The PS2 hype machine

[wolfkrone]

I feel the need to say something that I have been thinking for a while now. This is not really a rant, I am not frustrated with PS2 delays, or any of that. You can tell me its too early, or some other excuse for why my friends are less interested with every update rather than more interested. PlanetSide's lack of popular success was largely blamed on marketing screwups, so I think its prudent to stay on top of it this time. I just honestly believe that the PS2 hype machine/promotion/marketing, whatever, is missing the mark. Seeing reveal video and the new armour has been the highlight, but hardly makes it easier for me to recommend this game to my friends, because it doesn't explain anything about the game. It is tempting to author an essay on the subject, but I will try to keep it short and sweet. Firefall has been beating PS2 for mind share all year, http://www.tentonhammer.com/polls/mo...cess?sid=40909

1) PSU has needed a site redesign since about February. I know this is in the works, and I think Hamma is amazing, etc etc, but this site is the unofficial home of PlanetSide, and its currently a bit of an embarrassment. Yeah I know this site is made out of love etc etc, but my point is still true, I just think that we need a home that is as up to date as our new and awesome game.

2) The official PS2 website is also lacklustre. Its a little better than it was a few months ago, with its broken links, incorrect and unreadable font colours, broken and mis-sized frames, and no information at all.That said, today it still looks halfway between a FOXplanetsidemovie.com sort of thing and a vapourware open source engine mod. It screams of rush-job and afterthought. It needs content, and excitement. All I can say is, I hope this website is completely scrapped when beta approaches. If you are shaking your head in confusion right now just go compare it to a site like firefall or diablo 3, or pretty much any new game. This is the place we have to send our friends to...

3) The reason why Firefall grabbed so much attention, wasn't because they started the hype machine earlier than PS2 or anything like that. Its because they put out an awesome video that was about 20 mins long, with developer commentary, explaining all of the major features of the game. Pretty much every gamer I know has seen and remembers this video, and because of this they remember the game, all from 1 video. I am sure it was staged etc, but it told a narrative that was (probably) true to the gameplay experience, I could put myself in those shoes. Instead of boring me to death like all of the fiction and random pictures that appear on twitter. I loved the PS2 trailer with the music and the planes, it was awesome, but I was expecting a follow up video with some extended game play, where is it? We need to install fraps on TRays computer, plug in a microphone and join him on a base assault. I have my fingers crossed that we will get this eventually, because its really all I want to see from them before beta/launch...

TLDR : We need an extended gameplay movie showing the features of the game to get friends excited and some new webmasters. Less interview/fiction/screenshot spam.