Jump to content

Activision doesn't think this year's CoD will top Black Ops...


excaliburps
 Share

Recommended Posts

Not sure where to post this. Do you guys (or we) have a forum for current news to post on?

 

Anyhoo...

 

Link: http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/84023/activision-doesnt-think-this-years-cod-game-will-beat-black-ops/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gamrfeed+%28gamrFeed%29&utm_content=Twitter

 

So, I take it development isn't going as planned? That or Acti knows the well's drying up a bit? Or is it because of Uncharted 3, Arkham City, Mass Effect 3 and Battlefield 3 all releasing within the same time-frame?

 

What do you guys think? :)

Edited by excaliburps
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What do you guys think? :)

I think I'd like for them to stick with Black Ops for more than just a year.

 

Extra demand and extra time might just lead to a worthwhile game hitting the shelves in 2012.

 

I really, really like Black Ops.

 

I really, really hated MW2.

 

I find it tough to believe that IW, with or without help, will put out something similar to COD4, WaW or Blops. I find it easy to imagine something similar to MW2.

 

So yeah, I think that any news that might suggest there's even a reason Activision would push back the next COD game into 2012 would be good for my gaming before the game comes out and good for my gaming after the game comes out...but unfortunately, they're still talking about a fall release, so it seems likely that they'll sell us a garbage game based on the franchise's reputation and fan base. Pretty sure I won't be buying at launch.

Edited by peteer02
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's kind of hard to predict these things because I seem to be detached from the majority of the gaming public when it comes to CoD. I got Modern Warfare and MW2, and even then I never liked them that much.

 

On the flipside, my friends (like most people) have bought five Call of Dutys in five years. I was slightly surprised to hear them unanimously claim after Black Ops: "I'm sick of Call of Duty. I'm sick of [insert complaint here] and I don't think I'll get it ever again."

 

Likewise, Activision seems to know that they're burning gamers out on the franchise. It's what they do: they find a popular franchise, then milk the shit out of it until consumers finally realize that they've blown $200 or more on the same re-hashed game, and then they kill it off (see Guitar Hero.)

 

I don't think the internal troubles at IW really make a significant difference. Again, most of the gaming public doesn't even know that Call of Duty is made by two different developers, nor are they aware of the Zampella/West controversy. Most of those same ignorant consumers will buy Call of Duty no matter how good or bad it is.

 

I think it's simply a matter of consumer burnout. I think Activision has observed the recent, growing distaste for the franchise and they're taking the necessary steps (likely under-funding the next CoD).

Edited by HotChops
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I don't think the internal troubles at IW really make a significant difference. Again, most of the gaming public doesn't even know that Call of Duty is made by two different developers, nor are they aware of the Zampella/West controversy. Most of those same ignorant consumers will buy Call of Duty no matter how good or bad it is.

I don't know about that. Everyone I've talked to (some were similar to the CoD gamers) knew that Guitar Hero wasn't being made by the same people anymore, and that those Guitar Hero people moved on to make Band Hero. Also, I hear plenty of Joe Schmoes name-dropping Treyarch and Infinity Ward. Before IW left, a friend's father asked me who was making the new Call of Duty game (it was World at War at the time). I told him it was Treyarch, and he expressed disappointment that "the good one won't be coming out this year".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I don't think the internal troubles at IW really make a significant difference. Again, most of the gaming public doesn't even know that Call of Duty is made by two different developers, nor are they aware of the Zampella/West controversy. Most of those same ignorant consumers will buy Call of Duty no matter how good or bad it is.

I don't know about that. Everyone I've talked to (some were similar to the CoD gamers) knew that Guitar Hero wasn't being made by the same people anymore, and that those Guitar Hero people moved on to make Band Hero. Also, I hear plenty of Joe Schmoes name-dropping Treyarch and Infinity Ward. Before IW left, a friend's father asked me who was making the new Call of Duty game (it was World at War at the time). I told him it was Treyarch, and he expressed disappointment that "the good one won't be coming out this year".

Well that is certainly the first time I've ever heard that. I've talked to dozens of casual gamers who didn't know the difference between Treyarch and IW.

 

Well, BlOps WAS the most mature game Crecente has ever played.

Christ, don't even go there. Crecente has no objectivity towards his opinions of games. Having your own tastes is one thing, but you need to be aware of your personal tastes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to play devils advocate (maybe) on this one but it's entirely reasonable for them to expect a drop of sales on MW3. Not because there's a ton of fucking kick-ass games coming out the end of this year, but just cos Black Ops sold more than expected. Also it is a good practice to just deflate your shareholders expectations a little. That way if it does sell the same as MW2 (still a huge amount) instead of BO, then there's no angry outrage for them, you can point to Feb when you warned them. IF it comes out even higher, then you get to say how awesome you've been this year n such.

 

Also I thought MW3 development was getting some external-studio help? Like Treyarch n Sledgehammer picking up some of the slack?

 

As for comparison between the two, I couldn't get BO to run so can't say on it, but MW2 story was a fucking pile of shite.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, BlOps WAS the most mature game Crecente has ever played.

Jesus Christ. I just agh. Seriously Crecente's infatuation with Black Ops is proof opinions can be wrong. That it was up for GOTY over Galaxy 2 and Heavy Rain was bullshit.

 

Also I thought MW3 development was getting some external-studio help? Like Treyarch n Sledgehammer picking up some of the slack?

 

As for comparison between the two, I couldn't get BO to run so can't say on it, but MW2 story was a fucking pile of shite.

