949 réponses à ce sujet

[AlanC9]

I still don't see where the damage control comes in.

[In Exile]

I still don't see where the damage control comes in.

I think the argument is that if a release is disastrous the company will take steps to distance itself from the product and brand to prepare for either a relaunch or to justify killing the line.

The example being how DA2 was paired with a giveaway of ME2 post release.

[Cobra's_back]

I think you are inserting a lot of personal opinion into what EA is thinking.  If Mass Effect 3 and SimCity were both humiliating to EA why wasn't there any public closing of BioWare offices or any other indication of EA being emotional.  The reason for that is EA doesn't care emotions they care about copies sold and pleasing their shareholders which is why CDPR can do some of the things they are doing.

 

I don't get the whole "fan requests" thing, just because there might be a group of people proclaiming something must be done doesn't mean a company should do it or that they truly represent the entire playerbase. BioWare released the Extended Cut of the ending seems to also show that EA/BioWare do listen to what people are saying, it might not be what you specifically were saying, but after it was released these forums calmed down quite a bit so it had to be what people were asking for.  There were people asking for multiplayer in Mass Effect so they added that as well, again not everyone wants it and it might not have been implemented in the way that everyone likes, but there are enough people enjoying it to keep the servers up still.

 

 

Excellent post! In the end of the day it should always be about increasing market share. I don't play "multiplayer" but I can totally respect the market that does.

[Majestic Jazz]

And I am still replaying ME3; found it had a great storyline. While I am no fan of Star children (eg; 'V' mini-series), still was pleased that my decisions lead to the creation of a Galactic force to oppose the Reapers. The colors of the conclusion did not spoil anything for me, as I had witnessed my choices made from the first two games echo in the third rather clearly.

And I believe the next EA shareholder report is released soon in June. Of course facts mean little to some people; hate is easier. Probably why the good doctors chose to move along elsewhere.

And lets see if EA still decides to withold sales figures for DAI.

Again, what are they hiding?

[Cobra's_back]

There is a nice write up in Forbes Jan 2015. The title  of the article is "In Praise Of Long Games: 'Dragon Age: Inquisition". This game fits nicely with people that love open world with a ton of content. I'm sure there will be plenty of people that play it for months.

 

The writer had this one comment that said it all: "there’s a particular sort of meditative feeling that comes with the ability to live in Thedas for a little while, and it’s the sort of thing no medium can do beside video games."

 

I heard the same about Skyrim when it released. Sure Bioware had software issues at the start, but they are fixing them.

 

 

Great job Bioware

[Majestic Jazz]

There is a nice write up in Forbes Jan 2015. The title of the article is "In Praise Of Long Games: 'Dragon Age: Inquisition". This game fits nicely with people that love open world with a ton of content. I'm sure there will be plenty of people that play it for months.

The writer had this one comment that said it all: "there’s a particular sort of meditative feeling that comes with the ability to live in Thedas for a little while, and it’s the sort of thing no medium can do beside video games."

I heard the same about Skyrim when it released. Sure Bioware had software issues at the start, but they are fixing them.


Great job Bioware

They also said this about DAI: http://www.forbes.co...ning-the-oscar/

And this: http://www.forbes.co...eplaying-games/

....And this: http://www.forbes.co...tifully-boring/

[Cobra's_back]

They also said this about DAI getting GOTY: http://www.forbes.co...ning-the-oscar/

And this: http://www.forbes.co...eplaying-games/

....And this: http://www.forbes.co...tifully-boring/

 

 

It is all about what market they were targeting. I don't think any game designer can capture all markets with one game. Open world  is not for everyone. The only thing that matters is profit.

 

I'm pretty sure some people thought cooking and mining were boring in Skyrim. However, the game was a success. 

[Hiemoth]

And lets see if EA still decides to withold sales figures for DAI.

Again, what are they hiding?

 

Nothing? Video game companies rarely release sales numbers outside the reports to stockholders, where in turn they are legally required to release them.

 

Why is it so important to you that DAI was a large scale failure? I mean if you didn't like and preferred TW3, that is more than fine, but why does it matter for you so much that other people dislike it? Does it somehow make your experience somehow more validated?

[Elhanan]

Nothing? Video game companies rarely release sales numbers outside the reports to stockholders, where in turn they are legally required to release them.
 
Why is it so important to you that DAI was a large scale failure? I mean if you didn't like and preferred TW3, that is more than fine, but why does it matter for you so much that other people dislike it? Does it somehow make your experience somehow more validated?

 
Because opinion > facts?

[leaguer of one]

 many gamers have a really short term memory and I think all companies rely too much on that especially Ubisoft, but that is another debate for another time.

