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Dead Space, Mirror's will be "successful" News
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by
Tom Bramwell
EA Games Europe's Patrick Söderlund reckons that Dead Space and Mirror's Edge will be considered "successful" based on their lifetime performance, despite a slow start contributing to a massive loss in the company's third quarter.
Asked by Gamasutra whether he agreed with analysts that EA's current drive for quality over quantity wasn't working out, based in part on the performance of both games, Söderlund said, "I think that's way simplistic.
"I think if you analyse games like Dead Space and Mirror's Edge for their lifetime performance, I bet you'll find them to be seen as successful."
Söderlund didn't explain why he believes the games will go on to become successful, but he did admit that EA "could have done a better job as far as ship timing on, probably, both of those", given the difficulty of launching new IP against established series like Gears of War and Call of Duty.
"I think that in the case of Dead Space, I think that we executed well on our quarter targets; probably better than we could have hoped for," he said.
As for Mirror's Edge, "Is it perfect? No. Are there things in there that we will address for future versions? Absolutely. Was it a good first attempt? Yes! That's kind of how I summarise it."
You can see how we kind of summarise it in our reviews of Dead Space and Mirror's Edge respectively. EA has already announced a Wii version of Dead Space, subtitled Extraction, and released some rather excellent DLC for Mirror's Edge in the form of the 9/10-scoring Pure Time Trial Pack.
The publisher has also said that sequels to both games are likely.
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quantumsheep
06/03/09 @ 11:20
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Got Dead Space the other day from Play for £17.99 - wanted a 'quick go' on it, and five hours later I put down the pad, scared of every shadow in the room.
Truly the atmosphere in that game is awesome. Which is ironic... etc ;) |
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Anthony_UK
06/03/09 @ 11:21
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Why don't publishers other than Nintendo try to push and re-advertise older games? Instead releasing everything at Christmas, then walking away from a title shrugging there shoulders wondering why there game hasn't sold as well as they thought, when they've released it the same time as a dozen other decent titles.
Both were brilliant games, and both could of had new lease of life with a new advertising push etc in these recent quiet months... |
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muscleblade
06/03/09 @ 11:38
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" Its Doom 3 with rubbish enemies and sluggish controls. "
The controls in Dead Space is perfect imo. |
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farticusmaximus
06/03/09 @ 11:44
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"Dead Space is what RE5 should aspire to be! Everything (except the story missions) was tight and enjoyable to play."
This to infinity and, weather permitting, beyond. Dead space was pure class from start to finish. Tense, atmospheric, visually stunning, beautiful controls, perfect pacing and it had a real identity, a coherent feel. |
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Pinewood_Groves
06/03/09 @ 11:47
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I'm pleased they're optimistic about these games, because I loved them both, but understand that a poor financial reception may make the publishers hesitant to back the series further.
Hoorah for EA! |
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Pac-man ate my wife
06/03/09 @ 11:51
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I picked up Dead Space the other day for £17.99 off Amazon. Only 3 hours in but absolutely loving the game - as people have said it's very Resident Evil-esque. It's beautiful to look at, the sound design is magnificent and the atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic.
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mcwildcard
06/03/09 @ 11:57
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Mirror's Edge was outstanding, if it doesn't get a sequel I'll be hugely disappointed, EA get a lot of stick, but they should be rewarded for sticking their necks out with new IPs like this. Super game, with excellent DLC that's actually worth the extra cash.
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Dead Space is excellent, it's the only true survival horror and only game i've played on the 360 that is actually scary! I'm shocked it didn't sell well, and it really should be flying now it's at £18.
I also enjoyed Mirror's Edge, but it's not faultless, and i think that type of game was never going to be a smash hit however fantastic it was. For these 2 games (and that they finally made Fifa excellent) EA had it's best year in 2008 in a quality of games sense, i for one hope they don't go back to churning out just sports game sequel when they've moved on to publishing fantastic titles aswell. |
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The_Inquisitor
06/03/09 @ 12:04
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I wouldn't be too quick to criticise EA for release their failings after releasing quality titles. The last thing we want is for them to go back to their ways of old. They have a much improved outlook which should serve them well in the long run.
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farticusmaximus
06/03/09 @ 12:23
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@ ZuluHero
"the terrible demo didnt help convince those of us on the fence..." This is oh so true. I thought the game stank based on the strength of the demo, but was convinced by friends to buy the full game anyway. |
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Uncle_Fishboy
06/03/09 @ 12:26
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@ Valis for saying this: Its Doom 3 with rubbish enemies and sluggish controls.
By saying that you have proved yourself to be pure cockmunch |
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mungolikebeans
06/03/09 @ 12:37
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Short on things to say this sunny friday Eurogamer??
"EA exec says his games will sell some more." Whoopee. Clucking. Do. |
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Doctor_What
06/03/09 @ 13:11
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I played the first hour of Dead Space and it wasn't really doing much for me, but I've seen a lot of people raving about it since. I suspect I should probably give it another go. I feel very fatigued of pipes, corridors, low lighting, and steam, so Dead Space was the opposite of a world I wanted to spend seven hours exploring.
