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Bethesda and 3 and a half under-performing games in a row
- Thread starter dex3108
- Start date
Their brazilian pricing is absolute BS. They are by far the most expensive at launch, it's ridiculous, and I'm sorry but I'm glad it's not paying off for them.
Except that about 6 months after launch, when the interest has dropped to zero, the base price drops to 40% of what it was. And at this point we might as well wait for a 50% off sale. Kind of gives away that they don't know what they are doing around here.
I inevitably buy their games at 80% off the launch price, generally at the same year they are launched, so yeah.
Except that about 6 months after launch, when the interest has dropped to zero, the base price drops to 40% of what it was. And at this point we might as well wait for a 50% off sale. Kind of gives away that they don't know what they are doing around here.
I inevitably buy their games at 80% off the launch price, generally at the same year they are launched, so yeah.
Brotherhood93
Member
Perhaps they'll reconsider their stupid review policy now?
I think that is only a small factor but it's still ridiculous. As others have said their marketing has been really poor too, I didn't realise Prey was out until the day it released and The Evil Within 2 created very little buzz. There's also the issue that Prey and Dishonored seem to be in a genre that just doesn't sell anymore, see Deus Ex as further proof. Horror games aren't exactly know for being a big-seller either. Will be interesting to see how Wolfenstein does as that has had more of a push and is a more appealing genre.
I think that is only a small factor but it's still ridiculous. As others have said their marketing has been really poor too, I didn't realise Prey was out until the day it released and The Evil Within 2 created very little buzz. There's also the issue that Prey and Dishonored seem to be in a genre that just doesn't sell anymore, see Deus Ex as further proof. Horror games aren't exactly know for being a big-seller either. Will be interesting to see how Wolfenstein does as that has had more of a push and is a more appealing genre.
kingkenny76
Member
Yeah, I was day 1 until I read about their support for the Pro.
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
Maybe that's because D1 underperformed?
Given how ridiculous a lot of marketing budgets are for many games this generation, as long as Bethesda themselves aren't coming out and decrying these titles as abject failures, it seems to me to indicate their strategy is to spend conservatively on these game's marketing budgets and let them grow naturally through word of mouth.
Imho, neither Dishonored nor Prey seemed like games with broad consumer appeal. To me they're the types of games to appeal to the core gamer and traditional PC gamer demographic. In which case, it makes sense to me to launch these titles against moderate marketing investment and allow WOM to drive a more organic groundswell among enthusiast gamers.
I hardly think Bethesda will stop making these types of games, especially when they continue to be so well received critically.
Their review copy policy though is ass-backwards.
I can see why Dishonored 2 bomb'd. Such a niche genre.
But evil within 2 bombing is a surprise. I mean it's like the only "Halloween" game out this month. And released on Friday the 13th too
Not to mention the game has that Resident evil itch that was missing from RE7
I honestly don't watch TV, but with how big shadows of Mordor is selling ( which I heard had a big tv marketing campaign) Bethesda should take a look
But evil within 2 bombing is a surprise. I mean it's like the only "Halloween" game out this month. And released on Friday the 13th too
Not to mention the game has that Resident evil itch that was missing from RE7
I honestly don't watch TV, but with how big shadows of Mordor is selling ( which I heard had a big tv marketing campaign) Bethesda should take a look
KonradLaw
Member
Well, I think it will work somewhat on PC at least. Dishonored 2 is close to milion copies on PC, Prey close to half a milion and I think they will continue to sell decently for years on the platform, but Bethesda probably wanted a lot more and a lot faster
O.DOGG
Member
I was thinking the same thing yesterday when I read the (possible) low sales numbers for The Evil Within 2 on Steam. Such a shame, as Bethesda games have been consistently great to outstanding over the past two years. I really hope we're not witnessing the death of AAA single player games.
I would be surprised if Bethesda keeps up the no review codes before release policy, at least for their smaller franchise games that aren't Doom, Wolfenstein, Fallout and Elder Scrolls proper. It hurts whatever groundswell of hype they can develop, and makes little sense in the age where s reaching as many streamers/youtubers is important for success. Even Ubisoft's blandest Tom Clancy game of the year, was paid to be lit up by steamers all over Twitch, reviewed as mediocre, but outsold most other games this year.
Dishonored 2 should've released earlier in the year like the 1st entry, and Prey deserved an actual marketing campaign with a name that only caused confusion or annoyance. I'll be bummed if Arkane gets negatively effected in the future because of this.
Wolfenstein marketing was the only one on-point from the start, and events in the real-world are only making it easier for that game to make the bank it very likely will.
Dishonored 2 should've released earlier in the year like the 1st entry, and Prey deserved an actual marketing campaign with a name that only caused confusion or annoyance. I'll be bummed if Arkane gets negatively effected in the future because of this.
Wolfenstein marketing was the only one on-point from the start, and events in the real-world are only making it easier for that game to make the bank it very likely will.
Tal Shiar Agent
Member
If they were smart they'd be selling games like Dishonored and Evil Within sell for ~$45 and we'd see the return of the AA/Mid-Tier game.
phant0m
Member
Prey has been my favorite of 2017, and thats with strong competition from BotW, H:ZD and RE7 in VR. Recently been enjoying TESO: Morrowind as well.
