: Heavy Rain Success: Sign Of Maturity?

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Heavy Rain Success: Sign Of Maturity?

Sony and Microsoft are attempting to appeal to about the same age group, but Sony fans will often say older, more mature gamers own the PS3. To back up their point, they will reference the PlayStation Network in comparison to Xbox Live; they'll say the latter has a far greater number of younger gamers and even kids. You will get this on the PSN, of course, but for the most part, you just run into more normal, relatively civil adults. At least, that's the claim.

But perhaps there's a better indicator of maturity for the PlayStation 3. Maybe a better way to gauge maturity is to check software sales numbers; what do people play most on that platform? In my opinion, the best indicator at this time is the success of Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain, which is now expected to exceed 2 million units sold. Originally, Sony wasn't overly confident and didn't predict anywhere near that number and while we can always attribute better sales to high review scores, this sales success does appear to be a solid sign of maturity. To prove it, there's one very specific question we should ask ourselves in regards to the competition: would it have sold as many copies as a 360 exclusive?

The difficulty in this is that the 360 doesn't really have anything like Heavy Rain but perhaps we can mention Alan Wake. I'm playing it right now and unsurprisingly, I really like it a lot; this is my cup of tea. I'm partial to anything when it's clear the designers put a ton of effort into the storyline, atmosphere and overall presentation. Above all else, I believe such factors are the "maturity indicators" of the industry. It may not be similar in regards to gameplay but in terms of targeted audience, I can certainly imagine Heavy Rain fans enjoying Alan Wake. ...and yet, the sales numbers for the latter aren't where they should be. Developer Remedy said the game "has the legs" to push forward, but with only 145,000 copies in the first month, it wasn't looking good.

Granted, the game didn't score quite as high as Heavy Rain, but at about 84% (according to GameRankings), plus the information that it was relatively unique and more cerebral than most titles, one would hope it could've sold more. So, the reverse question would be, might Alan Wake have sold more as a PS3 exclusive? Would it indeed be true to say the PS3 audience is simply more mature on the average? Or, if not "older," perhaps just...more intelligent? Thing is, Quantic Dream is ecstatic and always says how happy they are with their partnership with Sony. If Remedy, or another developer, wanted to make something "cerebral," and they had a choice of platform, would they be better advised to make it for the PS3? The PS3 certainly has more potential to begin with, but that's not my question.

And I'm not answering the question either way. I honestly don't know. Remedy says their game is "a breath of fresh air" (and I agree, especially in regards to the Xbox 360 library) and aren't ruling out a sequel, which I definitely appreciate. So they're willing to stick with it. But Quantic Dream - and other innovative developers like thatgamecompany (Flow, Flower, Journey) - always seem to make one thing clear during interviews: they always say such-and-such project couldn't have been done without Sony's willingness to embrace fresh, creative ideas. So, here's the last question: is Sony willing to do this because they believe the PS3 has the most mature gaming audience of all three consoles?

Or, you could always introduce the hardcore/casual argument, but I'd rather not open up that can of worms.

8/20/2010 Ben Dutka

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Comments (77 posts)

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:37:46 PM
Reply

Well, the average gamer is in their mid 30's, no? Least that's what I thought was the average statistic people use. Thing is, when it comes to the PS3, it just seems to be more mature in general, with the fact that it's someone who obviously knows what the console is capable of and are more attentive to what they play and or want to play. And other than that, make a great game (which pretty much almost all ps3 exclusives are) and you'll be rewarded for it on Sony's console of creative IP's.

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Killa Tequilla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:05:01 AM

Unlike a lot of people -_- I use a mic while playing a game. When I have conversations with people I ask them their age. They always say 15-17. Exept Socom U.S Navy SEALs Confrontation, they really are people in the mid 30's. And it's funny because there " Teenage " Comes out in them when I start fighting with them saying they suck and your momma jokes. They reply with the most childish things & I can confirm ( from your previous article ) that gaming effects peoples lifestyle of all ages. Even people in their mid 30's. Unlike me I like to play games for fun & a bit of competiton. Don't get me wrong I like POWNING&OWNING with my CHOPPER GUNNER in Mw2 :)

But I also like messing with people to bring out the real them inside them. JEJEJE
With so many Ps3s sold depending on what game you play = depends what age people play that game. Toy Story 3 = Kids right? Socom U.S Navy SEALs Confrontation = mid 30's. YOU PROBABLY WONT FIND A 30 YEAR OLD IN Toy Story 3 LOLz. You wont find a kid in Socom....

