FANCENSUS H I GH S COR E LINEU P 2017 EDITION
THE BEST 2017 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES REVEALED
HIGH SCORE LINEUP 2017 EDITION
HOW DOES IT WORK? All analysis is based on our database of over 17 thousand recognised websites, channels and social accounts. To equally analyse each title we consider the PR, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook activity received from the start of a product’s campaign up until one month post launch.
9. HORIZON: ZERO DAWN Publisher / Developer / Initial Launch 742K RETWEETS
Sum Twitter retweets received for any product related tweets
Sum Facebook shares received for any product related posts
91%
522K SHARES
Average media review Territory with highest share of PR
STRONGEST MEDIA
Media website with highest PR count
STRONGEST YOUTUBER
Exclusive PR up to one month post release
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
14.5K TOTAL PR COUNT
Weeks product has received PR (up to 30 days post launch)
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
K.I. YouTube channel with highest views
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | Views received (up to Jan ‘18) on all videos published month PRE launch. LAUNCH MONTH | Views received (up to Jan ‘18) on all videos published month OF launch. MONTH AFTER | Views received (up to Jan ‘18) on all videos published month POST launch.
HIGH SCORE LINEUP 2017 EDITION
AN INCREDIBLE YEAR FOR GAMING... Where to begin? To many 2017 will likely be remembered as one of the best the industry has ever seen. The sheer quality on display has been something truly incredible - everything from new IPs like Ni-Oh, Hellblade and Horizon: Zero Dawn to smaller indie hits such as A Night in the Woods and Cuphead. Then of course we have the hugely successful launch of the Nintendo Switch along with what is arguably two of the best received games of the year - Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. And this is only scratching the surface... Suffice to say it’s been tough taking the past twelve months of gaming releases and cutting those down to just fifty. We could have easily doubled that list! As always we continue to strive in looking at more than just sales figures when compiling our yearly list. A brand’s worth comes down to so much more. PR campaign length, review scores and the focal source of content has significant meaning. In addition, the ongoing success of a trailer or even a product’s attractiveness to influencers are all key performance indicators too. This report does what others do not. It takes all major communication channels into consideration. Using our sophisticated measurement criteria to determine a game’s ranking, we provided insight into the bigger picture when it comes to the year’s gaming releases. Using just one source to establish success is not offering the full story and Fancensus continues to understand this. So a big well done to not only the games that have been highlighted in this book but to an industry that continues to push forwards. 2017 won’t be easily forgotten. Ryan Janes Head of Global Insights and Analytics Communications
50. YOOKA-LAYLEE
49. LITTLE NIGHTMARES
Team 17 / Playtonic / April
Bandai Namco / Tarsier Studios / April
23K RETWEETS
73%
5.6K
12K RETWEETS
15K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
80%
2.8K
U.K.
18K SHARES GERMANY
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 1 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 30 THOUSAND
LAUNCH MONTH | 21 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 29 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 2 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 68 MILLION
48. LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM Square Enix / Deck Nine / August - December
47. FINAL FANTASY XII: THE ZODIAC AGE Square Enix / Square Enix / July
44K SHARES
24K RETWEETS
2.6K TOTAL PR COUNT
Ninja Theory / Ninja Theory / August
85%
78% 29K RETWEETS
46. HELLBLADE: SENUA’S SACRIFICE
3.6K GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
83% 41K SHARES
7K RETWEETS
6.0K
ITALY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
FANCENSUS
29K SHARES
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
45. ARMS
44. MARIO KART 8 DELUXE
Nintendo / Nintendo / June
Nintendo / Nintendo / April
6K RETWEETS
79%
5.6K
16K RETWEETS
43K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
92%
4.6K
U.S.A.
