Analyzing the MLB game sales

by pastapadre
Posted March 30th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

After a couple weeks of sales it seems like a good opportunity to look at how the two MLB games have fared and what it could mean for the future. With the EA purchase of Take Two still looming largely ahead that could certainly change perceptions going into next year. However we’ll just look at it from the current standpoint of 2K vs SCEA.

MLB 2K8 has certainly had a rough time of it heading all the way back to the lack of prerelease videos and demo. Following release it has been plagued by complaints around the framerate, terrible online experience, and several other issues. Patches are still being waited on and won’t address all the problems. Reviews have generally been mediocre to poor and the online community turned against it almost immediately thanks to those issues and the feeling of being mislead.

MLB 08: The Show on the other hand has received critical acclaim and been received by the community as one of the best baseball titles to date. While it also has shown itself to have poor online performance that has somewhat been overshadowed by how well the rest of the game shapes up. Road to the Show makes it practically two games in one and they have already started on their weekly roster updates which is just one demonstration of the effort they put into the game.

So lets look at the sales vs last year and see if there is a trend. When it comes to The Show the PS3 version was released in May last year so that comparison will not be as pertinent. The numbers reflect the first three weeks of sales via VGChartz. While not official numbers they have been shown to be accurate enough at the very least to reflect trends.

MLB 2K8 (360) 207,292 -31,247
MLB 2K8 (PS3) 57,525 +11,275
MLB 08: The Show 144,153 +37,822

Considering the increase in 360 user base over a full year (where 2K8 is the only baseball game available) 2K8 has sold 13% less than 2K7 and that is obviously very alarming. It seems that the negative response to 2K7 combined with practically hiding the game prerelease has really showed itself. That is how word of mouth and being unsatisfied with quality affects sales. Not so much in the current year but in the ones that follow. With the atmosphere around 2K8 it’s easy to imagine that a potential 2K9 could end up in even more dire straits.

If you look at games like NCAA Football and Madden and instead of comparing the overall sales (due to console generation shift) consider that they both increased in new generation sales from 07 to 08 (22% and 32% respectively). This is pretty much the case with all major yearly sports titles until you get to NHL 2K8 and hockey just isn’t a big seller to begin with. Here though with MLB 2K8, such a critical title with the costly license, 2K is actually losing ground despite this generation’s growth.

On the PS3 it is no surprise that The Show wins out at a 2.5-1 margin. And given the lack of effort and concern that 2K has shown the PS3 consumers (no framerate patch) expect that to widen next year. Interestingly the PS3 version of 2K8 did rise and that was with the added competition of The Show releasing at the same time. The increase in PS3 user base seems to have helped both titles yet on the 360 a lot of people seem to have given up on the 2K series or have switched over to the PS3 for their baseball gaming.

Baseball titles have never been relied upon as huge sellers. That was until the 3rd party exclusive license came about and 2K sunk a significant amount of money into it. The sales on the 360 where they have exclusivity are definitely not justifying it.

Tags: sales analysis

http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="1360"]I played this last night online… I was very mad at the game because it was so damn choppy… the other cats connection was terrible or soemthing and the gameplay made me quit. It plays slower than the other Ncaa’s too offline… Its dope, but im glad you caught that because it is terrible online…[/quote]

me^^^ so im not new
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="1360"]I played this last night online… I was very mad at the game because it was so damn choppy… the other cats connection was terrible or soemthing and the gameplay made me quit. It plays slower than the other Ncaa’s too offline… Its dope, but im glad you caught that because it is terrible online…[/quote]

me^^^ so im not new
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="1360"]I played this last night online… I was very mad at the game because it was so damn choppy… the other cats connection was terrible or soemthing and the gameplay made me quit. It plays slower than the other Ncaa’s too offline… Its dope, but im glad you caught that because it is terrible online…[/quote]

me^^^ so im not new
Da Birthday Boy

2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?
Da Birthday Boy

2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?
Da Birthday Boy

2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?
lonedog

[quote comment="16531"]2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?[/quote]

april fools day is tomorrow dude
lonedog

[quote comment="16531"]2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?[/quote]

april fools day is tomorrow dude
lonedog

[quote comment="16531"]2K is a better game period. The patch will be released this week and it will fix all the problems, where are your sources that say it won’t fix problems. Obviously the sales are much better for 2K, so what is your point?[/quote]

april fools day is tomorrow dude
Da Birthday Boy

What are you trying to prove by saying a game is so much better selling 60k less?
Da Birthday Boy

What are you trying to prove by saying a game is so much better selling 60k less?
Da Birthday Boy

What are you trying to prove by saying a game is so much better selling 60k less?
EAsy now

VGCHARTZ?? hahahhhahhhahaha lololololo

oh, that’s a good one.
EAsy now

VGCHARTZ?? hahahhhahhhahaha lololololo

oh, that’s a good one.
EAsy now

VGCHARTZ?? hahahhhahhhahaha lololololo

oh, that’s a good one.
Bumble14

[quote comment="16484"]i wouldnt have guessed that 2k8 sales wouldve dropped like that with so many more people having 360s and no competition[/quote]

