650°

Why Did Twice As Many People Play Dead Space As Bought It?

"In studying how Dead Space sold, a key stat loomed large for EA.

EA's Glen Schofield, studio manager for the company's Dead Space team at Visceral Games, appeared on the second episode of EA's official podcast to talk games, mention that Dead Space had co-op during some of its development cycle and explain the company's take on Dead Space's sales."
Alternative Sources:
Twice As Many People Played... - playstationlifestyle.net | By: DJ
Kareem - contributor
Published: 127 days ago | News | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | PC
 
 

12Next »
Showing: 1 - 50 of 82 Comments
Shut this user up Let user speak
Parapraxis - 127 days ago
1 -
Such a good game.
I actually just finished it a couple days ago.... I rented it.
I saw it was selling for 29$ at Future Shop (used) and was pretty pissed I didn't check before, renting it cost 15$ for two weeks. I will most likely buy it still, but it is a game that IMO was worth the initial retail price.
Shut this user up Let user speak
JsonHenry - 126 days 23 hours ago
1.1 -
I loved the game as well. But I would never have bought it. I don't see a reason to buy a single player game that once beaten has little to no replay value.

Typically the only single player games I buy are RPGs. Something that takes a lot of time to beat. $60 for a 10 hour game is just not in my budget.. that and I have gamefly.
Shut this user up Let user speak
StanLee - 126 days 23 hours ago
1.2 -
It came out at a horrid time. In October when the game was released, I bought Fable 2 and Fifa 2009, the following month I bought Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty World at War and Gears of War 2. I eventually bought the game but I bought it from Gamefly after renting it which counts as a used game.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Jaces - 126 days 23 hours ago
1.3 -
Guess the horror genre is'nt for everyone :D

Me personally, I bought it day one. This game was well worth the $60 and with a 5.1 surround sound to add to the creepiness I was in Horror heaven.
Shut this user up Let user speak
zlatko - 126 days 23 hours ago
1.4 -
Co-op would've broken up the amazing atmosphere this game built.

I know for Dead Space 2 they are already looking at multiplayer aspects to increase sales, but I hope for their sake they stick to a nazi zombies like game type. You and some buddies taking on waves of necromorphs---in ZERO G!

Otherwise just try to make the single player as long as possible without repetition. If it becomes a 20 hour long story MINIMUM, throw in some trophies/achivements to really increase replay, and maybe be able to go through the game again as a different character with a different take on the story, then you'd have a winner for more sales.

I hope they stay far away from any kind of TDM multiplayer, because it will not work for this type of game---not for me anyway.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Hellsvacancy - 126 days 23 hours ago
1.5 - I bought it the day it came out
I knew it was gonna b a sick game and i was right i even remember sum mofo on N4g replyin 2 1 of my comments ages ago sayin summin like "how could u buy Dead Space b4 Fallout 3 - your an idiot" - look at me now sucka (who-ever u are)
Shut this user up Let user speak
gamesR4fun - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.6 - yeh i rented it too
finished it twice in a week great game holds its own with any next gen title 2 short for a 60+ purchase imo but a steal for 20-30
Shut this user up Let user speak
phosphor112 - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.7 - My friends copy of Dead Space has gone through
atleast 5 people so far. So no wonder twice as many people played it.
Shut this user up Let user speak
meepmoopmeep - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.8 -
i still need to buy it.

the demo was pretty good.
Shut this user up Let user speak
marinelife9 - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.9 -
Rent it, Beat it, Take it back. The game is worth it.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Poopface the 2nd - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.10 - I think its a great game
I just rented it tho. I was able to finish it on the hardest dificulty so I never went and bought it. I will probrbly buy dead space 2 cause now I know ill enjoy it.
Shut this user up Let user speak
jerethdagryphon - 126 days 22 hours ago
1.11 -
@1.3

in all honesty games like this are not horror so much as goror. the shock value comes from the jump and the gore rather then an inate sense of dread,
yes its dark and creepy and that is a horror aspect but the monsters jumping out at you beyond the first one leads to the gorror theme rapidly

lovecraft is horror, due to the psycolagical effect the scenario is having and while dead space does have some strong lovecraftian themes running through it its olstered by the fact its a shooter and the gore over rules the true psycological horror..

good game though
Shut this user up Let user speak
UnwanteDreamz - 126 days 21 hours ago
1.12 - @above
While I agree with most of what you say, I think it is an unfair comparison for what I think are obvious reasons.