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JackC8
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 6:46:47 AM

I always have to wonder when they talk about the average age of gamers. Are they including millions of senior citizens who play a couple games of solitaire on their PC each year? It's like another survey I read about golf - they were saying that Minnesota has a huge percentage of golfers compared to other states. You'd think half the population was heading out to the course every day after work. Then I looked at the numbers more closely and they were talking about people who played 1 - 2 rounds of golf in the last 2 years or something.

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sirbob6
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:41:34 PM
Reply

I think the answer to your last question is yes. I back it up with not only Heavy Rain but also other games with deep stories like MGS4. The stories goes beyond the normal "See that? Go kill it" of a lot of games.

On a side note: How was Alan Wake? I know my xbot said it was good but I am curious of your opinion.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:02:28 PM

I think it's great. It has a few technical issues and sometimes it does feel a little repetitive, but it IS pretty unique, and it IS genuinely freaky. Like I said, it's right up my alley.

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sirbob6
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:04:52 PM

Thanks, I may have to "borrow" may xbot's 360 and Alan Wake for a few days.
Last edited by sirbob6 on 8/20/2010 10:10:48 PM

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Nickjcal
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 11:16:05 PM

Ill prolly buy alan wake after halo reach. But startin next month the games just start flowin out haha. Gotta get me some money!

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FxTales
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:42:10 PM
Reply

I don't know I think maturity does contribute but for me it was more the fact that it was so different, nothing like it before.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:43:01 PM
Reply

While plenty of people enjoy owning both consoles, I think if we were to separate everyone into groups (say, which console you like best) you'd find that the software driving the PS3 forward is more diverse. As such, what is offered especially in the way of exclusives, is ranged for everyone and dare I say is backwards compatible with the grown-up dynamic. What I mean is while LBP is great for kids and Heavy Rain is an adult game, the adults on PS3 are open minded beyond just needing to shoot something and can fully enjoy games like LBP as well.

Older gamers are definitely more civil, but what's interesting is that the Playstation brand seems to attract more mature youngsters as well. It's a shame we must rely on anecdotal evidence; I for one would like to see the results of a study on this subject.

edit: Oh yeah, and as I said before, Alan Wake would have sold more on PS3, but it would have made the best sense to make it multiplat.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/20/2010 9:44:16 PM

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Temjin001
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 11:35:19 PM

First off, I'd like to say that Socio-economics is a highly complex and multi-layered sphere of study that universities, and interests groups are highly engaged in. I think it takes solid empirical data to make any real conclusions.

But hey, this is a editorial for us to throw some ideas around in.

World, I would believe that there is a less polarized group of gamers on PS3 than the Xbox. But I think it's accurate to say that the largest group on both platforms right now is for the same genre.
That is, the most profitable games for either platform are shooters, and if not pure shooters, then the they have a lot to do with shooting guns (Ratchet, Alan Wake etc).

Aren't both Modern Warfare's the single largest selling games for either platform?

And while MS also has their Halo, Gears, and L4D fans, Sony has a large quality line up of shooter/competitive games: Resistance, Warhawk, Killzone, and MAG (am I missing any?) And those are all published by Sony.

Anyway, it's nice seeing encouraging numbers from quality experimental titles like Heavy Rain, or to see games like the Last Guardian coming in the horizon.

It would seem (and it's something I've had a growing concern with) that as games grow bigger in budget and production the safer the investment publisher's will want to make. Hopefully, we don't see a day when the majority of big budgeted games are green lighted only for the consumer fads.
I have to say, the pre-Xbox/LIVE era didn't have a whole lot for FPS games. Yeah, there was Golden Eye, and some other occasional decent shooters, but nothing, absolutely nothing compared to how it is now.

Times have changed.



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Temjin001
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 11:44:21 PM

oh, yeah, I'm missing SOCOM, too =)

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Kangasfwa
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:43:30 PM
Reply

I think Heavy Rain's success is more of a sign of the PS3 fanbase. Every gamer enjoys great games, but the PS3 fanbase seems to appreciate a deeper setting and story. The PS3 wouldn't host its creative, sometimes thought provoking, games otherwise.
Last edited by Kangasfwa on 8/20/2010 9:47:33 PM

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PAKINIPS
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 9:47:53 PM
Reply

wow you guys are up early!

