Heavy Rain A Hit: 1.5 Million Anticipated By Year's End

We admit to having been worried about Heavy Rain. We were concerned that such an intelligent, thoughtful game would fall flat in the wake of a still-immature gaming population intent only on shooters.

But the critics spoke and thankfully, the gamers responded. It's official: Heavy Rain is a hit. According to what Quantic Dream boss David Cage told German source Play3.de, the engrossing masterpiece has topped the 1 million sold mark worldwide, which he further adds "is a surprise to many." Original estimated sales were between 200,000 and 300,000 and now, the expectation is that Heavy Rain will have sold about 1.5 million units by year's end. Cage said he is "very pleased with the reception," especially considering the fact that his game doesn't really fit into any particular genre.

"Our game isn't an action game, it's not a role-playing game, [and] it's not an adventure. It isn't in any one genre. When you create a new, convention-busting game to the market, it's always a risk, both for the developer and the publisher."

What we're a little surprised about is the expected sales range...would Quantic Dream and Sony really have made enough money on this ambitious project if it had only sold 250,000 copies? Or were they actually anticipating a small failure of sorts? Furthermore, it makes you think about the differences between studios; Ninja Theory said Heavenly Sword "just didn't make enough money" and that one sold 1.5 million. ...you can see the source of our confusion. But anyway, we really couldn't be happier that Heavy Rain is an official hit; it proves what we wanted to believe all along: many a gamer has grown up.

Related Game(s): Heavy Rain

4/9/2010 10:20:13 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (51 posts)

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eLLeJuss
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:36:47 AM
Reply

Woohoo!! way to go heavy rain!!! I love this game :).

5 up, 0 down

Danny007
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:44:27 AM
Reply

Glad to see that many people are experiencing this masterpiece.

3 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:45:56 AM
Reply

Quantic Dream isn't ninja theory, luckily.
I'm planning to get Heavy Rain this month, if all goes well.
I hope it sells more than 1.5 mil this year though, I think QD and Heavy Rain itself definitely deserve it.

4 up, 0 down

Kevadu
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:13:15 PM

Heavenly Sword may have sold 1.5 million but over what time period and what percentage of those sales were at the original $60 asking price?

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:34:57 PM

I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of those sales were in 2007 when the game released, and most all were at the $60 price.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 2:41:34 PM

I still see Heavenly Sword selling at $40-50. It probably would have sold more copies if it HAD reduced the price in a timely fashion.

I bet sales in Europe were better than NA precisely because it was a Platinum title there and not a Greatest Hit here.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 4:37:36 PM

Still don't understand how it could hit 1.5 mil and not be a greatest hit.

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 5:35:59 PM

i just picked up heavenly sword for 24 bucks. hollywood video by my house was closing and everything was about 40% off. saw last copy of heavenly sword and just picked it up.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 5:48:04 PM

Nice find John, awesome game.

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:42:08 PM

it wasnt a used game either, it was still new.

0 up, 0 down

shadowpal2
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:53:31 AM
Reply

I was going to say that it really should have sold more but then I was reminded that we are still in a somewhat immature gaming population (c'mon guys lets face it) - so it's actually very very impressive that it really sold above a million. Great job Quantic Dreams! Now give us "EVEN HEAVIER RAIN!!!"

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:59:41 AM

It's also a PS3 exclusive, so it's that much more impressive without the 38 million 360 owners who could've bought it.

1 up, 2 down

Highlander
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:56:21 AM

Now Ben, how many of those 38 million you just mentioned are dead Xboxes? And how many of the remaining 33 million or so are owned by Xboxers even remotely mature enough to play Heavy Rain?

8 up, 3 down

Naga
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:16:44 PM

At the start they'll be like eh! fck it this game sucks I'm going back to Gears.

4 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:38:04 PM

Highlander: Well, the failure rate of 360s is something stupid like 1 in 5 (it was reported to be 33% at one point). But I think people just buy another one, thereby inflating the sales numbers. My only question is how many of those 38 million purchases are from NEW 360 customers.

I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't gone through at least two or three of those pieces of junk.

As for the maturity thing...eh, we'll see. Maybe Alan Wake will force some of them to grow up.

