• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Fans are worried Metaphor won't sell well because Xbox is heavily promoting it

Not sure what you're asking here, but it sounds like
Always Sunny Reaction GIF

People who would've bought a PS5 for the game (and its other RPGs) ending up not buying one because it's had zero PS5 advertising in the West.

And the kicker is, those people probably aren't buying an Xbox to play the game, at this point. They'll just wait until they think the game's coming to PS5 or PC....only to find out way later it was on both Day 1.

So maybe that person scrambles to buy the game at launch, or now they can't because that money's been set aside for another game they knew was coming out for their system way beforehand. In that example the publisher just lost a sale. Or maybe the person decides to wait to buy a PS5 thinking the game comes later, then finds out it was there Day 1, but now they can't buy a PS5, they don't have a PC to play the game and they don't want to buy an Xbox.

Well now that's just Microsoft enforcing a marketing deal that actively harms the gaming market because they aren't getting that customer anyway, but neither is Sony and neither is Valve. A net loss for everyone just to make-pretend Xbox has an exclusive JRPG.

Marketing rights and platform exclusivity are totally the same thing 🤭

Marketing rights that forcefully exclude all mentions of other platforms a game is on in all marketing material is certainly stupid on behalf of the publisher.

I mean... That's what they are supposed to do?
Though define heavily. Actually, define marketing, Xbox is allergic to that.

There've actually been a decent number of TV ads surprisingly (at least on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and the like) for the game, and they only mention Xbox & Game Pass.

Which makes me think Microsoft themselves are 100% footing the marketing for the game in the West; if SEGA/Atlus were producing any of these ads they'd at least probably list PlayStation & Steam as well as Xbox & Game Pass.

Anyone who's interested in JRPG's and/or Atlus games knows it's coming to PS5.

I guess Atlus only care to sell their JRPGs to the same people who were already buying them on PS & Steam, and not new gamers or newer JRPG players who are more casual, and would benefit from seeing the game advertised for their platform of choice.

Believe it or not, the market for games like this could grow on PS and Steam, but not if a publisher just "assumes" everyone already knows it's coming out there. That itself assumes everyone interested (or would be interested) is a genre diehard or hardcore enthusiast following all the gaming news. Which we know isn't true, because they're doing TV ads for the game at this very moment, suggesting they know at least on Xbox there are new customers to reach.

It'd be the same for PlayStation and Steam, yet those platforms are getting blacklisted by Microsoft in the Western marketing 🤔

How do you figure?

Because they're doing TV ads in America for the game. That's one of the most mainstream forms of marketing to casual & mainstream audiences, and newcomers.

There are plenty of JRPG newbies and casuals on PS5 and Steam who don't keep up with all the new releases. So, they likely wouldn't know about this game due to the way it's being marketed.

Tales from his ass.

Anyway, the marketing rights seem to be limited anyway, the game shows all platforms in its latest TV spots.

Plus like others have said, anyone who knew anything about the game would know what platforms its on. If someone doesn't even know what Metaphor is in the first place, it's not because it was only marketed for xyz platform.



Western. Ads.

It's the Western ads where they don't mention PlayStation and Steam, as graywolf323 graywolf323 said. The Japanese marketing has always listed all the platforms (Xbox, PS, Steam).

There was a rumor a while back that Microsoft stipulated some condition with SEGA/Atlus that if they made a game for PlayStation, they must also make an Xbox version, and Microsoft would get marketing rights for all SEGA/Atlus games outside of Asian markets like Japan. The Western marketing for Metaphor just reinforces that rumor, not to mention the Western marketing they already had for other SEGA/Atlus releases (Like A Dragon, P5R, Infinite Wealth etc.).

If it ain't on Game Pass then I really don't see much point in marketing it for Xbox.

Phil Spencer does (or did): counter SIE's marketing/exclusivity of games like FF7 Remake/Rebirth, Granblue etc., and push back on idea that Xbox doesn't have any Japanese support.

