Boom Blox sells 60,000 units since release.

[quote name='ZForce915']So we're going on the theory that this game doesn't have to sell early as long as it sells often? I suppose as long as EA continues to keep it out at $20 (when it hits that point) they might be able to keep selling.

I think it is fair to say that I'm not the demo they were going for, but don't you think a lower price point would also be more appealing to the causal gamer or parent buying a game for the family? Or is your argument that it doesn't matter because they'll see it eventually?[/quote]
That's the theory, and as Dr Mario Kart mentioned it's worked out pretty well for EA with Boogie, MySims and EA Playground. And your last sentence there sums up how I feel about the initial price point. They got some hardcore suckers like me right off the bat at $50, and they'll gradually lower the price and with each drop it will become more appealing to all the Wii owners who are currently helping Game Party stay in the top 10 (a game with minimal to no advertising).
 
I think it might also deal with some of the Wii's audience. I mean, some of these people who own a wii are not going to run out and buy a game the day, week, or even month of release. Given time, I'm sure the game will sell more.

I also agree that 50 was too much of an asking price for this. I'll buy it when it comes down a bit.
 
Originally Posted by Dr Mario Kart
MP3 had 604k in the U.S. as of Dec 07 (NPD)
MP2 470k through Dec 04 (NPD) 770k LTD (vgcharts)
MP1 has about 1.5 million LTD (Magicbox platinum US list)

Classic series attrition.
Click to expand...


Are you forgetting that unlike Metroid Prime 2/3, MP1 was bundled with the system itself? The first MP was bundled with the black GC and sold really well (for the GC), then rebundled with the second MP (not as many sold). Losing half of an audience isn't slowly bleeding out... it's gushing... but those are artificially inflated initial sales (Wii sports Style) for MP1....

If you want classic series attrition, a more perfect example would be something like Mario Party, which sees a spike with every new system... and then fewer and fewer purchases until a new system is released. That would probably be a better because it has more than 2 games released per system as well... and only one console developer. IMO of course.



But seriously. The lack of advertising wasn't necessarily an issue with BB game, but it definitely does not help. The wii gaming market is largely made up of uninformed, first time gamers. The wii software is largely made up of shovelware (a few gems of awesomeness, though, dont get me wrong). So what's the problem? You've got a huge market of people who want to buy games, but only feel safe purchasing first party and third-party games that have spread across all three platforms. Especially when you turn around and see CONSPIRACY plastered across the wall with 18 titles and realize... "damn, didn't i buy ninjabread man from them?"

You also have to look at success compared to what? Look at Sega Superstars Tennis, wii version outsold other systems.... but overall? The game did not sell well anyway. Same for Lego Indiana Jones. Hell, even Lego Star Wars: TCS was best sold on the Wii of all the "next gen" systems. The NDS and PS2 versions did outsells the others. The Wii is on target with third party sales on other systems when released across all three platforms. (Guitar hero sales were ps2->360->wii->ps3, which is amazing that it wasn't thrashed by 360 sales since theres no DLC).

Anyway. The TL;DR version. The third party companies realize they are having to earn the respect and trust of a new market. Unfortunately, they are only having to do this because of the shitty third party companies that are allowed to exist. 60,000 seems like terrible sales numbers, but when your costs on it are significantly lower than the other systems... combined with earning the new customer loyalty... why force yourself with advertisements that will fall on deaf ears? I mean, given the broad spectrum of players... you cant even properly target channels except for huge releases that people know (1st party, yes) because you range from 8 to 80s.
 
[quote name='guinaevere']
Decent? I suppose so. But I still remember being in ye olde Electronics Boutique and no one, not customers nor employees knowing what Monkey Island was... Adventure games have never been huge sellers in comparison with other genres. Possibly because you have to engage your brain through most of the game. Or possibly I'm just cynical...[/quote]

Adventure may not have ever pulled great numbers, but I'm betting those games were still more attractive than exploding jenga. I'm also betting that I could walk in to the nearest EB (they're still called that here) and ask for the game, only to receive blank stares. I'd try this, but the nearest EB is a couple hundred kilometers away, and old meme is old anecdotal evidence is anecdotal anyway.

