Quantic Dream: Heavy Rain to be a PS3 system seller… when it finally arrives
Heavy Rain is one of the many PS3 games that seems to have been on the way for an absolute age but never actually appear. I’m loathe to mention PS3 exclusives in the same sentence as delays because it opens up a world of pain for expectant PS3 owners who are forever waiting for the next big game. And the next big game is always the one touted as “a PS3 system seller.”
As great a game as Metal Gear Solid 4 is, it wasn’t a system seller. The same is true of LittleBigPlanet, and this year has seen the system seller that is Killzone 2 fail to truly shift units. But Quantic Dream’s CEO David Cage is confident Heavy Rain is going to different. In fact, he suspects it’s already shifting units. He told IGN:
This experience should be available exclusively on PlayStation 3, and we want people to buy a PlayStation 3 because of Heavy Rain. We’re really happy at the moment – and I hope it’s going to last – that when we go onto forums we find people watching the trailers and stuff and saying ‘this is the game that’s going to make me buy a PlayStation 3.’
So, the price cut and release of the slimline model hasn’t got anything to do with the PS3’s resurgence – it’s all down to the heavily delayed Heavy Rain, which isn’t even due out until early in 2010.
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84 Responses to “Quantic Dream: Heavy Rain to be a PS3 system seller… when it finally arrives”
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November 4th, 2009
Hah he’s dreaming. New IPs rarely become system sellers (except when Gears 1 came out). I believe the true system seller for Sony would be GT.
November 4th, 2009
Anybody else getting advertisements for a game called ‘K’ in their browser? I think it’s probably the same as that dodgy Evony game, which ended up being some sort of spyware trojan.
November 4th, 2009
This game is not even going to be a big seller itself. the game looks good and all but its gamaplay and genre does not appeal to the masses
November 4th, 2009
I think the story looks great, but the gameplay looks like it might not be up to par. Lots of QTEs in the demos I have seen.
November 4th, 2009
Heavy Rain doesn’t really interest me all that much. The gameplay doesn’t look all for me (I actually never watched much footage). But then again, inFAMOUS didn’t interest me until I read the review and played the demo, seeing the potential.
It won’t be a huge system seller. To be a system seller, you need to be a long-awaited game from a long-loved franchise, like Halo 3 or GT5. Or you can pull a Gears and beat everyone else to it. Otherwise, you need strong word of mouth and upcoming sequels (Uncharted).
No PS3 game is a seller by itself, but when you can put over 10 games on your shelf that are defining and exclusive (I don’t even own any multi-plats, I’ll get to those later), you get sales. I think that GOW3 will have the biggest impact. The first 2 games were about as popular as the Halo games, so the final installment is genna score big.
November 4th, 2009
It’s a stupid & ludcirously premature claim/idea.
The list of failed ‘console sellers’ PS3 is supposed to have had is becoming quite long.
Would anyone really be surprised if this ends up another one to add to that list?
November 4th, 2009
Can’t wait for this game…whether or not it’s sells a million ps3 I don’t know nor really care…Just be glad when they release this game.
November 4th, 2009
Roca,
Greetings…
Will Heavy Rain be a system seller? Probably not. Will it be any good? Who knows? Great visuals can only go so far.
November 4th, 2009
This game is gonna be awesome and yes is going to sell millions but no game on any console has ever been a console seller. PS3 has a massive exclusive list all have sold very good but there’s no such thing as a system seller. Only stupid people think that.
November 5th, 2009
@harry sachz
Everyone who has played it says its plays really well. I don’t know where people are getting this idea that it has weak or little gameplay when all the evidence points to the exact opposite.
@Happyhockum
Care to share this list with us? Of course for a game to be on that list you need to prove that not one single person bought a PS3 for that game. I’m looking forward to reading it!
There probably is someone in the world who bought a PS3 for Lair or for Haze which would make those games system sellers. FACT
November 5th, 2009
“This game is gonna be awesome and yes is going to sell millions but no game on any console has ever been a console seller.”
Halo 3?
November 5th, 2009
Great. More bullsh^t talk about “this game is going to be a system seller”. blah blah blah. At foist it was Lair, and that game sucked FUCK! Next it was…..oh wait I forget…nevermind.
