Are people recognizing ARR?

Exactly. If the unschooled masses see a TV commercial of FFXIV:ARR now, even as spectacular like the latest CG trailers they will simply say: "Oh, a commercial of that failed MMO. Is that thing still on?"

Wasted money.

If they see the same commercial after launch, when positive reviews and word of mouth are already circulating (as we can only hope they will, and if they won't, because the game isn't good, there isn't much that can be done anyway), then the commercial does have a chance to latch on.

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Originally Posted by Abriael

Everyone on this forum should work as a marketing consultant.


... or not.


While I understand that many people here are driven by the irrational need to be recognized by the media and by your peers, Square Enix is promoting the game exactly how they should. For the moment they're focusing their budget on development and using cheap media to advertise (social networks, youtube, niconico and such), without going on a spending spree when it's way too early.

Despite what some seem to think, large advertisement campaigns for MMORPGs BEFORE launch are not that effective. MMORPGs are games designed to be played for a long time, and don't suffer from getting technologically obsolete fast, so they don't need the bulk of purchases to be made on day one.

As a matter of fact, a smaller launch with a growing trend is much better for a MMORPG than a booming launch followed by a deflation (even just to make sure launch is smooth and not overcrowded server-wise, and having to open new servers because population is growing gives the game a much more positive buzz than having to open a ton at launch and then merging).

The big marketing money is best spent AFTER launch, when people that see the commercial can just go out and buy the game instead of forgetting before it comes out, and when it's corroborated by positive reviews and positive word of mouth. Even more so when the game is the successor of one that failed.

Simply enough "available now!" is much more effective than "coming soon!"

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Indeed they shouldn't be spending huge for trailers in theaters for something not even available - but quite a few of SE trailers of alpha need to have a little more time spent on them at least imho. I've had very little interest spark from them and I was -trying- to find something to be interested in. (Having a personal investment, and maybe some other things I might not be able to say, I'm still interested, but it had nothing to do with trailers)

I've said it before but I like SE giving players who cant play alpha a tease, but I don't think the trailers in the state they are do much for them in hype if not make a negative hype.

Hence why I said looks like a dev commentary without the dev commentary, which is a pretty boring set up unless you are like us in the forums (even then it still not as cool if it actually had commentary).

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Originally Posted by Shougun

Indeed they shouldn't be spending huge for trailers in theaters for something not even available - but quite a few of SE trailers of alpha need to have a little more time spent on them at least imho. I've had very little interest spark from them and I was -trying- to find something to be interested in. (Having a personal investment, and maybe some other things I might not be able to say, I'm still interested, but it had nothing to do with trailers)

I've said it before but I like SE giving players who cant play alpha a tease, but I don't think the trailers in the state they are do much for them in hype if not make a negative hype.

Hence why I said looks like a dev commentary without the dev commentary, which is a pretty boring set up unless you are like us in the forums (even then it still not as cool if it actually had commentary).

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Dev commentary requires taking a dev and making him waste his development time to do the commentary, which isn't an elementary or quick thing in order to get professional quality results. Those kind of teases are a simple trickle down to those that wanted to get into the alpha and didn't. They aren't designed to advertise the game to the larger population.

They work well for the purpose they're designed. Those grumbling about them would be malcontent whatever they were fed.

And they would still think they know a thing about marketing. Which they don't, as this thread clearly proves.

I know everything about everything

This thread is so full of irony and bloated ego, which makes for an amusing distraction.

Anyone mentioned this before?

Gamescom Awards Announced
5 September 2012

The votes have been tallied and the community has spoken! FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn has been honored with the Community Choice Award for best of gamescom 2012, receiving over three times as many votes as the runner-up!

[Check it out]

:cool:

Are we forgetting that this is a Japanese game? I don't remember XI having any TV ads in North America, but X-2 had plenty. Weren't they released within a year or so of each other?

I do hope they treat NA and EU viewers to the same ad campaign as they have in Japan, though. From what I can tell, the JP don't embrace Western games as much as they do Western culture, so I won't be surprised if XIV runs virtually unopposed for top-selling MMO in Japan.

Edit: Not sure what I'm trying to get at here. It just seems like they'll have a harder time getting an ad on TV in North America because all the ad time is filled up with garbage ads about herpes.

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Originally Posted by Seraphe

Hey there,

I've been reading some gaming news lately and with the new year all the gaming news sites reveal their "top games of 2013" or to be more specific.. "Top 10 upcoming MMOs of 2013" and many sites (read: almost all) don't even mention FFXIV:ARR. Is SE doing enough marketing? The Elder Scrolls Online is the most anticipated game in almost every "Top 10" list I've read and if it works out well for TES:O I'm afraid that it'll be the same story as with XI and WoW.

