NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TAcTICS VIDEO GAME INSIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
HAS 2017 BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR HORROR?
All rights reserved. Errors and Omissions Excepted. Any unauthorised copying in full or in part without prior permission of Fancensus.com Limited will constitute an infringement of copyright. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright Š 2017 Fancensus.com Limited.
It’s about more than just looking at what’s on the surface... This is a particularly special issue of TACTICS this month, and that’s not just because it’s less than two months to go till Christmas, but also this will be my last issue of TACTICS and we thought we should end things on a high.
TACTICS EDITOR IN CHIEF Ryan Janes WRITER & ART EDITOR Katie Gibbs
CONTACT US tactics@fancensus.com +44 (0)1628 483 554 Fancensus 99 High Street Marlow Bucks SL7 1AB
We’re in the most exciting part of the year for video games, we’ve got all the big releases hitting consoles - everything from Mario to Call of Duty, there’s simply something for everyone. The much anticipated Xbox One X is also finally here, but does it have a place in today’s video game market, Ryan and I discuss on page 18. No stranger to big releases October wasn’t exactly a quiet month and so we’ve got a bumper issue of review rundowns. Who saw the best reaction? Was it Shadow of War, South Park, Mario or the Evil Within 2? My final breakdowns are on page 7. Other subjects we’re looking at this month range from the horror genre’s impact on gaming to the heated subject of microtransactions. They’re becoming ever prevalent and look to be impacting the future of gaming but is this for better or worse? Ryan explores on page 26. We’re also taking a look at the continuing triumph of the Nintendo Switch and the level of success indie developers are starting to see on the platform. As always we’ve got our monthly charts of games dominating the Twittersphere, YouTube and more. We’re also exploring digital stores in our monthly infographic, and will Zelda still be top of our review chart? Get reading to find out! All that’s left for me to say is thank you, it’s been a blast, and I can’t wait to see what TACTICS and the video games industry has in store next.
Katie Gibbs
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TACTICS
3
This Month In Tactics... 6
On the Horizon
7
Review Rundown Middle-Earth: Shadow of War The Evil Within 2 Super Mario Odyssey South Park: The Fractured But Whole
11
2017 Review Standings So Far
12
Monthly Leaderboard PR Leaderboard YouTube Leaderboard Twitter Leaderboard Facebook Leaderboard
16
Nintendo and Indies Is the Switch the perfect home for indies?
18
9
Xbox One X Is there room in the market for Microsoft’s latest?
20
Digital Store Visibility A look into product visibility on XBL and PSN stores.
22
Horror Games Is there still a hunger for horror any more?
26
Microtransactions A growing trend whether gamers want it to be or not
4
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
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26
18 NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
10
TACTICS
5
On The Horizon...
November ‘17
LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2
14/11
L.A. Noire
Sonic Forces
Star Wars Battlefront II
14/11
17/11
Call of Duty WWII
07/11
03/11
Other releases...
6
03/11
Kirby Battle Royale
N3DS
14/11
Lumo
NSW
03/11
Circuit Breakers
PS4
14/11
Farming Simulator 17: Platinum
PC, PS4, XBO
07/11
Farming Simulator
NSW
14/11
Demon Gaze II
PS4, VITA
07/11
Super Lucky’s Tale
PC, XBO
16/11
Ashes Cricket 2018
PS4
07/11
Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure
NSW
17/11
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
NSW
07/11
Xbox One X
XBO
17/11
The Sims 4
PS4, XBO
07/11
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
PS4
17/11
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Moon
N3DS
10/11
Doom
NSW
17/11
Batman: The Telltale Series - Season 1
NSW
10/11
Need For Speed Payback
PC, PS4, XBO
21/11
Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV
PS4
10/11
The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs
PC
24/11
New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star
N3DS
10/11
Snipperclips: Cut It Out Together
NSW
28/11
Black Mirror
PC, PS4, XBO
10/11
Football Manager 2018
PC
30/11
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
PS4
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
Review Rundown Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Publisher Warner Bros.
Developer Monolith Productions
Genre Action Adventure
Formats PS4, XBONE, PC
89% 86%
84%
85% 83% 81%
97%
87%
85%
Super Mario Odyssey
Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus
Forza Motorsport 7
Worldwide average review score and by territory
Top three reviewed October releases
70%
71%
70%
70%
73%
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017 Yearly October average review scores
What the press love...
What the press hate...
