10 Good Games That Flopped in Sales | Summary and Q&A

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August 12, 2023
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gameranx
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10 Good Games That Flopped in Sales

TL;DR

Many critically acclaimed video games failed to achieve commercial success for various reasons.

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Key Insights

  • 👾 Many great games, despite critical acclaim and innovation, struggle to achieve commercial success, a phenomenon termed the "immersive sim curse."
  • 👾 Timing is crucial; games launched alongside highly anticipated titles often suffer due to market oversaturation and competition for player attention.
  • 🫢 The novelty and initial shock appeal significantly influence player engagement; sequels often struggle if they fail to capture this essence again.
  • 👾 Marketing and visibility are essential; without proper promotion, even outstanding games may go unnoticed by their target audience.
  • 😀 Games with complex mechanics or unorthodox premises can face challenges in conveying their value propositions to potential players.
  • 🥺 The disconnect between industry expectations and actual sales performance leads to many talented studios and innovative projects being sidelined or shut down.
  • 🥺 Complacency in sequel production may lead to underperforming titles; developers need to actively manage player anticipation and interest.

Transcript

(digital chiming) - [Falcon] Making a good game and selling it are two different things. A game developer could spend tons and tons of time working their asses off, making a great game. And whether you don't know anything about marketing, or the climate's just bad for the game, very few people might buy it. Hi, folks, it's Falcon, and today on "Gam... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did "Blur" fail commercially despite positive reviews?

"Blur" was a unique and fun racing game praised by critics, but it failed to capture a substantial audience, leading to its commercial failure. Activision's high expectations and the competitive racing game market contributed to this outcome, as the game sold moderately well but did not meet the company's sales targets, culminating in the shutdown of Bizarre Creations.

Q: What influenced the sales of "The Evil Within 2"?

"The Evil Within 2" suffered from timing and marketing issues, having sold about 200,000 units compared to its predecessor's 800,000 in the first week. The transition from physical to digital sales may have affected perceptions, alongside lingering negative reactions to the original game. Despite being a significant improvement, it failed to garner interest.

Q: How did "Mario and Rabbids: Sparks of Hope" underperform relative to its predecessor?

The sequel to the successful "Mario and Rabbids" saw a dramatic sales decline because it lacked the novelty and surprise of the original. Initial shock value contributed to the first game's success, while subsequent familiarity likely led to reduced consumer interest and engagement for "Sparks of Hope."

Q: What factors contributed to "Pillars of Eternity 2: Dead Fire" not meeting sales expectations?

Released alongside notable competitors, "Pillars of Eternity 2" faced a saturated market, with players opting for titles like "Divinity: Original Sin II" and "Pathfinder: Kingmaker." Despite being a polished and improved experience over its predecessor, it struggled to gain traction and recognition amidst its more popular contemporaries.

Q: Why did "Gravity Rush 2" fail to gain popularity?

Although "Gravity Rush 2" was acclaimed for its unique mechanics and expansive world, it underperformed due to a lack of marketing and visibility outside Japan, where physical sales were low. Its niche status and the untimely closure of its online component shortly after launch indicated poor player interest, leading to its commercial downfall.

Q: What challenges did "Sunset Overdrive" face despite its gameplay quality?

"Sunset Overdrive," praised for its innovative gameplay, struggled with audience outreach due to being overshadowed by competing titles. Its humorous style, while appealing to some, may have alienated others. The game's lackluster sales were surprising given its unique mechanics but reflected the crowded market context at its launch.

Q: Why is "Prey" considered a commercial failure despite its critical acclaim?

"Prey," an immersive sim widely regarded as an exceptional game, experienced poor sales due to its genre's struggles in the mainstream market. Released after "Dishonored 2," it suffered a sales decline of 60%, indicating consumer preferences leaned towards more straightforward experiences instead of the nuanced gameplay offered by "Prey."

Q: How did marketing affect the sales of games like "Earthbound" and "System Shock 2"?

Both "Earthbound" and "System Shock 2" faced severe marketing limitations that contributed to their underwhelming sales despite being excellent games. "Earthbound," with a high marketing budget, only sold modestly, while "System Shock 2" released to a crowded market without adequate visibility, leaving its intricate gameplay unexplained and misunderstood by potential players.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • The analysis discusses several video games that received critical acclaim but failed to sell well, illustrating the disconnect between game quality and sales performance.

  • Developers often face challenges such as poor marketing, timing issues, or excessive competition, impacting the success of sequels and new titles.

  • The video highlights individual cases, such as "Blur" and "The Evil Within 2," showcasing their strengths and reasons for underperformance.

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