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:31:53 PM

It's 10:30 at night where I am :)

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PAKINIPS
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:32:53 PM

aha wondered why the time was always wrong on this site lol. im doing an all nighter for absolutely no reason

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:42:25 PM

Break out the games and the caffeine!

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PAKINIPS
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:50:03 AM

i was aware i just forget :(
been playing uncharted online since 11 :) dont need no caffiene

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Lawless SXE
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:28:08 PM
Reply

Wait, why in the editorial does it state: 'If Remedy, or another developer, wanted to make something "cerebral," and they had a choice of platform, would they be better advised to make it for the PS3?'
Is Remedy owned by Microsoft? Is that why we will never see Alan Wake? If so, sorry for my ignorance, but I did not know that.

While it is true that the sales figures do indicate the difference in maturity, in truth both titles would need to be multiplatform in order to gauge that type of thing. The sales don't lie (provided they aren't skewed like M$ counting units shipped). The problem is that, despite their similarities, they are still two very different games. I suppose that developers could go out with the intention of creating more intellectual games and see the sales figures to determine which console has the more mature audience. Although it doesn't really matter what you do as it is all subjective. Just because it seems that one is more mature than the other does not make it so.

Of course, judging by the console owners that I know, it certainly does seem that the PS3 has the more mature group. Or at least, they're more the kind of people I prefer to hang out with as they are willing to talk about topics other than themselves and superficial crap. Oh well, such is life and all that.

In all honesty though, I want more games like Heavy Rain with a deep, involved story and real characters. I actually want a love story game. That'd be hard to work though. I'm not saying that a lot of games nowadays don't have good, interesting and intriguing stories, but it's just that most focus so heavily on war and violence, and it gets so boring. I'm rambling aren't I?
Peace.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:34:11 PM

No, Remedy owns Alan Wake. They can do with it as they please, for some reason (a bunch of cash) they decided to go exclusive to MS.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:51:06 AM

True, but as Microsoft published it, they have the rights to it so Alan Wake can never go multi.

Just wanted to point that out for any hopeful PS3 owners.

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Lawless SXE
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:08:44 AM

Yeah, I didn't realise that. The way you used the word choice in that sentence made it seem to me as if Remedy didn't have any option whatsoever.
Thanks and peace.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:17:05 PM

Oh MS published it? I did not know that. I suppose they needed that help.

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StangMan80
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:38:14 PM
Reply

Yes Allen wake would of sold more on the PS3 and Yes us PS3 owners are more intelligent... for not getting a 360 in the first place.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 10:41:51 PM

I tend to agree, it is a foolish person who buys something that is almost guaranteed to break.

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:19:48 AM

honestly its the only reason why i haven't bothered to replace mine after my brother asked for it back after playing Gears of War 2 and Alan Wake on it. He does let me use it when i ask, but i'll never buy one
Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/21/2010 2:21:02 AM

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Crabba
Monday, August 23, 2010 @ 12:55:53 PM

Seriously, only a moron would pay ~$300 for a product with a 20-30% failure rate. Crazy...

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RebelJD
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 11:04:10 PM
Reply

All I have to say about this article is that I anticipated Heavy Rain as much as Alan Wake. I got my PS3 Christmas of '09, sold my Xbox 360 Christmas of '08.

When Heavy Rain came out I couldn't wait to pick it up, and did. When Alan Wake FINALLY was set to release I anticipated it as "the title that I wish I still had an Xbox 360 for". When Alan Wake came out to a lukewarm reception I felt for it. I was really rooting for it to be what Heavy Rain was to the PS3, but apparently 360 owners made it out to look like a generic fourth-party game or something.

Not even my good buddy who owns a 360 picked it up after I heavily promoted Alan Wake as "the game to buy"!

Had Alan Wake came out for the PS3 it would be sitting in my collection of games right now.
Last edited by RebelJD on 8/20/2010 11:04:33 PM

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dveisalive
Friday, August 20, 2010 @ 11:46:34 PM
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Man screw maturity, this game is epic and must be seen to believe. They could make a movie out of a moive out of this XD rofl lol

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Victor321
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:17:15 AM
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Alan Wake certainly would've sold more if it were multi-plat or PS3 exclusive, no kidding! But I am really happy for its success, nonetheless.

Also, I completely agree with you Ben, on your view that Heavy Rain's success in worldwide sales is a connection to the mature, civil people who own PS3s. Heck, the community here at PSXExtreme is proof enough of that, Heavy Rain or no Heavy Rain.

