MS defends Crackdown/Halo 3 beta decision
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Feb 15th 2007 at 12:30PM }
Ever since it was first announced that Crackdown would contain an invite to the coveted Halo 3 multiplayer beta, comments have been flying around the intertubes. Some have said that the beta was added in order to push an otherwise lackluster product. That theory, more or less, has been quashed now that the Crackdown demo has won the hearts and minds of the people. Others have expressed outrage at being "forced" to buy Crackdown in order to get into the beta. Frankly, this argument doesn't really hold water, as a beta test is just that, a beta test. In a recent Reuters article, Microsoft's Craig Evans defends the choice. In response to the claim that Crackdown was virtually off the radar before the Halo 3 beta was announced, Evans says, "I can understand why people might think that, but the bottom line is that Crackdown is a game that stands on its own." Referring to the common joke that people are buying the Halo 3 beta and not Crackdown (see image), Evans notes, "People are definitely saying 'I'm getting a free beta with Crackdown', not the other way around," adding, "The Halo 3 beta isn't going to push the game's sales into the millions. Crackdown is going to push its sales into the millions."We certainly won't argue that Crackdown is a good game on its own merits, but it would be foolish to assume that the inclusion of the Halo 3 beta had nothing to do with its quick rise into the spotlight. In the end, it was a slick way for Microsoft to promote a good original game with no franchise history to exploit. Grand Theft Auto, for example, practically markets itself. Crackdown didn't have an obvious marketing hook. The beta put Crackdown in the public eye, and now that we've had a taste, we want more. Halo 3 beta or not, we're picking Crackdown up next week. Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes to become a million seller?
[Via HBO]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yuccadude @ Feb 15th 2007 12:43PM
Now is that millions sold to retailers, or millions sold to 360 owners?
Either way, it won't take too long for this game to sell out(which is why I have it on preorder). And I got in the Halo 3 Beta through part two of the rule of three, so I'm not buying it for that reason.
KineticOnline @ Feb 15th 2007 12:43PM
I wouldn't be surprised if crackdown hasn't already sold a million copies in preorders alone
mike @ Feb 15th 2007 12:47PM
crackdown has a review average of 85% id say thats pretty good on its own, people need to remember that
Tony @ Feb 15th 2007 12:48PM
You know, honestly, on its own merits, considering the demo went over well and the reviews coming in are largely positive and the easy way it can be tied into GTA, I have to imagine it would have eventually popped up into the spotlight anyway.
morphy @ Feb 15th 2007 12:52PM
Crackdown definitely stands on its own.
Has anybody ever considered the possibility: what if the Halo 3 Beta sucks?
razer @ Feb 15th 2007 3:51PM
This game is fantastic! Played it for a week now and I'm sure the direct comparisons to GTA will be made(the same guy created both duh!) but this game plays like a dream, very smooth. I thought it was interesting how my character started off as this skinny little dude and now that I am 4 stars in all the different abilities I am a 7ft tall tank of a person. The CoOp does have just a little lag, hardly noticable but Real Worlds has already got a patch ready to go on launch day to fix it. One thing I suggest you do when you get the game is climb the agency tower, that is a rush! The Halo Beta is a great bonus, but this game doesn't need it. I think including the beta was part marketing, but also since MS is the publisher of both games it was a great opportunity to experiment and it insures that they have total control over the beta. I think some people believe that they will be playing this beta up until the game is released. Bungie is going to pull the plug on it after it gets this portion of testing done and I don't think they want a beta floating around.
Toph @ Feb 15th 2007 12:54PM
Just by proxy of the time of the year Crackdown is bieng released, it'd be on 360 gamers' radar regardless of the Halo beta. I mean..Bullet Witch and Crackdown? Hmm..which to get..
Silver R. Wolfe @ Feb 15th 2007 12:55PM
Morphy, that is close to heresy on this website. It's fecking Halo 3 after all!
Bungie are lords! MC > Mario!!! Anyone who says otherwise is a Sony loving n00b~! RAEWRRRRRRR~!!!!
Rob Holiday @ Feb 15th 2007 1:07PM
I pre-ordered Crackdown after playing the demo. Not for the Halo 3 beta. I had Halo 2 on the original Xbox and only finished half of the campaign and never played online. I gave my Xbox and Halo 2 to my nephews when I bought my 360. I never was real impressed with Halo 2. It was good, but not THAT good. I think any online FPS needs to be at least 24 players (BF2:MC) to be really good.
Dave Michaels @ Feb 15th 2007 7:48PM
Crackdown is an OK game. The demo didn't convince me to pay 60 dollars for this game. The game doesn't seem to have anything special about it... Ok nice physics but this is next gen and I expect that...
LunarDuality @ Feb 15th 2007 1:33PM
I don't have a problem with MS doing this at all. As the Richard points out, it was a brilliant way to bring a new IP out and plant it in the hearts and minds of gamers. Then, with the release of a quality demo you've cemented many purchasers decisions. That's just damn good business.
As for the Halo 3 Beta, I'll admit that I *kinda* tried to get into it but did not. And then I realized that it wasn't so bad. Why would I work myself up over missing out on the chance to *test* a game? I know it's cool to get a sneak peak, but ultimately I'm looking forward to a polished, well balanced experience from a *finished* game. That, and I actually *like* the single-player/Story portions of FPSes and Halo in particular.
fragglefart @ Feb 15th 2007 1:48PM
The demo is so much fun, really hard to restrict playing it to death and getting burnt out, just jumping over buildings and throwing cars around is a riot. I'm pretty hyped for Crackdown. Co-op man! CO-OP FTW!
