@cornbredx: I'm super excited for his new one too. Haven't had a chance to see what the reception was like at Cannes but the trailer has already convinced me that I'll love it. Also, thumbed for Bronson!

This date absolutely needed to happen. I know Acti/Blizz no longer releases subscriber numbers but I have to imagine they're at an alarming low rate. Even more than Mists of Pandaria, Draenor had a very dismal end life.

The pricing and the low barrier to entry with only needing a PS4 will likely make this the most popular VR device in the next year. While sales of Occulus and the Vive are great, it's nowhere near the market share Sony has. As someone who has a mid-range PC and a PS4, this seems like the most viable device for me. Pretty excited to say the least!

What an interesting way to go about cancelling a game. Rising Thunder had a ton of potential.

@roler42: Oh, they know way more than you think. They have people dedicated to this sort of thing.

@scottyp360: Unfortunately, you, myself, and the majority of the people here reading this stuff are not the audience they're after. That audience is the one that reacts to generic covers and creates revenue that wouldn't otherwise be made. The people who know the game ahead of time know they're going to buy it regardless of the cover art. Bethesda, Ubi, and a whole sleu of other companies know this and that is why they don't bother being creative. Furthermore, by having a competition like this, it incites more interest in the "hardcore" user base so it is a win-win situation for them. Marketing is something special.

@e3man01: Not the cover that won (which is an alternate)... The actual cover of the game which is the generic space marine dude.

@CallMeDuraSouka: Read my post above! The average consumer wants guns and a dude. This was a smart decision on their part, especially considering how few people even recognize the Doom brand these days.

It's pretty universal that the actual cover to the game is hated by just about everyone, but as far as retail sales go, it's a safe bet to sell copies. Much like Bioshock Infinite, there's been more than enough market research to show that people are more likely to buy games with the colors yellow, orange, and blue on them. Moreover, the whole "dude on the cover with guns/ knives/ face down, eyes up" is also another guaranteed sale to uneducated consumers. It's dumb, but it's proven market research.

Smite is the only MOBA I've ever enjoyed. It just doesn't feel like the others and I think that's why I like it so much. Moreover, the shop isn't so overwhelming like DOTA 2 or others. It's just fun.