Brought to you by Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 15: 15th - 21st September 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 Eurogamer.net. THIS WEEK We look at the most anticipated games to be released in the key October and November months by readers of Eurogamer.net. Plus we hear from Guitar Hero boss Michael Sportouch on how the franchise is innovating this year and his thoughts on pricing, as well as looking at the UK charts, new releases, pricing of new games and more... October Releases EUROGAMER'S MOST ANTICIPATED FOR OCTOBER October is the annual face-off between PES and FIFA, and although we've already covered that showdown in a previous issue of GamesRetail, the difference between the two titles is stark. There's a very strong showing for DS title Scribblenauts next month, more popular than the return of Forza and Operation Flashpoint, and highlighting that the DS can still deliver unique experiences and capture Anticipation Level on Eurogamer.net consumer attention. Eurogamer readers are also keen for new IP due next month, including Deep Silver's RPG Risen, Gearbox's new shooter Borderlands, and Activision's Jack Black-starring Brutal Legend. The latest Gran Turismo and Sega's Risen FIFA 10 PES 2010 Borderlands spy RPG title Alpha Protocol - developed by Scribblenauts Brutal Legend Gran Turismo Obsidian, the makers of KOTOR II - complete the Forza MotorsportOFP: Dragon 3 Rising The Ballad of Gay Tony top ten. November Releases EUROGAMER'S MOST ANTICIPATED FOR NOVEMBER November is dominated by Modern Warfare 2, and with Activision offering multiple SKUs and price points, the latest in the Call of Duty franchise looks set to clean up at retail. The second most anticipated is the new Left 4 Dead title - impressive considering it's a relatively new franchise - and it also highlights the loyalty a company like Valve Anticipation Level on Eurogamer.net can achieve. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II, PES 2010 on the PSP and PS2 and EA's new IP Dragon Age: Origins also command similar interest levels. Also in the top ten are Wii fighter Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate DJ Hero PES 2010 Left 4 Dead 2 Ninja 5 for the PS2, highlighting an audience Modern Warfare 2 Assassin's Creed II Dragon Age: Origins interested in hardcore Japanese titles. Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Muramasa: The DemonThe Blade Sims 3: World Adventures Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja 5 Tickets for Eurogamer Expo 2009 are now on sale at expo.eurogamer.net. Page 1 Brought to you by Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 15: 15th - 21st September THIS WEEK IN RETAIL GAME NETS ANOTHER MODERN WARFARE 2 EXCLUSIVE £120 bundle will feature figurine and Hardened edition package. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Microsoft says it won't sell a 250GB Xbox GAME ON! LONDON CANCELLED 360 hard-drive separately despite one being Creative Games Media cans UK games expo set for November. introduced to new bundles for Xmas. WATCHDOG'S PS3 REPAIRS STUNT FALLS FLAT According to Sony's UK boss Ray Maguire, "fewer than one half of one per cent" of 'Fixed' consoles break weeks after repair; report points to "trapped gas" in PS3s suffer from hardware failures. hardware. Movie and game rental store Blockbuster is SHOPTO: PSPGO IS "ALMOST DEAD BEFORE IT HAS ARRIVED" to close 960 outlets by the end of 2010. Retailers refuse to stock console, while others fail to invest marketing effort A new report has suggested Nintendo will into release. release blue, navy and red DSi units this October in Europe. 250GB XBOX 360 TO RETAIL FOR £249 IN UK Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 is the latest game to New Forza 3 Super Elite bundle announced by Microsoft following Modern be denied a release in Australia due to its Warfare 2 deal. levels of violence. PS3 sales in Japan have slowed, but the THE BEATLES ROCK BAND SALES "EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS" system is still the most popular home High end $249 edition to sell out by November, says Viacom CEO. console in the region. GUITAR HERO'S MICHAEL SPORTOUCH The franchise boss talks innovation in the music game genre, plus what constitutes value for money. Here are the highlights: - Guitar Hero, according to Sportouch, has not only transformed the games industry, but the music industry. - The forthcoming DJ Hero is central to innovating the franchise this year. - Buying all of the exclusive mixes for DJ Hero on a service like iTunes would cost over USD 90. - European and UK pricing for the franchise is decided in those regions, not aligned to the US pricing MOST-ANTICIPATED GAMES MOST-READ ARTICLES 1. Alan Wake Microsoft 1. Need for Speed: SHIFT Review 2. Final Fantasy XIII Square Enix 2. Halo 3: ODST Review 3. Gran Turismo 5 SCE 3. Gran Turismo Review 4. God of War III SCEA 4. WET Review 5. