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GoNintendo 'End of day' thoughts - Will MadWorld sell well?

by rawmeatcowboy
20 February 2009
GN 1.0 / 2.0

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Friday is here already! This week flew by…it seems like it’s Wednesday! It might have something to do with the news lull we are in. While there were a few huge stories to cover, things have otherwise been quiet. I’ve been doing my normal routine, but there’s just not that much going on. Once we get into March things should really pick up. I should get my rest in February while I can!

I’m off to bed for now, but I’ll see you in a few, short hours. Happy Friday morning, gang!

I am really worried about MadWorld. While there are other core Wii titles that publishers are watching, MadWorld seems to be the one that’s getting the most attention. If there is a title to find the core market on the Wii, this one would be it. A big-name publisher is attached, an all-star development team worked on the title, magazine/internet coverage has been positively buzzing for months. This one title could very well convince publishers to bring more core titles to the Wii, or it could close the doors forever.

I have been doing my best to try and keep up with public opinion of MadWorld. Bouncing back and forth from forums and chats, I’ve seen a lot of hype for the game. I know the press thinks the title is rad, but it’s the consumer that’s going to have to come through. I can see that core buzz online is fantastic thus far, but I just don’t know if that will translate to a massive consumer response. Forums may be swarming with core gamers, but their discussions may be the tip of a core-focused consumer iceberg that never sets foot in gaming forums.

When I went out to the mall today, I couldn’t help but notice all the great promotion that GameStop is doing for the game. SEGA/GameStop teamed up on a House of the Dead: Overkill campaign, which included a TV commercial. At the end of that commercial was a bump-spot to get people interested in MadWorld (I still can’t find that commercial online!). Since that commercial hit, GameStop has gone into overdrive with MadWorld promos. They have stickers, pins, posters and even a big button that consumers can press to hear an audio reminder to reserve the game. It’s one of the bigger pushes I’ve seen, especially for a Wii game.

When I asked the GameStop employee how reserves were doing, he told me that things were going very well. He said that there’s been quite a bit of buzz about it, but some consumers are worried about SEGA’s involvement. I am guessing this is the gamer that enjoys core games, but doesn’t really understand that SEGA is publishing and Platinum Games is developing. They probably wouldn’t know about Platinum Games anyway!

With tons of promotion, positive press and buzz amongst the most vocal group of core games, I am hoping that MadWorld wins people over in droves. There are millions upon millions of Wiis out there. If we are saying that there are over 20 million Wiis in North America alone, shouldn’t sales close to a million be possible? I surely hope so…because this game needs to send a very strong message.

What’s your outlook on MadWorld. Is it going to be the sales success that the Wii needs, or will it be the biggest proof yet that Wii owners only want mini-games and first-party titles? Leave a comment and let us know how you feel.