Normally this time of year, we would find out at E3 when the big three would release their big holiday games. But E3 is completely different now.
If you were Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft when would you want your big games and your big third party games released? After all, there are limits on the number of hardware moving guarenteed hits. Games of this magnitude tend to preclude gamers from getting information on other games, so they must be spaced out accordingly. To me, these are games that will sell 3 million+ copies worldwide. In 2007, I believe these console games will meet that sales standard by the start of 2008:
Smash Brothers, Mario Galaxy, Madden (360/PS3/Wii/PS2), Halo 3, GTA IV (360/PS3), Metal Gear Solid 4, Singstar, Wii Health, Wii Music, Ratchet & Clank. Games like Assassin's Creed, Too Human, Guitar Hero 3, Heavenly Sword and Killzone 2 may have a shot at 3 million by the end of the year as well.
If it was me deciding for any of the hardware companies, I would want momentum to ramp up monthly. So I would have it like this:
August - Madden, Singstar, Too Human, Wii Music
September - Ratchet & Clank, Wii Health, Assassin's Creed, Metroid Prime 3
October - GTA IV, Super Mario Galaxy, Killzone 2
November - Guitar Hero 3, Metal Gear Solid 4, Halo 3, Heavenly Sword, Smash Brothers Brawl
I think the console makers are afraid to show their hand until someone else releases dates first.
When would you bring out the big games?
People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.
When there are more laws, there are more criminals.
- Lao Tzu
