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Okami needs to sell or no sequel News
Wii PlayStation 2 News by Tom Bramwell
Capcom needs to sell lots more copies of Okami before it will contemplate a sequel, according to VP of strategic planning Christian Svensson.
"I think we need a lot more people buying the current version before we seriously consider a sequel," Svensson told the Capcom-Unity forum.
Asked about worldwide sales of Okami (and Wii title Zack & Wiki), he added: "Alas, unless our investor relations team gives out the numbers, I can't do so. And in both cases, they haven't."
Later in the thread, though, Svensson also responded to one forumite's exasperated comment that the game is hard to find in Europe.
"We brings things to retailers to sell... retailers decide what to put on their shelf and how much of it.
"Obviously, we push as hard as we can to make that happen. Sometimes retailers opt to not take product or they take only a small quantity.
"And how good the game is, unfortunately is only a part of the equation."
How good is Okami? Well, Capcom's Zelda-inspired action-adventure earned 10/10 from us - twice. Kristan fell in love with it on PS2 and Keza felt much the same way about the Wii version.
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kissthestick
29/07/08 @ 08:03
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still have the ps2 version, bought the wii version, completed it and sold it for good profit
am i part of the problem? :)
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 29/07/08 @ 09:03
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Der_tolle_Emil
29/07/08 @ 08:07
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I almost bought a PS2 for this back when it came out. I didn't. I do have the Wii version however and I haven't touched it yet. I don't have to work on Friday though so that means I have a long weekend and I'm really looking forward to play as much Okami as possible.
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Hm. I can't see a "casual gamer" spend lots of time with this game. I think they want instant gratification through cartoony gfx, "comprehensible" controls etc. Nintendo sells loads of Wiis to easily impressed people which, I think, don't buy that many games in the long run. That's where the casual comes in I guess... but what do I know. :-)
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I hope all those 'core gamers who own a wii and complain about there not being enough games on the wii have bought this... or plan to buy this, it deserves to sell so much more then it has, like BG&E (which fortunately is getting a sequel :D)
A beautiful game with great gameplay and quirky humour, not to be missed by anyone with a PS2, a BC PS3 or a Wii! :) |
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I actually bought a PS2 just to play this, and even though I cursed all the way through, because it wasn't on the Wii, I don't think I will buy the Wii version now... There isn't that much replay value..
But I'll tell you one thing. Adventure games doesn't come as good as this more than once every decade... BUY! |
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the_dudefather
29/07/08 @ 08:46
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I might have to try this again, played it for a hour or two before but didn't really get into it
it felt like it was a good enough game, but the fancy filter and art direction suddenly makes it THE BEST GAEM EVER! /hides |
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Nick_JC1 does have a point. the over the top Japanese art style is just not appealing to most people. Add to that the game had zero marketing both on PS2 and Wii (as far as I know) it's no surprise the sales aren't great.
I've not played Okami, but always been intrigued by the sweeping praise it gets (maybe if PS3 goes BC I'll pick it up at last) but despite the universal acclaim is not hard to see why the public didn't really bite TBH. |
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If UK sales of the Wii version are anything to go by, it has sold poorly as I seem to recall it entered the All-Formats Chart as a low position (33rd?) and then dropped out the chart altogether the next week. Not very encouraging really for such a wonderful game. :(
I bought the PS2 version a year ago and still bought it for the Wii as it that's good. This is a perfect example of a really, really good game failing to sell (EA take note!). Whether that's down to consumer tastes or lack of promotion, I'm not sure. Was this game even advertised over here... I don't recall ever seeing an advert for the game in magazines or on TV...? :? Ironically, this might a game that doesn't appeal to the Wii masses who are presumably mostly casual gamers but it's exactly the thing that we core gamers (who appear to be in the minority) are screaming out at Nintendo for. |
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OrgasmicMutton
29/07/08 @ 08:57
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You know what, I'm usually the first to complain about the art direction of Japanese games. I was almost turned off Zack and Wiki because of its graphical style but ended up thoroughly enjoying it because it was such a well thought out puzzle game. No More Heroes is one of the very few games I've flat out refused to play purely based on looks as I think it's utterly ugly.
