Prediction: Games that will fail this holiday – October 2009
The holiday season is rapidly approaching and for gamers it really doesn’t start until October, which is considered to be heavily loaded. There are approximately 20 to 30 games launching during the month of October. Unfortunately for publishers and gamers a few top tier games will get overlooked due to the crowded month.
There are approximately 20 to 30 games launching across all consoles during the month of October ranging from Ben 10: Alien Force Vilgax Attacks to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The month will not only be jam-packed with shovelware, but with top tier games.
Here is a list of games on my radar for October that I have been looking at:
Sample List of games coming out in October (Xbox 360/PS3) -
Demon’s Souls (PS3) 10/6
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (PS3/X360) 10/6
SAW (PS3/X360) 10/6
Uncharted 2 (PS3) 10/13
Magna Carta II (X360) 10/13
Brutal Legend (PS3/X360) 10/16
Borderlands (PS3/X360) 10/20
FIFA 2010 (PS3/X360) 10/20
Ratchet & Clank (PS3) 10/27
Forza 3 (X360) 10/27
Alpha Protocol (PS3/X360) 10/27
Tekken 6 (PS3/X360) 10/27
As you can see from the list above, there are a lot of games coming out in October. Not all of them may be top tier titles, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are coming out during the busiest month of the year.
Since most gamers have a limited amount of money, sacrifices will have to be made somewhere. Dead Space was a phenomenal game that came out last holiday that was mainly off the radar of many gamers due to the busy lineup last year. Here are the top games I believe many gamers will probably decide to forgo for the time being this October.
Top Tier Games in danger of getting ignored:
- Brutal Legend: An original adventure action title from the zany mind of Tim Schafer featuring Jack Black voicing the main character. This game looks to be a fantastic adventure title. Gamers should really think twice before passing on it. Unfortunately, despite the high exposure the game has been getting there is very little hype amongst hardcore gamers.
- Borderlands: Post apocalyptic games are highly popular currently coming off the aftershock of Fallout 3. Borderlands continues the theme in a unique take of the genre with tons of weapons and raw FPS action. However, despite the hype the game has been receiving I am afraid that this shooter will get buried under Halo 3: ODST and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on each of the respective consoles.
- Alpha Protocol: This game looks to mix the shooter genre with some RPG elements. Armed with a Mass Effect-esque dialog wheel, this title looks to be a deep and engaging shooter. However, with the deck full of shooters this game may unfortunately get buried in the avalanche.
- Demon’s Souls: This title is one of my anticipated games for the PS3. I have been excited about this title since it was first shown nearly a year and a half ago. The game has all the makings of an awesome dungeon crawler plus a fantastic co-op system that pulls live players into your game to fill the role of boss battle. However, with so many well known games coming out in October this game is in danger of getting overlooked.
All of the titles I listed above are fantastic titles and I believe that all gamers should at least get a chance to experience them. However, unfortunately due the amount of games coming out in October I understand that this will not be possible. Before you decide on what games to pick up, give these titles another chance before you make up your mind.
Related Posts:
94 Responses to “Prediction: Games that will fail this holiday – October 2009”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
September 14th, 2009
Uncharted 2 is gonna fail as well…which is such a shame.
The amount of people who seem not to know anything about its existence is quite alarming.
September 14th, 2009
Uncharted 2 is one game that will do fine this holiday season. I’m interested to see what Risen is like. Even if it is phenomenal though it is probably the one most likely to get overlooked.
September 14th, 2009
Have to say I’m looking forward to Alpha Protocol, Borderlands, and Demon Souls.
September 14th, 2009
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves got this lock_down. Is the best game on the list also Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is gonna be a huge hit like always. Brutal Legend is lame as hell. Alpha Protocol has horrible voice over.
September 14th, 2009
Brutal Legend looks like it’s going to suck. there’s just something about it that seems really off.
September 14th, 2009
Zoar:
Yeah i agree with that judgment too Brutal Legend is just too fucking lame for us real gamers. I’m gonna stick with what i know is gonna rock the gaming industry again the correct way.