2 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 1:34:17 PM

Or Alan Wake is taking so long because it is being retooled as a shooter :P

2 up, 0 down

frylock25
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 2:37:09 PM

ha good point world. i wouldnt doubt the game even has some shooter qualities at some point. just so as not to alienate to many xbots

0 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 3:35:46 PM

Or Alan Wake is taking so long becuase of the "maturity" factor. They are waiting for their user base to "mature" enough so they will buy it.

0 up, 0 down

Imagi
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 4:48:52 PM

Alan wake is a shooter, shine the light on the bad things and shoot them.

2 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 5:38:03 PM

hey ben, i'm still on my first xbox 360. but thats probably because it doesnt get as much playtime as it used to. hahaha. nothing on that system interests me at all.

0 up, 0 down

OPHIDIAN
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 7:53:28 PM

On my second 360 now...

Some people just never learn eh?

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, April 10, 2010 @ 2:27:35 AM

ive had one for 2 years now and its never broken on me.
im starting to wonder what the hell people do with those things to break them so often?
out of the 50+ kids in my tafe class 30 of them have a 360 and none of them have ever had to replace them.
just looks like to me people dont know how to look after their things.
my ps3 on the other hand, 3 times in the shop within the first 2 years thats why i jumped at the slim.
well that and it creates much less heat its like a oven in my room with that thing on, flip it over and boom you got yourself a portable barbecue!

0 up, 2 down

MyWorstNightmar
Saturday, April 10, 2010 @ 1:36:56 PM

OPHID, did you send it in for repair, or is this your 2nd purchase from the store?

0 up, 0 down

OPHIDIAN
Sunday, April 11, 2010 @ 9:55:21 AM

@myworstnightmare,

I bought one when they first came out here in the uk. It lasted me two weeks, got 3 red lights. The disc inside (PGR3) was completely mangled too.

I returned it, and the second one had exactly the same problem but after about 13 months. Now I have bought a second one, reasonably cheap here now though - fine so far touch wood.

0 up, 0 down

ace_boon_coon
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 10:57:38 AM
Reply

hard work pays off. they're getting the much deserved sales plus the praise and glory. this game will be cemented in history.

2 up, 0 down

Sir Shak
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:32:03 AM
Reply

Quick question Ben :

Is this game worth playing if you know who the killer is ?

0 up, 0 down

leatherface
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:38:31 AM

Hell yeah it is. How many times have people seen Empire strikes back?

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:35:31 PM

Yeah, just because it's that good.

It sucks that you know, though. It'll certainly affect the "wow" factor.

5 up, 0 down

Sir Shak
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:53:23 PM

Yeah , some bitter people without a PS3 spoiled it in the N4G comments section .

@leatherface
I have seen it once .

1 up, 0 down

Imagi
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 4:54:28 PM

That sucks, some real ******* ***** out there. At least they cannot take away the experience of playing it away from you, well worth it.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 8:31:48 PM

That's what you get for going anywhere near N4G.

2 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Saturday, April 10, 2010 @ 5:39:33 AM

Hey Ben, what did you do with the dumba** who gave away the ending to God of War 3 about 2 or 3 days ago?

Was it Shams? I think that was the user... might need some clarification.

But I hope you deleted that post and kicked him off the site for good.

I just hate that some people get kicks from spoiling games and stories for other people. Seriously!?!? What goal are they trying to achieve? Ultimate douchebaggery?!?!?

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, April 11, 2010 @ 10:01:51 PM

He's gone. He was gone FAST.

0 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:35:53 AM
Reply

This is EXACTLY why I took Ninja Theory's statement as nothing more then excuse.

There is a reason my money will support an exclusive PS3 developer over a multiplatform studio and that's because it seems with PS3 only company, the products I buy get the attention they deserve.

Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, GOW3, and Heavy Rain are all genre defining leaders, and it's because of these titles I wonder how good a game like Batman AA and Assassins Creed 2 would have been if the PS3 and Blu Ray would have been focused on.

I am very glad Heavy Rain is doing well for it will only encourage other studios to do the same.

7 up, 0 down

ValdiPS3
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:48:28 AM
Reply

enough, I'll tell you who the killer is ... it's David Cage! ... yes it is, because he took risks and launched a game unique and very different from the market leader (fps), innovate and take risks worth it.
congratulations for the one million sold mark.

5 up, 0 down

Naga
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:07:14 PM
Reply

Well done for Heavy Rain I'll need to buy this eventually alongside the God of War trilogy.

