

[Echoplx]

Don't worry, it's not a videogame. Ausgafs reputation is still safe.

 

[Doncamatic]

I beat Arkham City.


8/10.

Why so low?

 

[reptilescorpio]

Tenjho Tenge was when I started questioning my interest in buying random Anime. I usually wait until heaps of people tell me how great a series is before sampling it. EVERYONE GO WATCH GUNGRAVE.

Smaller games are thriving on PC and iOS. Those games don't need to be at retail at all.

Some smaller games are, others aren't doing so well. A look at the most recent XBLA sales shows that only the big name small releases are going to make great bank. A lot of that is related to quality and amount of marketing too. Maximum marketing hype and budget doesn't always mean the game will be fantastic either. Word of mouth can be much more valuable than marketing dollar sometimes (Angry Birds & Demons Souls).

Strangely enough I have noticed a lot of DD games ending up with low budget retail release, like the Telltale games and Lead & Gold. Kind of like picking up that other market after hopefully breaking even so a low key retail release won't break the bank if it doesn't do well sales wise. Even Darkstar One got a 360 release eventually, I assumed the costs to get onto the platform wouldn't be worth the return but they must have been able to justify it somehow.

This weekend, there will be no Forza. No housework. No Sleep. No socialising.

 

[Cohsae]

Why the fuck did I look that up on youtube? WHY!?
I saw the word anime, I should have known better. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
If someone had walked in on me watching that I'd have killed them so they could never tell anyone, and then I'd kill myself out of shame.

 

[Fredescu]

Some smaller games are, others aren't doing so well. A look at the most recent XBLA sales shows that only the big name small releases are going to make great bank.

I'm not talking about XBLA. That has become a playground for big publishers only. Of course "some games don't do so well", that's the case at every budget point including AAA.

 

[Yagharek]

I'm not talking about XBLA.

Thats fine, because I'm not talking about PC or iOS.

 

[Deeku]

Why the fuck did I look that up on youtube? WHY!?
I saw the word anime, I should have known better. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
If someone had walked in on me watching that I'd have killed them so they could never tell anyone, and then I'd kill myself out of shame.

Don't judge Sal, Fusebox and co.

 

[Fredescu]

Thats fine, because I'm not talking about PC or iOS.

Which is why you're operating under the false assumption that only big titles do well. Otherwise known as "console blinkers".

 

[Gazunta]

edit: still trying to find a copy of Rebelstar Tactical Command. Fuck you steve o'leary.

QUOTED FOR FUCKING TRUTH.

I had to import two copies of that awesome, awesome game. (I lost my first copy so had to import it again)

 

[Yagharek]

Which is why you're operating under the false assumption that only big titles do well. Otherwise known as "console blinkers".

If you recall the last page, we were talking about street dates. Which is primarily a console game phenomenon, and a big name PC game phenomenon. All other PC games and smaller console games dont have advertised street dates.

QUOTED FOR FUCKING TRUTH.

I had to import two copies of that awesome, awesome game. (I lost my first copy so had to import it again)

Ive never been able to find it. It was one of those games I consider to be missed for good. Ribbit King was in the same category, but I managed to find that one earlier this year.

Oh, Ghost Recon Shadow Wars does make up for the loss somewhat.

 

[Gazunta]

Publishers do everything within their means to stop more games retailers pop up. By supporting big retail stores with exclusives and advertising they make it impossible for the shrinking retailers like Game Traders and GAME.

Sorry mate, but that's just out and out wrong.

 

[reptilescorpio]

I'm not talking about XBLA. That has become a playground for big publishers only. Of course "some games don't do so well", that's the case at every budget point including AAA.

Vince was mainly talking about the affect of focused PR campaigns on the wider industry of games being released. I haven't followed the sales figures of the iOS platform as closely as the consoles or PC unfortunately. EA have done well on the platform though with their higher quality than expected ports. I would assume most games have to leverage their name or association though to get up the top of the trending charts? Or at least get picked up in an advertising or promotional campaign by certain sites?

Sorry mate, but that's just out and out wrong.