And yeah you all know what that fuck I’m talking about UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves for those who like to forget. Demon’s Soul’s is not my type of game but it looks fantastic too.
%100 EPIC FAILURES AT EVERYTHING BELOW.
Magna Carta II
FIFA 2010
SAW
Brutal Legend
September 14th, 2009
Well first of all strike any game tied to a movie. They are almost always certain to fail. Uncharted 2 will probably do ok, but nowhere near as well as it seems to deserve. Fifa 2010 will out sell it by a significant margin unfortunately. I think Brutal Legend will do reasonably well, simply through the association with Jack Black. Never under estimate the celebrity appeal. Alpha Protocol will unlikely even make the top 50, and even Demon Souls will be lucky to hit the top 20.
I would say Tekken 6 and Fifa will probably vie for the top spot, followed by R & C and Forza 3. Borderlands and Brutal L. will probably be even, with uncharted 2 hovering just below them, possibly level with Magna C. 2. The rest will trickle in below that.
September 14th, 2009
Rimmer:
Your predictions are outer this world. Do you really believe that Michael Patcher? I have never been wrong. Your entitled to your own opinions even if they are like that.
September 14th, 2009
Certain games will not be overlooked this season. First off. You can practically eliminate sequels as a group that will be overlooked.
Uncharted 2
Racthet and Clank
Tekken 6
Forza 3
Magna Carta 2 ….?
Not sure about MC2, but the the other games have already established themselves and sold millions of copies. We’re not talking about a brand new IP that needed to earn the rep (Dead Space).
Demons Souls and Brutal Legend are probably games I’ll ignore this Holiday season yet come back to some time in the future. Borderlands peaks my interest as well.
September 14th, 2009
Add Afrika to the overlooked list.
I also think eyepet can get overlooked in December if Sony doesn’t up their game plan and advertise for it.
September 14th, 2009
my point of view saleswise:
Demon’s Souls – Fail
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising – Epic Fail
SAW – Fail
Uncharted 2 – Will do ok*
Magna Carta II – Epic Fail
Brutal Legend – Will do ok*
Borderlands – Epic Fail
FIFA 2010 – Huge* Sucess
Ratchet & Clank – Sucess
Forza 3 – Success
Alpha Protocol – Epic (times 10) Fail
Tekken 6 – Success
September 14th, 2009
“Add Afrika to the overlooked list”
Afrika – Epic Fail (horribly)
September 14th, 2009
and Roca… before you think R+C will be a success and Uncharted 2 will do OK, just remember Uncharted sold a million more copies than Tools of Destruction. We can’t blame extra numbers for bundles as both games were bundled at some point.
September 14th, 2009
Phractoast,
uhmm I guess you are right. my prediction were based on US sales only. because Demon’s Souls and Magna Carta II did well in Japan.
September 14th, 2009
I wouldn’t underestimate Demon Souls. Firstly, I am sure that they are not expecting it to sell in the millions, so it’s bar is pretty low as far as success is measured: it has already sold very well overseas and made atlus some good cash. Second, the type of player that would be attracted to this type of RPG would be more likely to chose it over a AAA blockbuster FPS/TPS franchise.
Just because it won’t be on the cover of Time magazine, doesn’t mean it will be a failure or even overlooked. Those of us who want it know about it, and won’t miss it.
Day one Bitches!~
(Batman Platinum Trophy lastnight, so tired)
September 14th, 2009
I wouldn’t underestimate Demon Souls. Firstly, I am sure that they are not expecting it to sell in the millions, so it’s bar is pretty low as far as success is measured: it has already sold very well overseas and made atlus some good cash. Second, the type of player that would be attracted to this type of RPG would be more likely to chose it over a AAA blockbuster FPS/TPS franchise.
Just because it won’t be on the cover of Time magazine, doesn’t mean it will be a failure or even overlooked. Those of us who want it know about it, and won’t miss it.