November 5th, 2009
This would be about the 5th “claimed” system seller for Ps3 ?? I agree with Harry, new IP’s aren’t system sellers.
November 5th, 2009
every PS3 exclusive with a lil hype will be classified as console seller by the media. if ppl are dumb enough to believe then…good for them
November 5th, 2009
GoW3 and GT5 are the only real system sellers that we can expect so far, imo. The rest of the big exclusives (Uncharted1/2, Resistance1/2, KZ2, Motorstorm1/2, Demon’s Souls, etc etc) make a library, that in aggregate form, is indeed a system selling situation.
That is why you are not seeing any system seller volumes out of any of these single titles, as they provide a cross section that most any gamer can find some ground in. Unlike Halo3, which seemingly defined the entire console, there are no single definitive PS3 titles, because, it isn’t a defined console yet, and I doubt it will be in such a way.
There is no bigger single genre than FPS/TPS in the gaming world. Is it really a surprise that there are definable system sellers on a system, that for the most part, built itself on a single genre?
November 5th, 2009
JofaMang:
I agree with you on the part that you said Halo defines the whole entire Xbox brand. Sony has a lot not just one game to define their console. Yes Xbox is known for basically FPS and Halo. PS3 is known for awesome games and reliability plus a lot of new innovated technology.
PS3 is all over in TV. There’s this kid/teen show that’s airs on channel TEN in Australia and in the episode they gave today there’s this guy playing MotorStorm they show the PS3 too. On Xbox 360 all you see if they have it on TV is people playing Halo LMFAO.
November 5th, 2009
The only way any game can be a console seller is if it appeals to people outside of the realm of in-the-know gamers, i.e. the mass market. It needs popular culture presence and appeal and it has to have the “must have” effect on people. The simplest test is probably to ask your nan if she has heard of the title. If she has, then it is guranteed to shift consoles. Heavy Rain has no chance of doing that, it is not even particularly well known amongst gamers. There are very few games that can do this. In this generation Halo 3 is probably the biggest console seller, followed closely by GTA4 for both consoles. Anything to do with Mario has shifted boatloads of Wiis and I am pretty sure GT5 will do pretty well. Not sure if Gears of War was a console seller, although it did have an excellent advertising campaign, so I guess it probably was. GoW3 may look great, but it isn’t going to shift any more consoles than KZ or LBP.
November 5th, 2009
Rimmer:
None of those games sold system just a lot of copies like they all do. Only idiots think a game can be a system seller it came help make the choice but ultimately is the mass library before and the brand that sells. And we all know in the end all PS3 exclusives do awesome and become greatest hits.
November 5th, 2009
I understand what you are saying Rimmer but….I think you might be wrong about GOW3?? I didn’t buy a PS3 when it first came out because they put GOW2 on the PS2..instead I bought my first bedroom flat screen (btw that game looked great on the flat screen at the time) but then again I’m sure alot of the people who want this game already have a PS3 now? But there could be alot of 360 owners waiting for the right time to get a PS3 and with this game and a few others coming out they may see now as the perfect time??
November 5th, 2009
And on another note Heavy Rain may not sell consoles but there are alot of X-box owners drooling and wishing they could play this game..hehehe. And the more you 360 owners talk shit about QTE and this and that the more obvious it becomes.. This game may not be for every one but it does look very very interesting and it is an adult game with adult themes.
November 5th, 2009
But then again when your 11 or 12 halo is about as adult as you want to get..Go Master Chief lol
November 5th, 2009
Halo 3 was not a console seller, neither was GT4
November 5th, 2009
GTA4*
November 5th, 2009
“But then again when your 11 or 12 halo is about as adult as you want to get..Go Master Chief lol”
I dont think, there will be anymore halo this gen after reach, but still even if there are,
Atleast we can count on Chief to kick major gt/gow butt
November 5th, 2009
Redswipe
@Happyhockum
“Care to share this list with us?Of course for a game to be on that list you need to prove that not one single person bought a PS3 for that game. I’m looking forward to reading it!”
Ah righto, so your idea of what most people mean by a “a PS3 system seller” is a game that caudes 1 person to by the console.
I think you’re way out on your own with that one, enjoy.
