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Christmas time is an important time of year, we usually see a lot of great games get released in the run up to Christmas to see who can become the Christmas number one. But is the Christmas number one that important? In the music industry the Christmas number one used to be a festive kind of tune that got you in the spirit of things. But as we all know from last year when we had the battle between Eminem's Stan and Bob the builder, things aren't what they used to be and most of the time these days the song is usually not that good at all.
For games it is different though, most people buy the good games that are actually worth being number one. The likes of metal gear solid in the past which deserved it and was hugely popular (still is).
The game that gets the number one spot usually attracts a lot of attention and can boost its sales after Christmas as well, so getting the number one spot can be very beneficial to the developers as it attracts more customers to buy it. More people buy games at Christmas as gifts for people, some developers delay the release until just before Christmas so that they can maximise their Christmas sales. Worse time to release a game could be just after Christmas unless it is advertised properly as the majority of gamers will have already received games at Christmas time and unable to afford it or people have got a similar game at Christmas and no longer want that one.
For gamers this can also mean something. We usually get an idea of what games are worth buying and also get our hands on the latest releases that we have been waiting ages on. It is not all good though, some developers choose to delay there game until after Christmas, not because it isn't ready but because they wouldn't want to face really good competition that they feel they couldn't beat. So they wait until into the new year and hopefully for them their game gets the credit they feel they deserve. Which means we have to wait that little bit longer to get our hands on a game which some of us have been waiting a lot of the previous year for. Is it fair for them to do this?
Well it depends on what you would call fair I guess. I think that all the work that the developer puts into the game means they can release it whenever they feel like as it is their game. Sure we pay money for it but it is up to them to decide when it is best and when they can make the most money and attract the most people to buy it.
So what makes Christmas different than any other time of year? Well it's a bit obvious to most, the money. People will be buying presents for others and kids who like games will want new ones. So a lot of games will be bought in a short space of time leading up to Christmas.
So what do the developers have to do to get it right and make sure their game is in with a chance?
Well they have to promote it, i.e. make sure people know about it in the months before Christmas. Marketing is important with selling any product but just before Christmas is probably more important as you want to be sure people will notice it.
Some games will sell themselves, names like Metal Gear Solid 2 won't need much advertising as from what people got in the previous version and from snip its they have seen or played they know this is going to be good. Also games like David Beckham's football game for the PS2 should sell just because there is a famous name in the title.
So what do developers do to make sure there game is promoted well enough?
Magazine reviews, they are important as a lot of people read them and it allows them to see exactly what the game is like and if it is worth buying. There is some speculation on "bung" taking as some magazines seem to promote some rubbish games as being rather good so just watch and don't believe everything you read. Also DVD demos with magazines show you the game in action, as close to the finished game as they can get without letting you play the game. Some magazines also offer the chance to play a short demo of some games.
Advertising in general anywhere which the appropriate audience will read it is also good, newspapers and on the web are useful as a lot of people will see them and probably try and get more information on the game and then maybe purchase it.
Hype, it also can help sell games, (I could write a whole topic on hype but it has already been done many many times). Games like MGS2, Smackdown JBI and GTA3 all get hyped up and probably deserve it, this promotes the game even more and lets people who know very little or nothing about it that something good is coming their way soon.
But most important of all you need a game that deserves all the attention, all the hype and promotion, one that attracts all the people because it is fun to play, will entertain them and is worth the cost. Whether this is a totally new and original idea for a game like "The getaway" or a sequel that really has improved on the previous version like "GTA 3". Take GTA3, it had very little hype up until the week before it was released and then suddenly it was a game everyone wanted and began to sell like hot cakes. Just goes to show that the quality of the game can sell itself and all the hype and advertising isn't always needed.
I know a lot of families who play games at Christmas (usually board games) but maybe in the future these will be replaced with console games like WWTBAM or the weakest link, imagine everyone in the family being a character in the weakest link game, it could lead to hours of fun and chants off "You are the weakest link, Goodbye".
