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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August

WELCOME ...to GamesRetail.biz, your weekly look at the key analysis, news and data sources for the retail sector, brought to you by GamesIndustry.biz and .net.

THIS WEEK ... we look at how the top publishers have lined up against each other in terms of the traffic they've generated on Eurogamer.net - and how they've done it.

Plus, we hear from Ubisoft creative director Michael de Plater, and round up all the week's sales data, need-to-know information, key online prices, jobs and release dates - plus what Eurogamer readers are most looking forward to.

Top 3 Publisher Traffic in 2009 ANALYSIS: PUBLISHER SHARE IN 2009 24% A F

22% In this week's analysis we're looking at B G 20% publisher share of traffic to Eurogamer.net and 18% identifying the key drivers. In the first graph is

16% D a comparison over time of the top 3 performers

14% - EA, Activision Blizzard and . C

12% Point A reflects Capcom's highest traffic 10% E percentage of 2009 to date with a retrospective 8% on the Street Fighter franchise and the review of Percentage of Total Hits on Eurogamer.net 6% Street Fighter IV. Both articles combined in the 4% middle of February, which goes to show the

2% impact a release outside of the normal busy

0% periods can have on generating buzz. Point B Jul Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jan '09 is the Resident Evil IV review, underlining that Capcom Activision idea further, while Point C demonstrates the interest around Flock!

Publisher Share of Eurogamer.net traffic in 2009 12% Points D and E in early May refer to a retrospective on EA's Black and a review of 11% Activision's X-Men Origins: Wolverine 10% respectively, while Point F combines a number 9% of high-ranking articles for EA, including a 8% retrospective on Burnout Paradise and a news 7% story in which Criterion claims that nobody

6% has yet "maxed out" the next-gen consoles.

5% Finally, the release of Battlefield 1943 last month - along with all the fuss about 4% Percentage of Total Hits on Eurogamer.net expanding servers and the huge numbers of 3% downloads it brought with it, gave EA another 2% at Point G. 1%

0% So while Activision has some of repeat EA THQ Capcom Ubisoft Activision Bethesda Microsoft franchises in the industry, it's that's Codemasters EA dominated the Eurogamer audience so far this year... but what impact will Modern Warfare 2 have by the end of December?

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August

THIS WEEK IN RETAIL

CHRISTMAS MARKET "BRUTAL" FOR NEW IPS - DE PLATER Publishers pushing new titles into early 2010 is evidence of fierce Q4 market, THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW says Ubisoft exec. The release schedule for this Christmas is beginning to thin out as more and more PLAYSTATION 3 MANUFACTURING COSTS DROP 70% titles are shifting to 2010 - with most "On schedule" cost reduction could pave the way for rumoured price cut. publishers keen to avoid a clash with Modern Warfare 2. DOMINATES JAPANESE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE CHARTS The plight of 3DTV technology looks set to Dragon Quest IX still on top; Nintendo games take the top five positions. suffer from compatibility issues, says Blitz CTO Andrew Oliver, as rival companies are BURN ZOMBIE BURNS SELLS 70,000 VIA PSN working to different standards. Developer calls for greater transparency of sales via digital distribution. Double Fine's Brutal Legend is one step closer to release after a US judge admitted STARCRAFT II COULD SELL 4 MILLION IN OPENING QUARTER - PACHTER to "leaning" in the developer's favour in the And even if title is delayed into 2010, Modern Warfare 2 could offset losses, Activision/EA publishing row. says analyst. Leipzig's inaugural Games Convention Online attracted 43,000 visitors over the PLAYSTATION 3 INSTALL BASE REACHES 23 MILLION WORLDWIDE weekend - enough to warrant a follow-up Lifetime sales figures revealed; software nears 190 million units. event next year.

