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Editorial: Gamers Sour On Activision

There comes a point when a major corporation eventually rubs their customers the wrong way; it's almost inevitable, especially if that corporation is ambitious, motivated, and fully capable of continually trouncing the competition. It seems Activision, while arguably the world's largest video game publisher (depending on which numbers you examine), has sorta "topped out" and is currently on the downhill portion of the reputation roller-coaster.

There's little doubt that Activision has delivered some fine gaming experiences this generation, and to say they haven't is to insult a great many consumers who have enjoyed games like those that are within the stellar Call of Duty franchise. And really, CoD is just the tip of the iceberg ( Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk , anyone?), so Activision has been raking it in lately. They should continue to do so this holiday season, 'cuz we all know what titles will be hitting store shelves for the big consumer rush. However, all this being said, Activision has been getting on many a gamer's nerves lately, and it started with that threat PlayStation 3 owners remember well. Oh yeah, you remember it…

So CEO Bobby Kotick said Activision might have to stop supporting the PS3 if Sony didn't drop the price of the machine. Now, this price drop will invariably happen soon enough, but that's not the point; the point is that Activision simply wanted to apply pressure. They wanted the PS3 to be as cheap as possible for obvious reasons, but every last analyst and journalist out there knew it was nothing but an empty threat. There's no way on earth Activision ignores 24 million potential buyers of their products, and all they did is succeed in ticking off a lot of PS3 owners. But they didn't stop there. A few days ago, Kotick incited another mini riot when he said that he'd "make game prices higher if he could." While we're certain there is some merit to this statement, it's not the kind of thing people want to hear.

As is, many people already think the price of games is a bit too high (we don't agree; not when you factor in how many hours of entertainment you receive for the price, but whatever). Then, if you consider the extra high cost of the many bundles Activision has prepared for the next few months, people become even more incensed. You've got plenty of Guitar Hero spin-offs, a ridiculous Prestige Edition for Modern Warfare 2 , plus other music-based bundle packages like DJ Hero ; none of which are going to be cheap. Activision has been able to dominate the market with the franchises in question, and those games have been excellent. They really have. There's no way in hell Activision attains this lofty position in the industry unless they gave gamers stuff they wanted. Does anyone honestly think that millions of fans are just buying the games because they like Activision, the company? Come on.

They often have great stuff. And of course, they know how to promote it (maybe Sony should take some lessons). But as of now, it's my suggestion to Activision and CEO Kotick to lighten up a bit on this holier-than-thou approach. We appreciate the ambition and dedication; we really do. We know business is always a competition and if you relent for even a split second, you could lose your edge. I accept all of this. However, at the same time, reputation does play a role and at this point, Activision is taking a tongue-lashing from many gamers around the Internet; just take a look around if you're skeptical. This reminds me of the widespread chastisement of Square-Enix in the past few years, but this is different; Activision brought this on themselves in the span of only a few months. Seriously, guys…your approval rating is kinda low right now.

You may want to do something to bring that up before the holidays are upon us. Or maybe you just don't care…?

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Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

Well, when I buy MW2, I will think of buying it for Infinity Ward, not Acitivsion.

Mentally, it works 🙂

P.S. Sides, I love Infinity Ward and their work!

ed_winchester
ed_winchester
15 years ago

what he said

King James
King James
15 years ago

word.

mk ultra
mk ultra
15 years ago

same

Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

Thanks for agreeing with me.

Mamills
Mamills
15 years ago

yea…screw that,

gonna buy it used sometime in 2010.
got MAG and a shitload of other shooters i consider better coming.

to me CoD is just a run n gun shooter, no strategy, or planning involved.

thus the reason MAG and killzone 2 is on my radar.


Last edited by Mamills on 8/8/2009 5:44:21 AM

N a S a H
N a S a H
15 years ago

If you think COD4 is just run and gun then you've obviously never played it for more than two minutes.

mastiffchild
mastiffchild
15 years ago

Why? What the F makes IW saints in all this? You think big scary Activision would drop them if they did the TINY and ONLY decent thing by distancing themselves from blatantly ripping off UK gamers? No, Acti won't upset their pet dev and you know it, IW know it and so does Activision.

Fact is that with their silence IW are fully supporting Activisions stance and anyone buying the game at full Uk retail is doing the same PLUS sticking a knife in gamers the world over and should be ashamed of themselves. Making yourself feel better by claiming you're getting it for a dev who cares just as little about gamers as Acti do is selfish and just you finding a way to play the game without feeling bad.