People like me went out and bought a PS3 just for the Show. I think a lot of old MVP fans and 360 only owners did the same.
Bumble14

[quote comment="16484"]i wouldnt have guessed that 2k8 sales wouldve dropped like that with so many more people having 360s and no competition[/quote]

People like me went out and bought a PS3 just for the Show. I think a lot of old MVP fans and 360 only owners did the same.
Bumble14

[quote comment="16484"]i wouldnt have guessed that 2k8 sales wouldve dropped like that with so many more people having 360s and no competition[/quote]

People like me went out and bought a PS3 just for the Show. I think a lot of old MVP fans and 360 only owners did the same.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16510"]Here’s the dealio – and this will be another thread I’ll stop beating my head againest

When you start posting “headline” stories about the alarming news that Madden sales have flattened/dropped, or when you start sarcastically editing the Madden-HC press releases, or stop devoting 128 stories about the critically lambasted NFL Tour, etc etc then I’ll start buying into the fact this site makes an attempt at even-handness.[/quote]

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16510"]Here’s the dealio – and this will be another thread I’ll stop beating my head againest

When you start posting “headline” stories about the alarming news that Madden sales have flattened/dropped, or when you start sarcastically editing the Madden-HC press releases, or stop devoting 128 stories about the critically lambasted NFL Tour, etc etc then I’ll start buying into the fact this site makes an attempt at even-handness.[/quote]

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16510"]Here’s the dealio – and this will be another thread I’ll stop beating my head againest

When you start posting “headline” stories about the alarming news that Madden sales have flattened/dropped, or when you start sarcastically editing the Madden-HC press releases, or stop devoting 128 stories about the critically lambasted NFL Tour, etc etc then I’ll start buying into the fact this site makes an attempt at even-handness.[/quote]

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.
Sean

I may just be luck but for the the most part The Show runs lovely online. In the beginning I had a few shaky games but now its almost like playing OFFLINE
Sean

I may just be luck but for the the most part The Show runs lovely online. In the beginning I had a few shaky games but now its almost like playing OFFLINE
Sean

I may just be luck but for the the most part The Show runs lovely online. In the beginning I had a few shaky games but now its almost like playing OFFLINE
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16535"]What are you trying to prove by saying a game is so much better selling 60k less?[/quote]

You realize there are no fewer than 6 million more X360 owners than PS3 owners, no? 60k is completely insignificant when you’re talking about a user base differential of 6+ million.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16535"]What are you trying to prove by saying a game is so much better selling 60k less?[/quote]

You realize there are no fewer than 6 million more X360 owners than PS3 owners, no? 60k is completely insignificant when you’re talking about a user base differential of 6+ million.
CrimsonVoodoo

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society
CrimsonVoodoo

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society
CrimsonVoodoo

If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society
Sidewinder

Some things are just very black and white. How much better MLB 08 PS3 is over 2k8 is not even questionable. To those that do, it points out some serious self-evaluation time is needed. Because, it is not everyone else or Pasta in this case, it is you that needs to check yourself and what you like in a baseball game. You belong to a very small minority. There is a obvious reason for that, but you just dont see it. Oh well.

You may enjoy 2k8 for what it is, but it fails on so many levels at this time. The Show 08 succeeds more than any other baseball game to date. That is why there is a huge majority that prefer The Show, that have played both games, compared apples to apples, and came away with the obvious opinion.
Sidewinder

Some things are just very black and white. How much better MLB 08 PS3 is over 2k8 is not even questionable. To those that do, it points out some serious self-evaluation time is needed. Because, it is not everyone else or Pasta in this case, it is you that needs to check yourself and what you like in a baseball game. You belong to a very small minority. There is a obvious reason for that, but you just dont see it. Oh well.

You may enjoy 2k8 for what it is, but it fails on so many levels at this time. The Show 08 succeeds more than any other baseball game to date. That is why there is a huge majority that prefer The Show, that have played both games, compared apples to apples, and came away with the obvious opinion.
Sidewinder

Some things are just very black and white. How much better MLB 08 PS3 is over 2k8 is not even questionable. To those that do, it points out some serious self-evaluation time is needed. Because, it is not everyone else or Pasta in this case, it is you that needs to check yourself and what you like in a baseball game. You belong to a very small minority. There is a obvious reason for that, but you just dont see it. Oh well.

You may enjoy 2k8 for what it is, but it fails on so many levels at this time. The Show 08 succeeds more than any other baseball game to date. That is why there is a huge majority that prefer The Show, that have played both games, compared apples to apples, and came away with the obvious opinion.
sly

Hi,
I seem to have a hard time to get an answer…Do anyone know if the player stats in RTTS are detailed. I’ve noticed that in franchise mode, you can only view his stats for last year and not the prior ones. In RTTS, can you see your player stats year by year for the full career…

Thanks
sly

Hi,
I seem to have a hard time to get an answer…Do anyone know if the player stats in RTTS are detailed. I’ve noticed that in franchise mode, you can only view his stats for last year and not the prior ones. In RTTS, can you see your player stats year by year for the full career…