However I didn't get that at all with Okami. I love the art style. Indeed the only turn off at the start was the annoying blathering voices in the background; but having previously just played the even more annoying Zack and Wiki it wasn't long untill my brain just filtered them out! Sure the first couple of hours weren't going to set the world on fire but they were just a brief introduction; not much worse in my mind than the start of any Zelda game. Shame it's not selling and that (if the average playtime figures on the Nintendo channel are anything to go by) those who are buying it aren't experiencing the whole of this wonderful adventure. |
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rogermellie
29/07/08 @ 09:08
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I bought the PS2 version, but sadly none of friends or family did.
Surely the more mainstream gaming becomes the less likely these kind of games will be made. Maybe next time they should use FIFA or Need for Speed for the box art. |
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andywilkie35
29/07/08 @ 09:10
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i bought the ps2 and wii version, coz its that good
its a shame that a lot of people can't like a game unless its got guns and homo-erotica in it |
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Ok, im probably gonna get lynched for this, although perhaps not seeing as I have a copy of Okami. But I honestly think its one of the most overrated games this generation. Sorry, just my opinion i know lots of people like it, I just cant bring myself into thinking its much fun while im playing it.
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CapnCloudchaser
29/07/08 @ 09:23
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I haven't even played it, yet alone bought it. Sorry, I would like to, but other games come first for a skint student :D
It's certainly on my never ending 'must buy' list though. |
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michaelius
29/07/08 @ 09:24
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They should have changed Issun in Wii version to small flying Mario then they would sell milions :D
It;s depresing to see how such a beatifull and briliant game fails due to mindless masses wanting only mainstream crap. |
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Bought the PS2 version last week. It's so unutterably good that I'm toying with the idea of getting a Wii just to play the Wii version. C'mon Capcom, you may not have sold trillions of the thing, but I guarantee you a large percentage of people who bought a copy of the first game will be the follow up!
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I'm currently playing thought Okami (Wii) at the moment and I love it, but some of the above commentators have a point about the start of it, it's too text heavy and the graphics and art design are almost overwhelming. It took me a good hour at least before I finally felt comfortable playing it.
Now I've gotten over that "hump" it's one of the most enjoyable games I've played for the Wii, for anyone disappointed there wasn't a new Zelda announced at E3, get this instead, it will definitely fill the gap. And even if there isn't a sequel, if games like Okami don't sell then developers and publishers quickly realise that they might as well churn out crappy minigame collections instead of "proper" games. |
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@ michaelius - It is and it isn't. It's more depressing to see large corporate behemoth's toss aside high quality IP because they can't get a criminally high return on investment out of it. The mainstream will always overlook titles like Okami, and to a lesser extent things like Ico. They are niche games. But only when the market has reached the size it has now, supported by the mainstream, can niche titles still attract an audience of sufficient size to justify modern day development costs. One percent of a worldwide audiece of 10 million is still a half decent ammount. So let the proles buy their FIFA Streets and their Need for Speeds, it just makes enoying games like Okami more of a personal experience.
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To be fair I think the Wii as a platform is a terrible choice for Okami. Give me some sales numbers of challenging games on the Wii that is not stamped with the Nintendo Brand. If not all, then a huge percentage of games totally fail on the Wii sales wise if it's not a casual and/or party game or has the quality seal that the Nintendo name is associated with.
I pray that Capcom do bring a sequal to PS3 or X360, but it is likely not going to happen. :( Maybe Okami on the DS would be a good idea? |
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@CapnCloudchaser:
I bought Okami on PS2 for £12 from HMV months ago. They've got a sale on (when havent they!) so try and see if your local one has it. As for those annoyed by the long intro (and in some cases decided NOT to buy the game on that argument), have any of you played the Metal Gear Solid games? I can understand wanting to play a game straight away but have some patience, you are rewarded for it! Even I got a bit frustrated at first but once I got into the game I forgot about it. @ Mr_V: You've got a MASSIVE point there man. If the guys from the now defunct Clover cant somehow come together for it, Im not sure a sequel would be a good idea anyway. Its such a shame that many unique and innovative games dont sell (Sony decided to release ICO a second time when Shadow of the Colossus was released and people STILL didnt buy it). The irony seems to be that once out of print, people go crazy for them on Ebay (Kula World, We Love Katamari etc). I just dont understand it! x |
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I've been trying to sell Okami to everyone I meet. But the thing is I'm not sure if I want a direct sequel of some sort. Part of the beauty of it was that it was new and unique, so turning into a franchise wouldn't quite be the same.
