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[falconhoof]

Guys, calm down. It's National Melba Toast Day.

Have you tried popping heads whilst biting down on that dry as fuck mini bread snack? Once the feasting is over and word of mouth gets out (mouth has to be free of crumbs) then this shit is going to the moon.

 

[Loomy]

I hate the way outlets tip-toe around these things, like when they had to give Nightreign a higher score than deserved because of the fanbase. It's like the game is genius but might not be for everyone.......

What?

 

[Arsic]

What?

"Grrrr these high scores and user reviews do not align with my agenda that this is a bad game."

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I hate the way outlets tip-toe around these things, like when they had to give Nightreign a higher score than deserved because of the fanbase. It's like the game is genius but might not be for everyone.......

yep. (among other things) But the game has been in the wild for about 3 weeks, and people know what's up. The only thing reviews will factor in is the discourse.

 

[Loomy]

yep. (among other things) But the game has been in the wild for about 3 weeks, and people know what's up. The only thing reviews will factor in is the discourse.

You are right. It's been out for 3 weeks, and this is what the Steam reviews look like so far.

So the outlet reviews are not out of step with what the player consensus is for this game. A game being unpopular(which Marathon is) does not automatically mean it's a bad game(Marathon clearly isn't). Just like a game being popular doesn't automatically make it a good game.

Unless you're suggesting Steam players are also giving the game a higher review than it deserves?

 

[Negotiator101]

Sounds good.

Thats why extraction shooters have a hard time in general catching on. Ok, ARC did great, but still not the kind of shooters everyone gravitates towards.

What doesnt help is the nature of the game itself AND more importantly IMO a narrow focused game. Most other shooters have all kinds of MP modes, some still have a SP campaign, some have offline MP against bots, and out of all the modes some are casual and some are for hardcore gamers itching for two shot deaths and no mini map. So unless the game itself or art is a total no go, any gamers willing to give it a chance could probably find something they like. Even some COD games have a limited amount of third person mode playlists if someone hates first person.

And nobody cares.

I dont get a sense all the normies playing TDM care about hardcore gamers. And the hardcore gamers dont care about the masses playing TDM with crappy randoms who cant aim.

But what happened is the extraction crowd probably skews to the elitist shooter crowd. As you said, suddenly it's if you cant hack it, get lost. And if the dev wants to make an easier mode they hate a casual shooter fan can now play the same game now. Retarded view.

Is today going to be the lowest yet? Also how do you think the new map and stuff for Arc Raiders will boost the CCU next month? I think it will bring back a lot of the community that are taking a break (me included).

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

You are right. It's been out for 3 weeks, and this is what the Steam reviews look like so far.

So the outlet reviews are not out of step with what the player consensus is for this game. A game being unpopular(which Marathon is) does not automatically mean it's a bad game(Marathon clearly isn't). Just like a game being popular doesn't automatically make it a good game.

Unless you're suggesting Steam players are also giving the game a higher review than it deserves?

What I'm saying is that reviews from these outlets are going to be irrelevant in boosting sales for this game; the Steam reviews are an even stronger point in support of this argument. BUT reviews from these outlets will be relevant to the discourse, from the usual Shills to those outliers that could give the game a 6/10 (or even lower). The Internet Army will act accordingly; a deserved ShitShow.

Regarding the game's superficial quality which, for all intents and purposes, could be "peak" and "aura farming". At 4 weeks and beyond (after the best extraction map has dropped..so they say) the actual quality, or lack thereof, will start to really show.


Real, deeper criticisms and issues will start to become even more evident and prevalent

 

[Loomy]

What I'm saying is that reviews from these outlets are going to be irrelevant in boosting sales for this game;

No. Anyone who thought that was lying to themselves. Game is out, game is good, game is getting good reviews from players and outlets. People who actually play it really like it.

Now it's up to Bungie and Sony to sell it.

 

[Rocco Schiavone]

Now it's up to Bungie and Sony to sell it.

Not gonne happen.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

No. Anyone who thought that was lying to themselves. Game is out, game is good, game is getting good reviews from players and outlets. People who actually play it really like it.

Now it's up to Bungie and Sony to sell it.

You got it wrong.

