Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

[flamangatang2k5]

I just read on the home page that Madden sales have declined this year. And with NBA 2k looking to have made their best basketball title yet and including MJ in the game, is it possible for them to have a down year.

Or, is the reasoning behind Madden's sales going down (possible lack of change in the game from year to year) the only thing holding that franchise back and not the economy.

Would this be a good time for EA to let go of that NFL and NCAA license, allowing for better competition which should improve their own game? I would love to see 2k have another shot at a college basketball, football, and NFL football game.

[Forever_Young83]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

I doubt it Man, look at last years sales with kobe on the cover.The game sold like crazy, now we have the Greatest player of all time on the cover, i think sales will eclipse last years.

I don't have anything good so say about Madden, so i will say nothing.

[Positive Chance]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

Well, ummmm ... Madden is .....
And 2K is ... Great?

[TUSS11]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

2K11 is going to sell like crazy. No question.

[infam0us]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

You asked would 2k11 have bad sales if its a great game but you used Madden as an example.

I don't want to go off topic much but Madden 11 is not a great game. There is a reason the sales are down.

There was a topic on here previously where you had a few guys that said they're getting the game just because of Jordan and we're people who dissect everything about the games we want to purchase but Jordan alone is enough to buy the game for people on here. Jordan sells therefore 2k will sell, sales should be fine.

[P21J]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

I think the hype around 2k this year is MASSIVE. Not only because its the new NBA 2K game, but because the GOAT is on the cover. I just can't see 2K11's sales being lower than 2K10's IMO...

[threes_co]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

2K11 is going to fly off the shelves. MJ + Heat + Improved gameplay = Hit game

[youvalss]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

I think that only the economy can have any negative effect. Other than that, I don't see a reason why it should not sell well.

[Kaanyr Vhok]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

Madden didnt have bad sells. Down from previous years isnt bad when you are selling like Madden does. The economy is bad, piracy is booming and games are overpriced so I expect 2k11 to sell less than 2k10 but still sell close to 2 mill.

[Sam Marlowe]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

When you look at what happened with Red Dead Redemption (a phenomenal game) you'll see enough to know that if a game really brings the goods people definitely buy it. Madden is good example of gamers (hardcore and casual) not really buying to name value as much as they used to. And I'll say this, if Natural Motion continues to make solid improvements with Backbreaker, you'll see those Madden numbers drop even further. That entire situation is playing out just like 2k and Live circa 2000-2005.

[airjoca]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

Don't know how it will do in the US but:

I think Madden doesn't sell well worldwide because American Football isn't that popular outside of the US.

Basketball however, with MJ on the cover? Will sell tons worldwide.

[Kaanyr Vhok]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

When you look at what happened with Red Dead Redemption (a phenomenal game) you'll see enough to know that if a game really brings the goods people definitely buy it. Madden is good example of gamers (hardcore and casual) not really buying to name value as much as they used to. And I'll say this, if Natural Motion continues to make solid improvements with Backbreaker, you'll see those Madden numbers drop even further. That entire situation is playing out just like 2k and Live circa 2000-2005.

You are right. I didnt know Madden sells were that bad. It barely sold 1 million in its first week. Usally its close to pulling that on one platform alone. I agree Backbreaker is already a little bit of comp it makes Madden's passing feel too easy and the blocking/tackling feel last gen. Other than that it doesnt hold much in comparison but of coarse its their first game.

[PRAY IV M3RCY]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

If 2k is a great game it will definatly sell well, but i dont think it will reach Madden sales. Madden is just to overhyped. They treat that game like its a tradition to buy it every year. The problem with that is people are buying madden without giving a damn what flashy gimmicks they put in(gameflow,locomotion,pro take) and limited updates on frachise mode, superstar mode, or gameplay issues. 2k doesnt have that luxary yet, but getting mj into the game really helps. I wouldnt doubt it if 2k just kept Jordan as its cover athlete for the next few years.

[Cr0ss0ver]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

Judging by the Jordan jockage thats been goin on...i say no.

[Boilerbuzz]

Re: Is NBA 2k11 bound to have bad sales even if its a great game

Madden didnt have bad sells. Down from previous years isnt bad when you are selling like Madden does. The economy is bad, piracy is booming and games are overpriced so I expect 2k11 to sell less than 2k10 but still sell close to 2 mill.

"Bad" sales means that the sales are lower than they budgeted for. And considering the steady decline in sales for Madden since that deal - this is really bad news for EA. Considering they're ALREADY talking about price reductions, pack in deals with things like SI, and the fact that users have grown more and more discontent with the game, there's no way you can put a positive spin on their numbers. The economy hasn't been good for a few years now. It's time to move past that scapegoat as far as this game is concerned. And piracy is no more stronger than it always has been.

What does that mean for 2K11? Who knows. But the only way I see it not selling more than 2k10 is if the WHOLE basketball video game market takes a dive.