Also probably to push back against the real data that B2P sales for JRPGs are weak on Xbox, hence no Game Pass for Metaphor. Everything Phil's been doing for Xbox this gen, up until higher-ups forced changes after ABK was completed, has been for optics rather than results.
 
People who would've bought a PS5 for the game (and its other RPGs) ending up not buying one because it's had zero PS5 advertising in the West.

And the kicker is, those people probably aren't buying an Xbox to play the game, at this point. They'll just wait until they think the game's coming to PS5 or PC....only to find out way later it was on both Day 1.
...yeah so basically
Always Sunny Fx GIF
 

nnytk

Member
I tried the demo on PC and I'm actually more worried it will get bad reviews due to performance issues and looking quite rough in places, graphically.

I love the art direction but I think many people won't gel with it.

The demo starts out rather slow too with a ton of handholding so... If this game doesn't do well, worth of mouth and review wise, I think it might grow into a flop.

I truly hope it doesn't though, because I love Atlus for what they do, even if its not always for me...
 

PurePlatinum

Gold Member
We gotta define some of these terms - It's not going to sell as well as a Persona game, duh.

It's also not going to sell very well on Xbox, which is why Atlus took the marketing / GamePass bag.
 

Astray

Member
I tried the demo on PC and I'm actually more worried it will get bad reviews due to performance issues and looking quite rough in places, graphically.
Performance issues got fixed in the latest patch. Hope that patch makes it into the final build from day 1.
 

nnytk

Member
H
Performance issues got fixed in the latest patch. Hope that patch makes it into the final build from day 1.

Hmm, it ran quite poorly in 1080p on my Ryzen from 2019 and RTX 2080. With lots of jaggies. But I'm not planning to play on PC tbh.

I might get it on the PS5 Pro.
 

Topher

Identifies as young
Phil Spencer does (or did): counter SIE's marketing/exclusivity of games like FF7 Remake/Rebirth, Granblue etc., and push back on idea that Xbox doesn't have any Japanese support.

Also probably to push back against the real data that B2P sales for JRPGs are weak on Xbox, hence no Game Pass for Metaphor. Everything Phil's been doing for Xbox this gen, up until higher-ups forced changes after ABK was completed, has been for optics rather than results.

Agree with you there. Optics are expensive when you are that far behind. Was browsing the collector's edition of the game on Amazon and noticed the PS5 and Steam versions are sold out while Xbox version is still available. It's gotta rub raw for Phil Spencer to put out that money to promote a game only to see everyone flock to the competition.

nkqxc6x.png


JXADCGu.png


M8vCOd7.png


 
I tried the demo on PC and I'm actually more worried it will get bad reviews due to performance issues and looking quite rough in places, graphically.
The demo received an update that fixed the performance.

It’s interesting since the PS5 almost feels like 120hz with how fast it appears to run. There isn’t a single stutter. Amazing what you can do when you aren’t using unreal engine.
 

RoboFu

One of the green rats
On pc if I set the frame rate cap to 60 and turn on sync it locks to 30fps but if I set the cap 120 and vsync on it locks to 60.
Pc seems to have a few bugs for sure.
 
Last edited:
Agree with you there. Optics are expensive when you are that far behind. Was browsing the collector's edition of the game on Amazon and noticed the PS5 and Steam versions are sold out while Xbox version is still available. It's gotta rub raw for Phil Spencer to put out that money to promote a game only to see everyone flock to the competition.

nkqxc6x.png


JXADCGu.png


M8vCOd7.png



Yeah and on the MC the highest scoring version is the PS5 one (94) followed by Steam (92); PS5 version also has the most reviews which is a bit crazy considering these are Western outlets and Xbox has had marketing rights in this part of the world for the game that don't even mention PlayStation OR Steam.