The big powerful ones I mean. Like Acti/EA/Ubi. Publishers like Paradox wouldn't be as selective with pre-order bonus exclusives and the like I would hope.

 

[Fredescu]

If you recall the last page, we were talking about street dates. Which is primarily a console game phenomenon, and a big name PC game phenomenon.

If you recall the quote I was responding to, you were changing the topic away from street dates:

So in effect, the emphasis on those products at the expense of all others, is actually the most harmful phenomenon going on in the games industry. Not street dates.

That's what I'm taking issue with. We're in a golden age of indie games right now. Guys like Gaslamp and Notch and Rovio and Carpe Fulgar have turned their hobbies into profitable businesses because people are buying their shit up. If EA and Activision are harming them, half their luck.

All other PC games and smaller console games dont have advertised street dates.

The guy that works for a publisher says 90-99% of retail games have street dates.

 

[reptilescorpio]

That's what I'm taking issue with. We're in a golden age of indie games right now. Guys like Gaslamp and Notch and Rovio and Carpe Fulgar have turned their hobbies into profitable businesses because people are buying their shit up. If EA and Activision are harming them, half their luck.

My main concern is losing the middle ground, stuff like Saboteur or Singularity. I love those kinds of games.
When it comes down to it there are many factors changing the industry, I would rate production policies to be much more influential. Games like the 2 above should not cost so much to make. Especially when we get games like Bastion or Torchlight. Smaller indie developers nail the business model before worrying about if they will be in the big leagues, which is the most pleasing thing about this generation. Side stepping the need for an insanely large capital injection at the start of a project helps keep productivity high.

 

[Fogz]

Bath scene in HSOTD.

rofl

This is shameful.

This show sounds amazing and I must watch it

 

[Fredescu]

My main concern is losing the middle ground, stuff like Saboteur or Singularity. I love those kinds of games.

Those games aren't the middle ground, they were AAA budgeted games that didn't meet their targets. One of the devs was shuttered and the other had mass layoffs with those left behind doing interface work on CoD.

 

[Yagharek]

The guy that works for a publisher says 90-99% of retail games have street dates.

When I was working retail, the smaller games went on sale immediately upon receipt. It was only the bigger name games that got held back for a specific date.

In practice, probably only 60% of games had hard street dates.

edit: just bought rebelstar off ebay. fuck you again, steve.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

When I was working retail, the smaller games went on sale immediately upon receipt. It was only the bigger name games that got held back for a specific date.

In practice, probably only 60% of games had hard street dates.

Everything someone of NeoGAF wants to play has hard street dates now. I work at JB. The only things that don't are shovel-ware and some kids games.

 

[Echoplx]

Everything someone of NeoGAF wants to play has hard street dates now. I work at JB. The only things that don't are shovel-ware and some kids games.

lol

 

[bodyboarder]

Eurogamer:

Uncharted 3 - 8/10
Daytona USA - 9/10

I assume we are lumped in with europe and don't get it till next month?

 

[Yagharek]

I assume we are lumped in with europe and don't get it till next month?

Its out on xbla now. You mean PSN I assume?

 

[bodyboarder]

Its out on xbla now. You mean PSN I assume?

Yeah psn. As much as I like Daytona, I won't be setting up a US account for one game.

 

[Choc]

gaz did you read my blog, what u think?

 

[Yagharek]

Yeah psn. As much as I like Daytona, I won't be setting up a US account for one game.

In that case Im pretty sure its street dated for later this year.

 

[hamchan]

Yeah psn. As much as I like Daytona, I won't be setting up a US account for one game.

I only buy games on my US account. Earlier games and they're much cheaper, so why not?

 

[Deeku]

I only buy games on my US account. Earlier games and they're much cheaper, so why not?

Are you using psn cards? I remember clipper saying that credit cards work on the US store but it kept rejecting mine

 

[Dead Man]

So. How about that Kevin Rudd?

 

[hamchan]

Are you using psn cards? I remember clipper saying that credit cards work on the US store but it kept rejecting mine

Yep, PSN cards. Have to buy them online and they charge extra for it but the savings more than make up for it.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

lol

Well. They have dates. It isn't like we get games and put them on the shelf the day we get them.

