The videogame sales results for the month of October are in, and DJ Hero was the flop it was predicted to be: it sold only 122,300 copies across four platforms (Wii, Playstion 2 and 3 and X-Box 360), the biggest sales coming from 62,000 copies sold on X-Box 360. ARS Technica has a piece up now that tries to dissect what happened with the game, which given Activision's track record, the positive reviews (like mine) and the large amount of promotion, should have had bigger sales.
The Technica piece cites all the usual reasons games flop (the price, the uncertainty of the content), but the more intriguing thing is that maybe the game flopped because DJ culture isn't as healthy as Activision assumes. While music-philes know DJ Shadow and Daft Punk, the average plebe off the street isn't going to geek at nine Daft Punk mixes and a playable DJ Shadow. To read the piece, go here.
I think it's because the Prefix contest to win it never ended, and everyone who entered it is still holding off on their purchase... At least, that's the case with me. :)
^^^ hahaha. yeah when is that contest ending daba?
I actually bought it and must say it's pretty dope!
November 18, 2009 at 2:22 p.m.
Chris
It is a little pricey especially since I purchased the Renegade Edition, but I definitely think it was worth it. The mixes and music alone are fantastic and its fun to be the "DJ". Online play is pretty sweet too as you are able to have a DJ battle. Fun game, keep the tracks and mixes coming!
I liked it, but I don't think I would have played it without getting it for free.
November 18, 2009 at 6:06 p.m.
Rob
"Chris" do you work for Activision. Your message sounds too corporate.
Isn't this simply going to be a case of viral interest leading to engagement then purchase? In others, I kinda bet that sales will be slow and steady (+ Xmas spike) as people get to try their friend's version. I agree that DJ'ing doesn't ahve the broad appeal that Rock Band has, but I'm sure Activision will do just fine.
Although there isn't a huge crossover between the general video game market and the target audience for these music simulation games, it has been an incredibly crowded video game market in the second half of the year (Batman, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Left 4 Dead 2 and Assassin's Creed 2, countless others). Beatles Rock Band was completely massive and dominated all other music simulation/casual gamer games. Did you know that Activision released Band Hero two weeks ago? Yeah, me neither. Throw in the recession and you have a market where it's extremely unlikely for someone to invest in a pricey stand-alone version of what seems like add-on content for a game format everyone already owns at least one version of.
November 19, 2009 at 3:38 a.m.
Chris
Rob, nope don't work for Activision but after reading my post I can see why you might think that. Agree with you that it doesn't appeal to a broader audience then the multiple player (more involved) Rock Band/Guitar Hero. Biggest reason for me liking DJ Hero is because of the songs/mixes, have to admit that some of them don't really go together though.
I think everyone bought the new Call of Duty. Wait, Prefix had a DJ Hero contest? fine, a winner will be picked this week.
December 2, 2009 at 1:47 p.m.
giorgio
The game is so boring. Bought and resold after one week.
January 21, 2010 at 10:36 a.m.
d.J. Doubledose
I tried it for free at the local best buy, first of all pressing buttons on top of an album as you mix is unheard of, they should've made it more realistic movement wise, second..this game can easily cause carpel tunnel becuse its like your constantly typing an office memo with the same 3 fingers over & over, in the real DJ world this just do'sent happen, in fact theres very little finger movement at all, theres mostley full hand movement when you dj a party. 3rd: you dont get to mix your own music..its all pre-mixed, prepared and just waiting to me played and scrathed, so the whole time your mixing songs you dont know, and dont like, I work at Target, we never had an in-store demo-display, and our DJ heros sold so bad the first two weeks we started letting 'em go at $88 apeice, they sold out in 2 days. This game is useless and it left my fingers more tired than my first date at the drive-in movie.
I think it was too pricey.