Posted Dec 12, 2008 at 09:28PM by Mabie A.
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LittleBigPlanet
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 This I don't quite get. LittleBigPlanet was such a highly-anticipated PS3 title, one of the biggest this year, and yet sales numbers don't seem to be agreeing with that common fact. It just doesn't add up. November sales for the ingenious game was released today, and it showed that LBP moved 141,000 units in the United States - figures provided by the NPD Group. Back in its launch month, October, 215,000 copies got whisked off store shelves, securing it the number eight spot in the charts that month. But the following month, it slid off the top 20 altogether. With all the exciting things Sony is giving its users - DLCs, contests, whatnots - it sure becomes a mystery that the community is not as big as people naturally perceived. As to the reasons behind this phenomenon, we can only guess. But what we do know is that there's lots more of LittleBigPlanet to go around and spread the fun. Related LittleBigPlanet Articles:
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[Via Gamasutra]
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18 Comments
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by Shatterdome - 2008-12-12 |
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» Pretty sad...
Considering it is such an amazing game, and is so well polished and has great presentation value....
My guess is that is just was not marketed as hard as they could, seems the only people excited for it were the people that knew what kind of game it was and were following it on their own time.
I have many friends on PSN that barely even know what the game is about, but a few have picked it up and loved it after I hounded them to.
Hopefully word of mouth will have it pick up, and perhaps it won't sell crazy in any one month, but could be a game that steadly sells copies every month...
Considering it is such an amazing game, and is so well polished and has great presentation value....
My guess is that is just was not marketed as hard as they could, seems the only people excited for it were the people that knew what kind of game it was and were following it on their own time.
I have many friends on PSN that barely even know what the game is about, but a few have picked it up and loved it after I hounded them to.
Hopefully word of mouth will have it pick up, and perhaps it won't sell crazy in any one month, but could be a game that steadly sells copies every month...
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Re: avidGamer - 2008-12-13 |
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» ...
@Shatterdome ... I completely agree with you.
I followed LBP till its release, and actually purchased a PS3 to play it.
However trying to explain the concept to others makes the game sound kinda rubbish, and the TV adds in the UK are possibly the worst adds I have ever seen for a game, they actually make me think the game is bad even though I know it is a great game!
It's a game that the casual gammer should be lapping up, but the adds make it look like some kind of childs side scroller, which funnily enough is not going to excite people, and in fact hasn't judging by the sales figures.
@Shatterdome ... I completely agree with you.
I followed LBP till its release, and actually purchased a PS3 to play it.
However trying to explain the concept to others makes the game sound kinda rubbish, and the TV adds in the UK are possibly the worst adds I have ever seen for a game, they actually make me think the game is bad even though I know it is a great game!
It's a game that the casual gammer should be lapping up, but the adds make it look like some kind of childs side scroller, which funnily enough is not going to excite people, and in fact hasn't judging by the sales figures.
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Re: RommelTJ - 2008-12-13 |
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» Sorry, but I disagree
First of all, there is a difference between bad marketing and bad advertising. This game was advertised and hyped everywhere.
There is some truth to the whole badly marketed argument, and it surely contributed, but it's not the reason for such disappointing sales.
I believe that this was caused simply because the PS3 player demographic is simply not interested in side-scrollers. If they were, they would get a Wii. PS3 owners like their shooters (by the way, you can make a shooter in LBP...), and war games. They are hardcore gamers, not casual gamers (would a casual gamer spend 400 dollars or more in a console?).
Now, before I get flamed to pieces, I own LBP and its my second favorite game on the console (second to Warhawk). But when I look at my friends list, all they are playing is CoD4, R2, and GTAIV. None are playing strategy games like CivIV, or Valkyria Chronicles. Those that do own LBP, play it, but those that do not, are not willing to try it out.
The solution is simple: RELEASE A DEMO and Hype it. The beta is not enough. Make a demo and feature it in the front page of the PSN.
First of all, there is a difference between bad marketing and bad advertising. This game was advertised and hyped everywhere.
There is some truth to the whole badly marketed argument, and it surely contributed, but it's not the reason for such disappointing sales.
I believe that this was caused simply because the PS3 player demographic is simply not interested in side-scrollers. If they were, they would get a Wii. PS3 owners like their shooters (by the way, you can make a shooter in LBP...), and war games. They are hardcore gamers, not casual gamers (would a casual gamer spend 400 dollars or more in a console?).
