294 réponses à ce sujet

[SofaJockey]

Bold Prediction: This will be the last Dragon Age game of this series.

 

*snip*

 

Interesting points, worth looking at in detail:

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I

 

Would be interested in which communities you mean.

Sure there are enough low-lifes who clog up general game site comments with vile trolling but hardly representative.

 

I can't see how the game will sell well when it releases amongst a swarm of highly-anticipated titles. People keep saying that those other games are for different audiences, but those same people forget that DA:I was created to draw in people from different audiences.

 

From what I see BioWare have learned some tough lessons over recent releases that were not bad but had some flawed elements.

I see an effort to build the best game they can, not to pander to anyone and everyone.

Pandering might be including PvP or a dating simulator or taking out Rogues and content most people don't play,

or make the protagonist only a straight white guy like the Witcher or include mini-games and killing for LOLs like GTA. 

 

The casual gamer that Bioware has spent most of this development-cycle trying to attract will be too busy throwing frag-grenades to care about DA:I

 

I see the marketing as trying to sell the game, it has not sold itself as something quick and easy.

 

and the formerly hardcore Dragon Age fans (who Bioware sacrificed to draw in the casuals) will probably take a wait-and-see approach

 

I'm struggling to understand what BioWare could have done to 'sacrifice' hardcore fans?
This game looks to be a good blend of DAO and DA2 and more. 

You imply that you might be one of those former fans, 

so something appears to have upset you but it is not clear what that is.

 

-- which means first-months sales will likely be disastrous (I'm predicting ~2 million). If I were a major shareholder of EA I'd demand that they release this game sometime in October -- for a return on my investment, and for the sake of the Dragon Age IP.

 

Release a game when it's not ready, when BioWare have already delayed it 6 weeks for polishing?

I'm sorry, I'm really struggling to find much logic in your post.

[Rorschachinstein]

Damn it man, let the market decide. You're looking at genre's so diverse, I doubt they would eat eachothers sales. Besides, they are just getting the game out for the holiday season. I really shouldn't say anything since I already pre-ordered DA:I, but the market decides. Not journalists. Not fanboys. The market.

[SofaJockey]

And a further thought on DAI's market which is a mixture of the old Dungeons & Dragons set, the Elder Scrolls crowd and a wide range of action RPGers.

 

We're in-between 'proper' Elder Scrolls entries - Skyrim sold hugely.

Elder Scrolls Online has its fans for PvP but has been criticised for exploitation grinding and a soulless PvE.

 

Even Destiny in the FPS category is getting criticised for the shallow RPG which BioWare by contrast excels at.

 

If you like your Frag Grenades, people are awash with choices.

For Fantasy RPG, there's the untested Shadow of Mordor and Lords of the Fallen. The Witcher has a good buzz, but that's next year. 

[N7recruit]

The thing that has me somewhat concerned is that Bioware would have to sell about 4 million copies to break even.

 

With DA:I's almost 4 year dev cycle, Cutting edge Graphics & Huge Scale, it's a good bet to say the game cost 60 million dollars or more to develop. 

 

Add another 60 million for advertising so we are at 120 million.

 

(Might be over estimating the marketing budget, but a marketing budget equalling the games budget is said to be an industry standard so we will roll with it here) 

 

For retail sales, the Publisher (EA) receive about $30 for new game sales. I know PC players buy on origin but the majority of DA players are console gamers so I will use the $30 figure.

 

So 4 million copies sold  at $30 makes 120 million dollars.

 

 

But EA did good in ensuring that DA:I had an alternate revenue stream.

 

The Clever addition of a Micro-transaction based multiplayer mode ensures a constant revenue stream through players buying random Weapon Packs. Its the same with Mass effect & Fifa Ultimate team (A youtuber Spent £7'000 on Packs for fifa 14!) 

 

 

 

Just saying that DA might have to push 5 million to turn around a sizeable profit for EA & for it to be seen as a good success.

 

 

DA:O sold over 4 million so this brand has the power to move units, but the question is "how many copies at $60 will be sold?" Because DA:I will have a price cut within a Month unless it FLIES off the shelves. 

 

And there is the problem in releasing among the November Giants, the first month sales are VITAL but there might not be enough of a market to go around.

[Itkovian]

Ultimately, they're releasing for the holiday season, just like every other AAA titles. And within the RPG genre, DAI is the only AAA release for the holidays. That'll definitely move units.

 

And let's not start predicting sales needed to break even. We have no clue what the numbers could be or what their projections are. Moreover, it's mostly irrelevant to us.

 

If the game is great, then let's enjoy it and spread the word. That's what matters. There's absolutely no point in doomsaying when we have no clue what we're talking about.