Each experience is unique. Improved Nemesis system. Excellent character design. Fluid combat.
Microtransactions. Long, repetitive final act. Overstuffed with features. Story lacking and disrupts Tolkien’s canon
Surprise hit Shadow of Mordor is back 3 years later with its sequel Shadow of War. All round this game has been praised by reviewers with all claiming it to be bigger and better than the first. The Nemesis system that proved so ground breaking in the first game has been further developed and improved here to offer players an even more unique experience. Each reviewer had their own story to tell of Orcs that impacted and enhanced their game, with all praising their design, voice acting and even comedic value. The visuals, combat and overall design garnered praise from reviewers with only a few disappointed that these were not developed even further from the original game. The story was considered one of the weaker areas, some commenting that it too far from original Tolkein territory. Despite its high praise there was one factor that let this game down: microtransactions. While it is possible to complete the game without partaking in these, their presence did impact gamer’s enjoyment especially in it’s final act. Gamers can speed up this process by spending real money but after paying full price in the first place many reviewers found this to be asking too much. Ultimately Shadow of War has delivered a great game that surpasses its predecessor, in a number of ways hampered by its inclusing of microtransactions.
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TACTICS
7
Review Rundown The Evil Within 2 Publisher Bethesda
Developer Tango Gameworks
Genre Survival Horror
Formats PS4, XBONE, PC
86% 83%
80%
82%
97%
87%
85%
Super Mario Odyssey
Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus
Forza Motorsport 7
76% 74%
Worldwide average review score and by territory
Top three reviewed October releases
70%
71%
70%
70%
73%
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017 Yearly October average review scores
What the press love...
What the press hate...
Atmospheric. Excellent sound design and direction. Dynamic lighting model. Open world approach.
Questionable voice acting and dialogue. Poor camera movement. Some poor game mechanics. Too long.
The Evil Within 2 has seen a relatively quiet road to release especially when compared with other AAA titles this year. Nontheless the game is out and we can finally break down the reviews. The general consensus felt it was a strong rebound for the series. Most reviewers felt the game had improved massively on the first; the visuals and sound design are top notch, with the story a little easier to follow and the characters having a more defined purpose. Reviewers felt this was a welcome addition to the survival horror genre and was effective at building atmosphere with some very creative enemy designs not to mention decent combat with a more open approach. However a few felt it did nothing to improve upon or expand the genre. The game was criticised by some for being too long with poor game mechanics and camera movement. Inadequate dialogue and voice acting was also highlighted as a lacking area. All reviewers praised the look of the game and the horror elements, noting its likeness to Resident Evil 4. And while it would never reach the same levels of posterity, Evil Within 2 was still a good time especially for fans of horror.
8
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
Review Rundown Super Mario Odyssey Publisher Nintendo
Developer Nintendo
Genre Platformer
Formats Switch
99% 98%
97%
98%
97%
87%
85%
Super Mario Odyssey
Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus
Forza Motorsport 7
97% 96%
Worldwide average review score and by territory
Top three reviewed October releases
70%
71%
70%
70%
73%
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017 Yearly October average review scores
What the press love...
What the press hate...
Biggest and most ambitious Mario. Cappy mechanic is fantastic. Amazing post game content. Many varied kingdoms.
Low difficulty. Camera a little troublesome at points. Uneven placing of moons. It had to end...
The hugely anticipated Super Mario Odyssey is here and it looks like it could be the best Mario yet. With over half of all its reviews being 100%, it seems like Nintendo have delivered another major contender for 2017 game of the year. All reviewers praised the game for its excellent design, attention to detail and characters, with Cappy being particularly favoured as one of the best introductions to move the series forward. This game has surpassed expectations of fans, not only is it a homage to the 30 year old series, but also a step in a new direction. The levels encourage exploration and reward curiosity with numerous collectables, the open world feel takes Mario back to the glory days of Mario 64. There was very little reviewers had to dislike about the game, shown in its impressive review score, between them they only managed to come up with some superfluous complaints. The game was not very challenging for some – but as a seasoned Mario player it wouldn’t be, but as a newcomer it is easily accessible, making this a game for all. Moon placement was seen by a small handful as a little random with some being awarded too easily but with nearly 900 to collect in all, again it feels like a slight comment. Perhaps the biggest complaint though was that the adventure had to end at all, a sign of just how well received this game has been. Nintendo have proven again that Mario is one of the greats in video gaming, likely giving critics a tough decision when it comes to choosing game of the year.
