<strong>[Company -> Update]</strong>
For those curious on why <A href="http://www.interplay.com">Interplay</a> is going console on us with <A href="http://www.interplay.com/games/product. ... 3">Fallout Enforcer</a>, <b>Draikin</b> has pulled up a <a href="http://www.minstrum.net/vrac/Interplay_ ... .gif">neat chart</a> of console games they've made based on how many units they've sold from <b>1995 to Present</b>. Only 13 of them have sold more than 100k units, and only five of those have sold more than 200k units.
<br>
<br>Interesting, isn't it? It'd be neat to find the sales figures for <A href="http://www.interplay.com">Interplay</a>'s CRPGs and compare their sales based on percentages, wouldn't it?
<br>
<br><b>Edit:</b> By the way, they have <b>21 titles</b> that have sold under 50k, which is <i>insanely</i> poor for the console market.
Fun with numbers
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Saint_Proverbius
- Righteous Subjugator
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What other dimensions?
What other dimensions does this graph imply?
I see 3 entries for Bauldar's Gate: Alliance.
I wonder if this is all consoles, X Box and PS2, G-Cube too? Or some time point that explains the 3rd entry.
Time points, units sales, this is a shoot from the hip situation, because, I trust the unit sales continues to progress.
What would be fascinating is the 'real' numbers of the 'true(tm)' break even point, for developement, production, ad budget, payola, and incremental payback on principal of I'play gross debt at the local Pizza Rocket.
What would be even more fascinating is the psycological break even point
when all the intagibles are paid for. Department leadership, marketing magicans, and the ever lovin' Senior Gopher Of Pizza Aquisition. All concerned see the worth of the project, AND the possibilty of a sequal.
I trust there is a 9th or 10th axis in the marketing 5D spread sheeting
that divines market saturation, and Love Feedback.
Love Feedback? Sure, I sense a continuing thread in the stream of consciousness that is the Fallout Universe. It's an UNconscious trace, really. Be professional, be fare: it's only a game, it's too early to judge:
Sadamn Heussien eat the fO2 editors!
The folks of I'play want us to be nice to them.
Is it UN conditional love? Not yet, remember it's a two way street until
until we exchange rings.
The folks of I'play want us to be nice to them.
I wonder if there is a 11th and 12th axis, titled, say for example, Rosh and St._P. et al DAC/NMA
and when this falters a 13th axis that reflects the untimely depletion of perscription mood altering pharasuticals, takes a dive and adjusts the bandwidth for tax deductable liquor purchases.
I'play on a bender, yes, another "lost weekend".
If the apologists are going to BLAME "us" for delaying or derailing, any serious FO title, that's a shamefully lame arguement, when seen in the light of the SALES in this graph. Are these good games, and were they supported by a efficent marketing program: The nut's 'n' bolts of getting the product out and on the shelves, or in the online sales warehouses. Sales per ad buck 'n' all that. Sales per free copy to reviewers 'n' all that.
How COULD a fan base hold I'play back when I'play has chosen to make every different kind of game, except a FO3. Even a VIABLE FO spin off could be possible, (FOT was close enough to be a credible effort, no matter how one reponds to game killing bugs or hairy Deathclaws.), but the behavior pattern implies labeling a third party
demo with Fallout and pushing it out the door without a paraschute of development support, or a fig leaf of artistic integrity.
But, but, what if this,..., this "Love Quotient", lurks in the darkest heart at I'play?
From one FO addict to another, well y'all be the connoisseurs. I still be lost in dreams of "Travels with Tandi", yeah I got's it bad.
From one FO fan to another. I believe the ""tough love'" track needs to be taken.
1. Make good games.
This is a transient quality and would reflect the genre and platform.
If it's a console game, is it a "good" console game?
If it's shovelware, is it a cost effective venture that pays the rent, and
allows the consumer some measureable level of satisfaction.
This would support the arguement that I'play is seeking a game engine
to do FO3 credit. If the sales levels DO reflect credible
performance, it would imply a disciplined practise of good production,
and business habits.
2. Monthly (or consistant) update of the FO Bible. I don't think they "get"
the importance of taking charge of the knowledge base. I wonder
if they "get" that they can shape our expectations by forging a
"consensus of steel" and by mining the talented contributions
available in the fan base. A lot of "free" material floating around.
The holder of the franchise should be compiling the fan fiction, and
the mods, not to surpress, but to exploit the enthusiam.
