No Killzone 2 ads: Sony yet to learn lesson
Its two weeks before the launch of what could be one of the most anticipated games on the PS3 and there are no ads in sight in the States. Although it is a different matter over in Europe with a reported $2.8 million in advertisement budget and TV spots out already. It seems that Sony may not have learned its lesson regarding improving its marketing strategy.
As reported previously, Microsoft spent approximately $20 – $30 million marketing Halo 3. That amount really makes what Sony is spending on marketing Killzone 2 in Europe pale in comparison. It seems like a no brainier for Sony to market one of its highly anticipated games like crazy. However, there is no evidence of this in the US thus far.
Actually, I have yet to even glimpse a commercial on the TV advertising Killzone 2 here in the States. It seems like Sony is up to its old tricks again, waiting to advertise after the hype dies down like it did for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. However, considering that there is about two weeks left, there is a slight chance Sony will start its marketing campaign next week.
As reported earlier, a Sony rep indicated that they were working their “tail” off to market Killzone 2 in the States. Something could be in the works besides advertisement wallpapers on various sites. I am curious as to what the team has in store for Killzone 2.
I truly hope that the marketing campaign will not be similar to Resistance 2, which was pretty weak. I really can’t consider creating several viral videos on an unknown website actual marketing. I understand they spent some money casting Kara “Starbuck” Thrace from Battlestar Galactica.
I have read some comments on forums such as NeoGAF, criticizing Microsoft for advertising the DLC for GTA IV. Some have indicated that this is a signs of desperation due to a weaker lineup. When in actuality, Microsoft is playing it smart by leveraging a strong marketing campaign for a well known ‘quality’ like GTA IV DLC, versus focusing on titles such as Halo Wars which is a RTS. However, I may end up eating my words next week if we are bombarded with Killzone 2 ads on TV.
Related Posts:
35 Responses to “No Killzone 2 ads: Sony yet to learn lesson”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
February 17th, 2009
“I truly hope that the marketing campaign will not be similar to Resistance 2, which was pretty weak.”
A weak advertising campaign for a weak game.
The hype hasn’t exactly dampened KZ2’s prospects; it’s been virtually bolted to the top of amazon uk for a couple of weeks and already racked up sizable pre-orders.
Certainly in terms of online media coverage, MS having Halo Wars and GTA DLC hasn’t detracted from the extensive KZ2 coverage.
Maybe MS *are* having to get desperate by advertising DLC? One thing’s for sure, I know I’d rather be a PS3 owner going forward than a 360 owner…
And Mike, this article isn’t going to stop accusations of you being a fanboy…..
February 17th, 2009
btw, has anyone seen this…
kotaku.com/5155476/microsoft-to-buy-motion+sensing-company
Good to see MS have their photocopiers up and running…
February 18th, 2009
It will be interesting to see if only a DLC pack and RTS could actually counteract the hype of KZ2, let alone actually outsell it. The game has been hyped since E3 2005, before the launch of PS3.
Considering the relative failure KZ1 in reviews and sales comparison to Halo, the success of Halo 2, and the franchise’s worldwide acceptance in competitions, it is no surprise Halo 3 had an exponentially larger budget for marketing, as past sales and reviews for it’s prequels justified it. I enjoyed Liberation and all, but KZ has yet to establish itself as a series, and 2 will only be the first real hit in the franchise.
Interesting article link and speculation lock_down:
“product called the ZCam, which acts a lot like Sony’s EyeToy motion-sensing camera, only much, much better.
Indeed, 3DV claim that the ZCam tech is so advanced it’s better at sensing motion than the Wii Remote, with the added bonus that you wouldn’t need to hold any controllers.”
I think it is safe to say handheld controllers will last through the next generation though. At best this may supplement existing controls and be experimented on in a few games for at least the next few years.
February 18th, 2009
Sony should have made the demo available to everyone in NA so they didn’t need to create a separate account in order to download.
February 18th, 2009
Luckily for Sony KZ2 has had some success on its own already. The number of EU preorders (before the release of the demo) was impressive. I think the game will sell well on its own… but just imagine how much more successful it could be if it were to be marketed properly.
February 18th, 2009
Does anyone think this will sell better than MGS4?
February 18th, 2009
I think there’s a good chance Carl.
It’s virtually sold over a million already via pre-orders.
Regardless, I hope it does well. After playing the demo, it thoroughly deserves to.
February 18th, 2009
I think more people like the FPS gametype than the Stealth MGS type, but hey…MGS4 sold over 4.5 million so Killzone2 will really be hard pressed to beat that. Good advertising campaign and setup in kiosks will help big time.
February 18th, 2009
Carl B Said:
“It will be interesting to see if only a DLC pack and RTS could actually counteract the hype of KZ2, let alone actually outsell it. The game has been hyped since E3 2005, before the launch of PS3.”
