Namco: Enslaved sales due to going in at "busy holiday season"

Namco Bandai marketing VP Carson Choi has said the reason sales for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West aren't as big as could have been is down to the fact it went on sale in a "busy holiday" period.

Speaking to Siliconera, he said that Namco Bandai will do a much better job in getting games to the market in the future.

"It really didn’t do what we anticipated," said Choi when asked if it performed as it should have.

"To be perfectly frank, I think as a company prior to us reforming this organization, going to market, I think the game went to market at a very busy season. It launched in the midst of a busy holiday season. Last year, there were like 4000+ games for consoles.

"We didn’t do a good job finding the right time for it because when you look at the quality of the game it speaks for itself. An 80+ rated game is guaranteed a hit. We got DLC that came out that got 10 out of 10."

Choi added: "Ultimately, I think that game had the quality needed to address the gamers. I think it’s a matter of getting into the market at the right time, which is something you will see us do much better."

He went further said that there could still be more to see yet on Enslaved.

"I can assure you, a title like Enslaved, and every title we’ve worked on in the past we’re going to re-examine them and say what is the potential for the game? We’ve been doing a lot of studies, consumer engagement, and community engagement… let’s put it this way one of these days stay tuned there will be more news to come."

Last week, Namco announced sales of the Ninja Theory action title were at 460,000 units. But despite that, Namco UK marketing boss Lee Kirton said that the IP would still have a future.