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Editorial: Is Uncharted 3 Overhyped?

Don't interpret that headline the wrong way. I'm not suggesting that Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception isn't deserving of all the hype. I'm asking about general gamer expectations, and whether or not the game can possibly live up to those expectations.

We've spoken at length about hype before, and it remains a relevant subject in the gaming industry. Some say all hype is a 100% positive; i.e., the theory that any and all publicity is good publicity. There's some truth to that idea, too. If the game turns out to be amazing, it'll do extremely well. Even if it turns out disappointing, the insane hype might allow for better sales, simply because the title was in the spotlight for so long.

At the same time, many say that while hype and attention is fine, over hype is definitely a problem. First of all, it generates plenty of arguments in game communities – some of which can get ugly – and secondly, consumers will even claim that critics fall prey to the hype. And this can go either way: a reviewer can bend to the hype and award the game a higher-than-deserved score, or the reviewer will rebel against the known hype and give the game a lower -than-expected score.

Either way, the score has been affected. For example, it's a common argument among the GTA skeptics that the only reason GTAIV scored so high is because it was called "Grand Theft Auto." Personally, I don't believe that, but that belief is definitely widespread. Then there are those who say people bash Call of Duty almost purely because of the insane hype and popularity that surrounds that franchise. And I do believe there's something to that assumption.

Perhaps CoD is the perfect example. How has hype affected that franchise? It has affected it both positively and negatively in my eyes, but it has definitely affected it. Should we subject all highly anticipated games to such global scrutiny? What if our expectations for Uncharted 3 really are blown way out of proportion? If I was a Naughty Dog team member, I'd actually be a little concerned…I'd say to myself, "damn, everyone is expecting the greatest game of all time……holy sh**."

Well, talk amongst yourselves.

P.S. I just realized that people might read something into this editorial. They might think I've played the game in question, and because I'm disappointed in the result, I wrote this. But I assure you, that isn't the case; I have not played Uncharted 3 yet.

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Victor321
Victor321
12 years ago

The ones at Naughty Dog do know they're under pressure, but in interviews I've read, they are fully aware but not letting it get to them.

Great guys for sure 🙂 takes a lot of will to acknowledge the hype but at the same time, keeping yourself in check of what YOU'RE expecting out of your creation.

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
12 years ago

Exactly. Naughty Dog doesn't seem like a company that creates a buzz with media releases. Their work does that for them.

Plus Ben, if you would have asked if MW3 and BF3 were hyped, this thread would have 5 times the comments by now. 😉


Last edited by maxpontiac on 10/15/2011 3:23:56 PM

Gordo
Gordo
12 years ago

I would say that there is more "anticipation" for Uncharted 3 than "hype".

I haven't really heard or seen much overt "hyping up" of the game from Sony or Naughty Dog. Just the normal publicity and interest for a sequel to an award wining game.

Is it a day one purchase? You bet… Is that based on the current hype or my own personal experience garnered from playing the first two games? The latter.

Games that I personally thought were overhyped (i.e. didn't live up to my initial expectations): LA Noire and GT5.

Interested in the comments to follow…

rogers71
rogers71
12 years ago

Gordo,

I agree with you for the most part. I thought LA Noire exceeded my expectations. GT5 on the other hand fell way short of what I was expecting. It is still evolving but, to date, the game is still underwhelming.

On the other hand, you can have games that blow initial expectations out of the water. Two examples of this are the first Batman and Red Dead Redemption. Both of these games flew well under the radar at launch. I picked them up without hearing anything and was blown away by them.

godsman
godsman
12 years ago

You are absolutely right. I have not heard any hype on Uncharted 3 at all. Uncharted 2 we have heard plenty of how it utilizes PS3 Cell 100%. Gamers just know themselves that the 3rd game will be awesome.

Gordo
Gordo
12 years ago

Yip, Red Dead Redemption was excellent.

FFXIII I think is another game that was well overhyped and fell short.

LA Noire, GT5, FFXIII. Maybe a lot of their overhype came from their long development times… Pretty hard not to get excited about a game but it's hard to keep that enthusiam going for 3 or 4 years!

Overhype may however, be in the eye of the beholder.

What has me disappointed may have someone else in rapture.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

I'm never disappointed when I visit Rapture.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

@Gordo: But aren’t those two related? Doesn't anticipation create hype?

Like, when practically everyone are declaring Uncharted 3 as GOTY 2011 without even having played it yet that's due to anticipation, but the claim about the GOTY must be called hype?

