2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

[daflyboys]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

Very telling, baa. It makes one wonder if 2K didn't do much test market research or even just simple polling of sports video game fans. It's almost like they assumed that we don't want the complication, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

[baa7]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

It makes one wonder if 2K didn't do much test market research or even just simple polling of sports video game fans. It's almost like they assumed that we don't want the complication, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

2K/VC stated for both MLB 2K9 and NHL 2K10 that their strategy is to make their games attractive to the pick-up-and-play gamer. I'm guessing that's some new corporate plan to take back the chunk of the gaming market they've lost the past few years. The vast majority of the gaming public are no doubt kids who love to hit homeruns every at-bat and score a dozen goals a game. So they release demos specifically designed to accomodate that crowd.

[kerosene31]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I don't think that is too much to ask only if the other game is doing that. Is 2k being held to a higher standard or is what you are asking standard for sports game demos. Again, a serious question.

NHL 09 finally had multiple difficulty levels in their demo last year.

This is something that all sports games have been guilty of.

The problem with 2k hockey is their demos don't represent the final game. People can't change the slider presets off of "arcade" or whatever, so they never see what the game really can do with realistic settings.

A demo of any game on a super low difficulty might as well not even be released. You don't see the AI and real gameplay.

You know as much as anyone how many people blast 2k hockey yet never play the game beyond the demo.

[savoie2006]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

You don't know how many people I've told almost that exact same thing Kerosene. It seems that most don't realize and or don't care that 2K has always been slider oriented. Thank god for slider uploads again this year as some of the casuals renting the game can upload some sliders really quick and see how the game really works with a good set. They definately need to allow slider adjustments in the demo this year.

[tyler289]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

You don't know how many people I've told almost that exact same thing Kerosene. It seems that most don't realize and or don't care that 2K has always been slider oriented. Thank god for slider uploads again this year as some of the casuals renting the game can upload some sliders really quick and see how the game really works with a good set. They definately need to allow slider adjustments in the demo this year.

How sad is it that you're submitting to never-ending slider-editing before the game even drops? That says everything you need to know about 2k hockey.

Sliders are a huge help and make many games much better but if you're already saying the game will be unplayable out of the box then that just makes me shake my head.

[savoie2006]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

How sad is it that you're submitting to never-ending slider-editing before the game even drops? That says everything you need to know about 2k hockey.

Sliders are a huge help and make many games much better but if you're already saying the game will be unplayable out of the box then that just makes me shake my head.

I'll bet you both games are unplayable out of the box, as both are generally very arcadish out of the box. Why? For the casual fans. 2K knows that it's hardcore hockey fans will adjust the sliders to find the gameplay they like.

[tyler289]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I'll bet you both games are unplayable out of the box, as both are generally very arcadish out of the box. Why? For the casual fans. 2K knows that it's hardcore hockey fans will adjust the sliders to find the gameplay they like.

I use sliders in my offline dynasty but I also play a lot of regular online games (default sliders) and it is far from unplayable. There are glitches and cheesers but it's still FUN to play, even if you're sim.

[savoie2006]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

To me the defaults are fine for online if you are playing team play, then you get a more sim experince even though the gameplay is a bit fast. At least that way it's human AI instead of Cpu AI, which isn't always better necessarily. Thanks to the glitchers and cheesers.

[Eddie1967]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

NHL 09 finally had multiple difficulty levels in their demo last year.

This is something that all sports games have been guilty of.

The problem with 2k hockey is their demos don't represent the final game. People can't change the slider presets off of "arcade" or whatever, so they never see what the game really can do with realistic settings.

A demo of any game on a super low difficulty might as well not even be released. You don't see the AI and real gameplay.

You know as much as anyone how many people blast 2k hockey yet never play the game beyond the demo.

Interesting. I was not aware that EA game offered this in the NHL demo. Everything you said makes sense, I guess I always think about the customer like me who is buying no matter what.

It's a shame that people don't go beyond the demo. At least renting the game but I guess if you think the demo sucks you more than likely won't give the retail version a chance. 60 dollars is not throw away money nowadays so I understand that.

[comeonyouspurs]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I It's great that it was finally fixed, as was separate line changes and board play, but those are the things that make a video game a true simulation IMHO, not how hard or good the A.I. is.

