Post by 2ndopp on Aug 18, 2007 9:37:15 GMT
Shenmue did not "bomb", but it was a commercial failure. The only thing is, almost every game out is a commercial failure:
"As a hit-driven business, the great majority of the video games industry's software releases have been commercial failures. In the early 21st century, rules of thumb noted by industry commentators estimated that 10% of published games generated 90% of revenue[9]; that around 3% of PC games and 15% of console games have global sales of 100,000+ a year (with even this level insufficient to make high-budget titles profitable)[10]'; and that about 20% of games return at least some profit[11]. The rate of commercial failure has been estimated at 95% by the International Game Developers Association" Wikipedia
Now as for Shenmue:
"Shenmue on the Dreamcast is more notorious for its overambitious budget than its poor sales figures. While it sold a respectable number of units, at the time of release, the game had the record for the most expensive production costs (over US$70 million)[47], and its production time was 5 years. Shenmue was a critical hit, earning an average review score of 89% [13] on Game Rankings. It also sold moderately well, with 460,316 units in the US alone (according to NPD). However, these sales figures were not enough for Sega to recoup the massive production costs.." wikipedia
Now keeping that in mind, actual sales of Shenmue were pretty good, in fact probably on of the best selling Dreamcast games. In fact acording to Game chartz, its one of only six Dreamcast games to ever break one million units sold worldwide with it hitting 1,180,000. Hmm, that sounds pretty damn succesful to me.
Whats worse is Nights into Dreams only sold 430,000 worldwide, and its getting a remake before Shenmue?!?!? That sounds like more reason then any that Shenmue is definitly still on the table. I mean if they are bringing back an even lesser performer?!?
Plus Shenmue is more popular then ever. Why do you think you always see Shenmue topics? Why is it that even today Shenmue ends up very high in Top videogame charts, and greatest game ever lists? Hell IGN had it all the way at #16 in their list. Do a search for top game lists, Shenmue pops up in every one. Still don't think it's popular? Go to Gamestats.com's Shenmue page The collect data on game buzz... clicks to articles, stories viewed. Rumored Shenmue III is so popular it's ranked #512 out of 48,300 games that actually exist
Even Peter Moore stated his love for the series:
'Peter Moore
Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft
Your choice: Shenmue
Why did you pick this game?
It consumed a large part of my life for a period of time, and I still look back and wonder why the game never quite resonated with the broader gamer.
Name one game you wanted to choose, but didn't.
Halo 3
Why didn't you go with that one?
It isn't finished yet! " 1up
Hopefully he managed to get the game started for 360 before he left microsoft..
Yu Suzuki himself said The fans voices is the only way this game will be made:
"Totalvideogames.com revealed today that Shenmue creator Suzuki-san did still hope a third project could be endorsed by the publisher; "if Shenmue fans voice their support." "
"As a hit-driven business, the great majority of the video games industry's software releases have been commercial failures. In the early 21st century, rules of thumb noted by industry commentators estimated that 10% of published games generated 90% of revenue[9]; that around 3% of PC games and 15% of console games have global sales of 100,000+ a year (with even this level insufficient to make high-budget titles profitable)[10]'; and that about 20% of games return at least some profit[11]. The rate of commercial failure has been estimated at 95% by the International Game Developers Association" Wikipedia
Now as for Shenmue:
"Shenmue on the Dreamcast is more notorious for its overambitious budget than its poor sales figures. While it sold a respectable number of units, at the time of release, the game had the record for the most expensive production costs (over US$70 million)[47], and its production time was 5 years. Shenmue was a critical hit, earning an average review score of 89% [13] on Game Rankings. It also sold moderately well, with 460,316 units in the US alone (according to NPD). However, these sales figures were not enough for Sega to recoup the massive production costs.." wikipedia
Now keeping that in mind, actual sales of Shenmue were pretty good, in fact probably on of the best selling Dreamcast games. In fact acording to Game chartz, its one of only six Dreamcast games to ever break one million units sold worldwide with it hitting 1,180,000. Hmm, that sounds pretty damn succesful to me.
Whats worse is Nights into Dreams only sold 430,000 worldwide, and its getting a remake before Shenmue?!?!? That sounds like more reason then any that Shenmue is definitly still on the table. I mean if they are bringing back an even lesser performer?!?
Plus Shenmue is more popular then ever. Why do you think you always see Shenmue topics? Why is it that even today Shenmue ends up very high in Top videogame charts, and greatest game ever lists? Hell IGN had it all the way at #16 in their list. Do a search for top game lists, Shenmue pops up in every one. Still don't think it's popular? Go to Gamestats.com's Shenmue page The collect data on game buzz... clicks to articles, stories viewed. Rumored Shenmue III is so popular it's ranked #512 out of 48,300 games that actually exist
Even Peter Moore stated his love for the series:
'Peter Moore
Corporate Vice President of Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft
Your choice: Shenmue
Why did you pick this game?
It consumed a large part of my life for a period of time, and I still look back and wonder why the game never quite resonated with the broader gamer.
Name one game you wanted to choose, but didn't.
Halo 3
Why didn't you go with that one?
It isn't finished yet! " 1up
Hopefully he managed to get the game started for 360 before he left microsoft..
Yu Suzuki himself said The fans voices is the only way this game will be made:
"Totalvideogames.com revealed today that Shenmue creator Suzuki-san did still hope a third project could be endorsed by the publisher; "if Shenmue fans voice their support." "