Now, before I get flamed to pieces, I own LBP and its my second favorite game on the console (second to Warhawk). But when I look at my friends list, all they are playing is CoD4, R2, and GTAIV. None are playing strategy games like CivIV, or Valkyria Chronicles. Those that do own LBP, play it, but those that do not, are not willing to try it out.
The solution is simple: RELEASE A DEMO and Hype it. The beta is not enough. Make a demo and feature it in the front page of the PSN.
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by Relys - 2008-12-12 |
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» Well it had a really bad launch.
All that Muslim bull***** and such.
All that Muslim bull***** and such.
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Re: TAce355 - 2008-12-13 |
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» That was clearly not the reason
***** you *****!
***** you *****!
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by Cortador - 2008-12-12 |
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» Hmmm
I think that all the hype has been build up due to the fact that this was a PS3-Exclusive with a new idea in mind.
Even thought a lot of Ps3 owners bragged about it, it seems that most of those braggers didn't dare spend 60 bucks for a game like this. O_o
Don't get me wrong, i am not trolling or anything. It's just my 2 cents.
I think that all the hype has been build up due to the fact that this was a PS3-Exclusive with a new idea in mind.
Even thought a lot of Ps3 owners bragged about it, it seems that most of those braggers didn't dare spend 60 bucks for a game like this. O_o
Don't get me wrong, i am not trolling or anything. It's just my 2 cents.
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Re: rZn - 2008-12-13 |
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» true
I do not spend 600 skr (about $60) for a game,
I wait for a pricecut.
I do not spend 600 skr (about $60) for a game,
I wait for a pricecut.
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by Thinker - 2008-12-13 |
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» My take on this
In my opinion, Sony's biggest issue is an almost complete lack of proper advertising and marketing. In this, they really need to take pointers from Microsoft's marketing department. MS manages to hype even non-games to the point that even professional reviewers get swayed by their spin while reviewing these games. And their marketing is just people. Surely Sony can manage to hire somebody equally talented.
I mean, if you looked at TVs, GameStop shelves, etc, Gears 2 and Fable 2 were being prominently displayed and people were being made aware of these and the price drops ad infinitum. While Sony, you actually have to research into the machine, it's price and its games. I really don't understand what Sony is hoping will happen - that people will magically know what their console offers? They own so many movie companies. Surely they can put this ownership to good use.
Does anybody else have any perspective on this, as at least in my case, the mind boggles.
In my opinion, Sony's biggest issue is an almost complete lack of proper advertising and marketing. In this, they really need to take pointers from Microsoft's marketing department. MS manages to hype even non-games to the point that even professional reviewers get swayed by their spin while reviewing these games. And their marketing is just people. Surely Sony can manage to hire somebody equally talented.
I mean, if you looked at TVs, GameStop shelves, etc, Gears 2 and Fable 2 were being prominently displayed and people were being made aware of these and the price drops ad infinitum. While Sony, you actually have to research into the machine, it's price and its games. I really don't understand what Sony is hoping will happen - that people will magically know what their console offers? They own so many movie companies. Surely they can put this ownership to good use.
Does anybody else have any perspective on this, as at least in my case, the mind boggles.
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Re: Rhyl - 2008-12-13 |
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» asd
btw in Finland LBP was advertised _a lot_. It was even in the Big Brother(damn big brother sucks btw) -program ...
btw in Finland LBP was advertised _a lot_. It was even in the Big Brother(damn big brother sucks btw) -program ...
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Re: narutosaiyan - 2008-12-13 |
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» 100% agree
What i think is that ms spends all of their money on advertisement, and none of it on fixing their crappy consoles, or making good games. Sony on the other hand is so focused on giving the customer everything they ask for that they dont even advertise. we live in an era where the best product isnt based on its quality, but the amount of ads it has. Just the other day i was watching a movie on tv... by the time i got half way through i turned it off because i was pissed. I saw 18 360 commercials in about an hr. not even 1 ps3... but hey we live in the us, i bet u dont see as many 360 commercials in japan.
What i think is that ms spends all of their money on advertisement, and none of it on fixing their crappy consoles, or making good games. Sony on the other hand is so focused on giving the customer everything they ask for that they dont even advertise. we live in an era where the best product isnt based on its quality, but the amount of ads it has. Just the other day i was watching a movie on tv... by the time i got half way through i turned it off because i was pissed. I saw 18 360 commercials in about an hr. not even 1 ps3... but hey we live in the us, i bet u dont see as many 360 commercials in japan.
