Is EA doing a good job? -

Oddipus · #31 11-24-2004, 08:45 AM

Xavier, you are probably right when you say that the fans are informed, while 'normal' gamers are not. I can't give an objective judgement, since I'm a fan myself.

I have very little knowledge about PS2 games for instance. Do you really think people who browse xbox sites don't know about stranger? (And maybe even PS2 sites, since the PS2-release-announcement and cancelling.) I don't know that many gamers, but the few I know have heard of Stranger.

I'm probably a little too optimistic (especially when you say that even OWI doesn't like the way it's being promoted) but maybe you are a little too pessimistic. There are other titles nobody hears about untill the release. And from things I read on IGN and teamxbox and other sites, people are way more enthousiastic then they were with munch.

(All this could be because there is an Oddworld fan who is a newsposter on the most important Flemish games-news site. He makes sure there are enough Oddworld news-reports)

***Xavier*** · #32 11-24-2004, 11:02 AM

Well I think one of the problems is that EA only gives screenshots (about 130 up to today)
I think they should give some Conception Art or some Rendered Art, or things like that!!!

Volsung · #33 11-24-2004, 12:27 PM

EA can only advertise what OI give them, right? They probably don't want to give out concept art to push a game they've nearly completed, and EA's unlikely to spend time urging them to do so. The fact that its EA means they aren't doing a good job, as defined by their poor record and general MO.

On the other hand, xbox magazines are talking about stranger a good deal. There was a video on one of the little demo discs in the december issue of xbm or something of that nature. I don't know if EA is in charge of things like that or not, but in print, their getting semi-decent coverage. But no ads. (The video was "the good bad and the odd)

Odd Trusting · #34 11-24-2004, 12:31 PM

Xavier, I would love to see some Conception Art or some Rendered Art too. And how about advertising some commerials. Yeah Oddworld isn't big on commericals but they do put out some. I am waiting for those commericals! You know Oddworld is always heard of by gamers and is a very video defining game, just alot of gamers don't know what it is. So with a hint of advertising this new game can go flying off its feet

***Xavier*** · #35 11-24-2004, 01:02 PM

:

EA can only advertise what OI give them, right? They probably don't want to give out concept art to push a game they've nearly completed, and EA's unlikely to spend time urging them to do so. The fact that its EA means they aren't doing a good job, as defined by their poor record and general MO.

actually EA and Oddworld work together to promote the game (at least they should), so EA can normally ask pictures to OWI in order to promote the game.

All EA is showing is screenshots, we have got 2 artworks from them, nothing else. I think they should make a little bit more noise about the material they release, the 2 exclusive videos over at IGN are praticly unnoticable.

I want ART!!!

***Nate*** · #36 11-24-2004, 01:40 PM

:

Do you really think people who browse xbox sites don't know about stranger?

The only news Xbox.com has is that stranger was picked up by EA. No information, no videos.

***Alcar*** · #37 11-24-2004, 05:04 PM

GT Interactive, before it was brought out by Infogrames, was the best Publisher Oddworld ever had. But, then it was brought out by Atari. And who knows what will by out Atari. No one can say that EA are doing a good job with promotions. As stated, even Oddworld employees are upset with the way EA are handling things, both in promoting, and other key aspects like testing.

If EA wants more money from games, it has to advertise them at least. Can't they see that with Stranger being a First Person Shooter, that so many more people are going to buy it?

Alcar...

Volsung · #38 11-24-2004, 11:51 PM

Sorry Xav, my point was that concept art seems like a strange beast to use for promotional purposes. I posited that OI (being secretive this go-round) would probably prefer to keep the pre-production art for release after the game has hit, and that EA aren't really falling all over themselves to push Stranger period, much less to go the extra mile of getting art that isn't accessible without thought. I suppose my point was that EA sucks, and though they were smart enough to pick up Stranger, they're too dumb to get the word out.

As others have pointed out, an advertising campaign should at least be sneaking around the peripheral right now, telling it like it is and offering condolences to those not in the know. Watch; EA's going to wait until its too late to start advertising and then bemoan poor sales. (Made even more tragic by the conscious effort of OI to make Stranger more palatable to the public than any previous oddworld game) Really, if this is what comes from getting the game out earlier I think I could've waited until an honorable publisher picked it up.

***Alcar*** · #39 11-25-2004, 01:17 AM

There aren't that many honourable publishers around anymore. Lorne's mentioned it before, publishers are very skeptical about financing new IPs. I would have chosen a different publisher, to be honest, but then I can't think of many other publisher that I'd want to see Oddworld associated with either.

Atari's out the window. Microsoft was too.

Alcar...

***Cloverfield*** · #40 11-25-2004, 02:17 AM

Although I'd love to see concept art as well, I don't think it's appropriate for marketing purposes. Concept art is what fans like ... generic gamers want screenshots, gameplay info and perhaps some images taken from the FMVs. Basically stuff that will show off the graphics and will entice them to puchase something. Seeing a concept sketch isn't really "buy me" kind of material, but more something that should be released later on.