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TACTICS
7
Review Rundown South Park: The Fractured But Whole Publisher Ubisoft
Developer Ubisoft San Francisco
Genre RPG
Formats PS4, XBONE, PC
86% 85%
83%
83%
97%
87%
85%
Super Mario Odyssey
Wolfenstein 2 The New Colossus
Forza Motorsport 7
80% 78%
Worldwide average review score and by territory
Top three reviewed October releases
70%
71%
70%
70%
73%
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017 Yearly October average review scores
What the press love...
What the press hate...
Excellent continuation of first game. Great love letter to fans of show. Classic South Park humour. New improved combat.
Plot slow to begin. Some repetitive missions. Combat challenge a little low. Some jokes fall flat.
Just like The Stick of Truth before it, The Fractured But Whole feels like a feature length playable version of the classic TV show and fans are loving it. Reviewers are divided on whether it has done enough to be better than its predecessor but either way they’ve been having a fantastic time playing. All reviewers agreed that the game looks great, with the same ‘quality’ animation and voice acting from the show. The new and improved combat system is leaps and bounds above The Stick of Truth, with many reviewers considering this to be highlight of the game. And of course the jokes, reviewers all commented on the laugh out loud moments the game offered. While most reviewers found the experience to be a continuation of The Stick of Truth, some reviewers felt The Fractured But Whole wasn’t as fresh as the original. Some found the jokes less funny or repeated too often. These same reviewers felt the narrative was a little basic too, but this was far outweighed by the number of critics who praised the quality of the storyline. Other complaints included repeat locations seen in the original and the game’s slow opening. But these were not enough to impact the game’s overall average, with most reviewers praising the game in its own right, with exceptional RPG elements, as well as its dedication to the source material and ability to enhance fans experience with the show.
10
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
2017 Review Standings So Far *Games require at least ten reviews to gather an average score.
Title
Score
Super Mario Odyssey
97%
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
96%
Divinity: Original Sin 2
94%
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
92%
Persona 5
92%
Horizon: Zero Dawn
91%
Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition
89%
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
88%
NieR Automata
88%
Final Fantasy XIV Stormblood
88%
Total War: Warhammer 2
87%
Cuphead
87%
SteamWorld Dig 2
87%
Injustice 2
87%
What Remains of Edith Finch
87%
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
87%
Monument Valley 2
87%
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
86%
Sonic Mania
86%
Nioh
86%
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
86%
Nex Machina
86%
MLB The Show 17
86%
F1 2017
86%
Hollow Knight
86%
Destiny 2
85%
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
85%
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
85%
Forza Motorsport 7
85%
Assassin’s Creed Origins
85%
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
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11
Monthly Leaderboard PR Activity
October 2017
October has been another busy month for video games and once again Destiny 2 has come out on top. However its only 100 activities ahead of nearest competitor Assassin’s Creed Origins - a sign that perhaps the Destiny 2 train is slowing in momentum. Only one video game featured in the list is a future release with Battlefront 2 claiming a top five spot, likely a result of the game’s playable beta making the rounds and also the movie edging ever closer to release too. It seems every end of year sees the public go into a Star Wars frenzy. Will the game manage to capitalize on this hype? Interestingly we see no older titles like Pokemon Go and Overwatch land in the top ten during October, a likely result of the large quantity of big AAA releases this month. However with things expected to slow down over the next couple of months will we see these juggernauts rise once more with future updates and events?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12
DESTINY 2
4,900
ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS
4,800
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
3,500
STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT 2
3,200
MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR
3,000
NINTENDO SWITCH
3,000
XBOX ONE X
2,700
GRAN TURISMO SPORT
2,500
WOLFENSTEIN 2: NEW COLOSSUS
2,500
THE EVIL WITHIN 2
2,400
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
YouTube Activity
October 2017
FIFA 18 continues its YouTube dominance in October. Why? It’s safe to assume Key Influencers play a key role in this success whether it be gameplay or building their Ultimate Team. Destiny 2 meanwhile has seen a significant drop falling not only in positions but total views (down from 187 million in September). Have YouTubers moved on already to newer titles? Meanwhile the remainder of the chart sees 2K performing strongly with its sports series, again likely attributed down to key influencers supporting these types of games on their channels. It’s worth noting that games like Super Mario Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Origins launched in the last week of October making their top ten appearance all the more impressive. Had the games launched earlier in October would we have seen them overtake FIFA 18? Perhaps.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