I'll be doing the decent thing and avoiding any Activision product like the plague til things change-and as a UK gamer that's already told 21 people about this(who aren't getting the game either now)refuse to be part of a worldwide price hike caused by nothing other than the greed of Activision AND Infinity Ward. Anyone getting the game in the UK is really doing themselves and every gamer a bad disservice.

Whatever, just don't imagine for a second that IW are any better than Activision. They have every opportunity to say something on the pricing issue but have said nothing and you can only take that as supporting Activisions underhand quest to stealth up game prices at a time when every other luxury item is falling in price and doing it, which makes it worse, in a country they already rip off(remember the cost of GHWT band bundle?)that has also been hit harder with job losses than any other in the west.

But support what you like, I guess, whatever makes you feel good, eh?

Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

@mastiffchild

You had a very strong argument in what you
said.
Although personally, I don't agree with you, I acknowledge that what you said was a heck of a strong argument, and you just owned me, was all I can say.

It does seem that way, but to me, MW2 is the only game I'll buy, not now, nor never their other games (was 0% interested in them to be honest) and hey, I guess everyone's entitled to their opinions right?

As long as there are no hard feelings or unnecessary immaturity, I don't mind what the other side has to say.

Really well said man.


Last edited by Victor321 on 8/9/2009 6:26:51 PM

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

(read the whole article)

And yes, I fully agree with it. I mean even when I don't buy any of their crap. It's true that they have quality. At least the orignal versions of their sucessful games.

But the constant milking of these franchises are becoming disgusting.

Personally I don't care 'bout any of their franchises. Not a single game of theirs has ever interested me. Not in the 1990s, not in the 2000s

Activision can crash and burn for all I care for. MAG can easily replace CoD.

Go ahead, don't release CoD on ps3 hehe 😉

PS: I really hope their games do badly this fall. Sadly posers will always want to play Guitar Garbage

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

While I can't say I disagree with you, you have developed quite the acid tongue lately. Someone pee in your cheerios?

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
15 years ago

I brought that up in the forums so I knew I wasn't the only one seeing this. Carry on.

Byakko2009
Byakko2009
15 years ago

Maybe he's just been holding his tongue too long about certain games he despises like Guitar Hero? I hate it too, but I'll leave it at that. Or maybe he's disappointed with gamers in general this generation? Like the insane amount of tards who say SF4 is decent at best but they think "knowing the moves" makes them 'good' at it? Then go around parading as "real gamers". The same gamers who think shooting games are complex? OOPS that's what I think too.

Really I feel the same, but sadly I know I can't really think so arrogant and believe Sony doesn't need Activision. Because CoD is hot especially after the War in Iraq, and most gamers today find quck kills so satisfying. While I do hate Guitar Hero, I know there are some bizarre individuals who find mashing plastic buttons more fun than playing real guitar. No, I don't think I'm above these gamers, I just don't see the appeal is all.

So there, while I don't like their games or own any, there are far more people who do. And that's why Sony needs them.

ohmikkie
ohmikkie
15 years ago

I kind of agree Scarecrow. I personally do not have many activision games apart from the CODs (and that's not deliberate). Personally I think if you can complete a full price game in one 4 hour sitting its a rip-off. Don't get me wrong: I totally enjoyed those four hours and all the other four, or so, hours in the previous CODs. COD1 was a refreshing addition to the FPS genre when it came out. But now there is no innovation any more. That's why I preferred FPSs like Killzone2, Resistance2 and Battlefield Bad Company). Yeah I know thier campaigns are not "that" long as well, but they're longer.

What happened to FPS's like the half-lifes I remember spending ages on my PC completing them, then ages on-line (the first one that is).

I only view on-line portion to games as an addition unless it is on-line only (like war-hawk).

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
15 years ago

@ohmikkie

it depends how often you went to online mutiplayer matches and maps…thats what I've used it for mostly after beating the campaign

Phoelix
Phoelix
15 years ago

If we could all flip Activision the virtual bird, I'd fly mine high, too.

I was angry when they didn't patch in rumble to CoD4. That may be absolutely unjust due to whatever, but I like to think they decided not to implement it when the DS4 came out.

And look what they did to Guitar Hero! It was once a fun franchise; now they've milked its udders too sore for me to care anymore. Honestly, the Guitar Hero: _____ scheme didn't change the franchise. They could have released those titles as DLC.

