and then failed harder because SOE had to get over involved

They didn’t? So that’s why the game sold like crazy and was a major hit right?
Yeah, everyone likes to say now how they always knew that it was a brilliant title, because that’s the proper thing to do.

Truth is, when it first came out, no one really payed attention, and I think that had a lot to do with the art/theme. Sure, it wasn’t the only thing, but it certainly was a factor.

Why can’t someone draw a comparison to Call of Duty or Halo? Like it or not, people relate to wanting to shoot guns. He never said that, because Psychonauts didn’t have you playing an FPS, it sucked. He simply pointed out that people are much more open to killing terrorists – hence the games underwhelming sales in comparison.

Making the comparison to Call of Duty or Halo really shows how this article strives for a point without any real information.

Or would you rather play some other FPS? How many bald space marines do we need? (ok, we get it! you guys are gay!)

It was a simple and cute biz sim with light RTS elements that I’m sure would appeal to many female players.

Well, perhaps it’s downfall was that it came too early for the market – back in 2001 when computer gaming was mostly a male-dominated activity.

It’s part of the reasons old shmups died out (i.e. the first shooters — spaceships and armies of aliens on 2D side scrolling screen in space).

The whole spaceships take on armada of aliens was done to death and it’s hardcore/nerdy, no human or emotinoal elements – a game sole-ly based around machine/tech limits your audience unless you are going to play up human elements (i.e. think Macross Frontier as a game done right) with all the fun and human elements, while making sure your gameplay (FPS /w light amount of vehicle gameplay ala halo). Most mass audiences are simple minded now-a-days, this is why FPS racing are two of the biggest franchises because they are the easiest to sell to people.

The mass audience loves cliche’s and the familiar, what schafer didn’t realize is that for most games, the theme matters, but what doesn’t matter is if it’s CLICHE what matters is that familiar themes that are always wanted are EXECUTED WELL. Developers never get this through their head, i.e. the thematic art and gameplay style are the two most important elements in a game that will make or break your sales.