2010-02-17, 08:52 PM
You bum, you left out my argument we had earlier, anyways in a nutshell, since the topic is focused on sales vs quality, there are multiple points to make:
- Mario is huge and is probably the most recognized character in the gaming world, whether you like it or not, everyone has played AT LEAST[B] one Mario game in their life, and if not, they have at least heard of him. Mario has a fanbase that's incredibly huge I image (I don't know as I'm not a huge Mario fan) however it also has a past of many successful games. While Sonic originally had really well made games on the Sega Genesis, he slowly became mediocre at best due to idea of the game, 3D does NOT work with Sonic games, Sonic Rush and the Sonic Adventure 2 Battle had the formula right but still as of yet to create a decent game, albeit Unleashed was decent for the speed portions but the Beast part was just unnecessary. Even other games may have a huge fan base, but Mario has had the time to develope and prospure, it's been around 20 years now since Mario has been out, while CoD has around 6 or so years? (again, I don't have exact dates).
- While Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 were rated fairly high, there is one component they lack, online multiplayer. Now even though MW2 has multiplayer, the ratings play a part in the sales. Mario Kart DS for example is rated a simple E for everyone, which, while appealing to most casual gamers, also is good for the hardcore gamers as well (i.e. snaking), while that may be considered cheating/glitching, you can argue the same thing about Super Smash Brothers Melee with waveshine, it adds to the gameplay even though it was not intentional.[/B] Melee appeals to casual and hardcore. Now I agree, Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 are NOT SUITED FOR MULTIPLAYER[B], it wouldn't work nor should it.[/B] Mario Kart DS is portable and has multiplayer which means the necessity for a TV and controller are not necessary, the DS sells range from $50~150 or so while a Xbox360 is about 200~400 and a Wii is around 200 I believe.
- Now looking at the ratings, Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 were rated M for Mature (+17 years old) which means most casual gamers are not going to get it, simply by the age requirement. You posed a question earlier that an older sibling would buy it for them, but what older sibling buys a game for their younger sibling? (albeit this is somewhat biased now) Odds are that sibling would play the game or wouldn't buy it in the first place. Mario games are rated E for everyone, which means their parents won't question the content of the game.
- People also appeal towards simplicity rather than complexity. This is the problem of the hardcore games. While casual games are easy to pick up and very simplistic, they have a small risk rate compared to hardcore games since casual games are meant to appeal to everyone with the neglection of good gameplay. I'm not saying Mario is stupid or anything nor am I saying Mario is a bad franchise, but adults do not look at content unless the rating indicates something. Adults buy what the child wants without question when it comes to Wii games, because the Wii is designed as a casual player console, which also explains why TvC did not sell well, most hardcore gamers DO NOT BUY[B] Wiis.[/B] You can't expect Hardcore games to sell well on a Casual Console. Hardcore games have an unpredictable success rate, due to the complexity that comes with the game. If the complexity and mechanics don't work, it does not sell well, but when they do work, they stil lsell but not as well as a casual game because GOOD hardcore games are released rarely =/.
- Mario is huge and is probably the most recognized character in the gaming world, whether you like it or not, everyone has played AT LEAST[B] one Mario game in their life, and if not, they have at least heard of him. Mario has a fanbase that's incredibly huge I image (I don't know as I'm not a huge Mario fan) however it also has a past of many successful games. While Sonic originally had really well made games on the Sega Genesis, he slowly became mediocre at best due to idea of the game, 3D does NOT work with Sonic games, Sonic Rush and the Sonic Adventure 2 Battle had the formula right but still as of yet to create a decent game, albeit Unleashed was decent for the speed portions but the Beast part was just unnecessary. Even other games may have a huge fan base, but Mario has had the time to develope and prospure, it's been around 20 years now since Mario has been out, while CoD has around 6 or so years? (again, I don't have exact dates).
- While Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 were rated fairly high, there is one component they lack, online multiplayer. Now even though MW2 has multiplayer, the ratings play a part in the sales. Mario Kart DS for example is rated a simple E for everyone, which, while appealing to most casual gamers, also is good for the hardcore gamers as well (i.e. snaking), while that may be considered cheating/glitching, you can argue the same thing about Super Smash Brothers Melee with waveshine, it adds to the gameplay even though it was not intentional.[/B] Melee appeals to casual and hardcore. Now I agree, Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 are NOT SUITED FOR MULTIPLAYER[B], it wouldn't work nor should it.[/B] Mario Kart DS is portable and has multiplayer which means the necessity for a TV and controller are not necessary, the DS sells range from $50~150 or so while a Xbox360 is about 200~400 and a Wii is around 200 I believe.
- Now looking at the ratings, Bayonetta and No More Heroes 2 were rated M for Mature (+17 years old) which means most casual gamers are not going to get it, simply by the age requirement. You posed a question earlier that an older sibling would buy it for them, but what older sibling buys a game for their younger sibling? (albeit this is somewhat biased now) Odds are that sibling would play the game or wouldn't buy it in the first place. Mario games are rated E for everyone, which means their parents won't question the content of the game.
- People also appeal towards simplicity rather than complexity. This is the problem of the hardcore games. While casual games are easy to pick up and very simplistic, they have a small risk rate compared to hardcore games since casual games are meant to appeal to everyone with the neglection of good gameplay. I'm not saying Mario is stupid or anything nor am I saying Mario is a bad franchise, but adults do not look at content unless the rating indicates something. Adults buy what the child wants without question when it comes to Wii games, because the Wii is designed as a casual player console, which also explains why TvC did not sell well, most hardcore gamers DO NOT BUY[B] Wiis.[/B] You can't expect Hardcore games to sell well on a Casual Console. Hardcore games have an unpredictable success rate, due to the complexity that comes with the game. If the complexity and mechanics don't work, it does not sell well, but when they do work, they stil lsell but not as well as a casual game because GOOD hardcore games are released rarely =/.