I would like to hear your opinions :)
1. Is SE doing enough?
2. What do you think is the best platform to make this game famous (YouTube advertisements, TV, etc..)

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I would not worry too much about ESO. Sure they will probably win game of the year but thats because there are a lot of people that like that game for reasons that I can't figure out. I played Oblivion and Skyrim and was both times terribly disappointed at how easy they were to beat. I'm pretty sure the mmo version of those games will be better but I doubt the people who like those game the most surely do not know what they are missing if they have never played XI or XIV. I can bet my life the ESO will not be half the game ARR will be. I think Bethesda has a lot of work to catch up to SE as far as MMOS are concerned. Hopefuly in their online version of those games they have inproved the horrendous combat style or lack thereof and character creation because those things are just ridiculously horrible imo. Im also willing to bet that there will be lost of cheat codes that will render playing ESO pointless like there were on the console and pc versions. Also ESO from what I hear will be a huge cut and paste job as far as the world is concernned since they are stitching all the maps together from previous versions.

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Originally Posted by Allesasi

I would not worry too much about ESO. Sure they will probably win game of the year but thats because there are a lot of people that like that game for reasons that I can't figure out. I played Oblivion and Skyrim and was both times terribly disappointed at how easy they were to beat. I'm pretty sure the mmo version of those games will be better but I doubt the people who like those game the most surely do not know what they are missing if they have never played XI or XIV. I can bet my life the ESO will not be half the game ARR will be. I think Bethesda has a lot of work to catch up to SE as far as MMOS are concerned. Hopefuly in their online version of those games they have inproved the horrendous combat style or lack thereof and character creation because those things are just ridiculously horrible imo. Im also willing to bet that there will be lost of cheat codes that will render playing ESO pointless like there were on the console and pc versions. Also ESO from what I hear will be a huge cut and paste job as far as the world is concernned since they are stitching all the maps together from previous versions.

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I've never played the console versions (of bethesda's games) because the PC version is superior (puffs chest out) - player mods make those games awesome, for years - even morrowind is still going. Not that ESO will have mods, but that would be why I think they are awesome - also loved exploring.

ESO's combat appears to have more native movement and action then ARR's - ESO's combat is heading the direction of Tera Online (there certainly are those who dont like action twitch skill oriented games, but I find more 'for' then those 'against').

They are attempting some other unique features like 'megaservers' as well, little 'facets' that are unique help draw in players even if they aren't actually that great (doesn't mean the game can retain players though - but it can mean ARR has a worse out of the gate run if something is in the way).

I don't think SE should discard ESO as harmless. Though thankfully / unthankfully a lot of SE players will be visual aesthetic nuts and ESO has little of that (some screenshots look great others look like giant piles of crap lol). Though I still think SE flora sucks and is hurting its aesthetics.. ESO's grass actually looks better..

Oh, ARR will be on PS3 and that is pretty much an exclusive opportunity for SE - still for PC players SE should be aware of ESO and any other up and coming MMOs (for their release date at least).

(Zenimax is working on ESO not bethesda btw)

Don't know about them so maybe it will be good. Unfortunately I can only afford to play one MMO timewise and I choose ARR.

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Originally Posted by Allesasi

Don't know about them so maybe it will be good. Unfortunately I can only afford to play one MMO timewise and I choose ARR.

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I choose pikachu.

:P

ZeniMax Media is the parent company, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZeniMax_Media .

So I guess more appropriately ESO is made by ZeniMax Online Studios, ESO being their first creation.

ESO is being helmed by Matt Firor who you may know from DAoC (Dark Age of Camelot) - Yoshi actually likes this game.

You can see ESO is working up the hype with all the dev talks and trailers, SE hype machine is a bit silent* - but they are also under different circumstance of having crashed previously and being foreign (doing anything requires an extra layer of work).

Edit: ESO website / hype is supporting EN / DE / FR.
Double Edit*: SE has a blog / +1 cookie

I'd like to see some TV ads

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Originally Posted by Shougun

I choose pikachu.

:P

ZeniMax Media is the parent company, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZeniMax_Media .

So I guess more appropriately ESO is made by ZeniMax Online Studios, ESO being their first creation.

ESO is being helmed by Matt Firor who you may know from DAoC (Dark Age of Camelot) - Yoshi actually likes this game.