FIFA 18
293 M
CUPHEAD
182 M
SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE
109 M
THE EVIL WITHIN 2
104 M
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
102 M
ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS
86 M
MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR
60 M
DESTINY 2
59 M
WWE 2K18
52 M
NBA 2K18
43 M
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TACTICS
13
Monthly Leaderboard Twitter Retweets
October 2017
We have a tie for number one in October, both Super Mario Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Origins generating plenty of retweets leading up to their release. Interestingly both these titles and Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus all performed very well despite them launching at the very end of the month (the same day in fact). The Xbox One X continues its decent social presence and with the launch not far off, social awareness for the console is more important than ever. It will be interesting to see how the console performs in an already highly competitive market. Surprisingly the SNES Mini is still a hot topic on Twitter, perhaps a result of Nintendo’s focus to supply more consoles than it did with last year’s NES Mini. Again it’s interesting to note that while Destiny 2 has performed fantastically with the press again in October it seems to be slipping in terms of social. Maybe we will see it rise again when the first DLC launches in December?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
113K
ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS
113K
CALL OF DUTY: WWII
101K
STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT 2
96K
WOLFENSTEIN 2: THE NEW COLOSSUS
88K
XBOX ONE X
87K
MINI SNES
70K
MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF WAR
65K
DESTINY 2
57K
THE EVIL WITHIN 2
46K
TACTICS
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
Facebook Shares
October 2017
Assassin’s Creed Origins appears to have seen a strong Facebook campaign leading up to its release reaching more shares than any other title last month. Just behind was Call of Duty: WWII proving just how strong the brand still is no matter when the game is set timeline wise. Interestingly The Last of Us: Part II has received the third highest count of interactivity from Facebook users despite the game only receiving a short teaser trailer at the end of the month. This illustrates the power this particular brand has that even with limited information gamers are extremely excited about the new sequel. Similarly God of War while not seeing as much interaction on Facebook, still managed to break the top ten again with only a brief clip shown during Paris Games Week.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS
180K
CALL OF DUTY: WWII
176K
THE LAST OF US PART II
118K
DESTINY 2
80K
CUPHEAD
76K
XBOX ONE X
58K
STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT 2
55K
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
48K
SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE
34K
GOD OF WAR
29K
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
TACTICS
15
FDG ENTERTAINMENT @FDG_GAMES
“#Oceanhorn sold more copies on #Nintendo Switch than all other consoles combined.”
NINTENDO SWITCH HAVE NINTENDO CREATED THE PERFECT HOME FOR INDEPENDENT DEVELOPERS?
Ever since its launch back in March, the Nintendo Switch has been on a roll. Whether we’re talking about console sales, the highly received catalogue of games, increasing support from third parties or simply just the genius of a device offering both home and handheld gaming in one the Nintendo Switch has had a fantastic opening year. As is the case with any Nintendo console, it is all too easy to focus on the critical and commercial success of its own first party output, there is another success story that too is worth celebrating – the independent developers. While yes gamers have been leaping and hopping around the globe as Mario and swinging their fists in ARMS, there are a number of indie developed games that too have seen amazing levels of success whether we’re talking sales or general presence. Developers have already begun spreading the word of their success with the console, some going as far as to claim how Nintendo’s version was in fact the best-selling of the bunch. Lizardcube in particular went on to tell gaming website Gamasutra that they sold “more copies of Wonder Boy on the Switch than the three other platforms we released on combined.” To have the highest performing version is one thing but to have it do so in combined sales of all competing hardware is fantastic and surprising news indeed. Furthermore just looking at the eShop’s top selling chart week on week reveals an environment full of indie developed titles. Games like Golf Story (made by a two person team I might add), Axiom Verge, Overcooked and Jackbox Party Pack 4 stand proudly alongside big budget AAA releases oftentimes higher. It even took the behemoth Super Mario Odyssey to knock Stardew Valley from the top spot, a position it held onto since launch. Clearly consumers are using their Switch consoles for more than just Nintendo’s first party releases. The Nindies Showcase the publisher has held on two occasions now this year, shows a Nintendo that wants its independent supporters to flourish. The most recent summer Nindies Showcase for example gave smaller projects