I bought the game, and I'm 16, part of the age group associated with COD lol (note: I do own COD games, but my gaming library is NOT comprised of games JUST like them).
Last edited by Victor321 on 8/21/2010 12:17:39 AM

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godsman
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:47:42 AM
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Why would Sony not expect at least 1-2 million sales from Heavy Rain? Now-a-days development of an exclusive game can easily exceed 20-30 million dollars. How can they not expect that sales?

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:50:25 AM

Two reasons: it's a new IP and it's extremely unlike any other blockbuster in existence. Sony took a chance and they knew it at the time.

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___________
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:45:34 AM

maybe because it was a QTE fest?
allot of people HATED that!

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:48:06 AM

looks like someone is a tad bit upset that a game he considers to be a QTE fest sold significantly better than a game that gets compared to it often....snicker

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 10:25:03 AM

If all get out of Heavy Rain is QTEs, I feel sorry for you.

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fluffer nutter
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:27:15 AM

godsman, I think you're confusing two things here. 1-2 millions in sales is talking about the amount of units sold, not dollars. So, let's say the game was sold for $30 each, that would have brought in around $30 - $60 million and we know this game was sold for more than that, overall. Especially, since the total sales is closer to 2 million. Maybe even more by now.
Last edited by fluffer nutter on 8/21/2010 11:29:23 AM

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spiderboi
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:33:54 AM

Aren't all games technically QTE's? Since it all entails quick reaction (well, mostly for FPS's and TPS's, not so much on deep RPG). Not sure why the hate on QTE's but story-wise, Heavy Rain delivers and delivers well. While playing it I swear I sometimes get the cold chills..

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Scarecrow
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 12:55:07 AM
Reply

For example, Demon's Souls would've flopped hard if it was a 360 exclusive.

It really boils down to the twitchy gamers. 360 just has more of them.

But yes, maturity does come into play. They probably see those games where they need to have patience and actually UNDERSTAND everything 'bout the game as "boring games."

I'm glad Heavy Rain kicked ass and is still kicking ass. It's one of those games ps3 gamers should get regardless of what types of games they like.

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Snaaaake
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 1:55:16 AM

For a game that has won GOTY award, Demon's Souls sold(I think I smell a pun) poorly.

It's barely 1 million copies the last time I check.

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Fane1024
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:21:59 PM

DS sold better than they expected it to sell, though. They ran out of the first run almost immediately and had to order another "printing".

Also, DS released at three different times (under three different publishers) in the different regions, so it had very little benefit of "buzz" or advertizing.

It's possible that your numbers do not yet include the PAL sales, since it was released there on June 25.

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Pandacastro
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:23:23 AM
Reply

I think heavy rain would sell alot on xbox if they add multiplayer, guns, and got rid of the things that make heavy rain good. LOL

btw sold my 360 since imo barely has any games anymore

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ZettaiSeigi
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:39:05 AM
Reply

I remember that Alan Wake was supposed to come out for the PS3 when the game was first announced. That was a long time ago, back to the days when the PS3 was struggling to get on its feet. Could that be the reason why Remedy decided to scrap the PS3 version? Boy, the times sure has changed.

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___________
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:45:00 AM
Reply

it is?
im on the PSN all the time and all i hear is little pricks swearing and screaming racial slurs!
i was playing uncharted 2 the other day, and someone said oo we have a ozzie playing better run off i think a dingos stealing your baby.
never, ever heard anything like that on XBLA, so ill beg to differ.

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:44:23 AM

LOL dude your so full of sh**. The kind of sh** that sticks to the toilet bowl and refuses to flush properly.

If you have never heard any kind of racial slur on xbox live, you don't play on xbox live, period. I've heard them on both, more so on live due to the fact that it comes with a mic.
Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/21/2010 4:49:27 AM

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sirbob6
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:03:43 AM

I have to ask if you ever been on Live before? I have played with my xbot on it and it is horrible. Or maybe you just have your online services mixed?

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Ultimadesires
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:22:31 AM

Your always going to get annoying people online, its unavoidable unfortunatly, will i do hate spammers i have to say people who treat the game as a realistic mater of life and death are much worse. I like to have fun, ocassionaly muck about with people, just because the aim is to kill the other team doesnt mean thats all you can do.

