The Hype Debate: Good Or Bad For Industry Solidarity?
See Full ImageHype. Generated mostly by the Internet, journalists, and gamers who - let's face it - don't have enough to do, it's one of the more entertaining aspects of the industry. But is crazy amounts of hype good or bad for gaming's stability?
The Good
The benefits are obvious. Hype expands visibility, which in turn expands the potential for sales. Beyond the particular title in question, it expands overall visibility; i.e., the industry steps into the limelight and starts to garner headlines amongst mainstream news sources. Hype can introduce interactive entertainment to those who have never called themselves gamers; it can put a commercial before a curious consumer who goes, "damn...that's what video games have become?" With more visibility and more money comes expansion and, ideally, stability.
The Bad
But there's a dark side to the obvious. It often starts with hordes of journalists amping up hype with pointless headlines, designed specifically to create conflict between the always-vocal gamer groups. At some point, a fair chunk of gamers grow sour with the whole mess; they don't even want to hear the name of the over-hyped game. Plus, there's the theory that highly anticipated titles have strange effects on review scores: arguments can go either way; some say because the game is so popular, the critics are more lenient. Others claim the complete opposite is true.
Furthermore, let's not forget that only one or two titles (as is the case with the current MW3 vs. BF3 war) can overshadow a lot of games, many of which are worthy of more attention. Hence, those overshadowed products don't sell well, innovation may take a hit (especially if the over-hyped games aren't innovative at all), and the industry starts to get into a rut.
Overall, hype has a significant impact on the industry, and while some say it's essential in some capacity, others will say it has nasty side-effects.
Tags: gaming culture, gaming industry, video games
8/8/2011 9:08:17 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (38 posts)
StangMan80
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:36:14 AM
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Nas Is Like
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 9:46:16 PM
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Not only does it raise people's expectations (and people are a lot likely to be disappointed by it as a result), but [over]hyped games such as Black Ops accomplished a lot more than it should've, such as massive profits and record breaker. This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for hype.
Hype also overshadows other games as you mentioned, which isn't good of course.
There's more, but I think you get my point. Just my $0.02 on the subject matter.
Last edited by Nas Is Like on 8/8/2011 9:46:59 PM
7 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:37:02 PM
Positive publicity is fine, but as ever when it evolves into Hype, and as that Hype grows, the positive of the publicity can turn negative in a variety of ways.
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Riku994
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 9:49:38 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 10:30:43 PM
3 up, 0 down
Riku994
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 11:58:29 PM
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Ultimadream
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 3:39:27 AM
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Riku994
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 11:01:27 AM
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JMO_INDY
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 10:35:08 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 10:40:56 PM
5 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 3:48:41 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/9/2011 3:48:55 AM
3 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 10:37:44 PM
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6 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 10:38:40 PM
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For industry solidarity I think it has become a mess. What used to bring us all together or at least have us wish each other well now fosters a hostile atmosphere.
8 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:41:59 PM
What's that old truism, united we stand, divided we fall? We're awfully divided right now, personally, I'd rather not endure another fall. In gaming, as in life, it's time for people to come together rather than grow further apart.
4 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 11:04:51 PM
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1 up, 2 down
StangMan80
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:49:37 AM
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When do you ever buy anything just cause someone else does? That should never happen. But gamers out there like almost all of them COD fan boys who only play COD online all day and night and don't ever take that light disk out of the console is what makes this all wrong. They are not gamers and people like this only bought the game because a friend has it or to make them feel better when they shoot at a group of pixels on a screen and then yell into a mic to some kid who doesn't know there language.
I think Hype is not worth it. The bad side of the hype is just to overpowering for the good. I wish it would all just go away. I think you should just pay attention to games and learn about them and buy the game you like. Ignore the reviews and how good your friend says it is. Because they are not you. They played the game and they told you what THEY felt and what THEY like about it, but your not them and you need to make it up for yourself. The only way you know you don't like a game is if you have played it..
Like me, I played every COD after COD4 and I hate them all. COD4 is still my favorite.
1 up, 0 down
gray_eagle
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:50:01 AM
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"Furthermore, let's not forget that only one or two titles (as is the case with the current MW3 vs. BF3 war) can overshadow a lot of games, many of which are worthy of more attention"
R3, U3 and others come to mind.