(I'm merely asking since I'm not too sure about the definitions here myself)

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
12 years ago

Beamboom,
I'd say that, in a sense, you're right in that analysis, however some might consider "hype" to be developer-fed, rather than fan- and journalist-fed, meaning that the two, by the strictest definition, are not linked.

Uncharted 3 is anticipated, Battlefield 3 is hyped. That being said, I consider rampant journalism to also act as hype. I was just running with a thought.

Jakintosh
Jakintosh
12 years ago

I think this is spot on. Anticipation is a much better word for it than hype. I'm looking forward to Uncharted 3, but I'm not pissing my pants over it. I KNOW that this game will be one of the greatest games I'll ever play, but not because anyone told me. It's because I've played every single one of Naughty Dog's games, and every one has been better than the last, and U2 was damn good. I haven't even read much about the game, and have only seen a couple videos. Seriously, I've heard so much more about MW3 and BF3 and I'm not getting either, even though the amount of "hype" surrounding those games makes it seem like you MUST get at least one or the other, if not both.

Uncharted (and ND for that matter) has always been the guy out to prove something with his actions. He's not rubbing it in everyone's face asking them to watch him do awesome stuff. He just does it, and does it at 110%. And so far, that has led to him always being the better game.

rogers71
rogers71
12 years ago

Yes, I think that games can be overhyped. The thing that you have to do as a consumer is not to go into something, whether it's a game or movie, etc., expecting the best. Go into any situation with an open mind and draw your own conclusion.

I have been extremely impressed with the first 2 Uncharted games. There are some games that I will wait for reviews before I buy them. Uncharted not being one of them, Batman is another. When these games are announced, I know for a fact that I am getting them so I don't even listen to what others are saying about them.

You can definitely find yourself falling into the hype machine and ruining your expectations before ever placing a finger on a product. That is the way of the world, unfortunately.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Arkham City is scoring better than you'd even expect.

CrusaderForever
CrusaderForever
12 years ago

The answer is no, the franchise is just that good. The detail and meticulous love put into this baby guarantees it will grow into a wonderful teenager. Seriously, don't take my word for it, Naughty Dog has already backed my words up with stellar U1 and U2! As a matter of fact, it's not hyped high enough. Bravo Naughty Dog for being such wonderful parents! 🙂


Last edited by CrusaderForever on 10/14/2011 9:54:21 PM

Snaaaake
Snaaaake
12 years ago

It already has been overhyped.
Uncharted 2 was arguably the best of the generation and many think Uncharted 3 will go one better.

Expect alot of people complaining about Uncharted 3 falling short of expectations when it's themselves who set their expectations too high.

jjlive168
jjlive168
12 years ago

The problem with over hyping(or hyping something in general) is that when something is hyped up you go into this thing with expectations and when/if its not met you feel this emptiness like "is that it"

its like if square enix starts dropping hints that seems like all signs are pointing towards a final fantasy 7 remake the gaming news sites are hyping it stating rumors, inside sources, etc (you guys know how it goes lol) says its being revealed at E3 you have been waiting for weeks everybody is amped up for weeks waiting for E3, E3 comes and your just waiting for that announcement and when the day comes its a final fantasy 1 and 2 port to ipad that (thats kind of upsetting just thinking about it cause thats def sqaures track record now lol even though those have already been ported to the ipad) would give you that let down feeling.

that's what hyping things does, when your let down its a sucky feeling because it didn't live up to its expectations you wanted so much more and its like what can you do about it.

no worries Naughty Dog will do just fine.(just added pressure to them haha)

btw i read an article on kotaku that says a spanish gaming website reviewed it and gave it a 9.9 out of 10 =)

Darwin1967
Darwin1967
12 years ago

I don't see the game as being over-hyped. In fact, I think UC3 and AC are woefully being ignored/over-shadowed by the WAAAAAY overhyped BF3/MW3 battle for shooter supremecy. I think once the dust settles, UC3 will be the game to beat and critics will truly enjoy having something to write about other than debating 30 vs 60 FPS.

FatherSun
FatherSun
12 years ago

Imagine Drake taking a break to… Hmm.. Flip on his PS3 and play some Battlefield 3? Now that would cross campaigning. It would show how Drake is just like us. Well.. almost. ;]

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
12 years ago

Definitely not hyped enough.

Shams
Shams
12 years ago

I don't pay too much heed to "hype". It's that late into this gen that I know what I like, and I love Uncharted. Even if it were just more of the same, I'd be a happy camper, but seeing how ND has a consistent history of out doing their selves (even before this console cycle), I know I'll be satisfied either way.

And as for the other big titles on the horizon, the more the merrier.