Day one Bitches!~
(Batman Platinum Trophy lastnight, so tired)
September 14th, 2009
Jofa: (Batman Platinum Trophy lastnight, so tired)
Damn, how did pull that off Jofa, what kind of black magic is this?
I agree with also, Demon’s Souls did well in Japan and It is a Day one for me too! this games has SotC type of bosses
September 14th, 2009
I started playing the game like a button masher, and had to retrain myself for the combo awesomeness. Also, some upgrades make it easier (at least for the freeflow challenges): quick batarang, max armor, both takedown and throw upgrades, x8>x5combo for takedown/throw.
I might have a big paid vacation ahead of me (staycation? yar), if so I will probably be attached to demon souls for a few weeks/months. Will it have a progressive Co-Op? That would be awesome.
So tired.
September 14th, 2009
Jofa, I was working on the challenge rooms also last night. I noticed that your combat room scores were off of the charts. I’m just not that good at brawling in that game.
September 14th, 2009
I can’t trade in Batman for something new until I know what the new DLC will be this week, heh. I heard infamous has a pretty good Platinum Trophy timesink, heh.
September 14th, 2009
Add critical strikes into that list of must have upgrades for the scores.
I start each round with a grappling hook, strike until someone attacks me, counter, strike, throw, crit strike, crit strike, stun, takedown, batarang, crit strike, crit strike, evasion, throw… etc etc and try to finish off the big combo with a ground pound takedown (L2+Triangle) as the final combo bonus is multiplied by final move in the combo. The ground pound is largest single score move at 100pts, but if I can’t finish with a ground pound I use a square+triangle takedown for multiplierx50.
Oh yeah, lots of persistence and restarting. Being currently on a staycation has made it easy, too, hah.
September 14th, 2009
“I can’t trade in Batman for something new until I know what the new DLC will be this week, heh. I heard infamous has a pretty good Platinum Trophy timesink, heh.”
Infamous and Uncharted have the easiest platinum trophies.
hey jofa any tipes on how to score “big” in the challenges?
September 14th, 2009
When you are getting crowded, use evasion, as it doesn’t interrupt your combo (and adds to variation bonus, too). When fighting the Titans in the challenge rooms, evading by vaulting off a henchman’s shoulders basically makes you invulnerable until you land, making it a REALLY useful escape when they are charging you.
September 14th, 2009
I think that was his tip… It’s actually hard to keep the thugs grouped close together, in order to keep your combo chained. My problem is that they eventually spread out to much, and my combo gets broken up. I haven’t even done a 40 yet. I got to 38 last night, but the thug grouping broke up too much and I missed the 40. It sucked.
September 14th, 2009
thanks for the tips (it was there before I asked) lol
September 14th, 2009
Finish off the combos with big moves: 100pt ground pound, 50pt takedown (tri+circle), or at least a throw over the edge (in intensive treatment or shock and awe) for 25pts.
Evasion (direction + X*2) is your best friend and get out of jail free card.
September 14th, 2009
With critical strike timing, you can cross almost any entire challenge room to continue a combo. Also, a single evasive move (a leap and roll when no one to vault over) will not break your combo, and get you closer to your next target if they are REALLY far away. Also practice spinning the camera during the takedown/throw/groundpound slowmo animation to get a read of who is still alive. Planning is essential to finishing the combo with big points.
September 14th, 2009
I get pretty OCD about some games, and some of those challenge rooms, like Shock and Awe Extreme + Rumble in the Junge Extreme, took a few sessions with a few hours each to beat. But as I said before, I started playing the game by mashing buttons, and a lot of the time was breaking my bad habits, heh.
September 14th, 2009
I wish I played the Predator challenges before playing the game. I didn’t even realize there were so many different ways to take down foes (corner, ledge, break though walls & glass, etc).
September 14th, 2009
I saw a list of NA preorders on VGChartz. Demon’s Souls was surprisingly high up on the list. It obviously won’t have COD type sales, but it will do pretty well. Brutal Legend will also do well.