[DanielCofour]

This is getting extremely ridiculous. During the entire year there were no releases. Like there were 2 major titles: Titanfall, Watch Dogs. That's it. Besides that, I haven't seen any AAA games that were worth my attention. And suddenly within a one week period 20 games I want to play all get released. I mean I had an entire summer when I actually had to go out and visit the real world, cause there was nothing to play. Now when I have college and things to do, suddenly bunch of games. 

 

I'm putting my foot down. I've had it with the year-long droughts. It's time to start releasing games during months other than October/November.

[Alexius]

Bold Prediction: This will be the last Dragon Age game of this series.

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I and I can't see how the game will sell well when it releases amongst a swarm of highly-anticipated titles.

 

People keep saying that those other games are for different audiences, but those same people forget that DA:I was created to draw in people from different audiences.

 

The casual gamer that Bioware has spent most of this development-cycle trying to attract will be too busy throwing frag-grenades to care about DA:I, and the formerly hardcore Dragon Age fans (who Bioware sacrificed to draw in the casuals) will probably take a wait-and-see approach -- which means first-months sales will likely be disastrous (I'm predicting ~2 million).

 

If I were a major shareholder of EA I'd demand that they release this game sometime in October -- for a return on my investment, and for the sake of the Dragon Age IP.

 

This is a mere projection of an unfounded imagining.

Only because it's possible doesn't mean it's likely.

 

So why don't we wait till November for this sort of analysis? It's pointless now, to predict sales, or shareholder behaviour.

[dutch_gamer]

Its unlikely to be the last game, I believe it was Laidlaw that said that they still have enough plans and plots to stretch to Dragon Age 5
 
-D-

BioWare may have enough plans but if DAI sales flop I can't see EA being interested in continuing the DA series. I am not saying DAI will likely flop but there is absolutely a possibility. DAI is facing stiff competition this year and BioWare does have an image problem after three "disappointing" games. I fear that even minor issues with DAI will and can be used by disgruntled gamers to try to negatively influence sales to the point BioWare could be toast as a company. I absolutely believe today's gamers have that kind of power. It is so easy to sell negativity to the masses.

[wolfhowwl]

Bold Prediction: This will be the last Dragon Age game of this series.

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I and I can't see how the game will sell well when it releases amongst a swarm of highly-anticipated titles.

 

People keep saying that those other games are for different audiences, but those same people forget that DA:I was created to draw in people from different audiences.

 

The casual gamer that Bioware has spent most of this development-cycle trying to attract will be too busy throwing frag-grenades to care about DA:I, and the formerly hardcore Dragon Age fans (who Bioware sacrificed to draw in the casuals) will probably take a wait-and-see approach -- which means first-months sales will likely be disastrous (I'm predicting ~2 million).

 

If I were a major shareholder of EA I'd demand that they release this game sometime in October -- for a return on my investment, and for the sake of the Dragon Age IP.

 

Wouldn't two million actually be some of the best first month sales for a BioWare game?

[TheLastSuperSaiyan87]

Games coming out on November 18th in North America

 

Dragon Age: Inquisition (PS3/PS4/X1/360/PC)
Middle Earth: Shadow of Morder (PS3/360 Version)
Little Big Planet 3 (PS3/PS4)
Sonic Boom (Wii U Version)
Watch Dogs (Wii U Version)
Project Cars (PS4/X1/PC)
Escape Dead Island (PS3/360/PC)
Far Cry 4 (PS3/PS4/X1/360/PC)
WWE 2K15 (PS4/X1)
Grand Theft Auto V (PS4/X1)

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd (Vita)

[Nohvarr]

Games coming out on November 18th in North America

 

Dragon Age: Inquisition (PS3/PS4/X1/360/PC)
Middle Earth: Shadow of Morder (PS3/360 Version)
Little Big Planet 3 (PS3/PS4)
Sonic Boom (Wii U Version)
Watch Dogs (Wii U Version)
Project Cars (PS4/X1/PC)
Escape Dead Island (PS3/360/PC)
Far Cry 4 (PS3/PS4/X1/360/PC)
WWE 2K15 (PS4/X1)
Grand Theft Auto V (PS4/X1)

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd (Vita)

So none of these games are coming out across as many systems as DAI....

 

Last I checked Middle Earth was having some noticable problems being put on PS3/360 since the PS4/PC/XONE are coming out on the 30th of September so that's not a major threat.

 

LBP is a Sony exclusive and is not likely to take a lot of money from DAI....

 

Sonice Boom is new (controversial going by character designs) attempt to revive the Sonic franchise and going by past history, is unlikly to set the world on fire.