How many games can you name that have had "true psycological horror"?

I think can name 2 or 3 in the entire history of gaming.
Shut this user up Let user speak
jleack - 126 days 21 hours ago
1.13 -
I'm a fan of horror games, specifically Silent Hill, but didn't enjoy Dead Space much. I'm not sure why, but I'm willing to admit that it's a terrific game but just didn't entertain me much.
Shut this user up Let user speak
TheExecutive - 126 days 20 hours ago
1.14 -
Why? Because its a new IP? Because it is single-player only?
Shut this user up Let user speak
DaTruth - 126 days 20 hours ago
1.15 -
There was no chance of me buying, renting, probably wouldn't have even borrowed it. The demo seemed really bad to me! Maybe because I suffer from mild claustrophobia, I don't like games that suffer from it. It's the same reason I didn't buy Bioshock.

Not saying the game is bad, just didn't appeal to me!
Shut this user up Let user speak
AntoineDcoolette - 126 days 19 hours ago
1.16 - "Why Did Twice As Many People Play Dead Space As Bought It?"
Because I loaned the game to two friends who finished and didn't buy it. So that's 3 times as many people who played it compared to buying it!
Shut this user up Let user speak
ThanatosDMC - 126 days 19 hours ago
1.17 -
Something's wrong with the game. I havent finished it, but i was on my last chapter or so. But my friend started a new game and it reseted all my Trophies. Is that normal???
Shut this user up Let user speak
DARK WITNESS - 126 days 12 hours ago
1.18 -
I bought the game day one at full price.

Its the only game i bought that i don't look back at and think " dam i should have waited till it went down in price."

even as a single player game with no multiplayer or co-op, i think its totally worth every penny i paid for it.

its one of the few games that will stay in my little collection of greatest games along with the GTA box set, the Halo series, MGS4, dead rising, oblivion.

i think i have said it a million times now, but i never get tired of saying it, Dead Space was my game of the year last year and its been a favorite new IP this gen.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Syronicus - 126 days 11 hours ago
1.19 - I have played the game through twice and....
WIll play it through again soon. That is why I bought it day one. It's one of my all time favorite titles ever.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Caso - 126 days 9 hours ago
1.20 - I agree with Hellsvacancy
The game is really really good. I can also go as far as saying its on par with RE4 if not much better. The controls the game had where truly and absolutely flawless (something crapcom should have used for RE5).
Shut this user up Let user speak
Kassanova07 - 126 days 7 hours ago
1.21 - Playing it for 3rd time now...
This was by far one of the best games of 2008. It's a shame it didn't sell more. I'll keep my copy thank you very much.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Hellsvacancy - 126 days 7 hours ago
1.22 - @Caso
I HONESTLY didnt rate Resident Evil 5 at all - thats y i rented it - 1 positive did cum outta Res5 and that was that last week me and my missis bought a kitten 4 my 1 and half year old daughter and I named it Wesker (after the badass lookin mofo Albert Wesker lol) my missis didnt like it but sodd her :-)

Dead Space is in league of its own i also REALLY liked the build up 2 the game the 6 part movin comic series was COOL the animated movie wasnt as good but still worth watchin

My ONLY negative with the game was that i dont own a HD Tv yet (gotta 52inch flat/wide-screen) so i couldnt read alot of the writin when (for example) u found the ship logs and things like that the written was to small and a little fuzzy round the edges - not much of problem

