Valkyria Chronicles' sales increased 400% in April

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 9th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Sega America's official blog noted that sales of Valkyria Chronicles skyrockted 400 percent from March to April. The site states the game is now in "tens of thousands" of brand new homes. The sales spike was likely a confluence of post-holiday word-of-mouth, a temporary price drop, the addition of DLC and some evangelical moments by outlets to get at least one Sega franchise out of the rabid blue hedgehog's shadow.

The Sega site fully recognizes that a quadrupling of sales for a game six months after launch is not exactly the norm. Hopefully this means Valkyria Chronicles isn't a full-blown flop anymore in North America and its possible sequel may actually make it across the Pacific.

[Thanks Aaron]

Tags: rpg, sales, sega, squad-7, valkyria, valkyria-chronicles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Master Bruce @ Jun 9th 2009 12:04PM

it's because I told people how awesome it was.

Araskaz @ Jun 9th 2009 12:30PM

I lol'd.

Oh yeah, and this is a double post. Andrew already posted this :P

Arnie @ Jun 9th 2009 1:13PM

I will be honest and admit that I bought it(in April incidentally) because of the high praises it got from Alexander and other writers on Joystiq .
One thing I noticed is that for a change the voice overs sounded silly in both Japanese and English, normally I just switch to subtitles and Japanese language but this time it did not help.
The game is really fun though and its pretty hard at least for me to get A ranks in the missions.

Erwos @ Jun 9th 2009 12:05PM

Cutting the price in half for a while must have helped tremendously. I know that's when I bought it...

Dummy00001 @ Jun 9th 2009 3:01PM

WTF??? There is no Otakus here?????

Valkyria Chronicles anime started airing in April.

Wiizer @ Jun 10th 2009 10:54AM

We started watching the anime, too! However, money was really the deciding factor. We had more of it this month so we could buy it.

Doug @ Jun 9th 2009 12:06PM

So...why was the price drop temporary?

The stores in my area ran out of copies, and wouldn't give rainchecks.

Of course, now that the stores have restocked, the game's $60 again.

$60 for a game that's well over a year old. Granted, RPGs don't drop in price as fast as other titles, but come on now. How about $40? Otherwise I'll just go back to biding my time until I find a used copy at Gamestop or get desperate enough to go on eBay.

Anyone else notice that PS3 games in general aren't dropping in price very fast, if at all? Why isn't Ratchet & Clank a best hit title already? It's still $60! In fact, I'm still seeing titles from the PS3's initial release still selling at $60 for crying out loud! And this isn't just at Gamestop, but Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc.

What gives, Sony?

tobz1000 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:09PM

Not the case in the UK. Some games halve their price after a months - LBP has been £12/13 since about April...

Erwos @ Jun 9th 2009 12:16PM

You do realize that Sega, not Sony, published the game, right?

The Baron @ Jun 9th 2009 12:34PM

The UK's RRP system allows for a lot more variation with prices though. Plus Sony's cut of LBP to under £15 was genius marketing. People didn't even think whether they'd like the game or not - an AAA game with mainstream for cheaper than a night out, it's no wonder that it's gone from being a flop on launch to one of the PS3's best selling titles.

Lord Chako @ Jun 9th 2009 1:06PM

That's not so bad. Look at Nintendo's first party games. They never drop in price.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7742767&st=new+super+mario+bros.&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1140393550778

NSMB came out over 3 years ago, and it's still $34.99. Twilight Princess came out two and a half years ago and it's still $49.99. It's the only launch game of this generation to still hold it's original price. Hell, even Halo 3 has dropped to $39.99.

SidearmS @ Jun 9th 2009 12:07PM

I think the Gamestop sale helped get some awareness out for this title.

Also, the Anime is really good and is just now picking up the action.

XBox 360 - A really good underappriciated PS3 title - not a lot of those mind you.

tobz1000 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:11PM

Um...huh?
"XBox 360 - A really good underappriciated PS3 title"

What am I missing...

joeybeast @ Jun 9th 2009 12:19PM

Why didn't SEGA release it on the xbox?

wallywallas @ Jun 9th 2009 12:27PM

Because Sony put up the money to create the game, and Sega developed it for them.

*keyboard cat stares at me*

And the 360 can't run games this fantastic. And awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay we go!

*keyboard cat plays me off*

Zerokku @ Jun 9th 2009 8:13PM

@ wallywallas

You do realize Valkyria Chronicles started out as an Xbox 360 game don't you? Sega just decided to go with the PS3 to not hurt potential sales with how pathetically the 360 has sold in japan.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:09PM

Needs to be cut in half from $30 for me to even consider buying it. The demo wasn't anything special and I'm having a hard time seeing why everyone splooges over this game.