There can be a downside though, there are a lot of rubbish games that also get released and many grannies or aunties may buy rotten games for you as they know very little about good and bad games. Also the fact that we live in Europe sometimes means we are ignored at the festive season. At the moment the X-Box and GameCube are out in America and Japan and for PS2 owners the most wanted game Metal Gear Solid will be out there too very soon. While we have to wait until next year for these, which I think could cost developers a few extra customers as they may decide to buy a PS2 as they don't want to wait that long. Also if Konami got the finger out then I think they could have had MGS2 ready for release over here before Christmas. But not to mind, it is the festive season, Santa has been and we have the New Year to look forward to.
Also one important piece of advice, a console or game is for life not just for Christmas. Treat your console well and give it the love it needs. Remember Meka's topic about consoles attacking, things like that do happen. : )
Now that Christmas has passed and many of us are sitting playing new games and consoles wearing clothes that don't fit from aunties and Grannies. Soon we will know what the biggest sellers where and if they really deserve to be so high in the charts. We have the New Year to look forward too and the many great games and new consoles that are on their way. The X-box and GameCube will finally be released hopefully increasing the standard of games and also many great titles will finally be here. Definitely a great year for gaming, it's true potential will be shown as one of the biggest rivalries takes place, who cares if there is an outright winner or all do equally well, what is important is that we as gamers will get great games and consoles to do what we do best - play games.
Ever since I bought my PS2 in July I have been keeping my eye on great games and so far I think every game I have got is well worth the time spent playing it, PS2 got me back into gaming in a big way and with 2002 only days away it means even more great games like MGS2 will nearly be here. Also I am strongly considering maybe buying either an X-box or GameCube (maybe even both) if they impress me and have some must have titles that I want. So seeing as Christmas as passed you can all tell me what it is that you are looking forward to in 2002 in terms of gaming. New consoles? Must have games? Or something else?
There are so many gaming related things that are big which will happen next year and it is going to be hard to keep up to date with it all as well as trying to lead as normal as a life as possible. Maybe 2002 is the year to buy a Gaming shed where you can play all you like without annoying anyone, is worth a thought. Hopefully in 2002 a lot of inspirational ideas and revolutionary designs and ideas will improve the gaming industry, things like on-line gaming are getting closer and all that is left for us to do is sit back, play games, keep informed and finally enjoy what we do.
For games it is different though, most people buy the good games that are actually worth being number one. The likes of metal gear solid in the past which deserved it and was hugely popular (still is).
The game that gets the number one spot usually attracts a lot of attention and can boost its sales after Christmas as well, so getting the number one spot can be very beneficial to the developers as it attracts more customers to buy it. More people buy games at Christmas as gifts for people, some developers delay the release until just before Christmas so that they can maximise their Christmas sales. Worse time to release a game could be just after Christmas unless it is advertised properly as the majority of gamers will have already received games at Christmas time and unable to afford it or people have got a similar game at Christmas and no longer want that one.
For gamers this can also mean something. We usually get an idea of what games are worth buying and also get our hands on the latest releases that we have been waiting ages on. It is not all good though, some developers choose to delay there game until after Christmas, not because it isn't ready but because they wouldn't want to face really good competition that they feel they couldn't beat. So they wait until into the new year and hopefully for them their game gets the credit they feel they deserve. Which means we have to wait that little bit longer to get our hands on a game which some of us have been waiting a lot of the previous year for. Is it fair for them to do this?
Well it depends on what you would call fair I guess. I think that all the work that the developer puts into the game means they can release it whenever they feel like as it is their game. Sure we pay money for it but it is up to them to decide when it is best and when they can make the most money and attract the most people to buy it.
So what makes Christmas different than any other time of year? Well it's a bit obvious to most, the money. People will be buying presents for others and kids who like games will want new ones. So a lot of games will be bought in a short space of time leading up to Christmas.
So what do the developers have to do to get it right and make sure their game is in with a chance?
Well they have to promote it, i.e. make sure people know about it in the months before Christmas. Marketing is important with selling any product but just before Christmas is probably more important as you want to be sure people will notice it.
Some games will sell themselves, names like Metal Gear Solid 2 won't need much advertising as from what people got in the previous version and from snip its they have seen or played they know this is going to be good. Also games like David Beckham's football game for the PS2 should sell just because there is a famous name in the title.
So what do developers do to make sure there game is promoted well enough?
