Critter Crunch consumer consumption saddening, demo releasing next week
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Oct 16th 2009 at 12:30PM } 
The $7 price for entry easily makes Critter Crunch one of the best values on the PSN, so what went wrong? The entire situation reminds us of a panel we attended at the Game Developers Conference this year, where several developers of downloadable titles noted that sales for digitally distributed titles drop off dramatically during the holiday season. Braid's Jonathan Blow noted that "March or June or August" are the release windows that downloadable game developers should hope for.
Honestly, if Capybara wants to push some sales, it'll send us a picture of its little guy crying (no, sobbing) and we'll use it in a post to break people's hearts and guilt them into buying the game.
Update: It'll break your heart.
[Via Destructoid]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:35PM
Blasphemy!
Critter Crunch is a great game. Listen to the latest PSNation Podcast. It's very clear that the PSN release is NOTHING like the earlier iPhone release.
Stories like this piss me off because it usually has to do with the typical machismo gamers looking at the art style and saying "lolgay".
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:55PM
It has nothing to do with Machismo, there's also Female and Gay gamers and they aren't buying the game either.
Space @ Oct 16th 2009 12:58PM
I blame the fact that the puzzle genre is over saturated on PSN. Seriously I have like 11 or 12 puzzle games on my PS3. That's enough.
Maximiliano Guerra @ Oct 16th 2009 1:44PM
Gotta agree with you man, its really OVER saturated of puzzles, (and tower defense). But I bought it anyway, very fun game, but not so long as the people are saying, I'm already done with adventure mode, but then again, its only $7. It lasts enough :)
fundando @ Oct 16th 2009 2:22PM
The game is fun I just have too much on my slate. I already purchased it though and my lady loves it.
commen-cents @ Oct 16th 2009 4:16PM
i didnt ignore it because i think its "gay" i ignored it because i already have it on my iphone as you mentioned... it was a great game but not one i want to sit on the couch and play, thats what uncharted 2 is for :)
Lars @ Oct 16th 2009 4:22PM
Dude, it features a monster puking into another monster's mouth! How is that not machismo. ;)
If it's worth anything, I plan on buying it. There's just so many games right now and I don't have time to play them all. I don't buy them on day one if I don't have time to play them. After all, if I wait long enough, they'll get cheaper.
soniccar @ Oct 16th 2009 5:17PM
For me, it is all about a demo. Over 80% of the games I've purchased this console generation, I had played a demo for beforehand. The only PSN game that I bought that I had not played a demo for or actually played the game on another system was Piyotama. I only bought that because it was really cheap and I didn't have much for my PS3 at the time.
Everready @ Oct 17th 2009 3:38PM
cool story bro
AerialAngel @ Oct 16th 2009 12:37PM
It just doesnt appear to be a long lasting fun game. But ill download the demo. 7$ wont kill me much if i end up to like the game. But then again thats 7$ i can spend on something else.
shalter24 @ Oct 16th 2009 1:02PM
Trust me its long lasting. There are 100 (!) puzzle levels - not to mention around 50 adventure levels, challenge mode, survival mode, and offline or online multi. This game is SO well made and gives you a lot of bang for your seven bucks.
Everyone do yourselves a favor and play the demo next week. You'll most likely end up buying it because it truly is worth it. Great game.
Xoonaka @ Oct 16th 2009 1:34PM
$7 for this game will entertain you longer then $10 for a movie or $6 for a Hardee's cheeseburger.
Brythefry @ Oct 16th 2009 1:43PM
I was more-less expecting disappointment after i dished out $7 on another PSN (bought DiggerHD for the same price and that was a shame) but this turned out to be one of my better investments. This game offers a TON of content for the price. As stated by shalter24, 50 adventure lvls, 100 puzzle and another 50 or 100 challenge levels on top of a great multiplayer mode with unlockable power-ups.
This game is another puzzle game, fair enough, but this actually awesome!
Martin @ Oct 16th 2009 2:14PM
You have no idea how entertaining Hardee's Cheeseburgers are to me, sir.
