I don’t believe in studying trends or analyzing past data to predict the future. Those tools are overrated. I prefer to use a crystal ball. A gnarled woman in a red dress handed me one when I was younger and I’ve used it to great effect. But thanks to David Bowie’s chilling performance in The Labyrinth, I’ve cooled on its voodoo powers.
Thankfully, I don't need to use an occult looking glass to tell me that Capcom’s Resident Evil 5 is going to be a big hit -- it’s a well known fact that people love killing zombies. Microsoft backed up my non-voodoo prediction this morning when they released a few raw numbers about RE: 5's demo downloads.
Over 1.3 million people downloaded the demo over the first three days. And within that first week a total of 1.8 million people nabbed the zombie-busting trial. That’s a lot of people. I wonder how long it would take to spread a zombie virus globally if every person who downloaded the demo also got a surprise ZTD?
Maybe I'll check the ball later.
Exclusive “Resident Evil 5” Demo Downloaded By 1.8 Million fans on Xbox LIVE
Over the weekend, download figures for the Resident Evil 5 Demo on Xbox LIVE surged past 1.8 Million, wrapping up the first week on Xbox LIVE.
With the January 26th release, more than 1.3 million Xbox LIVE members around the world downloaded the demo of the hotly anticipated “Resident Evil 5” in just the first three days, placing it among the top Demo launches on the service. The Demo was first available exclusively to Xbox LIVE Gold members for the first three days and then for all Xbox LIVE members worldwide on January 29th. The demo also reached new heights with its Japanese release in December under the “Biohazard 5” title, being downloaded by over 53% of Xbox LIVE Gold members in Japan.
The release allows fans to get their hands on new “Resident Evil 5” features including two new levels of single- and two player co-op play, characters, weapons and environments. In this latest installment of the renowned survivor-horror franchise, returning “Resident Evil” hero Chris Redfield is joined by new partner Sheva Alomar to take on the frightening effects of the latest bioterrorist attack in the depths of Africa.
Xbox LIVE provides players with the ability to have their pick of who they want to experience the terror with. Whether it’s a close friend or one of the more than 17 million members around the world, on Xbox LIVE it’s easier to know when friends are online, playing “Resident Evil 5”and available to catch up over voice- or video-chat.
The demo’s success, comes in the same week as “Resident Evil” fans were asked to help unlock the secrets of Kijuju first through Xbox-LIVE and Xbox.com. For the most up to date news on the title, fans have also been flocking to Xbox LIVE and Xbox.com to check out first looks at exclusive game trailers and videos. On March 13th, Resident Evil 5 will move to its new home on Xbox 360.
Contest:
8:20 PM on 02.02.2009
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A Demo is a Demo. It's only a demonstration of a portion of the product. If they let out any info of the plot or story, then it might just cause people not to really want the game. Games that keep people in question will make people want to buy. That's at least what I've noticed.
I think the demo was good as far as demos go, offering a nice chunk of a game, who's demo we've been chasing on import. It'll make those 2mil sales or more, easily next month.
As for the controls, love it or leave it (I agree they could be improved but there you go, give Capcom feedback and they might be adjusted for RE6), its still gonna be a class game.
But c'mon, you know that chainsaw dude scares you.
I understand your point, and I totally agree that this is all subjective.
I guess the reason why I feel as though this demo is good is mainly because I co-oped with my friend when I first played, and well, have only played via co-op. The best part was the two of us screaming when the guy with the hammer/blade landed his weapon right in between us.
I must say though, I am perplexed by the plot. I mean, I've never played a RE before, and I assume (and this could totally make an ass out of me) that this originally was a zombie killing game. However, this time it looks almost completely different despite what comes out of some of the people you kill in the demo.
But that's what demos are for though, let the user decide for themselves if they are wanting to buy it.
@ Barcode - Yeah, you might want to read up on that plot a little bit because the twists and turns in the storyline rivals that of the Metal Gear series on the preposterously unlikely happenstance meter
The tooled up zombies might not sway you much, but any weird dude carrying huge weapons and running at you, that does something to motivate me to kick ass and survive.
A little but later we were kicking ass and easily disposing all of the "Not Zombies" and teaming up effectively against the axe/chainsaw guys.
We didnt have a problem with the controls at all. Only a couple of enemies had anything resembling a projectile weapon and were very slow yet they were still deadly and with timing played an important part in taking them out.
IMO, of course.
5th installation? More like 10+ at least, but that's besides the point.
Some call the scheme lazy
Some say it's outdated
Facts:
It adds to the tension
It makes the game harder (there aren't many challenging games nowadays; but that's another thing for trolls to shoot down)
Resident Evil is not: Gears of War 2, Left4Dead, Dead Space, Devil May Cry, Onimusha 4, or Dino Crisis, nor will it ever be.
Note most of the above action classics are made by CAPCOM. Why did Capcom choose to make RE4/5 with the classic shooting scheme even though Devil May Cry had full on running and gunning a decade earlier? Because it's what defines RE; it always has. The 360's release of RE5 has brought in a huge wave of trolls who simply don't "get" RE. I call them Gears Goons.
If you have a legitimate complaint against the mechanics of the game, including co-op, the AI, or it being "RE4 in new clothes", fine! But control arguments? Welcome to Resident Evil!
"The 360's release of RE5 has brought in a huge wave of trolls who simply don't "get" RE. I call them Gears Goons."
you sir, are now my favorite person.
I will see you, sir, in RE5 on the PS3 :D
Facts: It adds to the frustration
fixed lol
People just need to stop bitching. If you don't like the game and want to argue over it with some invalid bullshit because you compare it to another game or it's because it doesn't "suit" your favorable tastes, stay the fuck away from it.