Viva Piñata is a game that many people adore and yet it didn't do very well at all. According to Rare's James Thomas, Gears of War and Microsoft's marketing strategy are to blame. The two titles were set to be big Christmas releases, but while Gears was promoted out of the arse, there was sadly no room in the budget to give Viva Piñata the exposure Rare felt it needed.
Most interestingly I think from our point of view, it was interesting to see how the marketing budget was split last Christmas, because obviously everyone knew that Microsoft were publishing Gears of War and Viva Piñata. Yet, so much of the money went towards Gears of War, which is going to sell millions anyway. It was a bit of like, "What about the other franchise?" I think we got left in the wake somewhat.
Of course, Microsoft is now keen to get its hands on some of Nintendo's 'casual' market (as stupid as that buzzword is) and will surely do a lot better in the future, but there's no denying that with more promotion of the Xbox 360's less gritty titles, it could shed that irksome 'shooter box' stigma a lot faster.
I think, however, the biggest irony is that whenever I play Gears of War online, one of the most popular juvenile insults heard is "Go play Viva Piñata." It would seem that the game does get all the promotion it deserves ... from the very game that took its marketing budget.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
27 comments | showing # 1 to 27
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
8:26 AM on 10.15.2007
| 
As gamers, we SAY we want original games. But I'd be willing to bet that if you added up the sales of Psychonauts, Beyond Good and Evil, and threw in the entire Oddworld series to boot, you wouldn't touch the gross of, say, the latest frikkin' Madden game. And that, fellow gamers, is effin' ridiculous. So WHAT if you can actually see the weave of the mesh on the jerseys this year?!? If we don't support original games, they'll go away. Hell, the gaming industry likes to compare itself to the film industry, and look what's happened to original MOVIES. They've gone the way of the dodo, replaces with a wash of sequels, adaptations, and "based-on" crap.
As gamers, we really need to wake up.
It's a supply-and-demand society, and people are only supplying what customers demand. It's our fault, essentially, that good games don't sell well.
Fortunately, original IPs have had some success this year. Overlord was a top ten hit and BioShock did well too. I would hope it continues, but it's not going to be at the expense of Gears or Halo.
Viva Pinata is a blast, but it's way too complex for the age range it's geared towards. And the tie-in TV show sucks on toast.
Maybe Rare should be looking at the fact that they made a kids game which is way to hard for kids, but which adults avoided because it looks like its for kids. I don't blame MS for not marketing this game much..WHO THE FUCK DO THEY MARKET IT TO?
@ Arugala9:
The target audience was older than that.
How about coming up with something the masses would enjoy? That might help sales a bit.
because from what I've heard, it's mostly been "fag"
Also they hate Mexicans, meng.
There is a significant part of the console-owning population that simply play Halo/Madden. They are established IP's that people look forward to
However, the gripe about GoW is fine.
And yes, I'm probably one of those people who used to tell people to go "Chill in the garden and do the romance dance" instead of play GoW.
You think Viva Pinata is mediocre? I've heard that it is a great game. I would like to play it if I get the chance. It is sad that original games don't receive enough publicity to sell well. We should try to find or establish some balance in the industry by trying new & interesting things.