Moneygrubbing [insert awful word here].

ohmikkie
ohmikkie
15 years ago

@ThePearlJamer

I understand that. It would be nice also concentrated on a more substantial campaign as well. I a person that does not buy games for the online element first off. And I think most people just stick to one or two online games . I know I do. Plus I don't play online for fun (like a single player game). Its really a sport.

I don't play the CODs on online (except for the PC versions). I could never get into them. And that's not to say I think the online is crap. COD does not suit. Now when I buy COD4 or WaW and spend an evening completing the campaign off-course I'm not going to be impressed.

Is the online game-play experience really going to be that different. For be COD4 and WaW wear virtually the same game (yes different, slightly bigger, maps and weapons), But the feel was the same. If I had enjoyed COD4 is WaW really worth getting? In the Quake 2 days WaW would have been called an a total conversion add-on. same game re-skinned.

ed_winchester
ed_winchester
15 years ago

Ben I do agree with you that we cant complain about the prices of games, for as long as I can remember, new games have always been priced at around £40 and when you now facor in that most games have an online component as well, its clear we are getting value for money. as a side note, Im only buyin the prestige edition coz I feel Im getting something for my money, the standard edition retails at £55! Thats £15 more than any other new release Rip-off! and I want to support Infinity Ward, screw Activision, Kotick needs to shut the eff up

The Stig
The Stig
15 years ago

When I heard that the RRP for MW2 was 55 quid I thought WTF!?! Are you serious?

But dude if you want to support Infinity Ward rather than Activision then I recommend NOT buying the prestige edition, because I would imagine most of that extra cash would go to Activision and not Infinity Ward.

Kempy21
Kempy21
15 years ago

the prestige edition is gonna cost £130 that's like $200 who would spend that much on a game a some ngv's?????

ohmikkie
ohmikkie
15 years ago

Aye? 130 quid. I would rather buy another Xbox to keep me house warm in the winter.

I'll get it when I see play selling it for £30. CODs never come down in price for ages. Or maybe I'll just rent it.


Last edited by ohmikkie on 8/9/2009 6:00:33 PM

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
15 years ago

I think games are priced well, but i would be against raising the price any more. I would actually like games to be an even $50 just because "50" is a more normal number than 60. I dont mind paying $60, but 50 just looks better. Yeah, im weird.
Raising prices, especially now of all times, would just be a slap in the face to every gamer who works his crappy 9-5 job making shit pay just so he can go relax on his couch with COD. Or what about the guys having their hours cut so they can keep their job who may go home and play a few rounds of Tony Hawk so he doesnt have to think about how much it sucks only working 30 hours a week. No, its ok Activision, as long as your CEOs are making millions a year i guess we will all just pay whatever it is you want to charge for a game, right?

Perhaps if were werent in the middle of a huge effing recession i would be a bit more lax about this, but Kotic probably makes more in a week than i (or most other people) make a month, so he needs to keep his greedy little hands out of the jar and work on keeping his foot out of his mouth.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

and 60 is actually about 65 after taxes.

N a S a H
N a S a H
15 years ago

Activision are great. PS3 owners should be happy because they're just about the only people that release decent multi-platform titles.

I don't agree with the whole bitching about prestige edition. It sold out in a matter of minutes and they're only producing ONE batch. They're doing this for the hardcore fans of CoD. I would have gotten it myself but I didn't get my order in time.

You can't just hate on them because their idiotic CEO's are saying stupid things. They don't represent the whole company…

King James
King James
15 years ago

Sadly Nasah…a CEO does rep the whole company.

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
15 years ago

they're called Chief Executive Officers for a reason…

Oxvial
Oxvial
15 years ago

Really?? too bad I never buyed any of his games FPS arent my thing and any other activision game arent really worth.

N a S a H
N a S a H
15 years ago

I mean, they're no the ones that make the games or come up with the ideas. lol

King James
King James
15 years ago

I think Activision thinks they can run a product line like Sony. Sony has a rep for premium-priced products and they haven't wavered much in the midst of a recession.

But u can't move millions of products in the midst of a recession, Activision…not like Sony. In the words of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, "Know your role, and…"

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
15 years ago

To quote the great "Dirty" Harry Callahan;

"A man's got to know his limitations…"

Sir Shak
Sir Shak
15 years ago

"…. shut your mouth ! "

Thumbs up for quoting Rocky .

