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Games => Alien-Predator Games => Aliens: Colonial Marines => Topic started by: ikarop on May 10, 2013, 08:12:28 AM

Title: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: ikarop on May 10, 2013, 08:12:28 AM
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/05/10/aliens-colonial-marines-ships-1-3-million-copies-sega-to-publish-5-ps-vita-titles-this-year/ (http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/05/10/aliens-colonial-marines-ships-1-3-million-copies-sega-to-publish-5-ps-vita-titles-this-year/)
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Kronnang_Dunn on May 10, 2013, 12:38:20 PM
Quote from: ikarop on May 10, 2013, 08:12:28 AM
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/05/10/aliens-colonial-marines-ships-1-3-million-copies-sega-to-publish-5-ps-vita-titles-this-year/ (http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/05/10/aliens-colonial-marines-ships-1-3-million-copies-sega-to-publish-5-ps-vita-titles-this-year/)

That's a lot of copies...  :o
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 03:31:34 PM
And that doesn't include digital copies. Yeah; this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone - with all the pre-release hype and whatnot. I'm not going to forget all the hype that was largely for naught, but I can move on.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 10, 2013, 05:16:17 PM
Still won't turn a profit. I doubt digital sales were more than 100,000.

Suck it, ACM.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 05:41:48 PM
They did make profit, whether we like it or not. Do I like it? Not in particular, because I had high expectations for the game - but I can move along and it is better move along - there's little to be gained with "fück this sh1t" commenting.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Elicas on May 10, 2013, 06:29:15 PM
Quote from: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 05:41:48 PM
They did make profit, whether we like it or not. Do I like it? Not in particular, because I had high expectations for the game - but I can move along and it is better move along - there's little to be gained with "fück this sh1t" commenting.

It didn't make anywhere near a profit. $65mil budget (including marketing) means they needed to sell 1,083,333 copies at $60 to make back the initial investment. However, they don't get back the entirety of the sale due to retail/transportation/storage costs. General return is around 30% of a physical sale and 70% on a digital sale, meaning they needed to sell either 3,611,111 physical copies ($18 return per copy(RPC)) or 1,547,619 digital copies ($42 RPC). With consoles seeing the major part of the sale stats for this title, using the admittedly unreliable VGchartz, we can see ~750,000 physical copies of A:CM sold and ~650,000 of those were on console. This would mean another ~550,000 sales coming from online retailers and direct to drive services like Steam. I'd estimate the largest percentage of those being online orders, as we tracked A:CM at release on steam never going above 25,000 users.

750,000 physical copies sold at full price with an $18 RPC makes $13,500,000
Estimate 500,000 physical copies via online retailers with an $18 RPC makes $9,000,000
Estimate 50,000 digital copies with a $42 RPC makes $2,100,000

That makes an estimated current return of $24,600,000. Factor in exchange rates for the euro and the pound sterling, a few thousand extra dollars from collectors editions and a significant drop from their RPC from a game on sale and you see that number drop even further. A $10 game sold at retail will generally find a return of $3 to the publisher, ($7 digital download, which is why so many indie steam games are priced around the $10-$12 mark) and I feel I can say pretty emphatically they've made less than $20 mil back on A:CM so far.

These small RPC margins are why you see games selling in the multi-millions like Tomb Raider, Resi Evil 6, Hitman Absolution etc. reported as 'disappointing' and 'under-performing sales targets'.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 07:19:39 PM
There are no reliable sources for the supposed budget. Not just any allegations will do.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Attack.no1 on May 10, 2013, 07:44:08 PM
How many people got their money back?
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Elicas on May 10, 2013, 08:01:17 PM
Quote from: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 07:19:39 PM
There are no reliable sources for the supposed budget. Not just any allegations will do.

All AAA development is reaching the 50mil to 100mil budgeting mark, 65mil is very middle of the road for a modern AAA release, especially one that has been in development for so many years.

