It looks like Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness - Episode One has broken through the controversy and landed as the third most successful XBLA games during its launch period.
According to a post from Penny Arcade's illustrator Mike Krahulik (aka Gabe), Episode One sold 16.5K units in the first three days of release. While it's already impressive for a new game wedged between known quantities like RezHD, Ikaruga and N+ to sell well, it's even more impressive considering Penny Arcade was priced twice as high as the rest in the top four.
According to Mike Krahulik, the top four three-day launch titles on XBLA are:
- RezHD -- 25k units
- Ikaruga -- 22.5k units
- Penny Arcade Adventures Episode One -- 16.5k units
- N+ -- 13k units
Congrats to Hothead Games for rolling twenties.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-27-2008 @ 3:24PM
Gemini Ace said...
Great. Now they'll think it's ok to charge $20 for an arcade title.
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5-27-2008 @ 3:34PM
Neuromancer said...
My thoughts exactly. We are fucked.
5-27-2008 @ 3:40PM
DjDATZ said...
Exactly what I thought too.
Oh and no wonder it's the highest grossing arcade title. It also happens to be the most expensive, by an extra 100% over the standard price of arcade titles.
5-27-2008 @ 3:49PM
Grimm said...
Amen man...no fucking shit it's the highest grossing. It costs 200% the cost of a normal arcade title. I've played it and other then dialog it really isn't that fun. Color me disappointed on this one.
5-27-2008 @ 3:50PM
Etchasketchist said...
No shit. Since when have corporations ever lowered prices because poor people complained? Welcome to capitalism.
5-27-2008 @ 3:57PM
RotNRollHunter said...
this game was well worth the $20 and besides Ikaruga the only game worth buying on the arcade in a while. It sold more units btw, the price played no factor in it moving up the list, if anything the price should have deterred people from buying it. it's nice to see a game like this on my xbox. my list consists of too many fps' and choosing "do I wan't to waste my time playing gh3 or rock band?" I think I'm gonna go outside thanks
5-27-2008 @ 4:36PM
ZEBRA NINER said...
Agreed! Not saying the game isn't good, because the demo looked good. This can be called a "Trendsetter", the trend of $20 games is on the way.
5-27-2008 @ 4:43PM
Treima said...
And they'll find out REAL fast that $20 is absurd when sales dry up because of it, assuming that ever happens. Penny Arcade can get away with it thanks to the brand, I don't think anyone else really could.
5-27-2008 @ 5:48PM
Mark said...
Penny Arcade is the Oprah of video games. They have mindless followers that will go buy any game they say.
5-27-2008 @ 3:27PM
Mr. Balance said...
yawn
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5-27-2008 @ 3:34PM
xenocidic said...
impressive
i haven't picked it up yet, still poking my way thru Liberty City. haven't played any other game since 4/28
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5-27-2008 @ 3:36PM
leo2178 said...
great....
coming soon to an XBLA near you....
more overpriced crap!
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5-27-2008 @ 3:43PM
B Tizo said...
You guys are ridiculous. Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One is a fantastic game. It is easily worth the $20 for any Penny Arcade fan. Not to mention that it's the first episode in a series of 4. Now that the engine and the framework is out, the following episodes will most likely cost less than the initial installment.
$20 (Ep. 1) + $10 (Ep. 2) + $10 (Ep. 3) + $10 (Ep. 4) = $50.
If each episode offers the 6-8 hours of game play that Episode 1 offered, that would be 24-32 hours of game play for $50. That's a damn good deal considering most retail games are $60 and offer considerably less.
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5-27-2008 @ 3:46PM
marauder800 said...
"the following episodes will most likely cost less than the initial installment."
Keep dreaming.
5-27-2008 @ 3:47PM
Gemini Ace said...
Yea, but most games for that price have multiplayer. You also have the option to trade them into your local game store for credit or another game. I think that's a fail all the way around.
5-27-2008 @ 3:51PM
Etchasketchist said...
I will bet you 1600 MS points that episodes 2-4 will cost exactly the same as the first one.
5-27-2008 @ 3:58PM
Andrew said...
Maybe there was a chance that the next episodes would be 800 points if the sales bombed, but now there's not way they're going to lower the price.
They've got you PA fans by the balls and it's sad.
RIP 800 and 400 point games.
5-27-2008 @ 4:06PM
Neuromancer said...
Yeah or each episode could be $20 with the whole Penny Arcade Experience costing a total of $80. Either way thanks but no thanks, this is a bad precedent.
5-27-2008 @ 3:59PM
GoBob said...
An independent game costs more to produce than a port, thus having a higher purchase price? Shocking!
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5-27-2008 @ 4:05PM
HazyCloud said...
I figured it was 20 well spent. I logged about 24 hours playing it. Far from the 5-10 hours originally stated.
I've paid more for pizza delivery. Everyone that thinks that 20 bucks it too much, you need a different hobby.
I welcome better/more expensive titles to the XBLA.
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