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

[savoie2006]

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

2K's marketing isn't a good idea when it comes to attracting the casuals and on the fence guys for sure, especially since EA has their hype going full force by the time 2K starts. I don't think doing the opposite would result in them outselling EA, as their NBA series still can't outsell Live and it's been the better game for years now. I think EA's loyal fanbase is too big. However, it would definately boost sales.

I'm with Scott though. If I get my info before the game is released and a demo, I'm happy with that. I hate getting info like EA's and waiting months to finally get my hands on the game. At least with 2K10, my excitment for the game will be about a month before I buy. I like that, even if not wise for drawing in new fans from EA.

[Scottdau]

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

2K's marketing isn't a good idea when it comes to attracting the casuals and on the fence guys for sure, especially since EA has their hype going full force by the time 2K starts. I don't think doing the opposite would result in them outselling EA, as their NBA series still can't outsell Live and it's been the better game for years now. I think EA's loyal fanbase is too big. However, it would definately boost sales.

I'm with Scott though. If I get my info before the game is released and a demo, I'm happy with that. I hate getting info like EA's and waiting months to finally get my hands on the game. At least with 2K10, my excitment for the game will be about a month before I buy. I like that, even if not wise for drawing in new fans from EA.

Yep, that is how I feel too. I am not a waiter, I want things now. Like that girl in the Charlie and chocolate factory. "I want it now"

[Eddie1967]

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

2K's marketing isn't a good idea when it comes to attracting the casuals and on the fence guys for sure, especially since EA has their hype going full force by the time 2K starts. I don't think doing the opposite would result in them outselling EA, as their NBA series still can't outsell Live and it's been the better game for years now. I think EA's loyal fanbase is too big. However, it would definately boost sales.

I'm with Scott though. If I get my info before the game is released and a demo, I'm happy with that. I hate getting info like EA's and waiting months to finally get my hands on the game. At least with 2K10, my excitment for the game will be about a month before I buy. I like that, even if not wise for drawing in new fans from EA.

My sentiments exactly. I don't need a 3 month advance on info to buy a game. I'm not sure why others need that. What's the rush with making a decision. I guess it could be an age thing.

[daflyboys]

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

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My sentiments exactly. I don't need a 3 month advance on info to buy a game. I'm not sure why others need that. What's the rush with making a decision. I guess it could be an age thing.

That's probably very true...... I got a taste of the "clientele" who may need that when I was waiting in line at GS yesterday to do a return. The geekiness involved with the quotations of what scores via what sites and what date it is being dropped and how the box art looked and yadda yadda yadda. I think this is the type of gamer who lives for the 3 month advance.

On the other hand, these game companies don't need to be so damned mysterious.

[savoie2006]

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

I can understand the other point of veiw though as well, especially if EA is clobbering consumers with Blogs and Videos. Hard to convince many people to buy a game, when you're two months behind the competition in marketing your game and they basically have people sold on buying their game. 2K needs to try their best to match EA with blogs and videos next year. As already stated, it's not like EA has spent tons of money marketing NHL10. They made videos within the studio and posted them with their blogs, not that hard really, and very effective apparently.

I mean look at how much attention 2K's Insight Blogs have drawn. Now if they had started those back in May and added some gameplay videos as well, we would have alot more people considering 2K10 as well.

[Flyermania]

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

My sentiments exactly. I don't need a 3 month advance on info to buy a game. I'm not sure why others need that. What's the rush with making a decision. I guess it could be an age thing.

Again, companies are not trying to target hardcore fans of the series as those purchases are pretty much guaranteed to begin with. What they are trying to accomplish is getting info out there so that casual fans, or perhaps more importantly fans who may be undecided on what game to buy, can become interested in their product.

Another key factor is that their main competitor is pumping out info, videos, blogs, pics, etc. on their game as early as possiblt trying to accomplish the same thing. Except their jobn is easier as their product already dominates in sales and also has higher game reviews. How is 2k going to overcome this and try to win customers back over to their game? Marketing.

The earlier and more robust a marketing plan, the better the chances are that they can win over more customers. This is a very simple and fundamental business concept.

[Eddie1967]

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

That's probably very true...... I got a taste of the "clientele" who may need that when I was waiting in line at GS yesterday to do a return. The geekiness involved with the quotations of what scores via what sites and what date it is being dropped and how the box art looked and yadda yadda yadda. I think this is the type of gamer who lives for the 3 month advance.

On the other hand, these game companies don't need to be so damned mysterious.