Tomb Raider shipped 3.4 million copies and didn't make money.
Hitman Absolution shipped 3.6 million copies and didn't make money.
Sleeping Dogs shipped 1.75 million copies and didn't make money.

You really think a AAA title shipping 1.3 million units made a profit? That's delusional thinking, never in a million years.

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-huge-slump-in-na-sales-hurt-tomb-raider-hitman-sleeping-dogs-6406625 (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/square-enix-huge-slump-in-na-sales-hurt-tomb-raider-hitman-sleeping-dogs-6406625)
http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/27/analyst-tomb-raider-cost-100-million-needs-10-million-sales-to-succeed/ (http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/27/analyst-tomb-raider-cost-100-million-needs-10-million-sales-to-succeed/)
http://www.gamechup.com/reason-for-tomb-raiders-inadequate-sales-performance-revealed/ (http://www.gamechup.com/reason-for-tomb-raiders-inadequate-sales-performance-revealed/)
http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/tomb-raider-needs-to-sell-5-million-to-break-even/ (http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/tomb-raider-needs-to-sell-5-million-to-break-even/)

A studio shipping nigh on 9 million copies of just three games posted a massive loss of over 10 BILLION yen;

http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/26/square-enix-expects-extraordinary-loss-in-next-financial-report/ (http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/26/square-enix-expects-extraordinary-loss-in-next-financial-report/)

had their President resign because of it;

http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/26/square-president-yoichi-wada-resigns-following-financial-revision/ (http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/26/square-president-yoichi-wada-resigns-following-financial-revision/)

and has also resulted in them laying off staff at the studios that made their three best critically received games;

http://www.vg247.com/2013/04/29/square-enix-confirm-lay-offs-at-european-and-uk-offices/ (http://www.vg247.com/2013/04/29/square-enix-confirm-lay-offs-at-european-and-uk-offices/)

A:CM's paltry 1.3 mil sales are an absolute drip in the ocean when you think about the years of funding for Gearbox, the marketing, the funding for Timegate and the funding for the WiiU version which they will never recoup a penny on (as it's been cancelled when nearly finished).

They have not made a profit.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: ShadowPred on May 10, 2013, 09:14:06 PM
A:CM wishes they made their money back, no way a AAA title, as this was hyped up to be, is gonna earn it's money back on these kind of numbers. These numbers worry me, especially since it was nearly two years ago when I read that a AAA title would have to sell 2 million copies just to break even. I have no idea how bad it's gotten since then, so there's no way these numbers are anything for Gearbox or Sega to cheer about.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: WinterActual on May 11, 2013, 05:01:43 AM
The only guys who think that ACM is AAA title are Ratty and his crew  ::)
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 11, 2013, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Elicas on May 10, 2013, 08:01:17 PM
Tomb Raider shipped 3.4 million copies and didn't make money.
Hitman Absolution shipped 3.6 million copies and didn't make money.
Sleeping Dogs shipped 1.75 million copies and didn't make money.
That sounds an awful lot like "hollywood accounting" if they "didn't make money". If that's true, no video game companies would make games ever since it's obviously not profitable.
I'm entirely confident that A:CM (and the other games you mentioned) made plenty of money. Perhaps didn't meet their (unrealistic) sales expectations, but they definitely turned a profit.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Inverse Effect on May 11, 2013, 10:38:40 AM
So where exactly are these millions of people?i find myself having to wait an hour to find anyone on bughunt on badass. And that is if im lucky. Which is BS Naruto Storm 3 sold 1M and you only have to wait less then a minute to get someone to play with you
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Elicas on May 11, 2013, 11:28:00 AM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 11, 2013, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Elicas on May 10, 2013, 08:01:17 PM
Tomb Raider shipped 3.4 million copies and didn't make money.
Hitman Absolution shipped 3.6 million copies and didn't make money.
Sleeping Dogs shipped 1.75 million copies and didn't make money.
That sounds an awful lot like "hollywood accounting" if they "didn't make money". If that's true, no video game companies would make games ever since it's obviously not profitable.
I'm entirely confident that A:CM (and the other games you mentioned) made plenty of money. Perhaps didn't meet their (unrealistic) sales expectations, but they definitely turned a profit.