20K SHARES U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 17 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 5 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 46 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 76 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 12 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 100 MILLION
43. FORZA MOTORSPORT 7
42. NI-OH
Microsoft / Turn 10 / October
SIE / Team Ninja / February
22K RETWEETS
39K SHARES
85%
4.8K
16K RETWEETS
GERMANY
TOTAL PR COUNT
86%
7.1K
STRONGEST SHARE
25K SHARES ITALY
TOTAL PR COUNT
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 24 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 5 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 19 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 50 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 3 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 7 MILLION
41. POKEMON ULTRA SUN / MOON Nintendo / Game Freak / November
40. ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED Studio Wildcard / Studio Wildcard / August
92K SHARES
2K RETWEETS
4.2K TOTAL PR COUNT
Square Enix / PlatinumGames / March
73%
85% 7K RETWEETS
39. NIER: AUTOMATA
6.9K U.S.A. STRONGEST SHARE
88% 21K SHARES
29K RETWEETS
8.5K
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
FANCENSUS
21K SHARES
ITALY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
38. PERSONA 5
37. CLASSIC MINI: SNES
Deep Silver / P-Studio / April
Nintendo / Nintendo / September
25K RETWEETS
29K SHARES
92%
9.3K
85K RETWEETS
ITALY
TOTAL PR COUNT
88%
5.2K
STRONGEST SHARE
40K SHARES U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 14 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 4 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 33 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 6 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 10 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 7 MILLION
36. MADDEN NFL 18
35. PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 18
EA / EA Tiburon / August
Konami / PES Productions / September
59K RETWEETS
82% 1.1K
29K RETWEETS
108K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
83%
4.8K
U.S.A.
35K SHARES ITALY
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 2 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 29 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 65 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 47 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 45 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 19 MILLION
34. HALO WARS 2
33. MARIO + RABBIDS: KINGDOM BATTLE
Microsoft / Creative Assembly / February
Ubisoft / Ubisoft / August
77% 30K RETWEETS
Bethesda / Arkane Studios / May
85% 47K SHARES
42K RETWEETS
5.4K TOTAL PR COUNT
32. PREY
5.1K U.K.
82% 33K SHARES
STRONGEST SHARE
FANCENSUS
12K SHARES 11.6K
U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
40K RETWEETS
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
31. FRIDAY THE 13TH
30. SPLATOON 2
Gun Media / IllFonic / May
Nintendo / Nintendo / July
18K RETWEETS
63%
3.0K
107K RETWEETS
87K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
84%
8.5K
GERMANY
11K SHARES U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 5 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 14 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 121 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 85 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 300 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 46 MILLION
29. WWE 2K18
28. TEKKEN 7
2K / Yuke’s / October
Bandai Namco / Bandai Namco / June
47K RETWEETS
95K SHARES
84%
3.5K
27K RETWEETS
U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
67%
11.7K
STRONGEST SHARE
54K SHARES ITALY
TOTAL PR COUNT
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 12 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 9 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 75 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 45 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 35 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 5 MILLION
27. MARVEL VS CAPCOM INFINITE Capcom / Capcom / September
26. SOUTH PARK: FRACTURED BUT WHOLE Ubisoft / Ubisoft San Francisco / October
110K SHARES
18K RETWEETS
6.2K TOTAL PR COUNT
Sega / Sonic Team / November
82%
72% 25K RETWEETS
25. SONIC FORCES
8.1K U.S.A. STRONGEST SHARE
62% 65K SHARES
59K RETWEETS
5.9K
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
FANCENSUS
58K SHARES
SPAIN STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
24. THE EVIL WITHIN 2
23. CUPHEAD
Bethesda / Tango Gameworks / October
22. WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS
Studio MDHR / Studio MDHR / September
80%
80% 33K RETWEETS
43K SHARES
48K RETWEETS
7.1K TOTAL PR COUNT
Bethesda / MachineGames / October
4.2K GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
86% 66K SHARES
95K RETWEETS
9.7K
U.K. STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
FANCENSUS
25K SHARES
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
21. GRAN TURISMO SPORT
20. SONIC MANIA
SIE / Polyphony Digital / October
Sega / PagodaWest / August
33K RETWEETS
68%
10.7K
122K RETWEETS
83K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
85%
5.1K
GERMANY
96K SHARES U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 2 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 2 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 30 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 53 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 4 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 14 MILLION
19. UNCHARTED: LOST LEGACY
18. OUTLAST 2
SIE / Naughty Dog / August
Red Barrels / Red Barrels / April
58K RETWEETS
67K SHARES
84%
6.3K
56K RETWEETS
U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
77%
4.0K
STRONGEST SHARE
79K SHARES GERMANY
TOTAL PR COUNT
YOUTUBE VIEWS
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 5 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 2 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 84 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 257 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 10 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 103 MILLION
17. CRASH BANDICOOT: N.SANE TRILOGY SIE / Vicarious Visions / June
16. NEED FOR SPEED: PAYBACK EA / Ghost Games / November
81% 36K RETWEETS
Warner Bros. / Monolith Productions / October
65% 84K SHARES
363K RETWEETS
7.0K TOTAL PR COUNT
15. MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR
6.0K ITALY STRONGEST SHARE
82% 29K SHARES
75K RETWEETS
12.4K
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
FANCENSUS
39K SHARES
GERMANY STRONGEST SHARE
TOTAL PR COUNT
14. NBA 2K18
13. GHOST RECON: WILDLANDS
2K / Visual Concepts / September
Ubisoft / Ubisoft Paris / March
310K RETWEETS
680K SHARES
82%
3.1K
63K RETWEETS
U.S.A.
