publisher’s release schedules

[Anonymous]

good opinion piece from Eurogamer on the seeming idiocy of publisher’s release schedules. Similar to the article in Edge a few issues back on the same theme, but more vitriloic and to the point

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=54769

[Jamie Mc]

Cheers for that, I’m doing Marketing myself and it brings up some very interesting points that I found very appropriate given my time as a journalist.

It’s very true, there’s always a lull, the January lull, the Summer lull, and I’ve always found that those little titles (like Ico for example) when released with a tiny bit of publicity at a quieter time of year hit the real gamers, not parents looking for a present for their kids around Christmas or when they aren’t in school.

Jamie

[Anonymous]

that’s a very good point, Jamie.

It would be interesting to see when innovative titles well-received by the critics but that have sold poorly were released. Both ‘Beyond Good & Evil’ & ‘Prince of Persia’, which were both released in that cut-throat last quarter of 2003 sold poorly, despite critical success. I’d love to see a ‘map’ of when Ico, Rez, Frequency, Broken Sword 3, etc, were released vs how well they were received by the mainstream

[Anonymous]

Interesting:

————-Q1 ————-

REZ:
[PS2] 22nd Feb 2002 (GB)
[SDC] 07th Jan 2002 (GB)

ICO:
[PS2] (Late) 2001 (US) – 22nd Mar 2002 (GB)

————-Q 2-3 ———-

Frequency:
[PS2] 28th Jun 2002 (GB)

————-Q4 ————-

BG&E:
[PS2] 14th Nov 2003 (GB)
[PC] 05th Dec 2003 (GB)

POP:
[PS2] 21st Nov 2003 (GB)
[PC] 05th Dec 2003 (GB)

Broken Sword 3:
[PS2] 14th Nov 2003 (GB)

How did ICO do in the US V Europe sales-wise? Interestingly, take a look at the box graphics for these titles also. I think the effect of this in relation to mainstream sales should NEVER be underestimated.

Cheers,
Ian

[Author]

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