That's what I though as well, until the studios who made these games had layoffs across the board. You don't gut studios who make you a profit on their releases (outside of the extra contract temps every studio hires). When your 'most successful' studios need major restructuring because they're not making enough money... yup, they spent far too much developing those games.

Even the LA division who handles their MMO's and marketing got slashed, with a 50% cut to some departments.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/square-enix-los-angeles-layoff-details-ceo-rumored-to-be-out-by/ (http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/square-enix-los-angeles-layoff-details-ceo-rumored-to-be-out-by/)

Massive budgets are hardly new nowadays, not that I'm saying A:CM was anywhere near this, but there we are.

http://www.gamechup.com/is-gta-5-the-most-expensive-single-player-game-ever-137-million-estimated/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_43636 (http://www.gamechup.com/is-gta-5-the-most-expensive-single-player-game-ever-137-million-estimated/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_43636)

A game whose sale targets to turn a profit is 18 million copies.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 11, 2013, 06:18:20 PM
I think you're not making the distinction between "meet (unrealistic) sales expectations" and "turn a profit".

All the game has to do is generate more revenue than it cost to make, and it turned a profit. It might not have met sales expectations, which led to layoffs, but that doesn't mean it didn't turn a profit.

Keep in mind that all of your examples (Tomb Raider, Hitman Absolution) have been Square Enix games, and Square is notoriously unrealistic about its projected sales expectations.

I don't disagree that game budgets are mega-bloated, mind you.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: jyoung on May 11, 2013, 07:27:41 PM
Copies shipped does not equal copies sold.

I'd wager most game shelves are full of unsold copies of this game.

Not to mention the high amount of people who probably bought it, beat it, then immediately sold it or traded it in.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: ShadowPred on May 11, 2013, 08:04:19 PM
Tomb Raider apparently had to make at least 5 Million in order to break even.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 11, 2013, 11:48:16 PM
Quote from: vonVince on May 10, 2013, 05:41:48 PM
They did make profit, whether we like it or not. Do I like it? Not in particular, because I had high expectations for the game - but I can move along and it is better move along - there's little to be gained with "fück this sh1t" commenting.

WRONG
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 11, 2013, 11:52:22 PM
Quote from: ShadowPred on May 11, 2013, 08:04:19 PM
Tomb Raider apparently had to make at least 5 Million in order to break even.
That still sounds like "hollywood accounting" to me. If that were anywhere close to true, the studio would be full-on closing its doors for good as "video games" is obviously an unsustainable and unprofitable market.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 12, 2013, 12:01:04 AM
Quote from: ShadowPred on May 11, 2013, 08:04:19 PM
Tomb Raider apparently had to make at least 5 Million in order to break even.

I don't believe that. I think Sqaure was just being unrealistic about a game with great SP and bad/average MP.

The game will make profit. It sold 3.4 million copies in one month. Think about all the copies after a year.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: ShadowPred on May 12, 2013, 12:06:44 AM
http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/02/the-rise-of-costs-the-fall-of-gaming/ (http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/02/the-rise-of-costs-the-fall-of-gaming/)



Also, from the article, a list of all who went under since 2006 to 2012:



