Good post, this point is often overlooked.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Has Activision shot themselves in the foot with the MW Remastered paywall?
- Thread starter Bronx-Man
- Start date
Good post, this point is often overlooked.
ScherzoPrime
Member
I think the crux of the issue is that the people really angry about the bundle are the people who've already disliked Activision's practices for years. My perspective as a consumer is "Yeah that's kinda shitty but I'm kinda more interested in IW anyways so this is kind of a bargain" (The Digital Deluxe offer).
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Speak with your wallet. Yes, you want the game but you don't need it.
Battlefield 1 is coming too and that looks far superior anyways. No offense. Wait, yes offense.
Battlefield 1 is coming too and that looks far superior anyways. No offense. Wait, yes offense.
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
Even after years of being told how big COD is as a franchise, people on these forums still cant conceptualise how big it is. At this point a COD is an event, no different from the playoffs or the superbowl. The vocal minority might not be happy, but the game is going to sell gangbusters.
Sleight of Jam
Banned
Well I haven't bought a cod since blops2 so this year won't be any different. Saying that though, I would've most likely bought the remaster had it not be; £70, incomplete, and still be using the same ugly engine they've been using for years.
I've seen a lot of people voicing their opinions in forums and videos, with some ultimately saying they'll buy the game anyway... Okay then, but don't complain in the first place, as it clearly doesn't bother you if you intend to still buy it.
I've seen a lot of people voicing their opinions in forums and videos, with some ultimately saying they'll buy the game anyway... Okay then, but don't complain in the first place, as it clearly doesn't bother you if you intend to still buy it.
Bootador83
Member
If they sell seperate they cabbabilise their own sales, so business wise it's a great nove
Chip N Chance
Member
If your an Amazon Prime member it is $63 with Modern Warfare. Making it only a $3 upgrade. Thats probably how ill get my hands on it. Or not, who knows. Depends on if Infinite Warfare is good or not.
Also Modern Warfare 2 limited edition came with Call of Duty Classic Remaster. It was exclusive up until they released it on its own months later. Theres no reason to believe they wont do the same thing with this one. They've done it before.
Also Modern Warfare 2 limited edition came with Call of Duty Classic Remaster. It was exclusive up until they released it on its own months later. Theres no reason to believe they wont do the same thing with this one. They've done it before.
Salty Rice
Member
I was interested in Modern Warfare Remaster but im not going to buy it for 80 bucks with that Infinity Warfare garbage. I can wait.
TheCanisDirus
Member
Lol yeah 14 years ago. To each his/her own. Have fun playing in the mud and riding a horse. I'll be snapping robots' necks in space.
I'm bummed MW isnt standalone but it's a bonus for me as i'm equally interested in IW.
My bet is they fuck up the Remaster of Modern Warfare anyway, somehow.
I'd really like a HD remake of Modern Warfare, but I just wouldnt feel good about having to purchase IW deluxe or whatever editions to get it. Ill just buy something else instead.
I guess if its a totally messed up remake and they sell it seperatly at some point, Ill have fair warning so I dont spend my hard earned cash on crap. So errrr...... I guess... thanks for that Activision????, cos I probably would have pre-ordered MW against my own own good sense, digitally as well. Phew, that was a close one.
I'd really like a HD remake of Modern Warfare, but I just wouldnt feel good about having to purchase IW deluxe or whatever editions to get it. Ill just buy something else instead.
I guess if its a totally messed up remake and they sell it seperatly at some point, Ill have fair warning so I dont spend my hard earned cash on crap. So errrr...... I guess... thanks for that Activision????, cos I probably would have pre-ordered MW against my own own good sense, digitally as well. Phew, that was a close one.
Sleight of Jam
Banned
They already have by not including all of the maps. Watch them be DLC.
Collateral22
Member
I'm getting the Legacy Edition for 90 euro. Selling the IW disc for 70 to my cousin as thats cheaper than RRP here and keeping the MWR code. Going with BF1 then. That's my shooter plan for the rest of the year.
this is me (with some degree of variance), almost 100% of the time on GAF
brokenbeans
Banned
Of course they will.
20 maps altogether so they will just package the other ten with the IW and zombie maps, hardly surprising.
brokenbeans
Banned
I'm almost positive you will need the IW disc to access Mwr.
