Halo 4 Best Selling In Franchise

[SykoWolf]

The Following is from an Examiner Article

Link to Article:

http://www.examiner.com/article/halo-4-best-selling-franchise-343-industries-promises-to-do-better

 

 

 

"Halo 4" has seen its ups and down since it launched last November for the Xbox 360. It barreled out of the gate with strong sales but stubbed its toe with Specialization unlock code issues and various glitches in the game. Franchise director Frank O'Connor acknowledged these issues Wednesday while also saying that the experience will allow them to do better with "Halo 5" presumably on the next-gen Xbox (aka Xbox 720).

 

 

 

"We have a lot to learn. We made a lot of mistakes. We can do better. And we know this, and we will," O'Connor wrote on Halo Waypoint after mentioning how "Halo 4" was the first full-fledged game for 343 Industries. "But I don’t want to spend the first moments of the year thinking about the negatives, because frankly, I am incredibly proud of both the team and the game that team created.

"And for a first effort, it wasn’t half bad."

 

 

"Halo 4 is the best and fastest-selling Halo game in the series," he wrote. "It won critical acclaim. It won awards, from Best Graphics at the VGAs to Game of the Year at the Inside Gaming Awards. We altered the engine. We expanded the universe. We innovated in storytelling, technology, and even marketing. It wasn’t flawless by any stretch of the imagination, but by most objective criteria, it was a resounding success. So we know we have a lot to do. And we know we have a lot to learn. But we also know that we now have the capacity, the teamwork, the technology and the experience to do much better next time."

 

"There are a ton of things we wish we'd done better," he continued. "Features that didn’t make it into the final game. Glitches that emerged. Missteps made. DLC fiascos. Communication breakdowns. But there were things that went astonishingly well – the creation of a genuinely competitive AAA studio chief among them. A collection of talent and souls that can do something genuinely amazing on this and next-generation hardware. The overhaul of an amazing game engine – but one that really needed to be overhauled – and an amassed education on systems, people, code and audience that will stand us in great stead for the future."

O'Connor went on to thank the fans of the game who purchased it and gave 343 Industries feedback both good and bad. "You guys pay for the privilege of playing our game, and you have every right to have a voice in its development."

 

"Technically, this should be a retrospective, but it’s safe to say I’m more excited about the future than the past. Excited about what this team is already working on. Excited about what this team is capable of. And excited about the future of Halo. A future we want you to be a part of. A future we’re building for you," O'Connor concluded.

 

 

Syko's Note: This is what i have been saying all along guys, and Frank put's it beautifully, Halo 4 is not perfect by any stretch of the mind, but it's a success, whether you agree or not, the facts don't lie, Halo 4 is a success, a HUGE success. And they will certainly do better with Halo 5.

[Vaulting♥Frog]

I cant count how many times I have said stuff like this...

[Absolute Dog]

Sales and players playing are two completely different things. Where the history of the franchise, the promise of a return to the core of what made Halo Halo by Frank himself and marketing led to phenomenal sales, financial success does not account for the low numbers of players online at any given time or unique gamer tags online in a week or month long period. Those numbers are low. We all appreciate the efforts made by 343 Industries, but we as a community need to be aware of the reality of things and do our best to support gaming in Halo 4 while being aware of reality.

[Vaulting♥Frog]

Sales and players playing are two completely different things. Where the history of the franchise, the promise of a return to the core of what made Halo Halo by Frank himself and marketing led to phenomenal sales, financial success does not account for the low numbers of players online at any given time or unique gamer tags online in a week or month long period. Those numbers are low. We all appreciate the efforts made by 343 Industries, but we as a community need to be aware of the reality of things and do our best to support gaming in Halo 4 while being aware of reality.

 

I recognize the low numbers on H4. However I dont see that as a failure on their part, rather its just personal choices about games for individual players. They took a shot in the dark, so to speak, with the direction of Halo 4. I personally think it is a great direction to be heading towards. Others dont, it is what it is.

 

They can not force players to play the game online. It just doesnt happen. And considering the releases done around the same time, as well as the upcomming releases I am not suprised to see low numbers. Too many games way too fast. Also the holidays didnt help with the numbers either.

 

Perhaps the players are down for their idea of what the core of Halo is. Many people (seen several on this forum) seem to think (observation not actual fact) that the MP is the core of the game and that it requires a ranking system. That to me is wrong. The compelling story is the core of the game. That to me is what makes Halo, well Halo. Halo CE still tops my charts due to its story. Its MP is second to none, and it doesnt have a ranking system. To refuse any sort of competition due to the lack of a visible ranking system is kind of stupid to me. You can find competition anywhere on the play lists. Its up to the individual players to recognize this, of which it seems many dont due to them being so used to a visible ranking system.