0 up, 0 down

nogoat23
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 12:50:37 PM
Reply

I loaned my friend my copy of Heavy Rain. He turned into a full blown trophy whore, so I'm constantly tricking him into playing great games by bragging about how easy the trophies are.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 1:37:40 PM
Reply

Ben, always reading my thoughts. The second I read the headline I intended to come in here and blast Ninja Theory for being upset about 1.5 million copies sold. But I can't do that now so I'll just say congrats, love Heavy Rain and can't wait to see what Cage and QD come out with next. It's always great when a gamble pays off. I roll my eyes whenever I see some tool say they won't buy it but will "just watch it on youtube" Yeah that gives the game no credit and robs yourself of the experience.

2 up, 1 down

frylock25
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 2:41:42 PM

yeah what a lame experiance. i dont understand that thought process at all. what is the point of that other than just being to lazy to play it your self? youtube is overrated

0 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 2:45:38 PM

Even if WERE just a "movie", why would you watch it on Youtube instead of in glorious, clean Blu-ray HD? :)

0 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 2:56:25 PM
Reply

My mom always told me I was 1 in a million.

Glad I could do my part.

4 up, 0 down

Banky A
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 6:41:31 PM

+1 for spelling 'Mom'.

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 5:34:11 PM
Reply

and i still havent got to playing my copy. damn ff13 and god of war series.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 6:55:37 PM
Reply

It's always nice when a personal trilogy ends with a bang. I'm sure Cage is a very happy man with these results.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Saturday, April 10, 2010 @ 1:17:28 AM
Reply

Hmmm, sounds like there's only 1 difference between Quantic Dream's 1.5 million games sold, & Ninja theory's same amount sold.......

Quantic Dream are artisans, that hope their canvas's sell well.

Ninja Theory are accountants, huddled around an open spreadsheet, and they all have pocket protectors filled with lots & lots of shiny red pens.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, April 10, 2010 @ 2:29:43 AM
Reply

still the best game this gen by far!
the story was way off and made no seance what so ever but never have i played a game thats made me feel how the character would feel.
thanks to heavy rain i now cringe when i see gory scenes, they use to have no effect on me and now they make me feel sick!
thanks heavy rain you turned me into a pussy!

0 up, 1 down

T00MuchRazMataz
Sunday, April 11, 2010 @ 1:31:04 AM
Reply

Honestly, I'm surprised. I played through Heavy Rain, and, yeah it had some nice moments, but as a game overall, it was pretty bad. It wasn't anything THAT new or innovative, really. I don't see why it has gotten so much praise. Plenty of games before it have had you click the right button before time runs out, it just gave it a boost with the six-axis, that's all.

The story? Ugh. Full of holes and characters that didn't make sense. The writer didn't do quite enough research on character behavior and psychology. Of course you can fool someone and throw out a twist to your audience and say "this" if all of the signs are pointing to "that".

Graphics? Just okay. Better in some spots, weird in others. You would expect in a game in this day and age that during a cut scene where the player has no control over anything, that the character models would line up nice and look real. Even something as simple as a handshake, I mean seriously, just sloppy.

The game wasn't the worst, but it wasn't near anything worth mentioning. It had it's fun moments and intense places where you will get into it and shake that controller harder than a spray paint can, but you could probably count these on your two hands. Game could have been longer and had less problems, then this number (1.5 mil) would be more justified.

0 up, 1 down

Lex Luthor
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 6:04:49 PM

Hey, it's good to know it0s only your opinion...

But maybe, you need to go back to Gears Of War 2...

0 up, 0 down

T00MuchRazMataz
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 8:14:21 PM

haha, Gears 2 was another disappointing game...but for other reasons.

0 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Sunday, April 11, 2010 @ 2:53:39 PM
Reply

Heavy Rain is an excellent example of what the Playstation community can reward you with. If you bring out an amazing game that is new to the scene in just about every aspect, you won't get slept on.

Had this game came out on another system, the chances of it being slept on and over looked would have been through the roof. Communities can be different and depending on which one you're focusing on, the results can/will vary.

Gamers rock on, Rock on gamers.

1 up, 0 down

Gamer46
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 @ 12:14:38 AM
Reply

I played the game and just couldn't get into it for some reason. I passed on it for MLB 10 The Show and God of War III and don't regret my decision at all. But, good for Quantic Dream, they did put a lot of time and effort into the game.

0 up, 0 down

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