NOVEMBER 2017 / #9
a chance to shine, both new and previously known. You have to imagine its this sort of treatment that attracts more projects from more teams. There have been comments from indie developers on the improvements they have noticed in working with the Switch over Nintendo’s last effort the Wii U. If we have learned anything from past consoles its that the difficult ones make for a rather unattractive prospect for any developer big and small. Could all this success come down to the fact the Switch is still in its freshmen year? Excitement for any new console is always high so could this encourage consumer purchases? Nintendo’s eShop is also still growing its quantity of content at the moment making for a less crowded environment and therefore offering a better chance to have a product noticed. Similarly the number of physical releases on the device is relatively low in comparison to its competitors again giving eShop downloads more chance to breathe. With both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One nearly four years old, both their physical and digital libraries are huge meaning more competitors and more ways to get lost. Perhaps that is too pessimistic a view and maybe it’s down to the appeal of being able to play these multiformat titles at home or on the go. I must admit when any indie title catches my eye, I’m always keeping an eye out for a Switch version because mobility is a big selling point. It will certainly be interesting to see if this momentum continues for the indies going into 2018. Looking onwards there’s plenty of notable names still to come including Super Meat Boy Forever, Nine Parchments, Travis Strikes back and a little game you may have heard of called Rocket League. If these and the many more coming down the pipe share the same level of success Nintendo will have the reliable first party content, a growing third party selection and perhaps one of the strongest indie showings the publisher has seen in a long time. 2018 should prove interesting. Ryan Janes
TACTICS
17
IS THERE ROOM IN THE MARKET FOR MICROSOFT’S LATEST CONSOLE? KATIE SAYS... Microsoft claims that its Xbox One X is the most powerful console on the market, and at the moment it seems their claims are founded. The One X is faster and offers better graphics than any we’ve seen before in the console wars, but is there a place for it in today’s market? The answer, simply, is yes. While right now it may only appeal to a niche audience; those who want to experience games in the best quality but don’t want to invest in a high end PC, the success of the Xbox One X will lie in its potential for the future. Its biggest selling point is its enhanced graphical power, from its 6 Teraflops to its 4K HDR and up to 60fps performance, as well as its ability to upscale older gamer (which by the way are still compatible). This is where the future of gaming is headed, and while the leap to full 4K is not as obvious as that to 1080p or even 720p it is as substantial. As technology advances the gaming landscapes needs to adapt to keep up. 4K is becoming more and more accessible to the average person, with movies being streamed in it and even Apple have enhanced their AppleTV to include this at no extra cost. So why shouldn’t our games follow suit? Of course to experience the full benefits of any 4K you need to have the right equipment, but as TVs become more and more affordable (much like smart TVs previously) it won’t be long before every household has one. The Xbox One X is preparing itself for this change, future proofing you might say, and like all new technology it can be a little pricey at the offset.
With other consoles on the market, such as the PlayStation 4 Pro and even Microsoft’s own Xbox One S, offering 4K gaming at a fraction of the cost it can be hard to see what benefit the Xbox One X has. Like the PlayStation VR this time last year the Xbox One X is an investment piece. It may seem to be not quite needed, with limited games to begin with but it has everything to play for going forwards. Establishing this console early enables more developers to create content and deliver exceptional custom games rather than ones that have been upscaled as an afterthought. This year’s Forza Motorsport already looks fantastic on this piece of kit so it will be interesting to see what’s yet to come, we’re due a new Halo game and the Xbox One X is ready to take that series to the next level. You only need to look at the numbers of games available for PlayStation VR one year on, and even the Nintendo Switch, to know that if you create the platform, games will come. New technology can always take a bit of time to catch on, and although the Xbox One X is nothing exceptionally new (it’s certainly not the invention of the light bulb or the first iPhone) it does have the potential to shape the future. As more developers create content requiring faster processors and higher graphics the older consoles will start to lag. Like the move from SD to HD, what the Xbox One X is offering is going to become industry standard and while it may not have been the first 4K console to market it is certainly going to be the driving force behind the industry’s move into the next chapter of next generation gaming.