 

That being said, it is up to players like us to continue to play online. I know I will as I actually enjoy it the way it is.

[Caboose The Ace]

well halo 4 agree or not was a big but good step in the right direction i belive the reason for low numbers is there are 3 halo to play on xbox live right now halo 3 reach and 4 sme stayed in some stayed in reach and some moved to halo 4 that 3 games to spread around in

[Absolute Dog]

I recognize the low numbers on H4. However I dont see that as a failure on their part, rather its just personal choices about games for individual players. They took a shot in the dark, so to speak, with the direction of Halo 4. I personally think it is a great direction to be heading towards. Others dont, it is what it is.

 

They can not force players to play the game online. It just doesnt happen. And considering the releases done around the same time, as well as the upcomming releases I am not suprised to see low numbers. Too many games way too fast. Also the holidays didnt help with the numbers either.

 

Perhaps the players are down for their idea of what the core of Halo is. Many people (seen several on this forum) seem to think (observation not actual fact) that the MP is the core of the game and that it requires a ranking system. That to me is wrong. The compelling story is the core of the game. That to me is what makes Halo, well Halo. Halo CE still tops my charts due to its story. Its MP is second to none, and it doesnt have a ranking system. To refuse any sort of competition due to the lack of a visible ranking system is kind of stupid to me. You can find competition anywhere on the play lists. Its up to the individual players to recognize this, of which it seems many dont due to them being so used to a visible ranking system.

 

That being said, it is up to players like us to continue to play online. I know I will as I actually enjoy it the way it is.

Like I said, opinions aside, the facts need to be kept in mind. I simply stated the reality of what the community needs to see clearly if we are to continue to bond together. Ranking systems, story lines, etc are simply personal feeling or opinions. That is for another thread.

 

well halo 4 agree or not was a big but good step in the right direction i belive the reason for low numbers is there are 3 halo to play on xbox live right now halo 3 reach and 4 sme stayed in some stayed in reach and some moved to halo 4 that 3 games to spread around in

This really has no bearing on the player numbers for Halo 4. Having those games online allows those who prefer them to play them.

[Delpen9]

Halo 4 was a leap in the right direction and if the next game is implemented carefully and successfully it will result in an astronomically amazing game. This game ALREADY has the ability to be the amazing game that I'm betting on for next release but is held down by the abundant amount of minor flaws. Like my mom said,"A lot of small messes eventually create one huge one." This game seems to be lacking in this regard.

 

As for the multiplayer population, the maps that almost killed me off were solace and complex. I have since decided to leave the game when these are chosen; occasionally I still play those maps. The mix of games released during the time of halo 4 and the abundant group of small flaws keep away a large majority of players. Obviously, there is no doubt that at least some of the population didn't get halo 4 purely because 343 created it; accompanied with trash talk about the game from those people.

[ProudDrunkIrish]

 

"And for a first effort, it wasn’t half bad."

 

"Halo 4 is the best and fastest-selling Halo game in the series,"

 

"There are a ton of things we wish we'd done better,"

 

Well I'll be this says a lot about Halo and its new makers:

1. Since when did not half bad cut it for the biggest xbox title???? I mean it was freakin awsome under Bungie (with the possible exclusion of reach), not half bad is what I use to describe mediocre games...
    
   
2. Best selling does not mean best, someone should remind him that his sales figures are **** on by CoD so are we to assume that they make better games than the Halo series??? I guess one can make any figures suit them, how about sales compared to numbers still playing, put that as a percentage and see who wins H4 or H3 (H3 would prob win based on who is playing right now lol)
    
   
3. Really i would never have guessed but releasing an unfinished product was definitley top of the list I dare say.
   

Now depsite my comments do not get me wrong I think Halo 4 is a good game it was just that I expected and wanted a great game. The standard of expectation by the fans seems to have exceeded that of the company making it which is a little unfortunate. They have brought in some good new features whether I like them or not they are new and innovative for the Halo series (may be robbed from other games but so be it).

 

I hope they are more walk than talk when it comes to Halo 5 and I hope the saying ''once bitten twice shy'' does not make people stay away from it when it comes out.

[SatanicBagels]

Yeah I don't think that AD could have put it any better. I see people all of the time with a very unrealistic, almost excessively fan-boy, views on Halo 4. In response to Caboose the Aces comment, If that's the case then it doesn't say a whole lot as for how much Halo has improved in this transition.

 

Also in the business world (the world that 343i is in) giving it your best isn't worth anything if consumers aren't happy. Anybody can say that they will do better in Halo 5... but that doesn't really cut it. People expect them to achieve that greatness in Halo 4, and rightfully so considering the money and loyalty they have invested into the franchise and will put into future games.