Thanks
sly

Hi,
I seem to have a hard time to get an answer…Do anyone know if the player stats in RTTS are detailed. I’ve noticed that in franchise mode, you can only view his stats for last year and not the prior ones. In RTTS, can you see your player stats year by year for the full career…

Thanks
Dream Weaver

Hey guys, this story is citing vgchartz. vgchartz is a well-known hack site whose software numbers are off by a large percentage (a guessing game actually) so don’t go getting your panties in a bunch.
Dream Weaver

Hey guys, this story is citing vgchartz. vgchartz is a well-known hack site whose software numbers are off by a large percentage (a guessing game actually) so don’t go getting your panties in a bunch.
Dream Weaver

Hey guys, this story is citing vgchartz. vgchartz is a well-known hack site whose software numbers are off by a large percentage (a guessing game actually) so don’t go getting your panties in a bunch.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16561"]If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society[/quote]

Just saying- there’s obviously a large amount of fanboys that post comments here, and your poignant observations and constructive criticisms fall on deaf ears, generally. You’re smart enough to know that there’s no arguing with a fanboy, so it’s better left alone altogether.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16561"]If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society[/quote]

Just saying- there’s obviously a large amount of fanboys that post comments here, and your poignant observations and constructive criticisms fall on deaf ears, generally. You’re smart enough to know that there’s no arguing with a fanboy, so it’s better left alone altogether.
nyr2k2

[quote comment="16561"]If this site frustrates you so much, why do you constantly fan the flames by jumping into discussions such as these? This is a blog, it’s not a professional journalistic outpost with a mission statement aimed at being evenhanded. If Pasta thinks a game is garbage, he’ll say so.

Well – thanks for asking – here’s why:

The site, which I like, has the most benefit to people like me (potential audience) if when I come here I have reason to believe that whatever Opinions/Reviews/Editorial Decisions on Content are all based on some kind of objective analysis or sports gaming moxie

If people eventually decide that nothing here is on the up and up Everything loses validity, no matter what the opinion is – positive or negative, and there’s no real reason to come here for solid sports gaming news

Finally – I don’t think I “fan the flames” – I’ve never called anyone a retard or idiot or any game garbage or whatever as many here do. Actually just trying to offer some constructive comments so the site can grow into something more than a Fanboi Admiration Society[/quote]

Just saying- there’s obviously a large amount of fanboys that post comments here, and your poignant observations and constructive criticisms fall on deaf ears, generally. You’re smart enough to know that there’s no arguing with a fanboy, so it’s better left alone altogether.
Zekahn

Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is…it’s just a simple analysis using the most accessible numbers we can get. If you don’t like the trends just say so, but people screaming “bias” are basically trolling with their own bias.
Zekahn

Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is…it’s just a simple analysis using the most accessible numbers we can get. If you don’t like the trends just say so, but people screaming “bias” are basically trolling with their own bias.
Zekahn

Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is…it’s just a simple analysis using the most accessible numbers we can get. If you don’t like the trends just say so, but people screaming “bias” are basically trolling with their own bias.
Dillfav

[quote comment="16497"]It’s rather saddening to see the obvious bias towards the Sony game on this site.

A real journalistic site would keep an unbiased view of every situation…

This just seems VERY fanboyish in my opinion.[/quote]

What a tard you are for this comment. Pasta is an XBOX360 fanboy, I have known the guy for 10 years and all he has ever done is spew venom and rip The Playstation AND sony the whole time I have ever know him. Just Ask him how he feels about Blu-Ray VS Hd-dvd. I once came over to his house with an “I do Blu” t-shirt on to piss him off, and he would not let me come in until I took it off or covered it up! If anything he is more journalistic then other sites. He wants very bably to hate this game, but its a great game, and he is being VERY fair in showing the respect it deserves.
Dillfav

[quote comment="16497"]It’s rather saddening to see the obvious bias towards the Sony game on this site.

A real journalistic site would keep an unbiased view of every situation…

This just seems VERY fanboyish in my opinion.[/quote]

What a tard you are for this comment. Pasta is an XBOX360 fanboy, I have known the guy for 10 years and all he has ever done is spew venom and rip The Playstation AND sony the whole time I have ever know him. Just Ask him how he feels about Blu-Ray VS Hd-dvd. I once came over to his house with an “I do Blu” t-shirt on to piss him off, and he would not let me come in until I took it off or covered it up! If anything he is more journalistic then other sites. He wants very bably to hate this game, but its a great game, and he is being VERY fair in showing the respect it deserves.
Dillfav

[quote comment="16497"]It’s rather saddening to see the obvious bias towards the Sony game on this site.

A real journalistic site would keep an unbiased view of every situation…

This just seems VERY fanboyish in my opinion.[/quote]

What a tard you are for this comment. Pasta is an XBOX360 fanboy, I have known the guy for 10 years and all he has ever done is spew venom and rip The Playstation AND sony the whole time I have ever know him. Just Ask him how he feels about Blu-Ray VS Hd-dvd. I once came over to his house with an “I do Blu” t-shirt on to piss him off, and he would not let me come in until I took it off or covered it up! If anything he is more journalistic then other sites. He wants very bably to hate this game, but its a great game, and he is being VERY fair in showing the respect it deserves.