[360, PS3] Crysis 2

[Billy Idol]

My point is: despite all the talk, graphics are not the highest factor in sales.

I generally agree with you here:
But on the other hand: let's imagine for one second: Crysis, KZ2 and all those tech monsters...without their graphics - how much would those games have sold then!?!? So in some sense, graphics sell games, right?

Regarding Crysis 2: if it were not Crytek (the PS tech gods?!) developing this game, and if we don't have its graphics to talk about - Crysis 2 would have zero hype+press IMO!

 

[nightshade]

Regarding Crysis 2: if it were not Crytek (the PC tech gods?!) developing this game, and if we don't have its graphics to talk about - Crysis 2 would have zero hype+press IMO!

I'll agree with you...the only reason why the console crowd knows of crysis is because of its visual fidelity. Mostly due to all those insane TOD screenshots which PC gamers would regularly post on boards across the internet. Honestly speaking, had it not been for its advanced tech it wouldn't even have been this popular on PC itself, forget about reaching out to console crowd.

Also I've seen that the avg console gamer has a certain attraction towards COD games, I donno what it is...but for instance when I asked my "avg joe" friends as per which game looks better between BFBC2 & MW2. 9/10 times they'll point out towards MW2 & 7/10 times they'll mention the better looking guns & "smoother/fluid" visuals (60FPS actually) to be the reason.

 

[green.pixel]

What would be the impact of the decision to release it in Q1 2011 to avoid the holiday season's clutter? There is just so many games in that period every year wanting gamers' attention, they need to prioritize what to buy. Most people can't just buy everything, something's got to go.
I always thought that the first Crysis would've done better if they've released it exactly four years after FC, in spring 2008.

 

[Rangers]

Crysis 2 is still Autumn?

Crysis 2 is a heavy hitter, dont think it matters when it releases. I think this whole "avoiding big title X" thing is out of hand. I mean there's a new COD game every fall to avoid. And this year Reach too. Might as well not worry about it, unless you're a true second tier title I guess, in which case it probably wont matter either. In the spring you have Killzone 3 and Gears 3 already, plus Brink and whatever else has been delayed that's slipping my mind.

 

[dragonelite]

Crysis 2 is still Autumn?

Crysis 2 is a heavy hitter, dont think it matters when it releases. I think this whole "avoiding big title X" thing is out of hand. I mean there's a new COD game every fall to avoid. And this year Reach too. Might as well not worry about it, unless you're a true second tier title I guess, in which case it probably wont matter either. In the spring you have Killzone 3 and Gears 3 already, plus Brink and whatever else has been delayed that's slipping my mind.

From what i heard they even forwarded the release date to autumn instead of fall 2010. Had hoped people would release more games over the summer its always dry. But i mostly use the summer to buy AAA games with 50% of the release costs.

 

[tha_con]

I'm finding it extremely difficult to get excited for this title, much like the first. I just can't buy into it looking good when everything else just seems so bland and boring to me. The universe just seems very...cliche? I don't know, there's just something about it that refuses to grab my attention. Honestly, aside from looks, I feel like this game is in the same category of Timecrisis, where it's fun to play around with, but not a fantastic experience.

 

[flynn]

Making of "The Wall" trailer:

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55547/Crysis-2-Making-Of-The-Wall-E3-2010-Trailer

Also, a good picture of the skin shading (with SSS):

<Soldier image>

That certainly looks way better than the video in the PSN Store. If the game has good online mp I will consider it but it's going to face tough competition with BF:BC2 Vietnam, COD:Black Ops and MOH coming out around the same time.

 

[L. Scofield]

That certainly looks way better than the video in the PSN Store. If the game has good online mp I will consider it but it's going to face tough competition with BF:BC2 Vietnam, COD:Black Ops and MOH coming out around the same time.

The MP is being made by the TimeSplitters guys, so there's a high chance that it would be good.

 

[Trejser]

The MP is being made by the TimeSplitters guys, so there's a high chance that it would be good.

Haze

 

[nightshade]

Haze

If there was anything that Haze was considered to be good at (or better than the rest of the game atleast) then it was its MP & co-op.

 

[dragonelite]

If there was anything that Haze was considered to be good at (or better than the rest of the game atleast) then it was its MP & co-op.

From what i heard that was suppose to be the halo killer/clone a lot of hype for a B- game.

 

[pc999]

Any word if it is going to support move on PS3?

 

[Silent_Buddha]

What would be the impact of the decision to release it in Q1 2011 to avoid the holiday season's clutter? There is just so many games in that period every year wanting gamers' attention, they need to prioritize what to buy. Most people can't just buy everything, something's got to go.

I don't think that would help terribly much. You have Gears of War 3 and Killzone 3 both launching in Q1 2011. There might be something else too, but I can't remember.

Off topic, but it's going to be interesting to see if Gears 3 can manage big sales in the spring, traditionally a time when sales are generally at its lowest.

So the prospects for 2011 might have been determined to be even more grim. 2 big name console exclusive shooters during a time when people are the least likely to want to splurge on games. And where it appears people when they do buy guys in Spring are very unlikely to buy multiple games.

Holiday season as crowded as it is this year is probably still a better bet than Spring 2011 for Crysis 2.