Big marketing before the game to sell it to the public = sony and Bungie's work.

The game out?... Word of mouth. If the game improves... Better word of mouth and viceversa.

Right now it's biggest issue is it's biggest strength....

 

[calico]

Down almost 25% on a week ago I'm hearing?

 

[Loomy]

Not gonne happen.

Well, they're going to try at least.

You got it wrong.

Big marketing before the game to sell it to the public = sony and Bungie's work.

The game out?... Word of mouth. If the game improves... Better word of mouth and viceversa.

Right now it's biggest issue is it's biggest strength....

I actually have it right.

Unless Sony & Bungie are hiding a time machine somewhere, they can't change what's already happened. So now that the game is out, and players/outlets have given their verdict, their marketing and product teams will have to keep working on selling the product.

Marketing doesn't stop when the game comes out. Especially for live service games. Especially for live service games struggling to find an audience.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

I think my interest right now is more of how sony and bungie are feeling. I get they are just acting like nothing is wrong but I mean there has to be some type of overall position at least from Sony on how they feel with its numbers

 

[Loomy]

I think my interest right now is more of how sony and bungie are feeling. I get they are just acting like nothing is wrong but I mean there has to be some type of overall position at least from Sony on how they feel with its numbers

My guess:
Sony = Frustration
Bungie = Panic

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Well, they're going to try at least.


I actually have it right.

Unless Sony & Bungie are hiding a time machine somewhere, they can't change what's already happened. So now that the game is out, and players/outlets have given their verdict, their marketing and product teams will have to keep working on selling the product.

Marketing doesn't stop when the game comes out. Especially for live service games. Especially for live service games struggling to find an audience.

If you think sony will spend as much as the marketing cycle for the launch window... You are out of your mind. In fact, the opposite will happen. Given the current numbers Sony/Bungie will adjust the maketing budget DOWN.

 

[NickFire]

They should give all ps+ members (or all psn accounts) an extended free trial. Like a week or so. Then people like me who are afraid it will end up with low players or worse can give it a fair shake.

 

[falconhoof]

Marketing continues. Feels like Marketing to Marathon fans though.

 

[Conflict NZ]

My guess:
Sony = Frustration
Bungie = Panic

I'd say the higher ups at Sony are more than frustrated. They sunk billions into this and gave bungie the keys to the GAAS kingdom they were setting up, only for them to churn out a game that would barely keep the lights on at a 100 person indie studio.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

My guess:
Sony = Frustration
Bungie = Panic

I'd just think there'd be a statement of some sort by now, just is interesting.

 

[PeteBull]

Poor Men_in_Boxes he is not even welcome in the OT.

Come back here to us h8rZ in ccu threat, Men_in_Boxes , take advantage of our cold embrace:

 

[Loomy]

I'd just think there'd be a statement of some sort by now, just is interesting.

Not a chance.

The first time you're going to hear directly from Sony about this is in May when it comes up in the next quarterly earnings call Q&A. They may put out an infograph the week before that with a bunch of stats, but they're not going to directly speak about it until they're inevitably asked about it in the Q&A.

 

[Loomy]

If you think sony will spend as much as the marketing cycle for the launch window... You are out of your mind. In fact, the opposite will happen. Given the current numbers Sony/Bungie will adjust the maketing budget DOWN.

At no point did I say they were going to spend as much as any point previously. What I'm saying is the people who like the game are playing it. The people who review the games are saying it's good. And the numbers are what the numbers are.

If Sony was going to write this off, they would have already. So until they do, assume they're still going to try and sell it/get more people to play it.

That's it.

 

[Negotiator101]

Down almost 25% on a week ago I'm hearing?

Absolutely awful numbers after less than 3 weeks, I can't see any redemption arc for Marathon if I honest, Bungie at it's current size is living on borrowed time unfortunately.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

Not a chance.

The first time you're going to hear directly from Sony about this is in May when it comes up in the next quarterly earnings call Q&A. They may put out an infograph the week before that with a bunch of stats, but they're not going to directly speak about it until they're inevitably asked about it in the Q&A.