3. Let go of the mindblock that FO3 "must be perfect", and give
themselves permission to , not fail,..., but to achieve. Prove that
I'play is an experienced game company and not a tax haven for the
American holdings of a FRENCH media conglomerent.
The rest of y'all might want a true 12 step confessional. But I think that would feed their victim syndrone. If we are gong to be nice, then we are going to need to be tough also. A viable system of rewards could feed their "love' addiction, until I'play can stand on it's own 3 feet , and look at it's faces in the mirror.
And we can take their press releases at face value, warts 'n' all.
4too
I see 3 entries for Bauldar's Gate: Alliance.
I wonder if this is all consoles, X Box and PS2, G-Cube too? Or some time point that explains the 3rd entry.
Time points, units sales, this is a shoot from the hip situation, because, I trust the unit sales continues to progress.
What would be fascinating is the 'real' numbers of the 'true(tm)' break even point, for developement, production, ad budget, payola, and incremental payback on principal of I'play gross debt at the local Pizza Rocket.
What would be even more fascinating is the psycological break even point
when all the intagibles are paid for. Department leadership, marketing magicans, and the ever lovin' Senior Gopher Of Pizza Aquisition. All concerned see the worth of the project, AND the possibilty of a sequal.
I trust there is a 9th or 10th axis in the marketing 5D spread sheeting
that divines market saturation, and Love Feedback.
Love Feedback? Sure, I sense a continuing thread in the stream of consciousness that is the Fallout Universe. It's an UNconscious trace, really. Be professional, be fare: it's only a game, it's too early to judge:
Sadamn Heussien eat the fO2 editors!
The folks of I'play want us to be nice to them.
Is it UN conditional love? Not yet, remember it's a two way street until
until we exchange rings.
The folks of I'play want us to be nice to them.
I wonder if there is a 11th and 12th axis, titled, say for example, Rosh and St._P. et al DAC/NMA
and when this falters a 13th axis that reflects the untimely depletion of perscription mood altering pharasuticals, takes a dive and adjusts the bandwidth for tax deductable liquor purchases.
I'play on a bender, yes, another "lost weekend".
If the apologists are going to BLAME "us" for delaying or derailing, any serious FO title, that's a shamefully lame arguement, when seen in the light of the SALES in this graph. Are these good games, and were they supported by a efficent marketing program: The nut's 'n' bolts of getting the product out and on the shelves, or in the online sales warehouses. Sales per ad buck 'n' all that. Sales per free copy to reviewers 'n' all that.
How COULD a fan base hold I'play back when I'play has chosen to make every different kind of game, except a FO3. Even a VIABLE FO spin off could be possible, (FOT was close enough to be a credible effort, no matter how one reponds to game killing bugs or hairy Deathclaws.), but the behavior pattern implies labeling a third party
demo with Fallout and pushing it out the door without a paraschute of development support, or a fig leaf of artistic integrity.
But, but, what if this,..., this "Love Quotient", lurks in the darkest heart at I'play?
From one FO addict to another, well y'all be the connoisseurs. I still be lost in dreams of "Travels with Tandi", yeah I got's it bad.
From one FO fan to another. I believe the ""tough love'" track needs to be taken.
1. Make good games.
This is a transient quality and would reflect the genre and platform.
If it's a console game, is it a "good" console game?
If it's shovelware, is it a cost effective venture that pays the rent, and
allows the consumer some measureable level of satisfaction.
This would support the arguement that I'play is seeking a game engine
to do FO3 credit. If the sales levels DO reflect credible
performance, it would imply a disciplined practise of good production,
and business habits.
2. Monthly (or consistant) update of the FO Bible. I don't think they "get"
the importance of taking charge of the knowledge base. I wonder
if they "get" that they can shape our expectations by forging a
"consensus of steel" and by mining the talented contributions
available in the fan base. A lot of "free" material floating around.
The holder of the franchise should be compiling the fan fiction, and
the mods, not to surpress, but to exploit the enthusiam.
3. Let go of the mindblock that FO3 "must be perfect", and give
themselves permission to , not fail,..., but to achieve. Prove that
I'play is an experienced game company and not a tax haven for the
American holdings of a FRENCH media conglomerent.
The rest of y'all might want a true 12 step confessional. But I think that would feed their victim syndrone. If we are gong to be nice, then we are going to need to be tough also. A viable system of rewards could feed their "love' addiction, until I'play can stand on it's own 3 feet , and look at it's faces in the mirror.
And we can take their press releases at face value, warts 'n' all.
4too