 

Watch Dogs was savaged by gamers already so I'm don't see a lot of units moving now.....and since it's on Wii U only it's impact on DAI is already pretty limited.

 

Project Cars is a racing game so I don't know much about it

 

Escape Dead Island's competition is Dead Rising 3 and from what I've seen DR3 blows it out of the water..

 

Far Cry 4 should do well since people like an open world game.

 

WWE 2K15 will make money from it's intended audience

 

GTA V is just a graphical upgrade and tweaking of a previously released game, no real threat to DAI there.

 

Now for the thing that's really working in DAI's favor.... People likely have a bit of extra cash in their wallet since there really hasn't been any hot new releases. Watch Dogs failed to WOW people, Destiny failed to WOW people so i'm willing to bet that the gaming public at large will be looking for something good and different from the usual AAA shooter-Open world stuff they have been getting. Oh sure Shadows of Mordor and Aliens Isolation may do well....but that is not guaranteed at this point (And the Alien franchise has more of an uphill battle than DAI after the 'Colonial Marines' Disaster). So taking that into account and looking at the Competition...I think DAI is just fine where it is.

[TheLastSuperSaiyan87]

I'm just happy that many games are coming out on the same day that pretty much guarantees a midnight release, its going to be a crazy night lol 

[Villy]

Yeah, that delay threw quite a monkey wrench in my plans. I'm all for the delay if it makes the game that much better, but damn...four game purchases within one week of each other. Three on one day. I don't think I've ever done that. That's a lot of scratch.

Thats why u plan ahead, and create a budget just for gaming. I sit money to the side whenever I get paid. I have DA:I, Shadow of Mordor, Forza Horizon II and Far Cry 3 paid off, still working on NBA 2k15, GTA V, ACIV, MCC. 2 of those I might not be able to get on release though. ( I also sell games I've beaten and have no intention on ever playing again, so those help also)

[blahblah]

 

GTA V is just a graphical upgrade and tweaking of a previously released game, no real threat to DAI there.

 

Funny thing is even though GTA V remake is just a "graphical upgrade" it has ALOT more hype from what ive seen on other forums/websites. And no I'm not a fan of the GTA series. Ive heard very little about DA:I outside this forum tbh.

 

To say that these other games being released on the same day as DA:I wont hurt sales is really foolish imo. I'm just looking at this realistically.

[ncRidesh]

Not sure where you had been but most of the communities outside of BSN are hopeful and pleasant surprised with the evolution of DA:I, the only community I saw that hates it, is on The Witcher forum lol

Actually I see a lot of people asking if they can play the game without playing the last ones.

Yes.

Even in NeoGAF, arguably the biggest forum, Dragon Age: Inquisition has generated a lot of hype and good will, and they hate Dragon Age II.

DA: I marketing has been pretty good for the most part, the most criticized thing has been the characters blurbs.

[Nohvarr]

Funny thing is even though GTA V remake is just a "graphical upgrade" it has ALOT more hype from what ive seen on other forums/websites. And no I'm not a fan of the GTA series. Ive heard very little about DA:I outside this forum tbh.

 

To say that these other games being released on the same day as DA:I wont hurt sales is really foolish imo. I'm just looking at this realistically.

So am I....you can hype a game all you want but if people have already played it (as is the case of GTAV) I don't see them racing out to re-buy it again There's also a bit of a hype backlash going on in the gaming community right now (see Watch Dogs/Destiny for examples) so not going overboard with the hype machine might be a good idea for Bioware.

[TheLastSuperSaiyan87]

I've read a few posts where people have already sold their PS3/360 versions of GTA 5 just to get the new one but I have seen way more say that they  are happy with  just PS3/360 version

[kensaileo]

Bold Prediction: This will be the last Dragon Age game of this series.

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I and I can't see how the game will sell well when it releases amongst a swarm of highly-anticipated titles.

 

People keep saying that those other games are for different audiences, but those same people forget that DA:I was created to draw in people from different audiences.

 

The casual gamer that Bioware has spent most of this development-cycle trying to attract will be too busy throwing frag-grenades to care about DA:I, and the formerly hardcore Dragon Age fans (who Bioware sacrificed to draw in the casuals) will probably take a wait-and-see approach -- which means first-months sales will likely be disastrous (I'm predicting ~2 million).

 

If I were a major shareholder of EA I'd demand that they release this game sometime in October -- for a return on my investment, and for the sake of the Dragon Age IP.

So?  "We already have CD Projekt and Bethesda,we do not need Bioware any more"?

[Zatche]

Interesting points, worth looking at in detail:

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I

 

Would be interested in which communities you mean.

Sure there are enough low-lifes who clog up general game site comments with vile trolling but hardly representative.

