Microsoft Expects 7 Platinum Sellers This Holiday [Archive]

bapenguin

10-23-2007, 04:54 AM

In an interview (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7650&Itemid=2) with Next-Gen.biz, Microsoft Group Product Manager Aaron Greenberg talks about the whole family initiative (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38218). And while that's all well and good, he decided to drop a bit of a bold statement. "We anticipate that we’ll have at least seven titles that will each sell over a million units each."

Has Aaron been hypnotized by the flashing red rings? Maybe not. With Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4, Assassin’s Creed, Rock Band, and Guitar Hero III coming out bolstered by Halo 3 and Bioshock we could have our 7 titles right there.

So what do you guys think? Could there be 7 platinum titles? There's definitely a very good chance. All 7 of those listed are predicted million+ sellers by TheSimExhange (http://www.thesimexchange.com/platform.php?platform=Xbox%20360&sort=price_b).

KingGorilla

10-23-2007, 04:58 AM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

Norse

10-23-2007, 05:02 AM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

Well, they provided a platform with many FPS fans.

Digital Outlaw

10-23-2007, 05:05 AM

I bought Halo and Im buying Mass Effect so Ill help the cause.

mkelehan

10-23-2007, 05:07 AM

Obviously this memo was from MS' department of redundancy department.

Mdot23

10-23-2007, 05:09 AM

I'm interested to see how they market Mass Effect. It's highly anticipated here and in the gaming community, but I want to see how the mass market reacts to it. It probably SHOULD be the best selling of all those coming out, but we'll see.

COD4 has the best chance I think, going by past franchise performance, but COD2 was out at launch when there wasn't much more in terms of quality. Rock Band will be tough because of the price tag. GH3 should reach it, and Assassin's Creed, imo, is in the same boat as Mass Effect.

These are all quality games and have the potential to reach million sellers, but we all know how quality relates to sales sometimes.

Note: I'm assuming they mean all 7 will sell a million each this holiday, not in their overall lifespan.

grognard66

10-23-2007, 05:09 AM

7 Platinum Hits is not just possible, but probable. There's an excellent article on next-gen's website this morning analyzing NPD's numbers, to date, for each console system.

When you look at the current install base for 360, projected hardware Holiday Sales, and most importantly, the attach rate (5 games for each 360 owner) it is easy to see that MS has captured the lucrative hardcore gamer this generation who propel these titles to Platinum status.

Nintendo will obviously hit that number with the upcoming Mario title and PS3 may hit that with Ratchet. However, 360 will dominate console software sales again this Holiday, further solidifying its position as the system of choice for third-party developers.

TheEpicOfTyler

10-23-2007, 05:10 AM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

GH sells shit tons. I know the PS2 version sold like 800k or something in it's first month last year, GH2 I believe.

KarmaGhost

10-23-2007, 05:13 AM

*sigh* Each one of those games is on my purchase list. Goodbye part-time paycheck. *sigh*

grognard66

10-23-2007, 05:13 AM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

Actually, MS had quite a bit to do with it. You don't really think BioShock would have sold even half as well if it showed up on Wii or PS3 do you? MS did a decent job advertising the game and, most importantly, provided the install base to give this title a shot at success. BioShock appeals to the traditional hard-core gamer and the 360 is the system of choice for this demographic.

If Heavenly Sword or Warhawk were 360 titles they probably would have each sold over 500K copies on 360...

Cpt SkinJive

10-23-2007, 05:20 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.

Telefrog

10-23-2007, 05:33 AM

KingGorilla

10-23-2007, 05:35 AM

I really don't know about Rock Band. I like it, and I know we like it here on EvAv, but are there really more than a million people ready to pay so damn much for a game that must be played with more than two people at a time?

More accurately, will they be able to get a million bundles out for just the 360? The way that they are packaging these for the holiday makes it seem that they are having problems getting enough instruments made.

Kelegacy

10-23-2007, 05:36 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.

Well, for starters, it has guns. You should be able to find some interest in that, I bet.

Oh, and it's fun.

I'm also a mid twenties gamer, and I can see the appeal.

KingGorilla

10-23-2007, 05:37 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.

As mid 20's gamer who has moved past the oral and anal fascination stage of mental development, Ratchet and Klank has big appeal to me, and I cannot wait for my PS3 having friend to get it.

grognard66

10-23-2007, 05:38 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.