Eh, in sports games the AI is the most important aspect. If the AI is suspect the whole game and simulation experience of a sports game is ruined. For me anyway.

The other aspects over control are important too. But teamate and CPU Ai is the most important thing.

[Flyermania]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

Eh, in sports games the AI is the most important aspect. If the AI is suspect the whole game and simulation experience of a sports game is ruined. For me anyway.

The other aspects over control are important too. But teamate and CPU Ai is the most important thing.

Totally 100% agree. The A.I. is a huge determining factor on if a game is a sim or not. Dumping the puck, setting up an offense in the zone, creating traffic in front of the net to screen the goalie and generate rebound chances...this is what real hockey is all about. If a game doesn't even attempt to recreate this, it 's not simulating the sport at all.

[Eddie1967]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I think with the great blogs, videos etc. that we have received this about 4 weeks away from release should put to rest the notion that 2k doesn't know how to market. I always had faith that their marketing team had it all under control. Oh what a week it has been. I would rather have the information now then in may or June. That is way too early for a game that releases in September. Not to mention the outstanding information we have received. It's enough to keep people's interest until then IN MY MOST HUMBLE OPINION.

[Flyermania]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I think with the great blogs, videos etc. that we have received this about 4 weeks away from release should put to rest the notion that 2k doesn't know how to market.

Why would you let your competitor get a 2-3 month head start trying to attract potential sales? Especially when your competitor has simply destroyed you in reviews and sales since the games went to the next-gen systems? That makes absolutely no sense.

Not taking anything away from the info that they have put out as of late as it has been fantastic, but they still need to re-evaluate their marketing strategy.

[Eddie1967]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

Why would you let your competitor get a 2-3 month head start trying to attract potential sales? Especially when your competitor has simply destroyed you in reviews and sales since the games went to the next-gen systems? That makes absolutely no sense.

Not taking anything away from the info that they have put out as of late as it has been fantastic, but they still need to re-evaluate their marketing strategy.

I hear what your saying but I just don't think 2-3 months ahead makes a difference. I think the question is does it cost more to advertise that early and that long. If it does then IMO it's simply not worth it. EA has been putting out info for a while now, and yes it's improved and looks very good, etc., but now with 2K putting out the info they have the last week, I would say (without playing either of course) that 2k's looks like the most improved game. I think more (not the majority) people will feel this way with plenty of time to decide which game they want to get. I don't understand the feeling among customers to make a decision in May for a game that releases in September. Like you said the the information has been fantastic. EA does have a cult like following for their games so that makes it harder to sway some people and I feel that if they are not swayed by the 2k info that's coming out now, they wouldn't have been swayed in May.

[RealmK]

Re: 2k VP of Marketing Interview...(Video)

I hear what your saying but I just don't think 2-3 months ahead makes a difference. I think the question is does it cost more to advertise that early and that long. If it does then IMO it's simply not worth it. EA has been putting out info for a while now, and yes it's improved and looks very good, etc., but now with 2K putting out the info they have the last week, I would say (without playing either of course) that 2k's looks like the most improved game. I think more (not the majority) people will feel this way with plenty of time to decide which game they want to get. I don't understand the feeling among customers to make a decision in May for a game that releases in September. Like you said the the information has been fantastic. EA does have a cult like following for their games so that makes it harder to sway some people and I feel that if they are not swayed by the 2k info that's coming out now, they wouldn't have been swayed in May.

It doesn't really cost much of anything to take a handcam, take some raw gameplay footage and toss it up on youtube or a company owned site. If nothing else it appears 2k has finally caught up features wise, now weather or not that translates to actual gameplay remains to be seen. Its also very dependent on if the changes and fixes VC has made this year actually work as intended in the first place.

Keep in mind hype is also a big factor, EA clearly has the hype on their side more often than not regardless of quality. Getting info out early and in a steady stream is generally the best way to built said hype. Waiting 4 weeks before the game is on the shelf generally doesn't bode all that well at least on a build up factor. It also generally doesn't help when your marketing tag line is centered not only on the Wii but on casual pick up and play rather then a focus on an authentic true to life simulation.