The struggles of selling an original IP -- Sony talks LBP sales

[xtop]

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/11/19/...lks-lbp-sales/

Gears of War 2 - 2.13 million units
Fallout 3 - 1.23 million units
Guitar Hero: World Tour - 1.19 million units
LittleBigPlanet - 0.75 million units

There have been a lot of heavy hitters this season, and for PS3 owners, LittleBigPlanet was easily the biggest game of the year. Critics have heaped tons of praise for Media Molecule's innovative platformer, but how has it performed at retail?

"This is an incredibly volatile time of year and the chart reflects that," Sony's David Wilson told GI.biz. The charts have been an uphill battle for LBP, which has been struggling against the return of massive franchises. But, in spite of being an original IP on the PS3, the game has done relatively well. "LittleBigPlanet has also sold well given that this is a brand new IP ... Our industry is littered with examples of brand new innovative titles that have been lauded by the critics but have sold dismally," Wilson added. "But Sony is delighted and honored to be working with hugely talented developers who can create brilliantly creative original games."

It's unlikely LBP will be able to beat any of the other games on this list. However, Sony is still optimistic that sales will continue to rise higher due to "word of mouth."

[Marine Mike]

What is an IP? I doubt its referring to Internet Protocals, lol.

[TauRus]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

What is an IP? I doubt its referring to Internet Protocals, lol.

In this case, IP = Intellectual Property

[Blu-Ron]

It's probably my fault. I purchased Gears of War 2 (my vote for game of the year) and I'm not going anywhere near LBP. I just don't see the point.

[nbxfan]

That's why we have all of the sequels we do regardless of wether a game is good or not. There are plenty of excellent games that don't have name recognition that get passed by and in some cases end up financially ruining companies. Far Cry 2 is a pretty good example of the company using the name for a game that didn't have much to do with the first one. Which was a good thing as the mutant powers deal was pretty lame. You also have to consider what types of games people play. LBP may have gotten excellent scores and be a great game but, I am sure that there are a lot of PS3's out there not hooked up online to take advantage of down/uploading content for the game, as well as the fact that they are touting a build your own world kind of thing which may turn a lot of people off.

[pitabun]

What was the installment base of Gears of War within the same time frame?

[Wreck]

LBP will sale alot more due to word of mouth and people playing it elsewhere...

what LBP has over Gears and Fallout 3 is it will sale alot more DLC then those 2 ... I dont know bout GH

[Shin-Ra]

Notice the GamesIndustry.biz story doesn't state any LBP sell-through figures and I don't think Sony have given any yet so ps3fanboy or some other site they copied the story from probably used one of those websites that make the numbers up.

The original story is worth discussing but the unproved figures, coming only 2-3 weeks after release aren't.

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

It's probably my fault. I purchased Gears of War 2 (my vote for game of the year) and I'm not going anywhere near LBP. I just don't see the point.

Absolutely this game is amazing and by far the game of the year

[Xerios]

sales will jump when parents buy the LBP ps3 bundle for xmas... sorta like how motorstorm is ps3's biggest selling game at 3.3million, im willing to bet an easy 1.5mil of those are console package deals

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

360 has a much bigger install base and GoW is an existing franchise versus a new IP. Given those things, I don't see how those #s are disappointing. Also LBP seems like more of a wait until X-MAs games for younger kids while GoW or Fallout 3 are immediate purchases by stalwart gamers who aren't waiting for someone to buy it for them... this is a huge factor.

[Xerios]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Buckeye

360 has a much bigger install base and GoW is an existing franchise versus a new IP. Given those things, I don't see how those #s are disappointing. Also LBP seems like more of a wait until X-MAs games for younger kids while GoW or Fallout 3 are immediate purchases by stalwart gamers who aren't waiting for someone to buy it for them... this is a huge factor.

well played sir, i agree with all of your valid points

[mikejet]

I thought it sold better than that. Suprises me really. I mean my wife wanted it more than I did. I say give it time and it will go on to be one of the best selling games.

[toef]

Originally Posted by mikejet

I thought it sold better than that. Suprises me really. I mean my wife wanted it more than I did. I say give it time and it will go on to be one of the best selling games.

There are a lot of "hardcores gamers" (whatever term/word you want to use for people to play games more than they probably should) that seem annoyed at the censoring going on with LBP, and are saying they'll either not buy it, or sell their copy.

I think Sony needs to sort that out as soon as they can, if they want to get more people on-board with the game.

1) Clearly state the rules for why levels were/are being removed, and stop sending mixed signals (e.g. "don't use other peoples IPs" and "win a contest by making the best PS3 themed level, to celebrate it's 2nd birthday")

2) Communicate with the users of censored content, so that they are aware of what caused their level to be take down, and give them a chance to remove/replace the offending material, and republish the level.

I made a level last night, and was worried that my Three Blind Mice might be some violation of something (maybe the Shrek movie?) or that their walking sticks that are resting beside them might be seen as offensive. Who knows.

[FendersRule]

LBP is my most wanted game at the moment.

It's just that $60 is a stretch.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by FendersRule

LBP is my most wanted game at the moment.

It's just that $60 is a stretch.

Wouldn't that mean that all new games are a stretch for you?

[Marine Mike]

I agree with you completely Toefer. When you first start playing LBP, all the 'rules' it states for your created levels are not to be 'offensive'.

For me personally, I was second guessing my purchase when I heard of them removing levels for copyright reasons as I assumed they had all that legal mumbo jumbo worked out.

EDIT: For them NOT to have it worked out and not realize it would be an issue is irresponsible.

[FendersRule]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Wouldn't that mean that all new games are a stretch for you?

Pretty much. That's why we have this forum, in which we can get better deals from trades!

The most I spent on a game so far for my PS3 is MGS 4 ($30 shipped from a cool user on here). I guess I don't buy games when they are extremely new (I do, but very rarely). I'm sure ill get LBP by christmas, no matter the price.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

I agree with you completely Toefer. When you first start playing LBP, all the 'rules' it states for your created levels are not to be 'offensive'.

For me personally, I was second guessing my purchase when I heard of them removing levels for copyright reasons as I assumed they had all that legal mumbo jumbo worked out.

but can't you spoof something without violating the copyright laws? I mean you're not charging people to access the levels so you're not profiting off of it.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by mikejet

but can't you spoof something without violating the copyright laws? I mean you're not charging people to access the levels so you're not profiting off of it.

I don't disagree with companies taking action with LBP, but issue with LBP not telling us as its painfully obvious it'd be an issue.