TOTAL PR COUNT
75%
11.0K
STRONGEST SHARE
52K SHARES GERMANY
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 39 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 85 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 154 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 123 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 60 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 15 MILLION
12. FOR HONOR
11. INJUSTICE 2
Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal / February
Warner Bros. / NetherRealm Studios / May
58K RETWEETS
78%
12.7K
74K RETWEETS
58K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
87%
12.5K
GERMANY
65K SHARES U.K.
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 47 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 53 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 345 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 239 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 345 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 48 MILLION
10. SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY Nintendo / Nintendo EPD / October
134K RETWEETS
58K SHARES
97%
11.4K TOTAL PR COUNT
59 WEEKS
U.S.A. STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER PROSAFIAGAMING
STRONGEST MEDIA GONINTENDONEWS
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 17 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 220 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 215 MILLION
9. HORIZON: ZERO DAWN
8. MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA
SIE / Guerrilla Games / March
EA / BioWare / March
115K RETWEETS
91%
14.5K
91K RETWEETS
92K SHARES
TOTAL PR COUNT
75%
25.5K
ITALY
256K SHARES GERMANY
TOTAL PR COUNT
STRONGEST SHARE
STRONGEST SHARE
YOUTUBE VIEWS
YOUTUBE VIEWS
MONTH BEFORE | 81 MILLION
MONTH BEFORE | 14 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 174 MILLION
LAUNCH MONTH | 125 MILLION
MONTH AFTER | 10 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 22 MILLION
7. RESIDENT EVIL 7: BIOHAZARD Capcom / Capcom / January
64K RETWEETS
102K SHARES
86%
16.5K TOTAL PR COUNT
137 WEEKS
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER PEWDIEPIE
STRONGEST MEDIA HOBBYCONSOLAS
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 36 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 540 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 231 MILLION
6. ASSASSIN’S CREED: ORIGINS Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal / October 118K RETWEETS
280K SHARES
87%
17.2K TOTAL PR COUNT
101 WEEKS
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER lZUNIY
STRONGEST MEDIA IGN
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 17 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 144 MILLION MONTH AFTER | 75 MILLION
FANCENSUS
5. FIFA 18
EA / EA Vancouver / September 173K RETWEETS
285K SHARES
81%
10.2K TOTAL PR COUNT
43 WEEKS
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER DJMARIIO
STRONGEST MEDIA ITALIATOPGAMES
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 76 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 425 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 372 MILLION
4. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BOTW Nintendo / Nintendo EPD / March
181K RETWEETS
337K SHARES
96%
19.2K TOTAL PR COUNT
218 WEEKS
SPAIN STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER GAMEGRUMPS
STRONGEST MEDIA IGN
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 26 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 316 MILLION MONTH AFTER | 87 MILLION
FANCENSUS
3. STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT 2 EA / EA DICE / November
228K RETWEETS
401K SHARES
78%
20.7K TOTAL PR COUNT
91 WEEKS
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER STAR WARS HQ
STRONGEST MEDIA
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 52 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 118 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 30 MILLION
IGN
2. DESTINY 2
Activision / Bungie / September 249K RETWEETS
