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Early reports are that Virtua Fighter 5 isn't exactly flying off store shelves. AsoBitCity in Akihabara had a hands-on for customers that was so slow, a Sega employee apparently killed time by playing the title alone. And why should it be a hit? Sure, VF hasn't really matter to most Western gamers since, oh, 1997, but the game has a huge following in Japan. Thing is, people aren't going to buy an arcade port that doesn't feature online when they can play with other people at their local arcade. Perhaps Sega thought the hardcore would buy their online-less game to practice at home and then play at a game center? Guess not.
Brian Ashcraft
Kotaku Article here | Translated from here: http://www.akibaos.com/?p=732
I sadly have to approve of this ownage. Like I've been saying no online = no buy for this kind of game. I still might scoop it, but the fact that I'm debating picking up a quality AAA game or not is a big deal (because I wasn't alone in that feeling). The bottom line here is that no matter how good a game is, in the nextGen of expectations, people should be able to play online. especially fighters/sports games that would leave you having to play crumby computer AI. I left that life years ago when XBLive came out. Consistent challengers every hour of the damn day.
Looks like SEGA may *have* to find a way to squeeze online into at least the 360 version to ensure they make some decent sales. Otherwise it won't be nearly as successful as it could be, IMO. a VF5 game online would last gamers YEARS. an off-line VF5 will last many gamers only months (or until the wellspring of decent local competitors and friends dries up).
DISCUSS
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