 

Just my two cents.

[Echo]

The only reason the population in H4 is low (in my opinion) is the lack of matchmaking playlist options. They took the route of adding playlists as weeks go by, and that's all fine and dandy, but they also took out ROUND based gametypes, which in my opinion were a big gameplay portion of multiplayer. Both 1 flag and 1 bomb were huge in previous games. It forced teams to focus on one objective instead of everyone doing their own thing in 2 flag, either offense or deffense (or camping somewhere going for commendations).

[TornadoFlame]

i wish they'd give me a reason to play more halo and not put it down after 2 months. a hit and miss to me and from the numbers on the Online population.

[SykoWolf]

Just because their isnt a massive amount of people online, doesn't mean it's a fail, even Frank himself admitted it wasn't perfect, but it was a success, the sales don't lie..

[ProudDrunkIrish]

Just because their isnt a massive amount of people online, doesn't mean it's a fail, even Frank himself admitted it wasn't perfect, but it was a success, the sales don't lie..

 

Then its half the game CoD is then???? Well hooray and there I was getting worried for the future of Halo lol.. Sales are based on expectation and they were gained off the back of Bungies masterpieces, the name sold this game not the actual game itself.

 

Sales figures mean nothing to the players however the player population does, the issue now will be that people will remember the mediocrity of this game and when it comes up against another CoD or BF title which will they actually buy this time???

 

Lets all face it they messed it up big time.. they released the game with few playlists, no ranking system and many glitches, they have been promising things from the start which are things I have no doubt were originally planned to be in the release... They are relying on the update system to save them and thats a very bad show indeed.

 

Now 343 made a decent game but compared to the first 3 Halo games it does not even play the same sport..

[SykoWolf]

Then its half the game CoD is then???? Well hooray and there I was getting worried for the future of Halo lol.. Sales are based on expectation and they were gained off the back of Bungies masterpieces, the name sold this game not the actual game itself.

 

Sales figures mean nothing to the players however the player population does, the issue now will be that people will remember the mediocrity of this game and when it comes up against another CoD or BF title which will they actually buy this time???

 

Lets all face it they messed it up big time.. they released the game with few playlists, no ranking system and many glitches, they have been promising things from the start which are things I have no doubt were originally planned to be in the release... They are relying on the update system to save them and thats a very bad show indeed.

 

Now 343 made a decent game but compared to the first 3 Halo games it does not even play the same sport..

Well if you remember correctly, Halo only sold on Xbox, CoD didnt, so compering sales numbers isn't overly fair. Plus it's all based on personal opinion wether the game is good, but majority of gamers do see it as a good game, just no perfect.

[ProudDrunkIrish]

Well if you remember correctly, Halo only sold on Xbox, CoD didnt, so compering sales numbers isn't overly fair. Plus it's all based on personal opinion wether the game is good, but majority of gamers do see it as a good game, just no perfect.

 

Then just compare the xbox numbers and no doubt CoD is king of sales!! Its a good game but the biggest fps on xbox should be a great game is all i am saying. The days of Halo, Halo 2 and Halo 3 the word good was not something I ever connected to them, that was reserved for many other lesser games.

 

Its not so much the game but the way the company have done things that gets me, its obvious they did not get all they wanted finished in time and yet if the had who knows great might be the word I would be using right now. They tried to do a CoD on it and worry about sales more than anything else, the advertising and FUD release was a mega build up that maybe left expectations too high!!

 

I know it may be my fault for expecting too much but then again this is Halo and this game is the main reason I have an xbox and pay for live. Alas MW3 had me more gripped than this game which is sad for me to say..

[TornadoFlame]

Well if you remember correctly, Halo only sold on Xbox, CoD didnt, so compering sales numbers isn't overly fair. Plus it's all based on personal opinion wether the game is good, but majority of gamers do see it as a good game, just no perfect.

 

comparing sales numbers with other halo games is not fair either because Halo 3 was the best by sales halo 4 Might have topped it but i realized when halo odst came out half of the people who bough that game got it for the halo 3 multiplayer the xbox was a broken consale it broke your disc *forced me to buy 3-4 halo 3's* so If there was probably a way to factor that in at this point it would have probably beaten halo 4 in sales i beleive anyways.

 

"its all based on personal opinion wether the game is good, But MAJORITY of gamers do see it as a good game" thats a opinion the only true facts from this is can be shown in the online population which out of 4.5million who bough the game theres a soild 100-150k on a day so clearly 4million users didn't find the game enjoyable enough to continue it.

 

i do beleive 343 did try to leave expectations way to high for everyone tho But :/ when you rush out a game to beat a competitior stuff likes this happens i know from my experiences with reach and halo 4 I am more worried about buying halo 5.