CoD Vita and Aliens CM sales show game journalism is irrelevant

[Screamapillar]

IsawYoshi said:

Soleron said:

IsawYoshi said:

Salnax said:
To me, it says that brand name is a powerful force. CoD is the biggest shooter series ever, and Aliens:CM has the combined brand name of Aliens and Gearbox.

There we go, nothing more to say.

Still plays into my idea that reviews don't matter, if that means people buy anyway.

It's all aout brand power and how the games look, plus advertisement if you ask me. Reviews is a plus, and cod on vita would have sold much more with good reviews. Thats just the way it is sadly. The best games don't necessarily win.

Unfortunately, you are exactly right.  Assassin's Creed III was a flawed game, and one could argue much better games were available last holiday, but it sold because Ubisoft has turned it into their flagship console IP, and they put an enormous amount of resources into making sure the game is seen everywhere. 

There's also the matter of the legacy of the brand, in which people are automatically drawn to sequels of popular franchises regardless of review scores or game quality, simply because of the name on the box. 

Then you have the "CoD/Halo effect", in which more people are drawn into the brand with each passing year because more and more people they know buy the game, so you're either left in the cold by not having it, or you buy it even though it isn't your first choice just so you can continue playing with your friends.