My good buddy here at work just presented me with his take on project Hydra. Since I have no access to the irc channel I figured I'd post it here and let the discussions begin.
In my opinion, he's right on the money with this. Hydra is a PR campaign, not a game. Project Hydra is the revalation of three major Blizzard franchises released at once. WoTLK, Star Craft 2, and Diablo III.
A triple threat indeed. This would be the largest news in gaming history. Think of the publicity. Blizzard catering to all of their loyal fans all at once.
Based on this theory, my esteemed college here beleives that all three titles will be released together in a short time period. Best Buy.com's current street date for Star Craft 2 and WoTLK puts these two titles no more than one month apart.
That would be a horrible marketing strategy. What is Blizzard hoping to get with releasing all three games close to one another. I personally am waiting for both SC2 and D3, so if they release D3 at the same time as SC2/WotLK, people would have a hard time choosing which game to buy, because most people don't have enough money to drop $100 to $150 on two or three of the games. Also, if they were to buy all three games, they can't play all of them at once. Therefore, most people will just buy one game, and wait until they beat that game and buy the second game that they want. This will result in lower sales and revenues at the beginning of the release, and by the time gamers are ready to buy the second game, they'll possibly find better deals than retail, yeilding in less revenue for Blizzard. It is NOT advisable to release all three games at the same time.
Plus, where the heck did you get those street dates from? Blizzard hasn't announced a beta yet, and they've been saying the games will be out when they are ready. BUT, if those dates are correct, which i DOUBT, but SC2 and WotLK cater to different marketing segments. One is an RTS while the other one will be picked up by loyal WoW fans. Releasing those two near each other, theoretically, should not have that much impact on sales. BUT, this is BLIZZARD. A major gaming company. With releases like SC2, a highly anticipated game, WITH WotLK, an expansion pack to one of the most played games, the sales of the games will eat each other up. And that's without D3. If D3 was in the mix, it would take away from WotLK's sales as they're both catering to MMORPG players. AND, D3 has been really anticipated. EVEN lower revenues for Blizzard.
That would be a horrible marketing strategy. What is Blizzard hoping to get with releasing all three games close to one another. I personally am waiting for both SC2 and D3, so if they release D3 at the same time as SC2/WotLK, people would have a hard time choosing which game to buy, because most people don't have enough money to drop $100 to $150 on two or three of the games. Also, if they were to buy all three games, they can't play all of them at once. Therefore, most people will just buy one game, and wait until they beat that game and buy the second game that they want. This will result in lower sales and revenues at the beginning of the release, and by the time gamers are ready to buy the second game, they'll possibly find better deals than retail, yeilding in less revenue for Blizzard. It is NOT advisable to release all three games at the same time.
Plus, where the heck did you get those street dates from? Blizzard hasn't announced a beta yet, and they've been saying the games will be out when they are ready. BUT, if those dates are correct, which i DOUBT, but SC2 and WotLK cater to different marketing segments. One is an RTS while the other one will be picked up by loyal WoW fans. Releasing those two near each other, theoretically, should not have that much impact on sales. BUT, this is BLIZZARD. A major gaming company. With releases like SC2, a highly anticipated game, WITH WotLK, an expansion pack to one of the most played games, the sales of the games will eat each other up. And that's without D3. If D3 was in the mix, it would take away from WotLK's sales as they're both catering to MMORPG players. AND, D3 has been really anticipated. EVEN lower revenues for Blizzard.
Three independent titles (MMO, RTS, Hack and Slash) should not conflict in sales at all. 1, they're not being released same day, so you're not dropping $150 at once. 2, dedicated gamers will go with the game they intended to go with anyway.
That would be a horrible marketing strategy. What is Blizzard hoping to get with releasing all three games close to one another. I personally am waiting for both SC2 and D3, so if they release D3 at the same time as SC2/WotLK, people would have a hard time choosing which game to buy, because most people don't have enough money to drop $100 to $150 on two or three of the games. Also, if they were to buy all three games, they can't play all of them at once.
I guess it's true for most people, but me, personally... I'd begin with SCII since it comes out earlier probably, and I'll play SCII continually. When I am tired of SCII and want something easier I play D3. In fact, that's exactly what I am doing with SC and DII at this point, lol.
That would be a horrible marketing strategy. What is Blizzard hoping to get with releasing all three games close to one another. I personally am waiting for both SC2 and D3, so if they release D3 at the same time as SC2/WotLK, people would have a hard time choosing which game to buy, because most people don't have enough money to drop $100 to $150 on two or three of the games. Also, if they were to buy all three games, they can't play all of them at once. Therefore, most people will just buy one game, and wait until they beat that game and buy the second game that they want. This will result in lower sales and revenues at the beginning of the release, and by the time gamers are ready to buy the second game, they'll possibly find better deals than retail, yeilding in less revenue for Blizzard. It is NOT advisable to release all three games at the same time.