Quote3D Realms – 2009
7 Studios (Activision) – 2011
ACES Studio (Microsoft) – 2009
Action Forms – 2009
Artech Studios – 2011
Ascaron – 2009
Atomic Elbow – 2008
Backbone Vancouver
Beam Software/Melbourne House – 2010
BigBig (Sony) – 2012
Bizarre Creations (Activision) – 2010/2011
Black Rock (Disney) – 2011
Blue Fang Games - 2011
Blue Tongue (THQ) – 2011
BottleRocket – 2009
Brash Entertainment – 2008
Budcat (Activision) – 2010
Carbonated Games – 2008
Castaway Entertainment – 2008
Cheyenne Mountain – 2010
Cing – 2010
Clover Studios (Capcom) – 2006
Codemasters Guildford – 2011
Cohort Studios – 2011
Concrete Games – 2008
Dark Energy Digital – 2012
Deep Silver Vienna – 2010
DICE Canada – 2006
Digital Anvil – 2006
EA Chicago – 2007
EA Bright Light – 2011/2012
EA Japan – 2007
Eidos Manchester – 2009
Eidos Hungary – 2010
Empire Interactive – 2009
Ensemble Studios (Microsoft) – 2008
Factor 5 – 2009
FASA (Microsoft) – 2007
Fizz Factor – 2009
Flagship Studios – 2008
Flight Plan – 2010
Frozen North Productions
FuzzyEyes – 2009
Gamelab – 2009
Game Republic – 2011
GRIN – 2009
Groove Games – 2010
Helixe (THQ) – 2008
Hudson Entertainment – 2011
Humannature Studio (Nexon Vancouver) – 2009
Ignition London – 2010
Ignition Florida – 2010
Incognito Entertainment (Sony) – 2009
Indie Built (Take-Two) – 2006
Iron Lore – 2008
Juice Games (THQ) – 2011
Kaos Studios (THQ) – 2011
Killaware – 2011
Killspace Entertainment – 2011
KMM Brisbane – 2011
Krome Studios (might still be operating on skeleton crew) – 2010
Kuju Manila – 2009
Kuju Chemistry – 2009
Kush Games – 2008
Locomotive Games (THQ) – 2010
Loose Cannon Studios – 2010
Luxoflux – 2010
Mass Media (THQ) – 2008
Monte Cristo – 2010
Monumental Games – 2012
Midway Austin – 2009
Midway Newcastle – 2009
MTV Games – 2011
Multiverse – 2012
NetDevil – 2011
Ninja Studio – 2009
Nihon Telenet – 2007
Outerlight – 2010
PAM Development (Take-Two) – 2008
Pandemic Australia (EA) – 2009
Pandemic LA (EA) – 2009
Paradigm Entertainment – 2008
Pi Studios – 2011
Pivotal Games (Take-Two) – 2008
Propaganda Games (Disney) – 2011
Pseudo Interactive – 2008
Radical Entertainment – 2012
Rainbow Studios (THQ) – 2011
Razorworks – 2009
Realtime Worlds – 2010
Reakktor Media – 2012
Rebellion Derby – 2010
Red Octane – 2010
Redtribe – 2008
Rockstar Vienna – 2006
Sandblast Games (THQ) – 2008
SEGA San Francisco – 2010
Sensory Sweep Studios – 2010
Seta – 2008
Shaba Games (Activision) – 2009
SideCar Studios – 2007
Sierra Online – 2008
Snapdragon Games – 2009
SOE Denver – 2011
SOE Seattle – 2011
SOE Tuscon – 2011
Stormfront Studios – 2008
Straylight Studios – 2009
Team Bondi – 2011
The Code Monkeys – 2011
Titan Studios – 2009
THQ Studio Australia – 2009
THQ Digital Warrington – 2009
Transmission Games/IR Gurus – 2009
Ubisoft Brazil – 2010
Ubisoft Vancouver – 2012
Underground Development/Z-Axis (Activision) – 2010
Universomo (THQ) – 2009
Venom Games (Take Two) – 2008
Vicarious Visions California – 2007
Visceral Australia (EA) – 2011
Wolfpack Studios – 2006
Yuke's Company Of America – 2010
Zoe Mode London - 2009
Zoonami – 2011
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 12, 2013, 01:14:20 AM
I hope Gearbox gets added to that list. The wrath of ACM will haunt them for a long time. I can feel it.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Inverse Effect on May 12, 2013, 03:20:30 AM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 12, 2013, 01:14:20 AM
I hope Gearbox gets added to that list. The wrath of ACM will haunt them for a long time. I can feel it.

