The Full Circle: 360 News Report 01.30.09

Posted by Joe Roche on 01.30.2009

An incredibly tired Joe Roche is back for another Friday edition of The Full Circle. This week we're talking Prince of Persia DLC, Japanese people loving RPGs, the over reliance on console exclusives, the results of last weeks Hot Button topic, and we'll wrap it all up with some used game discussion.

Happy Friday everyone, it's that time again – from an undisclosed bunker somewhere in the woods of Central Massachusetts it's The Full Circle.

It was a pretty hectic week here at TFC Headquarters, with real life work taking up most of my time, and a snowstorm throwing a wrench into everything on Wednesday. Quick tangent, I did see the Royal Rumble on Sunday night and while not my favorite Rumble throughout history it was still pretty solid. My biggest complaint was the camera man constantly focusing on HBK during the Cena/JBL World Heavyweight Championship match. I know that everyone was waiting to see what HBK would do, but how about pretending that the top title in your company is at least worth focusing a camera on during a Royal Rumble match huh?

On the gaming front it was a good week for The Last Remnant which I hope will not find its way into this part of the column again next week as I intend on finishing it up before then. I'm not sure where the hatred of this game came from in the gaming media when it was released, and I can only assume that it was from people who didn't actually play the whole game, or who just don't like JRPG's because from my vantage point this is a solid title that deserves your time.

But enough about me, you're all here for the best of the week and I'm here to take you around The Full Circle.

---

The Japanese LOVE RPGs
According to Gamezine.co.uk the top 5 selling Xbox 360 games in Japan are Blue Dragon, Tales of Vesperia, The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery and Lost Odyssey. Microsoft has also been able to steadily increase console sales year after year, with 2008's Japanese console sales coming in at around 317K units.

This isn't really a great story if you're Microsoft. I mean your top selling game in Japan (Blue Dragon) only moved 203,740 lifetime units. The reason that I bring it up though is --- holy crap Japanese people love RPGs huh? It's one of those strange phenomena that you hear about constantly (they're not called JRPGs for nothing), but you never give much thought to. Just looking at this list though, Japanese people do not play around – they know what they like, and they're going to consume it if you make it available to them.

I am one of the writers here who does enjoy a nice JRPG every now and again, but I also like to switch it up every so often. This list pretty much shows that when Japanese people aren't buying JRPG's for the Xbox 306, they're not buying anything for it. I'd like to think that a lesson could be learned from this information, but the only one I could think of is that a console could be pretty successful in Japan if they only released role playing games where a spiky haired teenager has to rescue some mysterious princess from a magic wielding evildoer while trying to learn some untold truth about himself.



No Gold Lancer For You
Everyone who obtained the gold lancer from Xbox Live Marketplace on Tuesday, January 27th will have the item removed in an upcoming fix to keep the item exclusive to those who purchased the collectors edition of Gears of War 2. According to a rep: "We're currently attempting a fix that will expire all codes that were unexpectedly released in error through Xbox LIVE Marketplace."

This has bad news written all over it folks. I appreciate the effort at keeping the gold lancer special for those who doled out the extra cash for the GoW2: Collectors Edition set, but is this really the bet idea? From what I can tell the gold lancer was available as an Xbox Live download for one day before it was recognized and taken down. In order to rectify that problem there will be an attempt to wipe out those downloads? And that's not going to affect my game or my gold lancer at all? Why am I not that confident?

Oh right, because you're the same people who slipped on the code being released in the first place. Look if I have a vote in the world of gaming then let it be cast in this way – let those who sprung at the chance to have the gold lancer rejoice in their luck and play to their hearts content with the item, and then let us move on. Honestly I don't feel like having my gamer profile, or DLC erased because Epic and Microsoft don't want some kid in Kansas who didn't buy the CE of Gears 2 having a gold lancer in Horde mode.

Oh and also those gold plated weapons look really awkward when someone on your team in Horde is using one. Just throwing that out there.



Prince of Persia DLC Coming
Ubisoft has announced that they will release a downloadable extension to Prince of Persia called "Epilogue." The new expansion will pick up right where the events of the main narrative end. Without spoiling much Ubisoft has said that the game will delve deeper into the relationships of the main characters, pitting them against a new enemy, the Shapeshifter, who takes the form of the Hunter, and the Warrior. There will also be a new power for Elika called "Energize" which will rehabilitate part of the environment momentarily, and a new sprint feature for the Prince.

