Sat, Aug 01, 2009 | 15:59 BST
Michael Pachter weighs-in on Game Exodus 2009
Michael Pachter has weighed in on Game Exodus 2009, and tried to explain the defections into 2010 as best he could by comparing gaming to other entertainment.
Citing movies, he stated that film companies are able to release rival movies so close to one another because most consumers who wish to see both will do so. Games, however, are different.
“I think the game industry isn’t particularly well-coordinated,” he told Joystiq. “But the game business is different because you’re not going to go out and buy three games in one month. … Well, maybe you will, but the average consumer won’t.”
Compared to springtime last year, the number of offerings a retail have been light and because of this, a crowded holiday season was expected, which lead gaming companies to move titles to avoid the inherent risk.
“This fall you have games like The Beatles: Rock Band, Tony Hawk: Ride and DJ Hero. Those are like buying two or three games, and that sucks a lot of money out of the cycle,” he continued. “I think the biggest problem you’re going to see is that Q1 is now equally crowded, especially considering they’re going to be relatively low-dollar months.
“Think of something like Darksiders coming then, I think it’s going to be hard for a Darksiders to stand out.”
More through the link.
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Posted in: Development, Retail, Trade
Tags: 2010 release schedule, game exodus 2009, michael pachter
3 comments
#1
No_PUDding
01/08/09, 4:06 pm
It’s so true. When the mainstream consuemrs are buying titles a,b and c, becuase they are must-haves, who will WANT anymore entertainment?
And that goes for Beatles Rock Band, DJ Hero and Modern Warefare 2.
And people will save up for them too.
#2
Retroid
01/08/09, 4:23 pm
“The Beatles: Rock Band, Tony Hawk: Ride and DJ Hero”
All games I wouldn’t ever touch, and the last two not even with a shitty stick.
#3
hitnrun
01/08/09, 6:01 pm
Eventually there could develop “seasons” in the industry, the way Hollywood has. Action blockbusters come out early summer, animated blockbusters come out in summer-fall, horror, “works of art”, and niche-y titles come out in the winter, comedies (romantic and otherwise) space themselves carefully throughout the year so as not to tramp on toes.
Until now, 3/4 of the calendar has been “niche” season, and even then most of them just crowd into November anyway. That’s a lot of wasted disposable dollars (and pounds and euros). It has to do with the outdated (in my opinion) marketing ideas that VGs are not “entertainment” but a “product” and hence should be sold when people are buying products.