Magazine reviews, they are important as a lot of people read them and it allows them to see exactly what the game is like and if it is worth buying. There is some speculation on "bung" taking as some magazines seem to promote some rubbish games as being rather good so just watch and don't believe everything you read. Also DVD demos with magazines show you the game in action, as close to the finished game as they can get without letting you play the game. Some magazines also offer the chance to play a short demo of some games.
Advertising in general anywhere which the appropriate audience will read it is also good, newspapers and on the web are useful as a lot of people will see them and probably try and get more information on the game and then maybe purchase it.
Hype, it also can help sell games, (I could write a whole topic on hype but it has already been done many many times). Games like MGS2, Smackdown JBI and GTA3 all get hyped up and probably deserve it, this promotes the game even more and lets people who know very little or nothing about it that something good is coming their way soon.
But most important of all you need a game that deserves all the attention, all the hype and promotion, one that attracts all the people because it is fun to play, will entertain them and is worth the cost. Whether this is a totally new and original idea for a game like "The getaway" or a sequel that really has improved on the previous version like "GTA 3". Take GTA3, it had very little hype up until the week before it was released and then suddenly it was a game everyone wanted and began to sell like hot cakes. Just goes to show that the quality of the game can sell itself and all the hype and advertising isn't always needed.
I know a lot of families who play games at Christmas (usually board games) but maybe in the future these will be replaced with console games like WWTBAM or the weakest link, imagine everyone in the family being a character in the weakest link game, it could lead to hours of fun and chants off "You are the weakest link, Goodbye".
There can be a downside though, there are a lot of rubbish games that also get released and many grannies or aunties may buy rotten games for you as they know very little about good and bad games. Also the fact that we live in Europe sometimes means we are ignored at the festive season. At the moment the X-Box and GameCube are out in America and Japan and for PS2 owners the most wanted game Metal Gear Solid will be out there too very soon. While we have to wait until next year for these, which I think could cost developers a few extra customers as they may decide to buy a PS2 as they don't want to wait that long. Also if Konami got the finger out then I think they could have had MGS2 ready for release over here before Christmas. But not to mind, it is the festive season, Santa has been and we have the New Year to look forward to.
Also one important piece of advice, a console or game is for life not just for Christmas. Treat your console well and give it the love it needs. Remember Meka's topic about consoles attacking, things like that do happen. : )
Now that Christmas has passed and many of us are sitting playing new games and consoles wearing clothes that don't fit from aunties and Grannies. Soon we will know what the biggest sellers where and if they really deserve to be so high in the charts. We have the New Year to look forward too and the many great games and new consoles that are on their way. The X-box and GameCube will finally be released hopefully increasing the standard of games and also many great titles will finally be here. Definitely a great year for gaming, it's true potential will be shown as one of the biggest rivalries takes place, who cares if there is an outright winner or all do equally well, what is important is that we as gamers will get great games and consoles to do what we do best - play games.
Ever since I bought my PS2 in July I have been keeping my eye on great games and so far I think every game I have got is well worth the time spent playing it, PS2 got me back into gaming in a big way and with 2002 only days away it means even more great games like MGS2 will nearly be here. Also I am strongly considering maybe buying either an X-box or GameCube (maybe even both) if they impress me and have some must have titles that I want. So seeing as Christmas as passed you can all tell me what it is that you are looking forward to in 2002 in terms of gaming. New consoles? Must have games? Or something else?
There are so many gaming related things that are big which will happen next year and it is going to be hard to keep up to date with it all as well as trying to lead as normal as a life as possible. Maybe 2002 is the year to buy a Gaming shed where you can play all you like without annoying anyone, is worth a thought. Hopefully in 2002 a lot of inspirational ideas and revolutionary designs and ideas will improve the gaming industry, things like on-line gaming are getting closer and all that is left for us to do is sit back, play games, keep informed and finally enjoy what we do.
For example.
On Tesco's website, Agent under fire is the number one selling game for the PS2. A very average game, but maybe choosed as a christmas present by parents for thier kids or somthin.
On Tesco's website, Agent under fire is the number one selling game for the PS2. A very average game, but maybe choosed as a christmas present by parents for thier kids or somthin.
Well, if a developer has a licenced game then it'll be worth waiting till xmas- after all, if you're out shopping and you see a new James Bond game you're going to get that over some other title.