VampDeLeon
VampDeLeon
12 years ago

Overhyped? No way, lots of people don't even know much about Uncharted. It's an underrated series compared to Modern Warfare and the equivalent.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

No way. There's not a single ps3 owner who doesn't know about Uncharted. And since it's not available on other platforms it doesn't really matter if the PC or xbox owners know about it – they'll never buy it anyway.

Just like I don't know much about games only released for the PC or Xbox. I can't play them anyway, so why should I care?


Last edited by Beamboom on 10/15/2011 2:19:35 AM

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
12 years ago

gonna disagree with you boom, i know plenty of friends personally on my friendlist that i know in real life who wont even give uncharted a chance simply because its not a sport game and its not CoD. even offered to let some friends of mine use my copies but they just turn it down. Hearing about the game and actually playing it are 2 different things

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

They do *know* about Uncharted though. They are aware of the title. That's the question, not if everyone play it. Like you say, that's two different things… 😉

I'm not an Uncharted fan myself, but of course I know the games.


Last edited by Beamboom on 10/15/2011 7:02:49 AM

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
12 years ago

Huh strange? I havnt heard much hype for Uncharted 3 at all. So no it's not being over hyped by any means. If anything it's not getting enough attention and I sure hope Sony does more than those subway commercials for the game. It deserves it! The only thing I hear about the game is from ND and it always pertains to working on the game.

PSTan
PSTan
12 years ago

No, but Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 both are. The latter more so.

StubbornScorpio
StubbornScorpio
12 years ago

I honestly believe Uncharted is getting a healthy amount of coverage. There are articles sprinkled here and there with gameplay footage and interviews, and the Subway promotion is getting it out to the masses.

A lot of people seem to be saying that Battlefield 3 and MW3 are getting more hype. BF3 is definitely making itself known, but has there been a lot of coverage on MW3? I only ever seem to see MW3 vs BF3 articles, rarely any focusing on just MW3. Perhaps MW3 is finally losing its thunder?

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
12 years ago

It's funny because what hype is about for UC3 has come from the fans and journalists rather than Sony and ND. I don't think that it is overhyped, but a great many people have sky-high expectations as UC2 was one of the best games ever and ND are widely expected to go beyond that…

AshT
AshT
12 years ago

I dont think so Ben, i mean for the title in question, and moreover ND knows how to meet and exceed expectations, they have done that with U2 and i'm pretty sure they will do it with U3 as well.

Alienange
Alienange
12 years ago

I don't think UC3 is over-hyped at all. In fact I believe quite the opposite. Besides, who's job is it to do the hyping? If CoD has all kinds of hype surrounding it, it's only because of the fans. A trailer here and there doesn't net anyone 20 million in sales. You have to have a game that appeals to the mass market.

Lairfan
Lairfan
12 years ago

So you're saying Uncharted doesn't appeal to the mass market? I mean, it only sold 5 million copies with its last iteration. Definitely not mass market, huh?

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

I believe it depends on your own attitude towards the game. If you are a fan there can hardly be too much hype. However, if you are not then it's a different matter.

I am 100% sure that the hype preceding Uncharted 2 spoiled what otherwise could have been a nice experience for me. But according to the hype I should expect a totally ground breaking experience, a game like no other, leading the way for all other games to follow.

The anti-climax when starting that game and discovering it's just the traditional, old linear game formula wrapped in good looking graphics was unbearable. It totally ruined everything for me personally.

But Alienage has a very good point above: It was the *fans* and their unconditional, greatly exaggerated hype that essentially ruined it for me, not the promotion material, screen shots and promo videos from ND.


Last edited by Beamboom on 10/15/2011 2:13:47 AM

Lairfan
Lairfan
12 years ago

You're kidding me, right? You thought Uncharted was gonna be some open world adventure game? What kind of fan told you that crap?

Btw, Uncharted had very large environments. Yeah, you were restricted to only going one way through those environments, but you can't tell me that several of those environments weren't wide open and offered several places to take cover and fight from.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

I won't mention any names and it's irrelevant anyway, but yeah, Uncharted 2 were hailed by *several* on this site to almost be the next generation gaming. The benchmark for all future releases. The future of gaming. An achievement reached by no other game. The hype/expectations pre-release were almost absurd to anyone but the die-hard fans.

I did not expect an open world game. I am not stupid. But I did buy into some of the hype and expected a LOT more than just a plain old-fashioned linear adventure with pretty graphics. Linear adventures is not the future of gaming, it's the past.


