Why Killzone 2 is NOT on every bus stop, etc

"I think it's also a valid point (since I unintentionally made it), that MS knows not only HOW to market a game, but that their games have something MARKETABLE about them."

"Cheapoz said:

"I think it's also a valid point (since I unintentionally made it), that MS knows not only HOW to market a game, but that their games have something MARKETABLE about them."

I can agree with that, but only to a certain extent.  I wouldn't go so far as to say Sony can't market a game.

You have to think back to the first Halo, I was in high school then and I don't remember there being any stellar marketing campaign.  I think that game did really well because it was a very very good shooter.  Word got around and it sold more copies.  Now Microsoft can sell anything with the Halo name, after that initial word of mouth spread, and after the game proved itself.

I think Sony is in the same boat now with Killzone, once people play it (assuming it's good, I haven't played it) then they will start to spread the word that it's actually a good game, then it will get more popular, leading to more sales, leading to a better and more recognized marketing campaign for the next game.

My main point is that you're saying Killzone has nothing recognizable about it in terms of a marketing campaign, that's becauase it isn't that popular and well known yet.  Halo didn't have anything that recognizable about it at first, then it became synonomous with a great FPS after it released and after people played it.  Once Killzone has a chance to catch on and prove itself, you'll start seeing those glowing red eyes at bus stops and on billboards.  There isn't anything there to market yet because it doens't mean anything to the customer yet.  Give it time, just like it had to happen with Halo, and then once it's gotten it's praise (again, assuming it's actually good), you'll start seeing that stuff."

It's not everywhere because Sony's marketing in the last 2-3 years has been terrible. That's why.

"It's not everywhere because Sony's marketing in the last 2-3 years has been terrible. That's why."

"SpinCookie said:

"Cheapoz said:

"I think it's also a valid point (since I unintentionally made it), that MS knows not only HOW to market a game, but that their games have something MARKETABLE about them."

I can agree with that, but only to a certain extent.  I wouldn't go so far as to say Sony can't market a game.

You have to think back to the first Halo, I was in high school then and I don't remember there being any stellar marketing campaign.  I think that game did really well because it was a very very good shooter.  Word got around and it sold more copies.  Now Microsoft can sell anything with the Halo name, after that initial word of mouth spread, and after the game proved itself.

I think Sony is in the same boat now with Killzone, once people play it (assuming it's good, I haven't played it) then they will start to spread the word that it's actually a good game, then it will get more popular, leading to more sales, leading to a better and more recognized marketing campaign for the next game.

My main point is that you're saying Killzone has nothing recognizable about it in terms of a marketing campaign, that's becauase it isn't that popular and well known yet.  Halo didn't have anything that recognizable about it at first, then it became synonomous with a great FPS after it released and after people played it.  Once Killzone has a chance to catch on and prove itself, you'll start seeing those glowing red eyes at bus stops and on billboards.  There isn't anything there to market yet because it doens't mean anything to the customer yet.  Give it time, just like it had to happen with Halo, and then once it's gotten it's praise (again, assuming it's actually good), you'll start seeing that stuff."

I can see your point about Halo not being a raging success of marketing originally, but they had a built in hook for future marketing. Like someone said, their hook is Master Chief, I'd go even simpler, it's a big green robot guy with an orange visor, you don't need to know his name. Even my mum knows he's from some video game, I reckon she'd almost guess it's Halo as well.

As for glowing red eyes on bus stops? I've already provided examples of this already used in marketing (Transformers 2), and someone also posted a T-800, same deal. It's not a point of difference if it's been done countless times before, I want to know what's different about KZ2, not what's good.

Also, to our resident GB KZ2 FB (fanboy), you mention that there's some different looking environments in the game, where are they?! Never seen em, sorry, and I tend to read Joystiq/Kotaku/GB daily. Remember when Gears 2 started marketing this year, the first thing they showed us was the assault derricks level. It was a clear indication that "look, this game's not all brown, we've got green now!!". They made a real point of it, I'd love to see KZ2 do the same.

And the 'Opera of Death' video I feel feeds into this whole argument. If I could be bothered I'd love to write some captions underneath it.

"Look, it's a game / where you shoot guys / with guns / yeah / big guns / and it's mostly grey / mmmm / guns / KILLZONE 2"

"

"I'm sure the game will be great and the franchise will continue to sell a bunch but seriously, what kind of stoner asshole called it KILLZONE?

Why not WAR ARENA?

DEATH GAME?

SHOOTING GUNS AT DUDES?"

Hook or not, if this is a good game, it really shouldn't matter.

"Also, to our resident GB KZ2 FB (fanboy), you mention that there's some different looking environments in the game, where are they?! Never seen em, sorry, and I tend to read Joystiq/Kotaku/GB daily. Remember when Gears 2 started marketing this year, the first thing they showed us was the assault derricks level. It was a clear indication that "look, this game's not all brown, we've got green now!!". They made a real point of it, I'd love to see KZ2 do the same.

And the 'Opera of Death' video I feel feeds into this whole argument. If I could be bothered I'd love to write some captions underneath it.