RYAN SAYS... This Christmas is going to be an interesting one for the gaming industry. We have two versions of the PS4, the 3DS, the Switch, two Xbox consoles, a number of VR headsets and a 16-bit throwback device competing for consumer’s cash along with what is easily one of the best line-ups of games we’ve seen in a while. The Xbox One X is the latest piece of technology to hit shelves wearing its “most powerful games console” title proudly. But the question is, is that enough for today’s audience? Especially in a market that is already so crowded and very competitive? I am inclined to think no. One of the bigger problems I see the console facing is it’s lack of showpiece games. As a gamer whenever I buy a new system I want that handful of titles that demonstrate just why I bought it in the first place. The latest example would be the Nintendo Switch, fully justified for me with the excellent Breath of the Wild. Looking at what Microsoft has in store for the remainder of the year, the outlook isn’t as appealing - a new Forza and a mishmash of third parties leading the way. Over time we’ll surely see exclusives like Crackdown 3 and a new Halo - experiences not available elsewhere, but for the time being the PS4 Pro has a bigger collection of games and a lower price point to boot. And yes cheaper options like the Pro or even the Xbox One S may not offer the horsepower of the Xbox One X, but you have to imagine that may not matter to the majority of the public. Microsoft’s own Xbox One S even offers 4K, something that might well be enough for many out
there while the aforementioned Pro offers that and more power. Not to mention the Switch is killing it at the moment with Nintendo topping the US console sales for the third month running. With Super Mario Odyssey now out the hot toy to buy for Christmas. That and the hard to find SNES Classic or a new VR headset. That’s not to say that I think the Xbox One X will be a total failure. There will be the hardcore fans who’ll pick this up for sure but are these big numbers as far as Microsoft is concerned? If the PS4 Pro taught us anything, it’s that this new iteration approach to console releases is not an immediate home run with sales of the Pro stalling. Then again the price wasn’t too far off the original system. Xbox One X meanwhile comes in at over £400, an unappealing number to anyone outside the hardcore fanbase. So the question I have is, outside of this hardcore group who exactly is this device for and whoever it is, is it big enough to sustain another console? Microsoft have posted strong week one sales of the device within the UK at 80,000 units with mention that other territories such as the US are proving just as positive. It will be interesting to see where the Xbox One X’s story goes from here though. While I hope it sees big success, the Xbox One X has a tough road ahead if it is to accomplish this.
XB OX ST O RE PRODUCT VISI BILI T Y Pre Release Promotion Star Wars Battlefront 2
Middle Earth Shadow of War Weeks Pre Launch
28
26
Hello Neighbour
24
Call of Duty WWII
Market Share of 2017 Releases Indie Titles
19%
Microsoft
10.8%
EA
6.1%
Warner Bros. Other
of all games are categorised in GENERAL COLLECTIONS
22
20
18
16
Forza Motorsport 7
Back Catalogue Releases With Strongest Visibility
FORZA HORIZON 3
7.2%
ROCKET LEAGUE
58.9%
GEARS OF WAR 4
the Microsoft store has five times more product slots than PSN
PLAYSTAT I O N STO RE PRODUC T V I S I B I L I T Y Pre Release Promotion Middle Earth Shadow of War
Madden NFL 18
Rabi-Ribi Weeks Pre Launch
20
16
18
Hidden Agenda
Market Share of 2017 Releases Indie Titles
34.5%
Sony
5.9%
Square Enix
5.5% 4.7%
Bandai Namco Other
of all games are in sections associated with NEW RELEASE
14
12
10
8
Sonic Mania
Back Catalogue Releases With Strongest Visibility
ODIN SPHERE LEIFTHRASIR DARK SOULS 3
55%
FINAL FANTASY XV
of spots for games featured for over a month were released over 3 years ago
IS THERE STILL A HUNGER FOR HORROR GAMES ANY MORE? I love a good horror experience. Whether it’s sat watching the latest scary movie, reading a good ghostly novel or sweating profusely playing the latest VR experience, horror delivers a special sort of intense excitement other genres simply cannot. Video games in particular prove perhaps most effective at tapping into our fears, control given completely over to you, the gamer. Every action your own. Last issue we looked at the ever-popular sporting genre - franchises like FIFA, Madden and NBA 2K performing increasingly stronger each year not only from a sales perspective but also an online presence. The horror genre finds itself in a different position however, a quieter one in fact. That isn’t to say horror is dead, not at all. In fact 2017 has seen its fair share of spooky hits making waves in the industry, each with something unique to offer. The real debate lies with the public and its hunger for games of this variety. Is it as powerful as it once was or have attentions shifted onto other things?