My fondest online memory is on MGS3 Online, Where i got everyone in the team deathmatchs aim to throw everyone off the cliff, was a riot :D

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spiderboi
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:37:40 AM

Both network gaming services will have these annoying people. Can't avoid that. And honestly, we can't back console demographics as to maturity of the crowd, it has to be the games that reflect these. HR and MGS3 is and will always have a solid spot on my intellectual gaming side of the brain.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:22:47 PM

Blank line, all you do is disagree with things that are obviously true. Not everyone has to agree on everything but you really take the cake when it comes to BS posts.

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Ultimadesires
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 3:32:55 AM
Reply

Being fair the 360 never even got Heavy Rain, i'm sure it would have selled well on that console too.

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:45:34 AM

if Alan Wake didn't sell like they wanted it to, i highly doubt Heavy Rain would have faired well

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Ultimadesires
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:48:49 AM

Ture but being fair Heavy Rain is probaly my favourite game this generation, but i don't really have an interest in Alan Awake, i don't see how the two relate personally. But i have to say it sucks to be them for missing out on Heavy Rain.

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aaronisbla
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:53:44 AM

there really isn't any thing that connects the games, both are different from the other. the only thing i can think of is both are pretty different from the norm thats on the systems it appears on

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:25:37 PM

If Ben is to be believed, both games are cerebral and one needs to be able to appreciate an involved plot. In my opinion 360 has an audience that is pretty much into "See that? Go kill it" gaming. If you accept this premise (And you aught to based on the sales of software for 360) a game like Heavy Rain likely would have bombed on that console.

I can't even imagine my xbot having the patience to play HR.

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Temjin001
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 10:19:10 AM

It's Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg.

"I'll show them!"
*click*
*click*
*click*
....

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ZettaiSeigi
Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 1:38:50 AM

Someone thought that doing that was a lot more fun than actually contributing an opinion. LOL

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ZettaiSeigi
Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 1:38:52 AM

(Sorry about the double post)

Talking about Aaron Grreenberg, I haven't heard a lot of spin from that guy lately. I bet he's very scared of Kevin Butler. He is, after all, the VP of Sharpening Things. LOL
Last edited by ZettaiSeigi on 8/22/2010 1:40:27 AM

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Gordo
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 6:33:57 AM
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I love Heavy Rain. It's one of the best games this generation.

The one thing I think they could have improved on is the controls.

I loved the game so much I wanted my parents, my brother, my wife, my children to play this. It needed an easy setting that allowed you to play the game without having to deal with the "tank" controls.

I showed the game to my brother and his wife at the weekend, they were laughing at the graphics in the first few levels but when it got intense they started concentrating and started to "get it" later on.

They did then end up telling me "it's just like playing a movie".

Totally beautiful game but to pull in the "total casual" gamer they needed to make it more accessable.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:28:04 PM

That's odd, the graphics are incredible. I didn't think the controls were too tanklike. Not like resievil or anything, just hold R2 and walk in the direction you mean to go.

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JackC8
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 7:05:06 AM
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I think it's safe to say that Alan Wake would have sold at least twice as well on the PS3. I guess that's the price you pay - Microsoft shows up with a big suitcase full of cash and the developers eyes pop out of their head. But then once the game comes out, the normal revenue stream just isn't there because you made a unique game for people who only appreciate the mundane.

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JackC8
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 8:09:30 AM

Just looking at some numbers: on the 360, if you add up the sales of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Forza 2, Forza 3 and Alan Wake, the total comes out to just barely more than the Modern Warfare 2 sales on that console.

Forza 3 only sold 73% as many copies as Forza 2, and Mass Effect 2 sold 84% as many as Mass Effect 1.

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Alienange
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 11:58:41 AM
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What's the third con... oh, right. Hahaha

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nogoat23
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 1:40:06 PM
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Hmmm, maybe it's a sign of maturity that Heavy Rain sold more than Alan Wake, but more likely, it's a sign of marketing.

I was much more emotionally gripped by the preview videos of Heavy Rain than the ones for Alan Wake.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:29:52 PM

Not sure putting vids on the net qualifies as actual marketing. I sure didn't see a single TV or magazine or on-the-street advertisement.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:10:32 PM

There was virtually no marketing for Heavy Rain. None.

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RobiinzZ
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 4:47:17 PM

In the UK i saw quite a few adverts on tv for heavy rain, not sure about anywhere else, but there was a decent amount on tv in the UK.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 6:25:29 PM

Certainly not here.

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nogoat23
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 @ 2:28:17 PM

Interesting. I thought that counted. I stand corrected.

