Lack of Advertising Thoughts

  • Thread starter Thread starter AngloAmerican
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You are all part of the marketing! :P

First you need to stop thinking of GT as just a game, this is one of very few games that go far beyond the gaming market, might even be the only one, then you realise the sheer power of the GT brand and the amount of cross promotion that is going on is just nuts.

I´ve been in a couple of sonys viral marketing experiments and i wouldn´t put it past them to use it to start the marketing as it´s one of the most effective ways to build the hype, get the diehards excited as soon as they are in full gear and the buzz is on they will start the tv spots magazine ads and so on where the date gets known from there they ramp it up even more.

Those thinking any other game would affect GT is in my opinion quite wrong as none of them can compete, hell GT5P sold more than alot of games do and that was just a glorified and early taste demo of what is to come.

But we will see soon enough tho. :)
 
The only game commercials I've seen in the past year are ModNationRacers and NBA 2K11. All the rest were dumb Move and Kinetic thing, so I didn't really expect to see much.

Why did the We Love Cars commercial pop up so soon with no follow ups.
 
Nah... it just doesn't work that way. Someone mentioned Coca-Cola... well, supposedly, at some point they decided that clearly everyone already knew about them, so they slashed their advertising. Sales immediately followed... no, I imagine there's quite a row going on at Sony right now between management, marketing, and the guys at PD...
 
I don't ever remember seeing a TV ad here in the states for any previous GT that was released. I'd be surprised to see one for GT5. But I suppose in Europe and other places where its more popular there may be TV ads. I've seen other types of advertising for past ones though, like magazines.
 
AngloAmerican
Hey Guys n Gals

Im sat here like most of you are wondering what the hell is up with Sony and this release, and something came to mind.

Im wondering if whether the reason we actually dont have any Ads for the game, this close to release, is infact down to the simple fact that they believe they really dont need to advertise the game that much.

I mean, do you really think they need to spend millions on advertising, when we all know the game will, or can pretty much sell itself?.

If that may be the case, then please Sony/PD just give us a release date and be done with it. We know, and you know, that the game is going to sell bucket loads regardless. So whats with the witholding of the date/s we all want?. Are there some serious issues we all dont know about or something?.

As things stand (my views) they are most likely happy and content knowing that whenever the game is released, it will bring in a tidy little sum. On the flip side to that is us. The ones who make all this possible by going out and buying the games. We are all sad and irritated with the crap thats going on. And all that would go away with the single announcement of a release date.

So please god, give us what we want............a release date. Is it really too much to ask from Sony/PD?. We make you guys happy by spending the money on your products, so how about making US happy now.

Sorry for the rant/vent but this is just all so annoying and fustrating.

AA
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remember that not all advertising is via commercials. GT5 has been major sponsors in motorsport events for the last year or so. Le Mans had banners all over the track, not to mention the factory Peugeot team. VLN at NBring. Countless windshield banners and decals on japanese tourning cars and at events like D1 (drift in Japan). etc. So believe me, the word about GT5 is out there all around the world. I do agree about being confused on having no release date still. but perhaps that's also part of the strategy 💡
 
I have no interest in COD: Black Ops. I've heard a little buzz, but didn't/don't care to know when it was to be made available.

So, when did I learn the release date was today? Last night on television, in a Microsoft ad that had (of all people) Jimmy Kimmel in it. To the best of my knowledge, the television ad campaign began yesterday.

And so it will be for the 99.999999999999999999% of humanity who don't follow this game. "Huh, the latest Gran Turismo, available tomorrow?", for that's when (I suspect) the ad campaign will begin.

And I really, truly, hope they have something better than "We Love Cars" lined up for the North American market...that just won't move any units here.
 
GT5Canuck
I have no interest in COD: Black Ops. I've heard a little buzz, but didn't/don't care to know when it was to be made available.

So, when did I learn the release date was today? Last night on television, in a Microsoft ad that had (of all people) Jimmy Kimmel in it. To the best of my knowledge, the television ad campaign began yesterday.

