Reading ntsc-uk's review of Viva Pinata (which I thought very good) I was surprised on discovering it hasn't sold very well. Given the critical success the game's received (and quite right seeing it's a hugely enjoyable experience full of charm with some of the finest graphics to grace the console) and considering it was well advertised, do you think it's fair to assume the game failed in terms of sales because the average, and I stress average, 360 owner is a shallow breed mainly interested in first person shooters, racers and sports sims?
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Oh absolutely.Originally posted by Charlie View Post
The games that seem to be ranked highly on the (weekly) Live boards seem to account for 80-90% of shooters as well as the odd racing and sports games or two. I think you can actually look this up on one of the more popular Xbox 360 blogs; Major something. -
I'd say any mainstream base on a console is narrow-minded. That goes for the 360, PS3 and Wii.Comment
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I agree, I don't think it's something that's exclusive to the Xbox 360. Every console you can name has had shovelware that's sold by the bucket load while classy (but different) titles collect dust on shop shelves.Comment
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Not really, but Xbox 360 has firm grip on FPS crowd, and console's marketing focuses on this group. If Viva Pinata's marketing would have been better, it would have sold far better. I also think that narrow marketing focus is also main reason why Xbox 360 isn't doing any better (in fact, it is doing worse) than original Xbox.Originally posted by Charlie View PostLast edited by elkatas; 04-07-2007, 17:04.Comment
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It does need more expansive genres, both for the casual and dedicated gaming sections. I certainly wouldn't say no to more action adventures and third-person games that don't involve space marines or WW2 soldiers.Comment
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The point I was trying to make in the review (thanks for the comments BTW
) i that Viva Pinata failed financially because of what it was, not because of the platform.
I feel it would still have failed on the PS2 tbh.Comment
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I suppose cost of production is a deciding factor in regards to why so many 360 games fall into those 3 genres as few companies are willing to risk investing huge resources into something different that may not sell. It's a worrying trend though and I'd hate it if games like Viva Pinata and Project Sylpheed (which I fear, despite it's quality, will sell poorly) dry up from the console.Originally posted by elkatas View PostComment
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Originally posted by Charlie View Post
Well I thought it was a good game and bought it, but after some hours play I gave up on it because I find FPS games and car driving games more enjoyable & opted to spend my time on those.
I guess i'm narrow minded with good intentions?
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Least you gave it a go though. It's not narrow minded to dislike something, it's narrow-minded to not try something on the basis it's different.
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Personally was looking forward to playing Viva Pinata when I got round to buying it, three hours in found it too much like The Sims and the novelty wore off very very quickly, two days later it was sold on.
That's just me, nice to see new entrants to a genre ruled (on other formats) by EA, think most of us could have stated it wouldn't be a massive seller months before launch. Sad but true.
Dare I say it; prehaps VP appeals more to the female and or younger audience? know my wife and daughter love Sims types games, me, give me virtually any other genre and I'll be happier, but I'm not so narrow minded as to not even give it a try
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It's really cliche, but personally speaking, what I'd prefer of the 360 is more games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed and Alan Wake. For want of a better phrase, 'arty' games (games with strong, imaginative art direction with a sense of personality rather than games which are pretentious without any substantial content).
The 360 has already proved it can offer plenty enjoyable gameplay in its core staple genres... and with Japanese next-generation development outside of Capcom all but conspicious from the unique developers, games which hold my interest tend to be those which don't fall back on generic stereotypes.
This problem isn't 360-specific though. The PS3 is also suffering from generic narrative direction in many third-party titles.Comment
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The man speaks the truth.Originally posted by Concept View Post
When has a really brillant game sold poorly?
From Pikmin, Rex, Jet Set Future and beyond, almost all truly brillant games have been passed over for some over tosh from generation to generation.Comment
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But can you call it narrow-minded to simply not buy something? There have been plenty of games that I didn't buy, not through being "narrow-minded", but through not having the time to play them when they came out, and forgetting about them later thanks to the fairly steady flow of great games that have been released over the year.
VP was released at the same time as Gears, after all, and "the majority" of 360 owners are unlikely to be buying more than one game at a time anyway, I'd have thought.Comment
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I wouldn't say so. You and DaveHolliss (along with countless others no doubt) have said you were willing to give it a try and that means something.Originally posted by capcom_suicide View PostI guess i'm narrow minded with good intentions?
So it might not have been your cup of tea, but all types of games can't appeal to everyone.
Besides it's better to have tried it with an open mind and not liked it that to have played it with the preconception of slagging it off or, even worse, not played it at all.Comment
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