All we hear when something like this happens is a competitor broke the date, start selling.

 

[Choc]

MY BODY IS READY

Daytona downloading

 

[Deeku]

Yep, PSN cards. Have to buy them online and they charge extra for it but the savings more than make up for it.

Ah ok cool, might have to get some then.

Fuck, I am SO screwed for an assignment I'm doing right now. On the verge of crying

 

[Echoplx]

WTF is DotA 2?

Do want

Well. They have dates. It isn't like we get games and put them on the shelf the day we get them.

All we hear when something like this happens is a competitor broke the date, start selling.

Wasn't having a go a go at you, just found it funny after what happened today It doesn't really surprise me that they would say something like that, if all it takes to break street date is word of mouth of other stores doing it then why not fabricate it.

 

[hamchan]

Ah ok cool, might have to get some then.

Fuck, I am SO screwed for an assignment I'm doing right now. On the verge of crying

Lol, I have 500 words left on this economics assingment due 5pm tomorrow and I'm browsing GAF instead.

 

[Jintor]

Why the fuck did I look that up on youtube? WHY!?
I saw the word anime, I should have known better. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
If someone had walked in on me watching that I'd have killed them so they could never tell anyone, and then I'd kill myself out of shame.

:lol :lol :lol

Ah ok cool, might have to get some then.

Fuck, I am SO screwed for an assignment I'm doing right now. On the verge of crying

what up deeky?

 

[Deeku]

Doing an assignment that is excel based and requires you to apply finance risk management theory to forecast shit. I don't know how to do that! I wasn't taught any of this in lectures! What is this bullshit?

Spoiler

I'm actually supposed to know how to do it though

Anyway, I'm less depressed now because I managed to dig out this piece of paper that had phone numbers of smart people I strategically be-friended during lectures. NETWORKING!

PLAGIARISM HO!

fuck this I'm going to bed:lol

 

[Ruthless_Barbarian]

Wow, the BF3 campaign is really terrible. Imagine trying to be like Call of Duty and failing.

 

[Darklord]

The browser integration stuff is so weird. I can't change settings without joining a game, I can't join a map when it's changing, I can't queue up, I can't change dog tags in-game. It's just all very strange.

Imagine trying to be like Call of Duty and failing.

Call of Duty did that with MW2's campaign.

 

[evlcookie]

People using 4 - 2 - 4 gear changes in daytona and even 2 - 3 - 4 make me wanna cry.

Did you join the ausgaf platoon darklord, You should, it's terrible.

 

[Shaneus]

Everyone make sure that if you have Daytona, check out the credits when you can. The background animation is nostalgia-overload (because it's a scene I don't think has ever been seen on any home versions).

I'll make an exception

 

[evlcookie]

How does Daytona handle with a controller?

Maybe I will grab it on psn, first time I've turned my console on in months

 

[fappenmeister]

Having the Coles song stuck in your head interfering with your sleep pattern isn't awesome. At all.

Down down prices are-SHUTUP

 

[Ruthless_Barbarian]

Having the Coles song stuck in your head interfering with your sleep pattern isn't awesome. At all.

Down down prices are-SHUTUP

So annoying.

 

[Omikron]

Having the Coles song stuck in your head interfering with your sleep pattern isn't awesome. At all.

Down down prices are-SHUTUP

Listen to this. To solve that problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX7QMz76JPA

 

[Kritz]

Having the Coles song stuck in your head interfering with your sleep pattern isn't awesome. At all.

Down down prices are-SHUTUP

Unfortunately that advertisement reminds me of LOST more than Coles. Then I become sad, because I watched LOST.

 

[BanShunsaku]

So wait, Dungeon Siege III has DLC now?

I really should go back and finish that game... does anyone know if they ever fixed the PC controls or is it still best with a controller?

 

[bodyboarder]

I only buy games on my US account. Earlier games and they're much cheaper, so why not?

Got a fair bit of aus PSN credit still to use. Though after thats done I'll def look into getting a US account.