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Luiscosmo2
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 1:42:26 PM
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I think its just one of those exclsuives you have to get...Trust me I know 8=D

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tes37
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 1:46:57 PM
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I think there is a difference in maturity level between xbox and ps3 users. I think there are a lot of factors involved that separate the two groups. I do believe the ps3 attracts people who tend to be a little more mature.

This generation has me shifting my focus away from the gamer and looking at the maturity level of the developers instead. All my friends who own an xbox usually only buy fps's and say that's all they want. Software sales even show a higher percentage of fps purchases. I question whether or not some developers are smart enough to target the right crowd. An unusually high number of rpg's that hit the xbox is a good example.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:33:02 PM

SE certainly lost their mind. But I think MS pushed super hard to try to grab the RPG crowd when their console launched early in order to get ahead of PS3, especially since Xbox1 had no JRPGs and just a few WRPGs (Fable, Morrowind, Baldurs)

Ironically, it was a waste. Xboxers still only want FPS.

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tes37
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:56:28 PM

After years of stagnate sales, you'd think they would get the message. Where is the multiplat strategy here for the greedy? Greed is blinding and developers aren't making the connection that by the time their bribe money wears out, their fanbase has moved on.

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Fane1024
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 1:58:16 PM
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I would have bought Alan Wake if it were a PS3 game (exclusive or not). It was my most anticipated game when it was announced and I was very disappointed that it became a 360 exclusive because I will _never_ own one.

(possible edit pending after I read all the comments) :)

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Fane1024
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 2:31:18 PM

Oops. Lost my edit button.

I do want to add that there are definitely plenty of douche-nozzles on PSN. I was playing Fat Princess the other day and on two separate occassions I encountered "people" who were spawn camping in their OWN TEAM'S base and using bombs to kill their team mates and to destroy the fortifications so that the other team could win. I called out one of these knobs and he said he was "just having fun". If your idea of fun is to ruin the fun of fifteen of your team mates, you are a truly immature person (and, frankly, a possible sociopath).

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just2skillf00l
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 5:41:19 PM
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Fane,

Gotta agree. I've met a fair share of immature players online in all types of games. Mostly, however; I find these players cramping the COD experience and sometimes even Uncharted 2.

Exploiting glitches and flaws in the online system, planting traitors and frauds on opposing teams, can't help but love online gaming!

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BikerSaint
Saturday, August 21, 2010 @ 10:21:06 PM
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At 57, I've played game all the way up the generation chain, and I have to say that the PS3 has given me the most mature & diverse pleasures by utilzing games of every sort, out of all my consoles.

But I've also got to say that at 57, I don't always act my age either, so that's why I just bought the LittleBigPlanet GOTY edition tonight. After tax, I got LBP GOTY for only 99 cents out of pocket,

YAY SACKBOY, FTW!!!!

BTW, I don't care what you guys say about Gamestop cause man I love my closest local Gamestop register biscuits.
They just surprised me by saving me a PS2 Network adaptor start-up disc FREE that just got traded in with it's HDD Net adaptor hardware(I already had that), plus also a bunch of free game swag items too.

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BooyakaBerger
Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 11:04:41 AM
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I find the whole 'maturity' discussion a bit ironic due to every time I've ever seen someone say anything positive about another system (not bashing the PS3, just positive about another) random insults start being thrown around.

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Mornelithe
Sunday, August 22, 2010 @ 1:20:12 PM
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I think it's simply that gaming actually has a history now, that history was paved with the experiences of a great many people starting more than 20 years ago.

As such, those people who originally paved the way as geeks, and gamers, have grown up and are older and are now interested in more than just your typical shooter/fighter.

It's natural, really. People age, and their tastes change/broaden over time.

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anjpikapp3
Monday, August 23, 2010 @ 5:02:23 PM
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I think your right on cue, Ben. My argument is this, if you bought a 360 this year (2010) instead of a PS3 then maybe your intelligence is sub par already... I say this only because of the obvious, the PS3 is not an upgraded PS2 like the 360 is to the Xbox.

Everyone calls the Xbox, PS3, and Wii the next Gen consoles but, only 1 is really next gen. The 360 is nothing more then an upgraded Xbox; more RAM and a better video card does not make a console 'next gen.' The Wii...well, we all know that the Wii is nothing more then an illusion of past games updated for big screen TVs.

So, yes, I question the intelligence of those who purchase other consoles because if you actually stopped and thought about it, the PS3 is the better choice and therefore makes you a smart shopper.

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