Video games & the market today

[Alastor]

I hope I didn't say there is no innovation. Where do I say this?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Alastor

I hope I didn't say there is no innovation. Where do I say this?

Originally Posted by Alastor

It seems that the video game market today is kind of lacking the innovation, intensity and variety that we had a fe years ago.

I'll ask again. What is it that you are looking for?

[Alastor]

Originally Posted by Alastor

It seems that the video game market today is kind of lacking the innovation, intensity and variety that we had a fe years ago.

That statement does not equal no innovation. On several ocasions have I stated that there are innovative titles around, quite a few them, and that several titles I am unaware of, even more are fun.

Originally Posted by MMM

I'll ask again. What is it that you are looking for?

Not looking for anything. I'm just discussing the market. This topic was never to discuss and criticize innovation within the gaming industry.

[MMM]

I would say we are seeing more innovation now than we have in a long time, for several of the reasons I stated, and the most innovative games (Wii Fit, LEGO Indy Jones, GTA IV) are clearly the most popular.

You can say sales charts don't mean much, but the number of people that download cracked games is tiny compared to those that buy them.

[Alastor]

Originally Posted by MMM

I would say we are seeing more innovation now than we have in a long time, for several of the reasons I stated, and the most innovative games (Wii Fit, LEGO Indy Jones, GTA IV) are clearly the most popular.

The amount of innovation as well as the level of innovation is subjective

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Alastor

The amount of innovation as well as the level of innovation is subjective

That's why it's called a discussion, I guess.

[Haggis]

I would say we are seeing more innovation now than we have in a long time, for several of the reasons I stated, and the most innovative games (Wii Fit, LEGO Indy Jones, GTA IV) are clearly the most popular.

I think the Lego games and GTA are popular because they are sequels to popular franchises, whereas other innovative games such as We Love Katamari, Okami, Ico, Zack & Wiki etc. etc. didn't do so well.

Unfortunately I think it has a lot to do with the media out there, computer magazines constantly push certain titles such as Metal Gear Solid and Devil May Cry for months and months, generating hype and expectations, other games get good scores but very little column space.

[MissMisa]

Originally Posted by Haggis

I think the Lego games and GTA are popular because they are sequels to popular franchises, whereas other innovative games such as We Love Katamari, Okami, Ico, Zack & Wiki etc. etc. didn't do so well.

Unfortunately I think it has a lot to do with the media out there, computer magazines constantly push certain titles such as Metal Gear Solid and Devil May Cry for months and months, generating hype and expectations, other games get good scores but very little column space.

I think you got it spot on there. All the big sellers seem to be sequels.

Originally Posted by MMM

Here is the list of the top games sales for last week:

Pos Console Name Publisher Week Weekly Total
1 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Konami 1 502,427 502,427
2 Wii Sports Nintendo 82 112,403 12,137,689
3 Mario Kart Wii
Nintendo 7 79,480 2,339,434
4 Wii Play Nintendo 70 71,883 6,271,142
5 Ninja Gaiden 2
Microsoft 2 65,085 238,528
6 Dragonball Z: Burst Limit Atari 1 54,730 54,730
7 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
LucasArts 2 53,350 121,660
8 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
LucasArts 2 51,880 129,889
9 Grand Theft Auto IV Take 2 7 50,950 3,599,550
10 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures LucasArts 2 45,986 104,641
11 Wii Fit Nintendo 4 42,397 927,188
12 More Brain Training Nintendo 43 41,486 2,197,647
13 NASCAR 09 Electronic Arts 1 40,650 40,650
14 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
LucasArts 2 40,322 121,741
15 Dragonball Z: Burst Limit Atari 1 39,305 39,305
16 Super Smash Bros Brawl Nintendo 14 38,338 3,713,253
17 New Super Mario Bros Nintendo 109 37,459 4,556,607
18 Mario Kart DS Nintendo 135 35,978 3,752,108
19 Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon 2: Time / Darkness Exploration Team Nintendo 8 34,765 815,412
20 Pokemon Diamond / Pearl Nintendo 60 33,780 5,104,525
.

A lot of them on MMM's list here, are sequels. In fact nearly all of them are.

[MMM]

I am not sure what the problem with sequels is (And LEGO Indy Jones is not a sequel). All the Mario games up there are arguably the best of the series. Same with GTA IV. If people were buying more inferior games in a series and ignoring new and innovative games, I'd say there is a right to complain.

[MissMisa]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am not sure what the problem with sequels is (And LEGO Indy Jones is not a sequel). All the Mario games up there are arguably the best of the series. Same with GTA IV. If people were buying more inferior games in a series and ignoring new and innovative games, I'd say there is a right to complain.

There isn't a problem with sequels, there is just a problem that new good games seem like they aren't given the full credit they deserve.