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Why Did Motorstorm: Pacific Rift's Sales Flop?

November 19, 2008 in Blog comments 17

Well it seems that Motorstorm: Pacific Rift isn't selling to well. Which is really strange seeing as the first motorstorm sold more then 3 million copies. So why did this game barely sold any copies compared to its first title? Play.Blog discusses it suggesting that it could possible be the name of the game, or even the box cover. Either way, Pacific Rift is an amazing title that deserves better recognition.

I was slightly bemused when I first heard the title of the new MotorStorm game. Was it an expansion of the original, perhaps? Was there a specific reason why the ‘2′ was left out of the title? There didn’t seem to be, given that the game was set against an entirely different backdrop, had twice as many tracks as the first and contained monster trucks, the latter being a commercially sensible inclusion in my eyes. Still, I read the press release and moved on with my life. It was a sequel, all right, and Evolution Studios had the time to create a top quality racing title. It eventually turned out to be miles better than the first, so I gave it 93%.

So, why have none of you purchased it? I looked at the UK’s own Chart-Track All Formats Top 40, where it debuted at an unfortunate number 29, but I also checked out the seemingly accurate VGchartz.com, which claimed the game had sold around 44,000 in two weeks on-sale in the US. For a PS3 exclusive of such high quality, the stats appear quite troubling.
Sayyed via blog.play-mag.co.uk »
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Most recently commented on by on Nov 20, 2008

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  • 0
    kik36 Nov 19, 08
    I think money is a very big driving factor right this minute. Personally I had the option to pick up one (new) game this month and I choose LBP.

    HOWEVER, I promised my stepson that if he could recite his ABC's and count to 100 that I would pick up this game for him immediately........he did that last night and now I can't back out on my promise and am picking it up this evening......little brat!!!
    • 1
      Sayyed* Nov 19, 08
      Hahah thats why you never make promises.

      I would have picked this up but i was stumped with all the other games. I think that was another factor, bad release timing. Im still going to pick this game up, probably in december.
      • 0
        kik36 Nov 20, 08
        LMAO yep he's doing a little victory dance right now cause I just showed him the game. Gonna wait till Friday night to play it though, he needs to concentrate on his school work.
  • 0
    Fatal Error Nov 20, 08
    I didn't even know the game was released already.
  • 0
    Red 9 Nov 20, 08
    It's because A) it was a smaller title released among big games, and B) it didn't do enough that improved on the original to really be worth it.
  • 1
    Tock Nov 20, 08
    The only reason it hasnt been selling is because it was released at the wrong time.... yes motorstorm is a good game, but it really cant compete with LBP or resistence 2... it certainly has nothing to do with the box art or the name
    • 0
      Sayyed* Nov 20, 08
      Actually boxart can stop some people from buying a product. It really is all part of marketing because its all physcological.

      I have to disagree with B red, I think this game has improved enough from the original. twice as much tracks, completely new area, different game modes and anew vehicle. Thats quie an improvement.
      • 0
        Red 9 Nov 20, 08
        Yes, but new tracks doesn't always equate being better. If gameplay is essentially the same, it'll feel like the original with a different coat of paint. Besides, PR's controls just felt...weird.
  • 0
    Killosity Nov 20, 08
    Pehaps because many of those with more than one console are simply subjected to like, to put it frankly, shitloads of titles? Opportunity cost occurs, and I would assume Motorstorm: Pacific Rift was given up, in opt of another, seeming more appealing game.


    Having said that, the game rocks.
  • 0
    Final Blade Nov 20, 08
    The game isn't selling cause it released at the wrong time. LBP, Resistance 2...etc are causing the sales to flop. Has nothing to do with the game being bad or the box art.

  • 0
    streetcarp81 Nov 20, 08
    the game isn't selling because its not a good game. the demo was not that good. the original motorstorm was great and pacific rift is not even a good rehash. it doesn't matter if its released among a number of good games. If the game is good it will sell no matter what its competing with.
    • 0
      Ameer Nov 20, 08
      Psychonauts ring a bell?
  • 0
    young money Nov 20, 08
    motorstorm PR.. has PURE blame for not selling that many copies..
  • 1
    iLLmatic Nov 20, 08
    It's a good game. I think it just came out at the wrong time.
  • 2
    reaver11 Nov 20, 08
    It did come out at the wrong time. Reason I haven't picked it up was mainly due to the fact that I have X-mas gifts to buy. I have little money to myself, and what money I do have goes towards bills, gas, food, and new songs for Rock Band (with a few gadgets here and there, but those are the things that come first).

    There's also the fact that LBP, Resistence 2, Dead Space, Rock Band 2, GHWT, etc. came out within a 2 month span. So when I look at that list, Motorstorm really isn't on my need-to-get list (I woulda also said Gears of War 2, but since not everyone owns both...).

    Its funny the scapegoats people will use to explain why something isn't going right...
  • 0
    Bale Fire Nov 20, 08
    Like others have said Motorstorm came out at one of the best times possible, early in the PS3's cycle with little to no competition. Motorstorm Pacific Rift did just the opposite, coming out at in a quarter packed with quality games everywhere. I reckon sales will boost when more gamer's wallets recover.
    • 0
      Sayyed* Nov 20, 08
      I hope they do because I would love to see a third installement.

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