3 Huge titles launch (Halo ODST, NFS Shift, Prof Layton) and sales/value goes up.

Does anyone know if the popes catholic?

Given that the market has been trending into the gutter for the past few weeks, I don;t think you need to be that disparaging, Warick.

Just coming out of one of the worst summer droughts software-wise, and sales go up with the first hit of AA titles. Hmm, I wonder if the multi-format release of Fifa 10 will have an effect . . . . . . . . . . .

I wonder if the PS3 price cut, and the fact that finally some decent exclusives are coming out on the PS3 will have an effect on Q4 and Q1 2010 . . . . . . . . I dunno, I cant be sure.

*hugs Warick in mutual shock and amazement.

Hardly disparaging. It's just obvious that sales go up when big releases hit the shelves. Infact, its bleedin obvious.

Just so you don't get caught out. Xmas is on 25th December this year.

Theres quite a few industry pundits (for what their opinions are worth) stating that the age old classic routine of holding back all your releases for xmas is no longer the best way to maximise sales of your product.

You could argue that this has already happened, what with Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2, Splinter Cell etc. all being shifted to Q1 2010 thanks to a "Modern Warfare 2 inferiority complex" everyone has developed of late, but I believe thats not the over-riding reason. Said publishers/developers etc. could release Mass Effect 2 Bioshock 2 etc. at xmas if they REALLY wanted to . . . . . . .They just know this xmas is going to be a really tight one, and they want to make sure psycologically/economically we feel like we have more pund notes in our pockets after the financial obligation we face in december.
Now, I'm probably wrong on this so feel free to flame, but loads of people I know, and many news programes etc. have argued that alot of people cant afford those generic all-inclusive holidays they have been enjoying over the past 6 yrs, they cant afford to emulate the sex and city lifestyle round London/Manchester/Liverpool like they have and are STAYING IN MORE.
Look at how well Arkham Asylum has done, and will do thanks to its release. Well polished good game, but as good as it is, it wouldn't have fared half as well going guns blazing with all the others in Nov/Dec. It did so well, because people couldnt afford to go on holiday, but they still dont mind splashing a few quid on home luxuries as a way of cheering themselves up, and thinking psycologically that they were saving money not going on said holiday. Even if they were buying for teenage kids ("keeps 'em amused and off the glue during the 'olidays" as my uncle would say).

Look at Need for Speed Shift. Yeah, its not a bad game, has sold well, but only because nothing else is out. Its not brilliant though, and feels more like a "poor mans" Forza or GT (depending on what bit of plastic you slavishly root for). I bet you alot of those copies are going to end up on the pre-owned shelf once the "real racing" games come out. What if EA had released this back in June/July? They could have capitalised on this gap with the introduction of DLC in the ruthlessly efficient way that only EA/Activision know, and "locked in" that purchase.

I used to be a manager for GAME a few moons ago, and I always use dto hate this time of year. Upper-management riding my tail whinging about slow sales, customers walking around with cash in hand, but nothing to spend it on, wasting their and my time routinely asking if the current upcoming games release date was still on schedule. Surely everyone in the industry, from developers to the stressed out indie owner, could do with a rethink?

Just my thoughts, feel free to point out where I'm wrong.