And if 360 slim and Natal can push more 360's and Move and push more PS3's, the install base will be expanded and thus more easily support multiple blockbusters while still leaving enough for other titles to have good sales.

That said I still think at least 1 or 2 of the big name shooters is going to undersell this holiday season.

Regards,
SB

 

[NRP]

I think a spring release isn't so bad. I can't speak for anyone else, but in the spring/summer I am usually looking to buy some new games. I can see a holiday release being better if you're a kid who relies on your parents to buy your games. However, if the HD console demographic is older (>18 or so), I'd guess they have their own money and will purchase whenever. In fact, these people are probably less likely to buy during the holidays because there are too many games to play already, and the older you get, the less time you have for gaming.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the game being good. If it's crap, nothing matters so you definitely shoot for a holiday release to trick shoppers.

Having said all of this, I don't think Crysis 2 has to be the best game ever. It only needs to be solid and fun to play, and it should be successful on the consoles.

 

[BadTB25]

I think a spring release isn't so bad. I can't speak for anyone else, but in the spring/summer I am usually looking to buy some new games. I can see a holiday release being better if you're a kid who relies on your parents to buy your games. However, if the HD console demographic is older (>18 or so), I'd guess they have their own money and will purchase whenever. In fact, these people are probably less likely to buy during the holidays because there are too many games to play already, and the older you get, the less time you have for gaming.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the game being good. If it's crap, nothing matters so you definitely shoot for a holiday release to trick shoppers.

Having said all of this, I don't think Crysis 2 has to be the best game ever. It only needs to be solid and fun to play, and it should be successful on the consoles.

Very true in my case.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

Add Brink to Q1 2011, so 3 shooters already in Q1. I really don't think Crysis 2 would fare any better in Q1 than holiday 2010.

I'm thinking it has a better chance to do well than MoH but not sure it'll be able to outdo Reach, CoD, or BF:BC 2 Vietnam.

Almost unbelieveable how many quality shooters are going to be flooding the market between Holiday 2010 and Q1 2011.

Regards,
SB

 

[Ruskie]

People here are discussing Crysis 2 as it is some no name shooter.Original sold 1.5 mil units on PC,this one will sell much more.If they deliver with gameplay and graphics i honestly think other shooters wont like being released at same time frame with Crysis 2.Apart from Reach,Gears 3 and maybe KZ3 there is no bigger shooter than Crysis 2,with EA advertising it will sell a ton.

 

[flynn]

People here are discussing Crysis 2 as it is some no name shooter.Original sold 1.5 mil units on PC,this one will sell much more.If they deliver with gameplay and graphics i honestly think other shooters wont like being released at same time frame with Crysis 2.Apart from Reach,Gears 3 and maybe KZ3 there is no bigger shooter than Crysis 2,with EA advertising it will sell a ton.

But when it comes to consoles it's a new franchise. PC gamers know Crysis but I'm sure many console owners couldn't care less about Crysis if they actually have heard about it.

On top of its technical merits it's going to need a hell of a marketing campaign from EA and EA will be partially competing with itself if it's released around the same time as MOH and BF:BC2 Vietnam. What does Crysis 2 offer that no other game does? That's the key thing to attract buyers.

Halo fans will buy Halo, CoD fans will buy Black Ops and so on. I see Crysis sales happening on top of those AAA titles, but not instead of.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

I don't see why a large part of these franchises' audiences wouldn't be shared.
I've played all Halo games, COD2, MW1, although the later were borrowed from pals (not interested in multiplayer and the campaign does not offer as much replayability as a Halo). I also like and own Gears, and will almost definitely get Rage too, so it's not like I'm dedicated to one franchise only. I know these games are good and their sequels are guaranteed to be fun and worth the price and time.

I think a lot of Halo/COD/etc fans will also buy etc/COD/Halo too. I guess the only thing fandom has an effect on is which of these games would be a day one purchase and which would only be bought at 50-66% of the starting price. But there's room enough for a few AAA shooter franchises to share the market, they usually also have the common sense not to compete at the same time; the hard part is to get into this club.

So the potential market for Crysis is pretty big - what they don't have is enough appeal, strictly IMHO.
My games budget is already stretched to cover for all these games, it'll probably take until the end of 2011 to get through them. This means that Crysis 2 would sort of have to knock out one of these already kinda commited purchases and take it's place; granted, it'd be easier to get attention if it has established itself with good reviews and word of mouth... but I don't see too many day 1 sales.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

People here are discussing Crysis 2 as it is some no name shooter.Original sold 1.5 mil units on PC,this one will sell much more.If they deliver with gameplay and graphics i honestly think other shooters wont like being released at same time frame with Crysis 2.Apart from Reach,Gears 3 and maybe KZ3 there is no bigger shooter than Crysis 2,with EA advertising it will sell a ton.

I'm pretty sure both COD: MW and COD: MW2 sold more on the PC. It probably beat COD: WAW though.

The new COD is much closer to MW than WAW so I'm expecting it to do much better than Crysis 2. While Crysis 2 has a wonderful engine, the series itself even going back to the original Farcry isn't widely acknowledged to have class leading Multiplayer in the veins of Gears, Halo, or CoD.

Regards,
SB