Oh and ive had bit of a smoke so PLEASE 4give my grammar and spellin :D
Shut this user up Let user speak
shocky16 - 127 days ago
2 - One word: Pirates.
kthx.
Shut this user up Let user speak
hay - 126 days 23 hours ago
2.1 -
Yeah, like renting and game exchange don't exist.
Shut this user up Let user speak
I_am_rushin - 126 days 23 hours ago
2.2 -
No piracy on PS3/PSN.
Shut this user up Let user speak
crck - 126 days 23 hours ago
2.3 -
I doubt piracy had much of an impact. It just suffered the same fate as Uncharted and the God of War games. A really good single player only game. But a game that only lasts 10 to 15 hours. So most people rent it or borrow it from a friend. Uncharted sold about 2.5 million copies and each God of War sold about 3 million copies. But just about everyone I know has played God of War but only about 1/3 of them bought it new. They just borrowed it from a friend after they were done or rented it. Devs have to put in local co-op or multiplayer if they want to get the really big sales. That's what makes people want to purchase the game or keep it around for when a buddy comes over.
Shut this user up Let user speak
FamilyGuy - 126 days 23 hours ago
2.4 - Piracy
Im sure a good percentage was due to piracy but there are plently of other factors as well
Renting
borrowing a friends
buying used
multiple online accounts
multiple same consoles in one home that can share a game.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Mindboggle - 126 days 23 hours ago
2.5 - @I am rushin
PS3 blu rays arent being pirated but PSN games are being shared, and pretty much everyone is doing it...
Shut this user up Let user speak
kazan - 126 days 22 hours ago
2.6 - I agree
Piracy is the main reason for this, Xbox/Pc games can all be played for 0$. actually, PC games are even more easier where you can download the game for free and play it on your PC.

That is one of the main reasons developers are focusing more on online-multipliers games or including the online with the original game. It is the only way for them to make sure that people will purchase the original copy.
Shut this user up Let user speak
I_am_rushin - 126 days 22 hours ago
2.7 -
Why did people disagree with me?

@Mindboggle

Perhaps, but that is not illegal. And is a moot point for Dead Space.
Shut this user up Let user speak
UnwanteDreamz - 126 days 21 hours ago
2.8 -
offtopic: Another thing to consider with the sharing of PSN games is the peson who purchases the game can only share with 5 people.

Oh and FYI for game sharers. If 5 other people have your account and share games with you be sure they are real friends. If anything happens to your system you will need one of their loggins to use your original PSN name on the new PS3.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Caso - 126 days 9 hours ago
2.9 - shocky
you love talking out of your ass dontya?
Shut this user up Let user speak
GiantEnemyCrab - 127 days ago
3 -
Good interview and it sounds like the dev's came to a good conlcusion on this question. It's a fantastic game and one of the few EA titles I've bought in a while. Looking forward to the sequel and I really hope they keep the single player experience the center of attention. I feel this game does not need multiplayer.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Rifle-Man - 127 days ago
4 -
I can pick this up for $39 in Canada – I think I'll do that soon.

Is it just me, or is anyone else buying up the bargain titles over the 60-70 dollar ones? I'd love to buy Uncharted, but $60 after all this time seems a bit much.
Shut this user up Let user speak
butterfinger - 127 days ago
4.1 - Uncharted is...
$39.99 used at GameStop. However, I'd recommend renting it since you can easily beat it in just a couple sessions.

http://www.gamestop.com/Cat...
Shut this user up Let user speak
Rifle-Man - 127 days ago
4.2 - @butterfinger
Really? I'd buy it for $40. I was just at my local EB Games and they have a bunch of used copies of Uncharted priced at $59.99!