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves SCE 5. Scribblenauts Review 6. Heavy Rain SCEE 6. Modern Warfare 2 Hands On 7. Final Fantasy Versus XIII Square Enix 7. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony Hands On 8. Splinter Cell: Conviction Ubisoft 8. Policenauts Review 9. Aion NCsoft 9. Blood Bowl Review 10. Halo 3: ODST Microsoft 10. Katamari Forever Review The GamesIndustry.biz Network now has over 8000 registered industryList basedusers! on traffic for Eurogamer articles dated 15th - 21st September. Page 2 Brought to you by Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 15: 15th - 21st September RETAIL DATA PRICE-CHECK DATA Halo 3: ODST (360) Need for Speed Shift (PS3) MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PSP) HMV £34.99 £39.99 £24.99 Amazon £29.96 £37.96 £17.99 ASDA £29.91 £37.91 £17.91 Play.com £34.99 £39.99 £17.99 GAME £34.99 £39.99 £19.99 Tesco N/A £37.87 £22.87 Cheapest Online £29.73 £34.79 £17.73 UK ALL-FORMAT CHART EVENT CALENDAR Title Publisher 24th - 27th Sep 2009 1. (-) Need For Speed: Shift Electronic Arts Tokyo Games Show 2009 Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, 2. (1) Guitar Hero 5 Activision Blizzard Japan. 3. (2) Colin Mcrae: Dirt 2 Codemasters 4. (3) Batman: Arkham Asylum Eidos 27th - 28th Oct 2009 5. (6) Wii Sports Resort Nintendo Eurogamer Expo/GamesIndustry.biz Career 6. (-) Wet Bethesda Softworks Fair The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK. 7. (4) The Beatles: Rock Band Electronic Arts 27th - 31st Oct 2009 8. (8) Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision Blizzard 9. (5) Wii Fit Nintendo GameCity Nottingham, UK. 10. (11) Tiger Woods Pga Tour 10 Electronic Arts 30th - 31st Oct 2009 11. (7) Il2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey 505 Games Eurogamer Expo/GamesIndustry.biz Career 12. (12) Fight Night Round 4 Electronic Arts Fair Old Billingsgate, London, UK. 13. (9) Mario Kart Wii Nintendo 14. (13) Championship Manager 2010 Eidos SELECTED GAMES INDUSTRY JOBS 15. (15) Mini Ninjas Eidos 16. (-) Quantum Of Solace Activision Blizzard Analyst for a leading studio in browser 17. (10) Ashes Cricket 2009 Codemasters gaming 18. (14) Call Of Duty: World At War Activision Blizzard Germany, UK & Europe. 19. (-) Far Cry 2 Ubisoft (Microsoft) Standards Coordinator 20. (19) Lego Batman: The Videogame Warner Bros UK & Europe. Marketing Assistant - Mobile Games © ELSPA, compiled by Chart Track Developer REVIEW SCORE COMPARISONS Scotland, UK & Europe. Principal Programmer Metacritic UK average UK & Europe. Halo 3: ODST (360) 85 87 WET (360) 70 65 Art Director - AAA Titles Cursed Mountain (Wii) 68 56 Australia, Rest of World. Need for Speed: SHIFT (PS3) 83 85 MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PSP) 80 80 The UK score is the mean average of the most read UK-based videogame websites and magazines. You can reach key UK retailers by advertising with GamesRetail.biz. Page 4 Brought to you by Every week: The UK games market in less than ten minutes Issue 15: 15th - 21st September TOP 10S PLATFORM TOP TENS PS3 PSP 1. (-) Need For Speed: Shift 1. (1) Dissidia: Final Fantasy 2. (2) Colin Mcrae: Dirt 2 2. (-) Need For Speed: Shift 3. (1) Batman: Arkham Asylum 3. (-) Motorstorm: Arctic Edge 4. (3) Guitar Hero 5 4. (3) Monster Hunter: Freedom Unite 5. (-) Wet 5. (2) Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny 6. (5) Il2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey 6. (4) Colin Mcrae: Dirt 2 7. (6) Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 7. (5) Resistance: Retribution 8. (4) The Beatles: Rock Band 8. (6) FIFA 09 9. (10) Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood 9. (7) Ben 10: Alien Force 10. (7) Fight Night Round 4 10. (9) Harry Potter & The Half-blood Prince WII DS 1. (2) Wii Sports Resort 1. (1) Dr Kawashima's Brain Training 2. (4) Guitar Hero 5 2. (2) Professor Layton And The Curious Village 3. (1) Wii Fit 3. (3) Mario Kart DS 4. (3) Mario Kart Wii 4. (6) Mystery Stories 5. (5) The Beatles: Rock Band 5. (9) Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force 6. (6) Ashes Cricket 2009 6. (5) New Super Mario Bros. 7. (-) Toy Story Mania! 7. (7) Pokemon Platinum 8. (7) EA Sports Active 8. (4) 42 All-time Classics 9. (10) Colin Mcrae: Dirt 2 9. (8) Classic Word Games 10. (17) Mini Ninjas 10. (11) Sherlock Holmes: Mystery Of The Mummy XBOX 360 PC 1. (-) Need For Speed: Shift 1. (1) Championship Manager 2010 2. (1) Colin Mcrae: Dirt 2 2. (-) Batman: Arkham Asylum 3. (2) Guitar Hero 5 3. (2) The Sims 3 4.