You can see ESO is working up the hype with all the dev talks and trailers, SE hype machine is a bit silent* - but they are also under different circumstance of having crashed previously and being foreign (doing anything requires an extra layer of work).

Edit: ESO website / hype is supporting EN / DE / FR.
Double Edit*: SE has a blog / +1 cookie

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Skyrim was a bit overrated. It was fun for a minute, but there was so much hype over it and when I played it I was like "meh." It was insane that people looked forward to the bugs in the game.. "It's like a staple in the series." Really? Bugs.. Game ruining bugs are being praised?

"See that? We can half-ass a game and they love it because we pay reviewers to hype it!" Makes me sick..

I have read MMORPG.com forums and didn't see any much of negative messages about the game at all but it's dying slowly. So, I checked GameSpot forums and yet it's still strong, however, some of them are still discussing that they hope the game doesn't turn out to be like XI all over again. Funny thing is... most of them have no idea what they are talking about.. =_=

http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV

If that's what you want to know... It sounds like many of them are excited.

Who can forget this one? ^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rye70mkMPRI

I remember seeing it a couple of times on TV XD But I already had the game so <.<

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrU3pxH1LU

Why can't we have ones like this? >.<

I trust Square Enix to increase media presence of A Realm Reborn when they're ready to.

There's a lot on the line now, and I doubt they will be so careless with how the game is perceived.

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Originally Posted by Zehira

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrU3pxH1LU

Why can't we have ones like this? >.<

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LOL... Best laugh all day.

I am not sure an ad like that could be run in the US without getting sued.

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Originally Posted by hrdndv

LOL... Best laugh all day.

I am not sure an ad like that could be run in the US without getting sued.

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cuz the US sucks ass... >.<
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNuRQmvykwk
Microsoft did a pretty damn good job with TV ads! but nooo... :(

If gaming sites aren't recognizing ARR then we the players should start spreading the word. Go forth, post screenshots and trailers on all popular sites! Let the masses know of 2.0's existence and of Yoshi-P's amazing revival of the game.

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Originally Posted by GatoGrotto

If gaming sites aren't recognizing ARR then we the players should start spreading the word. Go forth, post screenshots and trailers on all popular sites! Let the masses know of 2.0's existence and of Yoshi-P's amazing revival of the game.

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For players open beta will be a time to shine on the internet - till then I'd more focus on getting your friends psyched on trailers.

SE isnt putting out enough content for people on the internet to bite on. For example you post a few videos on your fan blog and then people see it go oh wow and then watch some not so oh wow alpha trailers.. It wont be as powerful of an effect as if there was more content out there to absorb (whether from SE or open beta fan stuff). While with your friends you have a lot more control and ability to explain contents and questions that arise; although, your fan blog could be just your friends.. lol

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Originally Posted by Shougun

For players open beta will be a time to shine on the internet - till then I'd more focus on getting your friends psyched on trailers.

SE isnt put out enough content for people on the internet to bite on. For example you post a few videos on your fan blog and then people see it go oh wow and then watch some not so oh wow alpha trailers.. It wont be as powerful as an effect as if there was more content out their to absorb (whether from SE or open beta fan stuff). While your friends you have a lot more control and ability to explain contents and questions that arise.

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I was thinking that ARR will probably come out this summer so that means SE can show off to many people at E3. It's a good thing because most of them will know when is release date so they don't have to be mad and waiting. :)

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Originally Posted by Phe

i'm also afraid most sources will treat ARR like an add-on unless SE calls it Final Fantasy XV.

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i dont think its possible to change the name, cause you can play any FF game from 1 up to now, XIV version wouldent exist then ,well have a "well.. wheres #14?" type situation

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Originally Posted by Zehira

I was thinking that ARR will probably come out this summer so that means SE can show off to many people at E3. It's a good thing because most of them will know when is release date so they don't have to be mad and waiting. :)

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it will come when phase4 ends. which in worst case scenario is june:ish. but i dont think there will be a worst case scenario, so it will come earlier.
they don't really need to appear on E3, i'm sure various magazines are keeping an eye out, and will make reviews. And SE will start marketing when OB is nearing its end.

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Originally Posted by Kaizuko_Hakupac

i dont think its possible to change the name, cause you can play any FF game from 1 up to now, XIV version wouldent exist then ,well have a "well.. wheres #14?" type situation

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hmm you're right.

maybe it would have been better to call it XIV-2 then, since people are used already to stand-alone spinoffs like X-2 and XIII-2

So a game that can be seen by uninformed parties as a mere "giant patch" to a failed, badly received, badly reviewed and overall hated entry on a series that's been losing some of it's popularity due to some of it's recent entries and that's not (yet) being activelly advertised is not on any top hype lists?

