Why Do You Care If Shovelware Exists?

Look, I'm tired of people saying "Too much shovelware!!! Companies think the Wii is casual so they never make good games! Blah blah blah!!!", so in a similar fasion to my last post, I'm going to bring you some facts and hopefully shut you right up.

First of all, let's look at the worst-reviewed Wii games, according to Metacritic. Note that there are a number of shovelware titles at the bottom of the list.

We have the following games: Balls of Fury, Anubis II, Ninjabread Man, Jenga: World Tour, Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal, Chicken Shoot, Game Party, The Golden Compass, Dave Mirra BMX Challenge, Tamagotchi Party On!, Escape from Bug Island, Legend of the Dragon, Pool Party, Far Cry Vengeance, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Rapala Tournament Fishing!, GT Pro Series, Dancing with the Stars, Showtime Championship Boxing, Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast, Godzilla: Unleashed, The Ant Bully, Furu Furu Park, Happy Feet, Rampage: Total Destruction, World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions, Wing Island, Alien Syndrome, Indianapolis 500 Legends, and Open Season.

All of the games in this huge list scored below 50%: Shovelware.

Now, take a look at their sales figures, according to VGChartz:

Balls of Fury - No sales figures available. That's usually a sign that few people bought it.

Anubis II - Again, no sales figures.

Ninjabread Man - .03 Million sold (27,689)

Jenga: World Tour - .02 Million (22,442)

Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal - .06 Million (63,329)

Chicken Shoot - .003 Million (3,533)

Game Party - .10 Million (67,427 in US, 32,173 in 'Others')

The Golden Compass - .32 Million (210,570 in 'Others', 113,889 in US)

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge - .03 Million (25,079)

Tamagotchi Party On! - .13 Million (57,769 in Japan, 45,458 in US)

Escape from Bug Island - .02 Million (12,530 in Japan, 5,146 in US)

Legend of the Dragon - .02 Million (24,306)

Pool Party - .01 Million (6,174)

Far Cry Vengeance - .06 Million (59,034)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - .02 Million (21,629)

Rapala Tournament Fishing! - .16 Million (158,893)

GT Pro Series - .14 Million (115,645 in US, 22,595 in Japan)

Dancing with the Stars - No sales figures

Showtime Championship Boxing - .02 Million (21,402)

Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast - .30 Million (107,675 in 'Others', 107,408 in Japan, 83,167 in US)

Godzilla: Unleashed - .04 Million (43,036)

The Ant Bully - .02 Million (24,809)

Furu Furu Park - .004 Million (4,363)

Happy Feet - .35 Million (260,000 in 'Others', 90,614 in US)

Rampage: Total Destruction - .14 Million (137,461)

World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions - .03 Million (31,872)

Wing Island - .02 Million (8,853 in US, 7,329 in Japan)

Alien Syndrome - .03 Million (32,910)

Indianapolis 500 Legends - .01 Million (7,159)

Open Season - .05 Million (48,819)

...

...I could keep going, but I think you get the point.

No game sold more than 400,000 copies worldwide. There are over 20 million Wiis in the world, and not one of those games got even 2% of Wii owner's money. I'll say that again.

Less than TWO PERCENT of Wi owners bought any given title there, and in most cases, the number is less than half a percent. Some games aren't even worth mentioning.

Here's an example of how bad sales are for these games: Zack and Wiki, a game that everybody thought flopped, sold more than almost all of those games.

So, I'll ask it again, why do you care if shovelware exists?

Shovelware is lame, true, but how does it affect you in any way, shape, or form? You don't buy the games, hardly anybody else is buying these games, and these poor sales figures are a sign to the developers that these games don't sell.

To the people who say "Companies think the Wii is casual so they never make good games!" I have just one thing to say to you: Most of these companies are smaller, independant developers with little money. They make bad games because they have a low budget. When they start making some more money, they can afford to start making better games. They have to get money from somewhere, right?

Now that your face has been officially rocked, you may discuss.

We just think its annoying cause

1) it gives wii a bad name

2) the money+time could go into a good game

3) the helpless ignorant parents+n00bs are the victims of shovelware. Those numbers u posted are the casulties.

We just think its annoying cause

1) it gives wii a bad name

2) the money+time could go into a good game

3) the helpless ignorant parents+n00bs are the victims of shovelware. Those numbers u posted are the casulties.

kerv4005

1) Unless you're really insecure, why does that matter?

