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[lowrider007]

If we only count first 4days (NPD) + Euro + JP sales then I would say it's close to 650.000

Then surely it's close too 1 million world sales by now then ? and people says that it's a bomba ?, I'm confused :-(.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I think Sony needs to use Little Big Planet as a pack in game.

It would make sense since the game is all about sharing content.

 

[DCharlie]

The question is: WHY oh why doesn't the game sell well?

the game will sell to a large chunk of the existing user base but the casual base that it was hoping to attract has yet to be realised.

It's nothing to do with the games or the quality anymore, i just have a feeling PS3 has a certain stigma for want of a better word and it's going to take something big to shake it (like a big price cut or something).

Quality of games should long stopped being a factor - maybe the general public and Sony are having a lovers tiff and after the next price cut they'll kiss and make up?

 

[Jinfash]

Mirror's Edge wasn't a self proclaimed " system seller "

Nor did people expect it to sell millions.

yup yup t'is true... I was one of those people.
I gotta say, the crow does not taste good at all.

 

[Boneapart]

How do you know LBP wasn't a system seller? I bet you it was. I'm willing to bet that it moved more units than say, fable 2, even though fable 2 sold a lot better.

 

[rollingstart]

Nnnnnot really, no. It's not like... superhardcore niche, but it's not anywhere near touching the "mass market" customers.

The position of the PS3 on the market is a confusing one. It's like the PS2 in that it offers both video games and other forms of media entertainment as it's main draw, so you'd think that it should reach the same market it had before, but this time around it's too expensive when you can get a 360 for half the price that plays most games (opposite is also true). Then there is the Wii, but I don't know how that exactly fits in to the poor sales of the PS3. Maybe the 'casual' audience on the PS2 moved on to that along with the 360.

And I'm glad that this thread did seem to get better. Reading the first page made it seem like another one doomed by the idiocy and arrogance of haters/lover. People are ridiculous.

 

[Tobor]

I think Sony needs to use Little Big Planet as a pack in game.

It would make sense since the game is all about sharing content.

Maybe if they do one of those 2 pack in deals, throw Motorstorm 2 in there as well. LBP on it's own is not going to move PS3's.

Again, I'm not hating on the game, just being a realist.

 

[wolfmat]

Is that your personal answer for why you didn't buy the game, or your personal answer for why you think it didn't sell well? Because if it's the latter, that's possible the dumbest answer I've ever heard.

The latter. I would have never bought the game in any case - no PS3.

Why is that dumb? If I see texture pop-in in GTA4 vids, it's okay to be put off, but if I see weird jumping in LBP, it's not?
If I know that a big part of potential buyers goes by how they'll enjoy the core gameplay mechanics of the game and get the visual impression they wouldn't like what they see here, it's dumb?

I don't think so.

 

[Cellbomber]

I think Sony needs to use Little Big Planet as a pack in game.

It would make sense since the game is all about sharing content.

They should bundle it in Feb/March with a price drop. February would be perfect time for the drop unless they wait for Killzone to be out for a little bit.

 

[Oliver.S]

If by sqeeze deaths you mean deaths resulting from poor level editing where you get killed in spots you're not supposed to get killed, yeah I agree it's a problem with some user created levels but that has nothing to do with controls.

No, its bad design from MM. Even a switch killed me in one of the story levels (no joke).:lol

And jumping is a problem for you after 30 hours of playing? Do you mean Mario sidescrolling problems where you might miscalculate a jump some times or do you mean serious problems? Because if it's the second... man I'm dumbfounded. I'm probably a much much better player than you and I don't even consider myself good.

I don't think so. Platformers are my favourite genre, since I started gaming more than 20 years ago. I completed all the big ones (all Super Mario games, YI DS, DKC 1-3, almost all Sonic games and many more), many times to 100 percent and with all these years of experience I can honestly tell, that I don't like the imprecisely controls of LBP. Jumping through a level feels at times almost like work. Don't missunderstand me: I can play LBP and it's no bad game in my book. But these issues are hurting the experience and enjoyment for me.

Explain what's wrong with the controls ?, my 7y old and 12y old brother can control the game easily, how come they and I for that matter control the game fine but you can't ? what are you finding so problematic with them ? is this what we're blaming the supposed failure of the game on now, floaty controls ? lol.

Good for you and your brother. Have fun.

 

[Boneapart]

Lol, so you actually think LBP didn't sell well because, and i quote "the physics look a little off to me". lol, I genuinely find that funny.