Borderlands and Alpha Protocol however, are going to tank.
September 14th, 2009
Unfortunately, most of the predator challenges are unlocked later as you play through. I was doing the freeflow challenges as they opened up, but left the predators till they were what I needed for platinum, as I was kind of afraid of what I didn’t know, hah.
I admit I had to look up one of the predator trials (The first extreme one) on youtube, as it was breaking my resolve to finish the game. Tip: you can line launch through any window, not just ones that show up as destructible in detective mode.
September 14th, 2009
so is magna carta
September 14th, 2009
I think the multi platform titles will actually do pretty well due to that fact.
Tekken 6 and Fifa 2010 will probably take the most sales in October.
September 14th, 2009
Demon’s Soul’s I now might buy it even though i won’t play maybe just to help out selling. I’m buying it on Amazon. Fifa Saw brutal legend magna carta all EPIC fail huge enormous. Afrika will do ok if Sony releases more details and videos.
September 14th, 2009
“Demon’s Soul’s I now might buy it even though i won’t play maybe just to help out selling.”
hahaha this dude is the best fanboy to ever live
September 14th, 2009
I would second that if not by the whole “pirate-everything-else” thingy.
September 14th, 2009
im also excited about Gran Turismo PSP (Oct 1st)
September 14th, 2009
Ivan – what was your “GamerBlorge threat”?
September 14th, 2009
Here is the link. It’s old now (Aug 27th), but it still makes a valid point.
news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=4820
*Demon’s Souls @ 21.
*Brutal Legend (360) @ 35.
*Tekken is going to sell surprisingly well (8th PS3 & 16th 360).
Boarder Lands & Alpha, etc nowhere on the list.
September 14th, 2009
Can anybody solve Mike’s Riddle in the GT5 threat?
h**p://gamer.blorge.com/2009/09/07/gran-turismo-5-most-advanced-racer-but-not-enough-to-beat-forza-3/
September 14th, 2009
You’re supposed to say, “Riddle me this…”
September 14th, 2009
*reading through the thread*
What is the riddle exactly? Is it in response to Kev’s comment?
September 14th, 2009
“Is it in response to Kev’s comment?”
Kev failed horribly to prove some concrete facts, then he said something about GT5/FM3 and Mike challenged us if we can spot something that will tell us if Kev have played either game! (on kev’s comment)
September 14th, 2009
it is near the bottom
September 14th, 2009
It’s been a while since I’ve played GT, but don’t you usually race through the tracks both directions?
September 14th, 2009
Roca.:
Back @ u buddy
I’m planning to buy Demon’s Soul’s just for fun. I don’t care what anyone thinks since is my money, i can burn it.
Barnabe Jones:
LoL I think i ask harry sachz if he wanna to die it was a joke obviously. Xbots are so easy 2 k!LL.
Today Is One Of My Worst Day Ever And Please Ask Why. I Can’t Tell You.
Selling my Xbox 360 for $260 you know the one.
cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Xbox-360-Game-console-20-GB_W0QQitemZ120469718894QQihZ002QQcategoryZ139971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
September 14th, 2009
Oooo Oooo someone report Ivan!
Its modded and the console ID is probably banned from Live too!
September 14th, 2009
Either the link is not all there or I can’t copy it all. At any rate, I know I said last month that I was getting the GF’s 360, but I messed the dates up. She’s moving at the end of this month. So 2 more weeks.
Does anyone know if you can copy save files over to the memory card and save them on to another console? I assume you would be able to, but I’m not positive.
Ivan,
“Today Is One Of My Worst Day Ever And Please Ask Why.”
OK, Why?
September 14th, 2009
SW:
No is not ban i guarantee it.
Barnabe Jones:
Can’t say.
September 14th, 2009
@ Ivan: Then why even mention it mate if you can’t/won’t say it?
September 14th, 2009
I think your right about Demon Souls Mike, I’ve read lots of articles and watched heaps of vid on it and it seems like a great game, but with all the awesome games for X360 & Ps3 (not to forget the handhelds) unfortunately it’s one of those ones which will probably be overlooked.