Sadly, though, this often means that good games don't do as well as they should- spoken over by the big names and highly advertising products. Body Harvest and silicon valley are two such games that this happened to.
Oh, and some of this seems VERY similar to my topic on cashing in on games at Christmas...
Sonic
Sadly, though, this often means that good games don't do as well as they should- spoken over by the big names and highly advertising products. Body Harvest and silicon valley are two such games that this happened to.
Oh, and some of this seems VERY similar to my topic on cashing in on games at Christmas...
Sonic
Christmas time is an important time of year, we usually see a lot of great games get released in the run up to Christmas to see who can become the Christmas number one. But is the Christmas number one that important? In the music industry the Christmas number one used to be a festive kind of tune that got you in the spirit of things. But as we all know from last year when we had the battle between Eminem's Stan and Bob the builder, things aren't what they used to be and most of the time these days the song is usually not that good at all.
For games it is different though, most people buy the good games that are actually worth being number one. The likes of metal gear solid in the past which deserved it and was hugely popular (still is).
The game that gets the number one spot usually attracts a lot of attention and can boost its sales after Christmas as well, so getting the number one spot can be very beneficial to the developers as it attracts more customers to buy it. More people buy games at Christmas as gifts for people, some developers delay the release until just before Christmas so that they can maximise their Christmas sales. Worse time to release a game could be just after Christmas unless it is advertised properly as the majority of gamers will have already received games at Christmas time and unable to afford it or people have got a similar game at Christmas and no longer want that one.
For gamers this can also mean something. We usually get an idea of what games are worth buying and also get our hands on the latest releases that we have been waiting ages on. It is not all good though, some developers choose to delay there game until after Christmas, not because it isn't ready but because they wouldn't want to face really good competition that they feel they couldn't beat. So they wait until into the new year and hopefully for them their game gets the credit they feel they deserve. Which means we have to wait that little bit longer to get our hands on a game which some of us have been waiting a lot of the previous year for. Is it fair for them to do this?
Well it depends on what you would call fair I guess. I think that all the work that the developer puts into the game means they can release it whenever they feel like as it is their game. Sure we pay money for it but it is up to them to decide when it is best and when they can make the most money and attract the most people to buy it.
So what makes Christmas different than any other time of year? Well it's a bit obvious to most, the money. People will be buying presents for others and kids who like games will want new ones. So a lot of games will be bought in a short space of time leading up to Christmas.
So what do the developers have to do to get it right and make sure their game is in with a chance?
Well they have to promote it, i.e. make sure people know about it in the months before Christmas. Marketing is important with selling any product but just before Christmas is probably more important as you want to be sure people will notice it.
Some games will sell themselves, names like Metal Gear Solid 2 won't need much advertising as from what people got in the previous version and from snip its they have seen or played they know this is going to be good. Also games like David Beckham's football game for the PS2 should sell just because there is a famous name in the title.
So what do developers do to make sure there game is promoted well enough?
Magazine reviews, they are important as a lot of people read them and it allows them to see exactly what the game is like and if it is worth buying. There is some speculation on "bung" taking as some magazines seem to promote some rubbish games as being rather good so just watch and don't believe everything you read. Also DVD demos with magazines show you the game in action, as close to the finished game as they can get without letting you play the game. Some magazines also offer the chance to play a short demo of some games.
Advertising in general anywhere which the appropriate audience will read it is also good, newspapers and on the web are useful as a lot of people will see them and probably try and get more information on the game and then maybe purchase it.
Hype, it also can help sell games, (I could write a whole topic on hype but it has already been done many many times). Games like MGS2, Smackdown JBI and GTA3 all get hyped up and probably deserve it, this promotes the game even more and lets people who know very little or nothing about it that something good is coming their way soon.
But most important of all you need a game that deserves all the attention, all the hype and promotion, one that attracts all the people because it is fun to play, will entertain them and is worth the cost. Whether this is a totally new and original idea for a game like "The getaway" or a sequel that really has improved on the previous version like "GTA 3". Take GTA3, it had very little hype up until the week before it was released and then suddenly it was a game everyone wanted and began to sell like hot cakes. Just goes to show that the quality of the game can sell itself and all the hype and advertising isn't always needed.
