Game News Oblivion sells like hotcakes!

[Excrément]

I blame the Codex for Oblivion's success. :twisted:

by systematically bashing the game, yeah, the Codex is part of the Oblivion hype.

it's like the great movie, movie can't be great or a total success without a little controversy.




and each thread about Oblivion or post makes one more "hit point" for Oblivion in google.

 

[bryce777]

I blame the Codex for Oblivion's success. :twisted:

by systematically bashing the game, yeah, the Codex is part of the Oblivion hype.

it's like the great movie, movie can't be great or a total success without a little controversy.




and each thread about Oblivion or post makes one more "hit point" for Oblivion in google.

Yeah, the maltese falcon has tons of bashers.

 

[User was nabbed fit]

Oblivion created controversy because its developers tried to push it on CRPG fans (and posers). It would've been fine if they'd have just said something along the lines of: "Hey guys, we're going to be making this mainsteam, mediocre, but varied, action-adventure game", but they didn't. The posers have been lapping it up, because they don't know WTF a CRPG is in the first place anyway; on the other hand, hardcore CRPG fans haven't been buying it (apart from those who also like the occasional action-adventure game, like me).

So, we end up with having one side comprimised of neophytes, fanboys and fucktards who are lapping it all up, thinking that it's an RPG (because gosh, it has stats!); then on the other side, you have the people who recognize the fact that it isn't much more than a dungeon-crawler with CRPG elements; people who didn't buy Beth's bullshiat. Put simply, it's rookies vs. connoisseurs -- no need to guess which is the superior side.

It's not the same with "controversial" films. The disputes that are argued between sides, revolve around the content of the film itself (ethics etc), not stuff like "it's an action film, but it was advertised as a thriller!".


So you see, saying that Oblivion is a "controversial" game in the classical sense, is giving it too much credit.

 

[Data4]

What cracks me up every time I go to the ESF is that they label us as whiners, but will also call us fanboys. It's like the definition is undergoing a shift in much the same way "dumbing down" has.

I also love it how any random poster will call himself a "hardcore RPG fan", because he entered the scene with Morrowind, and maybe played a little bit of NWN. I dunno... most of us here at the Codex are what could be considered immune to marketing, and it just ups the level of frustration when I see people not only buy into hype, but also turn into full fledged evangelists for the hype.

I have a theory that they do this as a form of denial. Maybe as long as they post on a forum somewhere talking about how wonderful and PERFECT the game is, they'll maintain their denial dorkshield or something. Every time someone posts any sort of problem whatsoever, these same fuckwits will rally to shout it down, lest the shield lose it's integrity and they... *GASP!* ...see that there is a glitch in their little matrix. I've recently been in a scuffle with Rendelius over this, and it earned me a 25% warning because I stepped on his dick, or whatever.

-D4

 

[Whipporowill]

I buy retail every day so I know a little about this subject.

Wow, that's harsh. I only know the policy for books and cd's here in Sweden, but if you as a retailer buy bulk - and if it's a supposed hot property you usually have some kind of return policy. Just so that you as a retailer will be more likely to buy more... et c.

 

[Excrément]

I've recently been in a scuffle with Rendelius over this, and it earned me a 25% warning because I stepped on his dick, or whatever.

-D4

the ultimate achievement for a codexer : get a warning from a ESF moderator!!! whaouh!

I am proud of you son! you are a true warrior, your bravery is impressive.

 

[Data4]

I've recently been in a scuffle with Rendelius over this, and it earned me a 25% warning because I stepped on his dick, or whatever.

-D4

the ultimate achievement for a codexer : get a warning from a ESF moderator!!! whaouh!

I am proud of you son! you are a true warrior, your bravery is impressive.

Shut up, bitch and swallow this shit.

-D4

 

[Micmu]

You still visit ESF? What for!? :shock:

 

[Data4]

You still visit ESF? What for!? :shock:

I'm trying to decide whether or not it's for comic relief, morbid curiosity, or masochism. In truth, I mainly check out the Oblivion mods forum for useful stuff, but occasionally I'll get the urge to jump into the Oblivion General fray. :D

And what the hell is Shit doing with my avatar? God damn it, now it's tainted.

-D4

 

[Excrément]

I've recently been in a scuffle with Rendelius over this, and it earned me a 25% warning because I stepped on his dick, or whatever.

-D4

the ultimate achievement for a codexer : get a warning from a ESF moderator!!! whaouh!

I am proud of you son! you are a true warrior, your bravery is impressive.

Shut up, bitch and swallow this shit.

-D4

with 5 words you arrive to make hundreds of posts.
one day I will know your secret. one day I will be you!

let me try :
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masochism

...ok, I understand...

 

[Data4]

It's simple, Shit. You're simply not worth a well thought out post.

-D4

 

[Jaesun]

I buy retail every day so I know a little about this subject.

Wow, that's harsh. I only know the policy for books and cd's here in Sweden, but if you as a retailer buy bulk - and if it's a supposed hot property you usually have some kind of return policy. Just so that you as a retailer will be more likely to buy more... et c.

I don't specifically buy Games, but as for all other retail items I buy, I do not get to return the items if I over bought something. Our company (and me) are responsible for the amount bought. However there are some companies that will buy some products if a store happens to have too much of an item. Costco and other companies will buy the overstocked goods.

I don't think buying Games would be all that different from other retail items, as that would just be odd.