No they don't.

[Melca36]

They also said this about DAI: http://www.forbes.co...ning-the-oscar/

And this: http://www.forbes.co...eplaying-games/

....And this: http://www.forbes.co...tifully-boring/

 

They also said this about DAI: http://www.forbes.co...ning-the-oscar/

And this: http://www.forbes.co...eplaying-games/

....And this: http://www.forbes.co...tifully-boring/

 

 

They're still making story dlc for it so I suggest you deal with the fact that theres a great many people who do enjoy it.

 

Forbes is also a FINANCIAL magazine. They have zero credibility and they have trashed other gaming companies as well.

 

Like I said...its been just said a few days ago that Inquisitions story is not done.  Sorry if that upsets you.

[Melca36]

 
Because opinion > facts?

 

Funny how Game Informer just posted something about more story DLC coming.   If that game is a miserable failure has the people claim it to be...they would have stopped all development on it.

[Elhanan]

They're still making story dlc for it so I suggest you deal with the fact that theres a great many people who do enjoy it.
 
Forbes is also a FINANCIAL magazine. They have zero credibility and they have trashed other gaming companies as well.
 
Like I said...its been just said a few days ago that Inquisitions story is not done.  Sorry if that upsets you.

I disagree. Forbes is still presenting an opinion on reviews, and being outside the industry, some may find them more reliable. And from a business perspective, they certainly will offer a deeper insight. However, their opinion is only as valid as another, and some prefer 1st Person Shooters to cRPG's; it's all subjective....

[Elhanan]

Funny how Game Informer just posted something about more story DLC coming.   If that game is a miserable failure has the people claim it to be...they would have stopped all development on it.

Here I agree. DA2 cancelled DLC; DAI is moving forward. Seems to be a fair indication of progress, if not success.

[CronoDragoon]

Those aren't Forbes employees. They are just independent bloggers that Forbes contracts and puts in their "contributor" sections.

 

And lets see if EA still decides to withold sales figures for DAI.

Again, what are they hiding?

 

So this is the new goalpost for those determined to see DA: I fail, eh?

[Majestic Jazz]

 

 

It is all about what market they were targeting. I don't think any game designer can capture all markets with one game. Open world  is not for everyone. The only thing that matters is profit.

 

I'm pretty sure some people thought cooking and mining were boring in Skyrim. However, the game was a success. 

 

It is not about what market they were targeting but the quality of their product. Clearly Bioware was trying to target the Skyrim crowd and to some degree, they achieved that, I mean you seem to be a Skyrim/Elder Scrolls fan and yet you enjoy DAI. However, that does not mean that they should abandon their core base either. Walt Disney Corporation has a reputation of being kid friendly as at the end of the day, that is their target demographic and alway have been. However, Disney has also done things to make Disney World attractive to adults without kids or even young 20-something adults. In Disney's endeavor to do this, Disney still remains true to what they are at the core, which is a place for young children to build magical memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

 

With Dragon Age: Inquisition, Bioware's core fanbase are those WRPG players who enjoy a tight story and character driven narrative. Bethesda's core fanbase are those WRPG players who enjoy a lose story narrative with an emphasis on exploration and building your own narrative. It is fine if Bioware wants to steal a few of those players from Bethesda to play their own game, but it should not be at the detriment to what the core Bioware fanbase in the end. What DAI did was totally ignore what put them on the map with games like KOTOR and Mass Effect in a bid to bring in another demographic and guess what, it shows and people are voicing their opinions.

 

Its great that you liked DAI and I hope you still continue to support Bioware in their many endeavors whether it be Dragon Age, Mass Effect, SWTOR, or their new IP. We can use new fans and I welcome you along. However, you are in the minority when it comes to enjoying the DAI approach to story-telling over the previous Bioware games. Again, the BSN bubble is a poor representation of the true opinions of DAI. One must venture outside of these forums and you'll see a huge riff of fans who find DAI boring, lacking in soul, boring protagonist, and too much fetch quest. Bioware, as they always do, will take notice of this and when it comes to developing DA4, I would expect that DA4 be more in line with what Bioware normally does in their games and not another veil attempt to make an Elder Scrolls: Dragon Age title.

 

 

 

 

Nothing? Video game companies rarely release sales numbers outside the reports to stockholders, where in turn they are legally required to release them.

 

Why is it so important to you that DAI was a large scale failure? I mean if you didn't like and preferred TW3, that is more than fine, but why does it matter for you so much that other people dislike it? Does it somehow make your experience somehow more validated?

 

Then explain why KOTOR, Jade Empire, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect 2, SWOTOR, and Mass Effect 3 all had their sales numbers released......except for Dragon Age: Inquisition???

