I will never understand some strategies used by certain game publishers when it comes time to market a game. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a foolish writer trying to understand what the experts are doing. I can understand companies putting out a teaser with no game footage a year before release, just to entice players to look into the game and stir up some interest. What leaves me somewhat perplex, is when the game is just a few months from release and still, not one frame of game footage is out there. It’s like the Publishers are playing a game of hide and seek, hoping you never see the game! They want the money, but they didn’t bring the “Yayo”.
The paradox in all this is their solicitation of pre-orders on platforms like Steam. How can they expect gamers to pre-purchase a game if they don’t even know how it looks or plays? I guess these publishing Gurus are into blind dates. Meet me, take me out for supper, pick up the tab and it doesn’t matter if you like me. Really?
Relic Entertainment announced Age Of Empires years ago and ran one measly little trailer with a potpourri of images from the past. Just recently did they release some game footage, but no actual footage on how the game will play, if that makes any sense. Everyone knows it’s an RTS style game, but it’s crucial potential buyers see actual in-game footage. I guess they’re banking on the success of previous installments. Games are not movies! Gamers are not interested in seeing beautifully rendered cinematic sequences that make the game look outstanding, if the result will disappoint them.
Necromunda Underhive Wars is releasing this summer and besides two quality cinematic trailers, there has been no gameplay footage released so far on this planet. I don’t mind cinematic trailers, as long as there’s game footage out there. I care about how the game plays and looks during gameplay, not in some sequence that won’t be in the game! Why can’t publishers understand this? Most of them do, but the ones that don’t should take notes. I don’t know about you, but that’s enough for me to pass on a game when it’s released. Okay, I’m lying because I’m a sucker for the games I like, but you never know. One thing I know for sure is if you “Show me the “Yayo” I’ll show you the money!
