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NPD on the Red Dead, Alan Wake, and Split/Second retail showdown
Take-Two Interactive CEO Ben Feder recently mentioned that Red Dead Redemption "sucked the oxygen out of the room" at retail upon its release -- wow, he wasn't kidding. Data provided to Joystiq by the NPD group shows that high-profile releases Alan Wake and Split/Second sold 145K and 86K units in the US during May, respectively. In comparison, Red Dead Redemption sold 1.51 million copies. All three games launched on the same day in the States. NPD analyst Anita Frazier explains, "What I found interesting about Red Dead is that it is the second game in the franchise. First game got middling review scores and sold good but not great -- 920K life-to-date. I applaud it when a publisher can take a franchise with solid results and improve on it significantly next time out the gate." Perhaps when (if?) Alan Wake and Split/Second receive sequels, they'll have better sales luck (and no oxygen-sucking beasts around).
ModNation Racers' top 15 finish sets slow pace for May racing game sales
Despite three high-profile launches in May, the racing genre got lapped that month, according to NPD sales data. Sony's PS3-exclusive ModNation Racers, Activision's Bizarre-developed Blur and Disney's excellent Split/Second all fared poorly on the retail circuit with ModNation squeezing its way into the top 15 (on just one platform, mind you), while the other two multiplatform titles didn't crack the top 30. Analyst Michael Pachter told IGN that he "thought the ModNation number was respectable, since the game came out only on May 25." Blur came out on the same day, so, relatively, its sales were disappointing. While sales figures weren't provided for any of the above games, Pachter writes in his monthly NPD analysis that Blur "sold well below our estimate of 100,000 units," giving us some insight into how both it and Split/Second performed. However, Split/Second was released a week earlier than ModNation and Blur. With two much higher-profile racing games coming out this fall, in Gran Turismo 5 and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, it remains to be seen if the racing genre itself is toxic at the checkout counter or if gamers have simply passed over May's hybrid concepts, content to wait for the new models of their favorite makes.
Split/Second down to $40 on Amazon today
How would you like to feel like Lando Calrissian all of the time? It's pretty easy -- and you don't even need to betray your friends or star in a Colt 45 commercial, either. Simply head on over to Amazon and pick up Split/Second at a reduced price of $40. Feeling lost? Well, then you didn't read our review. Don't worry, we won't hold it against you, so long as you promise you'll read it right now. Please, don't make us turn this into a thing. Thaaaaaanks!
Split/Second is $40 at Best Buy next week
Click image for more potential savings If you've been thinking about picking up Black Rock's fresh-out-of-the-garage racer, Split/Second, then you may want to keep Best Buy in mind. A tipster sent in a shot of next week's circular, which highlights the game's $20 savings. On top of the savings, you'll also net three Best Buy-exclusive cars -- not a bad deal, if we may say so. The sale runs from May 30 until June 5. Click the image above for a shot of the full page ad.
Red Dead Redemption, Split/Second debut on UK charts
Rockstar's dusty western, Red Dead Redemption, has taken the top spot on the UK software sales charts -- Take-Two's first multiplatform title to do so since Bioshock 2, according to Chart-Track. it's also the first top multiplatform title for Rockstar since the debut of GTA IV way back in 2008. That's not to say there weren't other highlights in this week's dog and pony show. Coming in second was 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, while Ubisoft's Just Dance managed to move to the beat of third. Black Rock Studios' Split/Second also managed to make an appearance at the fifth spot, while European developer Remedy Entertainment's psychological thriller, Alan Wake, was pushed back into the shadows down to the eighth spot -- a major drop from its previous second place spot last week. Source - Red Dead Redemption takes top spot on GFK Chart-Track Source - GFK Chart-Track's top-selling titles for the week ending May 22
Split Second PC demo available for download
Want to get a taste of Black Rock and Disney Interactive's frequently exploding racer, Split/Second? Provided you've got a beefy enough PC gaming rig, you can now download a demo for the game directly through our sister site, Big Download. The 1GB download includes the game's tutorial, and a race event in the Airport Terminal track, which doesn't seem particularly legal. Apparently, the world of Split/Second is as lawless as it is combustible. Download: Split/Second demo (1.01 GB)
Split/Second dev diary explains the science of 'splosions
We'll be straight with you guys -- though we thoroughly enjoyed Black Rock and Disney's frantic racer Split/Second, we weren't expecting the developer diary posted above, which focuses on what went into designing the title, to be quite so scientific. We thought most exchanges during the game's creation would break down like so: Developer: "Should I put an explosion here?" Lead Developer: "You absolutely should put an explosion there." Developer: "And one around the corner?" Lead Developer: "It would be irresponsible to not put one around the corner." Developer: "What about this fuel truck? Should this explode?" Lead Developer: "Stop what you're doing right now, so that I can high-five you." While we're certain this conversation occurred at least once at the Black Rock offices, the actual design of the game required a bit more sophistication that that. Check out the video above to find out what considerations really went into Split/Second's creation.
