Profile: SpectralHunt
Send PM  Forum Posts  Forum Topics 

Recent Forum Posts [more...]

• • WAR headed for a meltdown?

  • The removal of certain content isn't the end of the world on it's own.  I mean it can always be added later.  The problem I see is perception.  Because Mythic has now come out and said they are basically delaying or removing content to make a polished game, they have essentially raised the stakes on their own. 

    The pressure for a near perfect game was already on WAR and now it seems it must have an almost flawless launch.  I mean it's going to have to be silky smooth or the naysayers will attack it mercilessly.  And with AoC not really meeting expectations, added burden falls on WAR.  I do not envy Mythic's position right now. 

    I think that's why MMO devs should stop with the promises until they are absolutely sure the content will be available at launch.  Otherwise, they should stay silent.  I think Jack Emmert of Cryptic said that from his experiences with CoH.  So, if you look at Champions Online, they won't reveal anything until it is completely in the game.  It's a smart move.

    The other side observation I see is: MMO companies really need to hire better management teams.  Seriously.  They must have horrible project managers because it seems like every MMO that's coming out in recent years either run out of money, make promises they can't keep or are unable to make reasonable deadlines. 

  • Posted: 7/16/08 10:29 PM
    WAR (Warhammer Online)
• • Damn near impossible to find a copy of the game

  • Originally posted by todeswulf
    

    Originally posted by Bronks
    

     

    My WalMart has 5 collector editions and at least 10 regular editions. My local Best Buy has probably close to 50 on a nice big cardboard display.

    I find it hard to believe my local stores are the only ones that stocked up on this game.

     

     

    
     

    Dude go grab the CE's they are going for over a hundred dollars on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Age-Of-Conan-Collectors-Edition_W0QQitemZ260258677961QQihZ016QQcategoryZ139973QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    Are they actually being sold at that price though?  Honestly, it seems a bit risky.  I mean, I remember WoW:BC Collector's Edition being incredibly hard to find.  Well, to this day at my local Fry's, there are at least a dozen of those green boxes sitting on the shelves.

    As for AoC...there's a lot at my local Best Buy.  Ironically, I tend to get my PC games at the big stores instead of places like Gamestop.  Seems to me, Gamestop concentrates on console games and I find they don't stock their PC games well, even new ones.

  • Posted: 7/05/08 9:12 PM
    Age of Conan
• • latest sales figures Age of Conan still Selling Well

  • Originally posted by IAmMMO
    

    Originally posted by SpectralHunt
    

    There aren't any real numbers on the list.  For all we know Spore sold 1 million copies and AoC sold 100 boxes while the other eight titles sold under 100 copies.  That would still put AoC at number two...

    A clear example of how stats can be manipulated. 

    Still, I'm guessing AoC sold a good amount but you really need to take PC sales numbers with a grain of salt.  They don't have console game numbers.  On the other hand, I have to say AoC might not be doing as well as they want considering they are only one ranking above WoW which has been around for over three years.

    Hard to interpret the list when there are no concrete sales figures.

     

    WRONG! Try again. PC gaming accounts for 60% of the gaming industry. Previous to this year Pc gaming only had it's retail sales counted. Just this year they did another recount in the gaming industry. This time for the Pc including online digital downloads and MMO subs as well as shop retail sales and the results showed Pc gaming amounted to 60% of the market. There are over 236 million online Pc gamers. The so called end of the Pc you hear each time a new generation of consoles hits is nothing more than the console companies PR teams springing in to action, only different now days is they tend to use the viral marketing approach which results in misinformed people like your self falling for it.

     

    Again, another way stats are manipulated...

    If you actually believe the 236 million PC gamers all go out and buy $50 games you are delusional.  The numbers are taking into account people who download those simple flash or casual games too.  Those gamers take up the actual bulk of PC gamers.  Those games cost $5-10 to download. 

    I never said PC gaming is dead but they don't match the numbers of console games sold among their AAA titles.  If a PC game sells 100-200K copies, it is considered a good success.  AAA titles for consoles break 1 million sales all the time.

  • Posted: 7/03/08 1:52 AM
    Age of Conan
• • Are people's expectations too high these days?

  • Honestly, I don't think expectations are too high.  I find it interesting gamers tend to be very forgiving of companies that produce bad/buggy games.  Are gamers that desperate to play games that they are willing to settle for poor games?  I think the expectations we are seeing are slowing on par with our expectations of other products we buy.

    I know this isn't the best example, but think of the other stuff you buy.  Cars, electronics, books...etc.  Consumers expect those things to be working properly and completely once it is bought and taken out of the store.  I realize MMOs are always a job in progress but maybe that term has become an excuse for many gaming companies.

  • Posted: 7/03/08 1:29 AM
    Age of Conan
• • latest sales figures Age of Conan still Selling Well

  • There aren't any real numbers on the list.  For all we know Spore sold 1 million copies and AoC sold 100 boxes while the other eight titles sold under 100 copies.  That would still put AoC at number two...

    A clear example of how stats can be manipulated. 

    Still, I'm guessing AoC sold a good amount but you really need to take PC sales numbers with a grain of salt.  They don't have console game numbers.  On the other hand, I have to say AoC might not be doing as well as they want considering they are only one ranking above WoW which has been around for over three years.

    Hard to interpret the list when there are no concrete sales figures.

  • Posted: 7/03/08 1:23 AM
    Age of Conan