Like Doug said up above, there's plenty of better games that deserve official price cuts like Ratchet and Uncharted

tobz1000 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:12PM

There are a lot of highly-rated games that some people appreciate more than others. Sounds like you're more into platformers/shooters. For those who like SRPGs, VC is at the top of the heap.

LaughingMan @ Jun 9th 2009 12:12PM

The demo is literally the first mission of the game and can be beaten in about 2 minutes. The game has so much more depth that is developed as the battles get vastly more complex.

You have a hard time seeing the good in this game because really you haven't given it a chance.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:15PM

I like more than just platformers and shooters...it's just this game was bad from what I played. And if it's just the first level, then that's their fault for putting a bad demo out. The whole purpose of a demo is to sell your game to the people who are on the fence, and if you put a shitty one out it's going to have the opposite effect.

Fun DMC @ Jun 9th 2009 12:19PM

"The demo wasn't anything special"

I know that it's a demo's purpose to let the player know how a game plays and feels, but I'm getting tired of folks who act as though having played the demo, they're immediately qualified to say that a game is bad/good/great/whatever.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 9th 2009 12:28PM

http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Unwarranted_Self_Importance

Im going to throw out another crazy idea tmac. I know im probably crazy for thinking this but hear me out:

Maybe people liked the game because they enjoy playing games more than they enjoy going to a blog everyday to bitch about said games.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:34PM

That's kind of uncalled for. So do you say that to everyone who says they don't like a particular popular game? Or do you just do it to me in hopes that your ninty fanboy buddies will come out of hiding and jump on the tmac bashing bandwagon?

Remember everyone, if you don't like a game then you obviously have an "unwarranted self importance" issue. It's not because the game just didn't click with you.

Fun DMC @ Jun 9th 2009 12:34PM

cool post bro

:/

Fun DMC @ Jun 9th 2009 12:35PM

the cool post bit was for moptimus

Sly [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 9th 2009 12:41PM

tmac, the demo doesn't represent the AWESOMENESS of the full game. i wasn't sure after the demo, but i bought it anyways, and it's brilliant. hyams thought the demo wasn't that good, and we all told him to buy it, and he loved it. just buy it, trust me. if you've ever liked strategy RPGs, you'll love this game.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 9th 2009 12:42PM

no, its more of an unwarranted self-importance issue when EVERY game doesn't click with you, and when pressed for reasons why you grasp for more straws then a Scarecrow in a hay field.

"Or do you just do it to me in hopes that your ninty fanboy buddies will come out of hiding and jump on the tmac bashing bandwagon?"

Cool story, bro

WREturns @ Jun 9th 2009 12:44PM

Here's the problem, tmac: you state your opinion as fact when it's clearly anything but. You've stated time and again that you know which games are good and which are bad and I honestly can't think of a time, especially recently, where you've admitted that someone else may have a point and maybe your opinion isn't the end-all-be-all.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:47PM

"when pressed for reasons why you grasp for more straws then a Scarecrow in a hay field"

Except no one bothered to ask me why, they just threw out BS like "unwarranted self importance" or "oh you just like platformers and shooters". Believe it or not, by doing that all the time you derail just as many discussions as anyone.

@Sly

I will buy it when it goes down in price for good. I didn't have the money when the sale was going on. I do like some SRPGs like FF tactics and Jeanne D'arc on psp.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:51PM

I do know for the most part what games will be good to me and what won't. It's a combination of very good instincts, years of experience, and doing lots of research. It doesn't always work, like I admitted I was wrong about Infamous and I can't figure out if Prototype is any good or not.

If you want me to put "in my opinion" all the time so you can figure out what I'm talking about, that's too bad cause I won't. I'm under the assumption we're all plenty smart enough here to be able to decipher what's being said. I'm not going to say something like "this game is really good...but I didn't like it" because that makes no sense at all.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 9th 2009 12:56PM

"I do know for the most part what games will be good to me and what won't. It's a combination of very good instincts, years of experience, and doing lots of research."

"BS like "unwarranted self importance"

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/e/e9/Riveting_tale_chap.jpg

Vidikron @ Jun 9th 2009 12:57PM

"I'm not going to say something like "this game is really good...but I didn't like it" because that makes no sense at all"

I think it makes sense. I can play a game and even if its just not striking me the right way I can tell if the game is well made, polished, and even if I think other people I know may love it. I think that would fit that statement.

Vidikron @ Jun 9th 2009 12:59PM

Chad, what about "will be good to me" in tmac's statement do you not understand?

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 1:02PM

Thanks for proving my point about you Moptimus. All you're good for here is posting humorous links without actually saying anything worthwhile.

You can call what I said whatever you want, but it's the truth and it's why I almost always don't spend money on a game I don't like. I don't think it's a very smart thing to rag on someone for doing their research, that's like stupid people making fun of smart people because they're smart.

