EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

[lowpaiddonkey10]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

Yeah it’ll be interesting to see what the marketing looks like for the last two or three weeks before launch. But then again, I’ve seen several members on here talking about canceling their preorders, yet they’re still on here talking about the game.

I feel like if the preorder numbers were concerning to EA they would be throwing out marketing material everywhere, so maybe those numbers are looking fine to them? Or it’s definitely possible that they’re afraid to show the game but I sure hope it’s the the former that is happening. None of us have insider knowledge on how to market a modern day sports game, so I’m trying not to look too much into the lack of marketing. I mean they’ve given us a road map on what to expect from them, so I’m not sure why we’re acting like they’re hiding or gone silent when they’ve clearly outlined what to expect in regards to gameplay.

Marketing soap or deodorant is marketing same as for a modern sports game. The way these guys have done this up to now sure as hell doesn't qualify them as experts in anything.

[ataranto2]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

@ataranto2

All good points

But what on Earth justifies showing us only screenshots (vs some short clips) at this point?

These instagram posts could and should include video clips of shots (or at least those should be there in addition to screenshots).

When they are showing us stuff -- but nothing "in motion", it feels to me like something is being hidden...especially since performance seems to be a possible issue (the whole FPS thing, etc)

I'm not sure what grand marketing strategy involves showing "only static things" with a couple weeks to go.

I agree that is definitely odd. I thought that the swings and general gameplay looked relatively smooth in the more recent courses deep dive video, so I don’t think a quick video of a player taking a shot would look too “awful” that they would need to hide it.

[ataranto2]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

Marketing soap or deodorant is marketing same as for a modern sports game. The way these guys have done this up to now sure as hell doesn't qualify them as experts in anything.

Well until one of us becomes a fly on the wall inside an EA office, I don’t think we’re in the right place to determine whether or not their marketing is effective enough on generating sales. Whatever they’re doing must be for a reason. What that reason is, is something we’re going to find out in three short weeks when we’re finally able to get our hands on the game.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

This all comes back to something that's come up before...they only need to market this game during the pre-release timeframe to certain segments of people. Diehard golf fans and gamers are not a group they really need to invest a lot of time targeting. It would be a waste, since most of the people in that group are already invested - or at least interested and will follow whatever marketing they do.

The people they need to convince are the "casuals" who get mentioned here a lot. These are the people who are aware of golf, might watch the majors and a few other events, know the big name pros, and like to play sports video games, too. Those are the ones who they are hitting with their social posts. Brands and sponsors, course names/logos, screenshots of the 17th at Sawgrass, 7th at Pebble, and 16th at Scottsdale, etc.

I honestly think they are following the exact same marketing plan they've had in place since the beginning, no matter if there were a delay or not. We all wish it were different, and that more gameplay footage would be shown and details shared, but they don't have to do that. That information will be out there soon enough, with the world of content creators and streamers who can do EA's marketing for them (for free) during "Early Access". Then those folks and their Twitch streams and YouTube videos can catch anyone that's on the fence right before "normal" release, and as the Masters are about to start.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

The people they need to convince are the "casuals" who get mentioned here a lot. These are the people who are aware of golf, might watch the majors and a few other events, know the big name pros, and like to play sports video games, too. Those are the ones who they are hitting with their social posts. Brands and sponsors, course names/logos, screenshots of the 17th at Sawgrass, 7th at Pebble, and 16th at Scottsdale, etc.

I agree

But this approach still doesn't make sense, especially if targeting casuals.

The "casuals" would be GUSHING over ridiculous hole out videos and some in-air spin clips and fist pump clips after a 12th birdie in a row to move into 6th place.... and other BS they seem to love -- much more so than just a photo and a graphic of logos, etc

It's not that EA aren't showing us stuff -- it's that it's all only "static" stuff ... on a title where we know already that performance seems to be in question (especially on consoles)

We actually don't even know if we've seen console clips yet, now that I think about it.
For all we know, to get the trailer to look the BEST -- They might have only shown us PC footage so far!

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

Look what just hit my inbox..



What a tremendous value add for the EA PGA preorder crowd
smh

"Preorder and get another game for free!! -- one that we are nearly giving away for free already!"

/s

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

I agree

But it still doesn't make sense

The "casuals" would be GUSHING over ridiculous hole out videos and some in-air spin clips and other BS they seem to love -- much more so than just a photo and a graphic of logos, etc

It's not that EA aren't showing us stuff -- it's that it's all only "static" stuff ... on a title where we know already that performance seems to be in question (especially on consoles)

Someone said this before, too...the more they show, the more they risk alienating another group that's already into the game.

If they showed more of the wild text animations of "ALBATROSS" or "HOLE IN ONE", showed a ton of odd dancing celebrations like Rory had, or made a bunch of footage of power boosts and mid-air backspin button mashing, they'd start to lose those who are in the "diehard" category who do want the sim experience.

EA has to find that balance, catering to the fans of pro golf who want a realistic game with the less serious players who want a fun experience (whatever that may mean for them, personally).

Show just enough to get all sides interested/excited, but don't show too much to give everything away - the good and the bad. At the same time, this builds anticipation...just like we are all here waiting with baited breath for more career mode info and gameplay footage.

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

I think all of us can talk ourselves into defending or deriding whatever EA does here..

We really don't know if it's part of a "grand strategy" or truly hiding a rushed title

One thing that's a real data point .... EA seemed pretty taken aback by the pushback about 30fps, no crossplay, no major swing changes as once promised .... the pushback on 30fps was quite strong from all angles.

That might have been an inflection point for them on marketing until launch.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

I think all of us can talk ourselves into defending or deriding whatever EA does here..

We really don't know if it's part of a "strategy" or truly hiding a rushed title

I don't think anyone is necessarily defending their tactics, but looking at what they have done to this point, they do seem to have a marketing approach. All their posts are focused at a certain segment of customers.

I want more gameplay, a full list of pros, a 30 minute video on every intimate detail of career mode...but that's not how sports game companies really do that today (save for maybe the MLB The Show devs). They'll offer just enough of these things to keep everyone interested without showing off the whole product.

"Keep them wanting more."

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

"Keep them wanting more."

Definitely doing that ... to the point that I'll be shocked if I'm not massively disappointed in what they finally release - lmao

(You probably meant "keep the casuals wanting more" -- it's fairly obvious EA don't care about the demographic that's mostly in here -- sadly)

[scagwi]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

What do you think about my PC vs Console footage theory?

Does anyone know either way what source material we've seen thus far?

Any of those folks that saw the game in person ever make comments about what hardware it was running on for their demo or anything?

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

What do you think about my PC vs Console footage theory?

Does anyone know either way what source material we've seen thus far?

Any of those folks that saw the game in person ever make comments about what hardware it was running on for their demo or anything?

No clue, to be honest. I don't recall anyone mentioning which system they played on or anything like that. No one really offered much in the way of any kind of info, other than what EA put on their site...must be some pretty strict NDAs these people had to sign or something!

[jim316]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

The Xbox Pre Order Game Download is Out and comes in at 45gb....

[jbd345]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

What do you think about my PC vs Console footage theory?

Does anyone know either way what source material we've seen thus far?

Any of those folks that saw the game in person ever make comments about what hardware it was running on for their demo or anything?

Trailers were definitely 30fps. So I’m assuming console. Course trailer looked better but definitely not 60fps, Better optimization after the backlash maybe? Either way I think they’ll use console version for trailers.

[Will I Am]

Re: EA Sports PGA Tour Delayed to April 7, Early Access April 4

Trailers appeared to be a very unsteady 30 fps.