I for one have borrowed a mates asian version (with english voice) and loved it.
September 15th, 2009
Rhino:
Demon’s Soul’s would do just fine. As for the PSP exclusive also a lot of people only have a PSP so they can’t afford to buy anything else.
September 15th, 2009
Rhino hate + 1.
Damn asian imports….
September 15th, 2009
SW:
I was thinking of importing FFXIII if i wasn’t broke by December.
September 15th, 2009
LOL SW, I didn’t import it, a mate did, but there is no release date for it here is Aus, so a purchase from Play-Asia or elsewhere is possible on the cards.
Keep in mind mate we have some of the most outdated classifications on the planet, even Fallout 3 had to be reworked before it was released here, so us older gamers need to look at imports sometimes.
September 15th, 2009
Rhino:
Imports are always good do it.
September 15th, 2009
“Keep in mind mate we have some of the most outdated classifications on the planet, even Fallout 3 had to be reworked before it was released here, so us older gamers need to look at imports sometimes.”
is God of War allowed in Aus? (I think not)
just curious!
September 15th, 2009
The more I look into Broderlands, It seems like the Mecenaries 2 of this year.
A fun game, but not without its problems, and easily ignored until it comes down drastically in price.
September 15th, 2009
over 4 million weapons….sounds like a broken game to me, it will be nice if they can pull that off. but I dont think there millions of “unique” weapons. they will probably rapeated weapons with different fire rate, range, different bullet clips, etc
September 15th, 2009
I like the co-op though and its massive open world
September 15th, 2009
It looks like a game that will be in a $15 bin in no time, but a great time to pick up two of them and have a blast with a friend.
September 15th, 2009
“It looks like a game that will be in a $15 bin in no time”
lets just hope so..
If that game would have come out a few weeks ago it would have had a better chance!
September 15th, 2009
A sure sleeper hit.
September 15th, 2009
sucks about brutal legend. i hope this doesn’t happen as it seems to be a good premise with great voice actors.
hopefully it’ll stand out for the holidays…
September 15th, 2009
Yeah.. Brutal Legend probably will be a really good game that is simply overlooked. They should have held this title out to the middle of next year when there’s shit out…
September 15th, 2009
‘over 4 million weapons….sounds like a broken game to me, ‘
My god, if you’re talking about the borderlands trailer, please tell me that you took that as a joke……………………
September 15th, 2009
nope…its real SW !
September 15th, 2009
Fair enough! I concede defeat!
Seems the game itself generates the weapons. That makes me want to giggle
Heres a nice quote from wiki : “According to them the Debug menu said that the total number of weapons in the game is 3,166,880″
3.1 million weapons………..
September 15th, 2009
close enough! lol
so what do you think? sounds like a broken game? or sounds like a real winner?
September 15th, 2009
hmm.. so if the developers created a new weapon every second, it would take slightly over a month for all of them to be completed.
it’s possible…..
September 15th, 2009
I would like to see the “collect all weapons” trophy
September 15th, 2009
With 9 variable areas, it could be as simple as:
x7 gun types
and per gun combination above
x6 colours
x5 ranges of fire rate
x5 ranges of accuracy
x5 ranges of range
x5 ranges of power
x5 ranges of kickback
x4 ranges of encumbrance
x3 scopes
x2 ranges of cip size
Randomly generate all those options and you get 3.15mil, I am betting it is a similar structure for the weapons in that game.
If i could whip that out in 5mins, imagine what a developer could do with a WHOLE FREAKING DAY.
September 15th, 2009
i will prefere a small number of “unique” weapons like Resistance and R+C series.
they will probably throw some stupid weapons like a ballon piston, a water gun, a FULL automatic shotgun, etc
September 15th, 2009
I want the damn cerebral gun from Turok 2!