Abe Babe...

***Xavier*** · #41 11-25-2004, 10:21 AM

well I guess I do prefer Art a lot more then you guys...
I actually got into Fable at first because I like their art very much
I don't say that's why I got the game, but that's what first attracted my attention

Oddish · #42 11-25-2004, 10:51 AM

I also like the art too! Yeah, that's the second thing that cought my eye about oddworld, the first is the ideas they have. The Artistic side of oddworld realy make oddworld a interesing place, that's why so many people get into oddworld.

Lets just hope that EA is doing a good job, but EA are addicted to money, like lots of compays's. But OWI concrate on what they make, thats whats most inportant for them, thats why OWI are so succesful. Like many game developers, but we takling about publishers. I see don't the fun of being a publisher, OWI should be ther'e own publisher.

***Xavier*** · #43 11-25-2004, 11:07 AM

:

I see don't the fun of being a publisher, OWI should be ther'e own publisher.

you need tons of money to do that... I doubt OWI has that money
perhaps later, if they carry one making excellent games and that they earn lots of money, they will

***Alcar*** · #44 11-25-2004, 03:45 PM

Yeah, we had this discussion a while ago. Oddworld Inhabitants would need an astounding amount of money to be their own publisher. Besides, if they were to find a decent publisher, they could go very far. Although, Alf did mention on OWI's home page, in the November updates that "something" would be in store soon. So maybe EA aren't being as stupid as they possibly could?

But then Alf could be referring to the DVD.

Alcar...

oddguy · #45 11-25-2004, 06:58 PM

:

Alf did mention on OWI's home page, in the November updates that "something" would be in store soon. So maybe EA aren't being as stupid as they possibly could?

But then Alf could be referring to the DVD.

Alcar...

I liked Xavier's idea of Live Ammo plush toys.

-oddguy

***Xavier*** · #46 11-26-2004, 12:12 PM

:

Although, Alf did mention on OWI's home page, in the November updates that "something" would be in store soon. So maybe EA aren't being as stupid as they possibly could?

But then Alf could be referring to the DVD.

Alcar...

Or The Art of Oddworld book...
can't wait to spend my money on some oddworld stuff

***Alcar*** · #47 11-26-2004, 05:53 PM

Oh, I didn't think to think of the Art of Oddworld book. Oddworld Inhabitants definitely could have been referring to that too. But it just seemed like they were alluding to something else.

Lol, Live Ammo plush toys. How cute!

Alcar...

***Nate*** · #48 11-28-2004, 02:31 PM

I don't think it was the AoOW book because we all knew about that already. Its more likely to be the DVD or something else we don't know about yet.

***Xavier*** · #49 11-29-2004, 11:40 AM

yeah it might be the bonus dvd, you are right

*mumbles something about the fact there is no mention for Europe yet

OANST · #50 11-29-2004, 01:46 PM

I doubt it. The dvd won't be available until the game comes out.

Oddish · #51 11-29-2004, 02:02 PM

And DVD comes 2005, not 2004.

***Nate*** · #52 11-29-2004, 02:09 PM

The website doesn't say when the special thingummybob is coming out. It doesn't even say "soon".

On the other hand it does say "IN STORES" so that would imply not the DVD if thats only through the eb website.

:

November 2004
Howdy pilgrims! It is that time again! Web updates you say? No, don't be ridiculous! We haven't been this close to finishing a game in darn near three years! It's time to get our heads out of the web and put our noses to the grindstone (ouch!) and finish this bad boy and put it on store shelves in January. That's right, we're wrapping up the game at a feverish pace and working on some new ways to get you information about the Stranger quicker and more accurately than ever before! Our publisher EA has many oddities in store and possibly one literally IN STORES for the devout fans and the mildly curious alike. Either way the months to come are sure to get a lot more interesting so hang in there and STAY ODD!

Oddish · #53 11-29-2004, 02:30 PM

I thought something else.

It must those Live Ammo T-shirts then.

Odd Trusting · #54 11-29-2004, 02:38 PM

That would be great if they started selling the t-shirts

***Nate*** · #55 11-29-2004, 05:47 PM

I doubt it. Its probably just the employees t-shirts. There are a few designs of former t-shirts in the book.

***Xavier*** · #56 11-30-2004, 09:39 AM

yeah Oddworld made several t-shirts but it's since AE they sold them, so it would surprise me

perhaps we will have some more info tomorrow, the 1 december

Software Bug · #57 11-30-2004, 10:50 AM

oh youre right!

i will check on oddworld.com before i leave to school

Oddish · #58 11-30-2004, 11:02 AM

Oh yes, December! I hope they update it on time.

***Alcar*** · #59 11-30-2004, 11:06 PM

I don't think they'd sell the T-Shirts. Those are usually left for the employees, the press, and whoever else is very lucky to get their hands on them. Though it would be extra cool to see them in stores

Alcar...

***Xavier*** · #60 12-01-2004, 08:56 AM

well Oddworld.com wanst updated for december...
but I think it's because they are incredibly busy finishing the game