honestly, school doesnt even factor into acompany's decision at all. Yes, theres a good population of kids under 24ish that start school in the fall, but theres also an even larger number of 24+ people that play video games, and its getting bigger as gaming becomes more common.
But, thats still not the reason why school isn't a factor. THE reason that games are released in the fall is because of Christmas. You release it before Thanksgiving so the people that just have to have it this very second can go buy it, then you get the parents buying it for Christmas for their kids during the holiday shopping (thats why you want it out before thanksgiving for black friday). High initial sales, plus good sales for 1-3 months as Christmas approaches. If they do it too early (before school starts) by the time Christmas and shopping is approaching, nobody cares about it anymore, they want the next new game thats just coming out.
They also have to factor in other big game releases. You dont want to have to compete with same week initial sales of another big game. This means you either A) get a jump on them and release earlier, or B) let them release first so that you have the "newer, better game that just came out" as Christmas approaches.
You also don't want to release it on into December as you are much more likely to miss sales. You miss out on the big Thanksgiving shopping sales, and you're also more likely to not be able to keep stores stocked with your game. When its released earlier, you spread out the sales of Christmas, and the people that just want the game that instant. If its released later like in Dec. then you get both groups of people trying to buy it at the same time.
And that boys and girls is an introduction into video game marketing
To the person above!!!! PLEASE-on the behalf of us all- Sthu! THank you! -_- noone asked for a damn scientific explination of the business ethics. God.
honestly, school doesnt even factor into acompany's decision at all. Yes, theres a good population of kids under 24ish that start school in the fall, but theres also an even larger number of 24+ people that play video games, and its getting bigger as gaming becomes more common.
But, thats still not the reason why school isn't a factor. THE reason that games are released in the fall is because of Christmas. You release it before Thanksgiving so the people that just have to have it this very second can go buy it, then you get the parents buying it for Christmas for their kids during the holiday shopping (thats why you want it out before thanksgiving for black friday). High initial sales, plus good sales for 1-3 months as Christmas approaches. If they do it too early (before school starts) by the time Christmas and shopping is approaching, nobody cares about it anymore, they want the next new game thats just coming out.
They also have to factor in other big game releases. You dont want to have to compete with same week initial sales of another big game. This means you either A) get a jump on them and release earlier, or B) let them release first so that you have the "newer, better game that just came out" as Christmas approaches.
You also don't want to release it on into December as you are much more likely to miss sales. You miss out on the big Thanksgiving shopping sales, and you're also more likely to not be able to keep stores stocked with your game. When its released earlier, you spread out the sales of Christmas, and the people that just want the game that instant. If its released later like in Dec. then you get both groups of people trying to buy it at the same time.
And that boys and girls is an introduction into video game marketing
And yes, GAME COMPANIES DO FACTOR IN SCHOOL, all the good movies come out during Summer because EVERYONE'S OUT OF SCHOOL and everyone only has so much money to spend. After Summer, i.e. WHEN SCHOOL STARTS, is the most ideal time because of less competition for your money. Money and the availability of it is what influences the game companies, and that includes the timing of the START OF SCHOOL! Christmas is also a major influence, but NOT the only influence.
But, thats still not the reason why school isn't a factor. THE reason that games are released in the fall is because of Christmas. You release it before Thanksgiving so the people that just have to have it this very second can go buy it, then you get the parents buying it for Christmas for their kids during the holiday shopping (thats why you want it out before thanksgiving for black friday). High initial sales, plus good sales for 1-3 months as Christmas approaches. If they do it too early (before school starts) by the time Christmas and shopping is approaching, nobody cares about it anymore, they want the next new game thats just coming out.
You also don't want to release it on into December as you are much more likely to miss sales. You miss out on the big Thanksgiving shopping sales, and you're also more likely to not be able to keep stores stocked with your game. When its released earlier, you spread out the sales of Christmas, and the people that just want the game that instant. If its released later like in Dec. then you get both groups of people trying to buy it at the same time.
And that boys and girls is an introduction into video game marketing
But, thats still not the reason why school isn't a factor. THE reason that games are released in the fall is because of Christmas. You release it before Thanksgiving so the people that just have to have it this very second can go buy it, then you get the parents buying it for Christmas for their kids during the holiday shopping (thats why you want it out before thanksgiving for black friday). High initial sales, plus good sales for 1-3 months as Christmas approaches. If they do it too early (before school starts) by the time Christmas and shopping is approaching, nobody cares about it anymore, they want the next new game thats just coming out.
You also don't want to release it on into December as you are much more likely to miss sales. You miss out on the big Thanksgiving shopping sales, and you're also more likely to not be able to keep stores stocked with your game. When its released earlier, you spread out the sales of Christmas, and the people that just want the game that instant. If its released later like in Dec. then you get both groups of people trying to buy it at the same time.
And that boys and girls is an introduction into video game marketing