Great news for Prince of Persia fans (and I know this site has many) as it appears Ubisoft fully intends to capitalize on the franchise with some DLC support. I got Prince of Persia for Christmas but haven't given it the time it deserves. Not because it's not a quality game, I enjoyed the hell out of the time I spent with it, but I got sidetracked with a plethora of review games that needed to get completed (still need to be completed if you ask Ramon). I think that expansion pack DLC is a great way to maximize the value of a game that doesn't have online multiplayer, and is impossible to die in. Once again this is a great move from Ubisoft, but at this point how much more can I say about my love affair with that particular company.



Exclusive Titles a Mixed Bag
Official NPD numbers have been compiled for all console exclusives released during 2008, and the results are a mixed bag. While each console had games that performed incredibly well, there were also some major disappointments across platform including Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Little Big Planet, and Resistance 2.

Is this really news? I understand that I'm posting it so I must think it is, but when it comes right down to it – is anyone surprised that not all console exclusive games perform exceptionally well? Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts sold 140,000 units which has to be considered a massive failure for a franchise that already had a solid base. Then again, there is something to be said about changing up a game so much that the base doesn't connect with it, and the casual market doesn't care about it.

The news on the PS3 front was a bit more damaging if you were to ask a Microsoft apologist like me. Say what you want about Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, but Microsoft didn't base their entire E3 presentation around that particular game. Unlike Sony, who really put all of their eggs in the Resistance 2/LittleBigPlanet bag and secured 600,000 and 610,000 sales respectively for their trouble. To put that into perspective, Fable 2 on the Xbox 360 sold 1.2 million copies by its lonesome, putting it basically in line with two of the three biggest releases on the PS3 last year. Of course if you want to do some research there is a Fact of Fiction out there somewhere that has me talking about how I thought Resistance 2 would be a failure in numbers and Sony would then move the heat to Killzone 2and hope people didn't remember the hype machine behind Resistance 2 – I got beat up pretty bad for that statement, but who's laughing now?

Oh still you…well then, moving on.



Police Back in Paradise
After pictures of a police car, and information on a new Pursuit Mode turned up in the Burnout Store there are rumors going around that the fuzz are making a return to Paradise City via upcoming DLC.

If any company deserved a pat on the back more then Criterion for the way they support Burnout Paradise I'm not sure who they are. I mean with the plethora of free DLC, some great additions (motorcycles and the DeLorean), and now the return of police chases Burnout Paradise has had a very long shelf life. This is one of those games that I'm actually disappointed to have never picked up, if only to support a developer that takes the time and effort to support their product while not milking every cent possible out of their customer base. So tip a glass for Criterion and hope that the 5-0 don't catch you on your way home.



Take Two Hates Used Games
Industry analyst Doug Creutz told Gameindustry.biz that management at Take Two is frustrated with the used game market which is hurting the bottom line of companies who develop these games. Apparently Take Two is looking into ways to extend the life of their AAA titles through online play and downloadable content to keep games off the used market.

It's the same old story, same old song and dance my friend. Gamestop is reporting that before the end of their 2008-09 fiscal year they will have done $2 billion dollars worth of used game sales, which is an increase of $1.6 billion from last year (an astronomical increase) and accounts for 23% of the retailers revenue. I'm going to talk about this more in the Hot Button so see below for my feelings on this issue.






Reader Rants

Tito leads us off with his recommendation for Bargain Bin Classic: After Boxing week. I saw Walmart selling Mass Effect for $19.86. I did a little research, heard good things and went and picked it up. After 30 some odd hours, im starting my second playthrough and i'm hopelessly in love with the game. Very recommemended. There aren't many games that I want to play again, immediately after finishing it but this was one of them. (Bioshock also fits that catergory, but that one is still full price in most places) Here's hoping for sequels in 2009.

