Days Gone Says the Game Didn't Do Well Because People...

Introduction

Days Gone, a 2019 action-adventure game developed by Bend Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, failed to meet sales expectations, selling only 5.6 million copies worldwide. Despite receiving generally favorable reviews from critics, the game was criticized for its repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of innovation. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Days Gone didn't do as well as expected, focusing on the following three key factors:

• Marketing and Promotion
• Game Design and Features
• Market Competition

Marketing and Promotion

Marketing Budget and Execution

Days Gone had a relatively small marketing budget compared to other AAA games. The game's marketing efforts focused primarily on advertising through online channels such as social media, YouTube, and gaming websites. However, the campaign failed to generate significant buzz or excitement among the gaming community.

Lack of Pre-Release Hype

Despite being announced several years before its release, Days Gone failed to generate much pre-release hype. The game's marketing materials did not effectively convey its unique selling points or differentiate it from other similar titles. As a result, potential players were not sufficiently motivated to add Days Gone to their wishlists or purchase it at launch.

Game Design and Features

Repetitive Gameplay

Days Gone was criticized for its repetitive gameplay loop, which involved clearing out hordes of zombies, completing fetch quests, and engaging in uninspired combat. Players quickly grew tired of the game's lack of variety and the repetitive nature of its missions.

Technical Issues

The game was also plagued by numerous technical issues at launch, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems. These issues significantly impacted the player experience and resulted in negative reviews and widespread disappointment.

Lack of Innovation

Days Gone failed to offer anything truly innovative or unique in the zombie apocalypse genre. The game's features and gameplay mechanics were largely derivative of other similar titles, which made it difficult for it to stand out from the crowd.

Market Competition

Overcrowded Market

The zombie apocalypse genre is highly competitive, with numerous well-established franchises and successful games. Days Gone faced stiff competition from titles such as The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, and Left 4 Dead, which had already captured a significant share of the market.

Lack of Differentiation

As mentioned earlier, Days Gone failed to differentiate itself from its competitors. The game offered a familiar zombie apocalypse experience without any unique or compelling features to attract players. This made it difficult for Days Gone to stand out in a crowded market.

Conclusion

Days Gone failed to meet sales expectations due to a combination of factors, including poor marketing and promotion, uninspired game design, and fierce competition in the zombie apocalypse genre. Bend Studio and Sony failed to effectively market the game's unique selling points, resulting in a lack of pre-release hype and buzz. The game's repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of innovation also contributed to its failure. Additionally, the game faced stiff competition from well-established franchises in the crowded zombie apocalypse genre.

Tables

Table 1: Days Gone Sales Data

Table 2: Days Gone Critic Reviews

Table 3: Zombie Apocalypse Games Market Share

Table 4: Days Gone Competitor Analysis