Big software titles flopping in the US

[johnlucas]

shams said:

One of my concerns and theories about the glut of excess software this Xmas, is that many established "middle" titles will effectively flop. These are primarily titles with established brand names, and significant development budgets.

Since the holidays are coming, there is a real chance some of these titles could rebound.

But I'm going to focus on titles with sales figures that are available now:

 

--- EA titles ---

Madden (All): Although not even close to a flop, sales are down considerably from last year (approx 30%-40% from last calculation) - even when more platforms are added.

FIFA 08 (360): I doubt EA is happy with 80k sales on the 360 for the first 2 weeks. PS2 version faring better. PS3/Wii versions under this again.

FIFA '08 (PSP/DS): Both versions around 11k. Poor.

NBA Live '08 (All): The 360 has the best sales, still under 90k over 3 weeks. Not a great performance, and solidly beaten by Take-2's effort (200k).

Boogie (Wii): Under 130k isn't a complete disaster - but its not great either. Salvagable.

NHL '08 (PS3): 37k. Blah.

[cut]

...I think that is enough for an initial analysis. Feel free to post other titles that have been missed.

The EA situation I have noticed as well when looking at their yearly financial reports. They are in a slow decline. Actually when they bought all the pro licenses (NFL, NBA, FIFA, etc.) it seems they have been on this trend. EA I think is going to have to reevaluate how they make games from now on because their yearly sports offerings are starting to wear people down I think. And I don't think they especially speak to the newer incoming audience as well.

Sports games used to come out every other year or so once upon a time. Or would have different companies making their own sports game with their own mechanics. You got something fresh and different and the purchase didn't seem as throwaway. EA has turned everything into a yearly 'buy and forget' escapade. You wouldn't BELIEVE how many EA sports cartridges & discs I used to see at pawn shops. Going back to the SNES/PS1 time period. They were bought and then sold and the same old year game sits in the shop month after month with no one even attempting to buy it.

Even when my local Rhino's became a Gamestop (I hate Gamestop!) when they were clearing out old game inventory of all systems going back to Genesis & NES (damn I miss Rhino's man ) it was always those sports titles that were last to go. NHL 94, Madden 02, NBA Live 98. Sports games have sadly become throwaway and the lack of competition in the field is actually hurting that area of gaming.

The arcadey vs. sim variety we used to have has basically disappeared and EA is riding a waning tide. They still talk glowingly about Tecmo Bowl but who will talk glowingly years from now about Madden 06?

EA will have to change and so will all of their copycats publishers.

John Lucas