Dynamics of TA members in relation to games

[VoodooVyper]

This is just an observation. I've been on TA for less than 2 months and witnessed the release of some pretty big name titles like Payback, Sway, Zenbound to name a few.

The thing I noticed is that the TA forum members are very dynamic. When Payback was announced, a majority of the members were excited and couldn't wait for the games release. They spoke of situations where specific executions would suit their style, or how much fun it would be to run over unsuspecting pedestrians. The thread packed up a seemingly endless amount of pages to be read.

Now, a more recent title, Zenbound. Since the hype about Payback has died down, the majority (even the same, if I may say so) have done the same thing about this game. Mentioning how relaxing it would be to wrap a rope around a piece of wood, or how tranquil the soundtrack is.

One month the forum is full of blood(virtual)-hungry maniacs who just want to shoot something (virtually), then the next it's filled with... dare I say... hippies. The sequence of change is astounding, to say the least. I belong to many a forum (360, ps3, psp to name a few) and never have I witnessed such change in mood from game to game.

Discuss.


Ps. This thread is game related, so I don't really care to hear anyone say "post in lounge". Save it.

[Tennisking1o1]

I, personally, just think a good iPhone game is a good iPhone game, regardless of the genre. I enjoy so many styles of games

[1337brian]

Ps. This thread is game related, so I don't really care to hear anyone say "post in lounge". Save it.

What game would this be related to??? :confused:
All of them? Oh ok, move it to the lounge buddy!

[Edit] - So I'm not a total jerk, I like all genres pretty much, like tennis said, A good game is a good game... I just don't post on the games I'm not interested in, mainly most platformers...

[VoodooVyper]

I, personally, just think a good iPhone game is a good iPhone game, regardless of the genre. I enjoy so many styles of games

This is contrary to the point I was trying to hit on. You are like myself, eclectic when it comes to games.

But the point I'm trying to make is that when Payback was introduced, everybody was suddenly a die-hard action/guns/death fan.

Then when ZenBound was introduced, suddenly everyone is a brain-massage aficionado. Extravagantly ecstatic about tranquil relaxation.

[VoodooVyper]

What game would this be related to??? :confused:
All of them? Oh ok, move it to the lounge buddy!

[Edit] - So I'm not a total jerk, I like all genres pretty much, like tennis said, A good game is a good game... I just don't post on the games I'm not interested in, mainly most platformers...

Mostly Payback and Zenbound. Would you rather I post a question or nine regarding which purchase I should make with my last $3.56?

[Big Albie]

That's a really insightful observation and one that has been more apparent in the last few weeks with several notable releases. There was a similar thread just this past weekend talking about hype, and I think you can see a correlation between hype and these changing moods that appear with each subsequent new title launch. No offense to the TA crowd, but I would assume that the majority of TA members are probably in the 16-34 age demographic with most at the lower end range. A lot of what resonates and will change moods is based on psychology and for the younger demographic, they are more susceptible to suggestive messaging and the pack mentality. These changes in moods are what determine tastes which for the most part are generally short in duration. Also in terms of the pack mentality, when a large number of people are saying one thing, others will tend to believe it as well. It's a normal response which marketers are keenly aware of. So while relaxing games may be the flavor one minute, it can easily switch back to blood and guts the next due to some strategically placed messages.

[wiesse]

The games for the iPhone are small, people do not play them for months on end, so we need a "steady flow" This is why we do not settle on one game for a long time but jump from game to game.

[VoodooVyper]

That's a really insightful observation and one that has been more apparent in the last few weeks with several notable releases. There was a similar thread just this past weekend talking about hype, and I think you can see a correlation between hype and these changing moods that appear with each subsequent new title launch. No offense to the TA crowd, but I would assume that the majority of TA members are probably in the 16-34 age demographic with most at the lower end range. A lot of what resonates and will change moods is based on psychology and for the younger demographic, they are more susceptible to suggestive messaging and the pack mentality. These changes in moods are what determine tastes which for the most part are generally short in duration. Also in terms of the pack mentality, when a large number of people are saying one thing, others will tend to believe it as well. It's a normal response which marketers are keenly aware of. So while relaxing games may be the flavor one minute, it can easily switch back to blood and guts the next due to some strategically placed messages.

You nailed exactly what I was getting at. And currently working on my Marketing degree, this is the perfect example to take note of.

