Why won't MadWorld sell well? EDIT: Approved by the BBFC for the UK today.

I've seen people say this almost every time the game MadWorld is up for discussion:

"Looks like a great game. It's too bad it won't sell too well."

Why won't it sell well?

Everyone has their own opinion and I just want to know why people think this.

EDIT: Funny enough, the BBFC (who rates games and entertainment to see what can and can't enter the UK) rated MadWorld TODAY and they gave MadWorld a 18+ / M rating. It'll be coming to the UK too despite what many of us thought.

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/01/15/madworld-rated-18-british-market

Because its target audience are the people who hang out here: young adult male gamers, which only contribute a very, very, small part of the Wii install base.

If it's a fun and polished game, I think it'll sell pretty well because of word of mouth. It has shock value going for it, and I doubt that this game will be released amongst a silent media worldwide. Videogame naysayers keep saying that violent games give you points for killing things, which hasn't really been true recently, but Madworld fits that description perfectly. I think that the art style of the game will also draw the media's attention, since it artistically emphasizes the violence more than most games.

Media attention, even though it will be negative, will probably have a positive effect on sales. The downside in terms of sales is that teenagers won't be able to easily get a copy, but those who really want to play it will find a way. I wouldn't expect sales figures that rival a first-party Nintendo game, but I also wouldn't expect a complete failure. The previews are making the game look very fun, so as long as it gets a sufficient amount of polish and has enough gameplay to warrant a $50 purchase, it should do pretty well.

Because its target audience are the people who hang out here: young adult male gamers, which only contribute a very, very, small part of the Wii install base.

Super-Mario-Fan

[QUOTE="Super-Mario-Fan"]

Because its target audience are the people who hang out here: young adult male gamers, which only contribute a very, very, small part of the Wii install base.

Grinning_Demon

[QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"][QUOTE="Super-Mario-Fan"]

Because its target audience are the people who hang out here: young adult male gamers, which only contribute a very, very, small part of the Wii install base.

garrett_duffman

anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. garrett_duffman

If Madworld gets the media attention that I expect it to, then its lack of a previous fanbase won't matter as much. People tend to be more interested in things they recognize, and the media might dwell on it enough to make it recognizable. Again, it won't see amazing sales figures, but for what it is, I doubt it will be considered a failure.

Contrary to popular belief, M rated titles sell just fine on the console. The adult male sterotype hold a very large portion of the system's audience, which is evidant in games like RE4 and red steel. But that's irrelevant. Because the game is so much tougher, more brutal than the average M rated titles on the market. Madworld actually influences consumers to enjoy blood, to enjoy the kill itself, and we all know that is the big problem here. Cod is doing just fine even though there is blood, Gears of war is doing just fine even though there is blood. even RE4 did exceptionally well even though there is a hell of a lot of blood there. But none of the titles mentioned made killing so creative and fun that it actually looks attractive.

Madworld fits in a category that includes no more heroes, manhunt, and the such. the kind that makes killing fun for a psycho. It's not because of the style and it's not because it's on Wii. Personally, i believe that the reason why MW won't sell well is because of it's ....well ... being. the whole concept behind the game is too rough for the general public. To put my point into better prespective, let's talk about sex. Everyone loves sex! Almost any M rated game out there features sexual content one way or the other. Games and sex are no strangers to each other. But if you picked up a copy of Zack and Wiki , and saw Zack scratching himself because he was turned on by Wiki..... It'll because a simple fact that there is something wrong with the game and the developers. Madworld is to violance as "my" zack is to sex. At least in my opinion.

[QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"][QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] ... all games with a previous fanbase. garrett_duffman

Its not selling well because it is not out. Really though know one knows how it will sell.wooooode

It's gonna sell very well if it's advertised the right way.lancea34

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"]anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. JordanElek

If Madworld gets the media attention that I expect it to, then its lack of a previous fanbase won't matter as much. People tend to be more interested in things they recognize, and the media might dwell on it enough to make it recognizable. Again, it won't see amazing sales figures, but for what it is, I doubt it will be considered a failure.

I don't think we want the media dwelling on it as it is likely they will be criticizing it every moment.Head_of_games

I've seen people say this almost every time the game MadWorld is up for discussion:

"Looks like a great game. It's too bad it won't sell too well."

Why won't it sell well?

Everyone has their own opinion and I just want to know why people think this.

livinitup01

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"][QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"] But in order to sell that much there has to be a fanbase for those types of games, which was my point.nintendo-4life

Sin City was heavily advertised with The Spirit, and that film ended up bombing really badly at the box office(and it was critically panned). I think less people are familiar with Sin City than you may think.

