GTA: Chinatown Wars sells 89K units in March
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Apr 16th 2009 at 9:30PM } 
Despite incredibly solid reviews, it appears that Chinatown Wars has quite the hill to climb towards analyst projections. Perhaps only having a half-month of sales is the issue, with the crime caper releasing March 17 ... maybe next month will be kinder.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
CitizenSnips @ Apr 16th 2009 9:36PM
unfortunate, but not surprising. It's a shame though, it's a great game.
esposch @ Apr 16th 2009 11:39PM
My Prediction is correct!
From just 2 sites (Romulation and Mininova), Chinatown wars was been downloaded about twice as much as it has been sold.
Everyone say thanks to Martin.
CitizenSnips @ Apr 17th 2009 12:06AM
It'd be hilarious if Rockstar complained about piracy. "When did the world become a bunch of theives?!"
Yeah TB @ Apr 17th 2009 12:16AM
@esposch:
When I went out and bought this 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine yelled at me and told me he could just mod my DS and could get me this for free.
I agree 100% with your statement.
esposch @ Apr 17th 2009 12:53AM
Honestly, if I found out I had 2 weeks to live, I would got to every swap meet in the country, steal all the flashcarts and throw them onto a huge fire.
I find them nothing short of disgusting (moreso than any other forms of piracy except stuff made by Waninkoko - that guy deserves to be thrown into a gay black man's prison for 20 years, and repeatedly forced to drop the soap).
But obviously I know a lot of people here disagree with me, Xav...
mr mobius @ Apr 17th 2009 12:02PM
A girl in my degree has a flashcart and I've seen her playing different high profile games like Mario Kart. I know her quite well so I gave her a lecture about why she shouldn't.
I have no qualms about pirating a Gameboy game or something really old such as NES because they are no longer made (though if it is on VC, I prefer NES games on VC sometimes) but the DS is a new console, and if some great games aren't selling, then they'll not get sequels, or the companies will abandon that console.
Drew @ Apr 17th 2009 5:59PM
lets try this again, fuckers. If Viewtiful Joe had a threequel, and it were first person, and photo realistic, would it attract attention? No. People know Joe via eye. Fanbase: Alienated, regardless of quality.
player66 @ Apr 16th 2009 9:36PM
One solitary tear.
CH3BURASHKA @ Apr 16th 2009 9:38PM
My heart aches for you, Chinese murdering drug dealer...
B3astofthe3ast @ Apr 16th 2009 9:40PM
Now I'm buying it.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 9:40PM
Jesus christ I didn't even think it would do that bad.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:44PM
Yeah, I guess everyone thought of buying it, but a bunch decided not too.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 9:45PM
Also, it looks like I was right with the fanbase not wanting a 1 & 2 style GTA. Like I said before, it is pretty easy to figure out why the series exploded after 3 and they shouldn't have gone back to this. Hell, as pirated as the psp is LCS still sold around 200k-ish in the first week.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:50PM
Were GTA 1&2 bad, or just not what most people wanted?
Insight @ Apr 16th 2009 9:50PM
It's not like 2 & 3, though. I'm sure the videos must present that idea, but it feels more like a scaled down GTA4 than GTA 2 or 3. I haven't played it long, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it; it keeps a lot of the advancements that GTA4 brought to the table. Honestly, it plays better than VCS, and I enjoyed the hell out of that game too.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 9:51PM
I personally didn't like them, but I think they got like 6 and 7s back in the day.
It's more that the fanbase that made GTA the juggernaut it is today do not want a game like Chinatown Wars. I was laughed at and called a troll when I said that, but I think we all realize now that I was right.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:52PM
So mostly it's the way it looks that seems to be the problem with most people?
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 9:55PM
Pretty much Rob. If this gen has proven anything with games like carnival games selling as much as it did and Madworld selling bad, it's that the general populace is shallow. They like GTA the way it is now, and showing them a top down GTA on tv was a bad decision.
It's like what I said with killzone. If sony would have showed the general public the amazing graphics and explosions, they would have sold more. You need to put something in ads that wow these people, otherwise you're going to sell 89k in your debut month.
Rob @ Apr 16th 2009 10:03PM
Suddenly I have less faith in the judgment of my fellow man.
Gun Barrier @ Apr 16th 2009 10:09PM
I think its more of a problem that the fanbase doesn't even own a ds.
Markez @ Apr 16th 2009 11:07PM
I think both you (tmac) and Gunbarrier are probably right on, it's a bit, or a lot, of both.
My guess is the top down presentation is probably not as appealing to the regular GTA fanbase, so the game is having to struggle to find people new to GTA.
