Why games sales are down 31%

"Right, everyone that can calculate the cube root of PI can stay, the rest of you; Bugger off". How long do you think this business model would survive? Not long obviously and yet that's EXACTLY the business model the game industry pushes on us. Yakker24

To say that's an exaggeration....would simply be inadequate.

I must admit to have bought fewer games this year as well, i've only bought 2 since last August. However for me the reason is simply I complete so few of the games I buy that I've now made an active plan to try and complete as a many as I can before I buy another game. For example I really want to buy Virtual Tennis 3 (mainly since it is cheaper than the new one), but I must complete 2 games in my 360 collection before I will allow myself to buy. So far I find the system to be working well in not only reducing my out goings, but also improving my overall enjoyment of the games since I am now following them through to the end.

I actually agree with this. Every game should have a save system that lets you save anywhere. Every game should have, as the OP stated, ingame cheats that allow you to pass a certain section if you so choose. Let the player decide his level of challenge, it really shouldnt be so hard to implement. More options is never a bad idea.

new games in Vancouver where i live cost 69.99 canadian. that's ridiculous in tight times.

I haven't bought as many games either and at the going prices probably won't. I will buy a bunch at xmas for my kids and then wait for the price cuts. I like to keep mymoney mine. Maybe the gaming industry will learn if nobody pays the high full price.

I actually agree with this. Every game should have a save system that lets you save anywhere. Every game should have, as the OP stated, ingame cheats that allow you to pass a certain section if you so choose. Let the player decide his level of challenge, it really shouldnt be so hard to implement. More options is never a bad idea.

TheCrazed420

I like to think I'm pretty good at all the games I play and stuff yeah, so sometimes I forget about the little guy who can'tor simply doesn't want to put in the time to play the game well. Like if you buy the game, why shouldn't you get to have access to all the content and stuff? Every game should just have a super easy mode where you don't earn achievments or something.

I haven't bought many games this year. Although it isn't exactly because of the difficulty for me, I just haven't found many games this year that I wanted.

Well, that and lack of money I guess. :P

While game design may be part of the reason, I think that most likely the main problem is the economy. For most people video games are a hobby. So, when cash gets tight certain things may be cut back on or eliminated, and most likely that will be something of a lower priority, such as a hobby.

Game sales are down because there are very few games that have come out (even by summer standards). Add the crappy economy on top of that and you have worse sales.

Now I agree with some of what you said, but your talking\ about how to expand game market not about why game sales are down.

All games should definitely allow difficulty change and quick save options just like most PC games do. Even if we don't get quick saves the fact that developers still put checkpoints right before overlong unskippable cutscenes taking place right before a difficult set piece is inexcusable.

I don't use cheats for hard parts.. hardcore gamers don't use cheats0Tyler0

My game purchases have tailed off this year as well. I still buy all the titles I've been anticipating or get yearly: RE5, NCAA10. But other games that I'm sure I'd like, Prototype, Infamous, the new Battlefield and many others I'm just waiting on. I went to buy NCAA last week and was going to grab another new game, but they had Ninja Gaiden II used for $14 and I was fairly sure none of the others at $60 would be that much fun so I just re-bought it. I've spent at least 1k a year on games, and this year I'd be surprised if I end up spending half that.

For me the reasoning has been different, the games that has come out this yeah simply did not appeal too much to me, its all a matter of personal taste.

That and the fact that Im saving up for this Oct-Dec... those 3 months are pretty much gonna cost me a years savings O.o

it's also a recession...Senor_Kami

No, that can't be it. I'm sure its because people want to watch games instead of play through them.

I also love the fact that games prices went back to the PS1/N64 days. I love playing $50 for a game when about 2 years ago, they were $30-20 on the PC.

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]it's also a recession...CarnageHeart

No, that can't be it. I'm sure its because people want to watch games instead of play through them.

Don't be crazy!

Seriously though last year saw some massive blockbusters released in the same period (GTA, Metal Gear Solid, Wii Fit and Mario Kart) which are one of the key reasons for a decline in year on year sales together with a slowing economy and reduced spended (not to mention many consoles are still expensive).

While I understand the point you are trying to make your argument is ultimately flawed. Conversely I could use the analogy that why aren't there different versions of movies if I don't understand them or simpler versions of books, War and Peace is too long, someone read it for me! I don't think your request is unreasonable but the way you went about presenting it is. Games have been getting increasingly easier and while I think some form of auto play may be good I don't think this has anything to do with game sales. Accesibility is a key aspect of game design and since the advent of the Wii it has seen bigger representation in more games.

If a game is too hard don't play it. Although Nintendo has hinted at EXACTLY what your requesting calling it self play. In principle I agree with your point, but in practice I don't think its really an issue.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but your handicap, and the difficulty of modern games, has NOTHING to do with game sales. .UT_Wrestler

I don't want to sound like an ass, but you don't hear a guy with 1 leg complaining that basketball is too hard because they won't let him use a golf cart.UT_Wrestler

You're not alone in suffering from terrible hand/eye coordination issues, I've suffered it since I was a toddler and spent my life fighting it, with highly painful results due to the constant effort I do to be able to use my hands well.

It took me twenty years of learning how to type to be able to type as I do, over twenty years of video gaming to get to the point where, as long as I focus hard enough and don't let the pain get to me, I can do so well at games that I can rival those who aren't in this kind of pain. In shooting games my aim is around a 75%/80% average, depending on the amount of effort, I rarely get any better, but I do try.
In other games it depends on the game, games like Guitar Hero I struggle with, racing games it's around 50/50, fighting games is a case of practice a lot and memorise every attack, platform games I need to judge my timing to get it just right, puzzle games are thankfully lazy games for me and I do great with those, same with RPG's, hack and slash I do alright, could do better.

Instead of worrying too much about buying new games straight away, just keep trying with the games you have, keep putting in as much effort as you can, no matter how painful it gets. When you can afford a new game, go for it.

Pain can be handled, letting disability get the better of you only limits what you can do. Being disabled doesn't mean someone isn't as capable and able as those who aren't disabled, it means they have to try harder to prove to themselves that they can, and will do their best.

R/T

i've already bought about 15 games this year, there have been some big games so far, and some really pleasant suprises. I know i'm getting at least 10 more games before years end also, so i don't know why sales are down lol