Yea sounds plausible

 

[PonyStation4]

I don't see how Sony gets their $3.5 billion investment back from Bungie. Destiny 2 is almost dead, Marathon isn't going to be a big seller and their other title in development codename Gummy Bears is likely a small game. Consider that Bungie employs ~800 employees at a conservative $80k, that's $64 million a year. Around $320 mill just in employee expenses to push out a 5 year in development game. Then consider that the big reason for Sony's acquition of Bungie was for their live service expertise, but even that has snowballed into bigger losses for Sony's other investments.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

Wow 7k on right now for destiny 2...that is such a shame to see, wow

 

[calico]

Plenty have played it, not liked it and stopped playing.

78 is not a good metacritic score for any AAA, let alone when reviewers have so clearly shown they are as beholden to the publisher as they have here. 78 communicates 'this is as low as we're allowed to score this game without repercussions'. There's still a chance this score can improve however, as the non-beholden reviews get diluted out.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

So until they do, assume they're still going to try and sell it/get more people to play it.

That's it.

After launch the companies will try to sell their games with discounts and re-releases (GOTY edition and shit like that).

The ongoing marketing budget for marathon will be around their seasons.

I don't know why you think for some reason Marathon's biggest sales still are yet to happen....those already did between the pre-orders and launch windows. It's like the box office for movies; at this point Sony and Bungie are looking at weekly sales % drops and projecting they final revenue for this game.... And I'm not sure this game will be able to even brake even.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Come back here to us h8rZ in ccu threat, Men_in_Boxes , take advantage of our cold embrace:

My own people turned against me because I believed in a better future for Marathon. But I will never side with you monsters.

I am truly alone...as men of principle and reason often are.

 

[Hollywood Hitman]

All I know is man this fucking thread, I feel I should have the platinum trophy by now

 

[Loomy]

After launch the companies will try to sell their games with discounts and re-releases (GOTY edition and shit like that).

The ongoing marketing budget for marathon will be around their seasons.

I don't know why you think for some reason Marathon's biggest sales still are yet to happen....those already did between the pre-orders and launch windows. It's like the box office for movies; at this point Sony and Bungie are looking at weekly sales % drops and projecting they final revenue for this game.... And I'm not sure this game will be able to even brake even.

Putting words in my mouth again. I never commented on what sales are going to look like going forward.

If you read back, you'll see what I actually said:
Reviews(players/outlets) aren't going to sell any more copies of this game. It's up to Sony/Bungie marketing/Product teams to sell it now.
They released a trailer for the Thief shell today. That's marketing. That's them trying to sell the game.

 

[PeteBull]

My own people turned against me because I believed in a better future for Marathon. But I will never side with you monsters.

I am truly alone...as men of principle and reason often are.

 

[AgatonSax]

My own people turned against me because I believed in a better future for Marathon. But I will never side with you monsters.

I am truly alone...as men of principle and reason often are.

You might say you are a bit of a … single player?

 

[StreetsofBeige]

5 pm EST completed hour comparison. Daily Peak number in brackets.

Last Week
Mon: 48.4 (53.8)
Tue: 47.6 (54.4)
Wed: 44.0 (51.7)
Thu: 41.6 (48)
Fri: 49.8 (56.7) Cryo day which launched at 1 pm EST
Sat: 51.3 (53.6)
Sun: 53.7 (53.7)

This Week
Mon: 36.9 (so far -23%)


My original peak est I wont change is 46.0.

So far same completed hour comparison to last Mon it's down -23%. And down -31% vs yesterday Sunday. In both previous weeks, Mondays are each -14% vs Sunday. But thats comparing peaks so need to see how today finishes.

If you use current hourly CCU and the change % vs same day last week, it might peak tonight at 41.4 (53.8 less 23%). This does not apply any future trending to the number like edge it a bit up or down based how it's going, but simply straight lining it assuming nothing else adjusts the number.

 

[Moondoggy]

You might say you are a bit of a … single player?

 

[Alebrije]

The game has a low user base, we are talking about Bungie not a new developer. So pretty sure Sony is dissapointed, a new fail looking for a good and big multiplayer Game.

Helldivers 2 is the gem , the only success they had but for a while.

 

[calico]

Haters will say correlation isn't causation, but the biggest drop in numbers came right after man in box withdrew his endorsement of this game.