 

[Balb]

I don't get why some people can't understand the fact that some people just don't like LBP. I bought the game on day one and I absolutely hate the game. Who are you to tell me that I'm playing the game wrong because I hate the controls? Frankly, all the levels I've played just aren't fun to play from a platforming perspective. In addition to that, the fact that Sony is cracking down on levels based on other franchises, LBP has to completely rely on unique level design. There's a reason game designers are paid to create levels, and LBP is living proof. Hey, it looks good though.

 

[keyrat]

I'd say people don't know anything about it. None of my friends knew it was coming; most don't get it from just looking. As word of mouth grows it should fare better and become more appealing. Hell, I even bought it not sure of what I would be getting, and I was in the beta. You can't explain to people the laughs they'll get playing local multi. It's unparalleled.

It needs some exposure on some daytime television; maybe Ellen makes her own Sackgirl type thing.

 

[wolfmat]

Lol, so you actually think LBP didn't sell well because, and i quote "the physics look a little off to me". lol, I genuinely find that funny.

I think that's a factor. I posted more than that. And other points are valid as well. I can't sum everything up in one post, just for making you get the whole picture.

And I still don't think sales figures for the game until now make this game a 'bomba'.

 

[Boneapart]

Yeah that's true, it's hard to explain littlebigplanet without making it sound lame "a 2d platformer with a level editor". they need to play it for themselves to see how fun it is. the most fun game this gen imo.

 

[Barrett2]

I don't get why some people can't understand the fact that some people just don't like LBP. I bought the game on day one and I absolutely hate the game. Who are you to tell me that I'm playing the game wrong because I hate the controls? Frankly, all the levels I've played just aren't fun to play from a platforming perspective. In addition to that, the fact that Sony is cracking down on levels based on other franchises, LBP has to completely rely on unique level design. There's a reason game designers are paid to create levels, and LBP is living proof. Hey, it looks good though.

Yeah, people do seem particularly sensitive about the game. I played the demo and bought the game, and I enjoy it, but I also think it is frustrating and has a lot of issues.

I also think a lot of fans don't seem to grasp that casual players are going to be intimidated by this game. The camera is wonky when you have multiple characters on screen, the levels are tough, Sackboy can get stuck frequently, level creation is complicated, online play is disorganized, etc.

 

[Dragon]

I don't get why some people can't understand the fact that some people just don't like LBP. I bought the game on day one and I absolutely hate the game. Who are you to tell me that I'm playing the game wrong because I hate the controls? Frankly, all the levels I've played just aren't fun to play from a platforming perspective. In addition to that, the fact that Sony is cracking down on levels based on other franchises, LBP has to completely rely on unique level design. There's a reason game designers are paid to create levels, and LBP is living proof. Hey, it looks good though.

You can hate the game all you want. You've played it. It's the people that come in here, hear others complain about the controls and then act like they played it that confuse me.

 

[yurinka]

Then surely it's close too 1 million world sales by now then ? and people says that it's a bomba ?, I'm confused :-(.

Add to this million aprox the copies bundled with consoles. I think it isn't a bomba since it's a new IP.

And I think it will have good sales in Christmas, and good legs because of the type of game and the user created content stuff. I think it will sell like 2 or 3 million copies (counting the bundled copies) before its Platinum price drop.

 

[Boneapart]

I think that's a factor. I posted more than that. And other points are valid as well. I can't sum everything up in one post, just for making you get the whole picture.

And I still don't think sales figures for the game until now make this game a 'bomba'.

Trust me, physics had nothing to do with sales, if anything at all, the physics in the game helped sales, i know a lot of people who are impressed with the real world physics of it.

 

[Draft]

Frankly, I think people are a little freaked out by a burlap man with a large, red tongue. I know I am.

 

[Wii Will Rock U]

4 days of sales.

:lol :lol :lol :lol

That was the first thing that came to my head too.

My only response in this thread is to the person who wrote it. You get a nice, good ol'-fashioned:

 

[rollingstart]

yup yup t'is true... I was one of those people.
I gotta say, the crow does not taste good at all.

Not trying to be rude or anything, but I was always surprised that people thought this would be a system seller. LBP is probably my goty if I had to pick one right now, it's just that not only doesn't it have an immediate mass appeal, it also doesn't have good marketing behind it. No Sony game has good marketing behind it. I'd say the only upcoming game they have that could possibly be something to move consoles is Killzone 2, but again I don't just wonder if Sony would even market the game well at all. I'm already guessing that Infamous (which looks amazing...best game at E3) will most likely be another game to under perform.