 

[Jaesun]

from http://gamedesign.uw.hu/gamedesign0119.html

Publishers have very important relationships with the wholesalers and retailers who comprise the distribution chain. Without these relationships, a publisher would not be able to sell enough products to pay back all the costs they incurred in the production of the game. Getting the game onto the shelves of large chains like Wal-Mart, Target, and Babbages is a must, and that process costs more money. Here is a breakdown of the costs involved in distributing a typical console game:
Retail price of $50.
Wholesale price (the amount retailers pay publishers for the title) = approximately 64% of the retail price or $32.00 per unit.
Cost of goods incurred by publisher = approximately $5.00 per unit.
Co-op advertising costs incurred by publisher = approximately 15% of wholesale price or $4.80 per unit.
Marketing costs incurred by publisher = approximately 8% of wholesale price or $2.56 per unit.
Return of goods contingency estimated by publisher = approximately 12% of wholesale price or $3.84 per unit.

If you subtract the cost of goods ($5.00), the coop advertising costs ($4.80), the marketing costs ($2.56) and the return of goods contingency ($3.84) from the wholesale price ($32.00), you’ll find that the publisher reaps about $15.80 per unit sold or approximately 32% of the retail sale price. This is less than most people imagine. "

Ive also heard that retailers can charge Publishers for shipping costs of the unsold units if it winds up being a great number of potential returns then I think thats where certain bargin bin price point drops happen I guess thats when then return of goods contingency kicks in .

That is actually a good breakdown of how the retail process works. The 64% retail mark up seems a little high. Usually is is around 35 - 40%. But again I dont specifically buy Games. So it could be accurate. As well as the 15% co-op advertising costs, that seems a little high. Usually around 8 - 10%.

As for the "retailers can charge Publishers for shipping costs of the unsold units if it winds up being a great number of potential returns" that just seems odd. As far as I know, the retail store assumes liability of the stock they purchased, period. I just wonder if that is actually true. I'd assume the store just finally end up selling the stock to a company that buys over stocked items. Any Game buyers out there?

 

[bryce777]

Basically game distributors have little power and get fucked over.

 

[Drain]

The hugly terrain lod textures; npcs faces with texture problems; the clumsy xbox interface; boring and simplistic combat; characters without personality;

Many quest related NPCs do have personalities, even if not as great as in some other RPGs. It is the PC, who does not have any personality. Here are some examples I remembered: Paranoia guy, separated at birth quest drunkard, Arena master(I heard a rumor that you are an idiot. Any truth to that?) Mazoga the orc, Eitar(mostly because of all the jokes and speculations about him), Skingrad count, the guy who stole amulet from a local mages guild head(mages guild head mage guild recommendation quest), etc. Unimportant NPCs usually have 1 or 2 unique strings.

 

[LlamaGod]

Heard any rumors?

 

[kingcomrade]

I heard that the Fighter's Guild is recruiting.

 

[Lumpy]

Rely on somebody and you're in trouble. That's how it goes.

 

[Micmu]

No.
[gay_voice]Byeeeee[/gay_voice]

 

[Data4]

I heard that the Fighter's Guild is recruiting.

*skips merrily through the streets of Skingrad wearing a rainbow t-shirt... spots KC*

"Psst! You! Ova' heeeere! Yes... You... yes... Meet me behind the Great Chapel tonight at midnight. Don't let anyone follow you. I'll make it worth your whiiiile!"

-D4

 

[bryce777]

"Psst! You! Ova' heeeere! Yes... You... yes... Meet me behind the Great Chapel tonight at midnight. Don't let anyone follow you. I'll make it worth your whiiiile!"

-D4

Why are you reliving the night of his conception?

 

[Nael]

Yes, we know it doesn't have those things, not really anyway. But does it nonetheless shift some focus back onto what are called 'single player original RPGs' as money-makers again, allowing a canny developer with the right ideals to make something sophisticated, but with the right presentation touches to have broader financial success?

Yeah, until someone actually does make a CRPG with the "right stuff" and a few of us get it, but the rest of the world is confused without having arrows and waypoints like their Hummer H3's GPS and we end back up at square 1 again due to the poor sales of said game. Perhaps by the grace of God a few jewels might make it out the door before the lowest common denominator is factored in again.

And another thing... after reading that damn press release I had to check my calander to make sure we weren't in the year 1984. I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or bawl like a little girl. So I did both. I also wet myself.

 

[Excrément]

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/toppers/?id=12456

so for the people who wanted to know how were the sells according to the platforms, we know now it is 67% for XBOX and 33% for PC.

for 531,400 units sold in the Marc month only, there were 357,000 for the Xbox 360 and 174,400 units for the PC.

 

[LlamaGod]

more hard evidence that Bethesda's fans are all 11 years old

 

[bryce777]

Yes, we know it doesn't have those things, not really anyway. But does it nonetheless shift some focus back onto what are called 'single player original RPGs' as money-makers again, allowing a canny developer with the right ideals to make something sophisticated, but with the right presentation touches to have broader financial success?

Yeah, until someone actually does make a CRPG with the "right stuff" and a few of us get it, but the rest of the world is confused without having arrows and waypoints like their Hummer H3's GPS and we end back up at square 1 again due to the poor sales of said game. Perhaps by the grace of God a few jewels might make it out the door before the lowest common denominator is factored in again.

And another thing... after reading that damn press release I had to check my calander to make sure we weren't in the year 1984. I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or bawl like a little girl. So I did both. I also wet myself.

I think publishers assume this is the case. They are also marketing towards 14 year olds, but there are more markets than the 14 year old market to consider. Look how well galactic civilizations did,a nd it's utter shit - people are fucking dying for decent 4x games or decent rpgs that require a little thinking.