JXCgunrunna @ Apr 16th 2009 11:16PM
Tmac, you are pissing me off. as someone who has played GTA1 and 2, i can tell you that CW is not like those games. this game is built on a full 3D engine unlike 1 and 2. I have read through all of ur comments on CW and all you are doing is running around shitting on it and mad world for their sales. as someone mentioned before, Clover games are always a ton of fun but dont sell well.
second of all, this is a half months worth of sales, not a full month so dont act like its selling as poorly as you make it out to be.
Have you played it? its very deep. There is as much to do in this one as 3, VC and SA. and you comparing it to the 2 stories games on PSP, it is much better. i have 1, 2, 3, VC, SA, VCS, LCS, 4 and CW and i have to say CW is better than the other 2 current portable ones. if you dont believe me and since you have clearly not played it, look at reviews.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 11:24PM
You need to read my comments on it better then, because you're completely missing what I've been saying. I mean....you're not even close. This isn't about if I like it or if I'd buy it since I don't have a DS.
I'm talking about the people who made the GTA franchise what it is today sales wise (aka not us). You people can go on and on how it plays more like 4 and blah blah blah but you guys are not getting it. They don't care about that. All they see when they see the commercials is the top down view and they are INSTANTLY turned off, because it doesn't look like the GTA they know and love.
Some of you seem to either be in denial about this, or you guys are just coming around to what I've been saying about the wii and ds audience for years now.
These. People. Are. Incredibly. Shallow.
This game never had a chance the moment they announced it was a top down view. That's just the plain cold honest to god truth.
burgerbat @ Apr 16th 2009 11:26PM
T(ool)mac is a douche. You can't go anywhere on this site without his bitch-ass troll head popping up and dropping some bullshit. He once said "I am the voice of the gamer" He's a fucking tool. Listen, tmac, go to metacritic, look at the DS section, and soak up the fact that GTA: CW is the highest rated game. I really don't think anyone but a fucking troll-minded child, like yourself, had a problem with the visual style for the game. In fact, most reviews mention how incredible Liberty City is, a truly awesome creation that is, in fact, completely 3D. You're always so completely uninformed and wrong, and I really wish someone would revoke your commenting privileges. GTA: CW is not top-down 2D. It is a quasi-isometric perspective in 3D. Stop acting like your some kind of video game analyst. You're just a kid with too much time on his hands and tons of bullshit.
Markez @ Apr 16th 2009 11:28PM
I think it'll probably do well as time goes on, as I expect it'll be one of those games that's viewed as one of the 'must-own' titles for the DS. I'd guarantee it's on most DS owners list of games that they will purchase at some point.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 11:29PM
I swear to god sometimes the reading comprehension some of you show makes me want to slam my head into a wall.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 11:39PM
and that wasn't towards you markez. It was towards the two geniouses before us. Did I not explain what I was saying clear enough? Or do people just see my name in a wii/ds article and rage without even reading my comments?
Cody @ Apr 16th 2009 11:41PM
tmac, do you realize that 1 out of every 2 comments you post you state that you were right about something?
It's really off putting and no guy is ever going to like you for that.
burgerbat @ Apr 16th 2009 11:47PM
Okay, I'll bite. I also think you're totally wrong about people not wanting a top-down GTA. I think there's a lot of factors at play regarding these early sales figures, but that's not one of them. I think the major factor is the rampant piracy on the DS. People feel, particularly the demographic for GTA, that they should be able to "try it out" before they buy it, only they never get around to buying it. If you go to Kotaku, pull up every article written about Chinatown Wars and revel in the amount of commenters talking about how they pirated it. It's insane. Why these people can't make purchases based off of reviews and videos baffles me. Another factor is the fact that alot of the demographic for this game don't have a DS thanks to the "kiddie" label affixed by assholes like you. It's a perpetual cycle. But I think this is your extreme narcissism at work, thinking that you're some kind of video game analyst, when you're not.
I think this game will be a "long-tail" game, meaning that sales will continue to increase as word of mouth gets around about a how great a game GTA: CW is. But I don't claim to be an analyst, just someone who fits squarely in their demographic due to my age and purchasing habits. And this game is great, no doubt about it. But you're likely to never know that, because you don't own a DS. So why do you even care what the sales numbers are?
I also think the importance of analyzing video game sales numbers as if they were opening weekend box-office numbers is kind of disingenuous as well. Video games have always been a sort of "long-tail" retail sector anyway. Only established franchises on established consoles, like, Mario on the DS or Wii, or God of War III on PS3, Halo on the Xbox, etc. should be viewed in such a way. Because people are aware that those games are coming to those systems. A unique M-rated title's foray to a console with only a handful of M-rated games is not the same. Blogs putting this sort of emphasis on opening sales figures is going to ensure that tons of creative, original titles are going to be shelved in favor of safe bets. Joystiq and others need to stop this, immediately. You guys claim to love video games, but your actions are going to someday ruin them.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 16th 2009 11:53PM
"But I think this is your extreme narcissism at work, thinking that you're some kind of video game analyst, when you're not"
You've given me an idea. I've had a hard time figuring out what I want to do, so since I'm right more than most of these so called real analysts I think I should do that. I hear Patcher makes some nice money being wrong most of the time, so I should make some good bank being right a lot.