Courtney @ Oct 16th 2009 12:37PM
While the look and idea is intriguing, the lack of a demo has kept me from picking it up. This is one that I wanted to try out before I bought.
Solace @ Oct 16th 2009 1:31PM
there is a demo am i crazy because i could have sworn there already is a demo? I downloaded it when i bought the game and saw it in the playstaion store at release now its gone
Courtney @ Oct 16th 2009 1:35PM
You may not be crazy, I've seen demos mysteriously disappear from the PSN before, though never appear and disappear before they were announced.
Maximiliano Guerra @ Oct 16th 2009 1:40PM
Know what the problem is? The demo is there, but only appears when you actually buy the game! I found it strange too, i bought the game and it showed me two files to download: The demo and the unlock!
I don't understand also why they didn't released the demo for everybody, since its done already :S
End User @ Oct 16th 2009 1:55PM
I'm sure they've done marketing research that says there is a significant portion of people that will buy new PSN games on impulse when they first come out, without a demo, and that with a demo, some of those people may *not* have purchased the whole game. However, those that insist on trying a demo will still buy it (if they like the demo) whether they get the demo now or in a week or two.
Often, I fall into the first category, but I read up enough on games that I don't worry too much about a lack of a demo. I don't just purchase *any* new PSN game, and I'd say I've only regretted a demo-less purchase maybe 5% of the time.
BTW, I did pick up CC, and I enjoy it, and my fiance LOVES it. It's been great for us to play online together while I'm out of town on business.
Optimus @ Oct 16th 2009 12:39PM
Critter Crunch is one of the best PSN game's I've played in a long time. Ignoring this game is just wrong.
I'd rather play this game all day then one hour of the insanely boring Zombie Apocalypse
Maximiliano Guerra @ Oct 16th 2009 1:50PM
Is it really that boring? I liked the demo very much, but I got to save the wallet for Trine, and when critter crunch released, and Ratchet went to 10 bucks, Zombie Apocalypse had to be pushed to next year purchases :P
I have yet to buy a Zombie game on psn, the others don't have a demo, so I won't be buying anyway.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:39PM
You're whats wrong with the game industry.
dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:40PM
I had never even heard of it until last week or so, and I read *everything* posted here... (I think?)
Banstyle @ Oct 16th 2009 12:41PM
If it was on XBLA I'd buy it. Alas.
Neuromancer @ Oct 16th 2009 3:06PM
Don't know why comments like this get downvoted, it's just silly.
Blkant @ Oct 16th 2009 9:06PM
Because its pointless, dribbling, bias crap.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 16th 2009 10:46PM
How is it bias? That's like me saying, if Brutal Legend comes on the wii I'll totally buy it.
Not THAT Matt @ Oct 16th 2009 11:09PM
Psh, bias? If you only own one platform and see a game for another platform, how is it not appropriate to wish you had tha game on your platform?
Also, damn the Japanese and their Final Fantasy VIII on PSN - when is it my turn to give Square Enix $10?!?!
linebeginstoblur @ Oct 16th 2009 12:45PM
My reasons are that I'm really tight on money and that I still don't fully understand how to play. What's involved is important to know when considering buying a full game. I really wished there had been a demo, so with one coming soon, I will definitely check it out.
Joe @ Oct 16th 2009 12:49PM
Every game should launch with a demo, or even have a demo that releases before the game does.
Anything else is stupid.
Xoonaka @ Oct 16th 2009 1:36PM
On the bright side for this developer, releasing a demo later will raise awareness for the title later and give it a sort of "second life". Sure, other games do this via DLC or sales... but this gives them that opportunity without a lot of extra effort or taking a profit hit.
Really, in the end, it's not the lack of demo, it's the release window. Tons of games out this month.
eNrique @ Oct 16th 2009 12:50PM
It's a shame seeing that the cod map packs are always on the top of the sales while great games like this one among others are way under appreciated.