Review: Split/Second
Do you remember that part at the end of Return of the Jedi, where Lando is flying the Millennium Falcon through a corridor as the Death Star itself explodes around him? Remember how exciting it was, when he just barely cleared the exit, a plume of flames and spaceship debris chasing mere hundredths of seconds behind? Split/Second isn't a game that glorifies the fundamentals of racing. These are represented, sure; folks familiar with the genre will likely be drifting and drafting onto the podium within the first few races. More than that, though, Split/Second rewards players who quickly master the art of catastrophe evasion -- an art which frequently requires you to navigate cinematic hazards mimicking Lando's narrow escape. It's a winning recipe that provides some of the most satisfying thrills I've ever experienced while behind the wheel of a virtual automobile. %Gallery-47488%
Disney Interactive reports increased revenue, $55 million loss
Disney has posted earnings for its second fiscal quarter ended April 3, 2010, and there's good news and bad news. The good news is that revenues are up in its Interactive Media segment (which houses Disney Interactive Studios). Specifically, Interactive Media revenues are at $155 million, up from $129 million in the same period last year, a 20 percent increase. The bad news: the Interactive Media segment still reports a loss of $55 million, though that loss is an improvement over the $61 million loss reported during the same quarter last year. Disney pins the improvement on growing Club Penguin subscription revenues as well as "lower video game inventory costs." The company added that gains were offset by "higher internet product development and sales and marketing costs." The report makes little note of Disney Interactive's prospects for the rest of the year, though the publisher has more than a few big projects on the horizon. Split/Second is only a week away, while Toy Story 3, Disney Sing It: Family Hits, Disney Guilty Party, a new Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney Epic Mickey are all on the horizon this year. And let's not forget Marvel -- which Disney owns -- has a title or two on the way, as well.
Split/Second game modes pit car against helicopter
We all know the best way to take down a helicopter -- been there, done that -- but this new Split/Second trailer shows us how to do it while behind the wheel of a race car. Enter: game modes Air Strike and Air Revenge. In Air Strike mode, you must try to survive as long as you can, racing around a track while an attack chopper fires missiles at you from above. You're granted three lives and the longer you last, the better you do. Aside from how unfair it is to have to dodge missiles, it's a pretty self-explanatory mode. Air Revenge puts a twist on Air Strike by allowing you to retaliate against your airborne nemesis. By avoiding missiles, you earn power instead of points, allowing you to jam the chopper's radar and send its own ordinance flying back at it. Take down the chopper, and you win. All these words too much for you? Visual learners need simply hit the play button up top.
PSN Tuesday: Test drive Split/Second, ModNation Racers
PSN Tuesday's big draw this week is kickin' the tires on Split/Second, developed by the same folks that brought us the equally gorgeous Pure. For those interested in DLC, there's new stuff for BioShock 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum and, naturally, LittleBigPlanet. PSP owners can pick up Harvest Moon: Hero Of Leaf Valley and Worms: Battle Islands. Split/Second isn't the only racing game with a demo -- ModNation Racers is also available for a test drive. Check out the full update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Split/Second trailer explains the (even more dangerous) 'Survival' mode
Some folks drive for the thrill. Some folks drive for the money. Some folks drive because it's all they know how to do. Some folks, though? They drive to survive. Specifically, we're talking about people who are playing Split/Second's "Survival" mode, which doesn't require speed as much as it requires ... not dying. Okay, you also need some speed as well, so you can outscore your equally endangered opponents. Also, precision, so that you don't hit the explosive barrels, of which there are many. As it turns out, you need a lot of things -- as the mode's debut trailer (posted above) can attest.
Split/Second trailer trashes a power plant
If you've ever doubted that there can be beauty in destruction, you only need hit the play button on the video above. This particular spotlight on Split/Second packs in enough explosives and mayhem to create one truly epic tour of the game's power plant level. Thankfully, it also doesn't skimp on offering a brief glimpse at other locales. Have you ever seen a freight train explode? How about an entire power plant? We haven't seen this many explosions since Rambo: First Blood Part II.