Although, in a way this might also prove what I've seen others saying, that it maybe doesn't really matter anyway to mention those platforms since it seems people will gravitate to buying these types of games on them much more than Xbox. So it wouldn't seem like SEGA/Atlus are risking anything by taking on a marketing deal with Microsoft, and Phil gets to look like the hero to his cult fanbase by parading a multiplat JRPG like it's an exclusive.

A win-win, I suppose.

We gotta define some of these terms - It's not going to sell as well as a Persona game, duh.

It's also not going to sell very well on Xbox, which is why Atlus took the marketing / GamePass bag.

It's not on Game Pass.
 
Last edited:

Sooner

Member
Game is reviewing absurdly well.
Xbox had marketing rights.

Now, let's see the sales split and if it can shine some clarity on Microsoft's query as to why publishers often skip their platform completely.
 

nnytk

Member
The demo received an update that fixed the performance.

It’s interesting since the PS5 almost feels like 120hz with how fast it appears to run. There isn’t a single stutter. Amazing what you can do when you aren’t using unreal engine.

I saw the metacritic and watched a glowing review and instantly bought it. When that PS5 pro arrives I'm gonna have a lot of games to play, yikes 😬☺️
 

cireza

Member
Yeah and on the MC the highest scoring version is the PS5 one (94) followed by Steam (92); PS5 version also has the most reviews which is a bit crazy considering these are Western outlets and Xbox has had marketing rights in this part of the world for the game that don't even mention PlayStation OR Steam.

Although, in a way this might also prove what I've seen others saying, that it maybe doesn't really matter anyway to mention those platforms since it seems people will gravitate to buying these types of games on them much more than Xbox. So it wouldn't seem like SEGA/Atlus are risking anything by taking on a marketing deal with Microsoft, and Phil gets to look like the hero to his cult fanbase by parading a multiplat JRPG like it's an exclusive.
So you basically admit that everything you were saying was complete BS, but still you can't stop yourself from throwing at least a tiny bit more BS in the end.

I think this is an appropriate instance of using "nobody".

Nobody, excepted you, ever believed that the game was exclusive to Xbox.
 
Last edited:
Game is reviewing absurdly well.
Xbox had marketing rights.

Now, let's see the sales split and if it can shine some clarity on Microsoft's query as to why publishers often skip their platform completely.

Those sales splits are gonna show exactly why publishers have been skipping their platform the past year or so, and they ain't gonna be pretty...for Xbox.

Have you seen the latest GSD sales numbers? 😬

So you basically admit that everything you were saying was complete BS, but still you can't stop yourself from throwing at least a tiny bit more BS in the end.

You're saying Phil Spencer doesn't have a cult of personality?

I think this is an appropriate instance of using "nobody".

Nobody, excepted you, ever believed that the game was exclusive to Xbox.

👇👇👇

I hadn’t heard of this, tbh, but it looks like it has a demo. Will download after work.

You likely didn't hear about it because Microsoft made SEGA/Atlus omit mentioning PlayStation and Steam in all Western marketing for the game.
 

Pallas

Member
Anyone who is seriously interested in this game knows it’s coming to Sony platforms. Marketing rights or not, we aren’t idiots. Hell, you can just Google search the game title and it’ll show you the platforms.

At this rate I don’t think any kind of marketing from Xbox is threatening sales. Atlus gets free money and Xbox can brag how it’s not devoid of Japanese games anymore.
 

Camreezie

Member
No 'casual' fan is getting confused about where to buy this game. JRPG fans pretty much always know which platforms any game is available on
 

RobRSG

Member
Agree with you there. Optics are expensive when you are that far behind. Was browsing the collector's edition of the game on Amazon and noticed the PS5 and Steam versions are sold out while Xbox version is still available. It's gotta rub raw for Phil Spencer to put out that money to promote a game only to see everyone flock to the competition.

nkqxc6x.png


JXADCGu.png


M8vCOd7.png


Here in Germany all Collector’s Edition are gone. Just saying that the World is more than just the US of A.
 