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
15 years ago

"get these motherf*ckin snakes off this motherf*ckin plane"

quoting Samuel Jackson…


Last edited by ThePearlJamer on 8/8/2009 5:59:37 PM

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
15 years ago

Guitar Hero was never my thing and the past few Tony Hawk installments have been less than stellar…CoD is really the only thing that interests me and they didn't even develop it…they published it…if credit is due anywhere it's Infinity Ward…


Last edited by ThePearlJamer on 8/7/2009 10:27:31 PM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
15 years ago

Activision has reached a sort of critical mass. At some point a company becomes big enough that it has to be run like, and behave like, a big company. Activision is right there, it's a big company, but the statements by Bobby Kotick and the legal actions and such like, are the actions of a small company trying to be bigger. Large companies and corporations, don't behave in that manner – they don't have to.

I think perhaps Mr Kotick is still stuck with the mind set of a CEO trying to grow his small/medium sized company into a big corporate. Perhaps he needs to realize that Activision is a big corporate now. Activision needs to work with partners – like Sony – and not alienate them. Nor is it a good idea to alienate consumers

LowKey
LowKey
15 years ago

"Big Enough?", I think activision has gotten too big for their britches. As for Kotick he needs to take something to cure his verbal diareha

Milonakis
Milonakis
15 years ago

Activision sucks compared to harmonix for all rhythm based games and COD4 can only have so much entertainment value. Activision has too many spinoffs that are the same game. Does anyone expect COD4 2 to be anything that wasn't in the first one.

Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

Well MW2 is a sequel, not an IP right? They just got to expand upon the first one, not make it completely the same, cept with 4 new maps.

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
15 years ago

Yes, I expect much more from it…infact thats why I'm buying it…looks like you're alone on this one…

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

Same game with a new story and new textures, plus snow. That's about it. What's it run at 600p? Psh…

phantomMenace
phantomMenace
15 years ago

Actually I agree with him I'm sure as hell not paying $65 for a map pack. I could care less about the story its all the same thing just displayed differently. And yea if this game is so huge why didn't they even make it 1080p or at least 720p, I know it might not seem like a huge difference but they haven't really made the game different. At least not enough for me to justify a purchase.

King James
King James
15 years ago

Check the vidz for the multiplayer. Its different.

phantomMenace
phantomMenace
15 years ago

Just to clarify, I'm not saying that they haven't changed anything I'm saying that for me to buy it they haven't changed enough. I liked MW1 but I'm tired of the series at the moment.

Kangasfwa
Kangasfwa
15 years ago

Too bad I can't boycott activision without hurting some great developers like Raven Software.

Victor321
Victor321
15 years ago

And Infinity Ward.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

Greed is what caused SE to fail so much this gen, be careful Activision, your walking a thin tightrope.

King James
King James
15 years ago

Counting S-E out b4 any FF13 games drops, World? Why so early?

…u must mean that S-E has epically failed, so far, this gen.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

I won't count em out, the FF's are going to be huge, no doubt, but they put out some serious poop so far instead of focusing on what matters, and also made a bunch of douche moves that pissed off their base. I wouldn't call that an epic fail but definitely a fail nonetheless.

Kai200X
Kai200X
15 years ago

Okay, so I've played a couple Activision games back in my PS1/PS2 days, but the only Activision game I've ever play on my PS3 was COD4: MW, and since I am not that big of FPS fan anyway so I can definitely live without MW2. What that CEO said before really made me mad.

___________
___________
15 years ago

meh bobys walking on thin ice hopefully soon it will crack and he will freeze to death.
i cant believe how cocky that SOB is, i just read a article with him saying "well were in better positions than our competitors"
well when your releasing 10 GH games per year its hard not to be you cocky bast**d.
i cant believe how up himself he is god im starting to think hes got balls for a brain, thats all hes worried about money who cares if were the most hated company in the industry as long as were making more money than other publishers.
god if your up there listening, you need to send this bast**d to jigsaw.
let him sort him out 😀


Last edited by ___________ on 8/8/2009 3:19:49 AM

LowKey
LowKey
15 years ago

Yes thats right I said it, Kotick has a really bad case of Verbal Diarreah, mabey he should go see a doctor or something. It could be serious. But yeah seriously I tottaly saw activisions popularity drop like a bag of potatoes.

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