My goodness. The first Nintendo title I cared about in a long while, and it didn't sell at all...I don't know if my interest as a regular gamer is indicative of people lacking interest on the other side of things...hm.
At least for us. We aren't the market anymore, they don't care what we think, and for every one of us they drive away three 8 year olds and a 40 year old woman take our place.
i played the demo at EB Games. this game screams shovel ware.
Excitebike(NES)>Excitebots
im sorry nintendo, you dont have the right to take a franchise name and expect to print money EVERY damn time. Wii owners aren't as dumb as they look.... if i want a SUPER SANDWICH, i'll go to SUBWAY... Thanks.
@CHoZO: dude, i have plenty of fun Wii games. don't be misled by my avatar or handle.
MK Wii may have its issues, but its tsill miles above this game. all of the gimmicks around the game are so forced its not even funny. this game may be"i got it for free, so what the hey" fun, but its sure isn,t "im ready to pay 40 bucks for a so so game, when therer are CLEARLY better games coming out this month" fun.
times are rough right now, im only going to spend my hard earned cash on games they are deemed great in my own opinion.
playing the demo for 20 minutes at EB Games told me what i needed to know about this game.
Sorry, but there's so many games coming out and some of us have jobs and kids and at some point there needs to be a way to eliminate games to check out.
ExciteBots reminds me of a game I didn't like (ExciteTruck) and I've heard zero buzz about that game on Kotaku, which is the only gaming news site I read (not even Gamespot or IGN).
@Ueziel: Or maybe some gamers are perfectly happy with games they already have in the overpopulated arcade racing genre. Motorstorm Pacific Rift for example.
@fronsac: You didn't see the multiple previews that were all positive or Kotaku's own review of it (which was also positive)? Hell, every site I went to had a ton of positive press for the game.
@oosiegewolfoo: That "hardcore" gamers are just as bad, if not worse, than your "casual" gamers.
@TitillatedOcelot: Because gamers have ownership over their own hobby. It isn't always the company's duty to shove everything in our faces. It's our duty to seek out new games to play and this one certainly had enough positive press to suggest a closer look is needed. But nope, gamers are actually as mindless as the rest of the world and need to be forcefed the next "AAA" release.
@Black-Dog-Howls: And that's perfectly fine. I already had Mario Kart and wasn't sure if Excitebots was for me. But honestly, the game is so different from other racing games that I don't think it's really fair to say, "Oh I have a racing game. I won't bother even playing any others."
@Snacky_Smores: ExciteTruck was an extremely good game. And this has so much on top of the original game it's ridiculous.
@Ueziel: Or maybe because it's a game that, even by description, doesn't sound any more appealing than any other racer out there?
Just because we're in a 'gaming drought' doesn't mean that people aren't taking this time to actually PLAY the games they bought during those huge surges in the late fall/early winter. Not everyone is so OCD that we spend every waking moment on a game, especially ones that have such huge amounts of content.
But then again, you yourself admitted here, Ueziel, that you rented it before purchasing it. Ever stop to think these 'gamers' you're going after didn't do the same thing and, feeling it didn't add much more than the first title, decided against spending the money on the title? I don't know about you, but even in this 'strong economy,' I'm not about to spend money on a game I'm not going to enjoy for any longer than a rental.
As it's been said, before you make another blanket statement like "gamers all stupid for not buying it," why don't you check yourself and realize that some of the more sane ones rent before buying, and judged this game to not be worthy despite the critical acclaim. It happened to Valkyria Chronicles, don't see why it couldn't happen with this one either.
@Ueziel: Because gamers have ownership over their own hobby. It isn't always the company's duty to shove everything in our faces. It's our duty to seek out new games to play and this one certainly had enough positive press to suggest a closer look is needed.
It actually is the duty of the company to shove it in our faces if they want it to be noticed. Gamers have ZERO duty here. If we don't like what we see, we don't buy it. This is what advertising firms are paid for. If you're suggesting that as gamers we somehow have an obligation to do the work for them, I have to strongly disagree.
