Nothing in business, or life for that matter, is guaranteed, even if your name is Marcus Fenix or you just happen to be a God of War. According to an investor note released yesterday by Cowen & Company, Gears of War: Judgement sales are estimated to be hovering at or around the 425,000 unit mark. Taken alone that doesn’t sound too terribly bad, unless you compare that figure to Gears of War 3 month one sales from September 2011, which rang up cash registers more than 2 million times. Now that 425,000 units mark really stands out, doesn’t it? Like I mentioned earlier, Kratos is searching for an explanation to his investors as well; full details after the link below.
Poor March Sales Strike Gears of War & God of War Franchies
In March 2010, the world finally received the long-awaited God of War 3 to welcome arms, and ready PS3 consoles, as the third major title registered more than 1.1 million unit sales in its initial month. I sadly didn’t get to experience that stellar game until June, as I was on deployment, but the wait was well worth it. Fast forward to this morning, as the official sales figures for March 2013 have arrived, and like Gears of War, business could be better. Current sales for the latest installment, God of War: Ascension place Kratos at approximately 360,000 units moved, well below the 1.1 million mark that its predecessor achieved two years ago. Cowen & Company released a cut-and-dry statement regarding the numbers behind both “flagship” titles:
“We had expected sales trends to improve in March due to a strong core line-up,” wrote the company. “Two historically strong franchises appear to have significantly underperformed.”
Underperformed they have; does this signal a break in the action for both series until the next-gen systems arrive? Quite possibly, yes, however that may have already been the plan. Regardless, the numbers go to show the industry that nothing lasts forever, even the top tier franchises that seemingly never get old.
I have yet to play either Judgement or Ascension, but I do have Ascension lined up in the queue. What are your thoughts on either/both? I could never get into Gears’ multiplayer, however their single player has always been phenomenal; the final boss fight in the first Gears of War ranks in my mind as one of the best ever, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the sequel, and Gears 3. Leave your thoughts below; I know some of you were turned off by Judgement, but I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
More business gaming news as it arrives!