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Qubex
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 1:50:30 AM
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I think targeted hype is good if you have the stuff to prove it, if you don't then you lose all credibility, hurt your brand and build mistrust amongst your potential customer base.
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 2 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 1:59:51 AM
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4 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 3:12:27 AM
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I remember the drastic event of Final Fantasy XII. As a new FF game I was so excited. Even all the reviews regarded it highly, I went in a day before the release just to see if it was on sale. I was there just as the staff got the phone call that they could sell the game. I jumped in the que and requested it. Once I got home I brought the PS2 downstairs to the big TV. At first I enjoyed it, but by the end of the night I just became bored of it. And the horrible month ahead of me I played what was the biggest disappointment in gaming history for me. Of course as an FF game I was determined to complete it. But god, It really tested my patience.
1 up, 2 down
Excelsior1
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 4:10:01 AM
hype is very unpretictable. i find it irritating at times as well. if i hear frostbite 2.0 one more time i'm going to scream. i try to pay close attention to where hype is coming from. quotes from marketing types get filed under BS. hype from gamers playing a beta i will tend to believe a lot more.
1 up, 1 down
Excelsior1
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 6:28:59 AM
2 up, 0 down
cthulhu_spawn
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 4:10:22 AM
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SmokeyPSD
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 4:15:12 AM
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___________
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 4:20:38 AM
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anyone remember that video of KZ2 from E3 07 i think it was, the first time they finally showed some gameplay footage they had the first level of the game.
but instead of shooting all the enemies with that turret, you could actually use said turrent to shoot out the bottom pillars causing the building to collapse.
surprise that never made it into the game, not even its sequel!
thats the problem, developers promise 50M in gold, then only deliver 1000 in gold, if your lucky!
infamous 2s another perfect example, they hyped on so much about how much larger and more open the cities were, when they felt the total opposite.
or even them saying yea we dont do a GOW, we dont set you up with heaps of sweet powers then take them away from ya.
oh wait...........
LIARS!
1 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 5:03:56 AM
Forget that they showed next to nothing of it...it's an unforgivable crime that Sony shelved it.
Self-generated hype is the worst kind.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/9/2011 5:05:29 AM
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___________
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 10:14:02 AM
who the ^%$# is this, nintendo!?
self hypes not the worst, developer hype is, simply because if the developers say its true then you kinda expect it to be true.
i dont know what to believe, and what to doubt anymore!
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Dancemachine55
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 5:45:44 AM
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Having realised that, if it weren't for Gears 3 and Dance Central 2, I would probably never buy a 360 game again. I'll most likely be peer pressured into getting Halo Anniversary though.
My PS3 preorder list is MASSIVE though!!
Resistance 3 Special Ed.
ICO / Shadow of the Colossus HD Collection
Batman Arkham City Joker Ed.
Dark Souls Limited Ed.
Uncharted 3 Special Ed.
MGS HD Collection
And will definitely be getting Bioshock Infinite on PS3 next year (Bioshock is bundled for free on the Blu-ray, so why not?) and Mass Effect 3 on PC, most likely N7 Collectors Ed.
As for hyped games like Battlefield 3 and MW3, I couldn't care less. I got MW2 on PS3 (which was a bit of a letdown) and Bad Company 2 for $7.50 off Steam (which was better for the strategist within me, hate CoD after playing this gem!!)
And when are my friends and work colleagues going to stop asking me about MW3?!?! Yes, I play games, that doesn't mean MW3 is at the top of my wanted list!!! As a hardcore gamer, I know there are a ton of better games to play then that!!!
What's the bet my 360 loving friends will peer pressure me into MW3 as well as Halo Anniversary, and most likely Goldeneye Reloaded too. Crud... I gotta fork out cash to play online with them... DAMN YOU XBOX LIVE with your party chat!!!
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Excelsior1
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 6:34:00 AM
0 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 7:14:48 AM
Isn't party chat first and foremost of use when you *don't* play the same game as the rest?
I have never touched a xbox so I have to ask. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/9/2011 7:16:01 AM
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Excelsior1
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 9:04:51 AM
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 8/9/2011 9:07:45 AM
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Beamboom
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 2:43:45 PM
Last edited by Beamboom on 8/9/2011 2:44:13 PM
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Highlander
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 12:43:27 PM
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minan
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 @ 8:21:25 PM
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Monday, August 08, 2011 @ 9:46:11 PM