Collateral22
Member
If they do that kiss goodbye to getting a standalone version.
BumblebeeCody
Member
Not really. People will bitch now but they will buy it in the end anyway.
DasPenguin
Member
360 was a hackfest years ago which probably lead to the player pool dying. I doubt the servers are even up anymore.
JetSetRadio
Banned
Sony should have the remaster MP on PS+ coming november!
StrangeTaco
Member
Nah. People will buy it anyways since it's COD. Honestly since they're forcing people to buy the bundle to get the MW remaster it'll probably increase sales if anything.
Mr. Giggles
Member
Nah man, they'll make their investment back plus a nice thick juicy profit.
This game is a sport to many people and the MWR is just icing on the cake
This game is a sport to many people and the MWR is just icing on the cake
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
This seems like the kind of thing that deeply offends people who spend all day getting angry on video game message boards. The average COD fan is going to pay their $80 in November if they want MWR, or $60 if they don't, and not give it a second thought.
dantevsninjas
Member
No, because the entire point of it's existence is to drive people to purchase the $80 version of IW.
Then, a few months down the road, after it's served it purpose, they get to release it on it's own for $40 and look like heroes.
Then, a few months down the road, after it's served it purpose, they get to release it on it's own for $40 and look like heroes.
The Faceless Master
Member
they'll pay.
JumPeRJumPzZ
Banned
I will just look out for people selling the MWR Code on Ebay or so.
Really wont buy IW.
Really wont buy IW.
COD4: MW came out in 2007. Thats 9 years ago.
According to this well over half of Call of Duty players are under 27.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/669288-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii/65093990
So theres a good chance a larger percentage of buyers have never played Modern Warfare 1 before or have even heard of that.
So for them 2 full Call of Duty games for $20 more than usual = a great deal.
#justsayin
According to this well over half of Call of Duty players are under 27.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/669288-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii/65093990
So theres a good chance a larger percentage of buyers have never played Modern Warfare 1 before or have even heard of that.
So for them 2 full Call of Duty games for $20 more than usual = a great deal.
#justsayin
TheCanisDirus
Member
Were going to see so much of this shit again. Watch IW turn out to be on the the best CODs in years. We havent even seen the multiplayer and we know thats the main reason the majority of people buy/play COD.
Triggerhappytel
Member
According to what? Where are you getting this information?!
JohnnyFootball
GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
Good lord, for all the bitching it's pretty much a given that the MW will eventually be available as a standalone at some point.
And who knows? Infinite Warfare could end up being a halfway decent game.
And who knows? Infinite Warfare could end up being a halfway decent game.
TheCanisDirus
Member
Hell... I might buy a few copies of IW to strip and sell piece meal if the demand is going to be that high lol.
barneystuta83
Member
Who am I to tell one of the biggest publishers in the world how to do their job? But hey, I'll give it a go.
Do I think MW Re-mastered (MWR) behind a paywall reduce the sales numbers of Infinite Warfare (IW)? No. A 'boycott' would never be on a big enough scale. If IW doesn't sell as many copies as previous COD's, it will have little to do with MWR.
Will it increase sales of MWR? Likely, yes. With it included with every 'upgraded' copy of Infinite Warfare, it will be one of the biggest 'selling' games of the year. A standalone re-master would have done well for enthusiasts, sure. But I don't think it would outsell the 'latest' COD.
Had they sold separately, would Activision sold more copies of both games combined? Possibly. And this is where it gets most interesting.
You will notice the one question missing is: Will MWR included increase the sales of IW? Of course it will. People will buy IW to play MWR. They will. Activision know it. You know it. You may not, but lots of people will.
Activision could have done this one of many million ways, which I am sure they explored in great detail. People with far more information than me have likely run all scenarios. One option I am pretty sure they didn't consider was launching BOTH games at the same time independently. The reasons for this should be obvious (cannibalization of their market).
I am guessing they looked at the following:
Alternative 1: Full re-master of MWR.
- A full re-master. All maps. All missions. Everything.
- Extra/New content. A new side story. A spin off campaign
- Released in Holiday 2016
- Full retail price
- No 'new' COD in 2016
Give MWR the spotlight it deserves, not just an added pre-order/paywall bonus. It would sell to enthusiasts, but what about people wanting something fresh? A bit of bolted on content would be nice, but is it enough? Battlefield is releasing the same time. Risk is losing mind/market share to a competitor.