 

Again, EA saying DAI is Bioware's biggest selling game means nothing without proof. Again, this is EA we are talking about and they will do whatever they have to do to make sure investors stay confident.

 

 

 

 
Because opinion > facts? 

 

If it is facts you seek and value, then why aren't you on board with EA releasing the sales figures for DAI? What do they have to hide?

 

 

 

They're still making story dlc for it so I suggest you deal with the fact that theres a great many people who do enjoy it.

 

Forbes is also a FINANCIAL magazine. They have zero credibility and they have trashed other gaming companies as well.

 

Like I said...its been just said a few days ago that Inquisitions story is not done.  Sorry if that upsets you.

 

There are many people who enjoy many things, despite the overall quality. Also DAI getting says nothing to me other than that DAI sold well enough for EA to grant Bioware extra funds to make more content. However, that still does not tell us how many sales DAI had overall which EA is withholding for whatever reasons, and that still does not mean that there are MANY flaws that DAI has that must and WILL be addressed in DA4.

 

Again, Dragon Age 2 wasn't the most popular DA games and yet it still received two large DLCs and was going to get a full blown expansion until they decided to just use that content for DAI.

 

 

 

Here I agree. DA2 cancelled DLC; DAI is moving forward. Seems to be a fair indication of progress, if not success.

 

You forget that DA2 received two large DLCs and yet DA2 wasn't a popular DA game. So what really is your point? That because if a game gets DLC that suddenly makes it a game free of flaws? 

[CronoDragoon]

Then explain why KOTOR, Jade Empire, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect 2, SWOTOR, and Mass Effect 3 all had their sales numbers released......except for Dragon Age: Inquisition???

Where did you find sales numbers for all those games?

 

Again, EA saying DAI is Bioware's biggest selling game means nothing without proof. Again, this is EA we are talking about and they will do whatever they have to do to make sure investors stay confident.

"Proof doesn't count as proof." If you think EA is lying to its investors about DA: I's sales then you are clueless about how the whole process works.

Then again, you clearly don't have a coherent stance. Assuming you are right that all those previous games had their sales numbers released....who do you think releases them? EA is telling the truth when it tells people how previous games sold but not for DA: I? Why? Because you don't want it to be true?

[Hiemoth]

Then explain why KOTOR, Jade Empire, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect 2, SWOTOR, and Mass Effect 3 all had their sales numbers released......except for Dragon Age: Inquisition???

 

Again, EA saying DAI is Bioware's biggest selling game means nothing without proof. Again, this is EA we are talking about and they will do whatever they have to do to make sure investors stay confident.

 

 

As was already, where did you get those sales figures? The only ones I've seen are sales estimates. As far as I know, the only time those numbers were released were to the shareholders during their reports.

 

As for EA's statement, you do understand that EA is a publically owned company, correct? And as such, if they make a clearly false statement relevant to their earnings, such as the sales of games, they would be in huge legal problems? You are following us on this, correct? They have to release those numbers to their investors and if, at that time, turns out that they are lying, they will face an insane lawsuit. This is not up for the debate, this is it what will happen, so what are you basing your idea that they are risking such a lawsuit on?

 

Also, you didn't answer my question. Why are you so insistant that DAI was really a sales failure? Why does it matter to you?

[Elhanan]

Another article from Forbes:

http://www.forbes.co...ir-stock-price/

[Majestic Jazz]

 

Also, you didn't answer my question. Why are you so insistant that DAI was really a sales failure? Why does it matter to you?

 

I never said DAI was a sales failure as I am sure it wasn't a sales flop. I am just saying that people equate EA saying that DAI was Biowares biggest launch with DAI being Bioware's best selling game. Wording is everything and like you said, trouble can ensue of they present false claims. This leads many to believe that DAI is probably behind Mass Effect 3 in terms of Bioware's best selling game but because EA does not want to publicly admit/show this, they instead look for another way to "word" DAI's success and they go with the "biggest launch" which is very vague and really does not tell us anything other than the game wasn't a flop which nobody really was expecting from the first place.

[LinksOcarina]

Again, not talking about sales figures but let's not forget that the release of Mass Effect 3 and the internet uproar over the A-B-C ending precipitated the resignations of the two doctors.  It was not a good time for EA, to put it mildly.

 

And in regards to The Sims franchise, you need to read up a little bit more on it because you're very misinformed in regards to its online functionality. I'm not going to go into it here but suffice it to say that the reason Sims 4 was missing over 100 key features is because of its development doing a sharp 180 from it being The Sims Online redux it was originally intended to be.