Here's my attitude as a consumer: You want my money? Show me that your product is worth my money. I'm not going to buy every quirky game out there and decide afterwards whether or not I have made a wise purchase. The creators of this game and the comanies in charge of making the public aware of this game did nothing to make it a must-buy.
@TitillatedOcelot: So how did gaming work back in say, the NES/SNES eras? I don't remember massive marketing pushes for every major game.
And to expect every game to have some giant marketing push is retarded. That is why we pick up the slack. But apparently I'm the only one that feels that way so I guess that sucks.
@Ueziel: You can't compare the NES/SNES days to today as far as marketing/publishing or even profitibility is concerned, video games were just not as big of a commodity back then as they are now.
I think everyone in this thread of comments can agree you've got a very strong passion for this game, but as long as you continue on your double-standard, you have no footing in this argument.
This number is based off of TEN DAYS of sales, and I don't know about you, but the majority of people I know that are 'first week buyers' are typically those with spending cash...whom are also those with limited responsiblity...whom are also college students...whom were GOING THROUGH FINALS PREP AT THIS TIME. I for one remember that back when I was in college, gaming was the last thing on my mind when my thesis was due.
As it's been said, give it time. If the game is as good as you seem to think it is, the sales will start picking up. In the meantime, stop trying to deny the truth in that there are plenty of factors as to why this game failed to reach a huge audience with such limited marketing, PR, and hype.
@Ueziel: And to expect every game to have some giant marketing push is retarded. That is why we pick up the slack. But apparently I'm the only one that feels that way so I guess that sucks.
I say again, no, we don't have to pick up the slack. Unless there is some line in the licensing agreement that comes with a game console (I never take the time to read those things) we are in no way obligated to pick up the slack.
As for suggesting that the need for large-scale advertising is retarded? It's called the free market. You want someone to buy, you have to lure them in. You can preach that we should all be fiercely devoted members of the console street teams all you want, but it's not the way it works, especially now that Nintendo has done such as successful job pawning their console off on the so-called casual crowd. You think you're having a tough time selling this loyalty approach to gamers? It'll never fly with the casuals.
@Ueziel: Chill, man, because the only one you're convincing people of being a stupid gamer is yourself. Listen to what others have said, it is gold.
You are heavily biased, it's ok to be, you're a deep Nintendo-supporter (you and Foxtail are the biggest in that department here on Kotaku) and I'll let you be. No-one can take that right from you.
Just don't call everyone that don't agree with you stupid and then proceed to act like a rabid monkey. While you're one of the few Nintendo supporters here, you're also one of the people most prone to insult. And maybe that's because there's so much Wii-hate, but again, you're not winning any point against the haters if you act like on yourself.
But let's get back on track. As it is clear, you like this game a lot. Kudos for your enjoyment. That's what playing videogames is all about. But this news, don't let it unsettle you, and just enjoy your game. It didn't fall to the taste of many. You're an exception. But there's no need to get this angry.
Try looking at it objectively and realize what you're asking is outrageous. Every gamer will not pick up every good game release. It's technically an impossibility. You're letting your preference cloud your judgment. The Wii is most of all a casual console, and looking at it like that, Excitebots is one in a million games released on said console. It has a colorful, but in context a very bland cover, an uninspired title, doesn't look like it would bring something new compared to "similar" racers.
Do you honestly think that most people who saw it in a store would even notice that the game had just been released?
@King of Fun UK: The fact that the game is not very good is why it bombed. The gameplay is horrid, the controls suck, the track design is lame at best, and the game itself suffers from an insane amount of stupid. Seriously, you only have to get a number of stars in each track to get to the next cup, regardless of how well you actually fared in the race. When I played it (finished all of the normal difficulty mode), I could finish in last place and STILL S-rank almost every track.
@El-Suave: Could be a lose-lose situation for them: Don't publish games for the core gamers, and they feal neglected; publish games for them, and the games won't sell.
Then again, the effect of option one on Nintendo's success as a whole would be minor.
@Ueziel: It is an insipid and tired idea isn't it?
'Hard"core"' and "casual." Such silly terms. They don't even truly mean anything, they aren't genres. They have no true capacity to properly describe anything. They're mostly pejorative terms tossed around by enthusiasts.