I'm 41 and am looking forward to the game. Great gameplay and production values appeals to all ages.

Roc Ingersol

10-23-2007, 05:39 AM

are there really more than a million people ready to pay so damn much for a game that must be played with more than two people at a time?Did they cut Solo Tour Mode?
And can't you mix-n-match online and local players for everything else?

So, what's the difference between Band Tour Mode and, say, Shadowrun or UT?

Gorvi

10-23-2007, 05:42 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.
As a late 20's gamer and father, I can't wait to pick the game up tomorrow. It's a game my son can watch and enjoy without me worrying about the content, but it also doesn't hurt that it's one of the most enjoyable franchises out there.

bapenguin

10-23-2007, 05:43 AM

More accurately, will they be able to get a million bundles out for just the 360? The way that they are packaging these for the holiday makes it seem that they are having problems getting enough instruments made.

Ah, but they don't have to sell just the bundles of it. GH3 is sold separately as well which people who picked up GH2 for the 360 can snag, since they have a Guitar.

Loki_09

10-23-2007, 05:57 AM

Seeing how me and all my friends will likely be getting all those games (minus Rock Band, havent got to the point where Im going to pull the trigger on that yet), I can see it happening.

Spigot

10-23-2007, 06:16 AM

Well, for starters, it has guns. You should be able to find some interest in that, I bet.

Oh, and it's fun.

I'm also a mid twenties gamer, and I can see the appeal.I'm an early 30's gamer and I adore the R&C series. Not enough to buy a PS3 to play one, but if I had they system I'd definately buy it. They're just so fun.

Plus Clank is one of the best characters in gaming. Ratchet, not so much, but Clank is awesome.

Cpt SkinJive

10-23-2007, 06:22 AM

Wraith

10-23-2007, 06:28 AM

“It’s the games that sell the systems and we feel pretty confident in our games lineup,” he says. “Just this one holiday we anticipate that we’ll have at least seven titles that will each sell over a million units each. I don’t think any other platform will even come close to that, so having the big blockbuster games will definitely continue to help drive system sales for us.

“I think that we will continue to expand our lead over PlayStation 3 and I think that we will continue to be very competitive relative to the Wii and I have no doubt that for total software sales, we’ll continue to lead the market overall.”Sounds good to me.

Spigot

10-23-2007, 06:29 AM

I hear what your saying. I just think the cutesy franchise has had its day with me. i havent gotten excited about one since Donkey kong, even that got tedious after the 14th version.

It probably will sell quite well considering the lack of games currently on ps3, but as a platform exclusive its pretty lacklustre given some of the upcoming games that really float my boat on the 360.Oh, no arguement there. And I felt that there was at least one too many R&C on the PS2. I was getting tired of it by then.

That said, they're still great games. They may not be the "I chew gravel, I'm THAT manly" gritty games like GoW or the like, but not every game has to be.

Of course, you're talking to someone who owns every iteration of Katamari Damacy, so my penchant for cute and wierd games knows no bounds.

Cpt SkinJive

10-23-2007, 06:57 AM

Oh, no arguement there. And I felt that there was at least one too many R&C on the PS2. I was getting tired of it by then.

That said, they're still great games. They may not be the "I chew gravel, I'm THAT manly" gritty games like GoW or the like, but not every game has to be.

Of course, you're talking to someone who owns every iteration of Katamari Damacy, so my penchant for cute and wierd games knows no bounds.

Nintendo were kings in there day of taking games like these and making them epic. There's tons of games from the Snes, N64 etc that kept me going back to do every little last thing.
I dont see Ratchet and Klank as this kind of Franchise though.

Everyone remembers what the bosses name in Zelda is, what the tune on koopa beach sounds like or where to find the warp whistles in mario. Sonic didnt even come close nevermind the like's of banjo & kazooee or any other franchise or one hit wonder.

Probably may age but i just dont find game's like these exciting enough anymore, even nintendo's efforts have been poor lately. :(

KingGorilla

10-23-2007, 07:12 AM

Ah, but they don't have to sell just the bundles of it. GH3 is sold separately as well which people who picked up GH2 for the 360 can snag, since they have a Guitar.

I was referring more to rock band. But the bundles are also very important for Guitar Hero, 2 sold so well on the PS2 because it gave a lot of people a justification for getting a second guitar. If I recall correctly, GH2 sold better than 1 did by that effect. But Rock Band is very hamstrung by the bundles, I do not see a million bundles on the 360 alone being MADE let alone shipped off.