 

[Segata Sanshiro]

Frankly, I think people are a little freaked out by a burlap man with a large, red tongue. I know I am.

I, on the other hand, think it would make a fine adult toy.

 

[Boneapart]

So on which planet did it sell 1 million copies?

Got figures to dispute it?

 

[Fuu]

I, on the other hand, think it would make a fine adult toy.

Do you think the furrydom would dig it?

 

[wolfmat]

Trust me, physics had nothing to do with sales, if anything at all, the physics in the game helped sales, i know a lot of people who are impressed with the real world physics of it.

Trust me, I don't trust you one bit. I think you're insane. I mean, who has an avatar with a girl that's the dedicated twing-twang player?

 

[Cheez-It]

PS3 isn't a mass market console?

No, it is not. It is a niche product, with gamers being the predominant owners, with a few exceptions such as early adopters (Blu-Ray) and affluent individuals with an interest in technology.

Sony's E3 presentation had sackboy all over it. Even having him in a custom level explaining the PS history.

Who are you telling this to? Why do you think this matters?

I think they really wanted him to be the new mascot for Playstation.

I think you might be right. They haven't really had a mascot since Crash Bandicoot have they (I'm ignorant on this topic)? I do find it odd that there has been so little marketing in America (the only ads I have seen have been shoddy gamestop commercials, or mixing LBP in with a bunch of other stuff in a Sony commercial)

Still, irrelevant. So what if they do try to make sackboy a mascot?

Why does any of this matter? The game will sell well with upstream audiences, poorly with downstream audiences. The likelihood of this changing is quite low.

 

[brigadeer]

I'm sorry to say I have to agree with that, but I doubt it's the reason why the game doesn't sell. It's still a little too early to say that the game bombed, let's wait for the November NPD first.

I would have to agree with this sentiment. I own a PS3, and a few months ago, this game was #1 on my list to purchase. As it stands now, I purchased Motorstorm Pacific Rift, and haven't picked up LBP. I don't think I will either. The reason....

When all is said and done, I don't think the game looks to be very fun after seeing it and hearing it now for a year. It seems to me that the level design/creation and community aspects of this game have been sold more than anything, which is unfortunate. I have absolutely ZERO interest in building levels, and sharing them amongst the community.

I remember when Halo 3 came out, everybody hyping the Forge and Theater options to the game, and how complex it was to create those features, what a technological accomplishment, blah blah blah. I just wanted to play the damn game. I had ZERO interest in creating my own custom levels, and sharing videos online of my getting owned with the community. What brought me to that game however was that I knew the core gameplay would be fun.

I am not interested in anything other than the core gameplay that comes out of the box for this game, and I'm simply not convinced that it will be fun enough for me. It's almost like you have to be into the level design/creation and sharing within the community for this game to be worth it, at least for me.

 

[Segata Sanshiro]

Do you think the furrydom would dig it?

Nah, it's not an animal. But I'm confident it would find its audience.

Walk Man
Game Boy
Sack Boy

There's a certain symmetry to it.

 

[Boneapart]

Trust me, I don't trust you one bit. I think you're insane. I mean, who has an avatar with a girl that's the dedicated twing-twang player?

Trying to save you some embarrassment by repeating that ridiculously stupid answer.

 

[Dina]

You can hate the game all you want. You've played it. It's the people that come in here, hear others complain about the controls and then act like they played it that confuse me.

When the complaint that surfaces most prominently in this thread is floating controls, it's safe to take it for granted for the hardcore GAF crowd. And casuals might not call the controls floating, but they will still feel uncomfortable with it.

And it's a complicated game but the graphics make it look like it is an easy game to pick up. And it's not marketed well enough, the message being conveyed here isn't clear enough. The PS3 is a expensive system and LBP doesn't move systems like a Mario or Halo does. And Sony has generated bad press (okay, not widespread bad press) with the removal of custom made levels based on other games.

And other reasons. There is not one reason why LBP doesn't do as well as Sony and MM hoped it would.

 

[Creamium]

You can't explain to people the laughs they'll get playing local multi. It's unparalleled.

Yeah well in my experience it's just the other way around. I was at a friend's and we were playing LBP with 3 people and it's confusing. When all 3 of you are bouncing around on a platform to get to the next, it can get hard to see your own sackboy and make sure you get your jump right.

Weirdly enough we had much more fun when one only one guy was playing, it was much easier and less headache inducing to get to the end of the level. We played through a bunch of online levels that way and I started to see the charm of the game. What I didn't like was the crappy search function and the sometimes slippery controls for precise platforming.