Plus, where the heck did you get those street dates from? Blizzard hasn't announced a beta yet, and they've been saying the games will be out when they are ready. BUT, if those dates are correct, which i DOUBT, but SC2 and WotLK cater to different marketing segments. One is an RTS while the other one will be picked up by loyal WoW fans. Releasing those two near each other, theoretically, should not have that much impact on sales. BUT, this is BLIZZARD. A major gaming company. With releases like SC2, a highly anticipated game, WITH WotLK, an expansion pack to one of the most played games, the sales of the games will eat each other up. And that's without D3. If D3 was in the mix, it would take away from WotLK's sales as they're both catering to MMORPG players. AND, D3 has been really anticipated. EVEN lower revenues for Blizzard.
Basically. That marketing strategy = FAIL.
I disagree, I'd buy all of them and a new computer.
they won't release the 3 all at once, even if a few of us claim that we would by sc2 AND D3, it still isn't what most people would do.
And just because they're 3 different styles of gameplay it doesn't mean they don't conflict.
They would just have to be dumb to RELEASE all 3 at once (or in a short time).
Just thought of this: Maybe the 3 prime evils turn into a huge monster with 3 heads, hence hydra!
LOL
We believe the releases will be close, not same day. Companies don't hold off on releasing things due to other releases. No gaming company takes the stance "Oh no! x company is releasing y game! Let's wait to release ours because people can't afford two games."
Why would a company be self conflicting? You should rest assured no loss of revenue would be incurred if this thing goes down as we anticipate. The proof is evident in the essentially simultanious release of Star Craft II and WoTLK (even if the street date isn't accurate, both are nearing completion).
I'd say either your friend is a liar or he doesn't exist at all.
No blizzard employee would be dumb enough to admit they're an employee and spill out info that'll get their heads chopped off.
Not to mention they'll never find another job in the industry again
Mmk.
Now where does this kid state that his "buddy" works for Blizzard?
Also.. That's good strategy. Look how many game companies release multiple games within a few months.
Each franchise relates to a different gaming genre.
With Diablo III geting released, WotLK, and SC II... I highly doubt it would make Blizard lose money.
You should learn to read better.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Watching 240 guys talk trash about cavaliers is like two retards having a slapfight over a sippy cup.
In my opinion, he's right on the money with this. Hydra is a PR campaign, not a game. Project Hydra is the revalation of three major Blizzard franchises released at once. WoTLK, Star Craft 2, and Diablo III.
A triple threat indeed. This would be the largest news in gaming history. Think of the publicity. Blizzard catering to all of their loyal fans all at once.
Based on this theory, my esteemed college here beleives that all three titles will be released together in a short time period. Best Buy.com's current street date for Star Craft 2 and WoTLK puts these two titles no more than one month apart.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
Yeah!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=star+craft&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960
Release date, street date, it's all the same. 11/03/08 and 12/03/08.
Plus, where the heck did you get those street dates from? Blizzard hasn't announced a beta yet, and they've been saying the games will be out when they are ready. BUT, if those dates are correct, which i DOUBT, but SC2 and WotLK cater to different marketing segments. One is an RTS while the other one will be picked up by loyal WoW fans. Releasing those two near each other, theoretically, should not have that much impact on sales. BUT, this is BLIZZARD. A major gaming company. With releases like SC2, a highly anticipated game, WITH WotLK, an expansion pack to one of the most played games, the sales of the games will eat each other up. And that's without D3. If D3 was in the mix, it would take away from WotLK's sales as they're both catering to MMORPG players. AND, D3 has been really anticipated. EVEN lower revenues for Blizzard.
Basically. That marketing strategy = FAIL.
joykiller...
Has anyone ever seen the cow kings dance well i have its right here! http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2wyKQm13I
Oh and do you wanna see the new cows in d3 here they are
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TpMAqQ_pc0I
/l、
(゚、 。 7
l、 ~ヽ ------CAT IM A KITTY CAT AND I DANCE DANCE DANCE
..じしf_, )ノ AND I DANCE DANCE DANCE!!!
Come stay awhile and..its time for shedding our enemies blood not idle talk aww no one ever listens... lol
No blizzard employee would be dumb enough to admit they're an employee and spill out info that'll get their heads chopped off.
Not to mention they'll never find another job in the industry again
I disagree, I'd buy all of them and a new computer.
Reading some reply's here, ithink that everyone is right at some point.
The hydra proyect can be everything you just said, but it is true that its not a good idea to make the release at the same time.
Maybe its just a major announcment for each of the franchises. Maybe the beta can be relased at the same time, but not the final product.
And just because they're 3 different styles of gameplay it doesn't mean they don't conflict.
They would just have to be dumb to RELEASE all 3 at once (or in a short time).
Just thought of this: Maybe the 3 prime evils turn into a huge monster with 3 heads, hence hydra!
LOL
Why would a company be self conflicting? You should rest assured no loss of revenue would be incurred if this thing goes down as we anticipate. The proof is evident in the essentially simultanious release of Star Craft II and WoTLK (even if the street date isn't accurate, both are nearing completion).
Would a third title be such a strech?
Mmk.
Now where does this kid state that his "buddy" works for Blizzard?
Also.. That's good strategy. Look how many game companies release multiple games within a few months.
Each franchise relates to a different gaming genre.
With Diablo III geting released, WotLK, and SC II... I highly doubt it would make Blizard lose money.
You should learn to read better.
Diablo 3
World of Starcraft
Lost Vikings/Blackthorne
....I can dream :).