@Boom-Chicka-Ah: Except for the fact that, you know, Nintendo dominated April. Both hardware AND software-wise. And this one third party title means absolutely dick to them.
@Boom-Chicka-Ah: It's funny how you're laughing at the poor sales of a game that could be considered a hardcore or at least an enthusiast gamer's game.
The bad sales of games like this will actually encourage MORE casual games, because you know what? The casual gamer can save Nintendo - mostly from people like who who cry and croon about no hardcore games and then laugh when a good game gets passed over.
@Valnen: No such thing. There are only people who play games casually. Gaming is whatever you put into it. Trust me, it is entirely possible to be hardcore into this, just like it was with ExciteTruck. Getting perfect lines, nailing every short cut, doing as many tricks as possible, maxing out stars, there's more to it than you'd think.
@ShadowOdin finally got a copy of Suikoden III. Is upset wit...: So if a "casual" game, which is meant to be played casually, is played hardcore-ly, is it still a casual game? Who decides it's casual? When did they decide it? What has to be done for it to cross over into hardcore territory?
If everyone plays a "casual" game for lengthy periods of time, or if communities develop around certain "casual" games, and if people in these communities compete with each other to try and achieve high scores, is it still a "casual" game? If so, why?
I really think the distinction you're trying to make is between games labeled as "mature" and those otherwise. But if you think you've got a hold on this "casual" and "hardcore" thing, I'd love to hear it.
@phinehas: You don't get it. They don't actually want hardcore games to do well on the system, then it would be harder to make fun of (although not much). Some people just don't like the Wii and they want it to die. Simple as that. People like that invariably glom onto stories like this (I knew when I saw these numbers that Luke would have a story on it within minutes) for whatever reason. In a few months when this title shows signs of sales actually picking up and everyone in the blogosphere is surprised (See Kotaku Article: "Boom Blox A Bust At Retail?") I fully expect someone other than Luke to be eating the crow on the deal.
@Valnen: I absolutely LOVE racing games and buy a lot of them. I hate Gran Turismo and get no enjoyment from games like Forza and Project Gotham Racing. Burnout is good though. I love games like Excite Truck/Bots, Sega Rally Revo, Full Auto, Mario Kart, etc.
@ShadowOdin finally got a copy of Suikoden III. Is upset wit...: You're missing his point. He's not saying they're NOT casual. He's saying the word has no meaning. In other words, NO game is casual. No game is hardcore. THey're all just games that people play in their free time. Also casual/hardcore is quite possibly the dumbest set of terms for gaming. Saying "hardcore gaming" is like saying "hardcore gardening". It makes no sense. I think people confuse intricate/complex games vs. simple games as being hardcore vs. casual and it's just not the case. Pac Man is a perfect example. It's about as hardcore as it gets, yet its perfect for casual gamers.
@Pombar: Slightly correct. I think the real problem is with such a lack of games hardcore gamers want to play and a number of them not getting released people are selling their wiis. I sure as hell am going to sell my Wii if we don't get Fragile released over here, just as soon as I get muramasa and beat it.
Where is the european release date? I really want this, im a huge fan of "Excite Truck", too bad I wont be making a original soundtrack for this one... *********** review!
This sounds insane, like something Sega would've made, rather than Nintendo.
This is probably my first "must buy" 1st party title on the Wii. (save the flames......Zelda & Mario don't appeal to me much, though I do plan on checking out Galaxy at some point)
I loves me some absurdity & craziness in my games. Last game to bring insanity to my Wii was NMH and it's still my fave Wii game, next to RE4.
man this game is awesome.. i picked it up saturday and it ended up pretty much making my saturday evening lol (yeah i know kinda lame.. guess im getting old). i recommend it to anyone who can get over colors and designs.
05/15/09
05/15/09
At least for us. We aren't the market anymore, they don't care what we think, and for every one of us they drive away three 8 year olds and a 40 year old woman take our place.
Good for them, bad for us.
05/15/09
05/15/09
Excitebike(NES)>Excitebots
im sorry nintendo, you dont have the right to take a franchise name and expect to print money EVERY damn time. Wii owners aren't as dumb as they look.... if i want a SUPER SANDWICH, i'll go to SUBWAY... Thanks.