Schnoogs

10-23-2007, 07:13 AM

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

I guess the part where they provided a popular console had little to do with it.

WaltJay

10-23-2007, 07:13 AM

I could definitely see 7 platinum games this holiday. Halo 3 is already well past 1 million in sales, and I think BioShock is closing in on the 1 million mark as well. The Orange Box is off to a good start and might end up at 1 million by the end of the year.

Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, and Rock Band are virtually guaranteed to sell at least 1 million each. GH2 for the 360 sold very well, and I see no reason why GH3 won't do the same. COD is a huge franchise, and with Infinity Ward back at the helm, I expect big things in terms of sales. Even though Rock Band is expensive relative to GH3 or a disc-only game, I could see that as a popular gift since it is an all-in-one package and it has tremendous hype around it.

Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed could see platinum by the end of the year, depending on the marketing. If we get our Mass Effect Slurpees and Assassin's Creed kids meals, then I think both will sell well. If not, it'll probably be a slow creep to 1 million, rather than a quick rush.

Schnoogs

10-23-2007, 07:15 AM

As a mid twentys gamer i really dont see what appeal ratchet and Klank will have for anyone with pubic hair.

I agree...I downloaded the demo and was totally put off by its jeuvenile appeal.

tenchiker

10-23-2007, 07:50 AM

I enjoyed the other Ratchet & Clanks on the PS2, but I didn't think they were great games. I thought they were good, but not great. Much like Warhawk and Heavenly Sword.

H1PO

10-23-2007, 08:09 AM

I doubt it. Most people I know haven't even heard of mass effect, and so I doubt it will sell very well unless they start advertising like nothing else really fast.

Wraith

10-23-2007, 08:37 AM

It's four weeks until Mass Effect's release date. The Tuesday before Black Friday. Let's see some ads on TV for it. They did a good job with advertising Gears, which was also a brand new IP, I'm sure they can do it for Mass Effect. (Not saying 'drum up an ad in three weeks'. More like they should already have one ready to go...)

Spigot

10-23-2007, 08:40 AM

Nintendo were kings in there day of taking games like these and making them epic. There's tons of games from the Snes, N64 etc that kept me going back to do every little last thing.
I dont see Ratchet and Klank as this kind of Franchise though.

Everyone remembers what the bosses name in Zelda is, what the tune on koopa beach sounds like or where to find the warp whistles in mario. Sonic didnt even come close nevermind the like's of banjo & kazooee or any other franchise or one hit wonder.

Probably may age but i just dont find game's like these exciting enough anymore, even nintendo's efforts have been poor lately. :(I hear ya. I do enjoy these games but they're definately not my faves. After 4 Ratchet & Clanks and 4 Jak & Daxters on the PS2 alone, not to mention other games in the same vein, I got a bit burnt out and am only now starting to get back into platformers. I just don't like people putting games down because of their aesthetic. I've played plenty of cute games that are a blast to play while others that adopt a more 'mature' bent leave me bored.

And it's Clank, not Klank. You have no idea how annoyed this thread has made me with the multiple instances of Klank :)

Jack B

10-23-2007, 08:56 AM

Johan

10-23-2007, 09:03 AM

I think it's insane how many software titles 360 owners buy.

I personally have 53 Arcade titles and 13 360 titles on disk. I haven't bought a disk, other than Halo 3, in ages, either. I'm around 250+ Xbox/360 games...

if I have any money, there's a bunch of titles I'd like to get myself, but I buy from last year's Christmas release list, for better deals. :)

Laughing_Penguin

10-23-2007, 10:07 AM

I doubt it. Most people I know haven't even heard of mass effect, and so I doubt it will sell very well unless they start advertising like nothing else really fast.

Actually, I have seen Microsoft starting to promote Mass Effect in their newest "Jump In" commercial... the one where a bunch of people set up a makeshift living room in what looks like a bus stop or airport terminal. The put up a big TV, a system, a couch, a couple controllers, and three games: Halo 3, Mass Effect, and (if memory serves, couldn't find the video) Assasin's Creed. of course, Halo was the game playing, but even seeing the box along side it would leave a big impression on people, especially those who bought the console for Halo. It basically tells them what to buy next.

