Advertisement for the average gamer?

[eleinvisible]

I don't know, but for some reason people who enjoy Civilization or turn based strategy games seem to appreciate PI's games. However, mainstream RTS/FPS/RPG gamers are less likely. This is based on my experience when trying to spin HOI2/EU3 to my brothers and friends. I just don't think advertisement is needed... PI is like a god among strategy enthusiasts.

 

[unmerged(84132)]

When people on this board are calling people that do not like (or are not willing to try) grand scale strategy games "stupid", is anyone really shocked why many people would not even waste their time trying?

If you act this way to your friends, which I would not be surprised if you did, I am not surprised why they would not give HOI more than 5 mins of their time.

Also, many people play games for an escape, not to really be intellectually challenged. I know many intelligent people that would never play grand scale strategy games, and I also know some people of lesser intelligence that play grand scale strategy games.

I think what games you play in your free time is less based on intelligence and more based on how you like to spend you free time.

 

[JoeGiavani]

The pretentious elitism of this thread is making me cringe.

Agreed.

 

[War Otter]

It not elitism, it's esprit de corps.

Seriously though. I have bought copies fo HoI2 for three friends that should have loved. Strategy board-gamers since the days of Avalon Hill and games like the Europa series, as well as avid computer gamers, they should have loved it, and didn't.

HoI is really a game series that really does appeal to limited segment of gamers. There are lots of niche games out there. HoI just happens to be the best.

Also, I have never liked any Mario game. Ever.

Edit: spelling

 

[sbr]

The pretentious elitism of this thread is making me cringe.

So suddenly being better than everyone else make you pretentious?

 

[JoeGiavani]

So suddenly being better than everyone else make you pretentious?

Do you honestly want me to compile a list of people who're better than anyone on this thread who've never even played a paradox game? Hell just think of the cleverest people you know, doubt any of them will have heard of "hearts of iron".

 

[unmerged(61311)]

Do you honestly want me to compile a list of people who're better than anyone on this thread who've never even played a paradox game? Hell just think of the cleverest people you know, doubt any of them will have heard of "hearts of iron".

It's called a joke... ever hear of one?

Seriously though, nobody said anything about non-PI gamers being "stupid" as you said, you just saw Alexander's post, and commented because he is generally a good source to comment on, but not in this case.

Hoi is as stated a niche game that not everybody likes, it has NOTHING to do with intelligence, so cut the pretentious crap you seem to be spewing. The people posting here have not intentioned that they are better than non-PI gamers.

 

[unmerged(84132)]

Seriously though, nobody said anything about non-PI gamers being "stupid" as you said, you just saw Alexander's post, and commented because he is generally a good source to comment on, but not in this case.

Did you read Jazumir's post?

I did not comment because Alexander commented. Heck, I do not even remember what his post even said. I commented because of what Jazumir typed.

Essentially what I read from his post is that people who think PI's games are too complex (and thus, not willing to try them), out themselves as being stupid.

Complexity is not correllated with intelligence in any way. Calling people who do not like complex things, "stupid", is just plain asinine.

 

[blue emu]

Cool down, all of you.

 

[Alexander Seil]

Speaking of mainstream FPS/RPG players, I'm one of them, by the way And Johan plays World of Warcraft...

The point is that people are fond of claiming that their game (and therefore taste) is the best, and by extension everything else is crap. Now, I do this in real life all the time, for sure. There's nothing wrong with it as a social behavior - it's quite natural in fact.

The problem arises when you try to fashion this social behavior into a marketing campaign. Paradox worked very hard to get to the point where their overcomplicated games are actually mainstream (i.e., they appear in mass-market publications - go find me a review of any Matrix, HPS or AGEOD game in one of those!) and get rave (for a strategy game) reviews. Some posters here would apparently prefer them to degenerate back into the black hole of wargame developing, out of which Paradox will never climb out again.

By the way, if anyone here reads Matrix forums, I had this very same discussion (well, essentially) a week ago there. The point made frequently is that "typical" wargame developers have to resort to rehashing the Battle of the Bulge 28659 times over because it's a predictable seller among the tiny fanbase, and any deviation is fatal. There's no way anyone other than Paradox (who command a mass market - hell, check the membership of this very forum) would be able to do anything as ambitious as Hearts of Iron. Too much risk.