And so it will be for the 99.999999999999999999% of humanity who don't follow this game. "Huh, the latest Gran Turismo, available tomorrow?", for that's when (I suspect) the ad campaign will begin.

And I really, truly, hope they have something better than "We Love Cars" lined up for the North American market...that just won't move any units here.
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Actually, the we love cars campaign just might strike the casual soccer moms, little kids group.
 
I expect a cross promotion between Sony 3D TV's and grand turismo 5.

Much like the Peyton Manning Justin Timberlake one from earlier this year...
 
TheROADKRAKEN
Dear Sony,

Please do not buy ads for GT5 on these media outlets: Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network etc.

Instead, focus on print ads in magazines such as Car & Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend etc.

Sincerely,

Concerned in Cali
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I agree, most of us would rather not deal with annoying young'ns...

BUT, why would we want to let children miss out on this wonderful masterpiece of a game? They SHOULD play this game. If I had a kid, I'd rather him play a GT game rather than some NFS rubbish....

As long as they don't flood the online rooms with mics and bumper cars..
 
Roushman90
I agree, most of us would rather not deal with annoying young'ns...

BUT, why would we want to let children miss out on this wonderful masterpiece of a game? They SHOULD play this game. If I had a kid, I'd rather him play a GT game rather than some NFS rubbish....

As long as they don't flood the online rooms with mics and bumper cars..
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this is why it's no longer public games only. you now have the option to lock the rooms and give the password to all your mature *cough* GTPlanet friends. Sweet dreams :drool: :sly: :dopey:
 
I've seen big double spread GT5 ads in Car mags. These are the kind of places you want to target. Casual gamers won't touch GT5
 
The lack of advertising is really annoying.. I mean. People have the game. Their going to have that launch party. Are they planning on giving us a date at the launch party? ..no advertising and no date means at this late stage is straight up stupid !
 
Haha I love all the marketing experts on here...

Think about your group of friends, now think about the ones you think will enjoy/play/buy GT5, now how many of those do you think know about GT5 and its upcoming release? For me, every person I can think of that is likely to buy GT5 already knows about it and will buy it as soon as they see it in stores.

Marketing these days isnt about print/TV media adverising anymore, that only makes up a very small proportion of it. Take the Nissan GTR for example (perfect example, mind you). I heard that they did not use any print or TV advertising for the GTR whatsoever, and that instead they used various other marketing like what someone else said here about advertising at race tracks, car events/shows, spreading rumours, releasing small pieces of information here and there, things that target the core enthusiasts and spark conversation and excitement (such as blogging, tweeting, facebook discussion, and just talking amongst your friends/colleagues). They even released a manga series based on the legend of the GTR etc etc.. just to generate hype and this whole notion of "viral publicity".

Gran Turismo is practically marketing itself - fair enough, this forum is full of core enthusiasts that only make up a small proportion of consumers, but you'd be lying if you told me you havent spoken about the upcoming GT5 to at least 20 of your friends, or that you havent tweeted or status updated about it on facebook. The "advertising" has been mostly done now, all it will take is a few TV ads once its released, to remind those that havent been following it closely that it exists (could even be as simple as a big display in stores, which ive already noticed before the release, to draw peoples attention during christmas shopping (how many people just walk aimlessly around shops looking to cross people off their christmas presents lists)).

Looks like I've joined in the marketing experts then :D

On the other hand, you'd be pretty nieve to think that Sony/PD havent thought long and hard about the marketing for the game - dont worry, they havent dropped the ball! And they'd be paying the BEST to prepare their marketing campaigns - might even be getting some tips from the forums! ;)
 
Advertising or not, i just hope that the game lives up to the hype.

Im fairly certain it will (like always), but the longer the release date gets drawn out, the more concerned/worried i will become.

At this late (ish) stage surely the game is pretty much done and dusted, and they are just working on whatever it is they do to get the game to the suppliers.