Mass Effect is exactly the type of game that I was talking about when I brought up this topic. The only reason that it doesn't win the award right away and become the first TFC Bargain Bin Classic contestant is that I already own a copy, have already played through it twice, and absolutely love everything about the game (well almost everything). While this won't be the game that I ultimately choose – if you do not own a copy of Mass Effect there is a Special Edition coming out that will include some bonus goodies (and the "Bring Down The Sky" DLC), and I believe the price will still be bargain basement approved. The best part of Mass Effect is the ability to start the game over after beating it once with all of your stats from the previous play through. Just talking about this game has me wanting to head back and play it again, that's a quality game for under $20.

One of our faithful commentors Tubby is back this week with a Final Fantasy question: I was extremely excited when I heard about Final Fantasy coming to 360. Now I know that it's only FF XIII as of right now, but any word on if they will be developing the old ones as well (preferably 7 and 10)? I think it would be awesome to be able to play at least some of the series on the 360, although I highly doubt it's gonna happen. Just thought I'd ask however.

I haven't heard anything about the potential or Square releasing the older Final Fantasy games on the 360, and I highly doubt that it'd even be possible. I'm speaking completely out of my ass on this one but I'd assume that since Square developed those games for Sony exclusively that they are going to remain Sony exclusives. However, if there never was an exclusivity deal between Square and Sony (and there may/probably was not) then it isn't outside the realm of possibility that we might see some rehashed Final Fantasy games on the 360. That would be something that I'd love to have access to – the catalogue of FF games, but for now it remains a pipe dream.

Fellow colleague and one of my favorite 411 writers Rod Oracheski chimes in with his bargain deal thoughts: Dark Sector was okay, but not amazing. Alone in the Dark was terrible.

I'd second a recommendation for Prey - I know it's been at a budget price for quite a while. The game really did some interesting things with portals - and before Portal ever did - though they were static and not user-generated.

I respect Rod's opinion enough to at the very least say there will be no Alone in the Dark as the bargain basement classic. That's two votes for Prey though and right now it's the leader in the clubhouse.

steeleclem who may or may not be a huge Shaq movie fan has a recommendation: Dark Sector is worth the twenty bucks

Well that's one vote in favor of Dark Sector, and one vote in the middle. I think Dark Sector might be on the watch list if only because I see it so often that it might just be easier to pick up then some other games on the list.

Byzdalmyt shares his thoughts on bargain bin games, and has a question that I think a fellow commenter might be able to answer: Earth Defense Force 2017... Find it, play it, enjoy this hidden gem. The vehicle controls suck, but everything else controls well & the game is insane. I think it came out at $40, but is now $20 at Gamestop.

Has any one tried Jericho (the Clive Barker game not the 2008 Wrestler of the Year)? I keep seeing it in Target's electronics clearance end cap for like $12

With all the suggestions that I got Earth Defense Force 2017 surprised me the most. Having looked into the game a little bit I have to admit that I'm very intrigued. I honestly can't remember even seeing it locally, but if I find it this is going to be the game that I try first. As to the second part of your comment, I think Bradlieus has an answer for you:

To the poster asking about Clive Barker's Jericho - I usually love FPS games, but couldn't get into it. It just seemed like another in the long list of dark, dreary, unimaginative FPS out there, with monsters that looked all too familiar and average AI. I only got half way through it before I gave up, so I can't comment on the game overall!

So where does that leave us? After reading all of your comments (and they were great), I have come up with a list in order of games that I intend on trying for this feature, and they are as follows:

1. Prey. The game that started this thread comes in with some strong recommendations. I've heard it called Portal before Portal, and epic which is good enough for me to take a peak. I anticipate picking this game up as soon as I lay eyes on it and then getting to work. Prey will be the first game reviewed as a bargain bin classic.

2. Earth Defense Force 2017. A game that qualifies as a hidden gem because I honestly hadn't even heard of it until Byzdalmyt brought it to my attention. It's the perfect candidate for this nomination and because of that I am absolutely going to keep my eyes open for it. I'm not sure if EDF 2017 will be the first game reviewed in the bargain bin section but it has made the list if nothing else.

3. Dark Sector. Well something has to be third.

Thanks to everyone to participated, and remember – keep your eyes open to the bargain bin for the next bargain bin classic.

