So, by now we’ve all heard the buzz. Grand Theft Auto IV has officially eclipsed previous records for gaming, selling half a billion dollars worth in its first week. The New York Times reported the news early yesterday, and Take-Two confirmed (according to a Kotaku post), leaving RockStar and Take-Two with the hottest entertainment property going right now.
Though it’s difficult to compare game sales to box office performance (after all, people don’t pay $59.99 for movie tickets), I’m going to do it anyway. The current number one in domestic movies is Iron Man, which according to the latest chart in Variety, has generated total sales of $115,559,020 in its first five days. So the top videogame has eclipsed the top movie by tremendous factor. Even considering the rather unfair comparison, this is quite revolutionary, and possibly a bit startling.
We’ve seen the industry continually grow to mimic big Hollywood, with the blockbuster model. Games have become major productions, with budgets and teams that rival even the bigger action flicks. Of course, anything that expensive needs massive marketing muscle (and mass market appeal) in order to even break even with sales.
Unfortunately, the side effect is frequently stagnation, as publishers are afraid to sink money into concepts that are truly new. Franchises, sequels, and licensed properties are the name of the game (literally) in this industry. While we’re hearing more and more about indie titles and cool little games (like the rising popularity of casual games and browser games) that break this trend, the truth remains – gaming (particularly hardcore gaming) is increasingly blockbuster-oriented.
GTA IV however, is far from being a stagnant game. It’s visuals, incredibly nuanced world, story, and physics are all polished, beautifully realized elements. Just about every outlet you can read acclaims the game. It’s by all accounts an incredible, revolutionary gaming experience, even if it is a sequel (and yes, part of an established franchise). So maybe this blockbuster obsession isn’t all bad – perhaps it can be argued that a title as grand in scope as GTA IV would never come out of any other production model.
It’s possible that as digital distribution and alternative business models become more common, our industry will change its focus. It’s also possible that the industry will ape the movie business even harder, with a smaller indie market that appeals to niche tastes, and the mainstream blockbusters for the mass audience of gamers. In fact, some have argued that we’re very much in this mode already.
Whichever side of the fence you come down on, it’s fairly likely that you’re knee-deep in the game right now. Whatever the future brings, two facts are irrefutable. First, GTA IV is the true summer blockbuster of 2008, and looks to be unstoppable, even in the face of Wii Fit. Secondly, RockStar and Take-Two are laughing all the way to the bank, and deservedly so.
Taiko no Tatsujin DS is unique and entertaining, but isn’t perfect. Gameplay is repetitive. Also - since two styli (and two hands) are required to play properly, it can’t really be played on the go.
So, by now we’ve all heard the buzz. Grand Theft Auto IV has officially eclipsed previous records for gaming, selling half a billion dollars worth in its first week. The New York Times reported the news early yesterday, and Take-Two confirmed (according to a Kotaku post), leaving RockStar and Take-Two with the hottest entertainment property going right now.
Though it’s difficult to compare game sales to box office performance (after all, people don’t pay $59.99 for movie tickets), I’m going to do it anyway. The current number one in domestic movies is Iron Man, which according to the latest chart in Variety, has generated total sales of $115,559,020 in its first five days. So the top videogame has eclipsed the top movie by tremendous factor. Even considering the rather unfair comparison, this is quite revolutionary, and possibly a bit startling.
We’ve seen the industry continually grow to mimic big Hollywood, with the blockbuster model. Games have become major productions, with budgets and teams that rival even the bigger action flicks. Of course, anything that expensive needs massive marketing muscle (and mass market appeal) in order to even break even with sales.
Unfortunately, the side effect is frequently stagnation, as publishers are afraid to sink money into concepts that are truly new. Franchises, sequels, and licensed properties are the name of the game (literally) in this industry. While we’re hearing more and more about indie titles and cool little games (like the rising popularity of casual games and browser games) that break this trend, the truth remains – gaming (particularly hardcore gaming) is increasingly blockbuster-oriented.
GTA IV however, is far from being a stagnant game. It’s visuals, incredibly nuanced world, story, and physics are all polished, beautifully realized elements. Just about every outlet you can read acclaims the game. It’s by all accounts an incredible, revolutionary gaming experience, even if it is a sequel (and yes, part of an established franchise). So maybe this blockbuster obsession isn’t all bad – perhaps it can be argued that a title as grand in scope as GTA IV would never come out of any other production model.
It’s possible that as digital distribution and alternative business models become more common, our industry will change its focus. It’s also possible that the industry will ape the movie business even harder, with a smaller indie market that appeals to niche tastes, and the mainstream blockbusters for the mass audience of gamers. In fact, some have argued that we’re very much in this mode already.
Whichever side of the fence you come down on, it’s fairly likely that you’re knee-deep in the game right now. Whatever the future brings, two facts are irrefutable. First, GTA IV is the true summer blockbuster of 2008, and looks to be unstoppable, even in the face of Wii Fit. Secondly, RockStar and Take-Two are laughing all the way to the bank, and deservedly so.
Read [Kotaku] Also Read [The New York Times]
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