I guess i just get more hyped when i see ads and read stuff in magazines you know?. This lack of info really has put me on edge. Sad really as when all said and done it is just a game.

guitar421
They are heavily advertising right now it's just in the form of the viral videos we are seeing that are supposedly from leaked copies that Sony then requests to be taken down after half a day before releasing the next one.
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Are you hinting that Sony were the ones behind the "leaked" videos?, or is that common knowledge on here?. Pretty interesting if they were.

AA
 
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I saw my first ever Black Ops commercial tonight...

and it was a Jeep commercial cross promoting it.

I guess Video Games do not advertise like Movies...
 
They can't advertise what they can't sell...

There's no point in putting a commercial up for something like GT5, when they have no idea when they can start selling it.

What would they put up?

"GT5! 1000 Cars, 70 different tracks, We have no 🤬 Clue when this game is going to come out! PREORDER TODAY"
 
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I've got a bit of a tinfoil hat theory. Sony purposely leaked a few disks to a few people and told them what they wanted those people to leak on the net before release. Its free press and it has caused more fuss on the web than anything Sony could do short of announcing a release date. Do I believe it? No, its too out there of a theory and I have nothing to base it on but Sony's doing or not, the leaks are causing quite a stir.
 
Its that lack of info thats creating hype for the game though AngloAmerican

What would you talk about if Sony told you they were releasing it December Xth, and that this is the final car list, this is the final track list, this is everything and we hope you enjoy it?

This lack of information meant that every little piece of information got so much hype that people nearly exploded of excitement.

Two examples:
- GTPlanet Blog about a god damn T SHIRT at a motor show in OSLO....get 109 comments from readers!!
- Leaked Youtube clip of a Toyota Yaris getting a GT5 oil change...(THE MOST BORING PART OF THE GAME WITH THE MOST BORING CAR)....19,670 views in a single DAY!

I reckon it's brilliant, im enjoying every bit of it
 
This game sells itself


I mean, this isnt Forza or Kinect.... you wont see Kaz headtracking with Oprah..


"Look....under....your...SEATSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Every. One. Here. Gets. A. MAZDA FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!"

Someone told me Kaz was backstage when this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcI-rHO0yko
 
jac31k
Its that lack of info thats creating hype for the game though AngloAmerican

What would you talk about if Sony told you they were releasing it December Xth, and that this is the final car list, this is the final track list, this is everything and we hope you enjoy it?

This lack of information meant that every little piece of information got so much hype that people nearly exploded of excitement.

Two examples:
- GTPlanet Blog about a god damn T SHIRT at a motor show in OSLO....get 109 comments from readers!!
- Leaked Youtube clip of a Toyota Yaris getting a GT5 oil change...(THE MOST BORING PART OF THE GAME WITH THE MOST BORING CAR)....19,670 views in a single DAY!

I reckon it's brilliant, im enjoying every bit of it
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I understand where your coming from regards the info. It would feel like the feeling you get at xmas time when you have already opened your presents the day before, or worse you actually knew what you were getting. That feeling sucked when i was young, so ive made sure every xmas nowadays is a suprise......lol.

Its just with the delays, and still no word, and heck after seeing the "leaked" videos i and millions of others want it NOW...........Jeez maybe their strategy has been working all along :lol:.

AA
 
CoolColJ
I've seen big double spread GT5 ads in Car mags. These are the kind of places you want to target. Casual gamers won't touch GT5
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You are so wrong... Casual gamers = 80%+ sales for nearly every game with very rare exceptions, but GT is not one of those.
It's not that hardcore so casual gamers or just kids won't be able to play it and just have fun.
You don't need a g27 + a wheel stand, you don't need to have any driving skills or even fast reaction for GT5. Sure, they (casuals) won't get 100%/platinum trophy, they will drive with automatic gearbox and standart physics. Well, you got the point.

