As we quickly approach the end of the year and even more quickly approach the end of the holiday release season, many gaming sites are scrambling to compile their Game Of The Year (GOTY) lists, or announcements. I’ve been listening to several podcasts and have noticed that whenever people talk about their GOTY selections it seems to be whatever game they’re caught up in at that moment. Early this year, many claimed it would be hard to knock Metal Gear Solid 4 from the top spot, then it was Gran Theft Auto IV. Now, after most of the big games have been released this holiday season, we’ve got folks sure that Fable 2, Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet, and Gears of War 2 all have a shot at the coveted title.
My question is this, does timing play a major factor in a game’s consideration for GOTY? Can you (and others) accurately remember how impressed we were with MGS4 and GTA IV when we’re looking at Gears 2 and Fallout 3 with fresh eyes?
It’s clear that timing plays into the financial success of a game. I’m reminded of the careful jockeying of the motion picture industry when release dates and competition are almost more important than the quality of the film itself. A mediocre release against no competition is better than a great release up against great competition.
The relatively small window of the holiday gaming season sees a vastly disproportionate number of releases, when compared to the rest of the year. One thing I’ve noticed though, is that sales really aren’t automatically representative of a game’s quality. From a business perspective, the bottom line is revenue but to a gamer it’s frustrating when you finally come to the realization that companies like Ubisoft put out things like their Imagine series because it must be profitable for them. We might be appalled to learn the Imagine series is more profitable than say the Prince of Persia series. Now, I’m not saying that’s true, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
At the end of the day, winning a prominent magazine, or website’s Game Of The Year award for your game is equivalent to one last hurrah of (relatively free) marketing for your title. Several games see later “GOTY Edition” releases, usually with any DLC released with the disc. It’s clear there are financial advantages tied to when games are released, but as a gamer, is it harder for you accurately compare titles released 8-10 months ago with fresh brand new titles from 8-10 days ago? Do you think the “sure thing” MGS4 and GTA IV will get their fair shake against the titles released over the last month? I’d love to hear what you think on the topic.
Also, slightly off topic, for those of you that own more than one system, do you value system-specific GOTY awards? I’ll be straight up and say that I do. I like knowing what people consider the best game of the year on each system is as well as an overall best of the year. Sound off, and just for fun, list your personal picks for GOTY per system and overall. Remember folks, these are opinions, so nobody’s wrong.
No flaming folks for their opinions…
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I think some games will get consideration (MGS4) because of the scope of the game, and the previous hype before it. When a great number of people are looking forward to a game (and it’s the only one of it’s kind) then it’ll leave a mark. When a game is great (GTA 4) but has more games like it coming out (Saint’s Row 2), I think it’s more easily forgotten the longer it’s been out. Long story short, MGS4 will be in the running, GTA 4, not so much.
BioShock came out in August last year and it won GOTY 2007, didn’t it? Not only that, but games like Halo 3 and CoD4 came out after it so I think that that right there answers your question that it doesn’t really matter when the game comes out.
I think what it really boils down to is the fact that 9 times out of 10 games that are going to be considered GOTY contenders are purposely scheduled to release during the holiday October-November time frame.
I don’t think it’s a matter of what’s fresh in our minds, I think it’s because (thanks to the developers) the biggest games are always released at this time of year. Remember, even GTA4 was supposed to be released last fall until it got delayed.
Also
360: Gears of War 2
PS3: LBP
Wii: Brawl
Overall: Gears of War 2
I think that timing is important, like you said, the longer a game has been out, it is easy for some to forget about it, especially if they’re caught up in a more recent game. The top games for me this year so far have to be, in no particular order:
MGS4, LBP, R2, DeadSpace, and Burnout Paradise.
My question is: Who the hell decides? And who the hell do they think they are?
CoD4 was (by far) the best selling game released in 2007, but not the best selling game in 2007.
Halo 3 sold way more than BioShock, yet some claim BioShock was the GOTY in 07.
What about Oblivion?! That game was GARBAGE! Who the hell decided they were GOTY? … Well.. Bethesda did actually, when they chose to release a “GOTY Edition”
The whole thing is stupid. Whoever wins this year’s GOTY will not be standing on that podium alone, and will likely be in the company of other games that dont deserve the ‘title’
I’ve played through pretty much every considered title now and I’m saying this.
X360 GOTY: Gears Of War 2
PS3 GOTY: Metal Gear Solid 4
Overall: Metal Gear Solid 4
As much as I freakin love Gears 2 and Fallout 3, I still can’t compare any game to the emotional, strategic and exciting experience that was MGS4. That game blew me away and every other AAA title has at best really impressed me.
MSG 4 is still one of my top 5 GOTY’s .
@ Keith K: Oblivion had a game of the year edition because it was voted game of the year in a LOT of different polls. And I think you’re probably the only person to think it “garbage.”
I do agree that Halo 3 was undeserving though.
@ Krelith
http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=129
X360 GOTY: GTA IV
PS3 GOTY: R2
Overall: Fallout 3
I’ve got to go with MGS4 as my overall GOTY as well.
Yeah I think that they should have game of the year awards for exclusives on each system and cross platform as well as overall. It kinda made me laugh when I watched an old best games section for each system and only the xbox had an exclusive the ps2 and gamecube had cross-platform games. I think they should say what is the best unique experience on each platform rather than saying “This game is the best on this platform, but it is cross-platform so if you want a better version go for the other one.”
And also I think it has a lot to do with what is released around the time of the awards. You say that GTA IV is a sure thing, several people at this site say they enjoy Saints Row 2 more. Of course in a contest for game of the year between the two GTA would win for being more professional/original, but you can’t say you’re sad if it doesn’t win for game of the year.