I know a lot of families who play games at Christmas (usually board games) but maybe in the future these will be replaced with console games like WWTBAM or the weakest link, imagine everyone in the family being a character in the weakest link game, it could lead to hours of fun and chants off "You are the weakest link, Goodbye".
There can be a downside though, there are a lot of rubbish games that also get released and many grannies or aunties may buy rotten games for you as they know very little about good and bad games. Also the fact that we live in Europe sometimes means we are ignored at the festive season. At the moment the X-Box and GameCube are out in America and Japan and for PS2 owners the most wanted game Metal Gear Solid will be out there too very soon. While we have to wait until next year for these, which I think could cost developers a few extra customers as they may decide to buy a PS2 as they don't want to wait that long. Also if Konami got the finger out then I think they could have had MGS2 ready for release over here before Christmas. But not to mind, it is the festive season, Santa has been and we have the New Year to look forward to.
Also one important piece of advice, a console or game is for life not just for Christmas. Treat your console well and give it the love it needs. Remember Meka's topic about consoles attacking, things like that do happen. : )
Now that Christmas has passed and many of us are sitting playing new games and consoles wearing clothes that don't fit from aunties and Grannies. Soon we will know what the biggest sellers where and if they really deserve to be so high in the charts. We have the New Year to look forward too and the many great games and new consoles that are on their way. The X-box and GameCube will finally be released hopefully increasing the standard of games and also many great titles will finally be here. Definitely a great year for gaming, it's true potential will be shown as one of the biggest rivalries takes place, who cares if there is an outright winner or all do equally well, what is important is that we as gamers will get great games and consoles to do what we do best - play games.
Ever since I bought my PS2 in July I have been keeping my eye on great games and so far I think every game I have got is well worth the time spent playing it, PS2 got me back into gaming in a big way and with 2002 only days away it means even more great games like MGS2 will nearly be here. Also I am strongly considering maybe buying either an X-box or GameCube (maybe even both) if they impress me and have some must have titles that I want. So seeing as Christmas as passed you can all tell me what it is that you are looking forward to in 2002 in terms of gaming. New consoles? Must have games? Or something else?
There are so many gaming related things that are big which will happen next year and it is going to be hard to keep up to date with it all as well as trying to lead as normal as a life as possible. Maybe 2002 is the year to buy a Gaming shed where you can play all you like without annoying anyone, is worth a thought. Hopefully in 2002 a lot of inspirational ideas and revolutionary designs and ideas will improve the gaming industry, things like on-line gaming are getting closer and all that is left for us to do is sit back, play games, keep informed and finally enjoy what we do.
For games it is different though, most people buy the good games that are actually worth being number one. The likes of metal gear solid in the past which deserved it and was hugely popular (still is).
The game that gets the number one spot usually attracts a lot of attention and can boost its sales after Christmas as well, so getting the number one spot can be very beneficial to the developers as it attracts more customers to buy it. More people buy games at Christmas as gifts for people, some developers delay the release until just before Christmas so that they can maximise their Christmas sales. Worse time to release a game could be just after Christmas unless it is advertised properly as the majority of gamers will have already received games at Christmas time and unable to afford it or people have got a similar game at Christmas and no longer want that one.
For gamers this can also mean something. We usually get an idea of what games are worth buying and also get our hands on the latest releases that we have been waiting ages on. It is not all good though, some developers choose to delay there game until after Christmas, not because it isn't ready but because they wouldn't want to face really good competition that they feel they couldn't beat. So they wait until into the new year and hopefully for them their game gets the credit they feel they deserve. Which means we have to wait that little bit longer to get our hands on a game which some of us have been waiting a lot of the previous year for. Is it fair for them to do this?
Well it depends on what you would call fair I guess. I think that all the work that the developer puts into the game means they can release it whenever they feel like as it is their game. Sure we pay money for it but it is up to them to decide when it is best and when they can make the most money and attract the most people to buy it.
So what makes Christmas different than any other time of year? Well it's a bit obvious to most, the money. People will be buying presents for others and kids who like games will want new ones. So a lot of games will be bought in a short space of time leading up to Christmas.
So what do the developers have to do to get it right and make sure their game is in with a chance?
Well they have to promote it, i.e. make sure people know about it in the months before Christmas. Marketing is important with selling any product but just before Christmas is probably more important as you want to be sure people will notice it.
