Skyrim players wanted, apply within … TO DIE
Namco Bandai’s marketing support forDark Soulswas modest, to say the least, but apparently it won’t be making that same “mistake” with the sequel.Dark Souls 2is to be treated like a major “AAA” title, according to the publisher … even though most people likeDark Soulsit because itisn’tyour typical “AAA” bullshit.
“The good thing this time round is we’re investing more in it from a marketing perspective,” PR director Lee KirtontoldOXM.“WithDark Soulsand [PS3-exclusive spiritual predecessor] Demon Souls it was very focused, small-scale. We’re treating this as a massive, massive triple-A title.
“We’re going to go guns-blazing with it, and hope to God that it works. We’re going after people who love and adoreDark Souls, while hopefully widening the net a little. I’m not saying that everySkyrimplayer’s going to be jumping onDark Souls, but it would be nice if some of them did. It’s a different game, sure.”
This is … an unsettling attitude from Namco.As I’ve discussed already, part ofDark Souls‘ success came from modest expectations and wise spending. It’s why it can be a triumph with “only” two million sales to its name while Square Enix considers even larger sales to be a failure forTomb Raider.
For those worried about From Software “dumbing down”Dark Souls 2toappeal to a wider audience, I don’t think that’s the issue. Namco Bandai is talking specifically about the money it’s putting into the project, not so much the content. While I support anything that getsDark Soulsinto more hands, I’m worried at the gleefully reckless talk of decadent investment — the same kind of investment that’s turned “AAA” development into the bloated carcass it currently is.
Going “guns-blazing with it, and hoping to God that it works,” seems to adequately describe the waymostmajor publishers have been behaving lately — blindly throwing mountains of cash at a project and leaving success in the hands of wishes and moon fairies. Telling me that you’re going to do what every otherfiscally disappointed,CEO-ejecting,increasingly desperatepublisher is doing doesn’t fill me with confidence — it makes me worried.
TheDark SoulsIP definitely deserves support. It doesn’t deserve reckless spending, unrealistic expectations, and to start the slow descent that’ll see it become toThe Elder ScrollswhatMedal of Honornow is toCall of Duty.
It deserves better than to be treated like a “AAA” game. It deserves to have its dignity.
Namco talks Dark Souls 2 marketing[OXM]