If anything, quality doesn’t seem to be a problem with 2017 delivering a strong selection of single player horror products, both in the form of sequels and new IP. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard steered the series back toward its survival horror roots back in January with huge praise from critics and gamers alike. The added feature of VR too, went on to show why this genre has most to benefit from the new tech. The Evil Within 2 despite a relatively quiet lead-up to launch impressed with an average of 80% from critics. Indie efforts too like Outlast 2 and Little Nightmares were met with praise also. And while the horror genre isn’t necessarily one you’d associate with online multiplayer, games like Friday the 13th and Dead by Daylight have shown that not only can they work, but also have an audience too. The pair has seen a strong response over social media. YouTube in particular has seen the former landing an impressive 700 million views over 2017 so far and the latter 600 million in 2016 (the year it launched) with a further 200 million this year.
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In fact, YouTube paints a rather positive picture across the board with key influencers in particular gravitating toward the genre. Big names like Jacksepticeye, PewDiePie and Markiplier continue to publish horror related content on their channels; many often met with viewing figures in the millions. So why this strong response? As you might expect with any experience be it video game, film or other, there is enjoyment to be had from watching the reactions of others especially famous personalities online. And thanks to the often exagerated and humourous, terrified reactions horror games manage to evoke from its players (not to mention those viewing) you have to imagine this has some impact on their popularity. When you look further into the figures, horror games appear to at least on the surface leave their mark with each new release. The Evil Within 2 reached over 60 million views (fifth highest of all products) and the second highest PR count in its launch week. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard meanwhile would dominate the PR charts leading up to its January launch claiming number one week on week. In fact launch week alone saw the title smash the competition with a massive 2,400 PR activities (over double that of any other product) and 250 million views over YouTube. Clearly these games are making a positive impact online especially around launch. So should there be any concerns for the genre and its status within the industry? Of course horror is always going to narrow its potential audience more so than others. While you may have people who aren’t fans of puzzlers or RPGS, this is a matter of preference more than anything else. Never if ever do you hear of someone avoiding Puyo Puyo Tetris out of fear for example. Horror meanwhile will always have to deal with this issue. No other genre can you really argue thins out its audience through its focus on terrifying players.
Fear is a funny thing though. While some enjoy the rush of it all there are many who want nothing to do with it and to change these avoiders to embracers is a very tough task. I might give a less ventured genre a go from time to time even if I’m not the biggest fan, however you will never see my wife partake in any kind of horror video game. That’s the difference with horror – you can change someone’s opinion on a game genre but rarely can you tell someone not be afraid of one. Fortunately horror has its fans and these are what drive the genre forward no matter the medium. While horror may not have the same level of popularity it once had ten plus years back, there are a number of success stories out there when you reflect on sales or at the very least online presence. Games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Friday the 13th have both sold millions of copies so far according to their respective publishers while also making waves online too. Hellblade lit up the download charts upon release delivering a psychological horror experience with a very big budget feel. And while its still early days for later releases like Bethesda’s The Evil Within 2, its hard to argue it’s positive impression the game has left with gamers and press. This of course is before we even get into horror releases of past years. A list that features new IPs Until Dawn and Dying Light, franchise continuations in the form of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water and Alien: Isolation and smaller indie efforts like Five Nights At Freddy’s, Soma and Among the Sleep. This is just the last three or four years we’re talking. The horror genre is a divisive one but one that is evolving in some rather interesting ways. While it’s unlikely we’ll see a day when the genre reaches the same dizzying level of popularity of more mainstream examples such as shooters or sports, there will always be a fanbase ready to tackle the next release big or small. Hungry for their next scare and new ways to feel what no other genre can offer them. Ryan Janes
Horror In Film It’s interesting to note how the movie industry has seen its horror genre revitalised over the past year or so with products pleasing not only fans but critics too. Where we’ve seen horror go through phases; everything from slashers and handheld cameras to torture porn, it feels as though we’ve now reached a new era. One where scares come from playing on the human psyche and telling deeper stories rather than just cheap jump scares or over the top violence. Believe it or not but this applies to gaming too.