I think with the expectations Mass Effect has been generating, we'll be seeing a lot more media exposure soon. Not nearly what Halo had, of course, but perhaps on a level with Gears of War?

Cpt SkinJive

10-23-2007, 10:25 AM

I don't think mass effect will sell as well as some of the others mentioned, but its the one i want to play most.

TheFlyingOrc

10-23-2007, 10:26 AM

I'm skeptical about Rock Band as well. Too expensive.

You guys need to look away from the "hardcore" games. Isn't a bundled version of those LEGO Star Wars games coming out?

Darcydian

10-23-2007, 10:26 AM

Are they counting the orange box as 5 games?

Zanzibar

10-23-2007, 10:31 AM

Are they counting the orange box as 5 games?

Yeah, I was gonna mention Orange Box. Word of mouth is already spreading on that fucker.

Halo 3. 3,300,000 copies. In twelve days.

TheFlyingOrc

10-23-2007, 10:35 AM

Yeah, I was gonna mention Orange Box. Word of mouth is already spreading on that fucker.

Halo 3. 3,300,000 copies. In twelve days.
The worst thing about Orange Box is that the Box Art makes it look like a budget title.

Telefrog

10-23-2007, 10:52 AM

Did they cut Solo Tour Mode?
And can't you mix-n-match online and local players for everything else?

So, what's the difference between Band Tour Mode and, say, Shadowrun or UT?

Are you crazy? The difference would be about $110. I can buy three games for the price of Rock Band. That's a HUGE barrier to entry for most people.

You could wait for the individual instrument sets or the game by itself, but those aren't supposed to come out until well past the holidays, disqualifying those versions for this discussion.

Sir Kodiak

10-23-2007, 10:55 AM

I think with the expectations Mass Effect has been generating, we'll be seeing a lot more media exposure soon. Not nearly what Halo had, of course, but perhaps on a level with Gears of War?

Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed are the two games that EBGames / Gamestop have been pushing on me to preorder for the 360, which usually says something about sales expectations.

51|RandoM

10-23-2007, 11:38 AM

It is a matter of time frame. Good titles on 360 will sell a million copies, although it may take them awhile. Think there is going to be a bit of fratricide this holiday, though.

carnage11

10-23-2007, 11:56 AM

I know that I'm buying all 7 of those games listed. Well I already have Bioshock, but I'll be purchasing all the rest soon. I have Mass Effect, GH3 on pre-order. I'd say there's a good chance this is true.

Micasa

10-23-2007, 12:17 PM

I really don't know about Rock Band. I like it, and I know we like it here on EvAv, but are there really more than a million people ready to pay so damn much for a game that must be played with more than two people at a time?

You can buy Rock Band, the game, separately from the bundle. And it doesn't require "more than two people" to play.

karak

10-23-2007, 12:22 PM

It is a matter of time frame. Good titles on 360 will sell a million copies, although it may take them awhile. Think there is going to be a bit of fratricide this holiday, though.
And early next year as well. Many things are being pushed back and if IGN's list of coming games is even CLOSE to accurate, we are in for a fuckton of games on the 360 next year.

bean19

10-23-2007, 12:23 PM

It would have been interesting if he's have predicted which 7 would be million sellers. Halo 3, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4 and Guitar Hero 3 are likely. Maybe Assassin's Creed and Rock Band too. That's 7. They may be some others, that have a shot, but I would think 7 would be a pretty decent number.

Halo 3 and Bioshock are already platinum sellers.

Oddly, I did a thread (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38186) on this yesterday, and I predicted these games as going platinum:

Mass Effect
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
Half-Life 2: Orange Box
Call of Duty 4
Guitar Hero 3
Assassin's Creed

Maybes:
Ace Combat 6
Skate

In retrospect, Naruto may not make it and I'm not sure about Guitar Hero 3 because the market will be split between it and Rock Band. In any case, getting 7 platinum sellers during the holiday season (especially if you only really need 5 because Halo 3 and Bioshock are already there) doesn't seem like it will be difficult.

Micasa

10-23-2007, 01:22 PM

Halo 3 and Bioshock are already platinum sellers.

Oddly, I did a thread (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38186) on this yesterday, and I predicted these games as going platinum:

Mass Effect
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
Half-Life 2: Orange Box
Call of Duty 4
Guitar Hero 3
Assassin's Creed

Maybes:
Ace Combat 6
Skate

In retrospect, Naruto may not make it and I'm not sure about Guitar Hero 3 because the market will be split between it and Rock Band. In any case, getting 7 platinum sellers during the holiday season (especially if you only really need 5 because Halo 3 and Bioshock are already there) doesn't seem like it will be difficult.