Last edited:
Guys, I have great grief to report it appears that Xbox's marketing did fail.....


puLVqYa.png


Pb8W1kv.png
I remember when I posted similar numbers for Persona 3 Reload and Unicorn Overlord earlier this year and certain posters whose names you can easily guess came right at me, I hope you're ready for the snarky replies lmao
 

Mayar

Member
Even if equal numbers of people bought it for each platform, the Xbox listing on Amazon would be a fraction of PlayStation, since Xbox owners buy digitally.
Indeed, and people who buy games from PlayStation only on discs and never buy games in digital form, only Xbox owners do this... Do you even understand what you wrote?
I am almost certain that if you take purchases from PlayStation, the digital version accounted for the majority of sales, disc versions were bought only by Atlus fans, or people who collect games, and such people are a minority.

This situation simply shows that there are more fans of the Atlus series of games on PlayStation. But this is not surprising at all, everyone knew about it, so the sales result is natural. In fact, Sony received free advertising of the game as part of an investment from Microsoft, I think they perfectly knew that this would not affect the sales of the game, and Atlus is not stupid either.
 
Last edited:

Topher

Identifies as young
Here in Germany all Collector’s Edition are gone. Just saying that the World is more than just the US of A.

Wasn't suggesting otherwise. Factually, US is Xbox's most successful market and the fact that the collector's edition is still available to this day tells me the marketing isn't benefitting Xbox. That's why I question buying the marketing rights at all.
 
Last edited:
I bet this is part of the partnership between Microsoft and Atlus. They did the very same thing with the Persona ports, the Persona 3 Reloaded, SMT V Vengeance and last Refantazio. This partnership has help XBOX gamers to make sure they can play Atlus games, while on the other hand it helped Atlus with free marketing budget they never were able to use, so that gave them a huge exposure, money and building a new market share within the XBOX platform, it’s a win-win situation for both parts.


Sony doesn’t need this, most of Atlus fans are already on Sony platforms. They keep rooting for Sony but blaming any company that is open to release this titles on XBOX and PC to some extent. You just have to look at this thread where some users are still console warring about a title not being exclusive to their plastic box or the fact Sony didnt’t care bidding or paying for any type of exclusivity. Btw maybe SEGA runs a business better than Square Enix and they know about being profitable and not accepting platform exclusives.

It seems like no matter what MS does for some people it’s just about to mock and laugh at them.

By the way, I double dipped: got the Digital Deluxe version on Series (god bless Play Anywhere) and the physical 35th Anniversary Collector’s for PS5.
 
Last edited:

Darsxx82

Member
I bet this is part of the partnership between Microsoft and Atlus. They did the very same thing with the Persona ports, the Persona 3 Reloaded, SMT V Vengeance and last Refantazio. This partnership has help XBOX gamers to make sure they can play Atlus games, while on the other hand it helped Atlus with free marketing budget they never were able to use, so that gave them a huge exposure, money and building a new market share within the XBOX platform, it’s a win-win situation for both parts.


Sony doesn’t need this, most of Atlus fans are already on Sony platforms. They keep rooting for Sony but blaming any company that is open to release this titles on XBOX and PC to some extent. You just have to look at this thread where some users are still console warring about a title not being exclusive to their plastic box or the fact Sony didnt’t care bidding or paying for any type of exclusivity. Btw maybe SEGA runs a business better than Square Enix and they know about being profitable and not accepting platform exclusives.

It seems like no matter what MS does for some people it’s just about to mock and laugh at them. Is a win win for all parts.

By the way, I double dipped: got the Digital Deluxe version on Series (god bless Play Anywhere) and the physical 35th Anniversary Collector’s for PS5.
Simply this.

The attempts and ridicule arguments to denigrante any MS's effort to bring different franchises that previously skip Xbox is being embarrassing... In this particular case, it's bordering on disgusting.

Definitely, this reaction only shows their resentment and discomfort at seeing those games in the Xbox catalog and has nothing to do with "their concern about how marketing of the game by Xbox would affect sales". That's the reality whether some like to hear it or not.