 

Thought I'd take a look at some other communities. Well...comments on news sites. YouTube is mostly a mix and has some scariness, trolls, and "jokes" because YouTube. IGN has a lot of debates with varied opinions. PCGamer is a mix and not as negative as i thought it'd be. And GameInformer is full on hype.

 

Hardly scientific, but it's still moving me away from the idea that "no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I"

[SurelyForth]

So?  "We already have CD Projekt and Bethesda,we do not need Bioware any more"?

 

Looking forward to never playing another female protagonist that's more than a silent bystander in her own storyline. 

[Eelectrica]

Bold Prediction: This will be the last Dragon Age game of this series.

 

Outside of these walls, no other gaming community is speaking favorably about DA:I and I can't see how the game will sell well when it releases amongst a swarm of highly-anticipated titles.

 

People keep saying that those other games are for different audiences, but those same people forget that DA:I was created to draw in people from different audiences.

 

The casual gamer that Bioware has spent most of this development-cycle trying to attract will be too busy throwing frag-grenades to care about DA:I, and the formerly hardcore Dragon Age fans (who Bioware sacrificed to draw in the casuals) will probably take a wait-and-see approach -- which means first-months sales will likely be disastrous (I'm predicting ~2 million).

 

If I were a major shareholder of EA I'd demand that they release this game sometime in October -- for a return on my investment, and for the sake of the Dragon Age IP.

You may well end up being right, time will tell, but...

 

If Larian can clear over 500k units of there niche RPG Divinity:Original Sin, released on PC only, with limited marketing,  I don't think BioWare/EA with their marketing muscle, releasing on 5 platforms will have too many problems clearing 5-6 million and a lot more than that to fund the next in the DA series.

 

They also have MP to keep people engaged and, yes provide extra $$$ with micro transactions, which I'm not a fan of, but it is what it is. People just need to be strong and don't spend more than they can really afford to unlock that next big thing they want. Sadly for some gambling is too big an addiction and they get caught up.

 

Hell another year in development for DA2 would more than likely have seen a lot of the glaring issues sorted and been much better recieved. This game has had that and more.

 

Sure DA:I has been 'dumbed down' a bit for the masses who don't wish to micro manage every little thing on their character the way Divinity does, but that's ok, there's room for both. Hell I'm looking forward to BL The Pre-sequel - it doesn't get much more simple than that game formula.

 

So I'll be freezing and smashing enemies on Elpis, then be doing that and more in Thedas. Probably spending  more time in Thedas I'd expect looking at how much exploration there is and the different world states to explore.

 

They'll have the keep a month or so before release to get people excited, which is another great marketing tool, as well a great utility for fans. Serves both roles.

 

What the

[Sanunes]

You may well end up being right, time will tell, but...

 

If Larian can clear over 500k units of there niche RPG Divinity:Original Sin, released on PC only, with limited marketing,  I don't think BioWare/EA with their marketing muscle, releasing on 5 platforms will have too many problems clearing 5-6 million and a lot more than that to fund the next in the DA series.

 

They also have MP to keep people engaged and, yes provide extra $$$ with micro transactions, which I'm not a fan of, but it is what it is. People just need to be strong and don't spend more than they can really afford to unlock that next big thing they want. Sadly for some gambling is too big an addiction and they get caught up.

 

Hell another year in development for DA2 would more than likely have seen a lot of the glaring issues sorted and been much better recieved. This game has had that and more.

 

Sure DA:I has been 'dumbed down' a bit for the masses who don't wish to micro manage every little thing on their character the way Divinity does, but that's ok, there's room for both. Hell I'm looking forward to BL The Pre-sequel - it doesn't get much more simple than that game formula.

 

So I'll be freezing and smashing enemies on Elpis, then be doing that and more in Thedas. Probably spending  more time in Thedas I'd expect looking at how much exploration there is and the different world states to explore.

 

They'll have the keep a month or so before release to get people excited, which is another great marketing tool, as well a great utility for fans. Serves both roles.

 

What the

 

The thing is with all the "estimates" people are making about how the game must or will do, none of them have access to the financials that EA or BioWare executives do.  I am pretty sure EA must keep in mind the bottom line because of their investors and how Dragon Age 2 did, then of course in everyone's mind is the bankruptcy of THQ and how they they sold the UFC license to EA because they didn't make the two million copy break-even point for their third UFC title.

 

There might be a high amount of sales expected from Dragon Age: Inquisition, but I can't see EA taking a huge risk on any IP either unless they have calculated a safe bet, it was just like when they moved the release date from October to November. They probably looked at the release schedule and calculated what would be a good day to release the game, but at times I swear people make it seem that they think EA just threw a dart at a calendar and used that date for a release.