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"][QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] which is exactly what madworld DOESNT have... you're average consumer can recognize resident evil just by the name, they can recognize house of the dead from the arcade. not to mention all of those mentioned games have zombies, which people love. madworld has nothing. people will look at it, see black and white and red, walks away, and pat themselves on the back for not buying a crappy game. the "art style" is a joke, the gameplay may or may not be good, not that it even matters in the end because of the ever moving crucible of black and white on your illuminated television screen which just SCREAMS a pseudo epileptic " be sure you dont get too focused or you'll get a serious migrane or stroke or seizure" anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. Super-Mario-Fan

Sin City was heavily advertised with The Spirit, and that film ended up bombing really badly at the box office(and it was critically panned). I think less people are familiar with Sin City than you may think.

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"]anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. JordanElek

If Madworld gets the media attention that I expect it to, then its lack of a previous fanbase won't matter as much. People tend to be more interested in things they recognize, and the media might dwell on it enough to make it recognizable. Again, it won't see amazing sales figures, but for what it is, I doubt it will be considered a failure.

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"][QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"] But in order to sell that much there has to be a fanbase for those types of games, which was my point.nintendo-4life

sin city doesnt have BAM black and BAM white, it has shades and depth. madworld does not. sin city was an art style, madworld is an eyesore. when you buy it/rent it/ whatever, i want you to sit down, stare at the screen, and play for 2 hours, ( average movie length ) i want you to really focus, and tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards, because my guess is, you'll have a splitting headache and pretty blurred vision. i wouldnt/couldnt ask you to play in the dark, as thats an eyestrain anyways. garrett_duffman

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"][QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] which is exactly what madworld DOESNT have... you're average consumer can recognize resident evil just by the name, they can recognize house of the dead from the arcade. not to mention all of those mentioned games have zombies, which people love. madworld has nothing. people will look at it, see black and white and red, walks away, and pat themselves on the back for not buying a crappy game. the "art style" is a joke, the gameplay may or may not be good, not that it even matters in the end because of the ever moving crucible of black and white on your illuminated television screen which just SCREAMS a pseudo epileptic " be sure you dont get too focused or you'll get a serious migrane or stroke or seizure" anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. garrett_duffman

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] sin city doesnt have BAM black and BAM white, it has shades and depth. madworld does not. sin city was an art style, madworld is an eyesore. when you buy it/rent it/ whatever, i want you to sit down, stare at the screen, and play for 2 hours, ( average movie length ) i want you to really focus, and tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards, because my guess is, you'll have a splitting headache and pretty blurred vision. i wouldnt/couldnt ask you to play in the dark, as thats an eyestrain anyways. Grinning_Demon

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

If it's a fun and polished game, I think it'll sell pretty well because of word of mouth. It has shock value going for it, and I doubt that this game will be released amongst a silent media worldwide. Videogame naysayers keep saying that violent games give you points for killing things, which hasn't really been true recently, but Madworld fits that description perfectly. I think that the art style of the game will also draw the media's attention, since it artistically emphasizes the violence more than most games.

Media attention, even though it will be negative, will probably have a positive effect on sales. The downside in terms of sales is that teenagers won't be able to easily get a copy, but those who really want to play it will find a way. I wouldn't expect sales figures that rival a first-party Nintendo game, but I also wouldn't expect a complete failure. The previews are making the game look very fun, so as long as it gets a sufficient amount of polish and has enough gameplay to warrant a $50 purchase, it should do pretty well.

JordanElek

my same thought, this will definitly get the "omg violent game on teh wii! FOX news to the rescue!"

Maybe everyone shouldn't sit around complaining about how it will or won't sell. If the game isn't your cup of tea then move on to something else. What do you get if it does or doesn't sell or, is or isn't a good game. Will you come back to this thread and say yes I was right, I posted online and was right, that must make me a ______________! Obviously if this achievment is what your shooting for in your life, than kudos to you, you accomplished it and must have a bleak existence.

As far as my opinion, I am gratefull that a developer is taking the time to target something for my demographic. I am glad that it isn't another Barbie or M&M racing game. If you desire more little kiddy and party games, please hold your tongue because I go to walmart once a week for groceries and pass the gaming isle and there is game after game of these selections in the bargain bin.

Lets at least let the game come out before passing judgement on how it will play and sell.

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"][QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] which is exactly what madworld DOESNT have... you're average consumer can recognize resident evil just by the name, they can recognize house of the dead from the arcade. not to mention all of those mentioned games have zombies, which people love. madworld has nothing. people will look at it, see black and white and red, walks away, and pat themselves on the back for not buying a crappy game. the "art style" is a joke, the gameplay may or may not be good, not that it even matters in the end because of the ever moving crucible of black and white on your illuminated television screen which just SCREAMS a pseudo epileptic " be sure you dont get too focused or you'll get a serious migrane or stroke or seizure" anyone in their right mind would not buy this game. garrett_duffman

Have you ever READ Sin City?