I'm glad the Halo 3 beta is thrown in, but at the end of the day it is only a beta - I'm way more excited about enjoying Crackdown than a buggy icomplete demo at this point, despite the name attached to it, although I have no doubt the final retail product will be awesome.
Stretch @ Feb 15th 2007 1:50PM
I'll be getting Crackdown. I could care less if the Halo 3 beta is with it. I've played Halo, and Halo 2. Not seeing what all the hype is about.
hoos30 @ Feb 15th 2007 1:54PM
Why do they even have to defend it? This is not like when Nintendo held Twilight Princess back for a year or more to help push Wii sales. Plus, they've given gamer two other ways to get into the Beta. Don't see how any could have a beef with MS over this, even though BountyXP from the SquadXP podcast tried really hard.
Warpped655 @ Feb 15th 2007 1:56PM
Silver R. Wolfe, mario's a nintendo character, why would thinking mario is better then master cheif make you a sony fan? O.o
and to say the word 'heresy' even in joke context within the realm of videogames is sort of low. although, I think the chances of halo 3 beta being crap a are slim to none as well. espeicaly since guys at 1up played it, if it was crap they would of said so. Anyway, crackdown is fun, I only played the demo for a hour. but thats becuase I preodered it already. but the whole 'its just a beta' arguement doesn't hold water either, know why? becuase the developers said ON THEIR SITE that the beta isn't only to let you taste the online multiplayer, but to actualy suggest, and critique their work, so they can then fix anything or change anything that we as consumers feel that should be changed. although the fact that their limiting the number of people who play it it seems like a bad idea to me, wouldn't they want more people to comment on their game rather then less? oh well, guess it doesn't matter, I'm getting it, so I'll get to shape Halo 3 in a my own miniscule way.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Feb 15th 2007 2:04PM
Warpped, my whole commment was in jest. :3
Eric @ Feb 15th 2007 3:06PM
Bullshit. It's a free game with the Halo 3 beta. The fact that the game is not Fuzion Frenzy 2 is a bonus, but still, most people, not all, but most, will buy it for the beta, not the game. It MIGHT have sold a million without the beta, but I seriously doubt it. With it, it may top 2 million.
fragglefart @ Feb 15th 2007 3:41PM
Eric - no way, Halo 3 Beta or no myself and others I know are buying this game for Crackdown. What, you think if the Halo 3 beta idea was canned tomorrow people like myself would cancel our pre-orders? No way man.
I'm as hyped for this as I was Dead Rising last year. Did that sell a million with a Halo 3 beta? Did Gears of War? Lost Planet? The demo was awesome, the game has had excellent reviews, and people will buy Crackdown for Crackdown itself.
Hell I skipped Saints Row because I knew this was on the horizon.
SuperDave @ Feb 15th 2007 5:36PM
I guess I'm one of the only people watching Crackdown from the beginning. I didn't even own a 360 but everything I read about it sounded awesome and like it was made for me. I just hoped it would come out well. I was stoked when I saw it looking better and better. Crackdown was what pushed me to finally get a 360. I got one two days ago. My first 360 game will be Crackdown. I'm playing the demo like freaking crazy. I can't wait.
Honestly, the Halo series is overrated. Good game but come on... I'm sure I will get Halo 3 but I definitely, positively didn't get Crackdown (or my 360) for Halo 3.
Freakin\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' Pothead @ Feb 15th 2007 4:43PM
The demo is awsome, the game is going to be great. Halo fanboys REALLY need to get over themselves and the game. I can't see it happening but it would be funny as hell if the H3 beta sucked.
Boff @ Feb 15th 2007 6:57PM
Yep, I've been on Crackdown from the beginning too, not a Halo fanboy so it's just a little bonus to get the Beta on the disc too.
Can't fault MS for the marketing ploy but I can't help but think it's taken a bit of the polish off what I'm sure will be an amazingly fun game given the demo.
Maclintok @ Feb 15th 2007 8:43PM
Microsoft can't afford to push out 1st-party crap. They new pushing a new IP into gamers' mindspace was going to be difficult, especially with a game that is competing in the same genre as a heavyweight like GTA.
They are not idiots. They knew many people were going to either ignore Crackdown or write it off as a GTA "me too" game. Hence the Halo beta key pack in. Kudos. The Crackdown demo was aces. The final game deserves to be played.
d4nk42o @ Feb 15th 2007 9:27PM
Crackdown sucks! The only reason people will buy it is for the Halo 3 beta. Its gonna sell millions alright. I think the developers would like to imagine in their little minds that people are actually buying this game for crackass down. I think the game looks like crap, its another 3rd person sandbox game. Don't we already have enough of these anyway?!
SuperDave @ Feb 15th 2007 10:33PM
#23, "The only reason people will buy it is for the Halo 3 beta."
"I think the developers would like to imagine in their little minds that people are actually buying this game for crackass down."
Hello?! Read comments #19 and #20. You're wrong.
"I think the game looks like crap, its another 3rd person sandbox game. Don't we already have enough of these anyway?!"
Right, because there's not NEARLY enough FPS's.....*rolls eyes*
Some people...
Jim @ Feb 20th 2007 2:55PM
I didn't even know about the Halo 3 beta, but I downloaded the Crackdown demo and was really impressed--it is a very fun game.
I think the Halo 3 bundle is just more likely to draw in players who might not have tried Crackdown. But the strategy only works with a quality game.