2)

To the people who say "Companies think the Wii is casual so they never make good games!" I have just one thing to say to you: Most of these companies are smaller, independant developers with little money. They make bad games because they have a low budget. When they start making some more money, they can afford to start making better games. They have to get money from somewhere, right?

bob_newman

3) The "ignorant parents+n00bs", as you put it, play these games and enjoy them. Here's proof

OK...I just said its annoying. kerv4005

Yeah, and I responded with legitimate answers. What's the problem here?

[QUOTE="kerv4005"]OK...I just said its annoying. bob_newman

Yeah, and I responded with legitimate answers. What's the problem here?

Nothing. U gave ur answer, then I did.

i care if shovelware exists cause stupid people buy them which encourages developers to make more crappy gamesmonkey2go

THanks for backing me up :p

[QUOTE="monkey2go"]i care if shovelware exists cause stupid people buy them which encourages developers to make more crappy gameskerv4005

THanks for backing me up :p

The sales are really low, if you read any of it.

Also, most of those devs don't have the money to make real games.

Yes, stupid people buy them. Luckily, only about 2% of the Wii owners are buying them.

I just think shovelware helps to popularize the myth that all 3rd-party Wii games suck. Ignorant parents who don't know any better buy their 3 kids a piece of crap like Ninjabread Man because it has a nice cover; then, upon realizing how much that game is a load of ****, go back to the tried-and-true method: only buy 1st-party games.benjaminjoel

Actually, the kids enjoy these games.

Read this thread. People who own them, like them.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.bob_newman

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.bob_newman

Because you're insecure.

[QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.kerv4005

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

My whole question is "why do you care?" If the game doesn't hurt you in any way, if the game doesn't affect your buying decisions in any way, then insecurity is the only answer.

I could care less if people see me picking up a game that is sitting next to Ninjabread Man because I'm not picking up Ninjabread Man.

[QUOTE="benjaminjoel"]I just think shovelware helps to popularize the myth that all 3rd-party Wii games suck. Ignorant parents who don't know any better buy their 3 kids a piece of crap like Ninjabread Man because it has a nice cover; then, upon realizing how much that game is a load of ****, go back to the tried-and-true method: only buy 1st-party games.bob_newman

Actually, the kids enjoy these games.

Read this thread. People who own them, like them.

Jaysonguy didn't address the REAL shovelware: Ninjabread Man, Chicken Shoot, Anubis II, M&Ms Kart Racing, etc. The majority of the games he mentioned, I actually LIKE.

[QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.c-joel1121

Because you're insecure.

I was trying to say that! Tho I dnd't know the right word. Argumentive...erg so many syllables

[QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.c-joel1121

Because you're insecure.

No, I don't like shovelware. I don't play it. I avoid it at all costs.

But that doesn't mean that it should bother me if a crappy game is sitting there.

[QUOTE="kerv4005"][QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.bob_newman

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

My whole question is "why do you care?" If the game doesn't hurt you in any way, if the game doesn't affect your buying decisions in any way, then insecurity is the only answer.

I could care less if people see me picking up a game that is sitting next to Ninjabread Man because I'm not picking up Ninjabread Man.

exactly. u asked an open question. Now u got an answer

[QUOTE="bob_newman"][QUOTE="kerv4005"][QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.kerv4005

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

My whole question is "why do you care?" If the game doesn't hurt you in any way, if the game doesn't affect your buying decisions in any way, then insecurity is the only answer.

I could care less if people see me picking up a game that is sitting next to Ninjabread Man because I'm not picking up Ninjabread Man.

exactly. u asked an open question. Now u got an answer

Why does it bother you that these games are sitting on the shelf though?

All you said is that it bothers you to see them there, you never said why.

[QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.kerv4005

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

[QUOTE="kerv4005"][QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.c-joel1121

Because you're insecure.

Eh, he just gave his opionin. Don't have to insult him.

Look, I'm not trying to insult you. I'm sure you're a mature guy.

I was just trying to find out why it bothers you to see shovelware sitting there. It's not like there isn't enough shelf space for the good games, right?

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"][QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.bob_newman

Because you're insecure.

No, I don't like shovelware. I don't play it. I avoid it at all costs.

But that doesn't mean that it should bother me if a crappy game is sitting there.

[QUOTE="bob_newman"][QUOTE="c-joel1121"][QUOTE="bob_newman"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Shovelware is garbage, it is garbage, in my OPINION. I just don't like picking up a game thats surrounded by shovelware.c-joel1121

Because you're insecure.

No, I don't like shovelware. I don't play it. I avoid it at all costs.

But that doesn't mean that it should bother me if a crappy game is sitting there.