November 5th, 2009
Ooops
Naturally ‘caudes’ = causes
November 5th, 2009
I don’t believe in any game being a system seller. I can’t see the majority of people purchasing a system just to play one game on the system. It’s what games the console brings over all that generally sells the system.
November 5th, 2009
twilight pretty much has it right. Games are system sellers.
November 5th, 2009
twilight nailed it again!
November 5th, 2009
I’m suspect of it’s sales alone let alone being a “system seller”
To me it looks like another great game to add to the library. Was Indigo Prophecy a system seller? No. Just remembered as a great game.
November 5th, 2009
twilight: Saga New Moon
That’s exactly what i said before LoL.
For me the selling point was the new number 3. For PSP the selling point was the name. For Xbox 360 was stupidity. For PS1 nothing. For PS2 everything.
I mainly got my PS3 not just because it was new but because i knew all the awesome game it was going have.
Sony needs to bring so many PS2 exclusives remastered like God of War Collection i will buy them all. I have a massive list for games i want with trophy and online play.
November 5th, 2009
I see the game similar to Demon’s Souls. it could be somewhat sucessful by word-of-mouth
November 5th, 2009
GT5 a system seller?
GT5p was hyped as the same thing, and look what happened… zip..nada…nothing….
why is GT5 different?
sony’s got nothing left. if msg4, killzone 2 or LBP failed to become system sellers, nothing will…..
the true system seller they have it price drops….
November 5th, 2009
i meant “is price drops”..sorry.
November 5th, 2009
LOL @kev.
hey silly… the title is about Heavy Rain. Nice troll attempt. I sometimes post in the wrong threads too. It’s OK.
November 5th, 2009
phranc – actually, i was responding to your fellow sony humping fanboys who claimed that GT5 is a system seller…
do try to keep up, little guy… .
why didn’t you accuse your ps3 buddies of trolling while talking about GT5 in Heavy Rain article? oh that’s right…becuase you ps3 fanboys are a legion of hypocritices.
November 5th, 2009
“phranc – actually, i was responding to your fellow sony humping fanboys who claimed that GT5 is a system seller… ”
@kev. Yeah…it usually helps when you specify a person… look you did it there sport. congrats.
“why didn’t you accuse your ps3 buddies of trolling while talking about GT5 in Heavy Rain article? oh that’s right…becuase you ps3 fanboys are a legion of hypocritices.”
Well… thats kind of simple so I’m surprised you didn’t understand. It’s because they weren’t trolling.
November 5th, 2009
phranc – got it. Pro-ps3 game posts = not trolling. con-ps3 posts = trolling.
you = joke. lmao… cya.
November 5th, 2009
“phranc – got it. Pro-ps3 game posts = not trolling. con-ps3 posts = trolling.”
LMAO.. I really don’t have it in me today (after last night) to argue with you over definitions. That is hilarious that you don’t know the difference.
November 5th, 2009
Kev, What you think about Heavy Rain?
November 5th, 2009
Roca.:
Why you asking this question to an idiot like kev. He is a total diluted moron.
And all those game he posted on his little pathetic message have done wonderful for the PS3. He is just jealous you can tell.
GT5 cost Sony 60 Million GTA IV cost 100 and K2 20 million. They started making GT6 already, damn those games cost a lot.
November 5th, 2009
Yeah, and baiting kev is like shooting fish in a barrel. Harry is like the one that got away, always nibbles, but spits the bait back in your face.
November 5th, 2009
Roca – looks like it could be fun, but a console seller? After so many broken promises? No thanks. Any promise of a console seller on the ps3 at this point can’t be taken even remotely seriously.
MGS4, GTA, GT5p, and Killzone are all waaaaaaay bigger franchises then HR but none of them were considered a console seller even after promises of just such a thing.
Even after years of hype, marketing videos, promises, recognition, and multi million dollar advertisement campaigns, they failed to create the excitement for the ps3 that sony sorely needs.
I just can’t believe the bath sony is taking on these games. Ouch… I see why sony’s gaming division is bleeding money…
November 5th, 2009
Halo Legends on Bluray on Feb. 20.
November 5th, 2009
“Harry is like the one that got away, always nibbles, but spits the bait back in your face.”
I always thought harry liked to swallow
November 5th, 2009
“GT5 a system seller?
GT5p was hyped as the same thing, and look what happened… zip..nada…nothing….
why is GT5 different?”