Yeah I was at gamestop the other day buying a used original xbox (must play the warriors) and after having conversations with them (mostly youngsters) I got the same feeling.

[Eddie1967]

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

Again, companies are not trying to target hardcore fans of the series as those purchases are pretty much guaranteed to begin with. What they are trying to accomplish is getting info out there so that casual fans, or perhaps more importantly fans who may be undecided on what game to buy, can become interested in their product.

Another key factor is that their main competitor is pumping out info, videos, blogs, pics, etc. on their game as early as possiblt trying to accomplish the same thing. Except their jobn is easier as their product already dominates in sales and also has higher game reviews. How is 2k going to overcome this and try to win customers back over to their game? Marketing.

The earlier and more robust a marketing plan, the better the chances are that they can win over more customers. This is a very simple and fundamental business concept.

I agree, that the casual fans would probably need more info to make a purchase. The question is why doesn't 2k feel a need to do this. Maybe their marketing of the Wii is the way to get to the casual fan. I know a lot of people who own that system, and it's not like they are making a watered down version of hockey for the wii. It looks like it will have all of the bells and whistles of the other systems. I think putting out more info would probably help but not 3 or 4 months before release. They can still put it out in Late July early August but have more detailed gameplay videos and blogs for the casual fans. That would be my solution.

[Flyermania]

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

I agree, that the casual fans would probably need more info to make a purchase. The question is why doesn't 2k feel a need to do this. Maybe their marketing of the Wii is the way to get to the casual fan. I know a lot of people who own that system, and it's not like their are making a watered down version of hockey for the wii. It looks like it will have all of the bells and whistles of the other systems.

Good point on the Wii...any idea on how it did sales-wise last year?

I think putting out more info would probably help but not 3 or 4 months before release. They can still put it out in Late July early August but have more detailed gameplay videos and blogs for the casual fans. That would be my solution.

You're missing the point though...if EA is already doing it that early, 2k needs to do it as well to keep their name out there. Branding your product properly is very important.

[CarryTheWeight]

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

Good point on the Wii...any idea on how it did sales-wise last year?

The Wii version did not sell well, which has to be a disappointment. I honestly thought it'd sell a lot more since it's the only game in town and the Wii is the most popular console out there.

VGChartz.com says the game only sold 0.03 million copies on Wii. Who knows if that's right or not. Some of the comments on the game's page at VGChartz disagree since the game apparently has not gone down in price since its release (probably hinting at stronger sales). Like I said, who knows.

[Eddie1967]

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

The Wii version did not sell well, which has to be a disappointment. I honestly thought it'd sell a lot more since it's the only game in town and the Wii is the most popular console out there.

VGChartz.com says the game only sold 0.03 million copies. Who knows if that's right or not. Some of the comments on the game's page at VGChartz disagree since the game apparently has not gone down in price since its release (probably hinting at stronger sales). Like I said, who knows.

If those sales figures are correct then that would explain their marketing this year towards the wii.

[RealmK]

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

If those sales figures are correct then that would explain their marketing this year towards the wii.

Last year's marketing was pretty much the same, not very much, geared towards the Wii and "bringing the fun back" and it didn't work out so well in the end. So of course the geniuses over in 2k's PR dept figured doing it the same way again would work better for some reason.

[TIm]

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

Wow....I hope we get some decent info today or tomorrow. We have had 2 developer insights which is all talk, and a couple of crappy rookie mode videos. Nhl10 is releasing their demo for some today and the rest next week I think. 2k, Can we get a video showcasing the Sim factor you guys claim are in the game???

[baa7]

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

Wow....I hope we get some decent info today or tomorrow. We have had 2 developer insights which is all talk, and a couple of crappy rookie mode videos. Nhl10 is releasing their demo for some today and the rest next week I think. 2k, Can we get a video showcasing the Sim factor you guys claim are in the game???

Ha-ha! I was just reading the thread on the EA forum about the NHL 10 demo being released, and was wondering how long it would take before people on this forum would start complaining.

[savoie2006]

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

Wow....I hope we get some decent info today or tomorrow. We have had 2 developer insights which is all talk, and a couple of crappy rookie mode videos. Nhl10 is releasing their demo for some today and the rest next week I think. 2k, Can we get a video showcasing the Sim factor you guys claim are in the game???

Ben Bishop, the Producer for NHL2K says they are working on gameplay videos for us. That they are fully aware of the situation. Could just be blowin' smoke and we may not see any for a couple weeks or so, but at least I got a response out of him.