It will. Video game companies can't afford to make a loss nowadays on games or make bad business judgments.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 12, 2013, 03:32:39 AM
Quote from: ShadowPred on May 12, 2013, 12:06:44 AM
http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/02/the-rise-of-costs-the-fall-of-gaming/ (http://www.notenoughshaders.com/2012/07/02/the-rise-of-costs-the-fall-of-gaming/)



Also, from the article, a list of all who went under since 2006 to 2012:



Quote3D Realms – 2009
7 Studios (Activision) – 2011
ACES Studio (Microsoft) – 2009
Action Forms – 2009
Artech Studios – 2011
Ascaron – 2009
Atomic Elbow – 2008
Backbone Vancouver
Beam Software/Melbourne House – 2010
BigBig (Sony) – 2012
Bizarre Creations (Activision) – 2010/2011
Black Rock (Disney) – 2011
Blue Fang Games - 2011
Blue Tongue (THQ) – 2011
BottleRocket – 2009
Brash Entertainment – 2008
Budcat (Activision) – 2010
Carbonated Games – 2008
Castaway Entertainment – 2008
Cheyenne Mountain – 2010
Cing – 2010
Clover Studios (Capcom) – 2006
Codemasters Guildford – 2011
Cohort Studios – 2011
Concrete Games – 2008
Dark Energy Digital – 2012
Deep Silver Vienna – 2010
DICE Canada – 2006
Digital Anvil – 2006
EA Chicago – 2007
EA Bright Light – 2011/2012
EA Japan – 2007
Eidos Manchester – 2009
Eidos Hungary – 2010
Empire Interactive – 2009
Ensemble Studios (Microsoft) – 2008
Factor 5 – 2009
FASA (Microsoft) – 2007
Fizz Factor – 2009
Flagship Studios – 2008
Flight Plan – 2010
Frozen North Productions
FuzzyEyes – 2009
Gamelab – 2009
Game Republic – 2011
GRIN – 2009
Groove Games – 2010
Helixe (THQ) – 2008
Hudson Entertainment – 2011
Humannature Studio (Nexon Vancouver) – 2009
Ignition London – 2010
Ignition Florida – 2010
Incognito Entertainment (Sony) – 2009
Indie Built (Take-Two) – 2006
Iron Lore – 2008
Juice Games (THQ) – 2011
Kaos Studios (THQ) – 2011
Killaware – 2011
Killspace Entertainment – 2011
KMM Brisbane – 2011
Krome Studios (might still be operating on skeleton crew) – 2010
Kuju Manila – 2009
Kuju Chemistry – 2009
Kush Games – 2008
Locomotive Games (THQ) – 2010
Loose Cannon Studios – 2010
Luxoflux – 2010
Mass Media (THQ) – 2008
Monte Cristo – 2010
Monumental Games – 2012
Midway Austin – 2009
Midway Newcastle – 2009
MTV Games – 2011
Multiverse – 2012
NetDevil – 2011
Ninja Studio – 2009
Nihon Telenet – 2007
Outerlight – 2010
PAM Development (Take-Two) – 2008
Pandemic Australia (EA) – 2009
Pandemic LA (EA) – 2009
Paradigm Entertainment – 2008
Pi Studios – 2011
Pivotal Games (Take-Two) – 2008
Propaganda Games (Disney) – 2011
Pseudo Interactive – 2008
Radical Entertainment – 2012
Rainbow Studios (THQ) – 2011
Razorworks – 2009
Realtime Worlds – 2010
Reakktor Media – 2012
Rebellion Derby – 2010
Red Octane – 2010
Redtribe – 2008
Rockstar Vienna – 2006
Sandblast Games (THQ) – 2008
SEGA San Francisco – 2010
Sensory Sweep Studios – 2010
Seta – 2008
Shaba Games (Activision) – 2009
SideCar Studios – 2007
Sierra Online – 2008
Snapdragon Games – 2009
SOE Denver – 2011
SOE Seattle – 2011
SOE Tuscon – 2011
Stormfront Studios – 2008
Straylight Studios – 2009
Team Bondi – 2011
The Code Monkeys – 2011
Titan Studios – 2009
THQ Studio Australia – 2009
THQ Digital Warrington – 2009
Transmission Games/IR Gurus – 2009
Ubisoft Brazil – 2010
Ubisoft Vancouver – 2012
Underground Development/Z-Axis (Activision) – 2010
Universomo (THQ) – 2009
Venom Games (Take Two) – 2008
Vicarious Visions California – 2007
Visceral Australia (EA) – 2011
Wolfpack Studios – 2006
Yuke's Company Of America – 2010
Zoe Mode London - 2009
Zoonami – 2011
Probably worth pointing out that a lot of those didn't actually "go under", but instead became part of different studios/changed names/were acquired by other companies, etc. The companies might not exist under those exact names, but the people working for them still work within the games industry making video games.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 12, 2013, 05:00:54 AM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 11, 2013, 06:18:20 PM
I think you're not making the distinction between "meet (unrealistic) sales expectations" and "turn a profit".