Some games will sell themselves, names like Metal Gear Solid 2 won't need much advertising as from what people got in the previous version and from snip its they have seen or played they know this is going to be good. Also games like David Beckham's football game for the PS2 should sell just because there is a famous name in the title.
So what do developers do to make sure there game is promoted well enough?
Magazine reviews, they are important as a lot of people read them and it allows them to see exactly what the game is like and if it is worth buying. There is some speculation on "bung" taking as some magazines seem to promote some rubbish games as being rather good so just watch and don't believe everything you read. Also DVD demos with magazines show you the game in action, as close to the finished game as they can get without letting you play the game. Some magazines also offer the chance to play a short demo of some games.
Advertising in general anywhere which the appropriate audience will read it is also good, newspapers and on the web are useful as a lot of people will see them and probably try and get more information on the game and then maybe purchase it.
Hype, it also can help sell games, (I could write a whole topic on hype but it has already been done many many times). Games like MGS2, Smackdown JBI and GTA3 all get hyped up and probably deserve it, this promotes the game even more and lets people who know very little or nothing about it that something good is coming their way soon.
But most important of all you need a game that deserves all the attention, all the hype and promotion, one that attracts all the people because it is fun to play, will entertain them and is worth the cost. Whether this is a totally new and original idea for a game like "The getaway" or a sequel that really has improved on the previous version like "GTA 3". Take GTA3, it had very little hype up until the week before it was released and then suddenly it was a game everyone wanted and began to sell like hot cakes. Just goes to show that the quality of the game can sell itself and all the hype and advertising isn't always needed.
I know a lot of families who play games at Christmas (usually board games) but maybe in the future these will be replaced with console games like WWTBAM or the weakest link, imagine everyone in the family being a character in the weakest link game, it could lead to hours of fun and chants off "You are the weakest link, Goodbye".
There can be a downside though, there are a lot of rubbish games that also get released and many grannies or aunties may buy rotten games for you as they know very little about good and bad games. Also the fact that we live in Europe sometimes means we are ignored at the festive season. At the moment the X-Box and GameCube are out in America and Japan and for PS2 owners the most wanted game Metal Gear Solid will be out there too very soon. While we have to wait until next year for these, which I think could cost developers a few extra customers as they may decide to buy a PS2 as they don't want to wait that long. Also if Konami got the finger out then I think they could have had MGS2 ready for release over here before Christmas. But not to mind, it is the festive season, Santa has been and we have the New Year to look forward to.
Also one important piece of advice, a console or game is for life not just for Christmas. Treat your console well and give it the love it needs. Remember Meka's topic about consoles attacking, things like that do happen. : )
Now that Christmas has passed and many of us are sitting playing new games and consoles wearing clothes that don't fit from aunties and Grannies. Soon we will know what the biggest sellers where and if they really deserve to be so high in the charts. We have the New Year to look forward too and the many great games and new consoles that are on their way. The X-box and GameCube will finally be released hopefully increasing the standard of games and also many great titles will finally be here. Definitely a great year for gaming, it's true potential will be shown as one of the biggest rivalries takes place, who cares if there is an outright winner or all do equally well, what is important is that we as gamers will get great games and consoles to do what we do best - play games.
Ever since I bought my PS2 in July I have been keeping my eye on great games and so far I think every game I have got is well worth the time spent playing it, PS2 got me back into gaming in a big way and with 2002 only days away it means even more great games like MGS2 will nearly be here. Also I am strongly considering maybe buying either an X-box or GameCube (maybe even both) if they impress me and have some must have titles that I want. So seeing as Christmas as passed you can all tell me what it is that you are looking forward to in 2002 in terms of gaming. New consoles? Must have games? Or something else?
There are so many gaming related things that are big which will happen next year and it is going to be hard to keep up to date with it all as well as trying to lead as normal as a life as possible. Maybe 2002 is the year to buy a Gaming shed where you can play all you like without annoying anyone, is worth a thought. Hopefully in 2002 a lot of inspirational ideas and revolutionary designs and ideas will improve the gaming industry, things like on-line gaming are getting closer and all that is left for us to do is sit back, play games, keep informed and finally enjoy what we do.