Well I never looked at it this way. I would have called GT5 a system seller too but now I might have to rethink that with the new light that Kev has given. Hummmmm!!!
November 5th, 2009
Wow so Halo will make it to a PS3 via Bluray. See now you can experience Halo too via Legends.
November 5th, 2009
@ roca,
“Halo 3 was not a console seller, neither was GT4″
According to NPD numbers for Sept 2007, when Halo 3 was released, the 360 saw a 64% spike in sales for the month. Seems like a system seller to me….
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/september-npd-xbox-360-takes-the-lead-halo-3-to-thank/
November 5th, 2009
Jofa and SW,
I only swallow if i’m in love
November 5th, 2009
Harry most people bought up those Green Halo 3 consoles along with the game. Halo 3 was such a system seller that you would have to be a blind fanboy not to know this.
November 5th, 2009
@ CAD,
Yep, I remember they went pretty quickly too. If there ever was a system seller this gen, it was Halo 3.
Actually Halo 3 was the thing that tipped me into getting a 360 over a PS3. I was actually looking at getting a launch PS3 when they came out here ($1000) but saw a few demos and movies of Halo 3 and remembered the fun I had with the first 2 and that basically sold me.
November 5th, 2009
Okay, we get it. Halo is it for the xbox360. It’s the only game that you have for the system. You only have Halo while we have plenty of games to choose from.
November 5th, 2009
*groan*
Another ignorant fanboy….
November 5th, 2009
ok i’ll bite.
@ twilight,
The topic of discussion was system sellers, not about quality games to choose from. I am not going to play LIST WARS with you. We are discussing the sales spike of consoles when Halo 3 was released, a feat that has not been repeated by either console since.
Are you clear now? Or should I explain this again using smaller words?
November 5th, 2009
First of all, I’m not an ignorant person. I’m far from it.
It’s funny how you quickly resort to insulting someone else’s intelligence. I guess this is to be expected from a xbox fanboy. I’m not going to stoop to your level of insults.
The reason that I mentioned Halo is that this is all that xbox fanboys ever seem to do is bring up Halo. Everyone knows about the sales of xbox360 and Halo. If this is all that you have is Halo, then it’s not good.
November 5th, 2009
People would have to be totally ignorant to believe that halo3 was not a system seller ……..
November 5th, 2009
twilight,
You must be ignorant if you believe that Halo 3 is the only game on 360 worth having. I feel safe to insult your lack of intelligence because you have given me no sign that you have any.
I don’t think you’re following the topic of conversation closely enough. Let me try to explain. If you need me to spell some things out phonetically please let me know and i’ll do that for you.
Roca mentioned that Halo 3 was not a system seller, I posted a link with NPD figures stating the contrary. I also mentioned that no other game on either machine has been system sellers.
Then you chimed in saying that Halo 3 is the only game that we have while you have plenty to choose from, pretty much missing the point of the topic entirely.
This is not about just games, it is about games that sell consoles.
Please let me know if you don’t understand this topic and as stated earlier, I will try to explain in smaller words.
Thank you for your time.
November 5th, 2009
@ Spidey,
My point exactly. On the same topic, people would be ignorant to not think that GT5 will be a system seller. I believe this game alone will sell quite a lot of Playstation 3s.
November 5th, 2009
As I have stated before, I don’t subscribe to the theory of one game being a system seller.
November 6th, 2009
You never subscribed to that theory, all you did was try to bash the 360 with a statement that was completely off the topic at the time. You failed.
Anyway, Halo 3 did indeed make a rather large boost in console sales during the month it was released. That fact is documented by the official NPD numbers.
Let me know if you don’t understand that.
November 6th, 2009
Okay, I get it. You’ve stated that Halo is a system seller. Halo propelled the xbox360 sales during this period of time. You’ve provided the stats. However, I just don’t believe that all of the people bought this system just to play this one game. It was more than just the game of Halo that sold the system. This is all that I am saying.
November 6th, 2009
Of course people would buy a system to play more than just one game, that’s common sense. In saying that, in my case, that game was the tipping point in my decision to get a 360 rather than a PS3. I am sure I am not alone in that.
Now, not only do I own that game, but I also own both Gears games, L4D, Forza3 and a lot of other exclusives and multiplats.