248K SHARES
85%
27.1K TOTAL PR COUNT
173 WEEKS
U.K. STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER MORECONSOLE
STRONGEST MEDIA GAMESPOT
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 36 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 210 MILLION MONTH AFTER | 70 MILLION
FANCENSUS
1. CALL OF DUTY: WWII
Activision / Sledgehammer Games / November 240K RETWEETS
632K SHARES
79%
19.8K TOTAL PR COUNT
55 WEEKS
GERMANY STRONGEST PR SHARE
PR CAMPAIGN LENGTH
STRONGEST YOUTUBER ALI-A
STRONGEST MEDIA
YOUTUBE VIEWS MONTH BEFORE | 27 MILLION LAUNCH MONTH | 468 MILLION
FANCENSUS
MONTH AFTER | 95 MILLION
DEXERTO
THE FULL 2017 LINEUP 50. YOOKA-LAYLEE 49. LITTLE NIGHTMARES 48. LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM 47. FINAL FANTASY XII: THE ZODIAC AGE 46. HELLBLADE: SENUA’S SACRIFICE 45. ARMS 44. MARIO KART 8 DELUXE 43. FORZA MOTORSPORT 7 42. NI-OH 41. POKEMON ULTRA SUN / MOON 40. ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED 39. NIER AUTOMATA 38. PERSONA 5 37. MINI-SNES 36. MADDEN NFL 18
35. PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2018 34. HALO WARS 2 33. MARIO + RABBIDS: KINGDOM BATTLE 32. PREY 31. FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE GAME 30. SPLATOON 2 29. WWE 2K18 28. TEKKEN 7 27. MARVEL VS CAPCOM: INFINITE 26. SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE 25. SONIC FORCES 24. THE EVIL WITHIN 2 23. CUPHEAD 22. WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS 21. GRAN TURISMO SPORT
5. FIFA 18 20. SONIC MANIA 19. UNCHARTED: THE LOST LEGACY 18. OUTLAST 2 17. CRASH BANDICOOT: N.SANE TRILOGY 16. NEED FOR SPEED: PAYBACK 15. MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR 14. NBA 2K18 13. GHOST RECON: WILDLANDS 12. FOR HONOR 11. INJUSTICE 2 10. SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY 9. HORIZON: ZERO DAWN 8. MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA 7. RESIDENT EVIL 7: BIOHAZARD 6. ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS
4. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD 3. STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT 2
2. DESTINY 2
1. CALL OF DUTY WWII
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
STRONGEST PUBLISHER PRESENCE
ELECTRONIC ARTS #1 FACEBOOK INTERACTION #2 YOUTUBE VIEWS #2 PR COVERAGE #2 TWITTER INTERACTION SECOND NINTENDO THIRD ACTIVISION
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
STRONGEST 2018 RELEASE PRESENCE
FAR CRY 5 FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
STRONGEST 2016 RELEASE PRESENCE
OVERWATCH
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
BEST REVIEWED GAME
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY 97% THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD 96% DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 93%
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
HARDWARE HOT TOPIC
NINTENDO SWITCH SECOND XBOX ONE X THIRD SNES CLASSIC MINI
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
BIGGEST TRAILER
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY NINTENDO SWITCH PRESENTATION 2017 TRAILER 30M SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY - E3 TRAILER 24M CALL OF DUTY WWII - REVEAL TRAILER 22M
FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
STRONGEST WEBSITE FRONT PAGE COVERAGE
DESTINY 2 FANCENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
STRONGEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
NBA 2K18
HIGH SCORE LINEUP 2017 EDITION
ABOUT FANCENSUS... Timely communication is vital to building awareness for all successful entertainment products. Fancensus not only provide this insight with a number of visualisation tools, complete insight into all competitive products can also be understood regardless of when launched in the previous decade. With over 14 years of data gleaned from print, social and online, Fancensus’ communication analytics grant up to the minute knowledge of coverage and sentiment analysis allowing dynamic decisions to be made instantly.
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