Saying that, I'm sure I'd be all over another one. I'll probably pick up the Wii version to go with the PS2 copy I have because it's so wonderful. Also means I can show it to more people. |
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tomjoadsghost
29/07/08 @ 10:41
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Maybe if capcom were *so* interested in producing a sequel to okami they should have considered not dismantling clover, as it is any sequel they did produce would be a sequel in name only anyhow.
Isnt it weird how whenever any game is lauded as being original everyone automatically asumes that we want a conveyor line of sequels to the thing, surely thats the point missed in the first place. |
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@Rufus
I think it is because the intro is badly executed. You are thrown into this sea of colour and blurriness and the conversations goes on forever and you quickly get a bad impression from the game. It's a whole lot different that Metal Gear which always makes sense, and have very short to-the-point conversations. (Now take that sentence and reverse totally reverse it, but I still don't think you can compare it to MGS, as it is an established brand) |
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Such a shame that the marketing campaign was near non-existent. Very stupid strategy from Capcom in my opinion. Releasing the Wii version amidst all the other games that were competing, AND not even bothering to advertise it properly tells me that they didn't learn anything from the PS2 release. I'd like to put it down to bad luck, but in truth, it's the marketing which must be blamed.
Please please please, Wii owners. Buy this game. You will not regret it. And I want the sequel. |
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@ MORZTAN:
"I think it is because the intro is badly executed. You are thrown into this sea of colour and blurriness and the conversations goes on forever and you quickly get a bad impression from the game". Yeah I guess your right, though it certainly didnt give ME a bad impression. I'm a patient lad y'see. Being a Guinness drinker, I dont mind waiting for things that are great :) |
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Vertical Stand
29/07/08 @ 12:16
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"It's more depressing to see large corporate behemoth's toss aside high quality IP because they can't get a criminally high return on investment out of it. The mainstream will always overlook titles like Okami, and to a lesser extent things like Ico. They are niche games. But only when the market has reached the size it has now, supported by the mainstream, can niche titles still attract an audience of sufficient size to justify modern day development costs. One percent of a worldwide audiece of 10 million is still a half decent ammount. So let the proles buy their FIFA Streets and their Need for Speeds, it just makes enoying games like Okami more of a personal experience."
Spot on tigigreeny, the sign of a mature market is one that can sustain creators of multi-million mainstream titles and unconventional, niche, even cultish titles without the companies going bankrupt everytime they try to stand out from the crowd. All these gains of the Wii are useless if we cannot get to a situation where companies like Clover aren't supported by both gamers and publishers alike, let alone companies who want to go it alone without a big publisher to back them up. My hope is that digital distribution, be it PSN, Wiiware, Xbox Live, Stream will allow developers to avoid having to cater towards unrealistic expectations regarding presentation, and focus on delivering original content direct to the gamers, and have enough gamers want to support them, with long tail gains via positive word of mouth, enough that they earn money direct that enables them to stay afloat, or even turn a tidy profit.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 29/07/08 @ 13:17
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Quint2020...
if that is the case why didn't it even sell on the ps2? face it the game is niche, add to that any game releasing on any platform with no advertising and being a full price port is going to struggle. however, i bought the game, thought it was really good up until the end where they shift the goalposts one time too many, so i just stopped playing where i thought the game should have ended so that my opinion of the game wouldnt drop too much. loved it while it lasted though |
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"Actually, I thing NickJC1 has a point.
My friend watched the intro and decided he didn't want to buy the game. And he is, if there ever was such a thing, a hardcore gamer." Nevermind! This thread just convinced him to buy it anyway, and he did just five minutes ago :D No shit! Now: Where´s my sequel Capcom? :) |
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