Renting it sounds like a good idea – thanks for the tip!
Shut this user up Let user speak
butterfinger - 126 days 23 hours ago
4.3 - Yeah...
no problem. I forgot that you live in Canada, though, so that would explain why Uncharted is $59.99 for you I guess. I did see some for cheaper than GameStop at Blockbuster before, though.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Parapraxis - 126 days 23 hours ago
4.4 -
Just got Uncharted off ebay.ca for 35$ (shipping incl.)
On it's way from Quebec today =)
Shut this user up Let user speak
MRMagoo123 - 126 days 23 hours ago
4.5 -
uncharted is platinum isnt it its about AUS$30 at my local jb hifi and eb second hand at about $10 up to $20 if your unlucky so about US$8 to about US$16
Shut this user up Let user speak
butterfinger - 127 days ago
5 - Well...
I, for one, rent single-player only games instead of buying them (unless they are RPGs). It was most likely a combination of people renting the game, buying it used, borrowing it from a friend, and pirating it. I guess I am the only one that is shocked that the game sold 1.5 million copies. I guess it's nice to see good, new IP selling well, though.
Shut this user up Let user speak
DaTruth - 126 days 20 hours ago
5.1 -
Sorry, but the new consensus is that if a game doesn't sell five million in the first three hours, it's a flop. Or maybe that only applies to PS3 exclusives?
/sarc

But you never hear 360 fanboys calling this game a flop!
Shut this user up Let user speak
DARK WITNESS - 126 days 11 hours ago
5.2 -
it also depends on the expectations for the game.

for example, i would not have expected dead space to sell as many units as say for example Gears of war 2 on its first day,

I would have expected killzone 2 to sell a lot more or at least close to gears 2 on its first day. It must have been one of the most hyped games this gen ( best console graphics this gen and all that crap )..

its just like if halo or GTA didn't sell over a million ( or i would prob say 2 milllion in its first day ) i would consider that to be a flop cos they are very big AAA games.

i would not have expected the same from Dead space, but in terms of how good the game is i would say it deserved much higher sales then that.
Shut this user up Let user speak
monkey nuts - 126 days 23 hours ago
6 - You should play the game twice....
I've recently started a second run through, and have to say the new military suit you unlock on completing the game is beyond cool. Its almost like playing the sequel before its been made, almost. This is one of the best games this gen so far imo, looking forward to the sequel.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Shbzshar - 126 days 21 hours ago
6.1 -
yah totally ... too bad they dont let you use the military suit and previous upgrades to move onto the impossible difficulty with them ... would really help in achievemetns/ trophies... but yes you turn into a star wars clone army soldier type action hero with the military suit on
Shut this user up Let user speak
DARK WITNESS - 126 days 11 hours ago
6.2 -
The down load Astronaut suite is the best looking.. in fact its prob my best looking space suite ever !

I usually don't promote download content cos they are all over priced ripoff's but i will say it the suit cos you can use it in the hardest difficulty. it has the same level of strength as the military suite.. but looks way cooler.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Poopface the 2nd - 126 days 3 hours ago
6.3 - you can beat the hardest difficulty without it
I beat it on the hardest without a problem, you just need to be careful.

One thing I always did was smash up teh dead bodies when one of those bat creatures is around, it makes it easy.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Eiffel - 126 days 23 hours ago
7 -
Pirates/Borrowing/ect

I'm glad I bought. I enjoyed that game so much. I can't wait for the sequel.
Shut this user up Let user speak
hfaze - 126 days 23 hours ago
7.1 -
I'm with you on that one. Anytime a GOOD new IP comes out, I will buy it new. I like to support developers/teams that put out solid work, and not just a re-hash of previous efforts (like EA actually putting out a good new IP versus what they do with their sports games... $60 for a roster update... :-P)
Shut this user up Let user speak
DaTruth - 126 days 20 hours ago
7.2 -
Now they have no excuse! Roster updates should be $5 DLC.
Add Comment (Gamer Zone)
Gamer Zone Posting Guidelines
The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone.
Read More...
 
 
You must log in to post comments.
Username:  
Password:  
 
 
About N4G
N4G is a social game news site that covers the game industry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More Info... | Submit News