As a sales site, we are going to be judging games a lot, especially with the next generation here. We’ll be deciding if a game is a success, and by how much, whether it’s a market changer etc. Therefore, it's very important that we establish a common language. Without a common language, discussions become difficult as people argue over what a word should mean. One of those words is “flop.” This word has an incredibly powerful meaning behind it. Unfortunately, there is not agreement on it's definition. That’s what this thread is for. There seems to be two main methods used to determine whether a game is a flop. I’ll give my opinion on both.
The Expectation Method. This is probably the common method used on here, especially most recently. Under this method, if a game fails to reach pre-launch expectations, then it is a flop. I can understand why this method is so popular. When a game fails to meet expectations, people are shocked and begin to throw around words like "dissapointed" and "failure" and "flop" to describe the game. I think the expectation method should ONLY be used when using the expectations of the actual publisher/developer. Using the expectations of forum-goers to determine a game's success makes absolutely no sense.
One of the problems with this method, when using the expectations of forum members, is a game’s floppage can be heavily influenced due to the expectations of a few ‘loud’ posters. (I’m looking at you Gilgamesh and Turkish). Also, if a large group of people form predictions based on ignorance/bias, or without seriousness or though, then the expectations are of course going to be unrealistic. Most importantly, a game’s success or failure should not depend on what some random forum-goers expect. A game is not meant to sell enough so that to please forum-goers. It's meant to sell enough to make the developers/publishers money. If it does that, then it's not a flop imo.
The Profit Method. A game is a flop if it fails to make a profit. I think this is the best method of the two. By definition, a flop is the opposite of a success. And as we all know, success for a game is determined by profits. Therefore, the lack of profits = no success = flop. We can determine approximate the budget of a game in comparison with the revenue it brings in. This is the only objective and clear method to determine if a game is a flop, and to what degree of floppage. Biases or miscommunication will not be a factor when determining a flop using this method. Profit is the only way to determine if a game is a failure.
Whichever method we choose, we must stick with it. There's been a few people on here switching methods as it fits their argument. This must end! We have to use one method and apply it to all casess. So which Method should we use? The Profit method or the Expectation method?
Also, We must come to an agreement on the difference between a standard flop and a MAJOR flop, etc.
