…signifying very little. That seems to be the result of all the noise, hoopla, and controversy that surrounded the infamous Manhunt 2.
Everyone knows the story, so I won’t bother to repeat it. What catches our attention, though, is that despite everything, the game sold a dismal 18,494 copies in November.
This information comes courtesy of an industry analysis post over on Gamasutra. They have great timing, because I was wondering about how well (or poorly) MH2 was doing. Now we all know ;)
And I can’t sum it up better than Jesse Divnich, who said, in part: “This should not be considered a victory for those groups who protested its release, but rather a victory for industry and gamers who did not fall for the market hype of what can only be described as a poorly executed title.”
Sometimes, the hype doesn’t work. There may be hope yet!
Well, Scorpia,
If people don’t buy into the hype, would you like to explain why Deerhunter sold as well as it did?
Exactly. I really do believe the controversy was generated on purpose by Take Two, in order to push more product. I think that is part of their marketing strategy. I am relieved to find that gamers, at least, are at least slightly discerning in their tastes.
The same thing happened with Bully a year ago, too. Except Bully was, as I understand it, less deserving of the anti-gaming hype, and actually had a few more redeeming qualities. But nobody bought it.
And now, I wonder how many of those 18,494 copies were actually purchased by “anti-game activists” as research materials…
Well, after viewing some screenshots…I see why they didn’t sell very many.
I mean the graphics are extremely dated. It is obvious, from the screenshot in the link below, that some of the blood-splatter graphics are just way over the top.
So kudos to the public for not wasting their money this holiday buying season.
http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/reviews/183/
Toodles,
Dolnor Numbwit
Eternal Gamer Newbie
I am glad that people didn’t fall for the hype, but I really doubt if they learned a lesson either. Maybe next time they will return to making their buzz and controversy over sex since at least sex sells.
LOL, Dolnor. I had forgot about that one.
Off topic, but this was an interesting article about a new device coming out soon.
http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1225985620071213
It sounds like you will be able to do Wii style motion control on the PC with a camera tracking your motions
“The same thing happened with Bully a year ago, too. Except Bully was, as I understand it, less deserving of the anti-gaming hype, and actually had a few more redeeming qualities. But nobody bought it.”
This is surprising to hear, as Shamus had very high praise for it a while back: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1336
On a completely unrelated note: Scorpia, are you ever going to continue The Mokor Letters?
Yeah, it actually got pretty good reviews. And… uh… boy-on-boy smooching action, or so I heard. The rumor was that its sales were pretty lackluster, though, in spite of the controversy.
High praise doesn’t always mean a winner in the marketplace. Bully, as I recall, was most noted for the boy-boy scene. And of course, we know there’s been a lot of buzz about Mass Effect’s female-female scene. However, ME seems to be doing much better than Bully did, though I suspect that may be the game’s overal quality, at least from what I’ve read around the ‘net.
Regarding MH2, it didn’t really have anything to offer but controversy, hard as Rockstar tried to “prove” they was a real story in there. Happily, not many were fooled by that.
DGM, there didn’t seem to be much overall enthusiasm for the Mokor Letters, so I stopped posting them. But if, for some reason, interest revives, I’ll go back and continue the series.
Xian, I just saw something about that camera earlier this evening. Sounds very strange, even a bit creepy. I still prefer my mouse and keyboard.
Well, put me down as interested (re: The Mokor Letters). I recently purchased and played Morrowind after reading the http://www.it-he.com treatment of it, and it isn’t entirely out of my system yet. :)
Related to controversy/violence in games, here is a video to watch at CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2007/12/16/whitfield.violent.video.games.cnn
The kids I’ve talked to say the same thing…”I love killing people! Using the saw gun and ripping guts out. Cutting people’s heads off. I wish I could do that to my enemies and teachers!”
Comments?
Dolnor
Okay, DGM, I’ll count that as one vote to continue the Mokor posts. Thanks ;)
Dolnor, how old were those kids and what games were they playing? I get the feeling they were messing around with some games they oughtn’t to have had.
Then again, when I was back in school (no snide remarks, please), I had similar feelings about a teacher or two over the years. Of course, such feelings tended to fade by the end of the term ;)
The kids’ ages were between 14 and 20…yes, 20 is a kid to me! -0 The 20 year olds were talking about their college profs. I agree, the younger ones had games that their parents bought without checking the ratings. I talked to the parents and they just didn’t see why they should bother. Welcome to California! -*(
As for school, I just completed an acredited course in psychology at my local community college (FYI, I am 48 years OLD!). I feel that if you aren’t learning, you are just waiting to die. As I always post, I am an Eternal Newbie in most subjects. I enjoy exploring my limits and expanding my knowledge.
Toodles,
Dolnor Numbwit
Eternal Newbie
Yeah, why bother when they can get Uncle Sam do do more of their own job? That attitude burns me up.
And I agree, you have to keep your mind active. Congrats on finishing the course!