The games for the iPhone are small, people do not play them for months on end, so we need a "steady flow" This is why we do not settle on one game for a long time but jump from game to game.

As true as that is, I still see just as much hype for these games as I do for big name games on 360/ps3/wii. This is based on the member/forum ratio however. Almost as much of a crowd of TA members scurry to one game and generate hype and "when is this game releasing im so sick of waiting" messages than do members of an xbox forum on average. I never see pre-launch game posts on threads on the xbox forum stack up more than 70 pages, ever.

[Spartan12103]

The games for the iPhone are small, people do not play them for months on end, so we need a "steady flow" This is why we do not settle on one game for a long time but jump from game to game.

Good point. The games hold their "wow" factor for a lot shorter time.

[yankjenets]

The games for the iPhone are small, people do not play them for months on end, so we need a "steady flow" This is why we do not settle on one game for a long time but jump from game to game.

I think wiesse nailed this one on the head. People end up playing most apps only a couple of times before moving on to the next hot new thing, which is encouraged on this platform by the low price and convenience of buying new games.

[hkiphone]

I would also add that I think it's because the games are so cheap compared to traditional console titles that everyone is able to play them and make comments.
Back in the days of PS2 you'd be lucky to hear me comment about games other than GT3, MGS2 and GTA3 because that's all I could really afford (in time and money).

[coconutbowling]

There are a lot of members on TA, and the hype is generally by different people. For instance, I wasn't part of the Payback thread, but I participated a lot in the Zen Bound one. The hype that seems to be a chnge of mood, is actually a change in people.

[jshmrsn]

The iPhone game industry is young, and thus is changing very rapidly on a daily basis. So, it makes sense that the player's opinions are also changing rapidly.

Less than a year ago, we were playing 2D tech demo "games" from Installer and Cydia, then the App Store introduced Monkey Ball, and recently we are seeing amazing 3D games like Sway and Zen Bound.

Consoles come out over couple years and the individual games change very little. If a game does do something revolutionary, you can bet it will get the kinda of following these iPhone games are receiving.

[Big Albie]

[quote=VoodooVyper;113038]You nailed exactly what I was getting at. And currently working on my Marketing degree, this is the perfect example to take note of.

I work in tech marketing so I use many of the tactics seen here on TA. With iTunes apps, there are two unique and converging forces working together. As I mentioned, the younger demographic is key because of the impressionable nature of this group. But, the other is the pricing pressure unlike any other product/service out there. The relatively low price which makes the apps cheap and almost disposable make switching easy and common. Brand allegiance, while still important, is more susceptible to pricing pressures. So many times, people will want an app, but they won't buy until it's cheaper regardless of the brand. Combine the young demographic with the pricing structure, and you have what is currently happening in this microcosm we call TA.

[anduril_ukr]

There are a lot of members on TA, and the hype is generally by different people. For instance, I wasn't part of the Payback thread, but I participated a lot in the Zen Bound one. The hype that seems to be a chnge of mood, is actually a change in people.

yeah, qft. much of those bulk of the threads were repeated posters. i visited the thread for payback maybe once, but i was quite active in reading and posting on the zen bound thread, because that is a game i really was excited about, and it lived up to my expectations.

[Chiller ONE]

All I know is that people here are suckered in by the hype so incredibly fast that it isn't even remotely funny anymore.

[anduril_ukr]

All I know is that people here are suckered in by the hype so incredibly fast that it isn't even remotely funny anymore.

i got sway recently, and that was the only game i have bought that was SWAYed (:D) by the hype. other than that, i just buy games if i think that they are QUALITY, FUN, and UNIQUE apps that I will enjoy.

[CandyNJ66]

That's a really insightful observation and one that has been more apparent in the last few weeks with several notable releases. There was a similar thread just this past weekend talking about hype, and I think you can see a correlation between hype and these changing moods that appear with each subsequent new title launch. No offense to the TA crowd, but I would assume that the majority of TA members are probably in the 16-34 age demographic with most at the lower end range. A lot of what resonates and will change moods is based on psychology and for the younger demographic, they are more susceptible to suggestive messaging and the pack mentality. These changes in moods are what determine tastes which for the most part are generally short in duration. Also in terms of the pack mentality, when a large number of people are saying one thing, others will tend to believe it as well. It's a normal response which marketers are keenly aware of. So while relaxing games may be the flavor one minute, it can easily switch back to blood and guts the next due to some strategically placed messages.

