Rhythm Gaming is all the rage, or is it? Turns out Guitar Hero: World Tour didn’t meet or exceed the figures they hit with Guitar Hero III. Where GH3 brought in $115 million in the first week, GHWT brought in $67 million in the same time frame.
Why?
There are plenty of factors that could cut down the sales units, considering those that can purchase Guitar Hero World Tour don’t have to purchase additional instruments to play the game like they played GH3.
- Rock Band 2: This game arrived before Guitar Hero 3 and folks went for this game instead because it was first to launch. Some gamers have to make a choice on which to purchase because they can’t buy both.
- Hot Games: Although Rhythm gaming can be fun, a lot of great games are arriving this season so gamers have to make some big decisions.
- Economics: The economy isn’t exactly thriving right now and retail outlets are already predicting less than stellar numbers.
- Saturation: Since the original Guitar Hero game, we’ve had a number of titles from Activision including their Aerosmith edition and Harmonix pulling out Rock Band and Rock Band 2. There is talk of a Hendrix version and a Metallic release – how much is too much?
We know people love charts, so here is another to toss at you via Kotaku:
Guitar Hero World Tour Sales, via Kotaku
The break down from Guitar Hero 3 to World Tour is obvious, also apparent is the shift in console when buying into the rhythm gaming franchises. The Wii has started taking more market share, odd considering the DLC isn’t there, and the PS3 is showing its lackluster sales of the console by growing in proportion but not excelling to grab huge share (PS3 fanboys attack!). Sony kicked ass by taking control of the share using their PlayStation 2 with Guitar Hero 3, but has lost that lead for the World Tour.
Will these lower sales figure change the future roadmap for Activision in their Guitar Hero franchise or are they satisfied taking home $67 million in the first week of the launch. That is still a lot of money and probably doesn’t even consider any money they could (or will) potentially make on the World Tour hardware.
Luckily, the rhythm gaming content doesn’t get old with age, it just gets more classic. No doubt Guitar Hero World Tour will be landing in homes over the holidays and into 2009.
… how can being nude drive a podcast’s ratings up? Now, if you were to be doing a videocast … now that’s something.
@Electronic Arts responds to expiring Online Pass:
Oh boy 🙂 … this seems to point out some serious issues at EA. I mean it feels like they automated a little bit too much of their systems.
@Divided memory pool causes lag for Skyrim PS3
The total is the same (256 + 256 versus 512), the reason of the split is not financial. It is technological/design.
@Skyrim Creation Kit landing in January
Hmm, Steam Workshop … it’ll most likely kill the other mod sites. Not in a year, not in 3. Maybe in 4 though.
@QOTW: none. When we go on vacation (1) we don’t go by car, so there is not enough room in the luggage to squeeze in a console, and (2), you don’t really need to go someplace else in order to sit in a room in front of the TV to play games.
“… how can being nude drive a podcast’s ratings up?”
That was the joke, just like a ventriloquist on the radio.
I would really like to see how this South Park RPG is going to turn out, but I’m not getting my hopes up one little bit.
Well seeing that there’s nothing in the news I want to discuss, I tried to leave you an iTunes comment, but apparently I need to give them my credit card number to create an iTunes account. -.-
Anyway, QOTW: No. Can you please come up with better questions of the week that can’t be answered simply with yes or no? =)
And Paul, you miss so many podcasts it’s not even funny anymore. Consider this as official hate mail.
dude paul is gone again , what the hell paul skipping podcast is getting more serious now, we need a good reason when you come back. I guess that’s my first hate mail..
@south park the game .
Wew I didn’t see that coming .ill probably w8 for the trailer or gameplay but I won’t buy the game coz I hate southpark and their stupid animation
@qotw whaaaaatttt this is stupid bringing a console whaaattt impossible good luck on carrying a big bulky system on your way to a resort..
I haven’t been downloading your podcast because of the tests its the first day of test and I’m already tired.
I just started listening. Didn’t know Jordan was from Oregon! I’m originally from Roseburg/Eugene area and moved to Cleveland for school/work now. Great podcast and can’t wait to hear more.
Thanks Justin! I grew up in Eugene and now I live and work just outside of Portland (Clackamas and Beaverton respectively…)
I went to school at UO before heading to the Midwest and have family in Beaverton. Listening to your latest show now. Great stuff!