Activision: A Tragedy In Three Acts

[liaminh]

Interesting article, with some good stats...

http://trueslant.com/josephhayden/2009/11/16/activision-tragedy-warfare-hero-dj-band/

Thanks in large part to Acti’s own doing, DJ Hero was pushed out into an already-packed market of music and peripheral paraphernalia. And like the new guy getting on at 42nd street, DJ just couldn’t seem to find his legs on the overcrowded Top 20 train, let alone a seat.

Guitar Hero 5’s been on since Rector; he’s got a spot right in the middle of the car. And let’s not even start with Beatles: Rock Band – dude’s in the corner taking up three seats all to himself. *****...

[Apples]

Eh, sort of an amateur'ish article I thought on multiple levels.

He uses the NPD October numbers as the bread and butter of facts in the article, but overlooks that DJ Hero came out October 27th. So yes, a game with 4 days of sales potential is going to have difficulty stacking up to those with 31.

I also don't think he frames the discussion well in explaining the glut of other Hero-based games released in the past 6-8 months. There's (potentially) a more elaborate picture at work behind the scenes, but we don't see much of it, just some generalities that I could scrape off of any modern gaming blog.

[Xzyliac]

Eh, sort of an amateur'ish article I thought on multiple levels.

He uses the NPD October numbers as the bread and butter of facts in the article, but overlooks that DJ Hero came out October 27th. So yes, a game with 4 days of sales potential is going to have difficulty stacking up to those with 31.

I also don't think he frames the discussion well in explaining the glut of other Hero-based games released in the past 6-8 months. There's (potentially) a more elaborate picture at work behind the scenes, but we don't see much of it, just some generalities that I could scrape off of any modern gaming blog.This with an emphasis on the bold.

Plus, DJ Hero kicks ass and Acti has money to burn and isn't holding back on spending it in the Hero franchise so DJ Hero could financially flop and they'd still support it for at least 2 years. That would make me plenty happy.

[buijike]

I accept with information: In large part to Acti’s own doing, DJ Hero was pushed out into an already-packed market of music and peripheral paraphernalia. And like the new guy getting on at 42nd street, DJ just couldn’t seem to find his legs on the overcrowded Top 20 train, let alone a seat.

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[wolfdarkside]

theres a time and place for releasing what couldve been a hugely popular game. now people are ignoring it with all the other hero games.

the point is, youve got to work on each game until its the best you can make it, not until you can fit it into an Activision bonanza..

[Rock_Band_Over]

Right or wrong, that's not what the top brass at Activision are going for.

The writer of the article really looks like Bridget Moynahan.

[JHay808]

Hey everyone,

Writer of the article / rant here - thanks liaminh for thinking enough of it to submit to the RB forums.

Apples - thanks for reading. I also completely agree - there's a layer well beyond the DJ / Band Hero angle that can (and should) be explored.

However, my main point in this particular story bordered a bit more on the absurd - just as an amusing piece on Activision's mishandling of the brand.

I actually like DJ Hero a lot - especially for someone who was expecting a Beatmania redux. That's why I choose to make him out to be the true "hero" of the article. And while I know I didn't specify DJ Hero's release date, I tried to imply it by stating Band Hero came out 2 weeks after (on 11/03).

Truth is, I'm still pulling for the game, it deserves some good will.

[JHay808]

@Rock_Band_Over

I'm not that old, but she's got something nice about her. Thanks.

[DeadPhoenix223]

The book of tridentology; Chapter 77 Verse 7:

"i see a world.
in the near future.
the Music Genre is dead.
it's people have turned their backs.
those who stood and fought over which was the best have gone home to discuss other topics.
who will the chosen one be?

or will the genre just die a slow death.


we demand RB3."

as predicted in the reign of werewolf: the great prophet trident spoke.

[Apples]

Hey everyone,

Writer of the article / rant here - thanks liaminh for thinking enough of it to submit to the RB forums.

Apples - thanks for reading. I also completely agree - there's a layer well beyond the DJ / Band Hero angle that can (and should) be explored.

However, my main point in this particular story bordered a bit more on the absurd - just as an amusing piece on Activision's mishandling of the brand.

I actually like DJ Hero a lot - especially for someone who was expecting a Beatmania redux. That's why I choose to make him out to be the true "hero" of the article. And while I know I didn't specify DJ Hero's release date, I tried to imply it by stating Band Hero came out 2 weeks after (on 11/03).

Truth is, I'm still pulling for the game, it deserves some good will.

Hey there, thanks for joining the forums to drop in on the discussion. Hope I didn't come off too harsh on you, I do proofreading somewhat for a living so I tend to do that.

I think the angle that would get the best effect (maybe for a future blog) is that Activision has generated so much negative press over the past 2 years. (number of games, number of bad games, bad ports, etc, CEO saying he wants to raise prices exploit everything) And as a result of that negative backlash, they are having difficulty promoting their new flagship.

Even if the new game is very very good, the history and reputation of the company has created a lot of suspicion. And that suspicion combined with the high price point, economic times, glut of music games are all contributing factors.

[JHay808]

Apples,

Thanks for some good ideas there. I'm thinking about toying around with the negative press angle. It's also a shame that they could (potentially) overcrowd the market to a point where new music franchises can't make an impact - even properties from other pubs.

And as for coming off harsh, no worries - I enjoy any and all feedback (it's the only way you get a feel for what works and what doesn't)

[wolfdarkside]

you know, that may just be their strategy to bring down the other peripheral games with them, but tats just suicidal.
unless they stop throwing games out long enough to buy out other companies.
just my guess.

[Sixthbutton]

I'll buy band zero for $20 in the bargin bin, maybe. Just to get a fresh guitar