Well said Albie! There is a pack mentality in groups of people that are online too and it's very interesting. If we see a group of people running, well usually we are going to run first and ask questions later. Some people tend to follow the crowd, first out of curiosity and then they will get caught up in the hype spurred on by still more people doing the same thing.

[snow_mani]

There are a lot of members on TA, and the hype is generally by different people. For instance, I wasn't part of the Payback thread, but I participated a lot in the Zen Bound one. The hype that seems to be a chnge of mood, is actually a change in people.

Very true. As a general rule of thumb, give me a thread about a puzzle game, a word game or a RPG and I will be all over it. Even more so when I have played it and enjoyed it. I've become familar with a lot of other users who also like the same game genres as me. I'm interested in what they have to say about a game because I now have a good feel of what they like or dislike in that type of game. So when I "check into unfamilar territory" and take a look at threads on games from other genres like Payback, I'm not familar with a lot of the posters. Some of whom have hundreds of posts! So when the hype seems to also be a change in mood I would agree that it is actually a change in people.

[le'deuche123]

Mostly Payback and Zenbound. Would you rather I post a question or nine regarding which purchase I should make with my last $3.56?

Dude......that is freaking funny!!! To true...To true.....

[Danny-Doggy]

I bought IDracula because of the hype and I really did not want it all that much. Everyone was hyping it and it only cost $1.

I also enjoy playing mindless violent games and relaxing puzzle games.

[GatorDeb]

What if we're all blood-thirsty hippies??!! :eek:

[Big Albie]

I bought IDracula because of the hype and I really did not want it all that much. Everyone was hyping it and it only cost $1.

I also enjoy playing mindless violent games and relaxing puzzle games.

This has got to be the quote of the year :rolleyes:

"I also enjoy playing mindless violent games and relaxing puzzle games."

[Birdsoft]

"I also enjoy playing mindless violent games and relaxing puzzle games."

And this opinion seems to be the overwhelming majority, which makes it hard to decide what to make... Gem Swapping with blood?

[gekkota]

The thing I noticed is that the TA forum members are very dynamic....One month the forum is full of blood(virtual)-hungry maniacs who just want to shoot something (virtually), then the next it's filled with... dare I say... hippies. The sequence of change is astounding, to say the least.

I've noticed the same thing. I don't think it is "dynamic" so much as it is a "herd mentality." Excitement and anticipation are contagious!
Remember CUBE-mania? ;)
And the hundreds of posts about Zen Bound--before it was even released? :rolleyes:
People are always anticipating the Next Big Thing.
I don't know whether all the extreme hype is due to the demographic that Touch Arcade attracts, or whether it's just human nature.
Doesn't really matter, I guess, as long as it's fun...I even found myself getting excited about iDracula, which is the type of game I would get bored with after a few minutes... :cool:

[CandyNJ66]

At first I could care less about iDracula but I admit getting caught up in the hype and got it anyway. At least I do enjoy it

[Big Albie]

At first I could care less about iDracula but I admit getting caught up in the hype and got it anyway. At least I do enjoy it

iDracula is a pretty fun game, but I don't know if I would've purchased it if it weren't for all the fanfare around it. You could say it worked because it lured me into buying it.:)

[superbad]

You wanna know the reason???

PEER PRESSURE + HYPE.

TA users usually cuddle up together and push each other to buy one game. Watch how we past payback lover and present zen bound lovers gang up on NFS.

[arn]

a few things

- It can be a different collection of people in each thread, but really everyone is interested in a "good" game... so it's no surprise that people anticipate what is perceived to be a good game.

- Human nature to want upcoming/exciting/next best thing. Same reason why MacRumors is so popular.

- The community really adds to that feeling and enjoyment.

arn

[don_k]

There was a similar thread just this past weekend talking about hype, and I think you can see a correlation between hype and these changing moods that appear with each subsequent new title launch.

Care to share the link to that thread?

[Big Albie]

Care to share the link to that thread?

Here's the link...we were talking about hype this weekend.