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
This is a great point.
You're right. Prey encountered a cavalcade of issues, with the first being IP confusion among customers. I think that in 2017, slapping the name of a beloved cult classic game on an entirely unrelated and obviously new IP release, isn't going to fool anyone.
Couple that with the clusterfuck that was Bethesda's handling of the originally announced Human Head Prey 2 game (which looked fantastic and had much broader appeal), I think Arkane really had their chips stacked against them by their own publisher with Prey.
I agree with this and I very much hope and expect Wolfenstein to buck the trend and be a runaway success for Bethesda. It's exactly the type of game to delight and entertain gamers. If it's anything like the first one and the expansion it will see rave reviews, and it's also coming in a climate where, so long as Bethesda's marketing dept. know what their doing (and they've certainly shown that they have), the marketing will almost literally drive itself.
i have to think the d2 pc numbers would be at least somewhat better if the port hadn't been so ungodly awful
personally i loved the first game and was really looking forward to the sequel but have skipped it entirely due to the performance problems that as far as i know never really got fixed
personally i loved the first game and was really looking forward to the sequel but have skipped it entirely due to the performance problems that as far as i know never really got fixed
Raptomex
Member
I had no idea they did this. Then again I don't watch streamers. Seems like a bad idea.
Barrel Cannon
Member
I think they think it's too pricey for the payoff to advertise it. Shame though considering dishonored 2 looks dam great
Yup.
Yup.
Another thing are those immense price drops happening with their games, which is certainly playing a role.
People just know that it's not gonna take to long until their at half the price or even less.
Still purchased their games on day 1, despite knowing it.
Every game was worth it, and I'm glad I waited on other games like Mass Effect Andromeda to pay less than half.
MontyBrown
Banned
When true single player games are dead for good, we'll know that gamers are to blame at the end of the day.
McValdemar
Member
Totally agree and the topic is a good one because raises this question for a company that is well known!
My perception is that their marketing is really not pushing anything seriously apart ES and Fallout.
Greatest Ever
Member
Those are mutually exclusive.
The problem is that...there was no missing itch on RE7 and that one might be actually more effective as a SH, and it's heavily discounted by now.
There was. Theres a reason RE7 halved sales from RE5/6.
That said, its also not an itch TEW really scratches either.
CrichtonKicks
Member
Man no one realizes that they gave out advance code for TEW2 to reviewers (though later than they should have) and provided a "normal" day before release embargo as well.
No idea if this was a one-off or if that will be policy moving forward. We should know next week when/if Wolftenstein reviews hit.
I found the combat quite enjoyable, especially later on. But i give you the sound mixing.
OléGunner;252262493 said:
But that's their raison d'etre. Since their first
game, they always tried to immerse the player into the worlds they created. They mostly do it with mechanics they create specificly for their games.
Like in Arx Fatalis, they let you draw signs if you wanted to cast a spell.
In Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, it was the superb first person mode, with the effects like a shaking cam that made you believe you were that person.
Immersion is their bread and butter. And i love them for it.
PeskyToaster
Member
Their review policy is the most fixable thing for me. It's free marketing and buzz generation if the game is good.Only hurts bad games so if the publisher has faith in the product, it's a no brainer to me. Otherwise it just gives off a "What are they hiding?" vibe except they are really just hiding great games from being seen.
Friday the 13th was like 4 days ago....so TEW 2 has been out for like 4 days people, 4 days ......
Sad Affleck
Member
Are we sure the games are underperforming? I mean, lack of marketing could mean that Bethesda saves a ton of money on marketing costs.
StarPlatinumTheWorld
Member
Just waiting on The Elder Scrolls VI: Skyrim II
Tacked on mp? Try single player tacked on instead (as in sp is an afterthought to many games now and I foresee that happening to rockstar games even now that they've seen how profitable gta online is).
I'm pretty sure these big media marketing campaigns cost like tens of millions of dollars so you need to be sure to sell a buttload of additional copies you wouldn't have otherwise to go that route. I don't think D2 is a game that would've benefited in such a huge way so maybe keeping the PR cost to a minimum and let sales creep up over time isn't even that bad a strategy?
xviper
Member
Bethesda games marketing depends on the hype of the fans, Fallout 4 didn't need marketing, the fans marketed the fuck out of the game to the point that it sold tons of copies even though it's probably the biggest disappointment in history considering the amount of hype it got and how the game actually was
Dishonored 2 deserved even lower sales, it was one of the most lazy "sequels" i have ever played
Dishonored 2 deserved even lower sales, it was one of the most lazy "sequels" i have ever played
I get what you mean, it's their USP for you hardcore fans.
But they need to mould it into something more palatable for mainstream audiences I think, unless Bethesda is happy to finance their creative visions with no real big hits in the bank (which would be commendable, Fallout and Skyrim probably help things keep ticking).
Having said that and probably contradicting myself, didn't Dishonoured 1 perform decently?
eot
Banned
RE6 probably hurt RE7, fool me once...
I actually hope this is the twist here. That their teams are relatively small so the dev costs are kept surprisingly down.