MICHAEL DE PLATER Ubisoft's creative director, who had a big hand in last year's EndWar, talked to GamesIndustry.biz - here are the highlights, and click to read more. - Games have now surpassed movies as "premium blockbuster entertainment" - New technology is empowering people to have new experiences with games (music, voice, etc) - Consoles are not so different from PCs are far as RTS complexity goes - EndWar sold three times as many copies as Shogun: Total War for a new IP - That and Halo Wars were the two biggest RTS games in the past five years - both on console

MOST-ANTICIPATED GAMES MOST-READ ARTICLES

1. Alan Wake Microsoft 1. Marvel vs Capcom 2 Review 2. Final Fantasy XIII Square Enix 2. WipEout HD: Fury Review 3. God of War III SCEA 3. Beneath A Steel Sky - Remastered Preview 4. Final Fantasy Versus XIII Square Enix 4. Hands On 5. Gran Turismo 5 SCE 5. Zombies & Me Review 6. Heavy Rain SCEE 6. Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition Review 7. Splinter Cell: Conviction Ubisoft 7. Bookworm Adventures 2 Review 8. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves SCE 8. Rygar: The Battle of Argus Review 9. Halo 3: ODST Microsoft 9. Dragonica Review 10. Dragon Age: Origins Electronic Arts 10. Ashes Cricket 2009 Hands On

List based on traffic for Eurogamer articles dated 28th July - 3rd August.

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August RETAIL DATA

PRICE-CHECK DATA

Call of Juarez (360) Prof Layton and the Curious Village (DS) Killzone 2 (PS3) HMV £39.99 £27.99 £34.99 Amazon £35.96 £17.74 £23.92 ASDA £35.91 £24.71 £37.91 Play.com £39.99 £24.99 £29.99 GAME £37.99 £24.99 £29.99 Tesco £35.96 £23.96 £34.96 Cheapest Online £35.91 £17.74 £23.92

UK ALL-FORMAT CHART EVENT CALENDAR

Title Publisher 13th - 14th Aug 2009 1. (1) Sports Resort Nintendo Edinburgh Interactive Edinburgh, UK. 2. (4) Nintendo 3. (3) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Electronic Arts 19th - 23rd Aug 2009 4. (2) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince Electronic Arts Cologne, Germany. 5. (6) Fight Night Round 4 Electronic Arts 6. (5) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Activision Blizzard 24th - 27th Sep 2009 7. (8) The Sims 3 Electronic Arts Tokyo Games Show 2009 Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, 8. (12) UFC 2009: Undisputed THQ Japan. 9. (10) EA Sports Active Electronic Arts 27th - 28th Oct 2009 10. (7) Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood Ubisoft Eurogamer Expo/GamesIndustry.biz Career 11. (11) Mario Kart Wii Nintendo Fair The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK. 12. (9) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Blizzard 13. (14) FIFA 09 Electronic Arts SELECTED GAMES INDUSTRY JOBS 14. (17) Wii Play Nintendo 15. (16) Call of Duty: World at War Activision Blizzard Senior Concept Artist - Stunning Location 16. (21) Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games New Zealand, Rest of World. 17. (15) Professor Layton and the Curious Village Nintendo Account Manager - Unqiue Opportunity 18. (18) [prototype] Activision Blizzard UK & Europe. 19. (20) Guitar Hero: World Tour Activision Blizzard 20. (19) Pokemon Platinum Nintendo Producer Oxford, Midlands, England, UK & Europe.

Technical Art Director - Critically © ELSPA, compiled by Chart Track Acclaimed Studio!! REVIEW SCORE COMPARISONS Brighton, South East, England, UK & Europe. UK average Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Wii) 73 75 Senior Level Designer 'Splosion Man (360) 84 82 Vancouver, Canada, North America. Wii Sports Resort (Wii) 81 76 Age of Conan - Hyborian Adventures (PC) 80 77 Battlefield 1943 (360) 84 83

The UK score is the mean average of the most read UK-based videogame websites and magazines.

