Betheseda Thinks Microsoft Screwed Up With Halo 3: ODST Marketing Strategy

Added 09/22/2009 by Se

It's been awhile since I wrote about some industry drama, a developer popping off at the mouth, personal drama (like my logic board needing to be replaced), or anything of that sort, so here goes! Ashley Cheng has written on his blog that he feels that Microsoft and Bungie really missed the mark with their advertising and promotion of Halo 3: ODST. He cites the fact that a lot of "reviewers" are complaining that the game may not be worth $60, for what was advertised as "a standalone expansion pack".

Cheng appears to be on Microsofts side as he goes on to address reviewers who had an issue with the pricing, stating: "Give me a break. First off, most games - especially first person shooters - are anywhere from 5-10 hours. Tops. What makes Halo different from others? You can't just ping Halo ODST for it." But he also adds that if Microsoft hadn't sent mixed signals with their marketing schemes, it wouldn't have been an issue.

Personally, I don't think the fifty kids I saw lined up at the GameStop around the corner from my house last night at 10:24 pm (approximately) for the midnight release really gave a rats who-who about all of that. They just wanted to get their Halo fix in. Being without a working computer for sometime, yet again, I had forgotten what day it was, until I drove by GameStop and saw the line. If it wasn't for my cable and internet bill, and parking tickets I would've lined up right along with them and spent my rent/bill money. Ah well, there's always next week.

Posted by: DarkKatNine Date: Sep 23rd 2009

And therein lies the problem because Bungie and Microsoft know that if they make a game title and stamp the Halo name on it, it's gonna sell. They have no incentive to make a better game because people will still buy it even if it's a piece of crap. Just like they have no incentive to fix the lag in the online gameplay. I love Halo 3 and think it's one the best games out there, but Xbox Live's service completely ruins the online experience. The constant lag (especially if you live outside of the continental US like I do) is ridiculous. So much that I considered starting a class action lawsuit to force Microsoft to fix it. We're being ripped off paying for a service that doesn't work properly. And people buying Halo 3: ODST will blissfully be ripped off as they plunk down their $60 for an unfinished game.

Posted by: TheLauginManFL Date: Sep 23rd 2009

Being one of those individuals inline and having played the game for the last two days I would say that it was more then worth the price. The campaign mode may be short but was a lot of fun. The additional Maps for the game in multiplayer would have sold for 20 or 30 bucks on the marketplace anyways so give me a break. Let me put it this way I spend 60 dollars or more just taking my lady friend to dinner and a movie. Give me a break no true Halo fan is even thinking of the money. You can’t put a price on nostalgia. As for the masses of none geeks.... Well that’s there problem.