 

[Plague Doctor]

Haters will say correlation isn't causation, but the biggest drop in numbers came right after man in box withdrew his endorsement of this game.

Our boy suffers from Cassandra Syndrome

The Cassandra Syndrome describes a pattern where a person's accurate warnings or feelings are consistently disbelieved, ignored, or invalidated, causing distress, isolation, and self-doubt

The OT is not ready for his wisdom.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

You might say you are a bit of a … single player?

 

[calico]

~43k tonight

 

[Timberwolf25]

My own people turned against me because I believed in a better future for Marathon. But I will never side with you monsters.

I am truly alone...as men of principle and reason often are.

So you're a "Man" in a Box?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

They released a trailer for the Thief shell today. That's marketing.

Read the comments

That's them trying to sell the game.

I think your issue is thinking that maketing alone will change Marathon's fate. After launch, the biggest factor is word of mouth.

Those kind of trailers are basically inconsequential. You could see them on YT before a video or even on TV.... But people already know what's up with this game

Today is: this game is very difficult, it's for the hardcore gamers, a sweaty game.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Is today going to be the lowest yet? Also how do you think the new map and stuff for Arc Raiders will boost the CCU next month? I think it will bring back a lot of the community that are taking a break (me included).

It totally will. It's trending to somewhere around mid 40s peak. The previous low was 48k. Even just looking at last week's weekdays only (including cryo day), going from 5 pm completed hour to peak USA time, it goes up about 7k. 5 pm count today is about 37k. Add 7k and youre in the mid 40s.

As for ARC, it should boost it. But who knows how much. I've never looked at content drop effects. But I'd assume it depends on how big of a drop it is. A single map drop for an extraction shooter could be huge and gamers jump back in. A single map drop for COD might be nothingburger as the playlist goes from 17 maps to 18.

The game did great when it launched, dipped a bit, but then shot back up to almost all time CCU in early Jan at 466k. Since then, it has steadily trended down every week dropping about -10% per week to what it is now which is peak CCU about 130-140k per day, weekends bump up 20k.

 

[Timberwolf25]

Read the comments


I think your issue is thinking that maketing alone will change Marathon's fate. After launch, the biggest factor is word of mouth.

Those kind of trailers are basically inconsequential. You could see them on YT before a video or even on TV.... But people already know what's up with this game

Today is: this game is very difficult, it's for the hardcore gamers, a sweaty game.

Hurts more than helps?

 

[Freki]

~43k tonight

Probably. Which means it crossed the 50% players lost since launch milestone.
in 3 to 4 weeks it'll be around 20k.

Sony is probably pissed and bungie probably is in panic mode.

 

[Loomy]

Read the comments

I think your issue is thinking that maketing alone will change Marathon's fate. After launch, the biggest factor is word of mouth.

Those kind of trailers are basically inconsequential. You could see them on YT before a video or even on TV.... But people already know what's up with this game

Today is: this game is very difficult, it's for the hardcore gamers, a sweaty game.

Not my issue.

Again. I didn't comment on whether or not their attempts will be successful. All I said was that the work to find an audience now falls on Sony/Bungie.

 

[Pop]

Self revives should have never been a thing in an extraction game

This will be a brutal week for Marathon

Told yall its going to be rough this week with player count

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Hurts more than helps?

No necessarily. It's just more like... Meh .

I don't think a random person will say: "oh, another Marathon ad, let me finally check the game out" 4, 5 weeks form now.

People are going to be more influenced by the overall discourse.

"I heard this game is very hard and competitive... I don't have time for that"

 

[Kikorin]

Probably the death spiral improved that much today because some people tried to stay involved since the first update of this weekend, than tried it and decided to drop the game. I think now the playerbase will shrink faster than previous weeks because with numbers dropping so fast, lot of players will start to think is not worth to spend time on a soon dead game.

 

[Kronark]

My own people turned against me because I believed in a better future for Marathon. But I will never side with you monsters.

I am truly alone...as men of principle and reason often are.

We don't hate you. We just want you to see the error of your ways and become a better person, and for that to happen... Bungie needs to die... Just let it happen.