"Look, it's a game / where you shoot guys / with guns / yeah / big guns / and it's mostly grey / mmmm / guns / KILLZONE 2"

"

"Cheapoz said:

"SpinCookie said:

"Cheapoz said:

"I think it's also a valid point (since I unintentionally made it), that MS knows not only HOW to market a game, but that their games have something MARKETABLE about them."

I can agree with that, but only to a certain extent.  I wouldn't go so far as to say Sony can't market a game.

You have to think back to the first Halo, I was in high school then and I don't remember there being any stellar marketing campaign.  I think that game did really well because it was a very very good shooter.  Word got around and it sold more copies.  Now Microsoft can sell anything with the Halo name, after that initial word of mouth spread, and after the game proved itself.

I think Sony is in the same boat now with Killzone, once people play it (assuming it's good, I haven't played it) then they will start to spread the word that it's actually a good game, then it will get more popular, leading to more sales, leading to a better and more recognized marketing campaign for the next game.

My main point is that you're saying Killzone has nothing recognizable about it in terms of a marketing campaign, that's becauase it isn't that popular and well known yet.  Halo didn't have anything that recognizable about it at first, then it became synonomous with a great FPS after it released and after people played it.  Once Killzone has a chance to catch on and prove itself, you'll start seeing those glowing red eyes at bus stops and on billboards.  There isn't anything there to market yet because it doens't mean anything to the customer yet.  Give it time, just like it had to happen with Halo, and then once it's gotten it's praise (again, assuming it's actually good), you'll start seeing that stuff."

I can see your point about Halo not being a raging success of marketing originally, but they had a built in hook for future marketing. Like someone said, their hook is Master Chief, I'd go even simpler, it's a big green robot guy with an orange visor, you don't need to know his name. Even my mum knows he's from some video game, I reckon she'd almost guess it's Halo as well.

As for glowing red eyes on bus stops? I've already provided examples of this already used in marketing (Transformers 2), and someone also posted a T-800, same deal. It's not a point of difference if it's been done countless times before, I want to know what's different about KZ2, not what's good.

Also, to our resident GB KZ2 FB (fanboy), you mention that there's some different looking environments in the game, where are they?! Never seen em, sorry, and I tend to read Joystiq/Kotaku/GB daily. Remember when Gears 2 started marketing this year, the first thing they showed us was the assault derricks level. It was a clear indication that "look, this game's not all brown, we've got green now!!". They made a real point of it, I'd love to see KZ2 do the same.

And the 'Opera of Death' video I feel feeds into this whole argument. If I could be bothered I'd love to write some captions underneath it.

"Look, it's a game / where you shoot guys / with guns / yeah / big guns / and it's mostly grey / mmmm / guns / KILLZONE 2"

"

I get what you're saying about Master Chief being recognizable, good point.

As for the Opera video, I actually thought that was pretty cool.  I think the main reason of that was to show off how good the game looks.  Whether you like the color palette or now, you gotta admit it's a really really good looking game."

"Hook or not, if this is a good game, it really shouldn't matter."

I'm just worried that Sony is making the "this will sell itself" mistake yet again.

The bright yellow-orange KILLZONE 2 logo and the Helghast are both very marketable. That Killzone cover would look absolutely jaw-dropping in "20-story building" ad format.

"Ok - the GiantBomb's resident Killzone fanboy opinion on this post: to some degree I agree with the original poster. However over time I've began to think of Killzone less and less as being super-generic.

This time last year, the mention of anything Killzone related made me think "another shooter, really grey, generic but probably going to be fun". But since I've followed this game super closely over the last year I realise there is more to it than that. I point you into the direction of the "Art and Audio" interview on GameTrailers where they talk about the design of the planet, the universe and the general themes of the game. It's actually rather interesting for anyone who has a slight interest in the game: they talk about the way the landscapes and buildings had to be designed with intimidation at the core. They make references to Nazi Germany. It's quite interesting.

I do agree that Killzone 2 is a bit generic in terms of what it is and I understand the Fallout 3 reference but I'd assume the bright orange eyes are the hook with Killzone 2. I actually think the Helghast look really cool but that's my opinion.

However, if that's the case I don't understand why Sony's marketing doesn't think outside the box a little (EMPLOY ME PLEASE) -- why can't they take an in-game screenshot, increase the size of it and whack that on a bus stop. They could head the image with "In-Game Footage" and foot it with the "Killzone 2" logo. At the end of the day I feel like Killzone 2 is the kind of game that will sell itself by people seeing the actual product.

Personally I'd like to see playable demos in stores and a really simple advert like the "Ballet Of Death". That's what will sell Killzone 2.

EDIT: And those that aren't sure what the story is all about, you can read all what's happened prior to Killzone 2 on the Killzone website."

At the end of the day they just need to put 30 seconds of someone playing the game fronted and footed by "Actual In Game Footage" and "Killzone 2 -- Only On Playstation 3". Put that on HD channels, relevent programmes and before movies (I can't think of one coming out though?) and the game will sell itself.

But Sony need to take the effort to get that commercial out there. And some demo pods in stores.

They really don't need to do much else. It's not like LittleBigPlanet where they have to actually communicate what the game is.

They really don't need to do much else. It's not like LittleBigPlanet where they have to actually communicate what the game is."