Alternative 2: Same re-master, released in H1 2016.
- Same re-master we are getting, limited maps etc.
- Released before E3, so sometime between March-June
- Budget retail price of c$40
- IW releases as planned in Holiday 2016
Another great one for fans. They get a standalone game and it would sell well, likely winning it's launch NPD month. Even beating Dark Souls and Unchartered. However, BLOPS3 is still in the top 10 NPD every month. COD is still selling. MWR would give it a bump up in sales, but not at peak season. Also, it would be either 'rushed' to market or put out unfished. Resources are not available to 'complete' the re-master as they are focusing on IW.
--
In the end, they went with the bundled/paywall option. The alternatives just posed too much risk to Activision and the COD brand. Simple as that really.
Also, don't be surprised if you 'need' IW to launch MWR, so selling the code wouldn't be worth anything.
NOTE: I am not saying this is 'right', 'fair', or the 'the best' thing to do. Just posting my thoughts if I was in their shoes.
Do I think MW Re-mastered (MWR) behind a paywall reduce the sales numbers of Infinite Warfare (IW)? No. A 'boycott' would never be on a big enough scale. If IW doesn't sell as many copies as previous COD's, it will have little to do with MWR.
Will it increase sales of MWR? Likely, yes. With it included with every 'upgraded' copy of Infinite Warfare, it will be one of the biggest 'selling' games of the year. A standalone re-master would have done well for enthusiasts, sure. But I don't think it would outsell the 'latest' COD.
Had they sold separately, would Activision sold more copies of both games combined? Possibly. And this is where it gets most interesting.
You will notice the one question missing is: Will MWR included increase the sales of IW? Of course it will. People will buy IW to play MWR. They will. Activision know it. You know it. You may not, but lots of people will.
Activision could have done this one of many million ways, which I am sure they explored in great detail. People with far more information than me have likely run all scenarios. One option I am pretty sure they didn't consider was launching BOTH games at the same time independently. The reasons for this should be obvious (cannibalization of their market).
I am guessing they looked at the following:
Alternative 1: Full re-master of MWR.
- A full re-master. All maps. All missions. Everything.
- Extra/New content. A new side story. A spin off campaign
- Released in Holiday 2016
- Full retail price
- No 'new' COD in 2016
Give MWR the spotlight it deserves, not just an added pre-order/paywall bonus. It would sell to enthusiasts, but what about people wanting something fresh? A bit of bolted on content would be nice, but is it enough? Battlefield is releasing the same time. Risk is losing mind/market share to a competitor.
Alternative 2: Same re-master, released in H1 2016.
- Same re-master we are getting, limited maps etc.
- Released before E3, so sometime between March-June
- Budget retail price of c$40
- IW releases as planned in Holiday 2016
Another great one for fans. They get a standalone game and it would sell well, likely winning it's launch NPD month. Even beating Dark Souls and Unchartered. However, BLOPS3 is still in the top 10 NPD every month. COD is still selling. MWR would give it a bump up in sales, but not at peak season. Also, it would be either 'rushed' to market or put out unfished. Resources are not available to 'complete' the re-master as they are focusing on IW.
--
In the end, they went with the bundled/paywall option. The alternatives just posed too much risk to Activision and the COD brand. Simple as that really.
Also, don't be surprised if you 'need' IW to launch MWR, so selling the code wouldn't be worth anything.
NOTE: I am not saying this is 'right', 'fair', or the 'the best' thing to do. Just posting my thoughts if I was in their shoes.
Which certainly does not make them or any other large company immune from making the wrong decisions. But in this case, from a business decision point of view, I think it's a petty good idea to bundle the two games together.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
idk how it would be a bad decision, unless you mean they are losing potential profit from selling IW independently.
PeskyToaster
Member
I've purchases a lot of CoDs over the years except I've never played 4 but I don't think I want to pay 80 bucks for the privilege. I'll just buy the eventual standalone. Battlefield is making one of my pie in the sky dream games right now so that will be my shooter for the Fall and maybe Titanfall 2.
ScherzoPrime
Member
I think that's affair assessment. I think MWR was intended mainly as a promotional thing; Activision I think was honestly not expecting the future fatigue a lot of its core audience has.