Carl after playing it last night I definately think that GTA4 L&D will make some noise and lets not forget that Halo Wars did 2 Million in Demo DL.
February 18th, 2009
mike – yes ms spend a lot to market halo 2 and halo3 and why? because the original halo proved itself worthy of the marketting muscle.
the name killzone has not proven itself worthy….yet….
February 18th, 2009
on a serious note; it’s still too early.
they’ll wait until much closer to launch. the last thing they want is to get consumer to the store and not have the game in stock.
February 18th, 2009
Yeah, that’s a good point…why would Sony start adverts now when the game isn’t out…that makes no sense.
They should make some of the adverts containing Brian Cox’s propaganda speech…that bit is class…
February 18th, 2009
Carl B – The install base has also grown a bit since the release of MGS4. Also as phrac pointed out, FPS are a little bit more accessible than stealth game play. I would say that there is a pretty good chance that KZ2 may be more successful than MGS.
February 18th, 2009
And Killzone 2 is so good, that even planetxbox360 are recommending people buy it…
planetxbox360.com/article_5729/Killzone_2_Convinced_Me_to_Buy_a_Playstation_3
February 18th, 2009
Oh my Goodness Street Fighter 4 dropped too. Wow! I thought Killzone would have had a proper release with no compitition but now I’m realizing that there are a few heavy hitters around this time of year as well for early 2009
February 18th, 2009
kev… have you not seen the reviews??? really???
meh… I wouldnt expect any more from you…
February 18th, 2009
dwh – i read the reviews..and the rabid ps3 fanboy comments who disagree with the reviews…
February 18th, 2009
‘Oh my Goodness Street Fighter 4 dropped too.’
I wish I had it on PS3 instead of the 360. Fucking D-Pad is a piece of shit.
February 18th, 2009
huh… so… um… since the fanboys didnt like Edge giving the game a 7… or didnt like IGN giving it a 9.5
YUP!!! THAT MAKES SENSE!!! KILLZONE 2 IS A BAD GAME!!!
Sony is going to hell for making a shitty game… GO TO HELL SONY!!!
February 18th, 2009
TREY 4 LIFE
February 18th, 2009
Didn’t Sony lay off most of their marketing people in the recent round of massive job cuts?
KZ2 advertising will be handled by a nervous guy with a pencil and sketchpad.
/wink.
February 19th, 2009
The game should be great for FPS fans that already have a PS3. Interesting note on the “desperation” of Microsoft by releasing Lost and the Damned DLC before KZ2’s release… The DLC lasts as long as KZ2.
February 19th, 2009
YES!!!! please give it to me Sony… I can come up with kickass ads… otherwise you will have to answer to my fucking-dragon…
actually carl it wasnt Microsofts decision to release L&D… it was Rockstar’s… they had to delay the DLC… and apparently… the delay paid off..
DAMN YOU JOHNNY KLEBITZ!!!
February 19th, 2009
@DWH.
I’m sure MS had some decision making as to when L&D was released after it was finished.
February 19th, 2009
might have been something resembling a contract…
February 19th, 2009
I highly doubt that… because its not like they started thinking of the LnD after MS paid them… thats how they came up with the intersecting storyline… MS just paid for the exclusive-ness…
sigh… will sell soul for a 360…
February 19th, 2009
…half a year seems like a long time to make an announcement for something that already existed… then another three months to release it?
February 19th, 2009
SW,
You got SF4 on the 360!? WTH WERE YOU THINKING!??! I’d understand getting Resident Evil on 360 with that controller, but what possessed you to get a multiplatform fighter for the 360??
-Arvis
February 19th, 2009
Got it on the super cheap + I knew the game was going to suck on either platform.
I was right. 9.5’s for a 2d game with 3d graphics. Nostalgia, a terrible thing.
February 19th, 2009
………………..I like SF4…
-Arvis
February 19th, 2009
Aren’t fighting sticks considered superior in general to any d-pad and being made and sold for this title specifically on both platforms?
February 20th, 2009
Maybe some people prefer arcade sticks, but I don’t see how anyone could prefer analogue over dpad with a street fighter title.
If this were Soul Calibur then it would be a different story.
February 20th, 2009
Didn’t the “definitive” street fighter arcade versions have sticks?
February 20th, 2009
Carl,
Not everyone has a million dollars to plop down for an arcade stick.
Not to mention I grew up playing SF with a controller and d-pad (SNES) and am a lot better with it than with a stick.
I’d still use an arcade stick over the 360 controller any day, though. It just wasn’t designed with fighting games in mind.
-Arvis
February 20th, 2009
Is that the going rate? In that case I don’t have “a million dollars to plop down for an arcade stick” either.
Not to mention I grew up playing with an Odyssey2 controller and am a lot better with a stick.
I’d still use an arcade stick over a PS3 controller any day though. It just wasn’t designed with fighting games in mind.
♠