WTF happened to the PAL We Love Katamari?

[martTM]

Not pissed at EA - not at all. But I'm annoyed that I went into GAME today to try and buy it (well, get it... I've got a gift card stacked with cash, so I wouldn't have actually paid for it) and they didn't have it. Turns out, only 'select' stores are stocking it - the nearest one is Poole, who only got one copy and that went within an hour of them opening when it came out last week. They don't expect to get any more.

Bastards.

I've got the Jap version, I know, but I did actually want to understand what was going on. Bah.

[bingowings]

It seems that no game store is getting any significant amount of stock in. I work in one of the busier GAME stores in Scotland and we only got 2 copies in since launch, one of which was pre-ordered by me months ago, I also learned today that the biggest store in Glasgow (Sauchiehall Street) recieved 1 copy this week.

Whoever is distributing the game in the UK needs a boot up the arse.

haha. i was in today and almost bought it as well. surely it can't be the same solitary copy?

one is abysmal though.

[Lyris]

It's sad that a publisher the size of EA can't get the finger out when it come to games like We Love Katamari. To be honest, i would urge anybody to buy NTSC US/C PS2 and put all the PAL nightmares to end. PAL PS2 = not worth a ****!

Is any PAL video game console worth a ****?
I know the PS2 is particularly repulsive though.

[Sony Fanboy]

The situation with WLKatamari isn't different from other niche market titles; a few copies per store is just about right for a title likely to put off more people than it attracts.

[sj33]

Does the PAL game have 60Hz mode? If so, may as well get the PAL game this time.

[Dezm0nd]

I got mine from play.com should be turning up today alongside a component cable for the ps2. It's great to see EA released it though or else I wouldnt be sampling it this weekend.

Like Seany said the PS2 is rocking this month, and good on it because there's bugger all else out. Katamari, SotC and ICO is more than enough for me to be happy until the march 360 games roll out.

[mid]

Indeed - this isn't EA's fault at all. Blame GAME management for ordering precisely ****-all copies.

[optimusrhymes]

The situation at Game from what i remember is that allocations to stores was heavily influenced by pre-orders as well as shop size/location.

Since this isn't really explained to the public it was (from my experience) down to the staff to ensure ''niche'' titles where over pre - ordered or ''made up'' in order to get anything like the stock needed.

I remember on the launch of the Gamecube, we were told to focus on pre ordering Rogue Squadron and Luigi and i think Tony Hawk (!), with no mention of super monkey ball - I decided to get the staff to make sure Monkey ball was added to every Gamecube hardware/software pre order.
I also distinctly remeber my area manager laughing his head off when I suggested monkey ball was gonna be popular - he said it wouldn't because it had basic graphics - Surely enough come release day we had more copies of Monkey Ball than most other branches, it WAS the most requested game bought with hardware, and we managed to sell all our copies over that weekend.

So basically it is down to if there are all ''casual'' gamers working at your local Game it is less likely they will be getting in a game like Katamari then at a store with a couple of game geeks ( i include myself here!) who have been ensuring the pre orders are going in.

[mid]

Hmmph. Of course, if I planned in advance enough to bother pre-ordering, I would have just _ordered_ from VGP 6 months ago. I really hate the idea of pre-orders.

[Leon Retro]

We can lament casuals gamers attitudes all day, but at least we know they haven't totally taken control of videogaming. This game coming to the UK proves that the dark abyss of gaming hell hasn't fully engulfed us yet.

If the game does sell extremely poorly, it will only make Pal consoles even less attractive in the future. Region Coding is the most evil thing imo!

[MattyD]

Turns out, only 'select' stores are stocking it - the nearest one is Poole, who only got one copy and that went within an hour of them opening when it came out last week.

Ah... That would be me, then. Getting up as early as I do does have the occaisional benefit!

[forpey]

Does the PAL game have 60Hz mode? If so, may as well get the PAL game this time.

Can anyone answer this? I really wanna know.

[Tetsuo]

I remember on the launch of the Gamecube, we were told to focus on pre ordering Rogue Squadron and Luigi and i think Tony Hawk (!), with no mention of super monkey ball - I decided to get the staff to make sure Monkey ball was added to every Gamecube hardware/software pre order.
I also distinctly remeber my area manager laughing his head off when I suggested monkey ball was gonna be popular - he said it wouldn't because it had basic graphics - Surely enough come release day we had more copies of Monkey Ball than most other branches, it WAS the most requested game bought with hardware, and we managed to sell all our copies over that weekend.

WTF?! I had no idea game stores worked in that way and managers (who in your case clearly have no clue) decide what should be pushed into Jimmy Customer's face, or rather what shouldn't... very depressing.

Also, as an aside, pre-ordering is for ****tards.
Cheers.

[SegaMark]

GameStation Warrington stocked about 15-20 copies, it's sold well, nice to see a game like that doing well, I intend to give it a play on my lunch break.

[martTM]

Ah... That would be me, then. Getting up as early as I do does have the occaisional benefit!

Bastard.