Split/Second demo now on Xbox Live, races to PSN May 11
The just-released single-player Split/Second demo, now available on Xbox Live to all subscribers, teaches you the most important thing about driving a race car through America: how to dodge massive explosions. One in 253 race car drivers meets their maker like that every year, you know. PS3 owners will be able to join in on May 11th and hurtle through the Airport Terminal level in race mode, triggering environmental destruction and aeronautical disaster on the way to the finish line. Split/Second hits retail on May 18.
Split/Second shows off 'power plays' in latest video
It's weird talking about Split/Second at this stage in its race to retail. Black Rock Studios has already proven itself to be an impressively competent studio with the under-appreciated Pure and there's nothing about our numerous experiences with Split/Second that make us think this game will crash and burn. The latest video released for the game shows how the "power plays" will work. If you don't recognize the term, you may know them as the "environment is coming to kill you" moments. Only a little over three weeks to go until May 18, when players can start their engines and drop a building on their opponents. %Gallery-47488%
Video: A Split/Second primer
If you've missed all our hands-on coverage of upcoming racer Split/Second and if, somehow, you've failed to watch a single trailer, then this post is for you. The video above, which profiles Black Rock Studios, essentially serves as an introduction to all things Split/Second. If you can't be bothered to watch -- again -- we'll sum up: You get to blow up parts of the track in order to beat the other racers. At times, you will accomplish this by exploding parts of the track onto other racers. If you're not interested by now, there's really not much we can do for you. Split/Second is out on May 18.
Hands-on: Split/Second (multiplayer)
I've been consistently impressed by what I've played of the single-player aspect of Split/Second, Black Rock Studios' explosive action-racer, ever since a hands-on trial at E3 last year. I expected the eight-player online experience to be thrilling, but I think I actually under-anticipated just how over-the-top it would be. Everything about the game looks and feels like it's really coming together in advance of its May 18 release, with the online component being the final -- and, from this hands-on preview, important -- piece of the experience. During the demo event, I played the multiplayer "Survival" mode and competed in several straight-up races against seven other players via Xbox Live (although they were stationed in the same room). Calling any race "straight-up" in Split/Second, however, just isn't accurate at all. %Gallery-47488%
Split/Second trailer: say hello, and goodbye, to Downtown
Black Rock's racer Split/Second made a dramatic appearance at PAX East, as a side dish to Joystiq's Blueberry Muffin Tops breakfast -- but it's going to make an even bigger impact on Seattle, the location of the original PAX. Sort of. This latest trailer provides us long looks at the "Downtown" area of the made-for-TV world in which the game takes place, which is pretty clearly Seattle. And that fictionalized, cordoned-off Seattle is going to be smashed to bits by high-speed sports cars, explosives and rigged construction equipment. We're all lucky we get to experience this in a game, and not in the location of an actual convention. Those things are hectic enough. Split/Second arrives May 18. Hide your fake cities.
Disney: Split/Second coming to PC retail and digital distribution (plus: new GDC trailers!)
Earlier today, we noticed a report over on That Video Game Blog that stated Black Rock's upcoming racer, Split/Second, would only be available on the PC as "a limited online release." Turns out, that isn't the case, as a Disney spokesperson has confirmed to Joystiq that the game will be available on the PC both via retail and digital distribution on May 18, alongside its console cousins. When questioned about which digital distribution services the game would release on, Disney couldn't say. So, as a peace offering, we were given a pair of new trailers: the first you can see above this chunk of text, while you'll need to click past the break for the other. We know, we push you guys too hard!
Hands-on: Split/Second
"Split/Second is like Burnout, except the world around you is the thing that gets smashed into bits." - Joystiq's E3 preview I had the fortune of spending about an hour with Black Rock's upcoming, destruction-laden Split/Second, and, like Xav before me, I had a total blast (sorry about the pun, folks). The idea of using the environment as a weapon is a novel twist, keeping racers on their toes throughout the entire race. Stay vigilant, or else a helicopter might just drop an explosive on top of you. (That actually happened to me, folks.) While I was equally impressed by the much-touted dynamic environments of the racer, having so much time with the game let me appreciate some of the finer nuances of the gameplay. I only had three vehicles to choose from, but each controlled differently and highlighted the various strategies players could employ during races. I was most skilled with the lightweight car, thanks to its maneuverability and speedy acceleration. The handling was a bit loose, especially when drifting -- but that proves to be an advantage, as I found myself able to build up my power meter with relative ease. %Gallery-87913%