All the game has to do is generate more revenue than it cost to make, and it turned a profit. It might not have met sales expectations, which led to layoffs, but that doesn't mean it didn't turn a profit.

Keep in mind that all of your examples (Tomb Raider, Hitman Absolution) have been Square Enix games, and Square is notoriously unrealistic about its projected sales expectations.

I don't disagree that game budgets are mega-bloated, mind you.
You haven't countered his estimate. He provided valid argument and evidence.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 12, 2013, 01:05:26 PM
There's other variables that his estimate isn't accounting for, and also doesn't include sales numbers for digital copies.

That and I countered his estimate with basic common sense - if what he's saying is true, where even highly-regarded, well received games that sell millions of copies are considered "failures", then the game industry would have imploded ages ago. The fact that video games are still made shows that there's something wrong with his numbers.
"Hollywood accounting" works the same way - sales figures can be manipulated in such a way that it's a "valid" interpretation that a movie was a total failure, but that doesn't mean it was actually true or even makes sense.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 13, 2013, 06:15:39 AM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 12, 2013, 01:05:26 PM
There's other variables that his estimate isn't accounting for, and also doesn't include sales numbers for digital copies.

That and I countered his estimate with basic common sense - if what he's saying is true, where even highly-regarded, well received games that sell millions of copies are considered "failures", then the game industry would have imploded ages ago. The fact that video games are still made shows that there's something wrong with his numbers.
"Hollywood accounting" works the same way - sales figures can be manipulated in such a way that it's a "valid" interpretation that a movie was a total failure, but that doesn't mean it was actually true or even makes sense.
You forgot how much time and money was invested in A:CM compared to other games reaching millions. Cost is difference. You didn't mention that.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Xenomrph on May 13, 2013, 09:16:21 AM
Quote from: demonbane on May 13, 2013, 06:15:39 AM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 12, 2013, 01:05:26 PM
There's other variables that his estimate isn't accounting for, and also doesn't include sales numbers for digital copies.

That and I countered his estimate with basic common sense - if what he's saying is true, where even highly-regarded, well received games that sell millions of copies are considered "failures", then the game industry would have imploded ages ago. The fact that video games are still made shows that there's something wrong with his numbers.
"Hollywood accounting" works the same way - sales figures can be manipulated in such a way that it's a "valid" interpretation that a movie was a total failure, but that doesn't mean it was actually true or even makes sense.
You forgot how much time and money was invested in A:CM compared to other games reaching millions. Cost is difference. You didn't mention that.
We don't know what the game's actual budget was, and we also don't know how many digital copies of the game sold. Gearbox and Sega didn't lay anybody off that we know of (nor did either of them cancel any other projects due to Colonial Marines being some kind of financially crippling failure or something like that) so I'm pretty confident they made some money out of the whole endeavor.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 13, 2013, 10:16:38 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 13, 2013, 09:16:21 AM
Quote from: demonbane on May 13, 2013, 06:15:39 AM
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 12, 2013, 01:05:26 PM
There's other variables that his estimate isn't accounting for, and also doesn't include sales numbers for digital copies.

