Mafia II Unlikely to Turn a Profit

[Tom Goldman]

Mafia II Unlikely to Turn a Profit

Analyst Michael Pachter believes that Mafia II will lose money because it was in development for way too long.

Delaying a game to make it better is a good practice for gamers, but it might not be all that great for publishers. After analysts recently criticized Take-Two for another Mafia II [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103095-L-A-Noire-Retreats-Into-the-Shadows-Again].

Mafia II was in development for a reported six years, and has a Metacritic score in the mid-70s. As much as we hate games being based on review scores alone, Pachter confirms that they likely have a strong affect. He says: "Mafia II's average Metacritic score of 74 is well below expectations, and consumer interest appears to be waning, as the game's position has dropped in many best-seller lists in its first week. With six years in development, we believe the game is unlikely to achieve profitability."

Take-Two is known for delaying its titles for quality issues, and this turned out to be a great idea with strong seller Max Payne 3 [http://www.amazon.com/Red-Dead-Redemption-Xbox-360/dp/B001SH7YMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1283198669&sr=8-1] as another problem title.

If these two games also receive a less-than positive reception, they could drag Take-Two into the depths of unprofitability. "It is important to note that both games have been in development for longer than five years, making their break-even hurdles significantly higher than a typical game," Pachter says. "We believe that the company must focus on streamlining its development process and providing better visibility on future game releases."

The company still has the Grand Theft Auto [http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-Playstation-3/dp/B000HKP88C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1283198931&sr=8-1] card to play, but Pachter doesn't expect a new GTA to show up until holiday 2011 at the earliest. Maybe Take-Two knows what it's doing, and maybe it doesn't, but the constant delays are surely annoying lots of investors.

Source: Gamasutra [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30149/Analyst_Mafia_II_Likely_Unprofitable_Long_Delays_Arent_Helping_TakeTwo.php]

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[Woodsey]

Sorry, I can't hear what you're saying over my third play-through of the game.

[small]Also, I read this on CVG and it sounded like Pachter 'the Prick Factor' was only taking console sales into account. The main version of the game is still second on the best-seller list on Steam, and the Collector's Edition is fourth.[/small]

EDIT: Bah, alright. In response to stuff like the length and whatnot, I'm aware that a lot of stuff was cut from the game. I love the game, but there are points where you can guess that stuff was cut from it, and even a mission that they demoed several times last year was missing. Not to mention that the story seems to have been shifted around a lot (since the canned mission they demoed originally took place a year after the end of the final game).

Like I said though, I'm on my third play through and I'm thoroughly enjoying every moment still.

 

[GeneticallyModifiedDucks]

This makes me a bit a suspicious, because Mafia II was both short and unpolished. What the hell were they doing? Did the development team consist of 20 people?

 

[Optimystic]

What took them so long anyway? Researching stereotypical mobsters?

Because if that's the case, they can fuhgeddaboudit!

 

[DominicxD]

"Delaying a game to make it better"

Are you shitting me?

The game feels like it was rushed. Don't get me wrong, I loved it but it definately didn't feel like a game that had been in development for 6 years.

 

[RowdyRodimus]

Ok, now we need to get organized and make Mafia II the best selling game of all time. If we do that, maybe people will see how much of a tool this Patcher is and he'll be ignored from now on. It's worth the $60 to me to not hear from him again.

 

[icyneesan]

I hadn't even heard about this series until they started airing commercials and stuff

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

If this is what happens when a good non-mediocre game comes out we'll end up with a bunch of bland FPS's. Great work IGN.

 

[dochmbi]

I've played about half of it, and I like the world and environment and the storyline and the gameplay, but the game is quite shallow because even though there is this large and wonderful 1950s world, there is no reason to explore, no sidequests or other activities besides the main quest. I'm probably going back for a second playthrough after half a year has passed though, simply because I enjoy the setting and the music and the feel of it so much.
I really don't understand why it took 6 years to make, seems like something you could easily do in 3.

 

[destroyer2k]

This game actually wasn't that long in game development. If you consider that they made also a game engine for this game (witch is not a easy task). Even if they don't make profit out of this game they still have a game engine that they can use or even sell to other company.

 

[Jared]

Possibly due to the long time it will have cost alot, but, overall, it seems to be received really, really well

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

Analyst mumbo jumbo if you ask me. I'm just onto my second play through and I'm still loving every second of it even though I die any time automatic machine guns enter a police chase. Fucking amazing game and it's still going to be sold for a while yet.

 

[Irridium]

I'm guessing most of the lame scores are "low" because they compared it to Grand Theft Auto, and marked it down because of it.

Just my two cents. The game is fun so far for me.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

This game actually wasn't that long in game development. If you consider that they made also a game engine for this game (witch is not a easy task). Even if they don't make profit out of this game they still have a game engine that they can use or even sell to other company.

But judging from the Demo and what other people have said, the gameplay, and subsequently the engine, are the worst parts of the game. The aiming and controls were loose, and nothing else was particularly great, although the hand to hand combat was well animated.

 

[Woodsey]

Saying you played through it three times is great and everything, but that means jack shit to them. You didn't buy the game each time, you could play it 500 times but it doesn't affect the profitability at all, which is what matters.

I was responding to the claims of low scores - and quote me next time

Oh, and the averages were dragged down quite severely by a couple of reviews similar to Eurogamer's. 4/10 my arse.

 

[Kavonde]

Dang, sort of a disappointing Metacritic score, but not too far below the 8/10 I'd rate it.

Good game. Definitely the most interesting collectibles I've ever seen.

 

[The Imp]

Ok, now we need to get organized and make Mafia II the best selling game of all time. If we do that, maybe people will see how much of a tool this Patcher is and he'll be ignored from now on. It's worth the $60 to me to not hear from him again.

Tool? This guy is THE definition of a troll. A well paid, educated troll, but still just a troll. He keeps bitching about the profits, about stock keeping units and sales. About "consoles are where the money is" and "shooters are the best selling genre of all time". Did this guy really forget what he is talking about? It's a game. Something to enjoy. Something to have fun(!!) with. "Talking about music is like Dancing about Architecture." - I guess same goes for games.

Post scriptum: I did buy Mafia 2 for the PC. And yes, i'm on my third playthrough too. So F you, Pachter.

 

[Wolfram23]

Doesn't help that it's already been cracked, either.
The game seems ok, but certainly not "6 years of development" long. Sounds like they dragged their asses for 4 years, and put some seriously rushed work into the last 2. The game could be better but on the other hand it's very story driven which is something I like.

 

[Avayu]

"Delaying a game to make it better"

Are you shitting me?

The game feels like it was rushed. Don't get me wrong, I loved it but it definately didn't feel like a game that had been in development for 6 years.

Really? That would be sad. I played the demo, liked it and considered picking it up. I thought the music and the atmosphere, the feeling was great, but if the rest isn't as good ...
Well, maybe I'll track down the first one somewhere and see how it plays, first. Should be cheaper and easier on my hardware, too.