No Demo for NHL 2K10

[CarryTheWeight]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keirik

1. who's to say? How about the majority of people who don't even know 2k has a game, let alone purchase anything besides the conglomerate EA has become 2. people are so quick to take negative 2k reviews as gospel -how about this is just yet another bullet in the arsenal for the ney-sayers. Great job by 2k. 3. the fence sitters - The fence sitters are not the majority of gamers. The majority of gamers do NOT do rent before buy. If you're trying to say the 2k sales pitch was to not put out a demo to force people to rent before buying or go on positive feedback, then god help 2k once again. for the love of god, 2k every year takes one more step in the grave with both this series and their mlb game.

What if the game, God forbid, happens to be great? Yes, they probably won't get sales right away but if word of mouth spreads we could be talking about...

....wait. Here I go with the "word of mouth" stuff again. Highly, highly unlikely. Groundbreaking titles like Portal, "cult games" like Psychonauts and older NHL games like Hitz Pro thrive and survive on word of mouth. So far, we haven't seen if 2K10 has the "it factor" the games I listed above have. Heck, we don't know what kind of "factor" it has going for it in the first place!

So, to make a long story short, who knows what's going to happen. I used this line in a post about 5-6 months to a year ago, but Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains opened the song "Grind" with the line, "don't plan my funeral 'til the body dies". I say we wait to conclude how good or bad 2K10 is. Yes, the marketing leaves a heck of a lot to be desired...but we don't know whether or not this game or series will fail until it does. I'm certain many people here are upset but are still willing to give the game a shot. If you don't want to, don't bother. But you can't say it sucks until...it sucks. God forbid the game actually surprises you! And no, that wasn't a "fanboy statement", it's an optimist's statement. I'm just that kind of person.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flyermania

Most people would feel the opposite...that they don't have the confidence to put their product on display on a risk-free free demo basis. But what are you basing your opinion on? You've said yourself you haven't purchased EA's hockey game in years. You and I both know a demo is not a fair way to judge a title...same goes for 2k's games. A demo just isn't deep enough and doesn't give enough options. I'm not confused at all. You're missing the entire point on casual gamers...people that are on-the-fence about buying the game were looking at the demo to help them make their decision. You haven't purchased an EA hockey game in years, so the odds of their demo swaying you to purchase the game was slim. I still stand by my statement that no demo is a horrible marketing decision. More times than not, a demo can have a positive impact on the decision making process. You and I will both buy 2k10 regardless, but at this point 2k needs to win over as many consumers as they can to keep the series afloat. Just take look at the feedback in this thread...most people are unable to rent the game, and won't plunk down $50 on the game sight unseen. Word of mouth alone will not do the trick...2k's series had better reviews 4-5 years ago, but they still were dominated in sales. I guess you, Scott, and I will need to buy multiple copies.

I really believe if this game ROCKS! People will buy it. It is just what it is!

[Eddie1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flyermania

Most people would feel the opposite...that they don't have the confidence to put their product on display on a risk-free free demo basis. But what are you basing your opinion on? You've said yourself you haven't purchased EA's hockey game in years. You and I both know a demo is not a fair way to judge a title...same goes for 2k's games. A demo just isn't deep enough and doesn't give enough options. I'm not confused at all. You're missing the entire point on casual gamers...people that are on-the-fence about buying the game were looking at the demo to help them make their decision. You haven't purchased an EA hockey game in years, so the odds of their demo swaying you to purchase the game was slim. I still stand by my statement that no demo is a horrible marketing decision. More times than not, a demo can have a positive impact on the decision making process. You and I will both buy 2k10 regardless, but at this point 2k needs to win over as many consumers as they can to keep the series afloat. Just take look at the feedback in this thread...most people are unable to rent the game, and won't plunk down $50 on the game sight unseen. Word of mouth alone will not do the trick...2k's series had better reviews 4-5 years ago, but they still were dominated in sales. I guess you, Scott, and I will need to buy multiple copies. y

Yeah we might have to. I'm such a fan no one would believe a word I said about the game anyway. At least not in these forums.

I do understand the fence sitters not wanting to just throw away 50 bucks and finding the game at rental places is very hard to do nowadays. I said that the demo wasn't totally useless, but I guess the game play vids and the gaming sites will have to do.

I also understand that demos don't always do sports games justice. In the case of EA, I really like the game play but they haven't put enough into the presentation for me. If it was based just on the game play that demo would have sold it for me.

[JerseySuave4]

terrible strategic move. I'm not a big hockey gamer but i will be getting a game this year because hockey games are fun and from what i heard and read EA clearly had the better hockey game last year. I played the EA NHL demo last night and i was pretty impressed. So now that 2k wont even put out a demo i have no chance to try it before they come out and if EA was already ahead last year, and this years demo is good, i'm just going to go with EA then. I'm not someone that likes to rent games. I do research, try out the demos and then base my decision off that. 2k just lost a chance to get my money.

[MizzouRah]

To me, it makes me think they are not confident in their product.. that maybe something about the game just isn't right.

I hope I'm wrong... at this point though, I'm going to wait on impressions and reviews before putting down my $50.00. So much for my pre-order. I'm just not confident the game play is going to keep me interested.

[TIm]

Wow...Eddie and Scott... From this thread to the Video thread you guys are amazing... I recall someone creating a vid for you guys ... A series called the Love boat... You to should start your own thread and talk amongs yourselves in it.... Both of you are all over people who are mad, don't like 2k hockey, all kinds of things... You guys truthfully especially in these last couple of threads are really sickening... The lovefest is simply amazing to me... I'm all for a good product and you say not having a demo isn't a big deal.. Because Both of you seam to think this 2k10 game is amazing and it took guts for 2k not to release a demo...Even with this vid today how can anyone take 2k serious... You have had all talk so far with no vids.. Had developer insights and now vids showcasing what they are talking about...

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by TIm

Wow...Eddie and Scott... From this thread to the Video thread you guys are amazing... I recall someone creating a vid for you guys ... A series called the Love boat... You to should start your own thread and talk amongs yourselves in it.... Both of you are all over people who are mad, don't like 2k hockey, all kinds of things... You guys truthfully especially in these last couple of threads are really sickening... The lovefest is simply amazing to me... I'm all for a good product and you say not having a demo isn't a big deal.. Because Both of you seam to think this 2k10 game is amazing and it took guts for 2k not to release a demo...Even with this vid today how can anyone take 2k serious... You have had all talk so far with no vids.. Had developer insights and now vids showcasing what they are talking about...

Sickening; really? Oh well. I was going to lash back, but I will take the higher road. Peace.

[goh]

I was very much looking forward to NHL 10 then was horribly disapointed by the demo.
I was hoping the 2K demo would be good,now there's no 2K demo and I've lost compelete intrest in hockey games this year and won't buy either.

Great strategy there. Hey 2K marketing guys/whoever came up with "strategic move",wanna play some poker?