THQ's Future Rests on the UFC's Shoulders

I don’t know, but I can’t wait to buy this game, and would hate to see the engine scrapped after only one installment. With a little tweaking (and a whole bunch of feedback), the 2010 version could be absolutely ridiculous.

Grab the cage, low blow, ANNOUNCE SPLIT DECISIONS ONE CARD AT A TIME, etc

I frequent the Undisputed forums (it’s a shit hole but regardless of what people think, the developers do read the forums) and my honest opinion is that the estimate of 2 million copies sold is very do-able. Not only will all the hardcore MMA fans buy this just because it’s an MMA game, this appeals to the every day gamer, and the every day MMA fan. The game = hours of fun just for the demo, just ask anybody…they’ve beaten the crap out of Chuck and Shogun more times than they ever would if they had the full game…the amount of fun to be had is almost limitless.

THQ is on thin ice, but I think this title is going to make a brighter future for them. I started a “wishlist” on their forum that got stickied by the admin there, and he personally contacted me telling me the developers have the link to the thread and have been and will be looking there for all the input. If this game does well, they will be making it an on going series (this was confirmed in that same thread) and will most likely be making downloadable patches within the first couple of months of the games release.

THQ has a very solid foundation with this game, if they do HALF of the suggested improvements people have come up with…the game is going to be around for a very long time. Just to put into perspective, my Contemporary Issues teacher called me out and wants to fight on the game…I won’t be suprised if this game does of 2 million sales in 6 months.

Bought my copy in advance yesterday.

I don’t know what success in the video game buisness is, but I know that I’m considering buying a Xbox or PS3 just to play it. I know not every gamer like me is also a hard core MMA fan, but I think many many young males will get this game.

This could quite possibly be yet another of those “Madden” type games that has a new version every year. A company like THQ could probably live on a franchise like that alone.

I’m buying an Xbox just so I can buy the game an play it.

But a hit nonetheless. It will do well, but I am not sure if it will do the type of numbers THQ needs to survive.

Hopefully it will increase casual fans’ knowledge of the ground game.

I wrote about this (THQ’s troubles, the status of the UFC series, what they need to recover) about a month ago and was considering writing an article similar to this. The projected sales figure is too high, by my estimate. It could reach 2 million if it does big numbers in the UK, but that number is unlikely. Their expectation should be 1.2-1.5 million, with 2 million being top end. The reviews will go a long way in determining the sales projection between that range. If it nails 10’s in review scores (which, of course, they’ll say they expect), sure— it’ll sell 2-2.2 million. Based on the demo, I’d surmise that it’s going to land 8.5-9.0’s. That can feather either way, dependant on the replayability of the final product, the customizability of fighters/fight scenarios, the head-to-head balance (most critical) & online play (mostly how it handles input/lag). As it stands; based on the demo, I’d give it a 9.0. How the game plays with two human players will be crucial to the success of the game, both critically as well as economically.

I think the game is a lot of fun, and would be a lot of fun even if it didn’t have the UFC label. It’ll be solid hit for sure. Probably create a lot of UFC fans.

Not enough to save THQ

The demo has stayed in the top 10 on xbox live’s ‘most played’ list for 2 weeks in a row, that is a pretty big accomplishment considering full retail games are competing to stay on that list too. Games like Call of Duty, Gears of War, Halo 3, etc all regularly populate that list.

Those games have all sold in the millions (3-4+ million), so to compete with that, even if it’s a free demo, is a really good sign.

I have no doubt within a 9 month timeframe that 2 million is possible. A lot will depend on the support of the game past the release date (updates, bug fixes, downloadable content like fighters, locations, etc). We know next to nothing about the online portion which will really influence the game’s “Legs” in terms of sales.

I hope it does well, it has great potential to help widen the audience for MMA.

The hype is uge around the game, and the demo was so awesome I stopped playing my other games for a week lol. I hope it sells well because it’s a great product.