Retrodude @ Apr 17th 2009 12:07AM
I for one don't want to play a top-down GTA--I like the 3d perspective that they've used since GTA 3, so I probably won't be buying this game for my DS. Call me whatever you like, it just doesn't look interesting to me (and I loved GTA4). ... Oh, and Tmac is a total tool. Seriously, guy, get a life (outside of posting on game sites too-frequently) and take the old saying to heart: a hollow container makes the most noise.
burgerbat @ Apr 17th 2009 12:12AM
See, tmac, I kind of figured you would totally skirt all of my points in favor of saying some highly self-involved. You've only proven my point.
And Retrodude, I'm glad we can agree that tmac is a fucking tool. It's too bad you won't buy GTA:CW because you're missing out on an incredible experience. It's silly to get hung up on something as trivial as a camera perspective. I loved GTA IV as well, and in my opinion, GTA:CW provides the better gameplay. But whether or not you buy it, I appreciate a fellow ally against douchey-ness.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:15AM
I also had a feeling that you wouldn't see I was doing that on purpose to piss people like you and cody off. See, you have to be able to keep up with me if you're going to have a discussion. All you've proven you're capable of doing is calling people names, which my 8 year old nephew is also quite skilled at.
burgerbat @ Apr 17th 2009 12:20AM
You are truly a sad little kid. Basically you're just trolling, you've admitted as much. You haven't been able to come up with any defense for your claim that people the majority of people don't want a top-down (which it's not) perspective GTA. And I doubt your 8 year old nephew is as good at name-calling as I am. That's crazy that you have a nephew only a few years younger than you. Good for your old parents.
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Apr 17th 2009 12:22AM
The thing is that Tmac is 100% correct or at the very least partially correct.
The DS & PSP both suffer from RAMPANT online piracy. So, when a "core" title like this launches on the DS it's going to get pirated more than purchased. A game like Unicorn Petz won't get pirated as much because the user buying that product isn't as likely to pirate that material. Don't shoot the messenger because you don't agree with the troooof.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:22AM
I don't need a defense for what I said with the top down view. My "defense" is the title of this headline "GTA: Chinatown Wars sells 89k units in March". YOU are the one who needs to defend it.
samfish @ Apr 17th 2009 12:25AM
I actually agree with tmac for once. The presentation of this game probably was one of the biggest reasons it turned people off.
I have no problem believing this to be the case, especially when I think about all the GTA fans I've met in the past. "Shallow" is indeed the right word to describe them.
That said, I don't care about Chinatown Wars' sales. Hell, a part of me is almost pleased (almost). I friggin' hate with a passion every GTA game I've ever played. I suspect CTW would be no different.
Markez @ Apr 17th 2009 12:29AM
I guess I didn't realize the piracy on the DS and PSP was that uber-serious. I mean if it's as bad as esposch sez up top, than I am seriously shocked at the trooof. I'm an adult with disposable income and I've never seriously considered pirating a videogame, so I'm apparently rather ignorant as to the scope of how bad it is.
And myself personally, I never buy as many handheld games as I do console games, dunno how much that'd play into this. Took a lot of personal goading to actually pick up Rhythm Heaven.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:29AM
Eh it's ok guys. People are shocked and raging that it sold so bad, and even though all I did was give a perfectly reasonable reason why it sold bad, I will be their punching bag. Gotta let all that rage out somehow I guess.
burgerbat @ Apr 17th 2009 12:30AM
Too bad, KennyPowers, that the piracy point was part of MY argument. All t(oolmac) said was the top down perspective was the reason for the sales figures.
And to you, tmac, I think neither of us is arguing whether or not it sold however many units, but rather WHY. So you didn't prove shit.
You're fucking out, I'm fucking in.
Markez @ Apr 17th 2009 12:34AM
Yeah, fuck!
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:35AM
"You're fucking out, I'm fucking in."
What does that even mean?
Also, what do you mean I haven't given a reason why it sold bad? Isn't that what I said at the very start that somehow caused this irrational hatefest on me?
Piracy is certainly a problem too, no doubt. The combination of those 2 problems crippled this game. As samfish and I said though, most of these people are extremely shallow. I personally know a lot of people that immediately passed up on it because it didn't look like all the modern GTAs.
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Apr 17th 2009 12:37AM
I hate to be the bringer of reason in a situation like this BUT...