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=6030&highlight=

[don_k]

Thanks Big Albie, I'm reading it now.

anyway, to topic starter: 1. I've never really been affected by hype when buying games. If it's good, I'd buy it. If I'm not sure, I wouldn't. eg: Fastlane, ExZeus and Rolando were all hyped in this forum, but I don't buy them. In contrary, I would still buy iDracula or Sway even if they hadn't been hyped.

If anything, the hype introduced me some new games I didn't know before, eg: SnailMail and The Creeps.

2. I agree re different hype is generated by different people. I'm active in the iDracula and Sway threads, but not so much in Zen Bound or Payback threads.

[Big Albie]

Thanks Big Albie, I'm reading it now.

anyway, to topic starter: 1. I've never really been affected by hype when buying games. If it's good, I'd buy it. If I'm not sure, I wouldn't. eg: Fastlane, ExZeus and Rolando were all hyped in this forum, but I don't buy them. In contrary, I would still buy iDracula or Sway even if they hadn't been hyped.

If anything, the hype introduced me some new games I didn't know before, eg: SnailMail and The Creeps.

2. I agree re different hype is generated by different people. I'm active in the iDracula and Sway threads, but not so much in Zen Bound or Payback threads.

You're stronger person than most. And, for most, like myself, I generally only buy games that I am truly interested in which are usually puzzlers/logic games, TD/strategy games, and the occasional shooter. Hype is not a bad thing in general because it does generate awareness for things that people normally wouldn't be aware of. With ExZeus and Rolando as well as Zen Bound and Payback I can relate to because those aren't things I'm interested in. But, if you're talking about others that are more impressionable, targeted hype/marketing does work, and it can push many over the fence.

[Chiller ONE]

You wanna know the reason???

PEER PRESSURE + HYPE.

TA users usually cuddle up together and push each other to buy one game. Watch how we past payback lover and present zen bound lovers gang up on NFS.

That has to be it.
After the game has been released though, the hype seems to die rather quickly, there is no one talking about Rolando anymore.

[don_k]

That has to be it.
After the game has been released though, the hype seems to die rather quickly, there is no one talking about Rolando anymore.

or even Zen Bound!

[Big Albie]

It's what they call a mass mentality-driven phenomenon. At one point, everyone will be talking about it due to some properly targeted messages, and one people actually start buying/using it, reality will have sunk it, and the conversation will slow down as well. Thus, it eventually fizzles out unless whoever put out those messages in the first place come up with other ways to continue the cycle.

[SSquared]

I learned years ago (when I was heavily into PC games) not to buy into hype. One day, I realized, if a game is really good, it will still be good three months later when history will show its strength (and the price will have dropped).

I'll admit, I get excited about the hype on here, and it makes me spend time focusing on reading about the games, but I still make my buying decision on whether or not the game fits with either my interests, or my kids.

I have yet to buy Rolando, iDracula, Sway, or ZenBound. ZenBound might be a future purchase, but I am more drawn into its uniqueness.

[VoodooVyper]

Wow this thread picked up. Thanks for all the responses everyone, most were insightful. Didn't think the TA community would've had much to say, guess I was mistaken.

About NFS, it's a prime example. As soon as the thread titled "NFS has been submitted!" is posted, countless pages will add up with the "where the hell is this game I've been refreshing the page for hour" posts. Then once it's released there will be a comment/suggestions thread and a week later you'll hear little chatter about the game.

Amazing how that works imo.

[Mattman]

Also, due to the thread based nature of forums, you don't see the entire picture. I'm not going to go into a highly active payback thread and talk about how much I wish there was a relaxing game, and how I want Zen-Bound, although I might in a related thread, or the zen bound thread. People want to be able to participate in discussions, and either blending in or full on arguments are the best ways. A person also wouldn't create a Zen Bound thread months before release when there is already a "big game" coming out.

Plus, a lot of people have many tastes, or can appreciate different gameplay styles in different situations. Same reason people see more than just one type of movies, its limiting and even more dissapointing than hyping every movie that comes along. While I'm watching it, the Dark Knight might be the best movie ever, the next night it could be Step Brothers. Its human nature.

[Eney]

Then when ZenBound was introduced, suddenly everyone is a brain-massage aficionado. Extravagantly ecstatic about tranquil relaxation.

:eek: man i wish i spoke like that...

:(

[Big Albie]

:eek: man i wish i spoke like that...

:(

Believe me, you don't :)