 

[Segata Sanshiro]

Got figures to dispute it?

You put the numbers out there, the onus is on you to prove them, not on him to disprove them.

 

[keyrat]

There's a reason game designers are paid to create levels, and LBP is living proof. Hey, it looks good though.

While most levels aren't great, there's already a good 20 to 30 levels that are damn near professional in execution; you'd never think they were user levels if someone didn't tell you.

 

[Jinfash]

Not trying to be rude or anything, but I was always surprised that people thought this would be a system seller. LBP is probably my goty if I had to pick one right now, it's just that not only doesn't it have an immediate mass appeal, it also doesn't have good marketing behind it. No Sony game has good marketing behind it. I'd say the only upcoming game they have that could possibly be something to move consoles is Killzone 2, but again I don't just wonder if Sony would even market the game well at all. I'm already guessing that Infamous (which looks amazing...best game at E3) will most likely be another game to under perform.

I fully agree with you, now that my eyes are wide open. I was just mesmerized by the concept back then, I never got excited for a game this gen like I did over LBP. I guess the hype that was generated even outside gaming forums just got to me. I never read any bad articles about it, in fact almost all the articles always ended with "we can't wait to try it again next showing".

Now after putting my hands on it, I can safely say that it's one clever sugary coated hardcore game, it's no niche I'd be surprised if it drove units in it's current form.

 

[Barrett2]

Yeah well in my experience it's just the other way around. I was at a friend's and we were playing LBP with 3 people and it's confusing. When all 3 of you are bouncing around one a platform to get to the next, it can get hard to see your own sackboy.

Weirdly enough we had much more fun when one only one guy was playing, it was much easier and less headache inducing to get to the end of the level. We played through a bunch of online levels that way and I started to see the charm of the game. What I didn't like was the crappy search function and the sometimes slippery controls for precise platforming.

My experience exactly. I play on an HDTV, but even with that you can barely keep track of the Sackboys on-screen when there are multiple players. Plus, the camera gets wonky which makes it easy to fall into traps.

I don't understand why they constantly pull the camera back so far, especially with multiple players. Half the time in multiplayer my Sackboy is about an inch tall, occupying a tiny blip on the screen. It gets frustrating.

 

[wolfmat]

Trying to save you some embarrassment by repeating that ridiculously stupid answer.

Uh yeah. Today, everything you need to do in order to point out someone's saying stupid stuff is declaring it. This is becoming the most awesome discussion ever. We need you in politics.

Again, I didn't talk about physics in general, just the way physics are applied to the jumping stuff. The physics apart from that are pure genious in everyone's opinion, I'm sure of that.

And I again didn't talk about what I think about it, but I took a shot at guessing what the interested crowd thinks of those jumping videos.

I don't know if I'll ever get through to you, but at least I've tried.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Yeah well in my experience it's just the other way around. I was at a friend's and we were playing LBP with 3 people and it's confusing. When all 3 of you are bouncing around one a platform to get to the next, it can get hard to see your own sackboy.

Weirdly enough we had much more fun when one only one guy was playing, it was much easier and less headache inducing to get to the end of the level. We played through a bunch of online levels that way and I started to see the charm of the game. What I didn't like was the crappy search function and the sometimes slippery controls for precise platforming.

Actually the best moments are with a group of friends. And the design of the 2/3/4 player challenges is great and has you in awe at times. And just the fact that you could be playing a level and just start jerking around is hilarious.

I played with 3 of my friends online once and 1 of them posted a funny pic of himself via eyetoy. For about 30 minutes we just messed with his face and added eyes and buckteeth. We had such a blast with that little bit alone. And that's just something simple like sitting there and pasting things onto a canvas.

Some people seem to think the degree of fun with this game is 1 dimentional. This is a deep game which gives in more ways than many give it credit for. Heck, sometimes I ask my buddies to hop onto LBP just to chat instead of doing the standard PS3 chat. This way we're just chillin' in our pod and having some fun instead of sitting in the "room" chat.

These are just several small things that make this game special.

 

[GameGamer]

No, it is not. It is a niche product, with gamers being the predominant owners


Who are you telling this to?

Why do you think this matters?

Why does any of this matter?

I think home theater people are the predominant owners.



It mattered to me because I saw Sony pushing LBP very hard. So I had extra excitement for the product.

Isn't that why it's supposed to matter?

 

[keyrat]

Yeah well in my experience it's just the other way around. I was at a friend's and we were playing LBP with 3 people and it's confusing. When all 3 of you are bouncing around one a platform to get to the next, it can get hard to see your own sackboy and make sure you get your jump right.