Mr Khan @ Jun 9th 2009 1:17PM

you're both right, actually. A bad demo nowhere equals a bad game (and equally true with a good demo), but a bad demo is at least a partially good reason to write off a game, because the point of a demo is to sell you the game

Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 9th 2009 1:32PM

Tmac

Let's just be real here and you are the first to admit you don't care for JRPG's in the least bit. So, I'm not surprised you don't see what's so special about a strategy JRPG. The game is so special even beyond just the mechanics of the gameplay and mainly because all of the characters are just so memorable and the story is fantastic. All the demo is going to do is give you an idea about the combat which can be very difficult for people who aren't used to playing strategy RPG's. It's actually one of the more difficult (and rewarding) games I've played in a long time.

This is one of those games everyone with a PS3 should own. From the gameplay, characters, story, art style and all around excellence it sits at the top of the throne for top flight PS3 games. It's easily worth full price and you will get at least 40 hours of gameplay and probably more like 50 or 60 depending on how you choose to play the game.

What I'm getting at here is the game is special because it's epic and has been largely ignored by the gaming public. People want to cry for an RPG on the PS3 (understandable) but then ignore Valkyria Chronicles because it's an SRPG.

Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 9th 2009 1:52PM

Oh and how is Jeanne D'Arc going Tmac?

I finally beat the main story about a week or two ago and totaled 54 hours into the main quest. The great thing is after you beat it you can continue doing free combat in the maps and finding all the gems for your heroes. It's really hard because all of the enemies are like level 60 or above after you beat it. Jeanne D'Arc is my favorite RPG (maybe ever) and if you like that type of game trust me when I say you will absolutely adore Valkyria Chronicles. I know good games and I know about pretty much every PS3 game there is (I have over 60!) and this one is neat the top of the list. It's really that good.

Another thing that helps is getting opinions from people whose opinion you trust about a game you aren't sure about. Thats certainly something I do from a handful of users on the stiq.

Oh ... and white knight chronicles is going to blow you away. My friend imported a copy and let me borrow it ... though I can't understand any of the words I can say the gameplay is some of the best I've played. It's the same developer that did Jeanne D'Arc and Rogue Galaxy. If you want a really good JRPG I would also recommend Devil Summoner 2 (PS2 game maybe a month old) and/or Cross Edge (ps3 game a week old). Cross Edge is similar to Disgaea 3 on the PS3 in that it's not the most beautiful game to look at (looks like a PS2 era game) but the combat is solid and the game is loads of fun. If you want a good RPG experience on the PSP I would go for either Class Of Heroes or Crimson Gem Saga as they are both new and really good titles.

343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 9th 2009 2:03PM

Well, I usually despise JRPGs, but I played the demo for this one and was instantly hooked. I got about half way through and haven't picked it up for a while, but i do plan on getting back into it. Great game.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 9th 2009 2:32PM

I really like Jeanne D'arc, but I'm kinda stuck on the last couple fights (last boss really messed my party up) so it looks like I'll be stuck grinding for a little bit and preparing items.

In the battles where they let you use 7 I use Jeanne, Gilles, Roger, Bernard (I think that's his name, big guy you meet near the beginning), Marcel, the priest guy (Richard I think his name is) and the frog guy. All of them are around level 55 but I guess that's not high enough as I can pass the Bedford fight but the other guy destroys me.

Quattro @ Jun 9th 2009 5:19PM

Sure, the game isn't great, and the story isn't all that great either, but it's still pretty fun to play. It's better than a lot of other games out there.

LokeSTL @ Jun 9th 2009 6:23PM

Don't bother Tmac, it doesn't matter what you say. Even in the PS forums, you get attacked if you say something that is remotely neutral or negative about VC. To the VC fanboys, it's not possible for anyone to dislike the game whether they played the demo or the full game. They'll even claim that you are not a RPG fan at all if you didn't buy and love VC.

Take this advice: DO NOT PLAY IT! There is some kind of mind control program that hypnotizes you into being a mindless VC fanboy. And don't talk about adding trophies to it for added value or you'll become a trophy whore. In fact, after beating the game, you will insist that trophies would ruin this game. And if you buy this game, don't admit that you bought it for less than $60. If you buy it on sale, you didn't do the game it's "due support".

*pukes*

Bluebrake @ Jun 9th 2009 12:10PM

I was all ready to give it to LittleBigPlanet, but then Valkyria Chronicles came along. Game of the year. There hasn't been anything like it since the original FF Tactics.

flanked @ Jun 9th 2009 12:11PM

Say it with me, "synergy."

Bluebreaker @ Jun 9th 2009 3:21PM

Er..."It's Showtime??"

drdre74 @ Jun 9th 2009 12:13PM

Sega just learned a really good leason. Dont release a game in Nov. with all the high profile games sucking up peoples money. Yeah the game is great but there were way too many games out at the time that it just got lost and people weren't looking for it. Like right now would be a great time to release a game when there isnt much out right now and E3 just happened.