I don't really read much sales coverage by games media so this is pretty much the frist I'm seeing misleading coverage outside the horrid PR schpiel we've received from the companies in question. SO this is just accepted now? People don't call BS on them or anything?
The problem is that video game sales tracking is such a niche thing, and GAF really is the center of proper sales discussion.
While it creates great headlines, the nuances and methodologies of retail sales tracking are often lost in the noise.
So when you have some source, whether it's Pachter or Chartzzzz, and they give out numbers, your first intuition is "Oh! These are numbers, so they must be trustworthy!" You know, having the assumption of validity instead of thoroughly researching the data points.
The vast, vast majority of their readers will just look at their headline and the article and nod complacently because again, everyone's just assuming that the released number is an actual number.
Hundreds of sites, journalists, and even some analysts disseminate incorrect or mislabeled data because of this issue.
What we really need is a Sales-Age GAFfer composing these articles. I would love to write an article for Polygon that clarifies the exact methodology behind these numbers.
I know that, for example, GAFfer jvm has written some great sales-related articles for Gamasutra, but he's just one knowledgeable person in a sea of ignorance.
Been having trouble sleeping thanks to Diablo and anticipation for Destiny. I guess I'm more tired than I thought I was.