05/15/09
It's no MGS4, sir, but it's a fun game.
05/15/09
MK Wii may have its issues, but its tsill miles above this game. all of the gimmicks around the game are so forced its not even funny. this game may be"i got it for free, so what the hey" fun, but its sure isn,t "im ready to pay 40 bucks for a so so game, when therer are CLEARLY better games coming out this month" fun.
times are rough right now, im only going to spend my hard earned cash on games they are deemed great in my own opinion.
playing the demo for 20 minutes at EB Games told me what i needed to know about this game.
05/15/09
I thought the game screamed SUPER SANDWHICH?
05/15/09
and its quite annoying to be honest. i was making a horrible attempt to rag on such head line.
-hangs head in shame-
05/15/09
05/15/09
Sorry, but there's so many games coming out and some of us have jobs and kids and at some point there needs to be a way to eliminate games to check out.
ExciteBots reminds me of a game I didn't like (ExciteTruck) and I've heard zero buzz about that game on Kotaku, which is the only gaming news site I read (not even Gamespot or IGN).
So yeah, sorry, but I'll skip.
05/15/09
05/15/09
@scotty: That's your fault for being dumb.
@oosiegewolfoo: That "hardcore" gamers are just as bad, if not worse, than your "casual" gamers.
@TitillatedOcelot: Because gamers have ownership over their own hobby. It isn't always the company's duty to shove everything in our faces. It's our duty to seek out new games to play and this one certainly had enough positive press to suggest a closer look is needed. But nope, gamers are actually as mindless as the rest of the world and need to be forcefed the next "AAA" release.
@Black-Dog-Howls: And that's perfectly fine. I already had Mario Kart and wasn't sure if Excitebots was for me. But honestly, the game is so different from other racing games that I don't think it's really fair to say, "Oh I have a racing game. I won't bother even playing any others."
@Snacky_Smores: ExciteTruck was an extremely good game. And this has so much on top of the original game it's ridiculous.
05/15/09
Just because we're in a 'gaming drought' doesn't mean that people aren't taking this time to actually PLAY the games they bought during those huge surges in the late fall/early winter. Not everyone is so OCD that we spend every waking moment on a game, especially ones that have such huge amounts of content.
But then again, you yourself admitted here, Ueziel, that you rented it before purchasing it. Ever stop to think these 'gamers' you're going after didn't do the same thing and, feeling it didn't add much more than the first title, decided against spending the money on the title? I don't know about you, but even in this 'strong economy,' I'm not about to spend money on a game I'm not going to enjoy for any longer than a rental.
As it's been said, before you make another blanket statement like "gamers all stupid for not buying it," why don't you check yourself and realize that some of the more sane ones rent before buying, and judged this game to not be worthy despite the critical acclaim. It happened to Valkyria Chronicles, don't see why it couldn't happen with this one either.
05/15/09
It actually is the duty of the company to shove it in our faces if they want it to be noticed. Gamers have ZERO duty here. If we don't like what we see, we don't buy it. This is what advertising firms are paid for. If you're suggesting that as gamers we somehow have an obligation to do the work for them, I have to strongly disagree.
Here's my attitude as a consumer: You want my money? Show me that your product is worth my money. I'm not going to buy every quirky game out there and decide afterwards whether or not I have made a wise purchase. The creators of this game and the comanies in charge of making the public aware of this game did nothing to make it a must-buy.
05/15/09
And to expect every game to have some giant marketing push is retarded. That is why we pick up the slack. But apparently I'm the only one that feels that way so I guess that sucks.
05/15/09
I think everyone in this thread of comments can agree you've got a very strong passion for this game, but as long as you continue on your double-standard, you have no footing in this argument.
This number is based off of TEN DAYS of sales, and I don't know about you, but the majority of people I know that are 'first week buyers' are typically those with spending cash...whom are also those with limited responsiblity...whom are also college students...whom were GOING THROUGH FINALS PREP AT THIS TIME. I for one remember that back when I was in college, gaming was the last thing on my mind when my thesis was due.