The reality here is that it is some of MS's most respectable and on point actions in today moment and, most importantly, a sign of its promised commitment to its users to bring more Japanese games to the ecosystem.
It was criticized for not making an effort and for a lack of commitment and now are they criticized for making an effort?? 🤷🏻

Then, the objective of MS acquiring the marketing rights of Metaphor and other Japanese games are several even before the sales and economic benefits that these could generate.

-Expand the Xbox ecosystem games catalog with all kinds of games and make its user base and general public aware that there is an Xbox version of those games that they can play on XSeries, Xcloud, PCStore, and possibly Gamepass at some point... It's improving the offer and the catalog to make it more attractive.

-TRY to expand the fans base of that type of games on the platform/ecosystem. To reap, you have to sow first .Crops don't magically grow 🤷🏻
It's clear that the game won't suddenly be a best-seller on Xbox, but it will create new followers as now, at least, they have the opportunity to experiment what this type of games offers.

-Incentivize Studios to launch those games in the Xbox ecosystem by taking charge of the marketing costs and thus making the port interesting. The Studio or Publisher amortizes the port, expands visibility in other markets and sows seeds to create new fans on new platforms.

In the end, the basis of this thread ("fear for sales due to Xbox having the marketing") is just one new example of the complexes, hatred, resentment and disappointment of the fanatic when they see that certain games are launched on the platform they hate when these didn't before. There Is no more.
 
Last edited:
I would have bought a Series X and all my games from the past couple years on Xbox if I was comfortable knowing Microsoft was dedicated to physical copies. Their hardware handles 120hz VRR much better than PS5 and I also have a stack of 360 games I am playing through. Instead they bailed on physical and this is likely the last Xbox console able to play our disc based games.

Plus their disc cases are just fugly. :messenger_sunglasses:
 
I would have bought a Series X and all my games from the past couple years on Xbox if I was comfortable knowing Microsoft was dedicated to physical copies. Their hardware handles 120hz VRR much better than PS5 and I also have a stack of 360 games I am playing through. Instead they bailed on physical and this is likely the last Xbox console able to play our disc based games.

Plus their disc cases are just fugly. :messenger_sunglasses:

There is more commitment for backwards compatibility from Microsoft than from Sony and their remaster released approach. Also both of them are as dedicated to physical copies, and both of them will ditch physical media when they have to.

So I find it hard to believe you would’ve bought it because of that or because of their dis cases are just fugly
 

DenchDeckard

Moderated wildly
Simply this.

The attempts and ridicule arguments to denigrante any MS's effort to bring different franchises that previously skip Xbox is being embarrassing... In this particular case, it's bordering on disgusting.

Definitely, this reaction only shows their resentment and discomfort at seeing those games in the Xbox catalog and has nothing to do with "their concern about how marketing of the game by Xbox would affect sales". That's the reality whether some like to hear it or not.

The reality here is that it is some of MS's most respectable and on point actions in today moment and, most importantly, a sign of its promised commitment to its users to bring more Japanese games to the ecosystem.
It was criticized for not making an effort and for a lack of commitment and now are they criticized for making an effort?? 🤷🏻

Then, the objective of MS acquiring the marketing rights of Metaphor and other Japanese games are several even before the sales and economic benefits that these could generate.

-Expand the Xbox ecosystem games catalog with all kinds of games and make its user base and general public aware that there is an Xbox version of those games that they can play on XSeries, Xcloud, PCStore, and possibly Gamepass at some point... It's improving the offer and the catalog to make it more attractive.

-TRY to expand the fans base of that type of games on the platform/ecosystem. To reap, you have to sow first .Crops don't magically grow 🤷🏻
It's clear that the game won't suddenly be a best-seller on Xbox, but it will create new followers as now, at least, they have the opportunity to experiment what this type of games offers.

-Incentivize Studios to launch those games in the Xbox ecosystem by taking charge of the marketing costs and thus making the port interesting. The Studio or Publisher amortizes the port, expands visibility in other markets and sows seeds to create new fans on new platforms.