Still didn't answer my only question. Planning on doing that any time soon?

you shouldnt let it bother you, that it bothers them. Otherwise you will get nowhere in this thread. I know it kinda gets annoying by people complaning and not liking shovelware. But i dont want to get into why it bothers them. i'll just focus on memakaveli_89

You're right.

But all I want to know is why it bothers them to see them sitting there. Nobody has given me an answer yet. I'm just wondering because I don't see how it could possibly bother someone...unless the game is swearing at them and calling them names.

Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.c-joel1121

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.makaveli_89

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Yeah, see my point?

Ok, good, it bothers you Joel. That's fine.

But "I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it" is not an answer to my question. You didn't say why it bothers you. That's all I want to know at this point.

The fact that you're not explaining it leaves the impression that you're insecure.

I'm sure you're not, but you're not explaining yourself.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.makaveli_89

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

[QUOTE="makaveli_89"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.c-joel1121

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Ok, that's great. Shovelware is garbage, yes.

But it doesn't affect how you buy your games. You still buy the "best" games, right? The games don't hurt you in any way, so it is as if they don't exist.

I mean, there are 2 completely different markets right now. One group of people likes 1, and another group likes the other.

Does it bother you that Vanilla Coke sits next to regular Coke, just because you don't like it?

[QUOTE="makaveli_89"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.c-joel1121

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Ok, I have to jump in

So do you follow this same path in other parts of entertainment?

Are there channels you don't like on your TV lineup? Do you not use the TV or complain to your provider to get rid of those channels?

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"][QUOTE="makaveli_89"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.Jaysonguy

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Ok, I have to jump in

So do you follow this same path in other parts of entertainment?

Are there channels you don't like on your TV lineup? Do you not use the TV or complain to your provider to get rid of those channels?

Don't forget about Vanilla Coke!

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"][QUOTE="makaveli_89"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.bob_newman

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Ok, that's great. Shovelware is garbage, yes.

But it doesn't affect how you buy your games. You still buy the "best" games, right? The games don't hurt you in any way, so it is as if they don't exist.

I mean, there are 2 completely different markets right now. One group of people likes 1, and another group likes the other.

Does it bother you that Vanilla Coke sits next to regular Coke, just because you don't like it?

I hope were on the same page now.c-joel1121

We're on the same page, but you still didn't tell me why it bothers you to pick up a game next to a crappy game.

That's cool though, I don't need to know. You don't seem to have a reason other than "it bothers me to see it there", but that's fine. I just would've liked to know why, but if you don't know, then it's all good.

I care that it exists a little. When I go to buy games, some stores decide to sell alot of shovelware so it makes it harder to find the good games. Jakendo

Hmm...intersting.

That's definitely not the case in my city. Stores here have 2 shelves dedicated to Wii games, which is already better than the Gamecube had (usually half a shelf). To me, more shelves = more variety.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"][QUOTE="makaveli_89"]

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]Why does it bother me, I already told you, I just don't like picking up a game with hannah montana next to it. I don't have to explain myself anymore to you. Its really just my opinion, don't get worked up over nothing.Jaysonguy

that really doesnt seem like a reasonable answer...bob, i take back what i said.

Ok, I have to jump in

So do you follow this same path in other parts of entertainment?

Are there channels you don't like on your TV lineup? Do you not use the TV or complain to your provider to get rid of those channels?

Shovelware isn't anything bad, but I'd rather see the independant companies work with companies like EA or Ubisoft, where they have more resources to create better games.

I don't really care if people see me picking up a game surrounded by shovelware. It only matters what is in the hand.

[QUOTE="c-joel1121"]

I hope were on the same page now.bob_newman

We're on the same page, but you still didn't tell me why it bothers you to pick up a game next to a crappy game.

That's cool though, I don't need to know. You don't seem to have a reason other than "it bothers me to see it there", but that's fine. I just would've liked to know why, but if you don't know, then it's all good.

ok I have a logical answer. I hate it because when my sister went to buy phantom hourglass and found they were sold out she bought some shovelware game instead and when she got home and played it she freaked out at how crappy it was and started screaming and I had to listen to it

so yeah I hate it

but tacos again

[QUOTE="bob_newman"][QUOTE="c-joel1121"]

I hope were on the same page now.c-joel1121

We're on the same page, but you still didn't tell me why it bothers you to pick up a game next to a crappy game.

That's cool though, I don't need to know. You don't seem to have a reason other than "it bothers me to see it there", but that's fine. I just would've liked to know why, but if you don't know, then it's all good.

Nah, I don't think you have some hidden reason, I just found it strange that you didn't have one. But now that you say that it's only a nitpicky thing, it's no biggie. Sometimes we don't have reasons for little things bugging us, they just do. I understand.