 

Yeah wasn't Sledgehammer going to set it in space or some shit? Raven Software are assisting development as well, although they did make Singularity and the latest Wolfenstien.

 

Still though concerning COD, even if it turns out to be poor, as long as the name is Modern Warfare 3 it'll sell like...hot cakes? No. No it'll sell like Call of Duty. I don't know I just see Modern Warfare 3 selling very well purely off that name. think they could get away with doing it as a yearly thing for a while longer. The problem with GH was all the other bullshit titles floating around and the peripherals.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eh, call me crazy but I don't think CoD is going anywhere in the next few years. All the college dudebros around me are just as infatuated with the series as they've ever been, and considering the fact that college dudebros ARE CoD's main demographic, well, I just put two and two together.

 

ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IS GO!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did Crecente actually say that Black Ops was the "most mature" game he ever played??

 

Er...I don't actually know what to say about that without acting like an idiot. :P

 

I actually am very vocal about my distrust and hatred for the CoD series. I just don't like what it became...Not even mentioning how Kotick and Co. needs to be taken down a peg or two.

 

I'm guessing we'll see Raven's stop-gap CoD MP for this year while Activision assesses its CoD studios.

 

Oh, and I could be wrong, but isn't the "Modern Warfare" branding one of the main points of interest in the current Acti/Zampella and West litigation? From my understanding is both parties cannot have a game come out with the Modern Warfare branding until it's decided who actually owns it.

Edited by excaliburps
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really, really like Black Ops.

 

I really, really hated MW2.

 

:scratch:

 

I see this so much and just don't get it. The games aren't that dissimilar to have such a bipolar assessment.

http://board.pressxordie.com/topic/691-least-favorite-game-of-all-time/page__st__40

 

If you actually care, you can read the above.

 

If you still care after that, you can read the below:

 

Modern Warfare 2 Review (2 stars out of 5)

 

Would you say that GTAIII and GTAIV are too similar to have that bipolar assessment? I feel the same way about those two.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's kind of galling to see them openly acknowledge the fact that they're systematically running these franchises into the ground and just ditching them when it's convenient. While there is no denying that they're definitely onto something as far as making tons of money for themselves goes, I can't help but feel like Activision has become a sort of industry poison. Not even the mighty COD series is invulnerable to the effects of forcing out yearly installments of games that have quarterly overpriced DLC. I'd definitely agree with the prediction that this year's COD won't sell as well, though it will still be a hit. I'm guessing 2012 will show an even sharper decline in interest, and it'll bite the dust soon afterward.

 

It's sad, because a lot of these franchises might last longer and/or enjoy a more graceful retirement if they were allowed to evolve a little more naturally. Instead we have truly innovate games like Rock Band 3 struggling to make a buck since Activision already beat the genre to the point where most of its fanbase couldn't care less anymore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's kind of galling to see them openly acknowledge the fact that they're systematically running these franchises into the ground and just ditching them when it's convenient.

Agreed. While they're focused on maximizing shareholder profits in the short term, it would be nice for them to realize that a franchise like COD could very well be a Mario or Zelda for FPSers if they take care of it.

 

I'd rather see them release a Black Ops GOTY edition (with all the map packs) next November, and release a great COD game in 2012...but driving COD into the ground for maximum profits in FY11 seems to be more important than the log term health of the brand. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My opinion is that Call of Duty as an entity is a metaphorical black hole sucking in money that could be used to fund better projects, and as soon as Activison manages to kill it by overselling, the better.

When it comes to PvP experiences for my friends in and around Tokyo...there hasn't been a better option yet. I understand people may not care for the single player campaigns, and that not everyone's going to be a fan of the multiplayer experience, but as a group game, there's very little on consoles that can hold a candle to it for people like me who are in Japan or other countries with relatively small install bases that need a locale only search option and reasonable install base for a game to stay playable for more than a month or two.

 

Borderlands is a great example of a co-op game that worked. (L4D/L4D2 and the like could also be in here.)

SSFIV is a great example of a 1v1 game that worked.

 

But for multiplayer PvP, there's really not much within shouting distance. BFBC2, MNC and a few other games have been fun for a short while, but with the exception of Halo games, I can't think of anything else that has the local only search option and gameplay and overseas success that would stay playable with my friends. And I do prefer COD's gameplay over Halo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't help but feel like Activision has become a sort of industry poison.

 

It's sad, because a lot of these franchises might last longer and/or enjoy a more graceful retirement if they were allowed to evolve a little more naturally. Instead we have truly innovate games like Rock Band 3 struggling to make a buck since Activision already beat the genre to the point where most of its fanbase couldn't care less anymore.

 

tbh with COD it seems all the other publishers (though EA was a bit dim-witted to that fact mr "release 2 modern war games in a year") have picked up that it's pushing that particular segment of FPS games into the shithole so are jumping ship from "semi-realistic modern/recent combat FPS" games to less realistic, more stylized FPS games. The FPS genre has long legs, and for smart developers quite a bit too offer in things to work with. So we're getting Bulletstorm, DNF (though if that's on purpose or coincidental timing unsure), Brink, Portal 2 (def coincidence) and maybe a handful of others(I don't follow FPS too close).

But yeah sucks for Rockband crew that Activisions destroyed their potential money spinner. You have to wonder what the hell Bungie was offered or was thinking. Cos either they can't see trends, or their contract has some built in failsafes on ACTI doing things kind of stuff to them. (Also I assume ACTI are planning for a Post-COD world in picking up Bungie)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...