Color me surprised.

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Originally Posted by AdvancedWind

So a game that can be seen by uninformed parties as a mere "giant patch" to a failed, badly received, badly reviewed and overall hated entry on a series that's been losing some of it's popularity due to some of it's recent entries and that's not (yet) being activelly advertised is not on any top hype lists?

Color me surprised.

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Even before Alpha i read an article in a game magazine, where they talked about remake of FF14.
They were quite excited about it; So whatever opinions uninformed parties have doesn't matter. Those that care will notice ARR arrived and get informed, reading good reviews and decide to give it a try.
People should be aware already that over hyped games usually fail, and most other MMOs not from big companies fail too.
Tera wasn't even over hyped, and failed anyways, cause lack of content; that's what most random games lack...there's no lack of content in FFXIV. Anyone interested in FF in general will wanna try out ARR, to see if it's nice now; And since they might not have very high expectations to begin with, they'll be pleasantly surprised, and keep playing...unless they are already busy with some other game they like; in which case it doesn't really matter how much SE promotes the game.

I'm always seeing FF XIV on gaming news sites whenever there is any new information on the game and most treat it as a brand new game. Are people recognizing ARR? Yes.

SE has never been known for the most impressive marketing, or trailers. But the CG Yoshi-P had made for ARR has diffidently raised the bar for SE. I'm sure the main reason there hasn't been a load of epic dev walkthroughs or ingame trailers is because the game is still not ready for scrutiny. The lack of refined animations probably being the biggest glaring hole. When it is ready, which I'm sure will be around the time of Open Beta, I hope SE steps up their marketing campaign, not just more then it is now but better then it has been for past entries.

As for right now there are tens of thousands of views on unofficial channels showing off ARR with lots of positive comments, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of views on the official channel. I think it's on the right track for this point in time.

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Originally Posted by Lapulapu

They need to spend cash on tv advertising and they need to start now.It doesn't guarantee success but it really helps.Something like the end of an era trailer would be perfect for ARR along with the platforms it supports.

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They should do it without any Final Fantasy logos then people would be like "wtf is that game!? I need to know moar!" I also think showing the trailer in the cinemas would be amazing! those trailers always make me want to see/play whatever is being shown.

The opening movie has 140k+ views and growing, and that's just on the official SE Youtube channel. I wouldn't worry too much.

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Originally Posted by Jennika

The opening movie has 140k+ views and growing, and that's just on the official SE Youtube channel. I wouldn't worry too much.

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sure, but most people watched it multiple times, analyzing every frame :)

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Originally Posted by Radacci

sure, but most people watched it multiple times, analyzing every frame :)

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"most people"?

And do tell, what amazing statistical tool did you use to measure that?

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Originally Posted by Radacci

sure, but most people some dudes watched it multiple times, analyzing every frame :)

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Problem solved. Let's go on discussing.

:cool:

Judging by the amount of favourable comments on the ARR section of the SE European site (mostly people barely containing their anticipation for the launch of ARR), it seems interest is definitely building amongst people who didn't play 1.0, which is what SE needs.

Also, I've watched that trailer pretty much every day since it was uploaded. Does that make me obsessive? :p

I frequent the xiv subreddit and it seems like every day there is someone new posting and asking questions Hell I keep seeing 2.0 related thing popping up on /r/gaming. the buzz is growing, people are taking notice.

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Originally Posted by Abriael

"most people"?

And do tell, what amazing statistical tool did you use to measure that?

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Well aren't you picky. I didn't hear much complaints about the video, but lots of cheers. So it's not a far fetch to assume that most people watched it multiple times. I did, and i'm guessing you did too.

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Originally Posted by SidRheingold

Problem solved. Let's go on discussing.

:cool:

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Oh sure, there was probably 60000 ppl watching it, and *a few dudes* were the only ones watching it 1000 each, to cover the rest, not. You think there was actually 1 billion different people watching gagnam style video? or *a few dudes* watching it multiple times? :)

Is there no difference between *some dudes* and *a few dudes* ?

Its best for SE to keep the game in wraps til they know when they plan to launch or it will be a mess with (more) people hounding them about keeping the date and repeating 1.0 all over again

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Originally Posted by Radacci

sure, but most people watched it multiple times, analyzing every frame :)

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The view count doesn't grow when using the same IP. So, people going back and rewatching it isn't going to make the count grow unless they change that.