Let's see...Halo 3 and Bioshock could well sell another million copies in the holiday season, but they're already platinum so we'll ditch em from the list.

For potential million sellers I'd go with Guitar Hero III, The Simpsons Game (sadly, as the demo was so poor), Call of Duty 4, Assassin's Creed, Need for Speed: Pro Street, Mass Effect, and Rock Band (game only + bundle sales).

Viva Pinata: Party Animals might be a surprisingly strong seller, along with Scene It? but I doubt they'd hit a million by the end of the holiday selling season.

Achilles

10-23-2007, 01:28 PM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.I believe MS funded some of the advertisements for Bioshock. I'm sure their support staff also helped out.

TheFlyingOrc

10-23-2007, 01:32 PM

Also, does madden count? Because if so, Madden.

drakkarim

10-23-2007, 02:20 PM

well, i'm hoping mass effect turns into one of those platinum titles, the rest, meh. i'm sure halo3 will get there, as will probably cod4.

Stryfe01

10-23-2007, 02:51 PM

Has a Guitar Hero game sold a million in a year yet?

They can also get fucked if they think for a MOMENT that they had anything to do with Bioshock's success.

Who cares if they think they did or not. They did however feel strongly enough about the title to secure it as a 360 exclusive.

Durka-Dan

10-23-2007, 02:55 PM

Very likely. Though advertising all 7 games at once, or in series, is gonna run them up a nice tab. I'm sure Microsoft can handle it though. The trick is marketing the games in a way that doesn't discourage buyers from getting one of the other six.

EL CABONG

10-23-2007, 03:08 PM

I rented Bioshock. If it had multi-or co-op I might have bought it. Its a very good game. Assains Creed I am leaning towards renting. I am still on the fence with that one. If its not an rpg it better have downloadable content or online muli/co-op for me to purchase. Or some other reason that will give the game some "legs" like a GTA's sandboxness.

I got Halo 3 and I have the rest pre-ordered.

Mass Effect is why I am springing for a HDtv.

CoD4 looks Hella cool. The multi may be better than Halo 3's.

GH3 should be cool. getting the wireless gutiar so I have atleast One Wireless one to play..

Rockband I have been asking some of my buds and co-works if they want to join my "band" for awhile now. Should be ablast to have some friends over have a few beers and Rock.

It would not shock me if 5 or 6 of those tittles sell a million copy's before x-mas. They all should sell that many at some point not sure if they will all get to a million before x-mas.

Jack B

10-23-2007, 05:12 PM

Also, does madden count? Because if so, Madden.

Good point. If Bioshock counts, then probably Madden should too as they were both August releases. My guess is he didn't mention specific titles, so in January he could use both of those if needed... :D

bean19

10-23-2007, 07:12 PM

Also, does madden count? Because if so, Madden.

It does, but I think it already is one.

Butters66

10-24-2007, 11:31 AM

I doubt it. Most people I know haven't even heard of mass effect, and so I doubt it will sell very well unless they start advertising like nothing else really fast.

What did Oblivion do? How about KOTOR? These games have rabid fans. I don't know the numbers, but I would expect Mass Effect's draw to be about the same as Oblivion's current total. If that is 1 million +, then this a solid pick.

Butters66

10-24-2007, 11:33 AM

Another point that MS might be counting which I haven't seen mentioned:

Sports games.

Madden I am sure is platinum, and then you Live 08 and NBA 2K8. Both of these sell quite well. Is there a new Tiger coming out? That could go platinum.

Micasa

10-24-2007, 11:39 AM

Also, does madden count? Because if so, Madden.

Madden was already out - but the new Madden IN ESPANOL (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=200385)...that would count :D

karak

10-24-2007, 12:52 PM

What did Oblivion do? How about KOTOR? These games have rabid fans. I don't know the numbers, but I would expect Mass Effect's draw to be about the same as Oblivion's current total. If that is 1 million +, then this a solid pick.
Working in games retail I can state without worry that Mass Effect will sell huge. We are rain checking and preordering to mother's and fathers who are also trying to get the arcade for their kids. That game is freaking on fire right now.