[quote name='guinaevere'] ...what was I saying ag- WHO ARE ALL YOU PEOPLE?
grumps.gif
[/quote]Repo-men. We're here to take all your worldly possessions.

EDIT: Strell did not accept my challenge last night. I am going to chalk that up to his being a pussy.
 
[quote name='guinaevere']I must be getting alzheimers, I absolutely remember nothing of spielberg having anything to do with The Dig.
[/QUOTE]

on the front cover, just like BB.

thedigcovercd6.jpg
 
[quote name='s0undwav3']Look at GTA IV. Millions of copies in the first week....humm. Fan boys of Wii, there's nothing like that success on the Wii at all[/quote]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl did 2.7 million in its premiere month, remember?

If you want to limit this to third parties, the situation will change when a third-party developer decides to spend $100 million on a Wii game. Heck, a $25 million third-party Wii game would be leagues above and beyond all current third-party Wii efforts to date.

[quote name='s0undwav3']there has no major success on the Wii from any 3rd party game publisher / developer.[/quote]
Million-Selling Wii Third-Party Titles:
Guitar Hero 3
Carnival Games
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
MySims
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel

...and at least another four more. As of Nintendo's latest earnings report (March 2007-March 2008), there are 26 million-selling titles for the Wii, half of which are from third parties. They didn't give a list of third-party million-sellers, but the titles listed above are most likely candidates. We also know that there have been several cross-platform games where the Wii version outsold the other versions, most notably Tiger Woods '08 and Harry Potter.

We also know that in the first 18 months of each system's launch, the Wii has sold more software than the XBox 360, PS3, and PS2 did. Furthermore, by combining that fact with Nintendo's afformentioned financials, it's reasonable to conclude that North American Wii third-party sales are higher than XBox 360 third-party sales in the same period -- e.g., third-party sales are growing faster on the Wii than they are on the venerated XBox.

So to summarize -- you don't know what the heck you're talking about... ;)


And really, using Boom Blox as an excuse to whine about Wii third-party sales is silly. Don't forget that We Ski debuted at #12 on the NPD charts, and that half of the Wii's top ten software sales in May were from third parties.

--R.J.
 
[quote name='s0undwav3']Boom Box, rented it, didn't like it, not my type of game. 60,000 sold is a very low number. Look at GTA IV. Millions of copies in the first week....humm. Fan boys of Wii, there's nothing like that success on the Wii at all, and even though I have a Wii and it's the system I use the most, there has no major success on the Wii from any 3rd party game publisher / developer. Can't count Wii Play because that's 1st Party and almost a given when you buy a Wii for $10 more for a controller.[/QUOTE]

You can't compare a multi-console title in a mega-successful franchise with a huge buildup and advertising campaign to a new franchise that launches on one console, especially when that established title breaks sales records.

[quote name='rjung']So to summarize -- you don't know what the heck you're talking about... ;)[/QUOTE]

Amen to that.
 
[quote name='The Crotch']Adventure may not have ever pulled great numbers, but I'm betting those games were still more attractive than exploding jenga. [/quote]I certainly hope so. The concept of jenga as a video game makes me weep.

I'm also betting that I could walk in to the nearest EB (they're still called that here)
Click to expand...
Lucky dog. I hate calling my EB GameStop, but they finally put that horrid sign up, and I have to move with the times.

Repo-men. We're here to take all your worldly possessions.
Click to expand...
*points to Pooky's house* Take his stuff.

[quote name='Corvin']on the front cover, just like BB.[/quote]I wasn't doubting anyone. I just completely didn't remember. But thanks for the memory. Sadly, I have done with pc gaming for good and ebayed and gave away all my old pc games with the exception of Jagged Alliance Deadly Games. Jaeli and I have easily put 500 hours into that game on our network and there were too many awesome memories to ever part with the actual game itself.

