Weird sales figures

[FuzzyJuzzy]

While the game hasn't sold millions day one by any account, it's till had a consistent upward trajectory in sales since launch.

However, SteamSpy now shows a reversal in owners of the game over the past couple of days. How is this possible? Are people refunding the game in droves? Is SteamSpy just inaccurate?

http://steamspy.com/app/590380

[glass]

Steamspy is only accurate for games with huge sales. Huge as in really huge

[FuzzyJuzzy]

Originally posted by glass:

Steamspy is only accurate for games with huge sales. Huge as in really huge

No it's meant to be fairly accurate for any game above 10k sales. Just read an article about it.

https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam/steam-spy-accuracy-developers

[Captain Trek]

"Meant to be" and "actually is" are two very different things.

[pirate240]

Theory: Some folks were disappointed with the game and got refunds.

[FuzzyJuzzy]

Originally posted by pirate240:

Theory: Some folks were disappointed with the game and got refunds.

Yea, I suspect also. Such a shame that sales are capping out so early at around 200k on Steam. This game deserves far far more than that. I think it's a better game than FTL, but even if you think it isn't, it still pales in comparison to FTL's almost 3 million sales by too big a margin.

[Elldrytch]

Sophmore releases are always sorta plagued with that, be it games or music or whatever creative work you do. If your first effort was well received, a bunch of people will assume that the second thing you make is the same. So "from the makers of FTL" people were expecting another FTL (even though a cursory read or watch would show you that was not what you were getting).

I would just ignore it. It will work itself out.

[Twelvefield]

Originally posted by Justinian:

SteamSpy now shows a reversal in owners of the game over the past couple of days. How is this possible?

Obviously a discontinuity in the time stream. Duh. Probably a bunch of VISA card numbers that went back to the Pliestocene. Should watch Jurassic Park to see if they ever show up again.

[Kuraeshin]

Don't forget just how long FTL was out, and how many Steam sales it went through.

[Horrow]

Originally posted by Kuraeshin:

Don't forget just how long FTL was out, and how many Steam sales it went through.

Considering they have FTL on this game's cover, some people are probably wondering why they should buy this over FTL.

FTL has more content and is priced lower.

[FuzzyJuzzy]

Originally posted by Horrow:

Originally posted by Kuraeshin:

Don't forget just how long FTL was out, and how many Steam sales it went through.

Considering they have FTL on this game's cover, some people are probably wondering why they should buy this over FTL.

FTL has more content and is priced lower.

Impeccable logic.

[Kaerius]

Note also that it's on GOG as well, and it was cheaper there than on Steam for Europeans. Hasn't even had the customary GOG patch delay.

[hoot hoot]

It's possible that there is a significant refund rate. I mean, in two hours, you can see all that the game has to offer aside from unlocking all the mechs. I've been playing the game now and then and can say it's not nearly as amazing as FTL, despite being enjoyable. I wouldn't be surprised at all if people play thorugh once or twice before deciding it's not something they're very interested in.

This game would sell like hotcakes on mobile, though.

[Horrow]

Originally posted by Henry be Praised:

It's possible that there is a significant refund rate. I mean, in two hours, you can see all that the game has to offer aside from unlocking all the mechs. I've been playing the game now and then and can say it's not nearly as amazing as FTL, despite being enjoyable. I wouldn't be surprised at all if people play thorugh once or twice before deciding it's not something they're very interested in.

This game would sell like hotcakes on mobile, though.

Pretty much this. At least in ITB's current state.

When/if it expands on content. Such as more maps, more enemies, more equipment, and more skills to unlock. Then it'll be a different story. Also, final mission needs to be changed to something less anti climatic.

ITB's lack of variety is its biggest flaw. Once that's fixed, it'll be an amazing game.

[FuzzyJuzzy]

Originally posted by Henry be Praised:

It's possible that there is a significant refund rate. I mean, in two hours, you can see all that the game has to offer aside from unlocking all the mechs. I've been playing the game now and then and can say it's not nearly as amazing as FTL, despite being enjoyable. I wouldn't be surprised at all if people play thorugh once or twice before deciding it's not something they're very interested in.

This game would sell like hotcakes on mobile, though.

Perhaps, though saying that you can see everything the game has to offer in 2 hours is flawed logic and many people can't seem to see that. It's like saying you can see everything Tetris or Chess has to offer content wise in a few minutes of playing, though that doesn't mean those games lose value after that. ITB is a much more "game" game than most other titles, and simply "seeing the content" is not what it's about. This fundamental truth is something that many people are missing and is the reason why a few people keep complaining about "lack of content".

Unlocking new mechs IS content in this game. Completing achievements IS content. Playing on harder difficulties and trying for higher scores IS content.

[VaeVictis]

For me it is a matter of taste.
I have over 1500 hours of playing FTL, and is always must have on all my new PC/laptops. Great to play it during breakes/waiting periods between tasks, was and still am interested in an Android or FTL2 version.
Bought ITB because is from the FTL makers, but didnt catch me.
I have arround 30 hours of ITB, never installed it again after the PC where it was installed on got replaced.
If the hours will allow, ITB would definetely be on my refunds list.