That__John__Guy
Patzer
Mortal Kombat 9 sold close to 2 million copies in the first two weeks. Note that this was only console, no PC or handheld version at the time. 2 million copies at $60/pop = $120 million dollars. In the first two weeks. Yes, whatever other controversies there are over what the "best" fighter is, MK is one of the most successful, recognisable video game franchises of all time and millions of casuals pick the game up, as well as the die-hard fans and pros.
On top of that, in the subsequent year or so, MK9 sold another million copies, pushing 3 million, and with the Vita and PC version, we are looking at close to 4 million copies by now. Granted, many of those subsequent copies were probably $30-40 a piece. However, this also doesn't count $ from the DLC Characters either. So, at least another $100 million.
So, let's assume these numbers would roughly hold for MK10. Let's also assume, and I will be very generous here, that the cost of production, cuts for retailers and distributors, promotions, etc., cost $100 million. Doubtful it was that much, but even so, that would mean that NRS netted $20 million dollars in the first two weeks. Plus, that money from subsequent sales over the next two years, DLC Characters, etc., would be covered under that first $100 million we subtracted. So, $20 million at least in the first two weeks, and another $100 million plus on the way in the next two years.
What if NRS took 1% of that $20 million, a mere 1% of that low-balled net from the first two weeks, which would be $200,000, and announced that they were going to have a $100,000 prize for whoever took 1st place in MK10 at EVO the first year, and another $100,000 prize for whoever took 1st place at EVO in the second year? Sure, obviously the NRS pros would be thrilled. Yet, wouldn't that be some big news for everyone into gaming? Wouldn't that be on IGN, Gamespot, Kotaku, and every other site? There'd be promotion for making the announcement and promotion when the prize was awarded. Capcom fighters might consider switching over. Casuals and competitive gamers in other games who might not have picked the game up would start considering maining the game. That should drive even more sales than MK9 had, meaning the numbers would be even better.
It seems like everyone would win.
On top of that, in the subsequent year or so, MK9 sold another million copies, pushing 3 million, and with the Vita and PC version, we are looking at close to 4 million copies by now. Granted, many of those subsequent copies were probably $30-40 a piece. However, this also doesn't count $ from the DLC Characters either. So, at least another $100 million.
So, let's assume these numbers would roughly hold for MK10. Let's also assume, and I will be very generous here, that the cost of production, cuts for retailers and distributors, promotions, etc., cost $100 million. Doubtful it was that much, but even so, that would mean that NRS netted $20 million dollars in the first two weeks. Plus, that money from subsequent sales over the next two years, DLC Characters, etc., would be covered under that first $100 million we subtracted. So, $20 million at least in the first two weeks, and another $100 million plus on the way in the next two years.
What if NRS took 1% of that $20 million, a mere 1% of that low-balled net from the first two weeks, which would be $200,000, and announced that they were going to have a $100,000 prize for whoever took 1st place in MK10 at EVO the first year, and another $100,000 prize for whoever took 1st place at EVO in the second year? Sure, obviously the NRS pros would be thrilled. Yet, wouldn't that be some big news for everyone into gaming? Wouldn't that be on IGN, Gamespot, Kotaku, and every other site? There'd be promotion for making the announcement and promotion when the prize was awarded. Capcom fighters might consider switching over. Casuals and competitive gamers in other games who might not have picked the game up would start considering maining the game. That should drive even more sales than MK9 had, meaning the numbers would be even better.
It seems like everyone would win.