As it's been said, give it time. If the game is as good as you seem to think it is, the sales will start picking up. In the meantime, stop trying to deny the truth in that there are plenty of factors as to why this game failed to reach a huge audience with such limited marketing, PR, and hype.
05/15/09
I say again, no, we don't have to pick up the slack. Unless there is some line in the licensing agreement that comes with a game console (I never take the time to read those things) we are in no way obligated to pick up the slack.
As for suggesting that the need for large-scale advertising is retarded? It's called the free market. You want someone to buy, you have to lure them in. You can preach that we should all be fiercely devoted members of the console street teams all you want, but it's not the way it works, especially now that Nintendo has done such as successful job pawning their console off on the so-called casual crowd. You think you're having a tough time selling this loyalty approach to gamers? It'll never fly with the casuals.
05/15/09
05/15/09
You are heavily biased, it's ok to be, you're a deep Nintendo-supporter (you and Foxtail are the biggest in that department here on Kotaku) and I'll let you be. No-one can take that right from you.
Just don't call everyone that don't agree with you stupid and then proceed to act like a rabid monkey. While you're one of the few Nintendo supporters here, you're also one of the people most prone to insult. And maybe that's because there's so much Wii-hate, but again, you're not winning any point against the haters if you act like on yourself.
But let's get back on track. As it is clear, you like this game a lot. Kudos for your enjoyment. That's what playing videogames is all about. But this news, don't let it unsettle you, and just enjoy your game. It didn't fall to the taste of many. You're an exception. But there's no need to get this angry.
Try looking at it objectively and realize what you're asking is outrageous. Every gamer will not pick up every good game release. It's technically an impossibility. You're letting your preference cloud your judgment. The Wii is most of all a casual console, and looking at it like that, Excitebots is one in a million games released on said console. It has a colorful, but in context a very bland cover, an uninspired title, doesn't look like it would bring something new compared to "similar" racers.
Do you honestly think that most people who saw it in a store would even notice that the game had just been released?
05/15/09
Revealing the game 2 or so months before release.
Not really changing up the design since ExciteTruck
Appealing to the wrong market
Not a single shred of advertising
And you wonder why a game like this bombs?
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05/15/09
Yes. Excite Truck retails for $50 even now.
05/16/09
Hah. Even if a game sells poorly they'll still decide not to drop the price well into a full new generation, if ever.
05/15/09
05/15/09
Then again, the effect of option one on Nintendo's success as a whole would be minor.
05/15/09
Just an FYI, this isn't a core game nor is it totally casual. It floats somewhere in between.
05/15/09
05/16/09
'Hard"core"' and "casual." Such silly terms. They don't even truly mean anything, they aren't genres. They have no true capacity to properly describe anything. They're mostly pejorative terms tossed around by enthusiasts.
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05/15/09
awwww. i don't get it.
05/15/09
05/15/09
? THE Excitebots GAME ?
-Aox
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05/15/09
BWAHAHAHAHA!
05/15/09
Good try though. 2/10.
05/15/09
The bad sales of games like this will actually encourage MORE casual games, because you know what? The casual gamer can save Nintendo - mostly from people like who who cry and croon about no hardcore games and then laugh when a good game gets passed over.
Simply stunning.
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05/15/09
Ooh Jesus, crawl back to fark or whatever hole spewed you forth.
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05/15/09
If everyone plays a "casual" game for lengthy periods of time, or if communities develop around certain "casual" games, and if people in these communities compete with each other to try and achieve high scores, is it still a "casual" game? If so, why?
I really think the distinction you're trying to make is between games labeled as "mature" and those otherwise. But if you think you've got a hold on this "casual" and "hardcore" thing, I'd love to hear it.
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04/27/09
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04/27/09
This is probably my first "must buy" 1st party title on the Wii. (save the flames......Zelda & Mario don't appeal to me much, though I do plan on checking out Galaxy at some point)
I loves me some absurdity & craziness in my games. Last game to bring insanity to my Wii was NMH and it's still my fave Wii game, next to RE4.
04/27/09
04/27/09