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August TOP 10S PLATFORM TOP TENS

PS3 PSP

1. (2) Fight Night Round 4 1. (1) : Freedom Unite 2. (6) UFC 2009: Undisputed 2. (3) FIFA 09 3. (1) Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood 3. (2) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince 4. (3) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 4. (5) Resistance: Retribution 5. (5) Infamous 5. (4) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 6. (7) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 6. (6) Football Manager 2009 7. (8) Ghostbusters: The 7. (8) Need For Speed: Undercover 8. (4) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 8. (7) Ben 10: Alien Force 9. (10) [prototype] 9. (-) SBK-09 Superbike World Championship 10. (11) Killzone 2 10. (9) X-Men Origins: Wolverine

WII DS

1. (1) Wii Sports Resort 1. (1) Professor Layton and the Curious Village 2. (2) Wii Fit 2. (3) Pokemon Platinum 3. (3) EA Sports Active 3. (2) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince 4. (4) Mario Kart Wii 4. (5) Mario Kart DS 5. (5) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 5. (7) Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force 6. (6) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince 6. (8) Dr Kawashima's Brain Training 7. (7) Grand Slam Tennis 7. (4) Rhythm Paradise 8. (10) Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games 8. (9) New Super Mario Bros 9. (9) 2009 9. (13) Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games 10. (8) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 10. (11) Mystery Stories

XBOX 360 PC

1. (2) Fight Night Round 4 1. (1) The Sims 3 2. (3) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 2. (2) Football Manager 2009 3. (6) UFC 2009: Undisputed 3. (3) World of Warcraft: Wrath of Lich King 4. (4) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4. (4) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 5. (1) Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen 5. (6) Empire: Total War 6. (5) Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood 6. (8) International Cricket Captain 09: Ashes 7. (8) : Guerrilla 7. (5) Arma II 8. (7) [prototype] 8. (12) Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 9. (9) Halo Wars 9. (7) Spore: Galactic Adventures 10. (10) Call Of Duty: World At War 10. (9) Grand Theft Auto IV

© ELSPA, compiled by Chart Track

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August RETAIL DATA

SHOPTO PRE-ORDER CHART SWAPGAME RENTAL CHART

1. (-) Forza Motorsport 3: Limited Edition ( 360) 1. (3) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince () 2. (1) Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360) 2. (4) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Xbox 360) 3. (-) Halo 3: ODST inc Halo Reach BETA Key (Xbox 360) 3. (5) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PS3) 4. (2) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) 4. (7) Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (PS3) 5. (4) Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) 5. (6) The Conduit (Wii) 6. (5) Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) 6. (9) Wii Sports Resort (Wii) 7. (3) PES 2010: Pro Evolution Soccer (PS3) 7. (-) Watchmen: The End is Nigh (Xbox 360) 8. (21) Ashes Cricket 2009 (PS3) 8. (-) Watchmen: The End is Nigh (PS3) 9. (-) FIFA 10 (Xbox 360) 9. (-) Hysteria Hospital: Emergency Ward (Wii) 10. (-) FIFA 10 (PS3) 10. (10) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (PSP)

MOST PLAYED ON XBOX LIVE BY EUROGAMER USERS METABOLI DOWNLOAD CHART

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 1. (1) Pro Cycling 2009 2. Battlefield 1943 2. (3) The Sims 3 3. Call of Duty: World at War 3. (2) Anno 1404 4. Gears of War 2 4. (4) FIFA Manager 09 5. FIFA 09 5. (6) Rome Total War Gold 6. Halo 3 6. (5) C&C: Red Alert 3 - Uprising 7. Fallout 3 7. (9) 8. GTA IV 8. (7) Rollercoaster 3 9. Rock Band 2 9. (8) Zeus 10. 'Splosion Man 10. (10) Total Annihilation