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"][QUOTE="nintendo-4life"] What on earth are you talking about? People know sin city, if anything they will look at the style and think this is a sin city inspired game or maybe a re-interpatation of the comic and movie. They will definitely hold interest in it. I doubt anyone would look at the insane artstyle and just... walks away, It's too unqiue for that kind of reaction.13wanderer

Have you ever READ Sin City?

i assume he hasnt

[QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"]

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] sin city doesnt have BAM black and BAM white, it has shades and depth. madworld does not. sin city was an art style, madworld is an eyesore. when you buy it/rent it/ whatever, i want you to sit down, stare at the screen, and play for 2 hours, ( average movie length ) i want you to really focus, and tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards, because my guess is, you'll have a splitting headache and pretty blurred vision. i wouldnt/couldnt ask you to play in the dark, as thats an eyestrain anyways. garrett_duffman

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

People seem to like books. And people read the daily paper, and the comics in the Funny Pages. Maddox has one of the most popular web pages on the internet. Sin City made $158,753,820 worldwide in theatres, enough to warrant a sequel. Pretentious photographers the world round use black and white to express how deep they are.

Regardless of whether or not it's an eye strain, people love the combination of black and white. If it is received well by critics, and turns out to be a good game, it will sell. Some negative publicity wouldn' hurt, either.

No More Heroes was a good game with good reviews but didn't sell well. Games like Mario Kart which is fun but not targeted for the hardcore audience sold well. Madworld if on the PS3 or 360 I think would sell better. Most of nintendo's focus is on younger or casual gamers. Since it is also a 3rd party game it may not also sell quite as well. Wiiingssbb

Uh, comparable to its budget, No More Heroes sold VERY well. So well that Marvelous threw a party for its success.

What, you think we're getting a sequel because it did poorly? :S

Because its target audience are the people who hang out here: young adult male gamers, which only contribute a very, very, small part of the Wii install base.

Super-Mario-Fan

If it's a fun and polished game, I think it'll sell pretty well because of word of mouth. It has shock value going for it, and I doubt that this game will be released amongst a silent media worldwide. Videogame naysayers keep saying that violent games give you points for killing things, which hasn't really been true recently, but Madworld fits that description perfectly. I think that the art style of the game will also draw the media's attention, since it artistically emphasizes the violence more than most games.

Media attention, even though it will be negative, will probably have a positive effect on sales. The downside in terms of sales is that teenagers won't be able to easily get a copy, but those who really want to play it will find a way. I wouldn't expect sales figures that rival a first-party Nintendo game, but I also wouldn't expect a complete failure. The previews are making the game look very fun, so as long as it gets a sufficient amount of polish and has enough gameplay to warrant a $50 purchase, it should do pretty well.

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"][QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"]

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

bob_newman

People seem to like books. And people read the daily paper, and the comics in the Funny Pages. Maddox has one of the most popular web pages on the internet. Sin City made $158,753,820 worldwide in theatres, enough to warrant a sequel. Pretentious photographers the world round use black and white to express how deep they are.

Regardless of whether or not it's an eye strain, people love the combination of black and white. If it is received well by critics, and turns out to be a good game, it will sell. Some negative publicity wouldn' hurt, either.

I agree with garrett_duffman on the eye-strain issue. I get a headache from playing any game for more than two hours, but it gets much worse with things like excessive bloom, jaggies, and monotonous color palettes. In the case of Madworld, even watching a few trailers online was a bit painful, and I'm a bit worried this could turn out like that Pokemon debacle in Japan over a decade ago.

I'll not only wait for reviews with this one, I'm gonna let all the early buyers be my "royal tasters".

[QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"]

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"] sin city doesnt have BAM black and BAM white, it has shades and depth. madworld does not. sin city was an art style, madworld is an eyesore. when you buy it/rent it/ whatever, i want you to sit down, stare at the screen, and play for 2 hours, ( average movie length ) i want you to really focus, and tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards, because my guess is, you'll have a splitting headache and pretty blurred vision. i wouldnt/couldnt ask you to play in the dark, as thats an eyestrain anyways. garrett_duffman

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

[QUOTE="garrett_duffman"][QUOTE="Grinning_Demon"]

What? This is not even anecdotal evidence, you're just making things up as you go, jumping to conclusions.

The game isnt out yet, none of us had the oportunity to sit down and play it in our own TVs, judge the games hipothetical hability to blind someone AFTER it comes out.

As for the market thing; my comment was a reaction to the incorrect idea that there isnt a market these types of games, Madworld may or may not be a hit, but its not because there arent enough enough to embrace a more mature title on the system.

livinitup01

[QUOTE="Head_of_games"]I don't think we want the media dwelling on it as it is likely they will be criticizing it every moment.JordanElek