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Miyamotoo on 24 November 2018
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NoCtiS_NoX said:
Miyamotoo said:

They are not definitely great numbers for Pokemon game but they are good enough in any case. Remember, this lowest install base than any Pokemon game was launched on (if I saw correctly 14% of all Switch owners in Japan bought game on launch), has highest price point for any Pokemon game, and definitely has highest digital sales for any Pokemon games (that are not tracked).

Also, insaiders from Japan told that only 2-3 weeks before launch game was completely dead and only than things start heating up, also that game has great word of mouth and that game should continue with very strong sales.

We cannot use the install base as an argument because if this is a next gen pokemon it will sell regardless of the install base. Switch is available and the demand is enough for the game. Splatoon 2 managed to sell 600k plus with a limited install base and was plagued with sell outs of the system so I don't see how an install base of 5 million is not enough for the game? As per checking the shipments it's around 1-1.2m so I am not sure how relevant the install base on your arguments.

This is Pokemon. You are underestimating the selling power of Pokemon merchandise. A $60 won't stop me and other Pokemon fans in buying it.  But you have point because this one has a bad rep and Ninty announcing a new Pokemon didn't help either.

But still as you have said it's not spectacular so I don't see how some find it great sales?

Of Course we can, if Switch had higher install base more Pokemon would be sold, simple as that, and Switch had lower install base ever on which some Pokemon game is launched, despite that around 13-14% (with digital sales) of all Switch user bought game in first 3 days of sales, that percent is higher than for same previous games. Also this is not brand new game but it is remake of Kanto. Splatoon 2 did sell 600k with lower install base, but point is that even Splatoon 2 would be sell more if install base was bigger in time when Splatoon 2 was launched.

I gave you clearly differences compared to previous Pokemon games that more or less definitely had effect on this Pokemon sales. Maybe you wouldn't, but for some people higher price point in combination of point that its not core Pokemon game definitely effect that some people didn't bought it on launch.

Probably they look sales just through install base, point that around 13-14% (with digital sales) of all Switch owners bough game in its first 3 days of sales is good result. In terms of the attach rate:

  • Pokemon Let's Go sold 664,198 copies (12% of Switch owners)
  • 2017’s Ultra Sun/Moon sold 1.2m copies (5% of 3DS owners)
  • 2016’s Sun/Moon sold 1.9m copies (8.6% of 3DS owners)
  • 2014’s Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire sold 1.5m copies (9.2% of 3DS owners)
  • 2013’s X/Y sold 2.1m copies (16% of 3DS owners)
IMO this are great sales numbers, but they are not great Pokemon sales numbers, but I do think they are good enough with all on mind (lowest install base on which some Pokemon games is launched, highest price point for any Pokemon game, and highest digital sales for any Pokemon game).
Saying all that, it will be interesting to see how this game will keep selling in following weeks, all points that will have strong sales because game have great WOM and people on first were reserved about this game.