Liberty City Stories primary function on PSP was via a glitch in the software that, believe it or not, could be used to downgrade your firmware back to the popular 2.0 hacked firmware making the rounds at the time for it's ability to pirate PSP games. In other words, one of PSPs biggest sellers is 100% wrapped around a bunch of thieves needing it to get at the PSP hacks.
So I'm sure if Rockstar would have had a glitch in the Chinatown Wars that allowed users to circumvent DSi piracy protections, this fucker would be a million seller.
It's like I always say, and though it pains me to admit it, PSP users sure do love their PSP games. They just don't like to PAY for them. Otherwise Japan wouldn't be the only region where PSP software ranks.
burgerbat @ Apr 17th 2009 12:50AM
That would be a quote from Eastbound & Down, which I'm guessing is a little (a lot) over your head. And while it fit the situation, it really wasn't meant for you. I won't be explaining. Moving on.
I know what you do. I know your game. You come here, stir shit up, then try to act all incredulous when you're backed into a corner. My main point was that you can't say the major reason for these sales figures is because of the camera perspective. I then said that the major factors really had to due with the rampant DS piracy. As well as the fact that assholes like you condescendingly dismiss the DS, thus not giving games like GTA:CW a chance with core gamers. Then you disagreed, which then I challenged you to provide any kind of evidence, or for fuck's sake even just a decent anecdote or two, that the audience is put off by the perspective. You couldn't. Then you tried to claim that piracy was your argument. When it wasn't. You never said anything about piracy, ever.
I've already spent way too much time discussing this with you without you ever bringing anything to the table. Basically, I'm saying your initial statement was wrong, and I stand by that. But now you've kind of agreed to my point, so I'm right.
Markez @ Apr 17th 2009 12:51AM
You're fucking out, Sheppys fucking in*!
*due to topical and insightful comment
Yeah, fuck**!
**I didn't know that, who knew that'd really push unit sales
Markez @ Apr 17th 2009 12:53AM
lol! Yeah I remember it now, that's a fine Kenny Powers quote. I dropped one a thread the other day where Will Ferrel's character sez the 'dick slappin is my game!' bit.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 17th 2009 1:02AM
You have about as much proof that it was piracy that I do with my reason, so please don't play that shit with me. I also never said that piracy was my argument, I admitted that it is a problem but I still think that the casual GTA fan passed this up because of how it looked.
You say I'm wrong, and yet you have nothing to back that up. I don't know how you can just say I'm wrong with that much confidence with no evidence. You don't even give consideration to the fact that there was likely more than 1 issue that caused this disaster.
I didn't come here to stir shit up, that's your own conspiracy theory and basically what you wanted to believe. I just said my reason why I think it bombed and I got pounced on, so I accepted my role as the punching bag to angry fans who can't figure out why it tanked.
But like I said, some tools on here just see my name and nerd rage without reading what I said and your first reply...along with JXC's reply is perfect evidence of not actually reading what I said because you just want a reason to pounce on me.
Anti-Villian @ Apr 17th 2009 2:35AM
Lols at pointless argument.
IMO, tmac is right, I think the top down perspective made it a definite maybe for a lot of people and someone who is unsure about buying a game is also more likely to pirate it (unless they are plain dishonest which a lot of people are). I also think the marketing on this game was aweful.
burgerbat @ Apr 17th 2009 3:25AM
Well, Anti-Villian, you mean the marketing is full of awe? I wouldn't go that far. But the newest ad is pretty bad-ass.
Look, if you really are judging a game by looks only, I don't know what to say other than your an idiot. Haven't you learned anything from games that look like shit but are fun to play? Pretty much any good game before this generation or so could qualify as such.
And tmac, I've given consideration to the fact that there's been more than two factors contributing to these sales numbers, as you can see from my previous posts. One, people pirate it, two, there is unfortunately, people like you who dismiss a DS game as an automatically inferior product, sight-unseen.
My assumptions of GTA being heavily pirated come from the fact that on this very discussion topic, someone says that between two download sites, the total downloads doubled this 89k figure. Go here to these posts from Kotaku to see people openly discussing the pirating of the game:
http://kotaku.com/5210334/dueling-analysts-chinatown-wars-sales-show-mature-game-risk-or-huge-opportunity
http://kotaku.com/5207325/from-flash-to-grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-cash
Quit being a troll, the act is seriously tiresome. You just enjoy being a contrarion, trying to incite a war on every. single. issue.
Jack Spicer @ Apr 17th 2009 6:47AM
Who doesnt judge a game by looks before they buy. I know i have, a lot, and if i wasnt sure i look up reviews, ask a friend, or watch youtube videos to see it in action. My money isnt disposable, i dont make enough to be oblivious to the recession.
TMAC IS RIGHT. Even though people can pirate games, games like zelda and animal crossing still sell. The only reason CW didnt is due to the top-down view. If you dont like it then tell me why people dont pirate every DS game.