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August RELEASE DATES

RELEASE DATES

Date Title Publisher Platforms

August 5th Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled Ubisoft 360 7th Ashes Cricket 2009 Codemasters 360, PC, PS3, Wii 7th Cake Mania 2 Majesco Europe DS 7th City Life DS Flashpoint DS 7th GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra Electonic Arts 360, DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii 12th Trials HD Microsoft 360 13th Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Capcom PS3 13th Red Faction: Guerrilla - Demons of the Badlands THQ 360, PS3 14th Madden NFL 10 Electronic Arts 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii 19th Shadow Complex Epic Games 360 21st SuperCar Challenge System 3 PS3 21st Wolfenstein Activision 360, PC, PS3 26th Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2 Warner Bros. Interactive 360 28th Batman: Arkham Asylum Eidos 360, PC, PS3 28th King of Fighters XII Ignition Entertainment 360, PS3 28th Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Namco Bandai PSP Fallout 3 Operation: Anchorage Bethesda Softworks PS3 Fallout 3: Broken Steel Bethesda Softworks PS3 Fallout 3: The Pitt Bethesda Softworks PS3 Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao Bandai Namco Games Inc. 360, PS3 Tales of Monkey Island: The Siege of Spinner City Lucasarts PC, Wii Trine Nobilis PS3

September 4th Champions Online Atari PC 4th Cursed Mountain Wii 4th Dissidia: Final Fantasy Square Enix PSP 4th Guilty Gear 2 Overture 505 Games 360 4th IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey 505 Games 360, DS, PS3, PSP 4th Prime Trilogy Nintendo Wii 4th The Humans Deep Silver DS 11th Colin McRae: DiRT 2 Codemasters 360, DS, PS3, PSP, Wii 11th Mini Ninjas Eidos 360, DS, PC, PS3, Wii 11th NHL 2k10 2K Sports PS3 18th Guitar Hero 5 Activision 360, PS2, PS3, Wii 18th Katamari Forever Namco Bandai PS3 18th Need for Speed: SHIFT Electronic Arts 360, PC, PS3, PSP 18th Red Faction: Guerrilla THQ PC 18th Resident Evil 5 Capcom PC 18th : Origins Disney Interactive Wii 18th WET Bethesda Softworks 360, PS3

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Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 8: 28th July - 3rd August RELEASE DATES

RELEASE DATES (CONT.)

Date Title Publisher Platforms

September 22nd Halo 3: ODST Microsoft 360 25th Aion: The Tower of Eternity NCsoft PC 25th Family Trainer: Extreme Challenge Atari Europe Wii 25th Professor Layton and Pandora's Box Nintendo of Europe DS 25th Scribblenauts Warner Bros Interactive DS Entertainment 25th Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up Ubisoft Wii 25th 360, PC Battlefield 1943 Electronic Arts PC 30th Fate/unlimited codes Capcom PSP

October 1st Gran Turismo PSP Sony Computer PSP Entertainment Europe 2nd Dead Space: Extraction Electonic Arts Wii 2nd FIFA 10 Electronic Arts 360, DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii 2nd Sigma 2 PS3 2nd Deep Silver PC 8th Cities XL Monte Cristo PC 9th Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Codemasters 360, PC, PS3 16th Brutal Legend Electronic Arts 360, PS3 16th Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Nintendo DS 16th Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games SEGA DS, Wii 23rd Borderlands 2K Games 360, PC, PS3 23rd Dragon Age: Origins Electronic Arts 360, PC, PS3 23rd Forza Motorsport 3 Microsoft 360 23rd Ghostbusters Atari Europe 360, DS, PC, PSP, Wii 29th Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony Rockstar Games 360 30th Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition Bethesda Softworks 360, PC, PS3 30th LittleBigPlanet Sony Computer PSP Entertainment 30th Tekken 6 Namco Europe 360, PS3, PSP Alpha Protocol Sega Of Europe 360, PC, PS3 Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta Bethesda Softworks PS3 Lips: Number One Hits Microsoft 360

November 10th Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Activision 360, PC, PS3 17th Left 4 Dead 2 Valve Software 360, PC 20th Assassin's Creed 2 Ubisoft 360, PS3 20th Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Ubisoft PSP

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