My friends think it's hilarious to hold another guy while he's about to make a big jump, and then watch him die.

You do have to wait for the other players, and many user levels aren't set up for more than one, but it's not a deal breaker. There's many instances where 3 players die and the fourth guy has to make it to the checkpoint; it's still fun as hell tho.

Playing solo for me is cool because it's more efficient and you've got better chances at finishing the level, but there's no LOL moments when I do that.

 

[GameGamer]

Weirdly enough we had much more fun when one only one guy was playing, it was much easier and less headache inducing to get to the end of the level. We played through a bunch of online levels that way and I started to see the charm of the game. What I didn't like was the crappy search function and the sometimes slippery controls for precise platforming.

What I learned from LBP was that I enjoyed watching the gameplay vids.

But playing it was not fun at all to me.

 

[jrricky]

Not one buzz has come out of this game from my school (which is a game dev school) and they talk about all the big hits.

Poor MM.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Playing solo for me is cool because it's more efficient and you've got better chances at finishing the level, but there's no LOL moments when I do that.

Exactly. Read my last post as well where I elaborate on just a few aspects that make this game so fun. People are quick to dismiss this game based on some people or sites interpretation of fun. This game wins hands down in the lol factor when playing with friends online or good friends on the couch

Spoiler

take that last comment how you want

Not one buzz has come out of this game from my school (which is a game dev school) and they talk about all the big hits.

Poor MM.

What are they talking about? Out of curiosity. It better not be stuff that has blood and is cool like R2 and Gears 2. This is an experience that is seldom present. I know some have different tastes but I have regular folks at my work talking about it. Not that it matches up with a dev school.

One thing I will have to say is that Sony has to push this one harder. If I were them I would've done some sort of McDonalds kid meal tie-in.

 

[gkryhewy]

Despite the inflammatory title, I was impressed by the well-articulated OP. For those clinging desperately to the "4 days"!!!1 argument, come on - we've been following sales data long enough to see the trending, which is only reinforced by the Japanese sales data (of which we have much more than 4 days). Games with long legs are very much the exception rather than the rule, and have largely been limited to mass market-breakout Nintendo games (Brain Age, WiiFit, etc).

My read is that this game never had a chance to break out into the mass market, since the mass market has no interest in creating 2D platforming levels. It's completely niche.

 

[Cheez-It]

I think home theater people are the predominant owners.



It mattered to me because I saw Sony pushing LBP very hard. So I had extra excitement for the product.

Isn't that why it's supposed to matter?

My contention was that the PS3 was not a mass market console and that LBP was not a mass market game. Whether Sony pushes LBP does not matter, unless it actually ends up selling the game to the masses... which is incredibly, incredibly unlikely. You are a gamer. Of course you got excited. Why would the masses get excited though? They have different tastes and preferences than you do.

Also; home theater people != mass market.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Expectations were too high. LBP, Home, and now Killzone 2 are hyped on GAF as being "game changers" that will shake up the console war.

 

[kaching]

People keep making this argument, but im' not sure that I accept this.

Why is LBP supposed to have such long legs, is it primarily because of the level creation tool? Is it the 4-player platforming that is supposed to appeal to the mass market?

I don't think that it has looong legs, but I'd wager it has legs a little longer than 4 days in October, taking it through the end of the holiday season at least. It makes for an easy recommendation as a holiday gift.

 

[sykoex]

I think it's just that since Sackboy's movement is dictated by the same physics that affects everything else, moving and jumping with Sackboy feels really awkward and frustrating. You CAN adjust to it if you try, but it is different from playing any non-physics based platforming game where whatever buttons you press translate perfectly to what happens on screen.

My favorite thing about LBP is exploring the awesome beautiful worlds people create, but once in a while, the controls can be a hindrance.

 

[jrricky]

What are they talking about? Out of curiosity. It better not be stuff that has blood and is cool like R2 and Gears 2. This is an experience that is seldom present. I know some have different tastes but I have regular folks at my work talking about it. Not that it matches up with a dev school.

One thing I will have to say is that Sony has to push this one harder. If I were them I would've done some sort of McDonalds kid meal tie-in.

Yea, last week they spoke about L4D. Previously was Gears and Rock Band 2. There are still constant chats about SSBB too.

Its funny to look back when people said this was gonna sell more than or close to the big, well established games like zelda, halo etc....why oh why.

 

[Burli]

If I had money for a PS3 so that I could play this game, I would have this game.