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by Rhyl - 2008-12-13 |
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» asd
This game does look(just look at the game box) and feel like children's game when you are checking it for first time, (even if it maybe doesn't really is that) which doesn't help at all to sell it to mainsteam ppl.
This game does look(just look at the game box) and feel like children's game when you are checking it for first time, (even if it maybe doesn't really is that) which doesn't help at all to sell it to mainsteam ppl.
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Re: Shatterdome - 2008-12-13 |
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» Not sure...
I won't argue that the game is super cutesy....but to say that doesn't sell to mainstream people is wrong I think. Look at the wii, it is up to it's teets in cute, and the mainstream eats it up.
If anything it looks cute, but plays hardcore, especially after the first 3 zones or so....the last couple, if you are a casual gamer, will try your patience...
I won't argue that the game is super cutesy....but to say that doesn't sell to mainstream people is wrong I think. Look at the wii, it is up to it's teets in cute, and the mainstream eats it up.
If anything it looks cute, but plays hardcore, especially after the first 3 zones or so....the last couple, if you are a casual gamer, will try your patience...
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by Acteon - 2008-12-13 |
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» ...
The advert for this should have wrtten itself - just some footage from the awesome intro narrated by the fantastic Stephen Fry would have been enough to get people to the shops.
I found LBP for £24.95 on release, and at that price it was a total no-brainer!
The advert for this should have wrtten itself - just some footage from the awesome intro narrated by the fantastic Stephen Fry would have been enough to get people to the shops.
I found LBP for £24.95 on release, and at that price it was a total no-brainer!
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Re: Shatterdome - 2008-12-13 |
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» I agree...
The intro to the game about "all the dreamers..." still puts a huge smile on my face and i've seen it at least 20 times. If they used this as a commercial it would have gotten people much more interested.
Also, even though it doesn't really say anything about the game, I think this is ok. Some people may remember one of the best ad's for the first gears of war using the "mad world" song "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best i've ever had..." The footage shown had nothing to do with the game, but gave a feel for the aesthetic and direction the game was taking, and mainly, really got you excited...
The intro to the game about "all the dreamers..." still puts a huge smile on my face and i've seen it at least 20 times. If they used this as a commercial it would have gotten people much more interested.
Also, even though it doesn't really say anything about the game, I think this is ok. Some people may remember one of the best ad's for the first gears of war using the "mad world" song "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best i've ever had..." The footage shown had nothing to do with the game, but gave a feel for the aesthetic and direction the game was taking, and mainly, really got you excited...
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by Gamester101 - 2008-12-13 |
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» Just poorly advertised...
"The advert for this should have wrtten itself - just some footage from the awesome intro narrated by the fantastic Stephen Fry would have been enough to get people to the shops."
I completely agree, why not market using the "Play, Create, Share" aspect of the game, footage and narration for each, the ability to Create your own level was such a large part of the game they really needed to use it more !
"The advert for this should have wrtten itself - just some footage from the awesome intro narrated by the fantastic Stephen Fry would have been enough to get people to the shops."
I completely agree, why not market using the "Play, Create, Share" aspect of the game, footage and narration for each, the ability to Create your own level was such a large part of the game they really needed to use it more !
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by god0fgod - 2008-12-13 |
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» Comment
I jut don't think it's everyone's cup of tea. Most people would preffer to play Shooters. That's almost the case with me except I did buy LBP because it's interesting.
I jut don't think it's everyone's cup of tea. Most people would preffer to play Shooters. That's almost the case with me except I did buy LBP because it's interesting.
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by ShinFuYux - 2008-12-13 |
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» looks interesting.
But, i'll wait for the demo.
But, i'll wait for the demo.
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by sycoblast - 2008-12-13 |
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» Bundle is with the ps3
I say sony should bundle it with the PS3 maybe add price tag + $30
considering the console sells more copies than the Game i dont see MM making big issue out of it.
Its like the bundle of the wii sports and nintendo wii
i mean wii sports is one of the best games for wii id say so PS3 having a bundle of LBP is perfect especially would be smart move durign xmas time but too little to late for that.
I say sony should bundle it with the PS3 maybe add price tag + $30
considering the console sells more copies than the Game i dont see MM making big issue out of it.
Its like the bundle of the wii sports and nintendo wii
i mean wii sports is one of the best games for wii id say so PS3 having a bundle of LBP is perfect especially would be smart move durign xmas time but too little to late for that.
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