September 15th, 2009
Barnabe,
Yes, you can copy save files, XBLA games, DLC, and or your entire profile and move it to another console:
My Xbox/Guide Button, System Settings (under Settings Blade if you choose the Guide Button), Memory, Hard Drive, then go ahead and move what you want from there. This is where Killer Croc shows up from the free theme for Batman AA on 360
September 15th, 2009
PS Sony,
Thanks for putting Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Syphon Filter 2, and Silent Hill on PSN six days ago. Trophy support please?
September 15th, 2009
“Thanks for putting Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Syphon Filter 2, and Silent Hill on PSN six days ago. Trophy support please?”
yes trophies will be nice. Silent Hill was a day one for me too. Do you have a PSP CarlB?
September 15th, 2009
I do, but I haven’t played it since I came back from Iraq.
I just downloaded the 3.01 update and now MGS4 won’t load. 2nd problem I’ve had with updates freezing a game, with the second game I’ve played on the platform. I’m trying the same thing to see if it will fix it as well: deleting the game data and reinstalling. I just want to play on the console, and instead I have to deal with this.
ps3daily.co.uk/20080630/does-mgs4-freeze-your-ps3-metal-gear-solid-4-problems/
ps3.qj.net/PS3-FW-3-01-update-causing-problems-with-Blu-ray-drives-/pg/49/aid/134521
September 15th, 2009
you can transfer all those PS1 games to you PSP.
I think they look better on a smaller screen
September 15th, 2009
Guess I won’t be updating my PSP anytime soon:
boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=psp&thread.id=2661699
September 15th, 2009
No updates for me tonight!
How many SKU’s does Sony have out there in total now (not just the ones that are selling)?
Can’t make it fun for testing…
September 15th, 2009
CarlB:
If your PSP is not hack why don’t just update is stupid not to.
September 15th, 2009
@ Roca, we can get GoW for the PS2, but nothing has been said the PS3 version won’t be released here.
Go figure.
September 15th, 2009
Thanks Carl, That’s on my to do list this weekend.
September 15th, 2009
Ivan, because if you read the link they say it is bricking the PSP, and I’m already having problems with MGS4 and 3.01 as I did with Uncharted and 3.00. I’d rather not take the risk until I have at least the first problem solved, plus I’m not a gambling man, so I’ll wait awhile to see how widespread the problem is before trying it. No, my PSP is not hacked.
September 16th, 2009
My PSP is fine just like my PS3. I have never had any problems with any console and updates. I don’t what’s so wrong in this world. I guess I’m the luckiest SOB in the whole entire world.
September 16th, 2009
Rino
Wtf are you talking abouy?
September 16th, 2009
Roca.:
I think Rhino is trying to say it won’t be released on his region. He knows God of War Collection is coming this year for PLAYSTATION 3.
September 16th, 2009
@ Rhino,
how is GoW allowed there, but then you guys got a modified Fallout 3 version just because of alcohol references
September 16th, 2009
@SW not counting differing harddrives (as they should have no effect on FW updates, anyhow) there are 4 skus of the ps3.:
Launch Hardware BC – 90nm
Software BC- 65nm
NO BC – 65nm
Slim – 45nm
At this rate, we’ll have solar powered 16nm process PS3s by 2015. Quote me bitches!
September 16th, 2009
@Roca
Fallout 3 got modified mostly for the drug use references, but the booze was thrown out since they were already in there cutting questionable material, anyhow.
September 16th, 2009
you mean there’s no reference to Fosters?
September 16th, 2009
jofaMang:
All i got are 90nm they good but the best model is the 65nm no problems that I’m aware off.
IBM is making a 32nm and a bunch of other companies.
September 17th, 2009
Intel is making 32nm, not IBM that I am aware of. The first 32nm processors for PCs are expected in 1st to 2nd quarter 2010. GPUs (ATI 4770, the new 58xx series) are just now getting to 40nm in the PC market, where most of this technology is coming from.
If the hardware is unchanged and only shrunk, there is a huge power, and thus heat, saving without any performance increases. There is headroom for performance increase as heat drops, but consoles aren’t normally OC friendly, heh.