Last edited by Beamboom on 10/17/2011 8:59:10 AM

saini
saini
12 years ago

i agree with Gordo… but i think Sony always does this i mean not too much publicity for there titles just enough to get some attention & never hyped anything than Killzone2 (E3 CG trailer)


Last edited by saini on 10/15/2011 2:18:16 AM

swapnilgyani
swapnilgyani
12 years ago

Yes, overhype of anything is a bad thing. The product, however awesome, can crumble under the weight of false expectations set up by the hype.

Let's admit it, we at PSX here have been guilty of making absolute assertions of how awesome U3 already IS.

Why?

mk ultra
mk ultra
12 years ago

I agree that overhype can be a bad thing because it can leave some feeling let down. But as Ben put it there is some truth in the old "there is no such thing as bad publicity" saying.

As for all of us thinking U3 will already be amazing without ever putting hands on it. I think that has something to do with the track record of ND.

wasim
wasim
12 years ago

If there is 1 game which truely deserves all the hype then it has to be Uncharted 3. The game is the best game ever made this gen or perhaps ever

clockwyzebkny
clockwyzebkny
12 years ago

I believe Uncharted 3 and the series for that matter is UNDERHYPED. I think that it's one of the best series ever in gaming and it deserves all the accolades it's getting and more!
Let me put it like this more people know about and praise the Halo, COD and Gears series Not to say that they don't deserve it but I've played all except the last entry of GoW and Halo. And Uncharted tops all the other action/adventure games on the market.

Hynad
Hynad
12 years ago

I totally agree with you there.

Uncharted is my favorite current gen franchise. I don't count the number of times I've completed both games!

Oxvial
Oxvial
12 years ago

No this isn't like GeoW3 or CoD.


Last edited by Oxvial on 10/15/2011 11:54:23 AM

OverBerg
OverBerg
12 years ago

At this point, people know Uncharted. People know it will be a great game whether or not reviewers score it how they think they should have. I think using more publicity to capture the sales of those who currently live under a rock and haven't heard about the series yet is just fine. Why not?
Having Nathan Drake trying to sell me a 5 dollar footlong!!???? mmmfffgghh… I just threw up in my mouth a bit.

DemonNeno
DemonNeno
12 years ago

Yup. Overhype = Bad. In most cases, overhype gives people a reason to nag and moan when the game is GREAT! Example? GT5. It lack in incredibly small areas and the complaints aren't serious at all.

ND has made incredible strides with the series, though. It's not like ANY of this "hype" that has built up around it is based on skeptical progression. This team is absolutely dominating what the PS3 has to offer AND creating a very linear cinematic (not game play itself.. think about that) story that is told. The overall fit and finish of this game screams Hollywood!

Regardless of the chatter, I'm keeping my head clear of any talk. I'll know what to think after the first night of binge gaming. 🙂

saintaqua
saintaqua
12 years ago

CoD:2012 has zero interest to me.
I will continue to feel hyped about Uncharted until the franchise disappoints.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

I think I'll stay of of this discussion, just in order to not create any hype, of any kind, for anything.

Hynad
Hynad
12 years ago

I wholeheartedly agree with this editorial.
We see a lot of games being reviewed these days that seem to get a free pass because they're part of an extremely popular and over-hyped franchise. Call of Duty being the obvious example of that.

What I hate though is that many such games get that free pass even though they're basically taking baby steps to move the genre forward. They're being acclaimed for being the greatest refinement of an already proven formula while other games proving to be just as refined polished as these über popular franchises will be knocked down for basically being "more of the same" compared to their prequels…

Surely there is something not right there. And it annoys the crap out of me.

Change of subject: I applaud Naughty Dog for not going into that boastful PR mode that the ones at Crytek, iD and EA Digital Illusions CE (among others, but those are the worse culprit) are so eager to take part in by pretending their game is the gen's apogee of visual awesomeness and whatnot…

Naughty Dog is staying humble while still showing excitement for what they're creating, yet they remain openly nervous about the pressure that the prequel naturally laid on their shoulders. Those guy LOVE what they're doing, LOVE their fans, and it shows in their products AND their public behavior.

They're setting an example and I think a majority of western developers should take a cue from them.


Last edited by Hynad on 10/16/2011 4:18:35 PM

Lairfan
Lairfan
12 years ago

No, not really. Its getting just the right amount of attention IMO, and the Subway commercials are definitely getting its name out to the people who haven't heard of it before. In short, I really like how Sony's handling the hype/marketing of Uncharted 3.

Now, if we're talking about BF3 or MW3, a resounding yes to them being overhyped.

theReigen
theReigen
12 years ago

i dont buy any hipe
ive learned my leson from gta4
but from what ive seen so far, uncharted3 looks like a better game than uncharted2 was
if the hype will be justified or not, either way i must know what hapens in uncharted3s story
so i preorered it

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