 

I get that, my point is what you are talking about doesn't really matter in the end regarding the success of the game to EA in that respect.

 

Simply put, who the f*ck cares about the internet uproar, Mass Effect made money and a majority of those people will be buying the next game anyway despite it. Not to mention a majority of the uproar is still not a majority of the people buying the game. And no, internet fervor on this, or any other forum is not a barometer of general mood, especially when you have opinion leaders fanning those flames to get more attention, or worse, proclaim fan theories as fact.  

 

And if that is the case with the Sims, well, you all asked for it not to be online, revamping stuff takes times like that, so no reason to complain about missing features I guess when a company tries to cater to you. I do not the play the Sims so I don't know, I just go by what i'm told by others who played the games and enjoyed them, including Sims 4. It' all second-hand to me.

[CronoDragoon]

This leads many to believe that DAI is probably behind Mass Effect 3 in terms of Bioware's best selling game but because EA does not want to publicly admit/show this, they instead look for another way to "word" DAI's success and they go with the "biggest launch" which is very vague and really does not tell us anything other than the game wasn't a flop which nobody really was expecting from the first place.

They said biggest launch because it's comparing like sample sizes, instead of comparing the lifetime sales of a game that's been out a few months with ones that have been out for years.

Where did you see sales numbers released for other BioWare games, by the way? I've always wanted a tally.

[LinksOcarina]

Another article from Forbes:

http://www.forbes.co...ir-stock-price/

 

See, I don't like the armchair analysis Forbes is doing here.

 

 

The Old Republic is turning a profit, Mass Effect 3 still sold regardless of the ending issues, the two wins as worst company in america mean nothing at all when it's a popularity poll on the internet, and the hyperbole as "EA's Greatest failures" is laughable, when people forget about the EA Spouse back in 2004 when Probst was in charge, as well as the homogenization of their games division from 2001-2005. You know, what Activision is doing right now but getting away with because people like their Call of Duty. 

 

I will say this, the financial analysis was really good. I feel like the secret to their success is not so much that games are becoming killer apps, but rather good games across the board. Lot's of sales through DLC and other monetization schemes, cutting back on their advertising budget, focusing on an online presence, that is where the key is to the good fiscal year thus far.

 

Cut out the first four paragraphs, I think the article would be better. This doesn't need to be an opinion piece. 

[LinksOcarina]

I never said DAI was a sales failure as I am sure it wasn't a sales flop. I am just saying that people equate EA saying that DAI was Biowares biggest launch with DAI being Bioware's best selling game. Wording is everything and like you said, trouble can ensue of they present false claims. This leads many to believe that DAI is probably behind Mass Effect 3 in terms of Bioware's best selling game but because EA does not want to publicly admit/show this, they instead look for another way to "word" DAI's success and they go with the "biggest launch" which is very vague and really does not tell us anything other than the game wasn't a flop which nobody really was expecting from the first place.

 

See, I actually agree with you, Mass Effect had a bigger launch and will likely have higher sales overall.

 

Everything else you have said though is wasted breath because of how impetuous your assertions are. And honestly, how off base they are in my opinion. Your entire reply to what I said before, completely pointless because all you are stating is opinion over fact. Not to mention everything listed is wholly narrow of scope of the gaming world, which sadly is the majority position.

 

That needs to change of course. 

[Majestic Jazz]

Here is the intial sales figures for KOTOR: 270,000 copies sold on the Xbox alone in the first two weeks.

 

Here is the initial sales figures for Mass Effect 3: 890,000 copies sold on the first day. 

 

Here is the initial sales figures for Dragon Age 2: Sells 1 million copies in a two week span. 

 

Here is the initial sales figures for Dragon Age: Origins: No mention on raw sales, but mentions it did ship 3.2 million copies in about a 3 month span. 

 

Here is the initial sales figures for Mass Effect 2: It sold 572,000 copies in Jan 2010 on the X360. The total number for that month was much higher as the PC sales were not included. 

 

Nothing solid on Mass Effect 1, but it is noted that before ME3 released, ME1 and ME2 combined a total of 7 million units sold.  As of today, the Mass Effect trilogy has sold over 14 million units. 

 

Only thing I cannot find solid info on is Jade Empire which was a Microsoft published game, not Electronic Arts.

 

Take from this what you will, but what can be seen is that for these past titles, numbers were revealed that told the story of how well the game did initially after launch. Of course we do not have total sales figures, but still, we have something. With DAI, NO numbers what so ever have been released to support a claim that it is the biggest launch for Bioware. This leads me to believe that DAI in no way has sold better than that of Mass Effect 3 which is something that EA may not want to publicly admit to.