...this post is in someway relevent to Boom Blox. Take my word for it.


Bloom Blox. :looks at Strell: Blum Blox?
 
[quote name='guinaevere']

I wasn't doubting anyone. I just completely didn't remember. But thanks for the memory. [/QUOTE]

I wasn't implying otherwise. It was just an excuse to post a pic because it was a great game.
 
This game really didn't hold up for me. I've had it since launch and it's been played only a couple times. I think it's too simple for it's own good and I don't feel like I have control over some things, such as trying to aim where the blocks would go after they are hit.
 
[quote name='Dingleberry'] I don't feel like I have control over some things, such as trying to aim where the blocks would go after they are hit.[/QUOTE]

So... you're upset that you can't control physics? Okay.
 
[quote name='Mugen']That's pretty pathetic seeing how the console has sold millions.[/QUOTE]
I don't see how it's that bad. It was poorly marketed.

First, they said that they were marketing this to kids 10-0, despite the fact that most wii owners are over 15yrs. How can you expect a 7yr old to know what blox are.

Second, who ever pays $50 for a puzzle game? Sure, it might be a very great game, but most people don't seem to think that $50 for a puzzle game is worth it when you can get Galaxy for the same price. If it was at $29.99, it would have sold at least 100,000 on the first week.

IT wouldn't have sold well on any other console.
 
I just got the game and played it for about 45 minutes with the wife. Its rather fun and looking forward to getting more into it.
 
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I'm waiting for a price drop. It sounds like a fun game but one that can wait until it drops to $30 or so before picking up. I have enough games to play right now and it sounds like a game that will drop and will be around for quite a while, so why rush and get it now when it will be cheaper later.
 
EA now says Boom Blox has moved 450,000 units since its release. Not too bad.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/eas-boom-blox-sells-450000/?biz=1

EA's Boom Blox Sells 450,000




As it turns out EA's Steven Spielberg project Boom Blox wasn't quite the bust many thought it to be sales-wise. EA says it's continuing to sell well.

by James Brightman on Tuesday, July 29, 2008

ai_132.jpg

Electronic Arts' Boom Blox only sold 60,000 units during the May NPD reporting period, and the game at the time was turned into a bit of a whipping boy for Wii third-party struggles. Here we are just a couple months later, however, and EA has revealed in a conference call (following its Q1 fiscal results) that Boom Blox has actually reached 450,000 unit sales.
EA CFO Eric Brown said the title met the publisher's expectations since launch while CEO John Riccitiello added that the game "continues to sell well." As EA Casual's Kathy Vrabeck pointed out to us in a recent interview, casual games can't necessarily be measured on the same scale as more traditional video games. "When you get a great casual game, you don't always know it right away. I think the nature of the casual gamer is we're not going to see the big splash, week one sales," she told us. Boom Blox's performance seems to be proof of that.
Regarding the Steven Spielberg title, she commented, "This has been a great release for us. Internally, we had to work against our target consumer much harder than we've ever had to because we have an organization that markets and sells to core gamers better than anyone in the industry and has not had much experience with a kids property. I was very much looking at consumer press like getting Steven Spielberg on the front page of USA Today or a big article in a parenting magazine. Those are huge events for communication around this game. Those are not things historically EA has looked for. We didn't allow pre-orders because we didn't feel like that's where our dollars are best served. We spent money in-store on signage and things that draw attention to the product for a mom that shops with her kid. We really focused our efforts on this eight to 12-year-old kid that wants to play this cool, innovative Wii game. I think we delivered on the marketing assets, our world-wide sell-in and our initial sell-through."
Thanks to ShackNews for the tip
 
I've seen a few commercials during Saturday morning cartoons. Still now, that EA considers the game a success they need to lower the price. I really think games like Brain Age sold so well due to their 20 dollar price. Department stores are always willing to put budget games in aisles that are near checkout.
 