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makeamazing
06/03/09 @ 13:18
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Mirrors edge isnt bad (7/10), if mega frustrating at times. There is a good game wanting to come out.. I think ti could be successful. Only played alittle of dead space so far. Seems not bad, need to get it again (rental) and give it a longer go before i commit to buying it, but certainly has scope to be a good game.
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farticusmaximus
06/03/09 @ 13:37
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"Mirrors edge isnt bad .. There is a good game wanting to come out"
I think the good game is in there already, it's just that there is also a very bad game in there stopping the good game shining through. The bad game is where there is any contact with enemies. They need to keep it about freerunning and puzzles related to freerunning. Playing the demo I was practically reaching for my wallet until guns appeared then I just ended the demo and deleted it. |
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Triggerhappytel
06/03/09 @ 13:53
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I hope both of these games get sequels. Dead Space was excellent, and while Mirror's Edge was frustrating, it also had loads of wonderful I ideas that I hope are developed in the sequel.
I hope each game goes on to break, say, 2 million in its lifetime. They definitely deserve good sales figures. |
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farticusmaximus
06/03/09 @ 14:36
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@DrDamn
I think the review of the DLC pretty much echoed that sentiment - it's what the game should have been from the start. It would have to be real cheap though, and there would have to be a gaming lull. Frankly I've still got a couple months worth of games to get through and a backlog of games I didnt pick up during the holiday glut. Some day though... some day. |
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NegativeZero
06/03/09 @ 14:48
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It's encouraging to hear publishers suggesting that maybe they shouldn't flood the market with their games at the end of the year.
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I imagine the poster knocking Dead Space for being Doom 3 only played the demo. I've only played the demo but have seen enough people saying the full game is amazing.
Ultimately, regardless of sales figures, I really really don't think anyone should be knocking EA too badly because they've taken an incredibly brave stance in developing these games when they could have just carried on churning out shit. |
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Vertical Stand
06/03/09 @ 15:07
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@Anthony Uk - SCEE has been advertising Motorstorm 2 on TV a lot recently, yet (unless I'm mistaken) it doesn't seem to have charted again, so it seems very difficult to get the stores to put them on display after release, let alone get punters buying them in any numbers.
Haven't anything to add really, cept that the originals will probably turn out to be loss leaders to profitable series, Dead Space more than Mirror's Edge but hope sequels for both emerge (and in the case of Mirror's Edge become the classic we all want it to be) all this talk from gamers is keeping the titles in focus. I bet people really will, bizarre as it seems - perceive less risk in buying a game with a number on the end with a previous title already out even if its the same as the original they ignored or bought at half price. |
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I can see where he's coming from. These are both games I intend to play sometime in the future. Of course, he shrugs aside the DRM business that has been tipping people away from EA releases in particular.
"Its Doom 3 with rubbish enemies and sluggish controls. " Only Doom 3 is Doom 3 with rubbish enemies and sluggish controls. |
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Deadspace was pretty great, although it could really have done without the crappy, tacked-on gravity gun and bullet time and the associated 'puzzles'.
I'd say its relatively poor sales were mostly down to EA's insistence on releasing it alongside a zillion other games in the Xmas season, although the crappy demo probably didn't help. Here's hoping they've learnt their mistake - it'd be nice to have a steady flow of games throughout the year rather than this crazy glut and drought situation. |
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the_inchworm
06/03/09 @ 16:27
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Another voice to the chorus of 'Dead Space owns' posters. I loved that game, and hard meant hard. It was properly excellent. I would have liked to see a bit more development of the player character, though.
If there were a Dead Space 2 I'd buy it in a second. |
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I'd say its relatively poor sales were mostly down to EA's insistence on releasing it alongside a zillion other games in the Xmas season, although the crappy demo probably didn't help. Here's hoping they've learnt their mistake - it'd be nice to have a steady flow of games throughout the year rather than this crazy glut and drought situation.
Something (20 years of big game releases coming at Xmas time) tells me they haven't. The "relatively low sales" were relatively low for Christmas time. If they'd released it during the summer, it wouldn't sell any more (probably) than it did, and it would likely sell less. Xmas releases suck for us gamers, but publishers won't change their ways because it is a tried and tested tactic to maximise profit that has proven itself in every country that celebrates Christmas.
Edited 3 times,
most recently on 06/03/09 @ 16:53
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Rangerwave
06/03/09 @ 17:48
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I just get angry the way EA boasted about releasing new IP before these games were released, and now that its out it seems they were made just so EA could go down the route of making them into franchises. They shouldn't be talking about Mirror's Edge, for example, as if it were some kind of pet project, because many consumers paid top whack for it, not £20 for a trial game.
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They're dickheads, absolute dickheads. Not just EA but the entire industry. Surely they will come to realise that releasing so many high profile games in the same concentrated space during the year will lead to astronomical success for some but disappointing failure for others, and that they could maintain the success and try and make the failures greater successes if they stagger the releases a bit more.
Hopefully the economy will make such a dickhead approach unsustainable for some of these companies, they'll realise it and then, hooray, everybody wins. |
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justanotherdave
07/03/09 @ 00:28
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Dead Space was my GOTY 2008 and loved Mirrors edge as well. They can't expect massive sales at Christmas, not when there are other good games out and people are tight for cash. Imo they should have done a re-release / ad push in Jan / feb for both games are fantastic titles and EA are right to say they were successful, even if in monetary terms they wer'nt
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