Wii Virtual Console Release also Scarce
With two potential blockbusters looming for two different consoles this week, Microsoft and Nintendo have decided that very few will be putting effort into seeking cheap classic or casual titles.
In Microsoft’s case, there will be no new XBOX Live Arcade release this week. Their mindset is that the XBOX faithful will be putting in long hours on Grand Theft Auto IV, which launches tomorrow. Nintendo owners fare slightly better with only one release this week, Double Dragon. Many Wii owners have been busy playing Mario Kart Wii, which launched Sunday.
Microsoft’s case is especially notable given how much the company has put toward advertising their third party title, in addition to Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive’s effort. The company is putting in a Halo 3-sized promotion effort into the XBOX 360 port of GTA IV.
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This is actually bad practice and I’m actually pretty concerned.
Previously, it was normal for any given publisher to move a release date to avoid direct competition and increase profits. But in this case, it’s the game distributor that’s doing it. It’s equivalent to a video game shop or franchise not putting cheaper games on shelves because they don’t want the sales detracting from the more expensive games. It may make financial sense for the company in question, but for the video game developers that want their products displayed, it’s not that good.
On top of that not everyone is going to like either GTA or Mario Kart and for those people. These decisions show that these people are being treated like they don’t exist and have less chance this week of picking up a game they’ll enjoy playing.