President of Epic Games, Mike Capps has openly acknowledged that over-the-top first person shooter Bulletstorm “didn’t make money.” Despite wowing critics with its combination of bullet surgery and points-whoring, TSA giving Bulletstorm a very respectable 8 out of 10, it was reported that the game had barely managed to scrape past 300,000 units sold within a month of release.
This hasn’t phased Epic Games however as Capps explains; it was a much more beneficial decision to assign Polish-based developer, People Can Fly, on creating a new IP instead of forcing the studio to support Gears of War 3 with additional content. “The studio has shipped AAA content,” he said, “the next thing we do with People Can Fly will be great.”
As we all know, Bullestorm isn’t the only title which failed to draw in consumers despite critical success, as we explained at length earlier this week.
Source: Kotaku
teflon
The game did nothing for me. I’m glad it was made, I’m glad it was released, and I’m glad they were trying different things to the norm.
So it’s a shame that it didn’t sell better, and in this instance hasn’t fostered a good following, but lets look at the success stories a moment. L.A. Noire, Heavy Rain, LBP, Dead Space, etc. etc. All good titles, and all successful.
So what if one title didn’t sell well? It’s not the end of the games industry and innovation. It’s a disappointment to fans of the game, and the developers, but there will always be companies out there that are doing something fresh, and there will (and have) always been companies out there churning out another sequel.
I look forward to seeing what they come up with next, and thankfully Epic have taken this body blow graciously and are going to push on with letting them doing something new.
SpikeyMikey23
Really disliked the demo. Dont really know why, Just did. Put me off getting the full release.
Foxhound
They are cornering themselves. Soon it will just be gears….
Crocadillian
Nice to see some support, considering all the developers that have been closed over sales of games, something the publishers are responsible for…
The Lone Steven
I enjoyed the demo of it and i plan on getting it when i have the spare cash. It’s a shame that Bulletstorm sold poorly. Epic looked at the dangerously close to becoming a very stale genre and mixed it up with a new and never seen before idea. It is always a bit sad when a innovative game is not a success. I am suprised as well as it got high review scores.:o I hope Epic do come up with another innovation.
Deathbrin
Was it a failure? I thought basically everyone bought this. I didn’t though, but i liked the visual style.
Tuffcub
Looked very silly.
ScottyB
I liked the idea of this but i was very apprehensive of buying it.
I lack creativity and i am forgetful so i thought if i bought it i would be mainly just doing the same few kills over and over and the demo confirmed this for me.
DJ-Katy
Bulletstorm and Brink have been the only two standout FPSs for me so far this year (I think I’ve played all the PS3 2011 FPS releases), because they were the only two that brought anything new or different to the genre. Very pleased to hear the studio will continue working. Both games deserved to do better.