In the end, the basis of this thread ("fear for sales due to Xbox having the marketing") is just one new example of the complexes, hatred, resentment and disappointment of the fanatic when they see that certain games are launched on the platform they hate when these didn't before. There Is no more.
Morgan Freeman Applause GIF by The Academy Awards
 

Krathoon

Gold Member
Meh. I got Persona 3 Reload on XBox and it is fine. I got a better deal and it was on Gamepass.

Gamepass lets you get stuff at a discount too.
 

Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
What is the difference between this game and the persona games?
It has structure of Persona but combat is SMT and Digital Devil Saga.

Biggest difference this game just bigger scale compare to Persona, even when comes its side quests.

In persona you basic quests but in Metaphor some side quests has its dungeons and boss fight.
 
Let me get this straight... do not market the game where the majority of the players (especially those into JRPGs and Japanese games in general) are, but instead market where no one gives a fuck...

Bold strategy Cotton...

I’ll get it straight for you, MS offered a marketing partnership to Atlus for several releases, the offer was quite good by the looks of it. Also, it seems Sony couldn’t care less and didn’t step in for a higher bid, MS got this partnership. For Atlus it was free money and the best marketing they ever had, so it was a great chance to get a huge boost of exposure for their multiplatform titles, while earning some money for the partnership and building a new customer base on a new platform (back in the day Atlus only released a few titles on XBOX such as Operation Darkness, P4 Arena and Catherine).

So now we have Refantazio which has been highly marketed using XBOX, which funded it, as they already did with Persona and SMT V due to the partnership and we have your usuals suspsects crying and blaming Atlus for bein stupid or naive because of this partnership, and MS for being evil and desperate, specially when they have been able to get the game in the platform of choice (except the Switch because of its hardware).

But hey, it’s ok when Sony gets exclusivities such as Stellar Blade, Wukong, or wait Final Fantasy XVI or 7 Remake, because it makes sense or Sony cared because they care about gamers and gaming

Cry me a river and stop console warring when you have no reason to complain on this matter
 
Last edited:
I’ll get it straight for you, MS offered a marketing partnership to Atlus for several releases, the offer was quite good by the looks of it. Also, it seems Sony couldn’t care less and didn’t step in for a higher bid, MS got this partnership. For Atlus it was free money and the best marketing they ever had, so it was a great chance to get a huge boost of exposure for their multiplatform titles, while earning some money for the partnership and building a new customer base on a new platform (back in the day Atlus only released a few titles on XBOX such as Operation Darkness, P4 Arena and Catherine).

So now we have Refantazio which has been highly marketed using XBOX, which funded it, as they already did with Persona and SMT V due to the partnership and we have your usuals suspsects crying and blaming Atlus for bein stupid or naive because of this partnership, and MS for being evil and desperate, specially when they have been able to get the game in the platform of choice (except the Switch because of its hardware).

But hey, it’s ok when Sony gets exclusivities such as Stellar Blade, Wukong, or wait Final Fantasy XVI or 7 Remake, because it makes sense or Sony cared because they care about gamers and gaming

Cry me a river and stop console warring when you have no reason to complain on this matter
Are you on meds my guy? What console warring are you referring to?

Having exclusive marketing on a console where games (especially of this type) don't sell, nor the audience is there, is pretty retarded. It's not just about the free money xbox sent them, they need to quantify the sales lost because the game didn't get enough exposure where their audience is.

That's just a pretty normal analysis right there, they can sign whatever marketing deals they want, it's their money and their IP. I really couldn't give less of a fuck :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 

Segaswirl

Member
Having exclusive marketing on a console where games (especially of this type) don't sell, nor the audience is there, is pretty retarded. It's not just about the free money xbox sent them, they need to quantify the sales lost because the game didn't get enough exposure where their audience is.

So how would you go about building a JRPG audience on Xbox? I'm curious.
 
Top Bottom