Btw, even less casual games still have at least 70%+ of casual players.
StarCraft 2 for example. It's an rts for PC for those who don't know. You know, e-sports, tournamets with good $ rewards, progamers and pro teams who are sponsored by well know companies and so on.
There's 5 leagues: diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze.
Of course bronze and silver for the players with lowest skill lvl. And guess what? Bronze league have about the same ammount of players as all other leagues together.
And as a SC2 player i'm telling you that those ppl who are in the bronze league are not just casuals (everyone below mid diamond considers as casuals), they really bad in term of SC2 skills. Yet, they still bought the game and having fun with it (of course they are matched vs ppl with about the same skill lvl as they).

So to sum this up. While GT is a real driving simulator and not even close to a "true" arcade racing games like a Burnout or NFS. It's still a very casual friendly game, it was like that in every GT game and i bet it'll be the same in GT5. And it's why it's so popular and have so good sales for years. Check some PC hardcore racing sim sales ( i don't play to those, but i've seen a few)... Almost no one even knows about those games, so yeah, those games not for casuals, but GT is.

And i'm really sorry for this offtopic, but i've seen everyone is talking about Black Ops ads and so on, so i thought why not. >.<

Ok, back to topic. Since my country sucks a big time, we almost don't have any ads for games on TV. Gotta say there were ads for GTPSP tho, but only after it was released. And the only places in the internet i've seen some GT5 ads were online shops i believe.
But i think it's ok, it's a "gaming season" and Xmas in next month, don't need a lot of ads during this time, 1 week before release will be ok i think. =)
 
I think GT1 had the most advertising of any GT game. The rest never really had did a lot of advertising. And it's still the second best selling racing franchise with only Need For Speed ahead of it. (And NFS has three times as many games and has sold only a little under twice as much.)
 
hsoomal
This game sells itself


I mean, this isnt Forza or Kinect.... you wont see Kaz headtracking with Oprah..


"Look....under....your...SEATSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Every. One. Here. Gets. A. MAZDA FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!"

Someone told me Kaz was backstage when this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcI-rHO0yko
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Haha that made me laugh 👍
 
-> SCEE doesn't have to worry too much, with its epic bombardment of ads all over at almost every racing series in Europe.

-> SCEA needs to market GT5 in a more mature audience that will be geared towards at least to casual gearheads, not just gamers in particular. Plus SCEA definitely needs to catch up with its colleagues from SCEE and SCEI. SCEA by far has the worst PR on its PS3 brand by far, and even "Kevin Butler" & "Marcus" didn't help much either. :indiff:
 
Everyone knows what Coca Cola is and what Christmas is, but it doesn't stop the world's most popular soft drink being advertised every year.
 
Quoting myself from the old General Discussion thread:


Predwolf
Trying to think about this logically, they don't run ads too far from release. TV ads are very expensive to run, sometimes upwards of $1,000,000. for ten seconds of air time. IF they're going to start running ads, it will probably be about two weeks before the game comes out, with the longer, larger ads coming out closer to release.

This means we SHOULD see them sometime soon, along with official announcements for a release date. This is how it usually works with almost every major game release. I wouldn't be surprised if they bust out Kevin Butler for the GT5 ads, which means they have to pay the actor(s) and staff, as well as the producer, and company that edits the ad and puts it all together, and then the airtime on top of that.

Very expensive stuff, this is why they don't run the ads well before the game is out.
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AngloAmerican
I understand where your coming from regards the info. It would feel like the feeling you get at xmas time when you have already opened your presents the day before, or worse you actually knew what you were getting. That feeling sucked when i was young, so ive made sure every xmas nowadays is a suprise......lol.

Its just with the delays, and still no word, and heck after seeing the "leaked" videos i and millions of others want it NOW...........Jeez maybe their strategy has been working all along :lol:.

AA
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And I'm sitting here thinking, "Oil change video? That sounds cool!"

And now I can't find the darn thing on YouTube. Anyone have a link?
 
hsoomal
This game sells itself


I mean, this isnt Forza or Kinect.... you wont see Kaz headtracking with Oprah..


"Look....under....your...SEATSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Every. One. Here. Gets. A. MAZDA FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU GET A FURAI! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!"

Someone told me Kaz was backstage when this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcI-rHO0yko
Click to expand...


Blahahahaha, this made my day! 👍
 
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