:(
By the way, if anyoe is up for some Critter Crunch Versus or Uncharted 2 co op;
http://profiles.us.playstation.com/playstation/psn/visit/profiles/enriquelegrand
eNrique @ Oct 16th 2009 12:52PM
Kind of weird that some games I've played, and have trophies on, doesn't appear on my profile like Critter Crunch and RA3 CC.
(???)
Courtney @ Oct 16th 2009 12:56PM
I find that my trophies on the Sony site often update weirdly, sometimes taking days even if I sync up both through the PS3 and on the Sony site.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:57PM
That's because the games are ashamed of being played by you.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 16th 2009 12:58PM
BTW nice collection.
CopaceticOpus @ Oct 16th 2009 12:51PM
I can tell you why this doesn't sell. It's yet another strategy game with a grid of different colored pieces which get eliminated based on certain rules. I can play countless games like this for free on the web or as freeware on my PC. The only difference here is that they used animals as the pieces and jazzed up the graphics a bit.
I wish the ps3 allowed easier development of games and apps, including free games and $0.99 games, similar to the iPhone App store. Then you wouldn't see games like this being praised as a "good deal."
commen-cents @ Oct 16th 2009 4:21PM
im not sure you have the right idea about how this game plays... you might, it just doesnt sound like it, i wouldnt say this is a cookie cutter puzzle game by any means.
Miku @ Oct 16th 2009 12:53PM
Though I have a Ps3, I'd be a lot more likely to buy this game on the PC. I don't play puzzle games on consoles, because I like to watch TV and play puzzle games at the same time.
So...put it on Steam and it's an insta-buy.
Xoonaka @ Oct 16th 2009 1:39PM
Really? I have a hard time doing puzzle games and TV at the same time... usually end up ignoring the TV, since I need to pay attention to the game. At that point, might as well be listening to the Radio, really.
This game's core mode doesn't let you just sit there and think for too long. It requires some quick decision making and paying attention (especially in the side mode where you have like, 30 seconds to accomplish X).
Miku @ Oct 16th 2009 1:48PM
I'm in the minority, I know, but I'm a multi-tasker at heart. I can't just watch TV, or play a simpler game, I have to do both. I've heard it said that it's because I'm female (women tend to be better multitaskers than men) but I think it's just because I have a ridiculously short attention span.
Besides all of that, I do intend to download the demo and I might still buy it. I was very disappointed to see that there was no demo as I don't like to buy ANYTHING before playing a demo.
eNrique @ Oct 16th 2009 3:15PM
Maybe you can buy another tv?
Miku @ Oct 16th 2009 3:25PM
Heh, I've considered that, since I share a TV with my roommates,
futurebiblehero @ Oct 16th 2009 12:55PM
I agree with the need for a demo (or at least some screenshots and videos). Unless you've done research elsewhere, it's a blind buy for a lot of people.
Barnolde @ Oct 16th 2009 12:56PM
I only intended to buy Battle Cars after the price drop, but I randomly picked up Critter Crunch and I love it. Looks amazing and it's really addictive. Excellent game.
MC Double Def DP @ Oct 16th 2009 12:56PM
with no demo, no chance of a sell when it comes to PSN & XBLA games.
John Perkins @ Oct 16th 2009 2:44PM
This is exactly my sentiment, only without the grammatical error.
I refuse to buy any downloadable title that does not have a demo. In fact, I generally avoid buying any game that doesn't have a demo.
Tez @ Oct 17th 2009 11:19PM
Ditto. Ever since the garbage that is Soldner-X. Fool me once...
iFester @ Oct 16th 2009 1:00PM
Why would I want to buy this when Racket & Clank: Quest for Booty is now $10? It's all about gaming value for money. They should have released this as a mini for the PSP.
shalter24 @ Oct 16th 2009 1:09PM
Hmm I don't know... Maybe because you can beat Quest for Booty in about 4 hours?
Critter Crunch is $3 cheaper and I've been playing it every day since it came out. Value.