If Halo 3 did not exist, I may well have bought a PS3. So it is a system seller.
November 6th, 2009
If there is a massive spike in sales that coincides the release of a major game, bets are, that a “good majority” of those people bought it for the game. Hence, a system seller. Halo 3 did that.
If people choose to believe otherwise, well thats up to them. But I call it naive.
November 6th, 2009
I have both consoles and I’ll admit I do lean more towards the PS3 but Twilight to say the 360 has only Halo does make you seem Fanboyish. GOW, Prey(old but I still love it lol), SC: Conviction when it’s out, Alan Wake, Fable, Mass Effect.
I don’t believe a single game can make a system seller, price has gotta be the main reason I think. The PS3 has all the games it could have to make people think about getting it, except maybe ignorant Xbots who reckon the PS3 is evil lol. Once the price comes down to something reasonable then it’ll sell well I think.
November 6th, 2009
“The PS3 has all the games it could have to make people think about getting it, except maybe ignorant Xbots who reckon the PS3 is evil lol”
Or the people who don’t have money to burn and already have a machine… i.e me. I wish I had money to burn.
November 6th, 2009
‘I wish I had money to burn’
Burning money ain’t good Harry, It’s a waste and adds to global warming lol. But I did say price is the main reason people won’t get the PS3, I did only mean a small minority won’t get the PS3 because some Xbox owners religion is Microsoftism.
November 6th, 2009
Microsoftism(tm).
…Had to Trademark that
November 6th, 2009
Harry,
It’s too bad that you got stuck with just the xbox360.
Oldschool,
What can I say? I don’t care for the xbox360 for a variety of reasons.
November 6th, 2009
@ twilight,
If I had neither machine right now I would still get the 360, so your little jab is pointless trolling.
@ oldschool,
Also, our money is plastic here, so it doesn’t burn very well either.
November 6th, 2009
harry sachz:
We all know you want a PS3 badly just admitted dude. Only an idiot would a Xbox 360.
November 6th, 2009
“Only an idiot would a Xbox 360.”
BAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
November 6th, 2009
‘Also, our money is plastic here, so it doesn’t burn very well either’
But I bet it has a really nice dripping effect? Like when you set elastic bands on fire? lol. Where you from Harry? Got a PSN account?
November 6th, 2009
@ Twilight: Fair enough.
November 6th, 2009
harry sachz:
Sorry if the true hurts you. But keep laughing is a the best medicine.
November 6th, 2009
“People would have to be totally ignorant to believe that halo3 was not a system seller ……..”
i said Halo 3 is not a system seller because ppl dont buy a 360 for Halo 3 anymore. Halo 3 helped sell system back when it came out……but after that ppl just buy systems for the overall library. a single game can only do so much. MGS4 helped sell system too..but MGS4 and Halo 3 were then and now ppl buy consoles for what the system has to offer. granted they might be ppl who buys a console for a single game like Madden or Fifa, etc
November 6th, 2009
I hate the term all together.
How much of an increase in consoles sales have to occur for it to be considered a console seller?
I always feel what is constantly being led by people that use that term is the fact that the PS3 doesn’t really have an Iconic character to call their own like they did in the Crash Bandicoot days.
November 6th, 2009
I was under the impression that MGS4 sold many PS3s. Wouldn’t that make it a system-seller?
-Arvis
November 6th, 2009
My nephews begged for a PS3 just for LBP…
November 6th, 2009
Ratchet & Clank was the reason my lil cousin bought a PS3 instead of a 360 or a wii
November 6th, 2009
My sister loves LBP she got a PS3 just for that shit.
November 7th, 2009
Roca said: “i said Halo 3 is not a system seller because ppl dont buy a 360 for Halo 3 anymore.”
Cmon Roca, we can’t change the goal posts to suit arguments buddy …… While Halo3 does not move 360’s now, it certainly did when it came out and for while after as well. Can we agree on that ?
November 7th, 2009
Halo is a system seller and Mgs4 sold me, so there are system sellers. Its just peoples definition of how many have to be sold to label a single game a system seller. Hell FF13 also helped in my decision to buy a ps3 and its not even out yet.
November 7th, 2009
@ spidey
“Can we agree on that ?”
sure
November 8th, 2009
Sweet.