That and I countered his estimate with basic common sense - if what he's saying is true, where even highly-regarded, well received games that sell millions of copies are considered "failures", then the game industry would have imploded ages ago. The fact that video games are still made shows that there's something wrong with his numbers.
"Hollywood accounting" works the same way - sales figures can be manipulated in such a way that it's a "valid" interpretation that a movie was a total failure, but that doesn't mean it was actually true or even makes sense.
You forgot how much time and money was invested in A:CM compared to other games reaching millions. Cost is difference. You didn't mention that.
We don't know what the game's actual budget was, and we also don't know how many digital copies of the game sold. Gearbox and Sega didn't lay anybody off that we know of (nor did either of them cancel any other projects due to Colonial Marines being some kind of financially crippling failure or something like that) so I'm pretty confident they made some money out of the whole endeavor.

W/e makes you sleep at night. This game did not sell many copies on digital download. I would bet the house on that. This game is going to take a loss. The numbers will surface sooner or later.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Local Trouble on May 14, 2013, 03:07:35 AM
Did you buy another copy like I suggested?
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 14, 2013, 04:40:53 AM
Quote from: Local Trouble on May 14, 2013, 03:07:35 AM
Did you buy another copy like I suggested?
Why should anyone do that to support this scam further?
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PsyKore on May 15, 2013, 05:53:37 AM
1.3 million victims conned.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 15, 2013, 07:05:33 PM
Quote from: PsyKore on May 15, 2013, 05:53:37 AM
1.3 million victims conned.
It is shipped, not sold. There is a huge difference between the two.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PsyKore on May 16, 2013, 03:39:47 AM
Yeah... it's a joke mate.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
Glad it failed. May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: ShadowPred on May 16, 2013, 11:15:24 PM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.


They never do.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 11:41:13 PM
Quote from: ShadowPred on May 16, 2013, 11:15:24 PM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.


They never do.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 17, 2013, 04:46:52 AM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
Glad it failed. May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.
Or pass the licence to a better caretaker.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 17, 2013, 08:45:49 AM
Quote from: demonbane on May 17, 2013, 04:46:52 AM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
Glad it failed. May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.
Or pass the licence to a better caretaker.

That's what I am REALLY hoping for.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: demonbane on May 18, 2013, 01:52:53 AM
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-aliens-colonial-marines-managed-1-31-million-sales (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-aliens-colonial-marines-managed-1-31-million-sales)

It says sales not shipped. Odd. Did they manage to sell more within a month? Or are they lying through their teeth to hide the damage?
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: PRI. HUDSON on May 18, 2013, 08:20:59 AM
Quote from: demonbane on May 18, 2013, 01:52:53 AM
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-aliens-colonial-marines-managed-1-31-million-sales (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-10-aliens-colonial-marines-managed-1-31-million-sales)

It says sales not shipped. Odd. Did they manage to sell more within a month? Or are they lying through their teeth to hide the damage?

Doesn't matter. Rumored budget was large, 65 mill. 1.31 million copies would still put them in the red.
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Corporal Hicks on May 27, 2013, 01:14:46 PM
Quote from: demonbane on May 17, 2013, 04:46:52 AM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
Glad it failed. May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.
Or pass the licence to a better caretaker.

If I remember rightly the new Creative Assembly game is the last one under Sega's license?
Title: Re: 1.3 Million Copies Shipped
Post by: Valaquen on May 27, 2013, 01:20:34 PM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 11:41:13 PM
Quote from: ShadowPred on May 16, 2013, 11:15:24 PM
Quote from: PRI. HUDSON on May 16, 2013, 10:21:18 PM
May force SEGA to really put some effort into the next game.


They never do.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

The dream is over.