EDIT: Just for joyous irony, I checked the membership of TWCenter forums, dedicated to "mainstream" CA Total War games, and the "exclusive" Paradox forums. Guess what, Paradox beats TWC by a factor of 2.5, twice as many posts, etc. Some people here are simply stuck in 2001.

 

[wright1331]

This kinda game is very hard to advertise for and have it work out. I can't think of too many Strat games that I remember seeing a TV commercial for especially if its a PC game which dont get much advertisements anyway. I dont read many gamer magazine so I cant comment on that.

They take advantage of the best advertisement, Word of mouth. From people telling others and from people reading a review or preview of the game. Almost every Game site I have been to has Something on HOI3 and its almost all good. If they can just get people to Pick up the Box flip it over and take a look at the game and read what its about, Thats 1/2 the battle. (ahh Good ol' G.I. Joe comment)

This style of game isn't mainstream and won't get the attention of most people even if its advertised. Whatever they have been doing has been working, else we probably wouldnt have had HOI2, let alone HOI3.

 

[Alexander Seil]

This style of game isn't mainstream and won't get the attention of most people even if its advertised. Whatever they have been doing has been working, else we probably wouldnt have had HOI2, let alone HOI3.

Given that EU3 had magazine advertisements, clearly what they're doing is quite the opposite of what's being suggested here...

 

[wright1331]

Given that EU3 had magazine advertisements, clearly what they're doing is quite the opposite of what's being suggested here...

maybe you should read the whole post dee dee dee

I dont read many gamer magazine so I cant comment on that.

 

[Alexander Seil]

I can hardly remember anything other than WoW getting TV ads, so I believe that when we're talking about ads for games, talking about anything other than paper and web magazines is kind of pointless. What other ads are there? Banners on Wargamer? Though the latter isn't a bad idea...

EDIT: Well, I suppose Twitter feeds may be considered advertisement, but, for example, I only read Twitter when directed to a particular feed, so I doubt it's too effective.

EDIT2: Another form of mainstream advertising that Paradox does is actively pushing for publicity at events like E3 (which other wargaming companies ignore in favor of much less glamorous conventions), and presumably actively contacting all kinds of publications (by means of sending them press copies, for example).

 

[unmerged(64527)]

I think for an individual to truly love the HoI series (or any Paradox series, really) is to have a passion and love for history. It is not to say that you can't still like or play the games without a love for history; but without it you'll lose a huge emotional and intellectual connection to the game.

 

[Alexander Seil]

My experience of these forums (over 8 years) indicates that people with any in-depth knowledge of history are a minority. They're a vocal, high post count minority, but a minority nevertheless. Paradox's main achievement is that you don't need to know any history at all to enjoy any of their games, although there will be some trial and error with HoI's operational component.

A part of it is that Paradox avoids "special rules" like fire in most of their games, and everything gets subsumed into generalized game systems - which makes it a lot easier to understand without knowing the specifics of the timeperiod's history.

 

[unmerged(94346)]

We could always help Paradox advertising their games by telling friends first hand instead of a publicity campaign.

Just a thought...

 

[unmerged(64527)]

We could always help Paradox advertising their games by telling friends first hand instead of a publicity campaign.

Just a thought...

Already have and already recruited 2 people. Thanks...thanks....

 

[eleinvisible]

Speaking of mainstream FPS/RPG players, I'm one of them, by the way...

As am I, and I'm willing to bet a good number of members here are as well.

Honestly, PI did well with HOI3's mainstream promotion. I saw news saying it was in development and trailers before I even thought of going to the official website and forum - it was a welcomed surprise. The developer diaries and twitter also appear to been a good promotion by letting people in on the game. Fortunately, their games have gotten considerable attention on game websites, and coupled with their good scores on previous games I think they may be drawing their biggest market yet. Sadly, previews and summary's (like Gamespy: "Serious wargamers are in for a real treat as the hardcore franchise returns...") might be misconstruing the game's mass appeal. Furthermore, it would also do wonders in America, where most people know far too little of the war and then make outrageous claims, as if they invented the question mark.

 

[unmerged(64527)]

Furthermore, it would also do wonders in America, where most people know far too little of the war and then make outrageous claims, as if they invented the question mark.

Honestly I feel the same way about Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Germany, most of the Pacific Islands nations, China, the Philippines, oh and the list goes on....