Curse

Nim · May 31, 2005, 05:27 PM // 17:27

Durring my lunch break at work I took a trip to Best Buy to browse around and waste time. I found something that kind of bothered me. As I browsed the PC game isle, I noticed Guildwars was no longer in it's place of prominince on the Top Shelf. At first I thought perhaps it was so successful that it was moved to it's own display or end cap. But after searching for a while I found it on the absolute bottom shelf with it's price discounted down to $39.00 (usd)!

Does this mean the sales are slow? Does it mean Guildwars doesnt generate enough interest to placed at eye level view? Does the discounted price reflect lack a of interest and sales? I hope not, I want guildwars to be financially successful for A-Net. I want A-Net to see a financial future in guildwars and have reason to continue development, support, and expansion. *very concerned*

-Nim

Duckchow · May 31, 2005, 05:29 PM // 17:29

Might just be on sale.

liuzg · May 31, 2005, 05:29 PM // 17:29

It is top sales in Singapore for 3 weeks running......

Principa Discordia · May 31, 2005, 05:32 PM // 17:32

Still holds the #1 spot at www.play.com for the UK, and it has done since launch.

Nim · May 31, 2005, 05:45 PM // 17:45

LOL... perhaps Best Buy is just being foolish placing the #1 game in a place where no one can see it. Or just some local store's BAS degree department manager who thinks he is a great manager making bad marketing decisions for the store :P

Phantom Force · May 31, 2005, 05:55 PM // 17:55

It is quite possible that the game has lost some interest in America. I do not know the facts so I can't say for sure. But I also would think that the interest in the game has already been at peak, those who really wanted it have already gotten it. Those who don't have it or not sure if they want it, will get it later on as time passes by. They will be the stragglers that come in last. Like I said I have no facts or information on the sales for US, I'm just using what little intelligence I have left to come up with this thought.

Xellos · May 31, 2005, 06:02 PM // 18:02

Until you figure out the cost/maintainability and all those other figures from Anet, then compare it to those of other companies and their releases (eg. WoW), you really have no idea. A company who sells more perhaps might still be in debt more because of production/maintainence cost. It all boils down to many different things that only the company knows.

The Virago · May 31, 2005, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Product placement is as much a commodity as anything in the retail environment. For example, food manufacturers pay additional money to chain outlets to have their products placed at eye level (as opposed to upper or lower shelves).

It may well be that whatever was in place for Guild Wars at this store ran out. But I promise you that shelf placement has nothing to do with success of sales outside the New York Times Bestseller List.

Aloren · May 31, 2005, 07:40 PM // 19:40

A major thing to consider is space. A retail store only has so much floor on which they can display their purchased product.

When it comes to software such as Video games, DVDs, CDs, and computer games on end-caps the space is going to be in a nearly cosntant state of flux.

It can be mighty hard to keep up in the world of digital media, and they only way is generally by displaying those new hit titles asap.

Phantom Force · May 31, 2005, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xellos

Until you figure out the cost/maintainability and all those other figures from Anet, then compare it to those of other companies and their releases (eg. WoW), you really have no idea. A company who sells more perhaps might still be in debt more because of production/maintainence cost. It all boils down to many different things that only the company knows.

This is a very good point. And aside from this you have to remember game is fairly new, they are making adjustments they didn't realize they'd have to at first, and working on expansion packs. My guess is they might not see a gain until they start fixing major issues for gamers, then start pumping out expansion packs. *Once again using what little knowledge I have left to think of ideas*

Xellos · May 31, 2005, 08:05 PM // 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom Force

This is a very good point. And aside from this you have to remember game is fairly new, they are making adjustments they didn't realize they'd have to at first, and working on expansion packs. My guess is they might not see a gain until they start fixing major issues for gamers, then start pumping out expansion packs. *Once again using what little knowledge I have left to think of ideas*

You don't need to point out any potential factors. Point is, even Anet can't figure out all the factors, or else they wouldn't be making any mistakes. This is earth here, people make mistakes. So even Anet will be missing out on some crucial points. There's no real need to ask these types of questions and expect a real accurate answer.

DavenXion · May 31, 2005, 08:13 PM // 20:13

I think its just a Best Buy thing. I went to my local Best Buy on the day of release, and expected to find cardboard cutouts, end caps, people dressed up as fire imps. Instead I had to ask for help locating it, repeating Guild Wars...no not Guide Cars, GUILD WARS. When the associate went to the back to check if maybe they had stock there I found it on the third shelf halfway down an isle burried between Leasure Suit Larry and Pre-school Math....okay exagirating on the titles, but catch my drift.

dansamy · May 31, 2005, 08:18 PM // 20:18

Hmmm... My local WalMart store still has it on the "New Release" section of their games, which actually surprised me. I thought it would have been moved by now to a regular shelf slot.

funbun · May 31, 2005, 08:28 PM // 20:28

You can't judge by one Best Buy in one city. It's just anecdotal evidence and it means nothing.

That's like saying "it's really hot today. It must be global warming!" Or, "it's cold today. Must be another ice age!"

Darkest Dawn · May 31, 2005, 08:29 PM // 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavenXion

I think its just a Best Buy thing. I went to my local Best Buy on the day of release, and expected to find cardboard cutouts, end caps, people dressed up as fire imps. Instead I had to ask for help locating it, repeating Guild Wars...no not Guide Cars, GUILD WARS. When the associate went to the back to check if maybe they had stock there I found it on the third shelf halfway down an isle burried between Leasure Suit Larry and Pre-school Math....okay exagirating on the titles, but catch my drift.

LOL, I like shopping at Best Buy, but you are sooooo right.

When it comes to software location, it is real screwy at my local store too.

CatLady · May 31, 2005, 08:36 PM // 20:36

I'd like to mention that, at least where I live in the US, 'top spot top-shelf' life of products tends to be very short, no matter what. There are so many products that in order to accomodate the new stuff, everything is moved down rather rapidly. And as Virago said, companies pay to have their product in the ideal spot. Sometimes, they even pay to 'reserve' shelf placement, leading to EMPTY shelf space with 'COMING SOON" placards. *rolls eyes*

It's akin to how a movie theater with 24 screens can still seem to be functionally playing only 3-5 movies. Too many 'big' movies released within a few weeks of each other, not enough screens.

Ramus · May 31, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

Well, not to be pessimistic (as usual) Best Buy has a tendancy to move things off the shelf and lower the price as soon as it starts selling less copies. I got KOTOR 2 10 dollars off the original price like a week after it came out.

Now, you have World of Warcraft. That was up for weeks and weeks (at least at my best buy) And even Half-life. I didn't expect Guild Wars to be on the bottom shelf so quickly with all the hype.

Corwin_Andros · May 31, 2005, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Microsoft actually sends people around to WalMart to make sure that their X-box displays and things are all the way they want them to.. Was a bit of a surprise the first time I saw one of the MS people rummaging around and rearranging all the games and console accesories.

Ramus · May 31, 2005, 09:01 PM // 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin_Andros

Microsoft actually sends people around to WalMart to make sure that their X-box displays and things are all the way they want them to.. Was a bit of a surprise the first time I saw one of the MS people rummaging around and rearranging all the games and console accesories.

I usually doubt conspiracy theories, but I could totally believe this is true.

femto · May 31, 2005, 09:10 PM // 21:10

This thread is kind of amusing because I actually work at Best Buy in the computer dept (where the software is kept). I would agree with what many others have already said, that product placement (especially at Best Buy) should not get you worried about the future of a-net and/or Guild Wars