---

The Hot Button

Topic: The Used Game Market

As I reported earlier, Take Two is upset with the used game market. With the economy in the tank more and more video game buyers are turning to those endless shelves of pre-owned games on Gamestop shelves. The incrase of $1.6 billion dollars worth of used game sales during this fiscal year is an amazing increase for Gamestop and shows just how massive the used game market is. If you factor in what I am sure are big numbers from Amazon, and other online retailers I imagine that the used game market is turning in around $4 billion dollars worth of sales this year. I'm sure that's a nice paycheck that the developers would like to have in their pockets.

I feel like we talk about this issue every month, but with it making the rounds this week I thought it deserve another look, especially this quote from Doug Creutz: "Management is frustrated with this trend and is examining ways to ameliorate the problem, which includes strategies around online play and downloadable content which extend the lifespan of AAA titles."

It's that reaction that makes me love the used game market.

For far too long game developers took advantage of consumers. They'd charge $50-$60 for a game that contained a handful of hours of in game time. You'd finish the game, have your memories and then look around the room for somewhere to put your new coaster. Even recently a game like Bioshock, which was widely acclaimed by everyone who had a chance to play it became a costly paper weight after you got to the end.

Sure there are those gamers who would go back and play through a game a second time, and some achievement whores would spend endless hours trying to uncover all the little Easter eggs hidden around the map. But for most gamers, when you pick up a title like Bioshock (I hate to harp on Bioshock but as a Take Two AAA title it fits the bill too well) you do so to play through the story once and after you complete that task you're not left with much.

That's how Gamestop became such a massive used game center. People would buy Madden the day it came out, play it to death for months on end and then tire of it. They already know that Madden will be out again next year with new rosters, so why keep this version when you could just trade it in. Then there is the kid who didn't get Madden at its launch but who watches the first four weeks of the NFL season and gets in the mood to play some football. He picks up the used copy because we're already almost done the NFL season and after the Super Bowl the next Madden will be advertised so what's the point of going new at this point?

So now developers realize that people aren't playing their games more then once when you don't give them the incentive to, and they're starting to adapt to the reality of the present economy and technology. Grand Theft Auto IV is not a game you see in wide supply at used game spots. Oh sure it'll be there, but when a game sells as many copies as GTAIV did some of them are bound to make it to the used bin. There is a reason that people held on to the game though – and it's the new downloadable content that will add hours of game play to make you WANT to hold on to the disc.

Sure studios are losing money because of the used game market, but it's also leading to innovation in the business model of these companies which is a good thing (it's capitalism at its finest hour). I'm sure when gamers saw all the hype behind Deadspace they were interested in picking the game up – but then you realized that there wasn't much to do with the game after you played the storyline, so it became a rental or you skipped it. I know if Deadspace turned up on a Gamestop shelf for $25 I'd be much more willing to sacrifice the longevity for the chance to play the story.

Back when I was younger it was the rental market. Game companies hated the rental market because people would rent games, and not buy them. That became less of a problem when games became longer, more involved, and cheaper. Now we're in the DLC/online age. There is no reason for a game to not come with some online mode, or at least with the assurance of future DLC.

Look at the games that are constantly referred to as gems from 2008 and tell me what they all share in common: Fable 2, GTAIV, Fallout 3, Gears of War 2. Those were your blockbusters, but some of the other games that I loved from last year include: Lost Odyssey (DLC dungeon), Battlefield: Bad Company (DLC everything), The Orange Box (not last year but it had that type of shelf life due to the online play of Team Fortress), Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (decent online multiplayer). It's no secret that the games people want to buy give them a reason to want to hang on to them.

I don't think game companies are out of line being upset with the used game market. But I'm glad that they're not just yelling and bitching about Gamestop and how they deserve a cut of the used game profits and are instead going ahead to develop new reasons for people to WANT to keep their games instead of trading them in. Combine that with Epic giving people benefits for buying a new copy of the game I think we're seeing some innovation from an industry that seems to be a bit behind in utilizing the technology at their disposal.

---

Punching Out

Nintendophiles by Theo Fraser

Working Title by Jordan Williams

The Hall of Shame by Vincent Chiucchi

The Select & Start News by Vincent Chiucchi

PC Spotlight by Chris Vicari

The Release List by Tommy Coloma

Achievement Unlocked by Rod Oracheski

Living LIVE by Trace Aber