450,000 worldwide in two months is pretty good. The game's surely made a decent profit for EA already (assuming a typical Wii break-even point of 150,000 copies sold), and should easily sell 800,000 copies WW by the end of the year.

IMO, this lends credence to my theory that casual-oriented games don't have the "big start and fast dropoff" sales of hardcore-oriented games, but instead do steady sales when people trickle into the stores and buy the games weeks or months after initial release.

[quote name='DQT']Still now, that EA considers the game a success they need to lower the price.[/QUOTE]
The fact that the stores aren't cutting the price indicates that they're seeing good, steady sales of the title -- retailers will only cut the price for games that aren't selling and they want to get rid of the copies on the shelves. EA would be nuts to cut the price in that situation; I expect that Boom Blox will remain in the $40-$50 range for the rest of the year and still sell briskly.

--R.J.
 
And in another example of "third-party Wii games sell well despite conventional gamer wisdom," Hudson announced that Deca Sports has already sold 500,000 copies and is predicted to hit 700,000. :whistle2:o

--R.J.
 
[quote name='soonersfan60']But it's cheating if you put "Sports" in the title... :p[/QUOTE]

Makes you wonder if Nintendo's lack of QA will bite them in the ass when Wii Sports Resort comes out.
 
[quote name='Corvin']Makes you wonder if Nintendo's lack of QA will bite them in the ass when Wii Sports Resort comes out.[/QUOTE]

Are you implying that:

a) Deca Sports is terrible and has sullied the 'Sports' name for the Wii, in a normal consumer-mindset sort of way?
or
b) That QA on Wii Sports Resort will be terrible/the game will suck?

I haven't played Deca Sports, but I thought I heard it was 'ok' like Carnival Games and that people like it.
 
I think the EA published board games will also do excellent.

I'm really looking forward to playing Wii Sports Resort... at my friends' house.
 
Boom Blox is the current Wii game I go back to once every 2-3 weeks and play for 15-30 minutes at a time. It's fun while you play it, but it has a hard time keeping me interested for much longer. I'm glad it did sorta well.
 
[quote name='theflicker']Are you implying that:

a) Deca Sports is terrible and has sullied the 'Sports' name for the Wii, in a normal consumer-mindset sort of way?
or
b) That QA on Wii Sports Resort will be terrible/the game will suck?

I haven't played Deca Sports, but I thought I heard it was 'ok' like Carnival Games and that people like it.[/QUOTE]

I can't speak for Corvin, but I think it could be less about the brand being sullied and more that people have already bought Deca Sports and they may not be ready for Wii Sports Resort so soon.
 
[quote name='Ultimate Matt X']I can't speak for Corvin, but I think it could be less about the brand being sullied and more that people have already bought Deca Sports and they may not be ready for Wii Sports Resort so soon.[/QUOTE]

Pretty much. That and the quality of the various party games is piss poor so when it comes to Wii Sports Resort the consumer that has been bit once before will be a bit more cautious with their dollar. Also factor in the sheer number of games...Deca, Carnival Games, Playground, etc. By the time WSR hits, those buyers look at it in the glass thinking, do I really need another similar game?
 
[quote name='Corvin']Pretty much. That and the quality of the various party games is piss poor so when it comes to Wii Sports Resort the consumer that has been bit once before will be a bit more cautious with their dollar. Also factor in the sheer number of games...Deca, Carnival Games, Playground, etc. By the time WSR hits, those buyers look at it in the glass thinking, do I really need another similar game?[/QUOTE]

Are you kidding? I see this more as a Wii Play type phenomenon where it will be very scarce for a while after release and will end up selling millions. After all, this is an "official" Nintendo game and comes with a new piece of hardware. Just like Wii Play, I'm sure retailers will push new Wii buyers to pick up Wii Sports Resort as part of their initial purchase (it astounds me how many times I see people buying Wiis and asking clerks what else they should get and 100% going along with whatever it is they suggest ;)).
 
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