HORROR GAMES REVIEW RUNDOWN 86%
76%
Resident Evil 7
Outlast 2
HIGHEST Score 100% (13)
HIGHEST Score 100% (2)
lowest score 50% (1)
lowest score 50% (4)
XBOX HUB (100%) DIGITAL SPY (100%) GUARDIAN (92%)
hooked gamer (100%) GAMER ASSAULT WEEKLY (100%) CYBER LUDUS (92%)
80%
63%
The Evil Within 2
Friday the 13th
HIGHEST Score 100% (1)
HIGHEST Score 90% (1)
lowest score 40% (2)
lowest score 20% (1)
GAMESPEW (100%) GAMERS TEMPLE (96%) USE A POTION (92%)
GAMEGRIN (90%) HOOKED GAMER (85%) TECH LIFE (80%)
79%
83%
Little Nightmares
Hellblade
HIGHEST Score 100% (3)
HIGHEST Score 100% (8)
lowest score 30% (2)
lowest score 40% (2)
SFX (100%) NWTV.NL (100%) DAILY RECORD (100%)
SFX (90%) DUAL SHOCKERS (100%) BUFFED (100%)
MICROTRANSACTIONS A GROWING TREND WHETHER GAMERS WANT IT TO BE OR NOT
It doesn’t matter what industry you work in or generally follow, you’re always bound to come across controversial decisions that have an impact on those involved be they consumer or business related. The entertainment industry is one such that often has its divisive ideas exposed to the public more than any. So what is it the gaming world are all focused on at the moment then? The topic of loot boxes and microtransactions may be something you’re all familiar with by now, every new week bringing with it a fresh batch of news stories bannering how “the days of single player games are over” or key influencers showing off their latest pulls from a pack of cards in FIFA 18. It’s a topic that has divided the gaming world in some truly interesting and concerning ways ripe with content deep enough to fill a dissertation let alone a short magazine piece. Where does the negativity come from though? Let’s take a look at just one avenue - value. While many are happy for free games to make their money from loot boxes or other microtransactions (you try a game, it costs you nothing and if players like it they are happy to throw the developer a little cash for extra content), it’s a totally different story when talking a full priced title. Seeing single player experiences in particular lock away content via crates or chests has always been met with backlash from gamers. Even online multiplayer titles can’t avoid this heat especially when dealing with series’ that never had these sorts of features in the past. To some it can give the impression you are not getting the full experience unless you pay for these extras. Or you have the addiction angle. The nature of loot boxes can pander to a person’s sense of excitement in a way some see as similar to gambling. It’s not too dissimilar to opening packs of trading cards as a kid in the hope of a rare shiny. Only now you can keep buying more at the easy click of a button. Pay a little bit of extra cash and you may stand a chance of getting that rare outfit, souped-up gun or quality footballer you’ve had your eye on. It’s this promise of better items that keep gamers paying.
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Whether you like to believe loot boxes have a negative impact or not, you can’t ignore the numbers. EA earlier in the year posted sales of $800 million for its Ultimate Team business alone, a figure up 20% year-on-year. Ubisoft meanwhile have announced the revenue generated from microtransactions has gone on to surpass that of digital game sales. Publisher Take Two have also revealed impressive figures, a massive 42% of their total bookings being thanks to what they like to call “recurrent consumer spending” or microtransactions to me and you. For all the bad press and supposed public disapproval microtransactions and extra content seem to get, the sales figures appear to tell a very different story. Looking at a list of products with the highest share of PR for 2017 reveals a line-up featuring numerous games where microtransactions are included. Whether the press is good or bad, their strong presence cannot be ignored making headlines all year round. Videos litter the internet of gamers recording their latest loot box openings - everything from FIFA Ultimate Team to Overwatch. Whatsmore these videos are among some of the most popular with views in the millions. While PR may open your eyes to a world of haters, social media appears to offer the other side, Tweeters and posters having no problem with paying for more content for a game they love. This isn’t the first time a practice within the industry has caused such a stir though. Remember on-disc DLC? How about the increase in season passes with many announced before the game even launches? Or how about when publishers started introducing online passes as a means to combat the pre-owned market? Bottom line is this isn’t the first controversial practice in gaming and it won’t be the last. Whatever you’re opinion of microtransactions, fact of the matter is they’re here to stay. With such huge revenue being generated from this sort of content it’s hard to see why a company would believe gamers don’t want it. Well implemented or not, the demand is clearly there and until that disappears we’ll keep seeing loot boxes, chests and all forms of microtransactions for years to come.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL! ALSO... A LOOK BACK AT ALL 2017 HAD TO OFFER NOVEMBER’S SOCIAL AND PR ANALYSIS WHAT’S TO COME IN 2018 CALL OF DUTY WWII 28
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NOVEMBER 2017 / #9